#i think it started w the lovestruck update

[hdmiports]

anyone got any thoughts on what could be making my sims’ lips have these weird gaps? this is a cc preset but it happens even with the base game ones and seems to only happen w my fem frame sims.

[jeremy-queere]

im actually gonna liveblog my own thoughts about those last few chaps of my fic, which are basically always going to be "i'm hilarious actually" but yknow. specific lines. minor spoilers ig

>be jeremy >tell rich about how you fixed the giant issue where yelling at a squip can turn off every squip in the network >by telling him this aloud, you just alerted the squips to this security flaw >mfw i destroyed the easiest way to save the world without a second thought: :) >still smilling at rich, ready for praise >rich short circuits.

plus with the shutdown that christine mentioned this chapter. it's almost like ? jeremy isn't coming at this from a perspective of wanting to turn squips off???? and never even bothered researching that option??? 😂 bonkers. who'd have thought

i fully recognize that having a coder POV say "The bugs, miraculously, became rarer and smaller" is the biggest ask in the fic in terms of suspension of disbelief. maybe when jeremy is better at this they'll realize they were wrong about that. not in a "this update is secretly a time bomb" way but in a "holy shit i can't believe i used to think this was good programming" way

i still think it's funny whenever i reference jeremy muting themself after the FIRST TIME it came up where jeremy acknowledged that "muting themself wasn't any different from a human just choosing not to speak." i love my weird robot child.

i still like the "C-c-c-c'mon, Jeremy, can't you see, we've got a date, so concentrate! We'll start with us, just me and you, some deja vu, and then ensue: your microchip plus our friendship-" implying "the squip" being sung in the same lovestruck voice as the chorus usually sings "christine."

^ i usually pick a song to write the summary from based solely on vibes and character focus. the fact that this was from Upgrade rather than two player game was a dead giveaway regarding michael's intentions btw.

writing michael after that last mall scene has been so weird. on purpose. but like everything he says is a catchy line ending on a discordant note. the sudden pivot from slowburn to joking about having sex and humanity = romance. every time michael interrupts or talks over jeremy instead of going out of his way to set a good example, i wince lol. encouraging them to stop thinking so much. ignoring every one of jeremy's soft "no"s because they're inconvenient. Here Are Our Stereotypical Nerd Spots and Here Is Your Mandated Giant Teddy Bear and Here Is My Secret Condom. (jeremy sprinted into the sunset before we got to that part and we all thank them for it.) jeremy never once having indicated that they wanted to actually have sex any time soon but michael did everything in his power to make sure the date would end that way without a single worry about what jeremy told them about chloe.

i don't think it's spoilers to clarify that michael was in the driver's seat for all of that, but was in a situation where he was very incentivized to listen to the SQUIP. and jeremy looooves squips so obviously the SQUIP is the expert on this, not michael :P

madeline offscreen: constant orgies, pretending to be from paris, scheming femme fatale madeline for the 2.3 seconds she was onscreen: i swear quebec is better than people give it credit for wait don't go-

jeremy's definition of breaking up with someone is, consistently, running away from an emotionally charged moment and convincing themself that they hate them. lol.

christine accusing jeremy of talking at her was also a direct response to the author trying to get on their wikipedia-level-of-philosophy-knowledge soapbox again. btw on that note, observation selection effect seems to only be mentioned in places as a synonym for the anthropic principle. it is more specific than how jeremy defines it, being an existential thing about how "the range of possible observations that could be made about the universe is limited by the fact that observations could happen only in a universe capable of developing intelligent life" (~ wikipedia <3). i get away with a lot of bullshit claims, some of them even intentionally bullshit, bc the character making those claims is reading even less of the wikipedia article than i am.

but that was transparently just a nod to the book being one of the many parallel universes that are foundational to how the squip works in canon

speaking of references that delight me and me alone, in-character phantom of the opera reference re: pageboy

i think all the main/supporting cast all think they're the main characters. except jeremy! not because of jeremy 1.0's insistence that he's not a leading man, but because they have been so busy with observing themself that they haven't even considered anyone else observing them and coming to different conclusions. (see: the PA system joke with michael which alerted the ENTIRE SCHOOOOooool 🎶 to their situation, which in jeremy's narrative, was just a gag as part of a longer fun flirty convo with michael, brought up for laughs and then forgotten.) (it's not like it's plot relevant as in that it doomed them or anything, but just a signal that not everyone perceives the fic events like jeremy does!!)

they're trying to learn to be less self-absorbed (and i'm not saying that as an insult so much as an accurate description of their default thought patterns) but it IS a learning curve. for all their self-reflection, i would describe them as a very reactive person, which is also probably why they (along with jeremy 1.0 and keanu squip) constantly struggle/d with needing a sense of control

im aware that despite christine's in-character criticism of the narrative i wrote 🙃 that she's here for exposition and emotional closure. she knows and she's not happy about it. it's a consequence of writing the story i wanted to tell but that doesn't make it immune from criticism. it's a good question for me, that the story i wanted to tell DID involve removing her agency so much. but i don't see that as a question that needs a direct answer or for me to defend so much as something to reflect on after it's over. in the meantime christine ma'am i'll give you something good in the epilogue i prommy, and i'll add something about this to my notes now that i think about it.

[bunnyywritings]

May I request fluffy headcanons for kirishima with a male s/o who’s 7’2 in height pwease

[a/n: thank you for your request lovely anon! I’m sorry this took so long but you are officially my first kirishima request!! ♡ I’m not gonna lie, I kinda forgot that there are people that are 7′0ft tall...I’m only 5′7 😖 I’ve never met someone that tall so I hope I did this well enough, enjoy! -yours truly, bunnyy -`ღ´-]

Kirishima with a 7′ft tall male!s/o

⌬ when he first met you he was shocked, not at all because he was intimidated but because he was awestruck 

⌬ but after getting over that initial shock, he’d rush over to you and gush over how you were the epitome of manliness

⌬ I feel like Kiri is kinda dense when it comes to his feelings so it would take him a while to realize that he had feelings for you

⌬ he’d just think that he held a great admiration for you because of your manliness

⌬ as the school year went on, he’d get used to your height (working w/ Fatgum definitely helped with that)

⌬ he’d be hanging with the bakusquad during lunch when you caught his eye, you had been speaking with Midoriya, just telling him about the improvements of your quirk so he could update his notebook

⌬ he couldn’t help but think how cute you were, you’d get a little flustered whenever Midoriya would compliment you or just show any general excitement towards you

⌬ Sero was first to notice the lovestruck gaze in Kiri’s eyes and a blush to match covering his cheeks, he elbowed Mina and gestured over to the red head

⌬ she followed Kirishima’s gaze to see that you were what was consuming his attention

⌬ from then on, she had recruited the other girls to help her with on he mission to get Kirishima and you together

⌬ they had become more aware of your loving stares towards Kirishima when he wasn’t looking, or the way you would stifle a chuckle whenever him and Denki did something stupid

⌬ the two of you became friends before anything else, this allows the both of you to get to know each other

⌬ the two of you often played video games in the common room or have saturday morning training where you may or may not have thrown a couple of sparring matched just to have him pin you down

⌬ the two of you got closer one night

⌬ you had just gotten out of the shower when he sent you a text asking you to help him out with something in his room

⌬ confused, you changed into some comfortable clothing before heading over to his room

⌬ you knocked on his door, “Eiji? Is eveything okay?” you called quietly, there was some silence before the door opened

⌬ “Oh! (Y/n), your here. I need your help.” He tugged you into his room, locking his door behind the both of you

⌬ you were about to say something when your eyes landed on his scalp...since when were the roots of his hair black??? then you spotted the boxes of hair dye on his desk, your eyes widened in reaization

⌬ “You dye your hair?”

⌬ “Huh? Oh, yeah I do. That’s actually why I asked for help.” He scratched the back of his neck nervously. “Mina usually does it but she’s busy.”

⌬ she wasn’t

⌬ she said she was and suggested for Kiri to ask you for help

⌬ you had spent that night with Kirishima sat between your legs as you helped him re-dye his grown out roots and listening to him open up about his past and why he dyed his hair

⌬ you’d never admit it but you took your time just to have him close to you for a little bit longer

⌬ “Do you mind helping me wash it out?” You had instant;y said ‘yes’

⌬ he sat down in a kitchen chair and leaned back so his head was in the sink, you were standing above him with your hands running through his hair. washing out the dye and massaging shampoo and conditioner onto his scalp and rinsing it out

⌬ he had tried to keep his blush under control during this whole time, fighting to keep his eyelids from drooping because having you run your hands through his hair was so calming

⌬ you gazed down at him, he had lost the fight and let his eyelids close while you rinsed the last of the suds from his hair and turned off the faucet

⌬ he looked so peaceful, his features soft and relaxed and you could’ve sworn there was a tinge of pink dusting his cheeks

⌬ you hadn’t realized you were staring until his eyes fluttered open and stared right up into yours, his doe eyes making you blush

⌬ “Well hello there.” He smiled. “I guess I fell asleep...” you were in a trance, not processing his words until a couple of seconds passed

⌬ “You know (y/n), you’re really handsome...your skin looks so soft.”

⌬ before he could stop himself, he reached up and cupped your cheek. the pad of his thumb running over your skin, the tension between the two of you became palpable

⌬ behind the corner, Mina and some of the other girls were trying their hardest not to squeal and giggle in excitement at the adorable scene unfolding before their very eyes

⌬ just then, Kirishima’s other hand gripped your waist and brought you down onto his lap, the blush on your face was as fiery as his freshly dyed hair

⌬ he smiled cutely at you as you grabbed the towel you had draped over the counter and placing it over his head before moving it around to dry his hair

⌬ “You know what, I-I think I like you.” Your eyes widened at his sudden confession

⌬ “So...you wouldn’t mind if I just..k-kissed you?”

⌬ “I think I’d like it.” His toothy grin made your heart skip a beat, the hand that was still on your cheek started to guide you to him

⌬ you placed your hands onto his strong shoulders to steady yourself as you leaned towards him, your lips meeting briefly before pulling away

⌬ his eyes wide, blush much more intense as he swallowed nervously, “Could we- can we do that again?”

⌬ With much more confidence, you met his lips one more time. his lips moved cautiously against yours, it was inexperienced but sweet and genuine

⌬ from then on started your wholesome, and sometimes crackheaded, relationship with Eijiro Kirishima

⌬ he was an incredibly sweet boyfriend, always cheering you on during training and making you smile so hard your cheeks were sore

⌬ I think he would often ask for piggy back rides, you’d run around with him screaming “I AM TALL” while perched on your back

⌬ he would shower you with compliments 24/7, the bakusquad would always tease him about how sappy he is but they’re all happy to see him be so soft for you

⌬ if you were ever insecure about your height, he wouldn’t even let you get the chance to be sad

⌬ BABY SPOOn

⌬ this boy would gladly be baby spoon when you guys cuddle, he loves the feeling of having you hold him so close

⌬ BUT

⌬ if you ever wanted to be baby spoon, he would instantly open his arms and make grabby hands at you so you could climb into his embrace

⌬ 100% takes advantage of your height to get the good snacks that Bakugo hides on the top shelf

⌬ I feel like he’s the type to brag about you ALL THE TIME

⌬ Fatgum thinks it’s adorable

⌬ speaking of Fatgum, he tells Kiri to invite you on a little team dinner they were having

⌬ Tamaki would definitely shrink back behind Fatgum because he finds you intimidating but he finds out soon enough that you were a gentle giant, just like his mentor

⌬ Fatgum liked that you could handle your food

⌬ by the end of the night, he definitely approves of yours and Kiri’s relationship, he can see by the way the both of you interact, the way the both of you look at each other that you’re in love

⌬ there’s never a dull moment during your relationship

⌬ class 1-A definitely thinks that the you’re both absolutely adorable

⌬ because even after having been together for a while, you would gaze at each other when the other wasn’t looking

⌬ adoration and love clear in your eyes

[inevitably-johnlocked]

Do you know any fics that have the angstiest angst to have ever angsted BUT a good ending (I don't think I can handle anything worse than a good one) You're lovely, by the way 😊💙

Anonymous said to inevitably-johnlocked: Hey boo, Do you have any recommendations for angst with a happy ending?? Thank you ! - 🤠

Hi Lovelies!!

