#i think maybe i need also retake a course in friendship

[gregmarriage]

will always have to begrudgingly remember (and hate the fact) that one must find joy in the small things in life, and live in the present

[sk8termikey]

Chapter 7 of 21 Questions

better interface on wattpad

"Your boyfriend texted!" Alex called for her best friend who was in the kitchen, as the phone lit up from a message from Matt🍂.

"My hands are full of batter girl, just tell me what he says and maybe reply for me if it looks important", Lily replied as she was cooking. "And drop the boy in front of friend, unless you put a fucking space between the words.

As she used her fingerprint to unlock Lily's phone, Alex looked at the notification – she didn't want to actually open the message in case it could wait, fearing that she might leave the boy on read. She had been joking for the past month about Lily and her new friend's relationship since she discovered that he went out of his way to send a picture to Lily. This had been enough proof for Alex to start teasing her best friend about a possible romance – pretty pictures of the sky were in fact Lily's love language. Both girls did know it was just for fun, the same way they would qualify famous people as theirs when it was their ultimate celebrity crush.

Furrowing her brows at the phone in front of her, Alex didn't know whether to qualify the text as important or not.

Matt🍂

If I asked you to hide a body for me, would you?

Alex went to the kitchen where Lily was and read her the text, which led to the brunette letting out a laugh.

"Oh my god this kid I swear to god". Lily couldn’t stop laughing as she thought about an answer. "This sounds semi important lol but just tell him that of course I am always down to hide a body, I know a few tricks."

Alex laughed as well – more to her friend's reply than the actual subject – and wrote back a message, trying to imitate Lily's writing style. The two girls influenced each other a lot regarding their texting habits and the way they spoke, thus making it easy for Alex to fake it. Before sending it, she thought it could be funny to actually hold a conversation with the mystery guy as she had only heard about him and still needed to check if he was a good person for Lily.

Matt🍂

If I asked you to hide a body for me, would you?

Heya, your girl's bestie here

Obviously she would

Dw ab it

Oh

Hi

Thanks for the reassurance haha

You're the famous Alex?

I am, yes💃🏻

Glad to know I'm known even in whatever state you're in

I'm here to check if you're legit bro

Check all you want

I like to think I'm a good person

Well

You did ask help to bury a body

This doesn't help your case

Well

According to you, your "bestie" would help my case

Nice one

Ig talking for a couple of months led to you guys knowing each other

Yeah, it's fun getting to know Lily

She's really kind and we get along well :)

Friendship test then

You ready for it?

Go ahead

Simple questions to see if you deserve the honour of taking her time

Her favourite colour?

I know this one

It's purple

But she told me she actually doesn't have lots of purple things in her life, mostly blue

Wow bonus points

Yes!

I'm sure I can manage the rest

We'll see, pokemon boy

Her favourite food?

One of the first things we talked about 

I remember bc I don't like sushi

So it's this and pizza i think 

I-

I'm gonna ignore you not liking sushi and give you the point

Hmm next question 

Do you know where we work?

Like our job

Yeah, a café right?

With books

She loves talking about it

She just loves talking about you in general because you're related to her passions 

And also being the closest person to her

Damn this girl is absolutely getting the best birthday ever

She deserves the world

Ig you pass the test matty boy

Ok what

Unsent

The fuck is this nickname coming from

Unsent

We're just chilling, no need to panic

Unsent

Cool cool cool

Wait i kinda need a retake tho

What

Why

Idk her birthday??

I don't think we ever talked about it

Oh

That just means you'll never steal my best friend title

But yeah it's next week actually

Well in less than a week technically like in 4 days

Thanks, I'll wish it to her then

You better

I'm gonna delete the last texts so that she gets your text as a surprise

Counting on you bro

Of course, I won't let you or her down

As she deleted the last dozens of messages between her and Matt, Alex then put down the phone and looked up to see Lily smiling at her.

"You were having fun?" Lily asked her best friend. "I couldn't hear you for ten minutes and you looked like you were having fun."

"Oh". Alex was almost embarrassed to be caught enjoying a conversation with her friend's new friend. She shrugged it off and slided the phone back to its owner. "Just checking if the kid deserves your friendship."

"And? What's the verdict, judge Alex?" Lily playfully teased.

"Well, I guess he's not that bad. I trust you and you would have dropped him if he wasn't someone you liked talking to."

Lily's smile grew bigger at Alex's replies and took her arm to lead her to the couch as they would watch TV while waiting for Lily's desserts to cook.

~~~

A few days later and on the eve of Lily's birthday, Alex had everything planned: she was prepared to give her best friend a wonderful twentieth birthday, starting the day before with their out-of-work-coming-back-to-home ritual. As always for the last months, Wednesday meant a new video from the Sturniolo Triplets and Alex had prepared a comfortable scenery for Lily. The couch had been specially opened as a bed, with several blankets carefully folded on it. Snacks were ready and dinner was on its way as Alex had ordered some of Lily's favourites, which were pizza and sushi – damn Matt did get it right, Alex thought back to her conversation with him a few days prior. She hoped he could be part of Lily's happiness tomorrow, and maybe for a while after. Lily had always wished for simple birthdays. The sheer fact of knowing the people she loved took the time to think of her on this day was enough to her. Lily only needed her favourite people around her; just a day spent with her loved ones was the only gift she wished for and this is what Alex tried to stay faithful to, although a couple of surprises felt deserved for the special occasion.

As usual, Lily was coming home almost an hour after the video came out and Alex wasted no time to welcome her friend at the door. She took Lily's bag to put it down and closed the door behind them.

"Now now, just do whatever I say and don't ask questions", Alex ordered Lily who could only comply. 

The blonde led her best friend to the bathroom and to Lily's surprise, a bath had been drawn along with a few candles. Pink bubbles could be seen floating on top of the bath and Lily couldn't help but smile. It had been a long day at work – one of those rude customers who were unable to accept that their order was not ready within two seconds after having asked for it – so the girl had been exhausted and her mood started to lift up due to this pleasant surprise.

"I don't want to see you for at least the next half hour", Alex warned her friend. "Enjoy this and stay in it until your skin gets fucking wrinkles, okay?"

Lily nodded with a quiet laugh and got ready to enter the bath as Alex left the room, not without putting on a bit of music to help Lily relax.

Exactly thirty-one minutes later did Lily go back downstairs to see Alex setting up the freshly arrived food on the table in the living room. Lily definitely appreciated the bath and the calm music, but she had felt lonely and only wanted to come back to her friend so that they could do their weekly tradition in honour of a new vlog or challenge from their favourite triplets.

Lily saw the TV already set up to play this day's video which was entitled Chris forced us all to do COLD PLUNGES – it sounded even more chaotic than the previous videos and Lily knew it was possible for them to achieve that.

The two girls sat on the couch and put the food between them as the video started. What was a given from the title is that the triplets were going to bathe in ice cold water and so they had to go to the supermarket to buy ice. As they didn’t find enough – well in Chris’s opinion, the youngest triplet decided to ask if they had more in the back when they were paying. Luckily for them, the cashier managed to bring them more ice, which Chris thanked him for as he put them all in his arms.

“Damn, I feel cold just watching him with all this ice,” Lily said as she shivered. She had always been prone to being cold and getting sick easily so she knew the whole video was going to make her feel uncomfortable even though she wasn’t the one doing the activity with them.

Alex laughed at her friend’s comment and they started laughing even more when Chris wished for more ice, thus getting his brothers to go to another store and ending with a cart full of ice per Chris’s request.

“Okay, this is definitely too much ice like I gotta agree with Nick on this one”, Alex said as she was matching Nick’s apprehensive expression.

“Yeah for real”, Lily approved. “Chris is gonna regret saying that it’s never too much.”

After the bathtub was filled with ice and ice cold water, the triplets were finally ready to do their “cold plunges” as Chris tried to motivate himself by having to pretend to be a can of pepsi. Funnily enough, there had actually been a can of pepsi right before this. Therefore, Chris was the first to go in and he did regret it as he was barely able to put his feet in the bathtub. Followed Nick who imitated Chris with a spider-like position above the bathtub but did not end up fully in – unlike Matt who absolutely did not care and managed to get most of his body in the water.

“I. Am. amazed right now”, Lily commented as she was curled like a ball with a blanket around her. “I don’t know how he accepted the idea and succeeded in doing that. I would surely want to kill my brothers for this crazy situation.”

Alex hummed in agreement with her best friend and they both gasped when a couple of minutes later, Nick also fully went into the bathtub. The two girls then started laughing along with Matt and Chris as Nick ran into the shower while being shocked from what he had just done. After the middle and youngest decided to give it one last try, Lily couldn’t help but comment:

“Wait, I just noticed, is Chris the only one without tattoos?”

“Yeah, Nick and Matt both have an almost full sleeve but Chris doesn’t have any for now”, Alex explained. “I don’t know if he’ll ever get one but he would look great with a couple honestly.”

“I totally agree. And I absolutely love Nick’s and Matt’s tattoos, I might have to look at them more clearly to get a few inspirations for if I ever decide to get tattooed.” Lily was in awe of the triplets at the moment: since she started to follow them, Lily had to admit that they were all good-looking and tattoos really added something to their charm. “Also if I can say, Matt is slaying with the beard.”

“Right?” Alex exclaimed. “That was such a good move from him and I hope he’s gonna keep it for a while.”

As the girls kept talking after watching the video, Lily was feeling so much better. The simple things like spending time with her favourite person and eating her favourite foods were all Lily could ask for to enjoy life.

The night being still young, the two girls decided to watch some of their favourite Disney movies, such as Cars or Inside Out. They had a passion for animated movies that quickly brought them together when their friendship had started and everytime a new movie would come out, they would go see it together at the cinema. Lily and Alex had had this routine for a few years and none of them would ever trade the way they lived.

It was finally the actual date of Lily's birthday. As she had already spent a really nice evening the day before with Alex, she wasn't expecting much when she woke up. Obviously, everyone at the café had been giving a day off as the four coworkers were planning to maybe hang out to celebrate Lily's twentieth birthday. 

As it had happened last year as well – since the two girls started living together, both Lily's and Alex's parents called her to wish her a good day and catch up on what was new. The two families had been close since the two became best friends and would often have get-together, even as Lily and Alex moved out from their family houses.

After an hour spent talking to her parents and "second" parents, Lily received a message from the group chat with her friends.

gc: Caffeine addicts💃🏻💃🏻

Alexxx🫶🏻

Okayy guys

Everyone meet at noon at our house

We're going out :))

Luke🌈

Will I drive the whole way or be able to leave my car at yours?

Bc if i do, i need gas💀

Alexxx🫶🏻

Well-

That'd be great bc I'm not making my bestie drive on her bday

I'll pay for it even

Or you drive our car idk

Luke🌈

Kk, I'll go now

And no need dw<3

I'll regret not having gas and forgetting in a few days i know myself

Jade🌱

I'll be there, see you soon!!

Why am I only learning ab it now??

Where are we even going like

What's the dress code??

Jade🌱

Wear smth normal

It's gonna be chill, don't overthink

Okay😭

@Alexxx🫶🏻 where are you btw?

Alexxx🫶🏻

Just went to give back a plate to the neighbour 

Yk she cooked us the muffins last week

Oooh ye i remember

Ig I'll get ready then

What Lily didn't know is that Alex was absolutely not at their neighbour's. The plate had been given back a few days ago already but Alex took the opportunity of Lily forgetting to use that excuse. In reality, the blonde was at the bakery to get the birthday cake she had ordered: Lily's favourite, which was a triple chocolate cake with some fresh fruits on the top.

~~~

When she came home, Alex was right on time as Lily was descending the stairs. Alex went up to her best friend to wish her happy birthday for the tenth time – she had already said it the day before as a pre-birthday celebration, then at midnight, then she had sent a couple of texts to Lily during the night. The two girls hugged for a few minutes then let go as it was almost time for their friends to arrive. The four of them were all used to being punctual so it wasn't a surprise when at five to twelve, the doorbell rang. Lucas had picked Jade up as they were living near each other. Lily being ready and Alex having prepared what she needed earlier in the morning, they all decided to go. As agreed, Lucas drove his three friends to the secret place – secret only to Lily obviously – and for the whole ride, he had let the birthday girl choose the music, which was a once in a blue moon occasion for Lucas was very picky with what type of music was played in his car. Well, today was a special day and Lily took advantage of it.

After a ride full of pop music, the four friends arrived at the Weeki Wachee Spring State Park. It was not just a simple park, but it was filled with attractions and animals, appealing to both children and adults. Alex had purchased tickets knowing how much Lily loved nature and just walking around while admiring the beauty of the world they had the chance to live in. Speaking of the devil, Lilt was ecstatic when she realised where they were. She had been wanting to go there for a while but never had the chance so she was really excited to finally visit it. The weather was perfect for a day out and Alex knew it was because her friend brought happiness and warmth everywhere she went, just like the sun would.

After checking in, the group let Jade guide them as she had been to the place a couple of times and knew exactly where to bring Lily to make her have the best day ever. Lucas had brought some food and so once in a while they would just sit on a bench to eat as they appreciated what Mother Nature gave them. For the whole afternoon, they simply walked around and as Lily was smiling at every turn, her three friends could only be happy as well that she was having an amazing day.

As they were leaving the park due to it closing and coming back to Lucas's car, Jade suddenly gasped.

"Oh my god fuck–"

"What's wrong?" Lily immediately asked, afraid that her friend was in trouble.

"Oh sorry, I was just looking for my cardigan in my bag. I was so sure I packed it," Jade explained.

"Wait, do you mean the one you had on yesterday?" Lucas tried to confirm. "The brown one?"

"How did you know?"

"I'm pretty sure I saw it on the couch in the break room", Lucas replied.

Jade faced her friend as if he had revealed the world's biggest secret to her. The sad expression on her face was enough for Lily to react.

"Well, tomorrow is your day off so that would mean you won't get it back till Saturday. We can get it before coming home if you want, it's on the way." Lily suggested as she didn't want one of her friends to experience an issue.

Jade quickly thanked Lily for offering and so they all decided to make a quick stop by their workplace. Little did Lily know, she was so predictable that this whole conversation had been rehearsed and planned by her friends. Indeed, they knew the brunette would never let Jade go home without her beloved cardigan – which was actually at the café, but Jade didn't give a fuck about it as she could literally come get it the next day even if she didn't have a shift. It was usual for one of them to just come to the café and act as a customer who was absolutely not working there.

When they arrived at the café, Lily was the first to leave the car and take her keys to open the door. She was fully expecting it to take five minutes maximum as she just needed to go into the break room, take the cardigan and come back outside so that her friends didn't have anything to do – which was still according to their plan. As a matter of fact, when Lily entered the main room where most of the chairs and tables were, she actually stopped in her tracks and wondered why some of the chairs were down. Had she forgotten to put them all on the tables when she closed yesterday? To be sure of what she thought she was seeing, Lily turned the light on and was faced with a surprise. Nothing could have prepared her for the huge sign that was reading HAPPY 20TH BIRTHDAY and the heart balloons over the counter.