Aww, thanks for your lovely comment, Nonny One!! Yeah, I love dying but then being happy at the end, and I can assure you I definitely have some fics for ya both!! I’ll use this opportunity to update one of my old related lists, then, since Nonny Two specifically asked for them!! I’ve a lot of new ones to add to it, anyway!

ANGST WITH HAPPY ENDING Pt. 2

See also: 

Angst With a Happy Ending Pt. 1

Pining and Angst With Happy Endings Masterpost

Idiot by Anesthesiologist (T, 1,229 w. || Hurt/Comfort, Friendship, Alternate TGG / Explosion, BAMF John, Sherlock Whump, Inner Monologue, John Saves Sherlock, POV Sherlock) – What the heck happened? He remembered the pool and Moriarty, but then what? Had he been dying?

Things That You Can't Say Tomorrow Day by PsychGirl (T, 4,022 w. || Post S4, POV John, Cuddling / Snuggling, Hypothermia, Snowed In, Angst, Romance) – Things go horribly wrong while John and Sherlock are on a mission for Mycroft. Now they're out in the woods in the middle of winter with no coats and no shelter. However will they stay warm?

Bitter Nights Turned Sweet by Hyliare (T, 4,076 w. || Pre-Slash, Insomnia/Hallucinations, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, POV Present Tense John Watson, Cuddling/Snuggling) – Sherlock has always had trouble sleeping; he hasn't always had someone in his life willing to help.

How Will I Know? by eragon19 (E, 4,895 w. || Pining, Love Confessions, POV Sherlock, Fluff, Sherlock’s Imagination, Papa Lestrade) – Here was the problem: Sherlock Holmes was completely and irrevocably in love with John Watson, and he had absolutely no idea how to tell him.

The Refining Fire by Arwen Jade Kenobi (T, 5,451 w. || Post-TGG AU, Angst, Friendship, Alternating POV (Lestrade, Mycroft, Sherlock), Worried Sherlock, Hospital Recovery) – Fire can burn things to ashes, but it can also burn things together.

Welcome Home, John by slashscribe (G, 5,504 w. || Post-S3, Angst, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Awkwardness, Stabbed Sherlock, Protective Sherlock, Panic Attack (Sherlock), Self Esteem Issues, Love Confessions, First Kiss) – When John moves back to 221B, he thinks he’s the broken one, but after a while, it becomes clear that he might not be correct.

Hide and Seek by Arwen Jade Kenobi (T, 6,934 w. || Angst, Rev. Reich-ish, Mycroft is a Dick, Depression, Case Fic-ish, Friendship, Reunion) – Pseudo sequel to "The Refining Fire." "You owe him the truth, and you owe me the proof that will convince him that I had no part in this."

Inconvenient Timing by TheMadKatter13 (M, 7,072 w. || Omegaverse || Omega John/Alpha Sherlock, Romance, Public Heat, Scared John, Protective / Worried / Possessive Sherlock, Post-TBB AU, Caring Sherlock, Pre-Slash, Happy Ending) – When John's heat failed to appear three times in a row after he was shot, he figured it was just another broken piece off the broken toy soldier. So he was rather surprised to feel it start out of the blue...and not at all pleased with it starting while he was on the tube.

A Friend Indeed by Sanru (K+, 8,190 w. || Missing John, Friendship, Drama, Introspection, Possessive Sherlock, Worried Sherlock) – Something has gone terribly wrong with a supposedly simple case. John Watson is missing. While the search for him is proving to be fruitless, it has made Sherlock realize that having an emotional attachment to someone may have its disadvantages but he liked being able to call John his friend. Now if only he could find out what happened to him...

Never Been This Swept Away by estalita11 (T, 8,531 w. || Post-TAB, Mary is Not Nice, Drug Use, First Kiss, Love Confessions) – Set immediately after TAB, Sherlock visits his brother to definitely not apologize about earlier and ends up finally learning a few things that would have been nice knowing about months ago. Mycroft never wants to deal with lovestruck idiots ever again.

Inked in Memory by 221b_hound (E, 9,716 w. || Post-HLV, Tattoos, First Kiss / Time, Anal, Cuddling, Scars, Captain John, Kissing, Switchlock) – John has been back at Baker Street for a year, following the debacle that ended in Mary's death. Things are good. Back almost to what they used to be. Sherlock might wish they were something else, now, but he only has himself to blame, he thinks. It's too late, now, for the things he first denied before he'd ruined any chances he might have had. Sherlock also thinks that people who get tattoos are idiots. But perhaps he's about to learn a thing or two, not least of which might be it's not as late as he thinks it is. Part 1 of Lock and Key

The Dying Doctor by Transcendental Starlight (T, 11,258 w. || Friendship, Hurt/Comfort, Sick John / John Whump, ACD Rewrite) – Loosely based off ACD's "The Dying Detective." Sherlock relives a case that should have killed him, but instead resulted in John being hospitalized for a deadly disease. Sherlock endeavors to catch the murderer, while attempting to envision a future without John Watson. No Slash.

I See You Through by belovedmuerto (T, 12,078 w. || Psychic AU || Empath John, Alternate TGG, Whump, Nightmares, Bedsharing, Slow Burn, Pre-Slash) –John has never asked Sherlock about his past, his childhood, the reason he quails in lonely misery almost every time he sees his brother. He’s never needed to. Part 2 of An Experiment in Empathy

A Building of Bridges by Unique (K, 12,325 w. || Drama, Alternate First Meeting, John’s PTSD / Flashbacks, Mute John, Dialogue-Heavy, Caring Sherlock, Friendship) – No one would ever send Sherlock in to diffuse a stand-off; but on one unlikely day, that's exactly what happened. "Congratulations, Lestrade," he called out sarcastically. "You're traumatizing a war veteran."

Sherlock's Head, John's Heart by Altego (T, 17,252 w. || Tragedy, Heavy Angst, Heavy Bromance, Sherlock’s Mind Palace, Mary is Nice, Friendship) – After Mary dies, John tries to cope, and Sherlock blames himself but tries to make John understand how important John is in his life.

Between Friends by SilentAuror (E, 18,036 w. || Post S3, Alternating POV, Friends to Lovers, John in Denial, Abduction, Awkward Situations / Miscommunications, Porn With Feels, Blowjobs, Pining, Unrequited, Angst With Happy Ending) – Sherlock gets abducted. As John discovers him tied up naked in an empty storage facility and comes to rescue him, Sherlock's body has an unfortunate reaction which triggers a series of events. John is convinced that everything will be fine as long as they never discuss it. Sherlock isn't as sure...

Uncharted Territory by J_Baillier (T, 19,603 w. || Dystopian Future / Black Mirror AU || Angst, Drama, Homophobia, Bisexuality, Technology, Humour, Romance, Near Future, Happy Ending) – The System puts people through a series of assigned relationships in order to determine who their Perfect Match is. John believes that it works; Sherlock really, really doesn't. One of them is probably going to be wrong.

whiskies neat by Ellipsical (E, 20,660 w. || Alternate First Meeting, POV Second Person Sherlock, Slow Burn, One Night Stand, Rimming, Blow Jobs, Anal, Soldier John, Crying, Emotional Lovemaking, Switchlock) – Home and hearth and whiskies neat, or, alternatively, Sherlock Holmes falls in love.

The dying Doctor by marylouleach (T, 21,168 w. || Hurt/Comfort, Friendship, John Whump) – Doctor Watson is gunned down in a dark alley after work, Sherlock wont rest until he finds the man responsible. Guilt riddles him when he realizes he could have prevented this.

26 Pieces by Lanning (E, 28,236 w. || H/C, Torture, First Time, Happy Ending, Schmoop) – Mycroft gives Sherlock the apparently simple task of solving a puzzle box containing a stolen microchip. It isn't simple.

Hellfire by testosterone_tea (E, 28,596 w. || Fantasy / Magic / Mages / Elementals AU || Mage Sherlock, Elemental John, Developing Relationship, Torture, Powerful / BAMF John, POV Alternating, Dark / Blood Magic, UST, First Kiss) – Sherlock is a Mage that gets involved with a case involving Dark Summoning rituals, leading him to John Watson, a man with Berserker blood. The only thing is, Berserkers have been extinct for centuries. And of course, nothing involving Mycroft and his interfering ways is ever simple. This time, even Sherlock may have bitten off more than he can chew.

To Mend Icarus by AlessNox (T, 29,186 w. || Post-TRF, Friendship, Drama, BAMF!John, Emotional Turmoil, Introspection, Harry is in this Fic, Angry John, Happy Ending, Queerplatonic Relationship) – After a case lands John Watson in court, he tells Sherlock that he is leaving. Not understanding why, Sherlock decides that the only way to learn the truth is to investigate his flatmate, Dr. John Watson. A revision of the story Mending Icarus.

The Wisteria Tree by SilentAuror (E, 29,773 w. || Post-S3, Emotional Love Making, Amnesia/Memory Loss, Sherlock Loves John So Much, Sherlock POV, Romance, Angst with Happy Ending, First Times, Hurt/Comfort, Est. Rel., Retirement) – Sherlock wakes up from a month-long coma only to discover that he has no memory of the previous six years to his own shock as well as John's...

Another Auld Lang Syne by DiscordantWords (M, 30,234 w. || Post S4, Mutual Pining, Alternating POV, Introspection, Parentlock, Christmas, New Year’s, First Kiss, Past Drug Use, Angst with Happy Ending, Drinking, Sherlock Whump) – There had been years of missed chances.

carrying up his morning tea by darcylindbergh (E, 34,504 w. || Post S3, Minor Character Death, Grief/Mourning, Wakes/Funerals, Estranged John, Pining Sherlock, Depression/Insecurity, Slow Burn, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Chronic Pain/Injury, Reconciliation, Awkwardness, Loneliness, Scars, Angst With Happy Ending) – His fingers tremble as he dials and he can’t force them steady. Familiar number, even though he hasn’t used it in two years. He isn’t even sure he should be calling it now, but she’d asked. She’d made him promise.

Nothing to Make a Song About by emmagrant01 (E, 36,833 w. || Post-TRF, First Time, Reunion, Jealous John, Pining Sherlock, Romance, Angst with Happy Ending) – When Sherlock returned from his faked death, John could not forgive him for the deception and broke off their friendship. Ten years later, John returns to London in search of yet another new beginning. Sherlock, not surprisingly, is waiting.

The Unfinished Letters by SilentAuror (E, 37,391 w. || Post S3 / S3 / HLV Fix it, Angst with Happy Ending, Romance, Infidelity, Depression, Case Fic, POV Third Person Sherlock, Love Confessions, Pining Sherlock, Letters) – A fire at Baker Street leads John to read something he was never intended to see: a notebook of half-written, unfinished letters Sherlock wrote during his time away...