Turning back to the door through which she entered, Lily was met with her friends all smiling and singing to her. How had she not seen it coming? Lily had just expected the afternoon at the park to be the only thing they had planned, along with a small diner back at her house. She was still harbouring a shocked expression when Alex quickly slipped behind her to go open the fridge and took out the cake she had bought this morning. As she lit up twenty candles on the cake, Alex, Jade and Lucas started again to sing to Lily. When the cake was put down on the only table without any chair on it, they all sat down and told Lily to make a wish, which she did while blowing out her candles. Following some laughter during the explanations of how Alex had lied this morning as well as how Lucas and Jade had come in early to decorate the café, the four friends enjoyed the cake and discussed some memories of previous birthdays they had experienced together. Although Jade and Lucas had only been working with Lily and Alex for less than two years, it was enough for the four of them to develop a close bond.

After they finished eating, Jade, Lucas and Alex went to the break room to retrieve the gifts they had for Lily – plus the brown cardigan that Jade remembered. They all gave their presents to Lily, who started crying when opening them – emotions are really overwhelming sometimes. Lucas had bought her new headphones as her old ones stopped working a few weeks ago. They were decorated with heart and flower stickers which Lily found adorable. Jade, as a fan of crafts, had made her a set composed of a mug, a plate and a bowl that were all painted with Lily's favourite colour. Finally, Alex had bought her a Care Bear – the "Tenderheart" one, which was perfect to symbolise the girls' relationship. Lily thanked them all for their friendship and told them how glad she was to have them in her life as she hugged them first individually then decided she wanted a group hug.

Lily would never trade her friends for anything else and as she came home with Alex after bidding goodbye to Jade and Lucas who had dropped them off, she realised that another friend of hers was starting to be also important to her. Indeed, as she hadn't checked her phone since they left the park, Lily saw that she had actually received a birthday message a few hours ago from her new friend Matt, which brought a smile onto her face.

Matt🍂

Hi, I hope you had/have a good day

Just wanted to wish you a happy birthday, enjoy your twenties :)

Thank you so much omgg<3

How do you even know?

I don't remember ever mentioning it

Or i just have a bad memory-

It was actually your friend alex who told me

When she replied to me a few days ago?

Ooooh

Makes sense

So, did you enjoy your day?

Yess it was so fun!!

My friends organised me a great day, i love them sm

Good to know

While we're at it, I need to know your birthday now

It's only fair🤷🏻‍♀️

Here we go

Unsent

Hmm ok ok a random date far enough from now

Unsent

Oh yes of course 

It's november 6

Not very soon

I'll remember it :))

It's a bit late for me rn so I won't stay up long but thanks again

It was nice to know you thought of me

No problem

You're kinda in my thoughts lately tbh

Oh

I've been binge watching gravity falls so yeah haha

Oh haha

A man of taste

You know me!

Well i won't keep you awake so have a good night

Thaanks, you too

Talk to you soon

Thank you for reading. Votes and comments are always appreciated if you like this story :) The story is co-written w @/little_grapejuice on wattpad

[aroaceconfessions]

You’re gonna need a little bit of context to understand everything, so here it comes.

That is something I’ve never admitted to anyone, and I suppose it’s normal, but I often feel jealous of my friends’ friends. Like even if it’s a mutual friend, I’ll get jealous if the two others do something without me. I don’t know if it’s the anxiety talking or just a normal thing to happen, but it’s definitely made worse by my aromanticism. Because I know I probably won’t get a S.O., friendships are so much more important to me, and as a result I’m really insecure about them.

Another thing to know is that I had a friend who came out as bi in the beginning of the summer, and I subsequently realized I had … feelings for her. I’m still not sure whether it was romantic, sexual, platonic or alterous attraction, or maybe a mix of them, but what I did know was that I’d never felt anything similar, which of course made me question my aro identity (again). I didn’t say anything because we were close and I didn’t want to ruin what we had, our friendship was more important to me than whatever I was feeling, and also I was very confused. Then school started again and she made a new friend, whom she spent her entire time with, I could barely see her without her friend (who became mine too). They were very physically affectionate, which was something that I always wished I had but never knew how to initiate, and I felt like she was neglecting me to make space for her new friend. Of course, I grew jealous; they were so close, I felt as if she’d replaced me.

Now to my present predicament: she recently revealed that her and her new friend have started dating, and now that I know that, I’m… almost not jealous at all anymore? It’s as if now that she’s her girlfriend and not her friend, she’s not a threat anymore, and I don’t mind that they spend so much more time together. A part of me feels like I should worry that she’ll spend more time with her girlfriend than with me and that I’ll be less important in her life, but another can rationalize that of course they’ll spend more time together, and now at least the roles are clear. I wish them the very best, I hope they stay together for a long time, but also I have integrated the idea that, especially at our age, partners are temporary but friends are forever, and so I scan retake my place as her friend. I think that a tiny part of me still yearns for a closer relationship with her though, but I don’t know, mostly I’m just confused.

I’m sorry, I know it probably didn’t make much sense, I’m less confessing and more just… putting my thoughts (jumbled and confused) in writing, and English is not my first language. I guess what I’m asking is whether that’s something that any of you ever experienced? Thank you for bearing with me

[jadedxrealityw]

-Humming- Draco Malfoy x Female Reader

    ☼-🐍-☼

   Request: @the--queen-of-hell   Draco x reader where they obviously have a huge crush on each other... and reader catches Draco humming a sweet tune to himself whenever he's trying to calm down (because maybe his mom did they when he was little)?? And later, Draco finds reader playing that same tune on the piano, and they kiss. Then draco asks her to play it again, and he kinda falls asleep on her shoulder?? Sth like that?? fluff overload? No pressure tho, totes understand if u dont wanna write it! xoxo

   Kody: Super cute. 

   House: Slytherin

   Possible Triggers/Warnings: cursing, panic attacks

    ☼-🐍-☼

   being wealthy did not mean comfort, not one bit. Being able to buy anything you want did not mean you had everything. Draco Malfoy did not have everything. It was hard to find comfort in Hogwarts when he are raised to keep up a tough exterior. 

   at the age of 13 is when he figured out was panic attacks are. It’s also when he started to have them quite often. A couple things triggered them: stress, anything involving his father, and keeping up appearances. He was lucky to have met his friends Blaise, Theodore, Pansy, and you. 

   each and everyone of you were like him. Purebloods, wealthy, and wanted so desperately to separate yourselves from your parents. Blaise and Theo just wanted to get married and move away to a small town. Pansy wanted to be a fashion designer and of course marry Ginny Weasley. 

   you wanted to be a pianist and travel the world playing your music. Oh yes, you might be wondering what Draco wanted most in the world. Well, as cheesy as it was. To be with you. Over the years of friendship between you two it was natural that romance would blossom. 

   the thing is the both of you have insane insecurities that would prevent you each time from confessing. You needed each other and wouldn’t risk losing what you had for everything. Even if it meant yearning for each other for the rest of your days. Love is blind or maybe you both were

    ☼-🐍-☼

   today Draco was on his own. Blaise and Theo had to retake an exam they missed all morning, Pansy was on a date with Ginny, and you offered to help Mcgonagall to prepare for morning classes like you did every so often. Draco didn’t like being left alone for long periods of time, but wouldn’t say anything.

   as he stood in his room he heard a slight tap to left. He gently placed down the book he was reading and looked towards the direction the sound came from. He saw his owl at the window, letter attached to it’s foot. He pushes himself up from the bed and walks over.

  he reaches for the window latch and pops it open before he pushes both sides. He reaches for the letter and gently unties it from its claw. “Thank you” he spoke softly and gently pet the owls head. His father would never let him name him because he didn’t want him to become attached to the creature.

   he would think of a appropriate name another day for his feathery friend. He flips the letter over and sees a black wax stamp with the letter ‘M’ engraved in it. Speaking of his father. His expression instantly dropped as he used his finger to tear it open. 

   He picks out the letter and unfolds it recognizing his father’s handwriting. He began to read the contents of the letter. Same old same old, asking about his studies and such and pushing onto him about being a true Malfoy and whatever the hell that meant. He felt his chest tighten a bit, like the air was being sucked out of his lungs

   damnit. Why couldn’t he just live his own life? Why did he have to push nice people away just because they weren’t a Slytherin or a pureblood? It was bullshit. Draco started to hyperventilate. Shit. Not now. Everything became hot. Why was the room so hot?

   dropping the letter, Draco runs out of his dorm. He needed fresh air or he’d pass out. Running through the halls, he began to lose his sense of direction. He pushes open a random door and slides down the closet wall until he hits the floor. He was panting heavily and his hands were shaking.

   he begins to hum a tune. A sweet tune his mother used to hum to him when he was younger and had nightmares. She always say “When you hum this it will calm you down and someone will come and find you. Sweet dreams Draco” he pulled his knees up to his chest and continued to hum the tune. 

    ☼-🐍-☼

   after you finished helping professor Mcgonagall you began to walk back to the Slytherin house. It was always cold at Hogwarts so you put on layers. A black turtleneck sweater with a emerald green one on top and black and white plaid pants. 

   you walked past the music room where you went to play piano and heard a faint humming noise. Taking a few steps back you lean against the door to listen to it. It was definitely male, but you couldn’t tell who it exactly was. It was a lovely tune. It was sweet and upbeat, almost like a lullaby of some sorts.

   after a minute or so the humming stopped. You push open the door to find Draco curled up against the wall. You rush over to him, dropping to your knees beside him “Draco?” you say reaching to grab his face. He looks up from the ground and at you “Y/n?” he asked, almost unsure if it was you.

   you nod and wrap your arms around him “Sorry i wasn’t here” you spoke in a hushed tone. He lays his head on your shoulder, shaking his head “It’s fine. Your here now” he says. Both of you held each other until you could no longer that day. 

   someone did come to find him that day. 

    ☼-🐍-☼

   you couldn’t stop thinking about the tune you heard. You were tossing and turning in your bed unable to sleep. Fuck it. You threw your blanket off your body and pushed yourself out of bed. You slip on some black boots real quick over your off white long socks. You had been wearing stockings and a oversized emerald green flannel. 

   you slowly creep towards you door, trying to not step on any lose floor panels that would creek and alarm anyone. You turn the handle of the door and step out into a dark hallway, looking to left. You step out and face forward so you could walk down the hall.

   smack!

   you come face first with a hard and warm surface “Ow!” you exclaim as you take a step back. You look up to see the one and only Slytherin prince, hair a mess and a confused expression “Y/n? What in the hell are you doing up so late?” he asked.

   you stumble over your words for a moment “Just wanted to sneak some snacks from the great hall. Cover for me if Snape comes. Okay bye” you push past him and rush down the hall. Draco stood dumbfounded trying to decipher what you just said. 

   so he followed you of course. What friend wouldn’t?

    ☼-🐍-☼

   as you walk down the hall, you neared the music room. Your fingers itched to press down on the familiar keys. You push open the door and step into the almost empty room, a smile gracing your face. You walked towards the piano and take a seat on the bench.

   you roll up your sleeves to your elbows and straighten your back. The tune flew through your head and to your fingertips. You played the song exactly the way you heard it. You had never heard Draco hum this before and you wondered where he had heard it from. 

   you gently swayed your head as you played the tune. Closing your eyes you smiled brightly. Soon enough you felt a presence next you, causing you to stop playing. You open your eyes and see Draco sitting next to you. Oh shit. You were caught “You heard me this morning, didn’t you?” he asked.

   you slowly take your hands off the keys, nodding. You look down in shame expecting him to be angry for eavesdropping on his private moment. You felt one hand grab your chin and turn it upwards and to the left to face Draco. He leans in a captures your lips in a sweet kiss.

   you subconsciously pushed his chest away, breaking you two apart. Draco looks down at you, your faces inches apart. He looks mortified, scared of what your next actions would be “I’m so sorry-” but you smashed your lips onto him instead.   

   he kissed back instantly, one hand squeezing your side while the other laid on the nape of your neck. Your kiss was sloppy and fueled by by every unspoken confession that was never said over the years. Oxygen is needed for humans to live apparently so you both pull away panting for air.

   “My mother is right” he spoke, making you laugh in confusion. “What?” you question. “My mother told me that whenever you play the tune someone will come and find you. It worked for me and it worked for you” you smile lightly and you both kiss again for a short moment.

   after your sweet exchange Draco asked you to play the tune again and you did for him. After a couple minutes he laid his head on your shoulder and fell asleep listening to you play. You didn’t want to move him so you wrapped an arm around him and smiles “Sweet dreams Draco”

    ☼-🐍-☼

   Kody: Short and sweet. Remember you can be asked to join to taglist. Anyways, peace.

    ☼-🐍-☼

   Taglist: @sonbelleame @moonpi3 @dracosathenaeum

[enviedear]

dreams → draco malfoy

DESCRIPTION ⌙ in which draco tries to make amends with his old bestfriend he pushed away. the girl who saw the best in him, and still might.

PAIRING ⌙ draco x fem!reader

WORD COUNT ⌙ 2.6k

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

you knew what was to come before it actually came. you could tell from the way he acted. instead of confiding in you, he would ignore you. instead of listening to you, he would find an excuse to leave the conversation.

your best friend was not your best friend anymore. but you were a hopeful third year then, and the thought of a diminishing friendship seemed ridiculous.

it was a horribly cold day when it all happened. you were sat near the frozen black lake, watching snowfall when you had heard the familiar call of your name.

when you turned around you had seen your best friend, draco.

“i’ve missed you! come sit beside me and catch up,” you exclaimed.

“i can’t do that, y/n.” he had said, simply.

you still remember the way you looked at him. your eyes were full of innocent confusion.

“draco what are you talking about? are you scared of getting your ass wet from the snow?” you had teased.

“no. i just can’t be around you anymore.” his eyes were colder than the air around you.

you didn’t say anything, just continued looking at him. none of it had felt real. sure draco wasn’t the nicest boy in your year, but he was your best friend. this all had to be some joke. a cruel joke, but a joke.

“i can’t hang about some ditzy hufflepuff. if i want to keep my friends i can’t be seen with you. and if i want to date pansy i can’t have some lovestruck girl around me all the time, can i?” he had hissed.

lovestruck? no. not at the time, in third year you only wanted a friend.

“oh. okay, i’m sorry for bothering you then.” you had mumbled.

and that was that. nothing else was said between the two of you. you had quickly abandoned the notion of watching the snowfall, and instead, slipped into your empty dorm room.

you had made your way to your bed, closed the curtains, and laid there for hours. the thoughts in your head keeping you awake. you’d missed dinner, and your dorm mates had brought you some without a word. that night, it rained. it was a terrible thunderstorm.

but the thunder seemed to match your pain, and it comforted you a little. and after that night, you started enjoying every thunderstorm.

you were now in your sixth year, and many things had changed. mainly, your feelings toward a certain blonde slytherin.

“if i were parkinson i’d feel so embarrassed for myself.” your best friend, ruth giggles.

the two of you were at dinner, and ruth had a perfect view of draco and pansy.

“why? what’s happening?” you ask.

“well, she’s trying to hold his hand but he’s much too focused on his turkey leg to take notice of her. poor girl, you’d think she’d figure out the bloke doesn’t like her.” ruth sighs.

you roll your eyes, “pansy would put up with anything for malfoy. she’s so dependent.”

it was a horribly rude thing to say of course, but it was true. you were sure everyone knew that parkinson would do anything to get into a relationship with malfoy.

“well, i’m all done. want to head to the library with me before it closes?” ruth asks.

you nod your head and grab your bag.

the walk to the library after dinner had become part of your daily routine, and if it weren’t for ruth you know you’d probably forget to study most days.

the two of you find a table to sit at, and take out your books. it’s only november, so the workload isn’t too heinous yet. you choose to review your potions notes and begin to study ahead for the upcoming lesson.

you’re in the middle of reading a section about the elixir of euphoria when ruth tells you she’s going to head to bed.

“okay, goodnight. i’m going to finish this and then i’ll be down there.” you smile at her.

she bids you goodnight, and then you’re left alone. by the time you finish, it’s well past bedtime. but lucky enough, you’re a prefect. the fact always comes in handy for you.

you pack away your books and begin heading for the hufflepuff common room. you’re just outside the library when you see someone pass by the adjoining corridor.

the dim light makes it impossible for you to determine who it is, so you follow after them.

“excuse me! no one is to be out of bed right now. i’m going to have to give you detention..” you trail off, making eye contact with the familiar grey eyes of your childhood.

“y/l/n.” he says, almost surprised.

you don’t say anything, you simply pull out a detention slip and hand it to him.

“get to your common room, malfoy.” you mutter, turning around.

“are you still mad at me?” you hear him ask, his tone light and careful.

“whatever are you talking about?” you glare, turning to face him once more.

“you know what i’m talking about, y/l/n. i think you’re giving me this bloody detention because you’re still upset i didn’t want to be your friend in third year.” he spits.

you feel your ears grow hot before you reply, “we’re not kids anymore. i’ve moved on and so should you. leave me alone, malfoy.” and with that, you leave the boy standing alone.

the next day is much the same as usual. you start the day with charms, struggle your way through advanced transfiguration, and go to herbology. after lunch, it’s time for your free period.

most days, ruth accompanies you outside near the black lake to sit and relax. with everything going on in the world these past few years, you’re glad to have a friend you can confide in. today, however, she’s stuck retaking a charms test. so you’re all alone this evening.

the cold november air casts goosebumps on your skin, but you’re too focused on your thoughts to care. all day, you’ve found yourself reliving last night with draco. you’ve played the situation out so many times you’re convinced that at this point, you’ve come up with every single way the conversation could have gone.

maybe you could have be nicer to him? maybe you shouldn’t have spoken at all? maybe you should have put him in his place more?

all of these thoughts bombard you, and make you feel just like you did back in third year. weak, confused, and hurt. you didn’t even know why you were thinking of draco so much in the first place.

well, maybe you did know. even though you weren’t friends anymore, you still looked out for him. there were plenty of times people would speak badly of him for things he couldn’t change, and you’d be quick to defend him.

you also always listened in to any conversation where his name was brought up. at this point, you were sure it was instinct.

you didn’t like draco anymore, but you still loved him. granted, not the way you loved him as a child. no, now you have a love for him that rivals any love poem, song, or illustration.

and you hate it. you don’t know why you love him, and it doesn’t stop you from loathing the person he is now. though, you’ve often let your mind slip into a different scenario. one where draco never stops being your friend. he doesn’t care for what others have to say. and after school the two of you fall in love and live in a cottage in italy.

but the only cottage you can possibly see in your near future is hagrids’. so you always stop the thought before you can become too invested. all your wishes for a different life with draco can never come to fruition anyway.

you check your watch and see it’s time to head inside for dinner. you’ve almost reached the greenhouses before you’re violently pulled backward, causing you to fall straight on your ass.

you look up and are greeted with the very face you told to leave you alone.

“great, it’s you. have you come to hex me for your little detention?” you remark, getting to your feet.

“you’re such a brash person to be in hufflepuff, has anyone ever told you that.” draco spits, before lighting his tone, “sorry i didn’t mean— i just need to speak with you.”

“so you flung me on my ass?”

“i didn’t mean to!”

you narrow your eyes at him, “i don’t want to speak with you. for the last time, leave me alone.”

“y/n you don’t understand i don’t have anyone else to talk to!” he shouts.

“oh so now you want to talk to me! just because your other friends are too busy now. what is it they’re busy with draco, helping the dark lord?” you seethe.

he huffs and looks down, not saying a word.

“that’s exactly what it is, isn’t it? keep me out of it, malfoy. i don’t want to be a part of your pathetic ideology.” you jeer.

he keeps his gaze on the ground when he mutters, “i don’t want to be a part of it either. that’s why i wanted to speak to you,” he looks up and stares right into your eyes. “i need help.”

your mind goes a mile a minute. you can’t stop looking at him. you don’t know if this is real or not but you reply before you properly think it out.

“what do you need from me?”

you see him relax a little. his eyebrows lower, he slouches a bit, and his eyes become softer. he looks more like the draco you knew. the thought makes your stomach drop and your mind race.

“can i take you somewhere?” he asks.

you nod your head and begin to follow the tall boy. he leads you into the castle, and up to the seventh floor. he looks at you before telling you to stand where you are and walks up and down the corridor three times.

you look at him confused and are about to suggest that maybe someone hit him with a confundus charm when suddenly a door appears in front of you.

“the room of requirement?” you ask, amazed.

draco doesn’t say anything as he pulls you into the room with him.

the room in question amazes you. there are millions of things that capture your gaze. it makes you feel extremely small.

“what are we doing here, draco?” you quiz.

“i’m going to show you something but you have to promise not to judge too quickly,” he stresses.

“i can’t just promise you—“ you stop yourself, taking away your defenses, “i won’t judge you draco. just get it over with.”

he lets out a deep sigh before lifting up his sleeve on his left arm, and you know what it is before he shows you.

a dark mark.

“draco, that’s kind of hard not to judge,” you affirm.

“i know. y/n, but i didn’t want it. he— he made me. my bloody father ruined everything. now i have to play as the dark lords' pawn. he’s asked me to do the unthinkable...” draco falters.

“what do you mean? what’s the unthinkable?”

the boy in front of you begins to look even more broken and hurt as he no doubt begins to think about whatever is troubling him.

“dumbledore. i have to kill him.” he says, tears pooling out of his grey eyes.

the confession causes you to step closer to the boy. you search his face for a lie, but come up empty-handed.

“you don’t have to, draco! you can go into hiding with me. we can go into the muggle world. do not do this, draco.” you plead.

“y/n you don’t understand. the dark lord will kill my mother if i don’t. she’s doesn’t deserve to die because of father’s mistakes or my cowardice. i have to do this. i just need one person to know that i never wanted to do it.” he tells you, desperately trying to wipe away his tears.

you can’t bring yourself to say anything, so instead, you wrap your arms around him. he’s still cold from the breeze outside and he shakes a little still from his confession. but you hold onto him and rub his back.

“i’m so sorry for everything. for third year, for this. i’m sorry y/n. i know you told me that i shouldn’t be worried about something that happened when we were kids, but i can’t help it. i never forgave myself.” he whispers into your ear.

“i know you’re sorry, draco.” you whisper back.

he pulls away from you and puts a hand on your cheek, “i was scared. you made me a good person and it scared me. and i loved you. salazar, did i love you.”

you furrow your eyebrows, “you loved me? back in third year?”

“so much. i never stopped really. i thought about telling you so many times over the past few years, but i could never work up the courage. then this happened and—” he sighs looking down at his mark, “well i thought i should tell you before everything happens.”

“i love you too. i hated not having you in my life.” you confess.

“i’ll never leave you again. i know it’s a lot to ask of you. i want you to tell me if you don’t want to be a part of this. you don’t have to put up with my fucked up life.” he expresses.

“i know you’re good, draco. i’ll make sure that after all of this is over, you’re not seen as something you’re not. when harry kills him and ends it all, i’ll be here. i want to be here for you, and i will.”

his eyes take in your words, watching your lips. the two of you are so close you can smell the deep and musky fragrance of his cologne. you feel the beat of his heart. his eyes bounce around from your mouth to you eyes, looking more asking each glance.

finally, you begin asking him the same question without the use of words. he doesn’t hesitate and connects his lips to yours. there’s electricity to the kiss. the motion causes your world to become brighter. you feel as though you’re opening up a part of your soul that hasn’t been touched in years, making you lean in deeper. the two of you are exploring parts of yourselves and each other, and before you can figure one thing out the kiss takes you to a new revelation.

the kiss starts to become even more hungry and intense. draco slips his free hand to the back of your neck, and you bring your hands to his soft hair desperately trying to pull him even closer. you feel your face get hotter and your stomach flutters more. draco’s lips are like the violent thunder you’d grown so accustomed to loving over the years. it makes you yearn for more, even though you know you have everything. you have every single fiber of the blonde boy. his soul is yours, and yours is his.

when the two of you pull away, nothing is said. you both silently come to the same conclusion, what you two share now makes up for what was lost.

“i’m so glad i never moved on from you.” he professes.

you smile a little at his wording, thinking back to the previous night. looking back in it now, you don’t understand why you’d ever lie to him.

“i never really wanted you to.” you say.

even though nothing is perfect and your situation had too many issues to write down, you and draco feel comfort and ease the both of you haven’t felt in a long time.

this time, you won’t let it escape you.

[kuiinncedes]

HI JEANNE I AM SO GLAD UR DOING PROMPTS!!! can i prompt general #24 for quinntina with some kuinn friendship maybe pls???? 🥺🥺💞💗💞💗💞💗💞💗

hi rae thanks for prompting!!! <333

General 24 “I haven’t seen (her/him/them) smile in months.”

this got longggg 2796 ish words 👀 (i edited it after pasting into tumblr tho so idk exactly :P) i think this is the longest thing i’ve posted?? i hope it doesn’t suck <3

(also small mention of homophobic parent(s) (mostly quinn’s mom) and just not great parenting... also blood and death mention warning (but like just in conversation?))

i’m like weirdly nervous about this one sdlhgkjf *screams and hits post*

--

“What’s wrong with Tina?”

Kurt gives Quinn a sideways look, fixing his hair in the mirror on his locker. “Tina Cohen Chang? Why are you asking about her?”

Quinn shrugs, trying to play innocent and nonchalant. “I haven’t seen her smile in months.” Because since the beginning of the year, Tina always smiled at her as she walked into their first class and the only one they share, but now she doesn’t, if she even comes to class on time at all.

Kurt looks at her knowingly and Quinn pushes his arm lightly. “Shut up,” she grumbles. “I’m serious.”

“I’ve noticed it, too,” Kurt says after a moment, following Quinn’s gaze to Tina arriving at her locker. They watch as she hurriedly puts some books in her bag and quickly walks off again, head down and giving a wide berth to everyone she passes. 

“Yeah, and that,” Quinn says, “it’s like she’s… scared or something.” She looks at Kurt whose jaw has tightened. Quinn squeezes his arm lightly and he smiles a little at her. 

“I can ask Mercedes,” he says reluctantly as he shuts his locker and they start walking down the hall. “She’d know more than me, but… yeah, I don’t think she’s even been in glee lately.”

Quinn’s barely paying attention and almost runs into another student before Kurt pulls her out of the way. “You know, it’s a little creepy that you noticed this at all,” he teases, a glimmer in his eye, and Quinn elbows him and follows him into their next class.

-

Mercedes doesn’t give them any new information, and then Quinn -- Quinn wants to forget about it, but she can’t. She keeps stealing glances at Tina in the halls, during class, at lunch. She knows Kurt’s right, that it is a little creepy, but… 

They’ve been around each other’s circles since the beginning of high school, and a friendly wave from Tina one morning was the only thing keeping Quinn feeling normal when the least normal thing possible had happened to her the night before. She didn’t have Kurt yet, she barely had any friends because of her work to uphold her status as the ice-cold head Cheerio. Tina was kind to her when she was spiraling after her world had turned upside down and no one was around to support her, to turn it back around. 

So she just wants to know if Tina’s okay. Because of that. No other reason.

-

Quinn gets her chance a week later. 

She doesn’t expect to see Tina today -- she isn’t in English and hadn’t been for a few days. Quinn tries to ignore her growing concern; after all, she still doesn’t actually know anything about Tina’s life.

When Mrs. Harrison splits them off into groups of two for a new project, Quinn is last to pick her partner and everyone else has already paired off.

“Tina’s absent today, I’ll work with her,” Quinn says airily, playing with the end of her ponytail and tapping her pencil on the desk. She acts like she doesn’t care (why would Quinn Fabray have any reaction to getting paired with a relative social nobody for a project?) but part of her is… looking forward to it. Not only because of her persisting concern about what’s going on with Tina, but also because she does genuinely want to spend time with her. So maybe this is her chance.

She tells Kurt about it at his locker between classes and he rolls his eyes and smiles fondly at her. 

It’s the end of the day when Quinn realizes she doesn’t actually have Tina’s number to contact her; it’s too late to ask Kurt or Cedes, she stayed after school to retake a math test and she’s the only one here, as far as she knows.

Except she’s not. There’s another car in the student lot. Quinn glances at it and stops when she realizes someone is sitting in the driver’s seat -- Tina. Before she can talk herself out of it, Quinn walks over and taps on her window. 

Maybe she should’ve talked herself out of it, she thinks as Tina jumps and seems to steel herself before rolling down her window. Quinn smiles a little, apologetically. A wave of warm air comes from inside the car, like Tina’s been blasting the heat even in the relatively warm spring weather.

“Um, hey,” Quinn says awkwardly. “So… you weren’t in English today, but we’re doing a project and you and I are partners.” Her voice goes up at the end as if it’s a question. She’s really doubting this now. Tina looks like she’s sick and she’s gripping the steering wheel and not meeting Quinn’s eyes. “Or…” Quinn clears her throat slightly, putting her head Cheerio, most popular girl in school mask back on. “It’s fine if you don’t. Just tell Mrs. Harrison. I’ll do it myself.”

“No,” Tina says, looking up at her finally, and Quinn thinks there’s something different about her eye color. Her smile is tight and forced. “Sounds good.”