Turn Left at the Park by Glenmore (NR (E), 37,409 w. || Alternate First Meeting / ASiP Divergence, Case Fic, Depression, Suicidal Ideation, Loneliness, No Mary, Possessive Sherlock, Fluff & Angst, Nightmares/PTSD, Sherlock Saves John, Sherlock Whump-ish, Doctor John) – So what would have happened if John hadn't walked through the park and met Stamford?What if, instead, he walked around the park and just went home?

Act IV by SilentAuror (E, 39,707 w. || First Person POV Sherlock, HLV Fix-It, Indifelity, Angst, Drama) – After Sherlock is shot, John moves back into Baker Street. They spend the autumn together as John tries to make sense of his life and make some important decisions about both Mary and Sherlock. Canon-compliant, excerpts from His Last Vow.

(Never) Turn Your Back to the Sea by DiscordantWords (M, 39,968 w. || Post S4 Fix It || Grief / Mourning, Victor Trevor, Friendship, Sherlock is Not Okay, Nightmares/Flashbacks/Panic Attacks, Parentlock, Pining Sherlock, Angst with Happy Ending, John Comes Home) – Baker Street is very much the same. Only different. And Sherlock is just trying not to drown.

In the Still of the Night by SilentAuror (E, 42,234 w. || S4 Fix It / Post-S4, Sherlock POV, Angst, Drama, Romance, Virgin Sherlock, Awkwardness, Misunderstandings / Miscommunications, Case Fic, Travelling, Pining) – As locals on the Northeastern coast begin to report UFO sightings, life at Baker Street becomes significantly awkward as John brings up his desire for more than friendship and Sherlock refuses him. They embark on the investigation from the confines of the tiny cottage Mycroft has rented for them, attempting to navigate both the clues of the case as well as their own inability to communicate...

Sentenced by SarahKnight (T, 44,777 w. || Dev. Rel., Alternate S4 Canon, Drama, Angst, Pining, Feelings are Hard) – Virtual series 4 opener. Sherlock's in prison being targeted by a murderer, John's married to a pregnant assassin and Moriarty's back.

The Real Great Perfumers by shelleysprometheus (E, 45,355 w. || Case Fic, Alternating POV, Gay Sherlock / Bi John, Canon Compliant with Divergence at TRF, Friends to Lovers, Oral / Anal, Pining, First Kiss / Time, Dev. Rel., Drugging, Body Worship, Bathing, Love Confessions, Travelling, Bottomlock, Cranky Sherlock, BJ’s, Alternating POV, Jealous John) – The case, this case. This extraordinary, fascinating, scintillating case. A house. Designed entirely by its eccentric owner, built by no less than five hundred expert tradesmen in the heart of Marrakesh. A house that had, seemingly not only driven its owner out, but also to his quite unpleasant death. And a perfumer, a chemist no less, the very thought of the secrets that house could reveal, would reveal was irresistible. Sherlock had to have this case ... and it seems, he also had to have John! Part 1 of the Forethought and Fire series

Coventry by standbygo (E, 52,020 w. || Dollhouse AU || Case Fic, Slow Burn, Sci-Fi / Fantasy, First Kiss / Time, Attempted Rape, BAMF John) – “Let me get this straight,” John said, wondering when his life had become a science fiction film. “Some guy orders up a personality, a person, to his specifications, and they program this into a real live person, who has consented to do this, and she goes to this person and acts as his wife, or lawyer, or Royal Marine, or Navy Seal or what have you, and she has all the skills, all the knowledge, everything? Then you say the magic words, and she follows you back to The House, and they erase it all until her next appointment?”

A Hundred Crimson Sols by elldotsee (E, 55,536 w. || Astronauts AU || Mars Exploration / Space Travel, Slow Burn, Shy Sherlock, Scientist Sherlock / Biomed Engineer John, Alternating POV, Mutual Pining, UST, Angst with Happy Ending, Domestic Fluff, Hurt/Comfort, Injuries, Suicidal Ideation, Zero-G Sex) – Will Holmes is a chemical researcher recognized widely for his contributions to the new Mars exploration program. Thanks to his ground-breaking developments, the IMMC (International Mars Mission Corporation) is one step closer to Martian colonization. Will and his team of scientists are headed out on the first of three manned missions before the first group of settlers arrive. Three days before launch, one of the crew has to be replaced. Will panics because...new people. The replacement is of course one John Watson, biomedical engineer and space hottie who was pretty sure he had retired from actual space exploration and was now content to work in the nice, quiet research lab. Can the crew survive this TOTALLY ROUTINE trip? Will they be able to endure each other for the looooooong trip in close quarters? Gonna be a wild ride... prepare for blast off. Part 1 of the SpaceBois go to Space series

The Thing Is by TSylvestris (E, 56,743 w. || Case Fic, Dev. Rel., Anal/Oral, Blow Jobs, Meddling Mycroft, Drama, Romance, Humour, Casual Encounters, Pining Idiots, Possessive Sherlock, Orgasm Delay, Rough / Alley Sex, Public Sex, John Whump, Drugged John, Emotional Love Making, Awkward Relationship, Marriage of Convenience, Switchlock) – The problem with living with Sherlock, John thought, was that you never, never, ever knew the significance of anything. Like your flatmate's nose buried in your hair. Whilst you're in bed. Part 1 of Nitroglycerine

One Little Change by jadztone (E, 58,312 w. || ASiB Divergence, Fake Relationship, Bed Sharing, Mutual Pining, Friends to Lovers, First Kiss / Time, Anal Sex, Blow Jobs, Bi John / Gay Demisexual Sherlock, Switchlock, Alternating POV, Jealousy, Misunderstandings, Case Fic, Angst with Happy Ending, Emotional Love Making, Butt Plugs, Cuddles) – Our story begins right after John and Sherlock's first meeting with Irene Adler in September. It splits off into an AU that imagines them taking a case where they act as bait to hook a killer targeting closeted gays in secret relationships. In the weeks leading up to Christmas, many things happen that have our boys wondering if maybe they have a chance with each other. Then Irene fakes her death on Christmas Eve, and things get a lot more complicated - especially since they still have a killer to catch.

floating through a dark blue sky by Lediona (M, 58,966 w. || Notting Hilll AU || POV John, Celebrity Sherlock, First Date / Time / Kiss, Past Drug Addiction, Angst with a Happy Ending) – Of course, I’d seen his films and always thought he was, well, brilliant -- but, you know, a million miles from the world I live in. Or, when John is the owner of a travel book shop and the famous Sherlock Holmes stops in one day.

The Burning by SrebrnaFH (M, 60,658 w. || Reverse Reichenbach, Suicide, Depression, Hurt Sherlock / John, Separation, BAMF John, Good Big Brother Mycroft, Angst, Implied/Referenced Torture, Fake Character Death, Rescue Mission, Reconciliation / Reunion, Hospitalization, Marriage Proposal, Illnesses, Physical Therapy, Happily Ever After) – Something went very, very wrong. John had seemed, if not happy, then reasonably content with his life. Sherlock had never predicted something like THIS might have happened. Not in his worst nightmares. He was the lousiest friend ever, apparently. At least Mycroft found him something to occupy his mind with, so that he didn't have to go back to 221B and stare at the walls and the chair, where John Watson would never sit again.

An Experiment in Empathy by belovedmuerto (T, 62,397 w. across 13 stories || Empath AU || Psychic John, Psychic-by-Proxy Sherlock, Empathy, Psychic Bond, Romance / Bromance) – In which John is an empath, Sherlock is Sherlock, and an epic bromance happens. In the aftermath of The Great Game, John creates an unexpected bond between himself and Sherlock. Now they have to learn how to deal with it. John is better at this than Sherlock is.

This Thing All Things Devours by cypress_tree (E, 63,844 w. || In Time AU || Science Fiction, Dystopian Universe, First Meetings, Action / Adventure, Romance) – In 2169, time is money—literally. Humans are genetically engineered to stop aging at 25, when the numbers on their arm start counting down from one year. When that time is up, they die. The only way to get more time is to earn it, borrow it, or steal it.John Watson lives day-to-day in the crowded slums of Zone 13. He never imagined living any differently—until he meets the practically-immortal Sherlock, and helps him on a case to track a local time-thief...

The Bells of King's College by SilentAuror (E, 64,019 w. || Post-S4, Missed Opportunities, Angst with Happy Ending, Fake Relationship, Case Fic, John POV, Jealous John, John in Denial, Travelling / Holidays, Virgin Sherlock, Wedding Proposals) – It's only been two weeks since Eurus Holmes disrupted their lives when Mycroft sends John and Sherlock to Cambridge to pose as an engaged couple at a wedding show in the hopes of solving six unsolved deaths...

The Vapor Variant by 88thParallel (CanadaHolm) (M, 72,684 w. || Post-THoB, John Whump, Protective Sherlock, Guilty Sherlock, Anxious/Worried Sherlock, Virgin Sherlock, Angst with Happy Ending, Hurt/Comfort, PTSD John, Slow Burn, Mutual Pining, Suspense, Virus, Sickfic, Big Brother Mycroft) – They stood face to face in the middle of a clearing. The dim light of the moon barely allowed Sherlock to see the glassy terror in John’s eyes and the sweat that glistened off his forehead. His nose was bleeding again, blood dripping in a slow stream from his right nostril. They were both gasping for air, John’s eyes locked on Sherlock’s. There was no recognition there, just wild animal fear. Time stood still for an eternal few seconds, and Sherlock took a shaky breath. “John—”Spell broken, John spun and bolted back into the woods. Still heaving for air, Sherlock took off after him.

31_Days_of_Porn_Challenge_2017 Series by distantstarlight (E, 96,540 w. across 31 stories || Prompt Ficlets, Assorted Kinks, PWP) – A collection in response to the 31 Days of Porn Challenge issued by AtlinMerrik! Thanks for doing that because this has been buttload of fun (that joke never gets old). All stories will be brief stand-alone one-shots.

Two Two One Bravo Baker by abundantlyqueer (E, 114,574 w. || Military AU || Afghanistan, War Story, Thriller) – Captain John Watson of 40 Commando, the Royal Marines, is assigned to protect and assist Sherlock Holmes as he investigates what appears to be a simple war atrocity in Afghanistan. An intense attraction ignites between the two men as they uncover a conspiracy that threatens everything they’ve ever known, but Sherlock is as much hunted as hunter, and everyone close to him is in deadly danger. Can he solve the case in time to save himself and John? Part 1 of Two Two One Bravo Baker Universe

To Light Another's Path by BeautifulFiction (E, 128,654 w. || Post-TGG, Sick Fic, Hurt/Comfort, Drug Addiction / Recreational Drug Use, First Time / Kiss, Case Fic) – Teaching John to observe seems to be a losing battle, but when Sherlock falls ill and submits himself to John's care, will he realise that there is more to life than the science of deduction? Meanwhile, there is a murder to solve, and John must try and convince Sherlock not to sacrifice his own health for the sake of the case.

Gimme Shelter by SinceWhenDoYouCallMe_John (E, 159,368 w. || 70′s Surfer AU || Period Typical Homophobia, Hawaii, Enemies to Friends to Lovers, Professional Surfers, Gay John / Sherlock, Angst with Happy Ending, John was a Sailor, Misunderstandings) – All John Watson wants is the feeling of a freshly waxed surfboard under his feet and the hot California sun baking down onto his back. To finally go pro in the newly formed world of professional surfing and leave the dark memories of his past behind him as he rips across the face of a towering blue barrel. To lounge beside the beach bonfire every evening with an ice cold beer tucked into the cool sand beside him and listen to Pink Floyd and the Doors while the saltwater dries in his sun bleached hair. That's all he wants, that is, until the hot young phenom taking Oahu and the Hawaiian shores by storm steps up next to him in the sand in the second round of the 1976 International Surf Competition.