Quinn raises an eyebrow. “You sure? Doesn’t sound like it sounds good.”

Tina clenches her jaw. “Yeah, it’s good, sorry, I’m just tired,” she says in one breath. “Here, I’ll, um -- ” She fumbles with her phone and offers it to Quinn. “Put your number in, I’ll text you.”

Quinn’s fingers brush Tina’s when she takes the phone and she almost jumps at how cold her skin is, despite the warmth emanating from the car. Even Kurt, who runs cold, isn’t nearly this cold to Quinn’s own unnaturally warm body temperature…. Her concern grows and she watches Tina for another moment, who’s closed her eyes and leaned back in her seat. 

“Are you… okay?” Quinn asks hesitantly.

“I’m fine.” 

“Forgive me for saying this? But you… don’t look fine.”

Tina gives her a sideways look. “Yeah, well.” She closes her eyes again.

Quinn enters her number but doesn’t give Tina’s phone back when she’s done. “Hey, seriously, I -- what’s wrong?”

Tina just exhales defeatedly. “I can’t tell you.” 

“Try me.”

She shakes her head.

“Your skin is fucking freezing, you have the heat on high in the car in almost 70-degree weather, you look different and not in a good way. I know -- I know we don’t talk much, Tina, but please, let me help you.” Quinn even surprises herself with the last part. It’s far from the hard facade she hides behind at school in her Cheerios uniform, even though she’s still wearing that right now. 

Tina stays still and silent and Quinn fidgets with her phone. 

“I really don’t know what to do here,” Tina says softly, opening her eyes, glancing at Quinn again then back away. “I literally… have no. Fucking. Clue.” It sounds like she’s talking to herself more than anything and Quinn isn’t sure how to respond.

“Well, I… whatever I can do -- ”

“Have you ever had something… absolutely, absolutely insane happen to you? Like… you would never believe it yourself but it happened to you and you have to fucking deal with it so you have to believe it.” Tina’s breaths come more quickly as she continues, her fists curling tighter around the steering wheel. “And I don’t know how to fucking deal with it, but I fucking have to because -- because I have to and I’m this thing now -- ”

“Hey, Tina, hey, breathe,” Quinn says hurriedly, trying to put a hand on her shoulder but the angle from outside the car window is awkward and she doesn’t know if it would be appreciated. Her mind spins with those words -- you have to believe it, I’m this thing now -- and it’s scarily similar to Quinn’s own thoughts when she first… turned, over three years ago.

But Tina can’t be a werewolf too, her skin… Quinn thinks. Thankfully Tina’s breathing has mostly gone back to normal and she just looks exhausted again, her forehead resting on the steering wheel and hands loose in her lap now. What the fuck. What the fuck am I about to do.

Despite all her instincts and rationale screaming at her not to do it, Quinn says shakily, “I think I get it,” and when Tina turns to look at her, she inhales and says in a whisper, so quiet she’s not sure if Tina can hear, “I’m a werewolf.”

Tina stares and Quinn starts thinking and thinking about how she can take it back, it was a joke, there’s obviously no such thing as werewolves, what the fuck was she saying, what was she thinking revealing this to a near stranger --

“I think… I think I’m technically a vampire.” 

Oh. Quinn stares back at her.

Some of the tension seems to have gone out of Tina’s body. There’s another silence. “Can I trust you?” Tina asks quietly.

“What -- ? I mean, yeah…” Quinn swallows. “Yes, you can. Of course. I think if there’s one person you could trust with this, it’s me.” 

Please trust me.

“Thank you,” Tina whispers, like she just has no energy to speak louder. “I just can’t think right now, I think I need… like, fucking blood, probably, I don’t know…” She looks down at her hands hopelessly. “I think I might be dying.” She laughs humorlessly. “Again, I guess.”

Quinn thinks for a moment, taking in the almost metallic pallor of Tina’s skin and the difference in her irises that she noticed earlier. “How long have you… been a vampire?” 

Is this the answer to what she’s been wondering about?

“A few months, I guess.” (There it is… Quinn wonders if anyone might have noticed something different in her for the months after her first night as a wolf.) “There was another vampire -- nicer than the one who bit me -- ” her voice goes hard and tight on bit -- “who gave me some blood for a while. But I don’t know where they are now. They said they never stayed in one place for a long time. So I guess I’m starving to death. I don’t know.”

“Can’t you, like, get blood… somewhere?”

“I can barely stand talking to you right now, to be honest,” Tina says. “I don’t think I could go near other people right now.”

Right. Quinn curses her complete lack of knowledge on vampires besides that from popular media, which probably doesn’t apply very well to this situation. This feels absolutely ridiculous, though she’s been through weirder herself… still. Her first full moon was a disaster and she doesn’t know how to deal with this either. But… 

“I might be able to help,” she says, standing up straighter and finally handing Tina’s phone back to her. Tina pauses before taking it, as if she forgot about it; Quinn has, too, for the most part. The project is definitely not a priority now. “I know absolutely nothing about vampires,” Quinn continues, “but I have my own needs as a werewolf. I know a place -- it’s where I hunt. Animals.”

Tina seems to wince at the words. Quinn vaguely remembers hearing about how Tina doesn’t eat meat, for the most part. She could probably avoid thinking about it when someone else was getting her blood, but this will be direct. This will be a change.

Quinn presses on. “You need blood. Everything in history about vampires says that -- they can’t all be wrong. Please let me help you.”

“Okay,” Tina says weakly, nodding a little. “Give me the address, or whatever -- ”

“I’m driving you. In this car. And staying with you.” Quinn doesn’t back down as Tina’s eyes snap to hers, and her mouth opens to protest. “Seriously. I’m helping you with this. And you’ll crash the car if you drive yourself.”

Her head falls back against the headrest. “You’re lucky I’m exhausted and dying, Fabray,” she grumbles. She gets out and goes around the front of the car into the passenger seat, and Quinn slides into the driver’s seat, putting her bag in the back. She instinctively reaches to turn down the heat, but remembers Tina’s freezing skin.

“You can turn it down,” Tina says. “I don’t even feel cold. I just wanted my skin to feel normal to other people, which clearly wasn’t working.” Quinn gives her a glance to make sure, but Tina is just leaned against the window, body slumped and tired. 

She turns it down just a little.

Then remembering something else Tina said earlier, Quinn asks warily, “Are you okay with me in the car right now? I know you said earlier you could barely stand it…”

Tina shrugs. “I mean, I have to be, don’t I?” Quinn doesn’t answer, and Tina looks over at her and chuckles a little. “Don’t worry, Fabray, I won’t kill you and drain your blood. Although it does sound… appetizing right now.”

“Haven’t you read Twilight? My blood tastes awful to vampires,” Quinn jokes, trying to lighten the mood as she pulls the car out of the school parking lot. 

“Is that really a thing?”

Quinn laughs lightly. “I think so, I don’t know. But that is something I’m thinking about when it comes to vampires, so I must’ve heard it somewhere.”

Tina hums. “I never read or watched Twilight. My parents wouldn’t let me; my mom said she thought Kristen Stewart seemed like a bitch.” She lets out a short laugh. “The irony.”

“Do your parents know?”

“No. Yours?”

“No.” It’s honestly too easy for Quinn to hide it from her mom and her mom’s boyfriend. They’re never home and when they are, they leave Quinn alone, which is fine by her, especially on full moons or random weird days when she needs to leave. She does whatever the fuck she wants; they don’t question it. She supposes there are worse ways to live, especially while being a werewolf.

“How am I supposed to tell them?” Tina asks, looking out the window. “I thought I’d have to worry about telling them I thought Kristen Stewart was hot, not that I had basically become her -- or, her character.”

“Well, you could lead with the first thing? Maybe that’ll make it a little easier to accept. Or you could lead with the second, and while they’re freaking out about that, just drop in that you like girls.”

“Ha ha.”

“It’s good advice, I just might follow it myself,” Quinn jokes.

“…You like girls?” Tina asks. “Or -- you don’t have to answer that, sorry -- ”

Quinn glances at her. “Yeah.” 

“Cool. Let me know how it goes, if you do follow that advice,” Tina teases lightly.

Quinn laughs harshly at the mere thought of coming out to her mom. She might’ve been able to come around about her teenage pregnancy, but Quinn doesn’t miss the tone her voice takes on when she asks about Kurt or when Quinn mentions him, when Quinn’s watching something on TV or reading a book, when she sees something in the news. 

“Well I’m not coming out anytime soon.”

“That’s fine,” Tina says, her voice soft and tired but sincere. 

“Kurt’s the only other person who knows, though, so… yeah, you know… trust thing.”

“Of course. Thanks for telling me.”

And Quinn does trust Tina, with this, with the werewolf thing… she’s wondering how Tina managed to win her trust so quickly... and friendship.

Hopefully, Tina trusts her enough for what they’re about to do.

“We’re here,” Quinn says, pulling into a dirt area surrounded by woods. She puts the car in park and hears Tina take a deep breath. She looks nervous and Quinn doesn’t need to imagine to have an idea of what’s going through her head right now. She takes one of her freezing hands in her own, holds it between them. “Tina. I’ll be here for you, okay? I’ll help you. Are you ready?”

“Absolutely not. Do you know anything about vampires hunting?”

“Is it so different from turning into a wolf and hunting?” Quinn jokes, then asks seriously, “Do you need a minute?”

“No.” Tina removes her hand to open the door and Quinn misses the contact, the… warmth, even from her cold skin. 

When she gets out of the car and comes up next to her, Tina shoots her a grateful smile -- small, but genuine. Something Quinn hasn’t seen in months. She’s missed it. 

(Shit, Kurt was right, she thinks, and if this is any indication, she won’t ever get tired of that smile.)

“Thank you, Quinn, for helping me with this.”

“Of course.”

Quinn’s hand suddenly finds itself in Tina’s again, and she can feel Tina’s hand shaking a little. Quinn gives her a small, reassuring squeeze. “Let’s go.”

***

small notes for after bc i didn’t want to “spoil” this before lol !!

this is in the werewolf!quinn / vampire!tina au i’ve written in before :) if u wanna check that out hehe here’s my fic tag :P 

this and this are the two that are most connected to this one tho if u want to read :3 especially the second one -- i think that’s kind of a continuation of this fic, or like the next scene i guess

no one really cares but i started out with this prompt thinking about a more canon s1 au where it was tina saying the prompt about quinn during her pregnancy but idk somehow it turned into this instead slfdkjkd

i really didn’t have many notes lmao that’s it thanks for reading if u did <3

[lady-griffin]

I Entered a Dangerous Dungeon

Acchan’s Story

Acchan’s story was very touching and sad. I thought the anime did a great job adapting her POV chapters concisely into this episode.

I love the scene of Acchan reading Past Katarina’s last text message and breaking down crying.

That got me right in the feels.

One slight criticism, is that in the Light Novel we learn that because of Past Katarina, Acchan has made many friends and is able to live on without her best friend. Because of the positive impact Past Katarina had on her life and how much she changed it for the better. 

So, while in the anime, Acchan does say she will live on without her best-friend, I feel like it doesn’t come across as strongly as it did in the Light Novel.

That being said. I thought Acchan’s story went really well with the flow of the episode.

In LN Vol.2 her POV honestly felt disruptive and broke the flow of the story for me. So definite kudos to the anime for fixing that.

The text message scene got me, but so did Past Katarina’s funeral.

It’s easy to forget, with Katarina’s silliness, density and antics, that she died tragically young in her former life. 

So well done on the anime’s part for hitting me right in the heart with that reminder.

--

Sadness and friendship aside. I like how Fortune Lover appears in Katarina’s Past Life.

The poster on Acchan’s wall gives the impression that Prince Geordo and Prince Alan are the two main love interests or the more primary capture-targets. 

As they are more front and center than Keith and Nicol.

But since this is Katarina’s story, Keith takes precedent over Alan because of his closer proximity and relationship to Katarina.

There’s also something I really like about Past Katarina struggling to succeed in the Prince Geordo route in the game and technically dying because of it. 

It feels like her new life is good karma or the universe trying to make it up to her…so to speak

As in Katarina’s new life she easily wins over Prince Geordo without even trying and by being herself. Hell, she doesn’t even notice that he’s in love with her or that anyone else is. 

I’m probably looking way more into that detail than is actually needed, but I just like that small detail to Katarina and Geordo’s relationship.

The Exam Plot

Sophia want to see Katarina after her sad dream (memories) was very sweet and touching. I just love their friendship and how it has cross time, worlds and lives. It’s beautiful.  

I don’t think the Exam Plot is from the Light Novels (6-9) and it wasn’t in the manga or Light Novels (1-5). 

So, kudos to the Anime for introducing this exam plot and exploring more of the academic life for Katarina and her friends.

I loved their school uniforms for the exam.

It was nice seeing them in the same outfits and they all look pretty damn good in them. 

I don’t know why I really like their uniforms so much, but I really do. I just really do.

As much as I love their day-to-day outfits, I would not be mad if this was their school uniform and what we saw them in for the majority of the time. 

But that’s probably just me. 

Katarina is 100% right about the insanity of this exam.

--

But thanks to this crazy exam we got to see more magic and it was great.

I’ve always felt like the Light Novels and the Manga didn’t elaborate or explore on this being a magical world and the fact that all of our main characters have magic (at least in the First Year/Game Arc). The later novels (3-5) do elaborate a bit further. 

In Fortune Lover, it’s clear that magic was just a mechanic in the game to explain why all these characters were in the same school and a slight twist to making Maria different and special, as well as make Fortune Lover different from other Otome games.

And if I’m not mistakes Katarina even says the same thing about Fortune Lover. 

Fortune Lover gave a limited view of this world. Even when it came to Maria Campbell’s life and background, but the actual Hamefura story explores the world to a much greater extent.

So, it always seemed liked a wasted opportunity not to do the same with magic.

As it never really felt that magic matters for certain characters at all. 

For example in the Light Novels’ Character Profiles -- Sophia is said to have Earth magic and Raphael is said to have Light Magic…

But clearly that doesn’t really matter, because the anime (and maybe manga) can easily change their original types of magic to Wind Magic (I’m assuming it was Raphael who used that wind-tunnel to save Sophia and Katarina). 

HOWEVERE, there does seem to be a mistake in Sophia’s profile as it’s just Katarina’s in regards to her likes, dislikes, etc. 

Sophia’s Profile in Vol.5 (english-translation) is more than likely wrong in regards to her magic. Which might mean Raphael’s magic in his profile is also wrong. 

So, we should take that into consideration. 

My point being that I’m very happy that the anime is taking different route with how it handles magic in comparison to the LN/Manga. 

It’s been a huge improvement.

--

Katarina is so fucking dumb (I love her). 

Not only does she push the red button on the floor without even thinking about it for even a second, but in addition, her contributing to the group with her earth-bump was hilarious and adorable. 

Plus, her picking the most poisonous mushrooms that ever existed was just so stupid and so amazing.  

I also love how both Mary and Sophia are pretty fucking dumb when it comes to Katarina (and really only when it comes to her).

Mary is fully prepared to eat deadly mushrooms as long as Katarina is the one who prepares them and Sophia just hops right on board.

And Sophia was really the only who was genuinely complimenting Katarina for her earth-bump move in the exam. Which is just so sweet and also so dumb.

I love the three of them so goddamn much + Maria being the only one of the girls not willing to the deadly mushrooms. 

While I am a bit disappointed that Katarina’s videogame knowledge wasn’t of any use to her in the exam, I did genuinely love Geordo pushing her towards the the path they decided to take. 

I also enjoyed Alan saving Mary and her slighty blushing and him looking slighty embarassed as well. 

I will say I was disappointed that we only really saw the boys be capable during the exam, not any of the girls. Except for when Sophia helped Nicol locate Katarina…but still.

And of course, Katarina found the magic-stone because she needed a tool to help her gather mushrooms. That’s 100% Katarina. Though, a part of would have prefer it if Katarina was very knowledgable about plants in general and knew that those mushrooms were deadly. (either way it works for me)

And the one councilmember in her head (happy) seeing a lizard as food was fucking fantastic. 

I love the noble girls being jealous of Katarina and talking about her. 

It’s nice seeing them before the big accusation scene happens. Just by showing the noble girls being mad and jealous of Katarina feels more organic to the story.

Plus, Maria noticing the Dark Magic behind Katarina. 

I’m very happy with the past two ‘filler’ episodes building up to the two big climatic scenes and events.

--

The main problem I had with this episode is that - 

The Exam Makes No Sense…

I know that not unusual for anime or plenty of other stories, but the exam really makes no sense.

Aside from one group, basically everyone else is basically set up to fail. Right?

If you find the magic stone than you pass. If you don’t find the (one) magic stone, then you fail. 

The exam isn’t really testing what they’ve learned or improved upon. 

It’s more based on luck and the amount of magical power one has. 

Which seems unfair, as we know that a good portion of the magic population is closer to Katarina’s level of power than Keith’s, at least in LN, but maybe it’s different in the anime (or maybe I read the LN wrong).

I guess it’s possible that even though the team that finds the magic stone automatically passes, the other teams can pass based on how they navigated through the ruins...maybe. That would make more sense.

Though, it’s very possible that Alan, Mary, and Maria didn’t pass the practical exam because they weren’t on Katarina’s team.

And while I doubt that will be addressed later in the anime - If Alan, Mary and Maria actually failed the practical exam then that would be a great reason for why they arrived late during the accusation scene.

They weren’t there because they had to retake the practical exam or do another one.

So, even if the anime doesn’t say that’s the reason, that’s going to be my headcanon for right now.

ALSO

The teachers literally split the top students of the entire grade into two separate groups…

I’m not exaggerating. 

The students who get picked to be on the Student Council (the harem) are the ones who ranked the highest in the evaluation exam at the beginning of the school year.

First Year Rankings

1. Geordo Stuart (Canon) 2. Maria Campbell (Canon) 3. Alan Stuart (Canon) 4. Keith Claes (non-canon) 5. Mary Hunt (non-canon) 6. Sophia Ascart (non-canon)

We don’t actually know the rankings of Keith, Mary and Sophia but since they’re also on the student council, we know that they must be ranked 4-6. We just don’t know the exact order. .

Having the highest ranked students in two groups, basically feels like setting up all the other students for failure.

Then you have Katarina who is right smack in the middle of the rankings (#80) as part of one of the two groups.

That gives me the impression that Geordo and Keith basically demanded that Katarina be on the same team they are on, not realizing the other was doing the same.

Which is par for the course.

As all the members of the harem (minus Maria), threatened the teachers that if Katarina didn’t get permanent permission to be allowed in the Student Council chambers, then they would all resign from the student council (Manga/LN).

I know I’m thinking about this too much. 

And that of course the main characters are going to be together, because they’re the main characters. But still...

Really with just one or two lines from the teacher would have at least solved one of the illogical problems here.  

Teacher – “We have place several of these stones in the labyrinth, your goal is to find one of them. If your team leaves the dungeon without finding a stone, your team fails.”

Or something to that affect...

As much as I love Geordo and Keith being exasperated by Katarina and protecting her.

This also could’ve have been a nice opportunity to introduce Katarina’s non-council friends. Rather than us just seeing them right before she gets accused of bullying. 

But again, it does make more sense to have the main characters to be teamed up together...because they are the main characters. I just can’t help but point out the logistical problems for this exam.

Though maybe the anime will build off what’s been established in this episode...maybe.

--

Overall, I really enjoyed this episode. 

I was hit in the feels right away, laughed so hard, and it was just a lot of fun.

And of course, I was very happy to see the anime is adding its own stuff to the story and elaborating beyond the Light Novels and Manga.

[purplesurveys]

1266

Retaking this survey I took nearly exactly a year ago, which would be around the time of one of the lowest points in my life. A lot has changed and I’m *so much* happier these days, but it doesn’t hurt to revisit and acknowledge the emotions I went through then.

Are you afraid of lifts? 2020: I only feel afraid if I’m the only person riding the elevator. If I ever got locked inside I’d always feel a lot better if there’s at least one other person stuck with me. Otherwise I try not to be too bothered by lifts. 2021: Yeah, as much as possible I would still only get in if someone else was also planning to get in; elevators that are also visibly old and unmaintained tend to scare me away, too. But generally, riding the elevator isn’t a phobia of mine.

Who did you last talk to in person? Is that person attractive? 2020: That would be my mom and yes, I think she’s very attractive. Not in that way of course, but you know what I mean. She looks very young for her age and we always get mistaken as sisters. 2021: My dad. Sure, I think he looks okay.

Have you ever had a deep, personal conversation with a stranger? 2020: As much as possible I don’t like having deep conversations with someone I barely know, but sometimes I can’t escape the situation and I end up being a part of those talks. The nicest conversation I had was with a client during my first internship – he has his own company now, but over breakfast he told me about his struggles, his old unfulfilling 9-5 job, and gave me so much valuable life advice. He was so genuine and so nice and at that time I stopped minding the fact that he was a stranger and I’d most likely never encounter him again. 2021: Ooh I remember that. Yeah, he was lovely to talk to and I definitely have not encountered anyone with stories like his ever since. Anyway, I’ve grown to be a lot more extroverted over the past year so I certainly wouldn’t mind a conversation with a stranger, as long as they haven’t established themselves as a creep or pervert.

On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your own appearance? Why? 2020: Probably an 8. I don’t have a problem with my physical features for the most part, but I don’t like my front teeth and that my body hair is thicker and grows more quickly than average. Those are the two things that mess with my self-esteem the most, and the two factors that took out the missing two points. 2021: 9. I still have the same points for self-esteem issues; but I’ve embraced them slightly more over the last year.

Who was the last person to send you a message on Facebook? When was the last time you saw that person? 2020: Rita. I probably saw her sometime in early March. Maybe during a board meeting for our org before the lockdown was implemented. 2021: Angela. Sometime mid-July, I think? when we went to the BTS pop-up store together with Reena and Hans. I might see her again next week for her birthday. I have to see her reaction when she opens up the present I plan to get her.

If you decided, at this moment in time, that you were going to make a sandwich, what would you put on it? 2020: Assuming my hypothetical pantry is full, I would go for a southern-style chicken sandwich with chicken breast and spicy mayo. My stomach just rumbled, what have you doneeeeee 2021: Holy shit that sounds so fucking good right now. Can I just steal my own answer? Spicy crunchy chicken sandwiches are the shit.

Are you good at controlling your emotions, or do you tend to let them get the better of you? 2020: It’s 50/50 at best. Sometimes I let self-control win since it’s usually the most responsible choice and it’s also to avoid drama, but there are days where I recognize that self-care is just as important and so I allow myself a healthy release whether the release is one of sadness or resentment or anything else. Repressing my emotions and letting them bubble up over time isn’t healthy, either. 2021: I’m a lot better at it now. I think I have done a lot of growing and maturing and processing over the last year, and I don’t get into dramatic outbursts nor repress my feelings too much anymore. Whenever I feel deeply I let the emotions stay, but I also know when I need to reach out and seek help.

At this moment in time, what do you want the most? 2020: Normalcy. 2021: At this moment in time, I wish I could go back to when I took this survey and reassure the me then that everything was going to turn out absolutely fine. But right now I wish I also had sushi.

How many times have you cried over the person you love/like? 2020: Too many. 2021: I don’t love anyone in that sense.

How exactly are you feeling right now? Why do you feel the way you do? 2020: I haven’t been feeling anything in particular these days. To be honest, I’ve just been doing a lot of…floating around, existing, trying to make it to the end of the day unscathed. I believe I’m feeling this way because there’ve been a lot of major life changes happening and I simply wasn’t prepared to deal with all of them simultaneously. 2021: Jesus Christ that was brutal to read. How the fuck did I...manage? Anyway, right nooooow I feel quite content because a new episode of Run BTS came out and I really enjoyed it!! I also feel cozy because it’s actually quite cold tonight, so it’s making me feel sleepy faster than I would like lol. What’s the relationship status of the last person that put their arms around you? 2020: She’s been married for the last 23 years to my dad. 2021: He’s been married for the last 24 years to my mom.

Has the last person you held hands with, ever told you that they love you? 2020: Yeah. 2021: ^ Gross. But yeah to answer this question in 2021 – yes she has, in a platonic, sisterly way. We say it all the time.

Is there someone you used to hang out with all the time, and now you don’t anymore? If so, do you ever miss that person? Why do you think your relationship changed?   2020: Sure, Sofie’s the first person I thought of because we used to be the best of friends. We simply grew apart when college started, since she studied in Manila and I was all the way in another city. It would’ve been too difficult to keep up the friendship with both of us also starting to have different goals and priorities, as well as new friends. I miss her sometimes, but I’m not desperate to see her anytime soon. I’m sad to see our relationship fizzle out the way it did, but we’re both pretty happy and have been doing well and that’s enough for me. 2021: I stopped hanging out with Aya because she is an abusive piece of shit, and I obviously value my friendship with Jo far more than tolerating an abuser and keeping them around in my life. As for missing her, no, not really. I’ve always found it easy to cut people off and wipe out the positive sentiments I would use to have about a person.

Who was the last person you talked to, whose name started with ‘H’? What color are that person’s eyes? 2020: I don’t know a lot of H people so it was probably Hannah even though I haven’t talked to her in a while. Her eyes are dark brown/black, like nearly every Filipino. 2021: Hans. Same, dark brown/black.

Who was the last person you talked to, whose name started with ‘M’? How did you meet that person? 2020: OMG this was so tough to think about. The only person I can think of is Angela but that’s only because her first name is actually Maria. We met on the first day of 1st grade, back in 2005. I accidentally stabbed her with a newly-sharpened pencil and made her palm bleed, and for some insane reason a lifelong friendship was established that day. 2021: Macky. He’s a coworker but is a couple of positions above me. At first I took issue with my workplace not using honorifics, but when I learned it was a tactic to get everyone comfortable with one another, I soon got used to it.

The person you love/like is offered a job in another country. Would you let them go, or try and convince them to stay? 2020: Let them, because that was what we agreed on. 2021: No matter my feelings towards the situation, I would never interfere and ask them to stay.

Is there anyone you dislike so much, that you actually can’t stand to be around them? 2020: Back in college I hated being anywhere near a frat guy. They all had the same vibe, had the same fashion sense, used the same slang, had the same shitty work ethic so I always knew whenever one was nearby. 2021: One of my uncles, who I believe has COVID literally right now because he refused to get a vaccine. Can’t say I feel awful.

When was the last time you wanted to cry, but didn’t, because you didn’t want to show that you were upset? Why? 2020: I’ve been hiding my emotions and my tears from my family the whole month because we’re not a showy family when it comes to our feelings. We deal with our emotions privately, in our own bedrooms. 2021: Like two weeks ago when my teacher in my Korean classes shared a song recommendation with us and it turned out to be this really emotional, introspective song about dealing with life anxieties. It was beautifully sung and I nearly cried, and the only reason I didn’t was because I was in a virtual class full of strangers and I wasn’t about to start bawling my eyes out in such a situation lol.

If you found out that someone had been talking about you behind your back, would you confront them? 2020: I probably only would if they’ve always been super nice to me to my face but talking shit about me if I’m not around. It would be something I’d want to get into the bottom of. 2021: Depends on who the person is and if I think they’re worth my energy or not.

Which do you think is worse - saying something and then wishing you hadn’t, or not saying something and wishing you had? 2020: I hate nothing more than being too afraid to say something and then never having the space to say it again. That’s the type of regret that stays with me and keeps me up at night. 2021: I still go with the latter.

Do you know anyone who seems almost incapable of showing their emotions? 2020: I wouldn’t say I know anyone exactly like this, but I know of people who have built a great big wall around themselves and are super defensive when it comes to their emotions in a way that you’ll never know if they’re going through something. The first person I thought of was JM. 2021: My dad is extremely unexpressive. I guess I can say I kinda get it - he has to keep up his image as the father of the house and all - but I hope he has his own, healthy ways of processing his emotions, even if they have to be done in private.

What are 3 things that are guaranteed to make you smile, or put you in a good mood? 2020: Good Mythical Morning, seeing my orgmates, and driving. Driving seems to put me in a really good mood these days, though that’s likely because I haven’t had to do it as often as I used to. 2021: BTS, my dogs, and talking to Angela and Reena.

Do you look more like your mum or your dad? 2020: I’m a carbon copy of my mom, I’ve been told more times than I can count. 2021: Well yeah, that hasn’t changed.

When was the last time you saw your grandparents? 2020: I last saw my paternal grandparents in February; with my maternal grandma, two Thursdays ago. I have not seen my maternal grandpa since June or July 2015. 2021: Start of August for my maternal grandma; and I believe it was June when we most recently visited my dad’s parents. I visited my maternal grandpa at his columbarium slot during his birthday last year.

Have you ever felt really attracted to someone, but been deterred because you found out they didn’t have a very nice personality? 2020: No. If I get attracted to someone, that means I’ve already decided that they’re attractive on all fronts, including their attitudes and personality. 2021: ^ That is such a damn lie lmao. I remember getting attracted to this boy Lance from high school and thinking he was so cute and that I should probably try my chances with him...but I immediately got turned off when I noticed how he was slightly immature for his age and I stopped pursuing him immediately.

Have you ever hugged/kissed someone you’d only just met? 2020: Probably when I was out drinking, yes. 2021: ^ That’s true but that only goes for hugging.

Where is the person you would most like to see/be with? 2020: There is no such person. 2021: All my friends and best friends are at home. At least they should be at this hour, lmao.