[aalissy]

Nerve Wracking Confessions

Yay! Chapter 15 of Dreaming in Black and White is finally done!! Sorry it took me foreverrrrrr. I hope you can forgive me <3. Updates should be less of a wait now, hopefully. It’s a more angstyyyy chapter today, so be prepared for that hehe.

AO3

Marinette paced atop her balcony, tugging her pigtails madly as she muttered to herself. Tikki floated hesitantly nearby, a sympathetic look entering her eyes as she watched her owner angrily rant to herself.

“Marinette?” her kwami called out hesitantly, stopping the girl in her tracks as she slowly turned to face her. 

“What am I supposed to do?” tears gathered in the corners of her eyes as she whispered desperately.

Tikki rushed over to the girl, hugging her cheek tenderly as she sighed, “Oh, Marinette.”

“A-and I can’t talk to Alya about this without her asking a million questions like, ‘When did you start liking Chat Noir?’ ‘How did you even meet him?’ ‘What about Luka?’” Marinette’s features paled considerably as she gazed off into the distance horror-struck, “Oh god... What about Luka?! I can’t hurt him, Tikki! I just can’t! Even if he isn’t my true soulmate, I just w-”

A curious voice cut her off from behind, “Who isn’t your true soulmate?”

Marinette yelped, jumping about five feet into the air as she spun around to face the last person she had expected, or even wanted to see. Quickly, she whipped her head back around to make certain Tikki wasn’t visible as she watched the tiny kwami phase through her trapdoor. The designer tensed before calling out a, “See you in class tomorrow!” and pretended to stuff her phone back in her purse. She turned back to Chat Noir with an oversized, awkward smile as she scanned his features for any sign of suspicion. Finding none, Marinette blew out a quiet sigh of relief before chirping over-exaggeratedly at him, “Chat! What are you doing here?”

“Just coming to check up on my purrincess. I missed you, Marinette,” he shot her a soft grin, and despite her best efforts, her heart melted. 

Soon enough her awkward smile slipped away to a real one as Marinette came closer to rest on the railing beside him. She hummed happily as she looked up at him, “I missed you too, Chaton. Even if you did just visit me yesterday,” she teased, bumping her shoulder against his body lightly. And if we don’t count that you just saw me in patrol a few hours ago, she giggled silently to herself.

“Were you talking to Alya just then?” he nodded down at her purse.

Marinette frowned curiously, wondering where he had gotten that impression, opening her mouth before slamming it shut. She quickly nodded her head overenthusiastically, another wide, awkward smile spreading across her face, “Yep! Mhm! We had just finished talking when you had arrived.” 

Shoot, I can’t believe I completely forgot that I was pretending to talk to Alya in order to cover for Tikki! How am I this stupid? Marinette winced to herself mentally, turning away from him to stare out at Paris as a deep, red blush bloomed across her cheeks. She glanced at him from the corner of her eye as she tried to assess whether or not he had caught her in yet another lie.

Chat merely nodded, his own gaze remaining fixed on the buildings in front of them before clearing his throat as he began to speak almost nervously, “And you were... talking about soulmates...” he trailed off, finally turning away from the city below them to lean closer to her, searching her eyes with his own.

Was that an almost hopeful look that flickered within his gaze or was she just seeing things? “Chat... I... do you like me?” the words that fell from her lips surprised her partner as well as herself as both of their mouths fell open. In the next second, Marinette’s hands flew up defensively as she backed away from the railing, “I-uh, never mind! I know you’re in love with Ladybug!” nervous, high-pitched laughs escaped her as she continued to back away from him, “I have no idea why I just asked that! Ignore me!”

As she continued to retreat away from him, she noticed Chat slide away from her balcony railing, watching her bump against the wall, “Marinette?” he called her name cautiously.

Marinette’s eyes quickly darted away from his own, moving around quickly until they landed on the trapdoor below her feet, “Brr! I’m cold! Are you cold? Great! Let’s go inside then!” 

Throwing the hatch open, Marinette landed ungracefully on her bed, wobbling slightly as she began scolding herself mentally, What are you doing?! Can you be any more awkward?! Why did you even ask Chat if he likes you? Good luck getting out of this one, Marinette. Quickly, she turned to her ladder and began scrambling down it, noticing as she did so that Chat had neatly landed on her bed.

“Marinette?” he called after her, causing her to pause halfway on her bedroom floor, “Where are you going?”

“To get us some croissants,” she squeaked out nervously. Clearing her throat to lower it back down to a reasonable tone, she beamed brightly, “You’re hungry, right? Who am I kidding you’re always hungry, so I’ll just go do that then,” she explained in a rush, still not turning around to face him. 

Seriously what am I doing?! I sound like a hyperactive chipmunk, she screeched at herself in her thoughts, I’ve only ever been this flustered around Adrien! This has never happened with Chat before! What am I going to do?

A warm, gloved hand wrapped around her wrist and she screeched, jumping about five feet into the air once again. Turning around she was met with a sheepish looking Chat Noir.

“Sorry,” he murmured, scratching the back of his neck anxiously, “I just, I mean that, well... I was wondering what you and Alya were talking about on the phone?” 

Again, her partner seemed to have an almost hopeful look in his eyes and Marinette had to shove the corresponding glee away as a small pile of butterflies fluttered delicately within her stomach. Clearing her throat nervously, Marinette managed to stutter out, ��W-what do you mean?”

“Well it sounded like you said you and Luka weren’t actually soulmates, and then I think you asked me a question that I might have misheard,” his voice dropped to a quiet whisper as he searched her eyes desperately, “Did I mishear, Marinette? What was it that you asked me on your balcony?”

The designer’s body deflated as her gaze lowered to the floor. How could she lie to him when he looked and sounded like that? Like his entire life rested upon what she said in response to his own question.

“Chat, I...” she started and then stopped, her gaze still focused entirely on the floor. 

The hand wrapped gently around her wrist moved to lift her chin up slowly, causing her to look into the sparkling eyes of her partner, “Marinette, please don’t lie to me.”

“I-I asked if you liked me?” she asked hesitantly, chewing her bottom lip nervously as she gazed up at him from beneath her lashes.

“Would it change anything if I said yes?” Chat’s eyes flickered between her own, searching for something she wasn’t certain she could give.

Clenching her eyes shut, Marinette opened her mouth to respond, “I-,” shaking her head, she managed to tear herself from his grasp, feeling her own heart wrench painfully as she backed away from him, “Chat, I-we can’t! I’m dating Luka!”

Her eyes opened slowly and she watched as his expression transformed from shock to determination, “So you didn’t tell Alya on the phone just now that Luka wasn’t your soulmate!”

“No!” she blurted out before shaking her head, “I mean yes! I mean... it’s complicated,” she let out a frustrated groan before tugging on her pigtails.

“Then help me to understand. What did you mean Marinette?” 

Blowing out a long exhale, she released her pigtails, feeling them spring back into place as she gathered her thoughts. After taking another deep breath in, she began to speak, “Luka and I aren’t soulmates in the literal sense of the term. We’re able to see color together, yes, but it’s only the one color. Blue,” almost against her will, Marinette took a few steps closer to Chat Noir, “I still don’t know what color your eyes are. O-or what any of the colors in this room are,” she gestured around them before falling backwards onto her chaise with a low groan. 

“What does that mean?” Chat’s voice called from above her, causing her to blink up into the eyes of her partner who was staring down at her curiously.

“I don’t exactly know,” Marinette shrugged, letting out a bitter laugh, “I’ve been told that though some parts of our soul are able to connect the other half just isn’t as compatible.”

A thump sounded next to her, and she turned her head to see her partner had landed next to her with an indiscernible look on his face, “C-could it be because your true soulmate is still out there?”

Marinette sucked in a stuttered breath as she felt Chat’s hand come to rest atop her own. Letting herself relax in his warm embrace for a few, tender moments, she let her eyes flutter closed. Not for the first time she wished that she had accepted Chat’s feelings as Ladybug when he confessed about a week ago. Maybe things wouldn’t be as complicated... 

When he squeezed her hand gently, her eyes slowly opened to face him once again, intent on telling him the truth. That he could never be her soulmate, and, even if he was, would only ever be able to see blue. When she stared into the adoring, lovestruck eyes of her partner, however, her heart gave a sharp tug and her lips parted as she froze. Tension filled the room as they continued to stare at each other. Finally, Chat managed to cut through the awkwardness with a wide, teasing smile, “Marinette, do you purrhaps like me?”

With a sputtered laugh, she grabbed the pillow atop her chaise and threw it at his face, “Seriously?! You’re going to ask me a question like that with a pun!? What is wrong with you?”

“It got you to laugh, didn’t it?” he batted the pillow aside easily, “So I thought it was pawsitively clawsome!”

With another sputtered laugh, she flipped over and buried her burning, flushed face into the chaise, “I hate you,” she muttered, her voice muffled slightly from being buried in the mattress.

“What was that, Marinette?” Chat poked her shoulder, “It sounded like you said you like me,” he sang cheerfully.

Her head popped up as she glared over at him, “I did not!”

“Well I like you,” he said, poking her shoulder once again. His smile was still wide but his eyes told another story. They were wide and uncertain like he was waiting for a response from her. A response she still couldn’t give.

“Chat,” Marinette started warningly, pushing herself off the chaise to clear her head and give her some space away from the infuriating cat.

He watched her retreat warily, standing up himself as she stopped in the middle of her room, “I was merely answering your question, Marinette.” 

Letting out a frustrated growl, she ran a hand through her hair, “Chat! We can’t!”

Her partner walked a few paces towards her, causing her to squirm uncomfortably before he stopped, “Fine, I’ll leave you alone,” and with that, she blew out a quiet breath of relief before he spoke again, “If you can tell me right now that you have no feelings for me.”

“W-what?” Marinette exhaled, her face turning an ashen color.

Chat came ever closer, cupping her two hands between his own, squeezing them gently as he searched her eyes with hope and love brimming just below the surface, “Can you tell me that, Marinette?”

“I-I...,” she stuttered, her own eyes darting around her room to avoid his gaze.

“Just tell me the truth, Mari. I’ll leave you alone if you say so. Cat’s honor,” the superhero winked at her.

 Marinette sucked in a harsh breath of air, “I-I can’t... I-I don’t...”

“Please look at me, Marinette,” he said gently.

With those words, her eyes were dragged back to his own and the love and admiration shimmering in his light grey eyes caused the butterflies she had been stamping down to release in a flurry. Hanging her head sheepishly, she answered his question, “I can’t tell you that Chat.”

“Yes!” a shout caused her to look up in alarm, “She likes me!”

Quickly slapping a palm over his lips she shushed him, “Are you trying to wake up my parents?! Be quiet you mangy Tomcat!”

“Sorry,” he grinned at her sappily after she removed her hand, “But you like me.”

Slapping her forehead, Marinette groaned quietly. What in the world am I going to do about him? With a sad sigh, she looked up at him and took a few steps back, once again putting distance between them, “Even if I do like you, Chat... don’t you see that this will never work. I’m dating Luka and I’m not even your soulmate. What happens if I do break up with my half soulmate and you end up finding the one person who can give you more colors than I can.”

His ears flattened above his head before a fierce determination flashed across his face, “I don’t care about seeing colors, Marinette. All I need is you.”