When was the last time you bought a CD/DVD? Which one was it? 2020: The last CD I bought was Beyoncé’s self-titled album, but I can’t remember if I bought it in late 2013 or early 2014. 2021: ^ 2020-me had no idea :’) Anyway, the last DVD I placed an order for was Map of the Soul ON:E, though I’m not getting that until October. The last thing I was able to successfully receive was my Butter CD set.

Have you ever gone against someone’s advice and then regretted it? 2020: I don’t usually ask my friends for advice since I don’t want to possibly be the jerk that asks for advice but goes against them. I’ve always just gone with whatever I think is best for myself. 2021: I guess I’m still the same as I found myself agreeing to those two sentences.

Would you ever apologize for something that wasn’t your fault? 2020: Welcome to my life. 2021: Before, I used to. I won’t let shit like that pass now.

What’s been the best thing about your day so far? 2020: I’ve done a good share of self-care activities today…I actually got up in bed and have been taking surveys, I ate a lot for breakfast, I took a shower, and fixed myself a cup of coffee. The bar has been set very low since August obviously, but considering I’ve been skipping out on a great deal of activities that used to make me happy, I’m just glad I accomplished several today. It’s the little joys, guys. 2021: Getting good feedback from my boss on a deck I had to work on all day today. Also the new episode of Run BTS, aka my favorite thing about Tuesdays.

Has anyone ever cried in your arms before? 2020: I can only recall one person who’s done this. 2021: Sure.

Who was the last person you talked to, whose name started with ‘C’? Is that person older or younger than you? 2020: Tina, but her full name is Christina so she counts. I keep forgetting she’s a year older than me. 2021: Coco. Yeah, I believe so.

Do you keep a lot of things from your parents? 2020: Yes. They know my good side - my awards, achievements, job prospects, all the shiny stuff they can be proud of. They don’t need to know how mentally fucked their firstborn actually is, because it’s not like they’d know how to deal with all that weight. 2021: Yes.

Who was the last person you confided in? Do you regret it? 2020: Angela. Not at all. She’s been my rock for the last 15 years. 2021: Andi, and no. I trust them with my whole life and then some.

What was the last film you watched, that you hadn’t seen before? What kind of film was it? What did you think of it? 2020: I’m Thinking of Ending Things is a psychological thriller. It’s not for the faint of heart, especially those who’ve been feeling depressed and/or existential lately. It certainly didn’t make me feel good and I wish I could unwatch it, not because it was bad but because it was a bit too triggering. 2021: Be With You; it’s a Korean film that’s mostly romance but with a super super slight tinge of fantasy if you squint your eyes hard enough. I loved it a lot; both the leads are sooooooooo pretty to look at and the kid is a fantastic actor. I also cried a lot, but I do think the ending could’ve been executed better as it felt rushed.

Have you ever had an argument with the last person you hugged/kissed? 2020: Lots. 2021: Nothing more than extremely petty fights, the last of which we had approximately 12 years ago.

Using one word only, describe the day you’ve had so far. 2020: Lonely. 2021: Routine.

[unsteadyshade]

day 2: sports AU

a/n: it’s late, it’s ridiculous, but it’s here. expect shenanigans.

Blake stared at the test that was just returned to her, the failing grade seeming to mock her. She'd  bombed assignments before, but to fail in history, her best subject, was new. She only had herself to blame, considering she had studied the wrong material and had no clue what anything on the test was referring to.

Sighing, she shoved the test in her backpack and slowly made her way across the lecture hall to the stout professor. He was one of the oldest that taught at Beacon University yet also one of the most easygoing, which Blake hoped would mean that asking for a retake would be a simple request. Surprisingly, it was not.

"Professor Port, you know I always pass your exams and complete my assignments. I'm just asking for one chance to retake this test."

For his part, the professor did hear her out before firmly shaking his head, unwilling to budge on his decision. "You know what the syllabus says. No retakes for anyone, not even one of my top students."

"But-"

"I'm sure you'll do better next time! It's just one low grade."

Despite knowing that her professor had a point, Blake couldn't help but feel frustrated with herself. She just knew that she would've passed if she had studied the correct material. Blake nodded and was about to leave when he spoke up again.

"But that syllabus is old. Maybe it's time I update it…" He mused, stroking his mustache. Blake couldn't help but feel a little surge of hope at that. But then he continued. "It would have to be done with certain conditions in mind, however."

"Conditions?" Blake briefly wondered if this was even allowed but didn't want to press her luck. Then again, knowing how eccentric the dean was, it might be overlooked.

Chuckling, Professor Port shook his head. "One condition really. You see, you're not the only one who flunked that test. I would usually just let you three go, but they also asked for a retake, and I offered this condition to them, so it would be unfair to not give you a chance too."

There was amusement present in his voice, and Blake didn't know how to take that before nodding hesitantly. How bad could this condition be?

--

In the week since her conversation with Professor Port, the days seemed to pass by normally for Blake, so much so that she had forgotten about their chat until he requested that she stay after class. She didn’t think anything of it, having already taken the previous test over again earlier in the day. What did catch her off guard was how ridiculous his condition actually was, and she expressed as much to her childhood friend and roommate.

Velvet, who was usually busy with her photography assignments, had found time to talk to Blake while waiting for her photos to develop. The older woman was seated on her bed and was now staring at Blake in disbelief before it shifted to a thoughtful look. She was familiar with Professor Port, having taken him already. Blake hoped to hear how ridiculous his condition was, but Velvet just shrugged.

"It could be worse."

"Really?" Blake asked skeptically.

"It's not like he's asking you to join the team. You just have to attend one practice."

"Still-"

"I also heard that he's good friends with the coach, so he'll know if you and your two classmates who made the questionable decision to accept his deal attended."

Sighing, Blake leaned her head back against the wall, closing her eyes and lamenting her lot in life. The professor had given her a specific practice session he wanted them all to attend, which just happened to coincide with a book signing she was looking forward to. A cancelled book signing, Blake reminded herself sullenly. At this point, all she was hoping for was that the team and her classmates were tolerable.

A flash brought her attention back to her roommate, Velvet smiling as she usually did after getting a good picture, and Blake groaned. She wrapped her blanket around herself, burrowing in and refusing to face the world. Velvet’s voice was soft when she spoke again.

“If the coach lets me stay, maybe I can come and watch?”

Blake stuck her head out and looked at her roommate, hope shining in her eyes, making Velvet roll her eyes fondly as she raised one of the many cameras scattered around her on the bed. “I also might be able to get pictures for the school paper-“

“No-“

“-Since we both need to find a story anyway. Think you’ll make front page news?”

Velvet smiled at Blake’s glare, one that turned softer as she considered her friend. “Maybe this can be a good thing. You never know when you’ll meet new friends... or more.”

Blake knew that Velvet wanted what was best for her, but she desperately wanted to talk about anything but her empty love life now. Instead, she smirked and decided to focus on something much more fun. “Maybe I can even have a relationship story that rivals yours.”

“Blake!”

“But meeting during a volleyball practice is definitely less interesting than having a girlfriend offer to pose naked-“ Blake ducked to avoid the pillow sailing towards her, laughing loudly.

By now, Velvet had her face buried in her hands, attempting to hide her growing blush. “I really wish Coco would stop sharing that story with everyone…”

“Well no one said you had to accept her offer…”

“She was...very convincing…” Velvet managed to say, only continuing this conversation after hearing how Blake was in a much better mood now.

Amused now, Blake just shook her head. The last thing she’d do is fall for a rich or flirty woman like her friend.

--

What she didn't expect to find when she attended the practice session was a rich woman and a flirty woman. Of course, those weren't her first thoughts, but she'd never say that out loud. Blake was simultaneously relieved and embarrassed when Velvet had to nudge her to get her to stop subtly staring at her classmates who were now stretching.

Unfortunately for Blake, her staring was noticed if the raised white eyebrow and wink from the blonde was any indication. Then they both proceeded to stretch deliberately slowly and in ways that showed off their toned-

Abruptly turning around, Blake quickly walked away to hide her blush, though she wasn't sure if she succeeded after hearing a loud laugh from behind her. It managed to sound friendly, as if inviting her to laugh along, and Blake couldn't help the smile that spread across her face.

A familiar snap brought her attention to Velvet, who was smiling, though there was mischief in her eyes. She hummed in approval at her picture before placing a hand on Blake's shoulder and speaking solemnly. "Bless your bisexual heart."

Blake sighed and glared at the ground. Out of all of her classmates who could've been roped into this, it had to have been the two who managed to pique her interest. She couldn't help but wonder how they both failed a test before shaking those thoughts away.

Blake's priority was just to get through this practice session. Then she'd be free and wouldn't ever have to talk to them...though that didn't mean she couldn't have a bit of fun while she was here. Her sudden smirk prompted a sigh from Velvet. "Do I even want to know what you've got planned?"

"Probably not. Just make sure you get some good pictures," Blake said before slipping away to change.

Velvet sighed and just raised her camera in acknowledgement. If nothing else, she hoped that this would be a good opportunity for photos. She greeted the coach, who reminded her of the blonde in personality and looks and settled on the bleachers to watch the chaos unfold.

--

If Velvet had known how utterly entertaining just one practice session with three girls in denial would play out, she would've invited her girlfriend. Coco would've made it all the better with her running commentary, but alas she'd settle for pictures and timestamps for now. If those three didn't do something after all the tension displayed between them, Velvet resolved to make a slideshow with all the evidence and invite them over to their dorm, sit them all down, and explain in detail how there was something there. It would be up to them to define what that was.

While waiting for Blake to finish changing, Velvet decided to look through the pictures. There were quite a few, but she wasn't sure how many she could actually use. Velvet had waited until Blake had stepped out of the locker room before she had readied her camera, and the matching not so subtle stares she was given made for a great but unusable picture. The last thing the university paper needed was a front page spread of what girls looked like when trying to subtly look over each other in ways that implied more than friendship.

When the next picture popped up, Velvet smirked. How could she not when all three girls were staring and trying to hide they were doing so with varying levels of success? She couldn't blame them though; it was obvious why Pyrrha was in charge of the team.

As she continued to flip through the pictures, Velvet found that there were a number of action shots she could use, but she found that her favorites were the candid shots. There were small moments of care between them interspersed between intense shots of them bantering, though Velvet liked to think that they were flirting in their own way, considering the verbal barbs poked and prodded but never crossed a line. Their teasing smiles reassured Velvet.

She looked up when she sensed someone standing in front of her, and she was quietly curious after seeing Blake's nervous yet excited expression. Blake was eyeing one of the candid shots, a small tentative smile on her face, and Velvet quickly wrapped her friend in a hug when she told her about the date she had in a few days. Velvet didn't know if they would join the volleyball team, but she was hopeful for their date and what would come afterwards.

a/n: this went through so many different versions to get to this point. it ends here, because i got inspired for other prompts while this was in progress, but i had to finish. the other prompts will definitely be late too, but they’re coming. the next one features a child. also on ff and ao3.

[goodwriterwithbadhabits]

Flight of the Little Bird: Three Days Ago

Previous | Next | Master List

Part 9/ 10 I can’t believe we’re almost done!

~~

“I’d like to raise a toast,” JB begins, holding up his Soju, catching the attention of the entire restaurant. The whole building had been booked for the boys and their staff to enjoy a celebratory dinner together. Your last one with them. One by one, glasses rise in the air, mimicking the leader. “You have all worked very hard, and it is always a pleasure to work with you. I want to say thank you to our diligent managers for always keeping us on track, the amazing choreographers for helping us convey our music, and mostly, to Y/n.” Your face heats up, though tears also begin to well in your eyes. “You’re our longest-running staff member, and you’ve made us look good for years now. If not for your artistry, your confidence in us, and your friendship, we wouldn’t have made it this far. Thank you, for your help, and your love.” The gathered crowd erupted into cheers of your name, and you remembered the version of yourself from so long ago that would have been shaking like a leaf at the thought of anyone cheering you on, but this time, you stood, ready to make a speech of your own. 

“Thank you, JB, and all of you. When I came here almost 4 years ago, I was so sure I would be an outcast, but all of you have shown me love and compassion. The boys may be the ones dancing on stage, but we are all Got7, and every win for them, is a win for us. Here’s to many more comebacks, many more trophies, and so much more music.” You raise your glass just a little higher, swallowing the lump in your throat along with the burning alcohol. 

The kiss Jackson presses to your cheek as you retake your seat sears into your skin, a burning reminder of the lies you were withholding. You were about to leave, and leave him with nothing but a note and the memories you had shared. The other boys already knew, each of them having taken a moment to cry with you once you had told them. Even Jinyoung had shed some tears, and to add to it, you had to ask them to keep it a secret from their friend, their brother. 

You felt like a monster. 

Dinner was both the slowest, and the longest thing you had ever had to endure, trying to keep up a smile that so many knew was fake, and trying not to cry when Jackson held your hand. As the party finally dwindled to only the boys, you, and their managers, you could see the sadness creeping into their features. 

“Do you want me to drive you home?” Jackson asked, helping Bambam, who had drunk himself silly, off the floor. 

“No its alright. I mostly had water so I’m taking JB, Mark, and Youngjae back to their places.” You decline, offering him a small smile. You turn back to Mark, about to order him into your car, but with a sudden burst of confidence, you look to your boyfriend again. “Want to come over tonight?”

“Like, come over, come over?” You can’t stop yourself from smiling at his almost naive happiness. 

“We can call it a sleepover.” You wink, leaving a kiss on his cheek. 

“Y/n! I’m gonna miss you so much!” Bambam cries, throwing himself at you. His hug is way too tight and he’s getting snot on your shirt. 

“Bamie, its fine, its not like its gonna be forever.” 

“What is he talking about?” Jackson asked, and you shake your head, trying to play it off. 

“I think he’s going on a little vacation after everything, just taking a break.” You lie easily, detaching the inconsolable drunk man from your shoulders. “Or he’s just super drunk and confused.” You know Bambam means what he says, but you also know he’s absolutely plastered right now, and probably won't remember this anyway. “Go home with Jackson, Bamie. I’ll call you in the morning, okay?” He sniffles, nodding, and wiping his eyes. Your heart absolutely aches to see him so hurt, like a child having lost their mother. 

“I’ll get them home, text me when you get back to your place and I’ll head over.” Jackson interrupts, pulling Bambam gently away. 

“Of course.” He leaves you with a kiss on the cheek, and you have to, once again, stop yourself from crying.

“So you really aren’t telling him?” Jb begins, leaning on the back of his chair. “How long do you think its gonna take him to realize?”

“If I’m lucky, not until I’m on the plane.” You sigh. “Come on, grab Youngjae for me will you?” The leader nods, nudging the younger boy while you pull your best friend out of his seat. Since JB was the least drunk, you let him sit in the passenger seat, needing his help to get the others out and safely into their own apartments. 

Youngjae was the first to be dropped off, and knowing his unending adoration for you, you had the good sense to brace yourself right before he barrels into you for a hug. 

“I’m gonna miss you so much, noona.” He mumbles, and for a moment, you think he might have sobered up. “Promise you’ll come visit or let us visit you?”

“I’ll see what I can do, sunshine, let's just get you home first.” 

“I love you, noona.” He offers you a drunken smile, planting a sloppy kiss on your cheek before JB manages to drag him into his apartment complex. Leaning against your car, you let out a breath, trying to calm yourself down. You wanted to convince yourself this whole thing would be temporary, and maybe in a few years when fans had forgotten you, you could come back, but you knew deep down this was the end of your journey with Got7. 

Worst of all, tonight was likely the last you would ever see of them, at least in person. 

JB came back just in time to see you wiping at your eyes, trying to stop the tears from falling.

“You know you’re doing this to yourself right.” He tells you, voice hard and emotionless. “You’re so goddamn selfless, you don’t care about the toll it takes on you. I know you’re thinking about this all logically, trying to make sure we still remain a band and don’t lose any of our fans, but have you thought about what will happen to us when we lose you? I can’t be sure we’ll all be okay.”

“You’ll forget about me eventually.” You sigh, “That’s just what happens.”

“Can you guarantee that? That none of us will remember you? Not your best friend, not the man who loves you, not any of the rest of us who finally found a friend who wasn’t just here for the fame? Can you promise me we’ll just forget?”

“Everyone forgets about me eventually. Why would you remember me anyway? All I’m doing is breaking your heart.” You snap. 

“Yeah you are, so what are we supposed to do with the pieces in the meantime?”

~~

Tag List: If you’d like to be on the tag list for the last part, please let me know before tomorrow at 11pm Cali Time, I’m hoping to have it up around then. And if you’d like me to tag you in all future stories, or even just ones about certain groups, just let me know.

@dreaming-hope25

@rxbelprxyer

@equesasprokishi

@destroyed-and-damned

[chubbyooo]

Blurred Lines: Cursed Past Chapter 76 - Birth of a Revolution

hey all my block is bad at the mo but here’s a chapter I finally got round to

Risha discusses her plans for Dubrillion with Ash and Gacen

Ash sat on the grass not quite sure what to do, Gacen had been in there for a while and by the sounds of things he was rather occupied. She couldn’t say she could really relate to whatever animalistic lust came over them but knew it was best to give them some space. She smiled still, it could’ve gone a lot worse, they seemed to have reconnected positively, it felt kinda good but not as good as she’d hoped. She thought it might make her lack of direction go away but nope it was still there, there was word from Guss that Risha was planning something so maybe she could help with that. She sighed, nothing ever really filled that lack of direction feeling but Havoc Squad had been the best example of something that gave her direction but even then she was fighting for a corrupt government. 

She looked around the jungle and the base set up, Risha certainly had been busy and productive, there were little droids building all over the jungle. She chuckled and she’d also been rich enough, Ash turned to see Guss sitting down next to her he was poking at the ground seeming like he wanted to say something “so how long do you reckon we’re gonna have to wait?” someone had to break the silence

Guss looked to her flustered “oh um maybe a while they hopefully will be done soon” Ash nodded knowing Gacen it could be a while “so uh you were travelling with Gacen?” Ash could sense the jealousy even if it wasn’t warranted

Ash looked away “yeah I mean I helped him out of prison and then I thought it best someone look after him” she sighed “and I really didn’t have anything else to do” Guss nodded rubbing his chin

He turned to her “well I’m glad he’s back he was probably missing his Jedi Best Friend” Ash just nodded ignoring the obvious implication

Ash folded her arms “yeah I’m sure he missed his sidekick he told me about it when i was piloting the ship” Guss’ eyes widened 

He responded in a huff “I’m not a sidekic… he lets you pilot the ship” Ash let herself grin a little bit  

Ash nodded “well yes I’m copilot after all and we’re equals so there wouldn’t be any reason not to” Guss breathed out heavily frowning

Guss sulked “well yes I suppose so… I’m glad he managed to find Risha as a result of me that was quite well placed of me” Ash had to admit messing with him was a little fun

Ash responded “yeah it’s a good thing I found that footage of you I’m happy to have helped” Guss frowned a little more before looking away

He mumbled “no one likes a show off” and then continued “I managed to get all these droids here by the way, well before M4-SK was here” he paused “not too shabby if you ask me” Ash nodded just ignoring him now

From behind they heard a voice “that was pretty good of you buddy” Ash turned to see Gacen above them, he jumped down off the ridge “alright we’re all done so you guys can come in” Ash sighed not wanting to know what that entailed 

Ash asked “so how did it go? Is everything good?” Gacen had a noticeable smile which cause Ash to let out a very genuine smile 

Gacen raised his eyebrow “woah what is this are you genuinely smiling” he teased as Ash’s signature frown returned “anyway yeah it went awesome you were right no awkwardness but not only that, Risha has some plans of her own if you wanna get involved” It was either this or boring smuggler jobs so Ash nodded

Gacen led them towards the house and as he did Guss jogged up to him “so um about Ash how serious is uh this um friendship” Ash lagged behind but couldn’t help but roll her eyes

Gacen shook his head “Guss don’t do this to yourself you’re both equally good I’m allowed more than one friend, I could never replace you” Guss looked both satisfied and unsatisfied at the same time

He nodded “right right yes equally good friends right” he slinked back “cool cool cool cool” as he passed Ash he mumbled “irreplaceable” Ash had to stifle a laugh due to how little she cared about this weird rivalry Guss had created for himself

Gacen led them into the base and to a large war room where Risha stood waiting for them at a holotable, Ash had to admit as soon as she saw a war room she got a little rush of excitement this could be good. 

Risha looked sternly at Ash she wondered if she was still mad at Ash for taking Gacen away on that mission “good to see you again Ash how have you been” she had never heard anything said sterner in her life

Ash looked away awkwardly “uh hi um Risha I uh well I want to apolag-” Risha cut her off

She waved it off “relax Ash, you may have taken Gacen from me and gotten him captured separating us for 8 years” she paused for a scary amount of time “but you brought him back so I forgive you” Ash gave an awkward smile nodding

Gacen chuckled “dude she’s messing with you” Risha face turned into a smirk as she gestured to the Holotable, upon it was the planet of Dubrillion spinning as they gathered around it

Risha began “As I’m sure you’ve gathered by now I am trying to retake Dubrillion from this man” a stern Bald man appeared on the table his face long and old, Ash had seen his face once before on a Holo that a terrible scientist had talked to. “This is King Actavarus III of Dubrillion the current ruler of Dubrillion, a Tyrant and more than that a coward” Ash had gotten that impression from him he seemed like the worst type of noble

Gacen chimed in “also a massive Asshole” Risha nodded agreeing with Gacen’s comment

Risha sighed “he is the sort of ruler that when he sees a revolution brewing he will destroy cities to stop it” she paused “that’s not a metaphor he actually did that, to get at me” Ash could see the hurt in her face as she talked “he and the other nobles surrendered the planet during the eternal empires reign almost immediately but now that has been dissolved it remains unaligned” Ash nodded considering the options

Ash spoke up “it seems if we were to take on this we’d need allies, ones that are powerful and could outsmart such cowardly tactics” Risha nodded sliding a crest across the table to her

Risha continued “absolutely correct but I think we have just gained the first one, if you will be one of the commanders Ash?” Ash looked at the crest of a crown sitting above a factory; she felt an immense sense of pride as she held it.

She let herself smile again “of course I will Risha I’ve looked into what Actavarus has been doing and if anywhere needs liberating it’s Dubrillion” Risha nodded with a smile

Gacen joked “oh wow two times in one day she’s doing it she’s having emotions” Ash got the knife from her belt and gestured with it to shut Gacen up

Risha shook her head “anyway I can’t form any sort of open rebellion as he will sacrifice the people for control and I can’t allow that” she brought up a set of plans that each looked complex “so instead I will need operatives to do theses jobs for me, these are a number of plans I have come up with to minimize civilian casualties but allow us the control and foothold we would need” Ash looked at the many plans on the screen Risha certainly had a lot of time on her hands many of these had contingencies and everything but she did worry considering she wasn’t a military mind. Risha continued “but for now we have limited options so we will merely be doing scouting and recruitment” she looked to Gacen “Gacen will be handling recruitment of allies due to his certain charms” Gacen looked very full of himself for a second, Risha turned back to Ash “and I wanted you to handle early missions, first you and Guss should head to Dubrillion to check on the scientists inventions” the face of that terrible scientist appeared on the screen

Ash frowned “are you sure Guss would be the best choice for this mission he may slow me down” Risha frowned at her

Guss responded “I don’t mind working with her but she does have a point I may slow her down a bit” wow talk about low confidence

She folded her arms “you’re a lot more resourceful than you may look” she paused “but more importantly I don’t want anyone going in without backup we’re stretched thin enough as it is we need to stick together” Ash conceded that was a very good point

Gacen smiled “she’s right though I’m sure by the end of the trip you guys will be best mates” they both looked at each other not convinced

Risha continued “nonetheless Armande is the one thing I can’t really predict, he has a habit for trying to make inventions and getting something that has an other more dangerous function and as a result it’s pretty hard to predict” Ash nodded that at least explained the terrible truth serum

Ash looked at the plans “right so have a look around his base find out what dangerous inventions he has here and report back” Risha nodded Ash was very surprised they were getting on so well

Risha frowned “and if anything goes wrong do NOT mention me or anything about these plans we need this looking like a break in, if you get caught keep the act up until you can escape got it’ she was very firm making it abundantly clear how hush hush this had to be

Ash nodded “Understood you can count on me” Ash was surprised she honestly couldn’t wait to go, her first proper mission in years she better ace it

Risha smiled turning to Gacen “In the meantime we have to decide what allies we may want to and if any faction would take us” she pressed a button on the table and a red togrutas face appeared on the screen “first of all I’d like to get some of my most trusted allies so Gacen I need you to find Master Sumalee” Gacen let out and audible groan

Gacen sighed “whaaat we have to work with the by the rules Jedi cmonnnnn what can she offer us” Ash could think of so many things

Risha put her hands on her hips “you think Sumalee is by the book? She’s one of the better jedi and regardless we could use her strategic mind on this matter and you know she owes me” Gacen conceded nodding “now you better play nice and get her for me” Gacen nodded

He frowned “fine I may not like her but you have a point” he paused “and to be honest you probably have so much more of an idea of how to take a planet” he was only half joking but Risha did still smile

Risha continued “Intel suggests she’s on a planet called Wayland I have some possible coordinates but it may take a bit of searching so take M4-SK with you” she gestured to the corner where Ash hadn’t even noticed M4-SK leaning against the wall

They stood up and walked towards them “A new part eh Pard” they paused as their voice became a lot higher pitched “sounds perfect I’ll start workin on my character when we have some time Master Zandar” Gacen looked at them a bit bewildered

He responded “I um guess just be a protocol droid for this one” M4-SK nodded as Gacen frowned at them

M4-SK responded “ah yes sounds perfect next time you see me I will be a protocol droid” with that they walked out of the chamber

Gacen frowned “isn’t it already a protocol droid?” Risha just shook her head

“Just go with it it’s a lot easier than arguing” Guss nodded they clearly were used to it

Ash still was curious about a few things “so in terms of a bigger ally what were you thinking?” Risha brought up what looked like pros and cons lists

Risha gestured to them “Well there are two options either we go with the Republic or the Alliance, the Republic is a little more of a sure thing but also liable to corruption. Whereas the Alliance tends to be volatile so I’m looking for further input hopefully from Sumalee and you two” Ash pretty much had the same opinion of both it was a rather good assessment

Gacen chuckled “don’t ask me I have no idea who’s running what or the morales of any of them” Ash could back that up he really had no idea what was going on.

Risha frowned “really? Well I guess I’ll have to talk to Sumalee and Ash then but I’m leaning towards the Alliance” Ash nodded in agreement, the republic had burned her too many times. Risha shook her head “anyway for now those are the plans I’d advise we leave soon but feel free to at least take a break before we spring into action” Ash nodded she was raring to go but Gacen probably wasn’t

Gacen shook his head “I think I’ll stay a couple days and make sure to get a perma comm set up with you before I go” Risha smiled as she chucked a commlink at him

She chuckled “already done, you best keep that on” Gacen quickly put it on

Gacen smiled “perfect I like the way you think babe” Ash scoffed as they began to flirt and left to plan the mission

A day or two had passed since the briefing and Ash had been bogged down preparing for the mission but finally she was ready as they prepared the small vessel Risha and Guss had escaped in for a trip to Dubrillion. She smiled, they were all ready, she was gonna get everything she needed, come back and plan a revolution, she hadn’t felt this excited in weeks. 

She turned to Guss as he packed the ship “ok are you ready? Got all the stealth equipment and the fake credentials” Guss nodded as he carried a box to the ship

He smiled “I checked them all with Risha before I left the base and I think that everything is correct and in order” Ash smiled Guss had proved surprisingly capable when being bossed around he certainly didn’t question authority like someone

Ash nodded “sounds good get everything prepped” she glanced past him to see Gacen standing waiting to say goodbye “I gotta say my goodbyes I assume you already have?” he nodded as Ash strode over to Gacen

Gacen smiled a her “look at you two days and already going off on another mission” Ash chuckled he had a point

She looked away “I uh was never one to stay in a place too long, I completed my mission with you now it’s on to the next one and all that” she paused “but I’m not going anywhere I’ll be back in a couple days ready for your arrival with Sumalee” Ash assumed Gacen felt weird since they hadn’t been apart for two years and to be fair it was a little weird

Gacen held his neck “yeah I know but I haven’t been away from you since escaping just uh guess I’m just a sentimental fool” Ash nodded he was definitely that

She responded “well don’t worry I”m sure Risha can look after you and believe me when I get back we are having a checkup, you can handle this mate I believe in you” Gacen nodded he knew the nature of their friendship at this point

Gacen smiled “thanks for getting me here, I never could’ve done this without you” he chuckled “there I go getting sentimental again I think i get that from my mom” Ash laughed before she remembered something she’d been meaning to ask him. She was about to speak up but she paused looking at him for a second, he looked happy, maybe she could give him a few days before asking about his family.

She looked to the ship “Well I best not keep Guss waiting don’t want him to crash the ship” Gacen laughed clearly relating “I’ll see ya soon have fun with your wife” Gacen nodded waving goodbye to her as she walked onto the ship. Here we go she thought another adventure let’s hope this ones a good one...

[dachi-chan25]

I had books that I either loved or hated so idk maybe I need to do another unhaul to ensure I read books I'll actually enjoy.