A choked gasp escaped her before she could stop it. Sucking in a harsh breath through gritted teeth, she shook her head against the massive wave of butterflies that fluttered in her stomach upon hearing his words, “You know that’s not true, Chat. Seeing the color blue was one of the most amazing experiences of my life and I’m not going to hold you back from that. I’m sorry Chaton. I’m sorry that I can’t give you any colors. I wish I could... I really, really do. But I just can’t,” she shrugged faintly.

Suddenly, he rushed forward, taking her hands between both of his as he leaned down to look at her, “I don’t care about any of that, Marinette. B-but why don’t we try something?”

“Try what?” the designer asked skeptically, raising an eyebrow in confusion.

“W-well, i-if you say that you’ll go out with me, we can see if your hypothesis about colors is really correct,” he squeezed her hands comfortingly, gazing down at her with so much awe and love that she couldn’t stop the small smile from creeping across her lips.

Scrunching her eyes closed, Marinette shook her head fiercely, “I can’t Chat! We’re not soulmates! It just won’t work!”

“Even if we aren’t, I still won’t care! I’m in love with you Marinette!”

The words startled her enough to fling her eyes open. She jumped back and away from him, her mouth falling open in surprise, “I- you... what?”

“I love you, Marinette,” Chat repeated himself more fiercely.

“Y-you do?” she whispered quietly, before firmly shaking her head, ignoring the pounding in her chest that implored her to reciprocate his words, “But, Chat, don’t you see... I can’t love you back.”

Marinette watched as the last embers of hope in her partner’s eyes fizzled out. Her heart gave a sharp tug and she was suddenly flooded with longing. A strong urge to wrap the boy up within her arms and never let him go filled her. But she couldn’t do that, she had to reject him, for both their sakes, even if it felt like her own heart was breaking along with his. Wrapping her arms around her sides as a form of comfort, she watched Chat open his mouth before closing it once again.

“I-I’m so sorry, Chaton. If I had figured my feelings out sooner this wouldn’t have happened,” she swallowed against the lump in her throat.

“No, I’m the one who’s sorry,” he shook his head, staring at her with a look that she couldn’t quite decipher, “I should have realized sooner.”

A light frown creased her brow as Marinette tried to understand the emphasis he placed on his words. Realization hit her quickly though, causing her to wince sharply, I can’t believe I forgot that he doesn’t know I’m Ladybug. He has no idea that I was the one who rejected him first. If only I hadn’t gotten rejected by Adrien... I would have easily accepted Chat’s offer to see if we were soulmates and saved us both this heartache. 

Her arms tightened around her sides as she blinked against the buildup of tears that gathered within the corner of her eyes, “I guess we’re both idiots then,” she smiled weakly.

“Yeah, I guess we are,” he sighed, climbing up the ladder to head to the trapdoor above her bed. Chat seemed to hesitate slightly under it but she just kept her mouth shut, watching as he disappeared into the night.

 When he vanished from her sight, Marinette buried her face in her hands letting the tears finally fall. It wasn’t too long before her kwami came over towards her, wrapping one of her cheeks up within her tiny palms, “Oh, Marinette. I’m so sorry.”

The designer sniffled, lifting her head up to give a wobbly smile to Tikki, “It’s alright, Tikki. It’s over and this was something I needed to do. I just... I never wanted to hurt him, but I did! Twice!”

Her kwami didn’t say a word. She merely nuzzled deeper into the girl’s cheek, trying to offer even a minuscule amount of comfort. Marinette smiled down happily at the kwami, cupping her gently after she wiped the tear tracks from her eyes, “What would I do without you, Tikki? You’re the greatest friend a girl could ever have!”

“Aw, thank you, Marinette. I love you too,” the small, bug-like creature beamed down at her.

Attempting to shake off any last remnants of her sadness, she grinned softly at her kwami, moving over to her wardrobe to change into her pajamas. Once changed, she snuggled into bed, whispering a goodnight to her kwami who had curled beside her pillow.

“Goodnight, Marinette, I hope you feel better in the morning.”

“I hope so too, Tikki. I hope so too,” she murmured, turning over and falling into a restless sleep.

[supersfade]

thank u @battylite for tagging me ! i couldnt reply bc this is a sideblog but dvnsdj that nfr snippet is reminding me i havent read the past few updates and i miss nfr pete and patrick 🥺

fandoms: i used to write one direction and ryden fics lol i never posted them though and never will nvkjdnk. peterick and fob’s dynamic is fun enough to explore atm

tropes: misunderstandings, romanticizing public transport & driving, mutual pining, slow burn, and friends to lovers !!

number of fics: i’ve posted 5 on ao3 

fic I’ve spent the most time on: honeymoons & smokebreaks i think that one took me two semesters, a summer, and half of my december break lol

fic I’ve spent the least time on: either naked magic or wishbone, i know both of them took roughly around a month more or less

shortest fic: naked magic at almost 15k!!

longest fic: hmsb at almost 62k

most kudos/comments/bookmarks: im the same with battylite, i prefer not to look at the numbers bc it will make me sad and insecure lol but it’s hmsb

total word count: 153,081 which is crazy !!

favorite fic: all of them mean something different to me 🥺 naked magic bc it’s the first thing i’ve ever finished, wishbone and dreaming of starting fires use ideas i’ve had since high school, hmsb bc it’s the longest & scorpio rising is a diff writing experience

fic I want to rewrite/expand: rewrite would def be dosf, the idea of the whole fic had been too big for me at the time and the pacing sucks. pacing would also be the reason why i’d like to rewrite hmsb bc when i think abt it, the pacing is also bad vnskd. expand would be hmsb again, american boyfriend talked a lot abt racism and i think it would be a disservice to ignore that, but i wasnt comfortable writing about a black man’s experience with racism thru pete’s pov so i was planning on exploring it thru patrick’s idk when that will happen tho. i also plan on expanding one of my wip’s into a mini series !!

share a bit of a wip: im writing three things atm but im ignoring all of them to play stardew valley also there’s no scorpio rising chap 7 preview bc i havent written it vnskjdvn

1. lovestruck, baby / ringtone

“Pete,” Patrick sighs as he presses harder, imagining Pete was here with him in the backseat of the tour van; the way it used to be. Hearing Pete’s voice, it’s easier for everything to come back to him. Patrick remembers: summer fevered fingers touching him while Joe’s guitar case dug into his back; the soft murmur of Andy’s voice in the driver’s seat and the car radio drowning out the sounds of quiet pants and sighs that Pete exhaled whenever Patrick bit into Pete’s neck; the smell of sweat, boy, sleeping bag, skin, Pete, Pete, Pete. Pete everywhere and the smell stuck to him no matter how much Patrick tried to clean up in whatever gas station bathroom they stopped at.

2. eternal sunshine of the spotless mind au

Patrick leads Pete to somewhere quieter, the balcony looking out into the skyline. It’s a war zone outside with the screaming and the explosion of fireworks, but it all sounds so far away to Pete. Patrick doesn’t become the only thing Pete sees, it’s not that cliche where everything hyper-focuses on him— instead, Patrick becomes the war zone.

i realize i need to interact w the community more dfndf but anyway if u wanna do this im tagging u!! i want to read other people’s answers too 🥺👉🏽👈🏽

[dreamingkdramas]

Listing ♥ (updated after years)

So, hello again people!

These are chronologically my WATCHED:

- THE LEGEND OF THE BLUE SEA ♥♥♥ (but 5⭐ visuals)

- BIG ♥♥♥♥

- STRONG WOMAN DO BONG SOON ♥♥♥♥♥+♥ (X3 this one is my forever fav, my comfort show, best couple, 5⭐ for a badass but sweet female lead)

- WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING ♥♥♥ (gave 3, but now remember liking it more 🔜 rewatch needed)

-  GOBLIN ♥♥♥♥ ( I've wanted to rewatch for a while, but it's not on Netflix aka my main and only successor source at the time being)

- MY LOVE FROM ANOTHER STAR ♥♥♥♥♥+♥ (X2)

- DESCENDANTS OF THE SUN ♥♥♥♥♥ (X2)

- SPLASH SPLASH LOVE ♥♥♥♥

- I AM NOT A ROBOT ♥♥♥♥♥ (this was so sweet and funny)

- SOMETHING IN THE RAIN /  Pretty Noona Who Buys Me Food ♥♥♥ (love the first half, then it became so boring and slow)

- WEIGHTLIFTING FAIRY KIM BOK-JOO ♥♥♥♥+ (X2) (2 cute athletes babies 🥰)

- OH MY GHOSTESS ♥♥♥

- WHAT’S WRONG WITH SECRETARY KIM ♥♥♥♥+ (X2)

- WHERE STARS LAND ♥♥♥

- THIRTY BUT SEVENTEEN ♥♥♥♥ (just started to rewatch )

- W ♥♥♥♥

- SHOPPING KING LOUIE ♥♥♥

- HWARANG ♥♥♥♥

- MY SECRET ROMANCE ♥♥♥♥ (X2)

- THE SMILE HAS LEFT YOUR EYES ♥♥♥♥♥ (NEED TO REWATCH, crying just thinking about it)

- BECAUSE THIS IS MY FIRST LIFE ♥♥♥♥+ (NEED TO REWATCH)

- MY STRANGE HERO ♥♥♥♥

- My Id is Gangnam Beauty ❤️❤️❤️ (X2)

- Just between lovers / Rain or shine ❤️❤️❤️❤️ (this was really touching, want to rewatch for sure)

- The bride of the water god ❤️❤️❤️❤️ (X2) (it surprisingly became better on my 2° watch)

- Revenge note ❤️❤️❤️

- Level up ❤️❤️❤️

- I picked up a celebrity on the streets ❤️❤️❤️+ (🤣)

- He is psychometric ❤️❤️❤️❤️ (really loved the characters)

- Angel's last mission: love ❤️❤️❤️❤️

- Melting me softly ❤️❤️❤️❤️

- Her private life ❤️❤️❤️❤️ (X2) (loved the duality of the female lead 🤣)

- Abyss ❤️❤️❤️❤️

- It's okay not to be okay ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ (so heartwarming and just beautiful)

- One spring night ❤️❤️❤️❤️

- My holo love ❤️❤️❤️++

- Suspicious partner ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Then there are these I am currently watching:

- Still 17/ 30 but 17 (currently rewatching)

And the ones I never finished, and i don't even know why (are they worth going back?)

- The light in your eyes / Radiant

- Start up

And finally the really long list of things I want to watch (please help me choose on this side):

- See you in my 19th life

- Rookie historian

- Crash landing on you

- When the weather is fine

- Hotel del Luna

- Rooftop Prince

- 25 21

- The king's affection

- Forecasting love and weather

- Alchemy of souls

- Business proposal

- Hometown cha cha cha

- Lovestruck in the city

- When the camellia bloom

- Mr. Queen

- Nevertheless

- My first first love

- Our beloved summer

- The sound of magic

- My girlfriend is a gumiho

- Come and hug me

- Are you human too?

- Remember

- The third charm

- Oh my venus

- My sassy girl

- Beauty inside

- Clean with passion for now

- Moon embracing the sun

- Hymn of death

- Touch your heart

- Memories of the Alhambra

- Ms. Hammurabi

- Ashes of love

- Fight my way

- Introverted boss

- Tomorrow with you

- Jealousy incarnate

- Uncontrollably fond

- She was pretty

- Pinocchio

- Doctor stranger

- The heirs

- To the beautiful you

- Secret garden

- Radio Romance

- Suits

- Somehow 18

- Go back couple

- Black

- My only love song

- The best hit

...and I know I’ve missed some XD

What are your favorites? your MUST watch?

[mirrorofliterature]

sometimes, a door opens

Where Simon is an oblivious idiot, Maia is smooth, Magnus and Alec are loveable dorks and Luke is trying to hold all these lovestruck saps together, all in an afternoon at the precinct.

Loosely inspired by Brooklyn 99.

Beta’d by the lovely @zahrabane.

Read on AO3.

It wasn’t often that silence fell over their precinct.

Simon sighed, flipping through the case file to find the necessary information he needed to enter into the system.

Neither was it common for it to be so slow.

So, of course, when a man in a burgundy coat stepped into their precinct, his guest pass tucked neatly into the folds of his black shirt, curiosity was lit within Simon’s chest.

The man swept past Simon’s desk. His hair was styled high.

Such sheer elegance did not belong in a police precinct.

Simon leaned forward. “Who was that?”

Maia shrugged. “Dunno. Wait a second.” Her eyes squinted as she tracked the man walking across the room. “Is he heading for Captain Lightwood’s office?”

Similar murmurs of gossip were starting to spread across the room, like flames bursting from the initial bonfire of the man’s unexpected entrance.

The man in question didn’t seem fussed. He reached for the handle - of Captain Lightwood’s office - without a second thought.

“What’s he doing?” Simon hissed at Maia.

No one entered Captain Lightwood’s office without permission.

No one.

It was an infinitely idiotic thing to do.

Maia shrugged again, her hoop earrings swaying. “Sue me if I know. Think I’ve seen him at the bar a couple of times.”

Gone were the days when Simon had sung at the Hunters Moon whilst Maia had bartended, now a working formality to their relationship where there had once been teasing familiarity.

Simon didn’t mind the career change. It made him feel useful.

“Hey,�� Sergeant Garroway called from the other side of the room, “get back to work.”

So Simon ducked his head back down, grumbling, clicking the mouse of his computer to put in some awfully dry details about a recent theft at a local thrift shop.

But as Simon ducked his head, he caught sight of the man physically stepping into Captain Lightwood’s office, unannounced.

So he gasped. Opening up another window, he quickly logged into Facebook.

Simon Lewis (12:13): did u see that?

Maia Roberts (12:14): yeah, I’m right across from you.

Simon Lewis (12:14): the blinds open?

Maia Roberts (12:14): yeah.

Simon Lewis (12:14): can’t see anything from here.

Simon Lewis (12:14): :(

Simon Lewis (12:14): garroway will freak if i come over to look.

Maia Roberts (12:14): get back to work, lewis.

Simon Lewis (12:14): lies. i know u r watching.

Maia Roberts (12:14): fine

Simon Lewis (12:14): so what’s happening?

Maia Roberts (12:14): cap hasn’t noticed yet. he closed the door pretty silently. there’s a bag?

Garroway’s voice interrupted his thoughts once again. “I can see you typing way too enthusiastically, Simon. Just talk, stop draining the internet at least.”

Simon gave him a sheepish grin, barely resisting the urge to finger gun. “Alright.”

“And keep us all updated. If we move he might get suspicious,” Garroway said, winking.

Alright. Maybe they were all a tad unhealthily involved in their Captain’s life.

So sue them.

Maia grinned. “Lightwood’s noticed. He hasn’t kicked him out immediately. He’s not even scowling. Wait.” She paused, almost dropping the pen she was writing with. “Is he smiling?”

Simon grabbed a random case file off his desk, wandering over to Maia’s side.

“He is,” he confirmed, his glance into the Captain’s office not subtle, the rainbow flag peeking out of his pen basket catching his eye in the otherwise drab office.

Simon paused, tapping on the desk absentmindedly. “Clary?” Simon said.

Clary, from her place of organising their hectic schedules, looked up. “Hm?”

“Who is that with Lightwood?”

Clary shrugged, looking a little helpless. “Hell if I know. He won’t tell me anything about his personal life, though I’ve seen pictures of his sister and she’s gorgeous.” She sighed wistfully.

Simon couldn’t help the feeling of disappointment from swelling in his chest, the crack into their Captain’s life sealing over.

Maia frowned. “He’s shutting the blinds!”

Simon turned his head, just in time for Lightwood to glare at him through the glass.

“He looked so soft,” Maia muttered, “like he wasn’t about to go and murder someone.”

Sergeant Garroway cleared his throat. “All right, excitement’s over folks. Back to work.”

It was difficult, but not impossible, to almost slip back into the lull of work.

But Simon couldn’t deny that his eyes wouldn’t stop flickering to Captain Lightwood’s door.

After an hour or so, his computer started to bleep.

Maia Roberts (1:21): He’s opening the blinds!

Simon Lewis (1:22): miracles do happen. what do u see?

Maia Roberts (1:22): smiling, looks human. the man w/ him is smiling too.

Simon Lewis (1:22): how odd.

Maia Roberts (1:22): true. crap. act like we’re working.

Simon Lewis (1:22): why?

Maia Roberts (1:22): boss coming out w/o mysterious man.

Simon Lewis (1:23): sure thing.

Facebook closed almost instantly, Simon picked up a pen and started to sign off some cases. Nothing major, a few minor thefts solved within the last few hours. Some instances of public indecency.

It was with somewhat of a shock that Simon realised that Lightwood wasn’t completing his usual, generic sweep of the precinct.

Instead, he was quietly chatting with Garroway.

Lightwood was making a broad, sweeping gesture with his hand, the ring on his left-hand glinting.

Garroway nodded, hiding a smile.

“You two are such saps,” Simon heard Garroway mutter.

Lightwood shook his head - was that a blush creeping up his face?

“Go enjoy your lunch break,” Garroway continued, this time louder, more audible, ��the precinct won’t collapse whilst you’re gone.”

Lightwood grinned. He looked so - light. “I’ll hold you to that.”

He slipped back off to his office.

Simon stared at Maia. “What was that?”

“No idea,” Maia replied, her voice dropping, “but do you think we should get some lunch ourselves?”

The mysterious man had been all but swept from Simon’s mind.

“Excuse me?” he responded after a much too long pause, somewhat breathless.

Maia smiled, her eyes sparkling, truly the most beautiful thing in the room. “On a date, you idiot. To that bakery you always rave on about.”

Yep, Simon’s boss was definitely the furthest thing from his mind right now.

It didn’t matter the setting - holy crap, Maia Roberts was asking him out.

“Yeah,” he said, eyes meeting hers across their desk. “That’d be great.”

It was at that moment that Lightwood’s door opened again.

“But first,” Maia whispered, leaning against the desk, “we figure out what Lightwood’s got up his sleeve.”

Simon couldn’t help a smirk from slipping through his nervous façade. “Definitely.”

It wasn’t that hard to spy on their boss as he left the precinct with the mysterious man.

Indeed, he was too wrapped up in the other’s presence to pay his employees any mind at all.

The man was whispering into Lightwood’s ear, and his eyes were soft as they left the precinct together.

Looked like the best way to make his boss less intimidating was to simply become his friend.

Garroway grinned after the two had gone down the elevator, as chatter once again broke across the room.

“Now, now,” he said, raising his voice. “I’m sure all you gossips are very curious of who that was. Luckily for you, Lightwood gave me permission to disclose that information.”

A sudden hush fell across the room; like a blanket had been draped across their midst.

“That was his husband, Magnus.”

His words cut the silence, brought the world of chatter back shattering down upon them.

Simon turned to face Maia again, his eyes wide.

“Did you know about this?”

Maia laughed, shaking her head almost fondly.  “I’ve never met Magnus formally before, but I definitely know of his existence.”

“Wow.” Simon rubbed at his eyes. “I really need to polish up on my detective skills, then.”

“Come on, Simon,” Maia said, her eyes bright with the warmth of her unrestrained laughter. “Let’s go grab some lunch of our own.”

Simon couldn’t help but stifle a yawn. “Thanks.”

Maia grinned, devious and light. “It’s much better to tease you there.”

As they left the precinct, in the path of old love, Simon hoped for the discovery of his own; a possibility for something in his own life to blossom into something else.

A chance for love.

[communionnimrod]

So like a lot of fun plot ideas, this came about through convos w @gooberfeesh.  This particular one came to us as we were laughing over how crazy fast Hermann types, mix with how skilled a programmer he is how OKAY YEAH he probably did some hacking in his day lets be real.

This also feels appropriate to finish and post with SDCC coming up, lmao (yay con exclusives).  Please enjoy Newt begging Hermann to hack a website for him!   <3 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Convention exclusives sucked.  Newt hated them.  Or, well, he wanted to hate them, but damnit, he LOVED them.  He was not ashamed to admit that when he lived over in America he had done some ridiculous things and spent a stupid amount of money to get some sort of con-exclusive toy or comic.  He was a collector, he lived for this kind of shit.  

Obtaining exclusive stuff was more difficult when you were on a completely different continent than the convention, though.  Even more so when you didn’t have the ability to hop on a plane and fuck off for a few days to go get it.  Newt didn’t think the PPDC would appreciate him disappearing from the Shatterdome and temporarily abandoning his work for (what they would dismissively consider) a toy.

Even IF said “toy” was a limited edition Trespasser and Knifehead statue bundle, intricately sculpted, both of them standing at 17 inches tall and basically perfect.  Newt might have drooled on his keyboard when he saw their prototype reveal.

He definitely cried a little when he saw the news that an insanely limited amount of them were going to be released to buy online.

The only problem was that it really was an insanely limited amount - a whopping 200 would be available for online purchase.  Newt knew from experience how stressful and unpredictable this kind of thing was.  They were likely to go quick, super quick, with high chances of the website crashing or checkout carts freezing.  If Newt wasn’t able to get one bought, he’d be devastated.  He had to hatch a plan, use his big and awesome brain to figure out a way to guarantee he wouldn’t lose this challenge.  They were bound to be options.

The morning they were to become available, Newt was up unnecessarily early.  It was a lot like how he used to be on Christmas Day - bouncing into the living room at 5am while his father was still sound asleep and his uncle wouldn’t be over for hours still.  He was too excited to keep sleeping.  Too nervous.  But!  He tried keeping his nerves at bay the best he could, because he had a PLAN.

An hour before the website was supposed to update, Newt eyed his lab partner carefully, watching him clack away at his computer.  Then, grinning, he wheeled his chair across the lab, sitting backwards in it with his arms draped across the back, only stopping when he slid and bumped into Hermann’s chair.  The man sighed.

“Can I help you, Newton?” he asked, glancing over at Newt, peering at him over the rim of his old man glasses.  Newt loved when he did this, loved the way it showed off his gorgeous, long eyelashes. Buuuuut he needed to focus.  He could dwell on his practically out of control, inappropriate secret crush on the other man later.

“Yes, actually, you sure can,” he grinned, leaning forward and resting his chin on the back of his chair.  “My awesome lab partner, intellectual colleague, all around good guy.”

Hermann regarded him, his dark eyes slowly slanting with each new compliment that came spilling out of Newt’s mouth.  It was a suspicious gaze, one Newt was no stranger to, but he kept grinning anyway.

“What do you want?” Hermann asked, his voice flat.

“Amazing that you should ask, dear Herms!” Newt exclaimed dramatically.  He could hear Hermann growl and open his mouth, no doubt to protest the nickname he despised so much, but Newt didn’t give him the breathing room to start that old argument.  “I was gonna see if you could do me the coolest, most awesome favor in the world and put your out-of-this-world hacker skills to the test for me.”

Hermann stared at him.  Newt leaned forward and rested his chin on his arm, waiting.  Hermann continued to stare.  Newt started bouncing his leg.

“I am not going to hack anything for you,” Hermann finally said.  

“Come oooooon,” Newt groaned.  “Please??”

“Whatever prank you want to pull, I’ll have no part of it.  Absolutely not.”  Hermann turned back towards his monitor.

“Oh!  No, dude, no prank!” Newt started to explain, straightening and nudging the other man’s chair until he looked over again.  “I don’t want you to hack someone.  I just … maybe want you to slightly hack into a website for me so I can buy something before it officially releases?”

Hermann’s eyebrows lifted in disbelief.  Disbelief turned to annoyance, which turned to exasperation, before going flat again.  It was quite the facial journey, really.  One that Newt would totally have appreciated if they weren't on a time crunch.  His leg kept bouncing.

“Absolutely not.”

“Hermaaaaaaaaann-”

“What in the world is so crucial that you would have me do something like this??”

“UGH here, I’ll show you.

Pushing closer and turning in his chair, Newt commandeered Hermann’s computer, ignoring the protest from his lab partner and the way he pushed at his shoulder, trying to get him out of his personal space.  Intent on convincing Hermann to help him, Newt pulled up a web browser and went to the site in question, navigating through until he found the page for the bundle.  Then, beaming, he turned back towards Hermann.

“That.”

“.... kaiju toys,” Hermann mumbled, staring.  “Of course it’s kaiju toys.  Dear lord.”

“Kaiju statues, and yes,” Newt corrected.  “Look at them!  The attention to detail is incredible, it’s the closest a company has ever gotten to accurately replicating their bone structure and skin tone.  And there’s only gonna be, like, 200 of them available.  It’s super limited.  And I super need it.  It’s not like I’m trying to steal one, dude, I’m gonna pay for it, I just … want to be able to pay for it before the plebeians and resellers of the world also have the ability to buy it.”

There was silence for a few moments.  Newt glanced at the clock on Hermann’s computer nervously.  He bounced his leg some more.  Hermann took off his glasses to pinch the bridge of his nose and sighed, before putting them back on.

“I cannot believe you’re asking me to do something like this for you,” Hermann grumbled, shaking his head as he took his keyboard back into his possession.  He started typing, eyes on the screen, and Newt slowly started to grin, the previous anxiousness fading from his expression.  “Thinking that I should take my valuable time away from my breach prediction model to use PPDC-issued computer equipment, on a PPDC server - provided and funded by the United Nations - to illegally hack into a toy selling website so that you can purchase kaiju toys.”

Newt watched in amazement as Hermann worked, his slender fingers flying across the keyboards so fast it was almost inhuman.  How the man didn’t make a million typos, he would never understand.  He couldn’t keep the awe off his face, and for a moment he wondered how lovestruck he looked.  Thankfully Hermann was WAY preoccupied and Newt had time to compose himself.  That was a topic that didn’t need to see the light of day.

“I could have my credentials revoked,” Hermann continued, still huffing over the whole ordeal.  “Were I to get caught.”

“Yeah but you never get caught,” Newt sighed dreamily, watching the website coding on the screen, the back door that Hermann was slipping them in through to open up the cart just moments before the item went live.

“Indeed, which is lucky for us both I suppose,” Hermann replied, snorting.  Then, after a moment, he pushed his chair back, sliding away from his desk slightly.  “Here.  Make your purchase quickly, so I can close this.”

Newt was beaming as he slid in, plugging in the proper information and buying the combo.  Done and done.  It went through without a hitch, and moments later his phone was chiming with his email confirmation.  Oh my god, he’d gotten it.  He was gonna get those beautiful babies.  Unable to contain himself, he let out a whoop of joy as he moved back, letting Hermann come back in to close everything off and remove all trace that they were there.  Newt didn’t miss the soft, amused smile the man had on his face.  It made his heart skip.

Once he was done, Hermann removed his glasses again and turned to face Newt, arching an eyebrow.

“I believe this earns a week without you making some sarcastic remark about my wardrobe,” he said expectantly.

“Sure, no prob,” Newt agreed without even thinking about it.  Rolling in, he snatched Hermann’s hands, lifting them and blowing on the tips of his fingers.

“What are you-” Hermann practically screeched, moving to yank his hands back, his cheeks going slightly pink.

“Fastest guns in the Ol’ West,” Newt smirked.

“... Excuse me?” Hermann asked, his face still flush, clearly missing the reference.  Newt was too happy to care.

“Nothing, man,” he said, standing up and clapping a hand on Hermann’s shoulder.  “Thank you Hermann, seriously.  I owe you one.  Like, more than clothing comments.  I’ll buy you dinner the next free night we have, ‘kay?”

“Um … a-alright,” Hermann agreed softly, nodding.

“So, back to work!” Newt exclaimed, clapping and turning to walk off towards his side of the room.  He didn’t miss the way Hermann huffed again behind him.

“You could at least take your damn chair back with you…”

[alteabellerose]

Its a bit odd that we get Razi and JD already when their season 1 wasn't too long ago. Alain I can understand, its been two months. But Nova when? Or how about Helena's season 2? Since everyone got annoyed that they held off on her season 1 until november was almost over despite making it seem like nov was her month.

Agree w every word of this message

I’m not about to complain about getting JD’s s2 so soon because I love them so I’m willing to let the weirdness on that slide

Since Alain’s s1 came like two solid months before Helena’s s1 I assume her s2 won’t start until at least a week or two after Alain’s ends. Maybe since Alain and Reiner will end the same week they’ll get replaced the week after with Altea and Helena? Wishful thinking probably. Shouldn’t get my hopes up. I am very disappointed though bc I’ve been counting the days until I’d see Altea on the calendar and damn I was SO SURE it’d be this time but I guess we have to cater to all the straight girls firstThat sounds more bitter than I intended it to, I know that’s most of their audience, I just. Love and miss my wife Altea. When will she return Lovestruck

Nova’s s3 would placate me until Altea and/or Helena started updating but the schedule goes up through almost the end of the month now and! Nothing. Admittedly I don’t remember the order in which the Starship Promise characters update. She’s after Antares right? Which btw is bull but that’s off topic. So she SHOULD start updating the week after the current section of the schedule ends. Beginning of February

[mackinmacki]

Tomato Log V: Flight DLC (Gaming Nerds AU)

Rating: K+

Word Count: 3434

Summary: Maki decides it’s time to go see Hanayo, and maybe confess those feelings of hers.

Pairing: MakiPana

Notes: At least three months isn’t six months. Also, I love my references that most people wouldn’t be looking for or get.

Link: (FFN) / Banana’s Awesome Character Sheet Refs

Despite things seeming like they were fine again, Maki still felt uneasy. Though she was getting to talk to Hanayo more, there was still the specter of Rin that put her on edge. They hung out so much: what if they were becoming more than friends? What if they were already dating and Hanayo just wasn't telling her? Why did she have to be so far away?

Her sulking was once again gaining the notice of her roommates, and they weren't shy about bringing it up. "Have you ever played Xenoblade Chronicles, Maki?" This was how Nico started up their conversation one day while the two of them were in the same area. Maki was looking for something to eat while Nico was watching TV.

"What the hell is that?"

"It's a video game. Look, Maki, there's a character in the game named Shulk, okay? I'm gonna call you Sulk. Because you're always sulking-"

"I get it." Maki, not realizing the irony, peeked out of the kitchen and sulked in Nico's direction. "What's your point?"

"My point is that you're a complete drag to be around. What's your problem anyway?" Nico looked away from the TV and smirked in Maki's direction. "Trouble with your fake girlfriend?"

"Sh-She's not fake or my girlfriend!" Maki protested, going red in the face as she retreated back into the kitchen area. It made sense that she was next to the oven, because she was heated. More than that, she was upset with Nico once again demeaning her best friend.

"So it is about her. I knew it." Nico laughed and got up from the couch, heading into the kitchen to confront Maki. "Why don't you actually do something about... whatever's bothering you instead of just moping around?"

"I don't have to take this from you." Maki frowned and folded her arms, leaning against the oven. "You're just an angry little gremlin with delusions of grandeur." That seemed to hit its mark, as Nico's face went red as she practically growled at Maki.

"You... You... You ass!" Maki scoffed at the lame insult, walking out of the kitchen and away from Nico. She had forgotten about the snack, but she wasn't really hungry anymore anyway. Before she could get to her room, she was intercepted by Eli. Apparently her roommates didn't understand what personal space was.

"Nico has a point, Maki. A rude point, but a point nonetheless."

"Were you just listening to us?"

"You two aren't very quiet with your arguments." Eli put her hands on her hips and stared Maki down. "If you're really worried about Hanayo, then you should talk to her about how you're feeling."

"I can't! It's just... weird to say that stuff on Skype." Plus it was just embarrassing in general to admit that she had real human feelings.

"Then just go see her! Gods!" Nico had returned to the conversation. "Aren't you rich as hell? Just get on your private jet and fly it over to her." That... wasn't a bad idea. Why did it have to be Nico who came up with that idea?

"I... have stuff to do," she muttered, rushing into her room and slamming the door. She tried her best to ignore Nico's laughter as she practically flung herself onto her computer chair, booting up Skype. Hopefully Hanayo would be online...

She was! Maki typed out a message, asking if they could cam for a bit. She waited with bated breath, worried that Hanayo would be busy again. Thankfully though, she wasn't, so they had time to spend together. Maki put on her headphones and started the call, smiling the moment Hanayo's face came onscreen.

"Hi Maki-chan!" Her smile quickly dropped when she noticed the worried-looking smile on Maki's face. "Is something wrong?"

"No! Well, yes. Maybe?" This seemed like such a bold thing to request, and her throat tightened at the mere thought of saying it. At the same time though, Maki really did want to see Hanayo in person. Maybe doing that would give her clarity on her feelings. "I... wanted to ask you something important."

"A-Are you quitting SunFall?"

"What? No! Never!" Now that was something she truly could never fathom doing. "I... I was wondering if you were going to be busy this weekend."

"Oh, that's a relief!" Hanayo smiled, then thought about what Maki said next. "Hmm, no, I shouldn't be. Did you want to try another raid?"

"Not exactly." Maki took a deep breath, glancing at the door as if she expected her roommates to be glued to it in anticipation. "I, uh, wanted to know if... if..." She fell silent, a blush steadily forming on her face.

"If?" Hanayo tilted her head slightly, giving Maki and confused expression. It was such a cute look that it made it even harder for Maki to respond, as she was too busy being warmed by her crush's insane amount of cuteness. "If I'm busy?"

"Well, you're not busy, right?" She'd already said that, so probably not. This was just leaving things in suspense: she needed to say something now. "A-Anyway, I wanted to come see you." There: she had said it. It was out in the open now.

"Maki-chan, you're looking at me right now, aren't you?" Hanayo smiled innocently, and Maki just wanted to slam her head on the desk. This was not meant to be, was it?

"Yes, but that's not what I meant. I... want to see you... in person." Realization dawned on Hanayo's face as her mouth fell open. "I-I think it'd be f-fun! We've never gotten to meet before, and you wouldn't have to spend any money."

"Wow, I... Y-Yeah! I'd love to see you, Maki-chan!" Hanayo's surprise turned into a smile. "I-If you really want to spend all that money just to see me-"

"Absolutely!" Maki interrupted before Hanayo could be any more self-deprecating. The amount of money she'd have to spend was more than worth it to see her, and that was the truth. "I really do want to see you this weekend, Hanayo." Any weekend, really. Any day at all.

"W-Well then, I can't wait to see you!" There was a comfortable happiness settling between them as they started to plan. "I hope you don't mind if my roommate comes with me to pick you up. I don't have my own car." That gave Maki pause, but she quickly remembered that Rin was not one Hanayo's roommates, so there shouldn't be anything wrong with that.

"That's alright. You know, you should really get a car though."

"I-I don't really go anywhere, though." Maki laughed and waved a hand dismissively. It felt really good to be able to talk like this again, like the long time friends that they were. Plus they were finally going to meet face to face. She couldn't remember the last time she felt this happy.

Now all that was left to do was to hide in her room until she had to leave so Nico wasn't able to say 'I told you so.'

The plane ride wasn't long, but Maki had been hoping to take a nap regardless. Instead she stayed up the entire time with her nerves on edge. She really was about to meet Hanayo in person for the first time. This was a big thing for her, and she didn't think she was prepared for it.

They'd been friends for so long now, and it took days and days of moping and jealousy for her to actually take this step. What if it was a mistake though? There was the positive that laying it all on the line could make all her wildest dreams come true, but at the same time there was a higher chance that she'd permanently ruin their friendship. They could probably still be friends, even if Hanayo started dating Rin, or was already dating Rin.

Okay, that was a terrible thought. It made her feel ill that her crush might be - likely was - all for naught. She didn't want to give up, though. Hanayo was just the most amazing, beautiful girl there was. There'd never be anyone else like her. 'Oh Gods, I sound like a lovestruck teenager.'

Maki slapped her cheeks as the plane came to a stop, trying to knock out any unnecessary thoughts from her brain. If she was stressed for the entire weekend, it wouldn't leave a very good impression. She surely was overthinking all of this.

Since it was only a weekend trip, she hadn't brought much with her. Everything she had was in a bag she slung over her shoulder and carried off of the plane. Walking with the rest of her first class passengers, she tried her best to think of anything else but the daunting task she had ahead.

She could think about SunFall. After all, there was a new miniquest coming up that she was planning on completing the first day. It wasn't a major update, but there couldn't always be major updates. All it would be was another notch on her completionist belt. She was so close, she could almost taste it.

She almost tasted the door as well, nearly slamming face-first into it while her mind wandered elsewhere. Luckily she halted just before she hit it, pushing open the door and pretending that was all according to plan. She tried to will the blush forming on her face down as she went outside to look for Hanayo.

She wasn't sure what to look for. Hanayo hadn't told her what kind of car her roommate drove, and there were quite a few vehicles - and people - around. None of them were Hanayo, though. Maki looked around the area, trying to find any indication that Hanayo was there. This would be so much easier if Hanayo would just get a cellphone...

"Maki?" Whirling around, Maki found herself being sized up by a shorter, ashen-haired girl. She had no idea who this girl was, but reacting to her name being called accidentally revealed who she was. The girl clapped her hands and smiled. "I thought so. You look exactly like Hanayo-chan described."

"Hanayo?" That got Maki's attention. If this person knew who Hanayo was, then they had to be the roommate that had driven her here. Since she didn't have bright orange hair, that meant she had to be... "You're... Kotori?"

"Mm!" She clapped again, bowing her head slightly. "Minami Kotori, at your service." Giggling, she stuck her tongue out slightly and pointed to a car that was parked right behind her. Maki had seen that car, but there hadn't seemed to be anybody in it. As if she could read her mind, Kotori chipped in just as Maki finished thinking that thought. "Don't worry: Hanayo-chan's in there! She's just hiding under the seats."

"Oh." Maki wasn't sure what to say about that. Was Hanayo as nervous as she was about this? That was somewhat comforting, actually. Not that it made her any less nervous, but it was something. "So, should we...?"

"Of course!" Kotori kept on smiling as she led Maki to the car, pulling open the driver's side door. Maki didn't know which side to enter from, though. She didn't want to accidentally try to take Hanayo's seat or anything. So she peered into the window and saw a familiar form trying to hide herself beneath the seats.

"Cute..." Maki muttered to herself, steeling herself to actually talk to Hanayo in person for the first time. She opened the door and poked her head in, putting on her best 'non-serial killer smile'. "Is this seat taken?" Was that lame or secretly clever? She hadn't thought to research that before saying it.

Hanayo looked up at Maki with wide eyes, a blush forming on her cheeks as she scrambled up to sit on the opposite seat. "N-No! It's empty." This would be funny if she wasn't so nervous herself. Maki just nodded and sat down, acutely aware of Kotori giggling from the front seat.

The beginning of the drive was quiet, with both girls being too shy to even look at each other, except for the occasional sneaked glances. It was up to Kotori to break the ice. "So, Maki, how was your flight?"

"It was alright. Kinda just flew by." For some reason, that response drew another laugh from Kotori, though Maki didn't feel comfortable asking why what she said was funny. Instead they lapsed back into silence, but that wasn't going to deter Kotori.

"Hey Hanayo-chan, didn't you catch a new item in that m and o game of yours?" Instantly, Hanayo tensed up, glaring at Kotori with possibly the most adorable angry face imaginable. Kotori could only smile to herself after she glanced back at Hanayo's expression. That would do the trick.

"K-Kotori-chan, you know that you don't 'catch' items! You acquire them, and it's MMO!"

"Does... Does she not know what an MMO is?" Maki leaned over and whispered to Hanayo, trying not to let Kotori be aware of what she was saying.

"N-No, she does. She's just being a... a..." Hanayo pouted up at Kotori, trying to come up with an appropriate descriptor. "A big meany!" Maki tried her hardest not to burst out laughing, stomping her foot down against the floor and faking a coughing fit. "O-Oh! Are you okay, Maki-chan?"

"Y-Yes, I'm f-fine." She faked another series of coughs until she was positive that she could keep herself under control. Then, after taking a deep breath, she was ready to keep going with the conversation. "A-Anyway, at least she's just teasing, right? My roommates actually have no idea what it is... Or they don't care," she added, thinking bitterly about Nico.

"Y-Yeah, I remember! You said they called it Moonrise, right?" Hanayo shook her head with a quiet 'tsk tsk'. "It's, it's... disgraceful."

"Disgusting," Maki agreed.

"Despicable," Kotori chimed in, smiling to herself as Maki and Hanayo began to talk about SunFall. All according to plan.

Maki wasn't sure why she expected something different than what she walked into. Maybe it was because she coming to a slightly new place, but it was a university just like hers, so really she shouldn't have been surprised when Hanayo's dorm looked pretty similar.

As soon as Kotori closed the front door, one of the dorm doors opened and out popped another girl, who turned to the three with excitement in her eyes. "You're back! And you brought the nerd!"

"Hah?" Maki barely had time to react before the ginger girl was upon her, invading her personal space. "H-Hey, what are you doing?!"

"I'm hugging you, duh." She laughed, giving Maki a funny look. "You have been hugged before, right?"

"O-Of course I have!" She started to turn red as she huffed and turned to face the wall, no longer attempting to struggle out of the hug. Sure she had gotten a hug before. Plenty of hugs, in fact! ... From her parents. That counted, right? They were hugs, after all. Human arms had indeed been wrapped around her torso.

"H-Honoka-chan, p-please let go," Hanayo pleaded, looking incredibly awkward watching the two of them. It was Kotori who once again stepped in to right the ship.

"Honoka-chan, please let go of our guest." Her smile turned into a strange grin. "Unless you'd like to wear the school uniform again." Honoka paled instantly, letting go of Maki and bouncing back.

"Ahaha, of course, of course! S-Sorry Maki-chan!"

"A school uniform?" As much as she was pleased to get her space back, Maki didn't understand what was so bad about a uniform. "Didn't you have to wear one in high school?"

"It's not the uniform. It's what I have to do in it." With that, Honoka ran back into her room, glancing back fearfully one more time before slamming her door shut. Kotori giggled behind Maki, drawing her attention.

"Have fun, you two. Enjoy your LMMOP."

"I-It's MMO, Kotori-chan!" That just got another giggle from Kotori before she went to her own room, leaving Maki and Hanayo alone in the living room.

"Uh... What did she mean by what she has to do in the uniform?"

"I-I'm not sure I want to know." Hanayo squirmed awkwardly, looking at Maki. "Sh-Should we go to my room?" Maki merely nodded, and the two of them headed for Hanayo's room. As they walked in Maki wondered if she was being too stoic and impersonal. Maybe she needed to be more vocal.

Looking around, Maki noticed that Hanayo's room wasn't too dissimilar to hers either. It was a lot cleaner, though. On the wall was a poster for SunFall, while on a shelf was a very nice-looking replica of Hanayo's beast tamer character. "Your room looks nice." That wasn't the most inspiring of conversation starters, but at least she was trying.

"Th-Thank you." She really was a far cry from the silent and powerful beast tamer Maki had originally believed her to be, but she didn't mind at all. Hanayo was too cute for words, and being in the presence of her made Maki's heart beat faster. This crush was going to be the death of her.

She noticed Hanayo's headphones laying on her desk, those flimsy-looking white earbuds that she could never approve of. "You really do need new headphones, Hanayo."

"Y-You've said that before." Hanayo giggled softly, picking up the headphones and holding them carefully. "They've served me well for this long."

"I'm still gonna have to get you some real gaming headphones." She looked around the room again, then turned to Hanayo with a small smile. "It was really nice of Kotori to allow me to spend the weekend here." Originally, she had planned to make reservations at a hotel, but according to Hanayo, Kotori had been insistent that she stay there instead.

"Yeah, I'm really glad you're gonna be staying here." Maki blushed at those words, but it made her heart warm up considerably. "I hope my bed is comfortable enough."

"Your bed?" She stared at Hanayo in confusion. "But where are you going to sleep?"

"The couch. You're my guest, Maki-chan. I want you to be comfortable here." Hanayo's smile was genuine, but Maki was frowning all the same. Sure, she was a guest, but she didn't want to intrude like that. It was Hanayo's bed, not hers.

"But it's your bed, Hanayo. I'm more than happy to sleep on the couch. Besides, I'm just happy to be here with you." That statement hit Hanayo first, as her face begin to burn up. It took Maki a moment, but when she saw how red Hanayo was, then realized what she had said, her own face began to play catch-up. It was at that moment that Kotori poked her head in.

"Ooh, and there hasn't even been a kiss yet." It was soft enough that it apparently only reached Maki's ears, and it caused her to blush harder if anything. She whipped around to stare wide-eyed at Kotori, who smiled at her. "You two don't need to fight over the sleeping arraignments. I already have that taken care of."

"You do?" Both Maki and Hanayo spoke at the same time.

"Mhm!" Kotori stepped into the room, holding a blanket in one hand and a pillow in the other. "You can both sleep in Hanayo-chan's bed."

"E-Eh?!"

"There's plenty of room, isn't there, Hanayo-chan?" That smile was definitely not innocent. Maki was sure of it.

"W-Well, m-maybe, b-b-but-"

"Perfect!" She tossed the pillow towards Maki, who, with all of her regality and grace, let it bounce off of her face and onto the ground. The blanket came next, landing perfectly on top of her and making her look like a very poorly-designed ghost. How mortifying. "I've heard it's going to be cold tonight, so be sure to bundle up. Have fun, you two!"

Maki yanked off the blanket as Kotori disappeared from view, but she was sure that there had been a devious grin on her face. Cold, she had said? Unlikely, since her face was hot enough now to warm a small farm.

"W-Well, w-w-we aren't going to bed yet," Hanayo reasoned, bending over to pick up the pillow and laying it carefully on the bed. Maki gulped and nodded, tossing the blanket on the bed as well.

"Y-Yeah, exactly." It was clear that they were both nervous, and while they eventually got back to hanging out like normal friends, the fact that they were to sleep in the same bed stayed on Maki's mind the whole time. 'Damn you, Kotori! ... Thank you, but damn you.'