1- OtherEarth (Otherworld #2) by Jason Segel

🌟🌟

So this was a big disappointment. It started out fine, but I had this bad feeling about what the twist of this book would be about 50% into it, and then the twist comes and it was just as bad as I feared. Honestly I don't even know if I wanna continue with the last book, I have it but honestly I can't say I am looking forward to it, it wasn't just the plot that fell down but the characters felt pretty inconsistent and yeah not a fan.

2.- Fireborne (The Aurelian Cycle #1) by Rosaria Munda

🌟🌟

The only thing I knew going into this was that it was inspired by Plato's Republic and that it was similar to Game of Thrones, so maybe that is why I found it pretty underwhelming. Like yeah I could see why it was based off the Republic with this system of education (tbh I still found it pretty basic and very much alike to other social systems I've read in other YA books) and there was some intresting tid-bits but not enough to keep me intrested. Now the characters, I liked both individually (unpopular opinion but I liked Annie more, I thought she had real potential but it was wasted because the moment she and Lee have this romance her character completely lost herself on thinking about him and what he did all the time) but I do not think they worked together romantically. There is some potential drama for book 2 but I am not intrested in reading it.

3.- The Mistress (The Original Sinners #4) by Tiffany Reisz

🌟🌟🌟🌟

This book was so good. Yeah it was super predictable, but the drama tho. I really loved Layla, she gave us an outsider's insight on Søren and Nora's relationship, and she is just the sweetest that I instantly knew she and Weasley were gonna get together. I cried at that last confrontation scene with Nora and Marie Laure and I am so happy that Nora is back together with Søren because they are truly a good couple despide everything.

4.-Gods of Jade and Shadow - Silvia Moreno Garcia

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

I LOVED it. Ever since I saw the cover I was sold. This book I feel like it was meant for me. Like our protagonist Casiopea Tún is a dark skinned mexican girl of mayan descent in the 1920s who meets one of the lords of Xibalba and goes on a quest to help him retake his throne???? And on the way he falls in love with her so much he is about to forfeit his divinity to have a chance to be with her. I just, it was so beautiful, I felt my culture was really represented here, and it's so wierd to see the 1920's represented in Mexico I don't believe I had read something like this before and I will read anything Silvia Moreno Garcia writes from now on. Hopefully we will have a second book for this because that ending makes me wonder what adventures Casiopea will have.

5.-Little Gods by Meng Jin

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

This book blew my mind. The structure is perfect for the themes . Su Lan was a truly fascinating character though I felt very sad about her, always wanting to escape her past and thinking she was so undeserving for anything good in her life and still fighting to go on. The ending was so good, and all the cast of characters made an excellent conection between the past and the future.

6.- As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Yeah I am a pretentious ho. I was very intimidated by this book (and anything written by Faulkner really) and I was really having trouble understanding the book at first because the prose is so particular (there are sentences that read like Shakespeare, some are almost Biblical stuff and then most of the dialogue is this very coloquial english with very poor ortography) and as English is not my first lenguage I struggled. But then we get to Addie's death and all this odyssey the family goes through to bury her, and it was so beautiful and exciting. I especially loved everything about Addie's chapter, she was so much better than her husband and she deserved better than what she got. I really liked Dewey Dell and Darl. While I hated Anse Bundren with a passion so the end really made me angry like waaaaat this selfish asshole gets everything he wanted and then some??? But I got why it made sense for the book. So I definitely recommend this, but my advice is to let yourself glide through the book, do not try to understand or make sense of it as you start it because then you become frustrated like it happened to me at first but it's a really beautiful book so I am really considering reading more Faulkner.

7.-Chosen (Slayer #2) by Kiersten White

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I enjoyed this book so much. It's a very easy read and we get some growth on Nina and Artemis. I liked the idea of the Watcher's Castle being a refuge for inofenssive demons. And omgggg I fangirled SO hard when Oz, Harmony and Clem appeared (my fave characters, like literally I only need a Spike cameo in these books to be completely happy). I really wanna see Nina meet Buffy in real life and ahhh I am excited for whatever the next book will bring us.

8.-Out of Salem by Hal Schrieve

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This is perharps my favorite book I read this month. It felt so relevant to things that are happening in the world, but escapist enough to bear it. For starters I love a good urban fantasy setting, and this was it. Z was a great non-binary protagonist (the fact the author is also non-binary also helps) like it was pretty original to make them a zombie when necromancy is viewed as wrong in their society and they get discriminated for it even though they knew nothing about how it happened to them. And their friendship with Aysel (lesbian muslim werewolf girl!!!) and Tommy (shapeshifter boy) was amazing. Like the way this book translates real life bigotry and social injustice to this magical creatures was truly amazing I recommend it to everyone of any age. Especially middle graders as this book is meant for that age group and I feel this is an amazing diverse read for that age group.

9.-El murmullo de las abejas de Sofia Segovia

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Realmente este libro es precioso, soy una super fan del realismo mágico y este libro realmente me toco el corazón. Aunque he de admitir que entre a este libro sin saber nada, y bueno que este libro pega diferente en el 2020, yo no tenía ni idea que este libro nos presentaba la Pandemia de Influenza Española de 1918, y bueno es bastante triste leer todo lo que paso cuando nosotros estamos pasando épocas muy similares. Simonopio es un personaje divino, poseedor de una sensibilidad y una inocencia verdaderamente fuera de esta mundo, y la forma en que la familia Morales lo adopta y lo abraza tan profundamente dentro de la familia es realmente hermosa. Fue muy difícil leer acerca de Anselmo Espiricueta porque puedo ver de donde venía todo ese odio y esa ignorancia que terminaron en tragedia y no puedo dejar de sentir lastima por él a pesar de todo el mal que hace durante el libro. Recomiendo mucho esta lectura.

10.-Riot Baby by Tochi Onyebuchi

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A book so relevant in our current times. So powerful and impactful even if the book is pretty short. We get to see how the systematic racisim at work. We get to get a glimpse of this awful reality through Kev and Ella, two gifted siblings that have lived this experiences in different ways and they cope with this in vastly different ways.It was such an intimate read I cannot begin to describe how angry and sad it made me, but also very glad I got to read it because we need to keep being aware that this is the reality for black people all around the world and they don't get to shy away from it so we shouldn't either we should see, learn and fight as hard as we can to change things for the better.

11.-Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

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I re-read this book to have it fresh in my mind before the new series airs on July. And I liked it better now than the 1st time. This world is so scary because I see so many realistic elements it shares with the present. I felt a lot for Lenina (for everyone who lives in this world really) because she wanted more than what the society had to offer yet was so deeply conditioned as to what was right that she could just supress her emotions with soma. This book is of course full of racist and sexist stuff (cuz woman and indigenous people can never win) but I feel it helps to get a feel about how fucked up society is as a whole. In the reservation woman are subjected to the usual slut shaming and gender roles we get in our society while in London we get a world in which woman are judged for not sleeping around and being happy and infantile. Like it seems controling woman and their relationship to intimacy and sex is always a bit theme is classic dystopic books which makes a lot of sense given it works like that in the real world too. Same thing with indigenous people being treated as savage to congratula te ourselves for being so much more "civilized" never stopping to think how deeply fractured and flawed this may be. We also get explotation and brain washing of working classes and all that fun stuff. Really and amazing book eerily accurate tho.

12.-Brick Lane by Monica Ali.

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This is the story of 2 very different Bangladeshi sisters with very different temperaments making their way through life. Nazneen is a very dutiful daughter that marries the man her father picked for her, moves to London, though her husband doesn't make her happy she tries very hard in this foreign country with so many desires of her own she wishes that she always supresses because of her upbringing. Then we have Hesina, she was always beautiful and runs away with a guy she was in love with, later he abandons her and she gets jobs and loses them because different man keep making her fall for them to abandon them later. Different as they are this 2 Sisters keep relying in each other through letters. I thought it was very moving, and I really liked the ending for Nazneen while Hasina left me feeling worried and unhappy.

13.- Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir

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I was very hyped for this book and I am so sad I didn't like it. I just didn't feel the world building was cohesive (we have space travel but we don't have baths??? And rapiers as weapons??? Most of it felt like aesthetic decisions) the characters felt very one dimensional to me. And the plot was all over the place, just when I thought I knew what it was about it takes another turn and introduces so many generes but it did not feel natural at all so yeah I will not be reading the next one.

14.- Luces de Bohemia de Ramón Maria del Valle Inclan

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Me pareció una obra maravillosa. Definitivamente captura el espíritu creativo bohemio.

15 .- Don Juan Tenorio de José Zorrilla

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Yo adoro el Tenorio, sin embargo si que he de decir que prefiero la versión del Burlador de Sevilla de Tirso de Molina pues siento que el final es más adecuado. Me parece que aunque la prosa es hermosa Doña Ines pierde mucha agencia en esta versión, me recuerda mucho más a Angelina de la obra "El Honor del Brigadier" que la versión que hizo de ella Tirso de Molina, definitivamente se romántiza mucho más está figura de seductor canalla en esta versión, aun así es una historia arraigada en México, es una tradición para mi verla cada Noviembre, este año me temo que no será posible así que disfrute muchísimo leerla.

[marquis1305]

Silk and Steel Ch 4

Ch 1 Ch 2 Ch 3 

AO3 Link

Rating: Mature

Fandoms: Marvel Cinematic Universe, The Avengers (Marvel Movies)

Relationship: James “Bucky” Barnes/Reader

Additional Tags:

Slow Burn, Reader-Insert, Florists, Reader is an Enhanced Individual, Nick Fury Knows All, SHIELD, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. References, Post-Captain America: Civil War (Movie), Canon Divergence - Avengers: Endgame (Movie), Pre-Avengers: Infinity War Part 1 (Movie), Bucky Barnes Feels, Protective Steve Rogers, Hydra (Marvel), enhanced!reader, Reader’s Brother works for SHIELD, POV Female Character, James “Rhodey” Rhodes & Tony Stark Friendship, Rhodey is skeptical, Vision is curious, Tony feeds good behavior with blueberries, Tony Stark Has A Heart, Blueberries, backstory incoming, The Winter Soldiers - Freeform, Fragmented Teamwork, You like making quips as much as the next person, Tony Stark’s Nickames, Bucky Barnes's Metal Arm, That whirring sound it makes

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Chapter 4: The Plan

Time to figure out what you are doing next, but with two super soldiers, an ex spy, and a billionaire play boy philanthropist all looking to you for answers... what happens when the only one you have is something you hadn't wanted to consider in the first place.

There are several moments where everything has gone deathly silent. Your gaze meeting icy blue, enough tension to ensure that the other’s did not dare interfere. This was not their battle. 

Setting your coffee mug to one side, and pushing yourself up from your seat. Forcing the former Winter Soldier to make space for you or risk having your face be pressed to his, surprise rising at an alarming rate across his features. Not that you allowed him to back up too far. Following as he half stumbled against the table. Refusing to back down. “He would have done what was necessary for the mission. Are you saying you would have done anything less?”

“I wouldn’t have gone to a known Hydra double agent.” He finally straightened, towering over you once more. Not that it made you back down. The rest of the team circling about you, watching carefully. 

“Babushka is the one who got us out. She’s kept an eye on us since we were kids, made sure we didn’t get into any trouble or bring down any spotlights. She’s helped keep us hidden for years.” You respond more softly. Asking for understanding. Your gaze searching his for any sign of it, for any break in his sudden defensiveness. Trying to piece it together.

Letting out an irritated sigh, he shakes his head, lifting his hands and taking a clear step back. “So, we trust the crazy old lady. Not like it can get any worse.”

You chuckle at that, almost caught by surprise at his easy sarcasm. “Well, now that you’ve said that the worst is definitely going to happen.”

And with that, the tension breaks once more. The rest of the team trying to subtly retake their seats, bringing mugs of coffee closer, loosening up with shared smiles. 

Stark snorts a laugh. “Right, so bunny can face down a rogue assassin without flinching, add that to the report Friday.”

“Of course, Mr Stark. Shall I include the time it took to diffuse a potentially disastrous situation?”

“Why not? Maybe she can talk Hydra into submission, bat those pretty eyes at them.” Tony smirks, winking to you and causing a soft blush to rise to your cheeks. 

“I dunno Tony, if it was that easy they would have fallen for your charms years ago.” Natasha replies with a dry humor. Though her gaze hasn’t stopped switching between you and Bucky, cause you to blush further still. It had been a situation, you understood his concern. Now it was handled, nothing more. Right?

“Well, if this Babu- Baba-” Steve frowns slightly over the word. Only to be met with a resounding chorus of “Babushka,” from every single other person at the table. “That… Is our best lead, then how do we find her?”

Barnes glances to you, then settles his gaze back on Steve. “Hate to make this sound cliche, but you don’t find her. She finds you… And right now, we have exactly one person she might be willing to speak to.” 

It took only a moment before you felt the weight of all their gazes once more. 

“So… Does this mean I should tell the shop not to open for the next week?” You offer almost weakly, huffing a soft laugh. 

“I think this means that you need to return to your life, but start making yourself a little more available.” James said, his tone almost apologetic. As if he hated that you had to be dragged further away from normalcy. Further into schemes. 

“Mop head is right- Oh don’t look at me like that, I know you own a comb, use it- we need you.” Tony reached over, taking your hand between both of his. Suddenly coming off as more fatherly than you thought was possible of a playboy philanthropist. “We aren’t going to let you do this blind, but you seem to be our best bet of finding your brother. If she can lead you to where he went, we can track you the entire way. You won’t be out of our sight.”

“But what no one is saying is that we are all a little too well known. If we get too close, it will blow your cover, make it more obvious that we’re trying to find him.” Natasha chimed in. 

“And that means that they’ll be more likely to make him disappear.” Steve finished her thought. Stating what had been becoming increasingly more obvious. 

Swallowing softly, you looked between each of them. Having to wet your lips before you could force yourself to nod. “Alright. I’ll do it.”

Steve offered a bright smile, warm and welcoming you to the team. Natasha a quirk of her lips and approving nod. Tony patted your hand before leaning back in his chair once more, as though it had never been in question. 

Only one person didn’t look happy about your decision, or the decision of this plan at all. His brow furrowed, and those brilliant blue eyes settled on you. Trying to convey some message you weren’t able to decode. 

Not yet. 

“You had Friday send for me, sir? This better be important, I was in the middle of some securty debriefings.” Happy strode up to the table, glancing over the crowd with a huff. “I thought we had stopped trading with criminals.” “Right, Happy, meet Energizer Bunny.” Stark pointed you out to the former body guard. “This is your new assignment, same as the kid. Just keep her from fighting anything bigger than her and we should be okay.”

“You want me to babysit another one of your projects, that’s why you pulled me off my assignment?” Happy was obviously anything but. You really didn’t want to deal with this if you were going to be working with the team long term. 

“No.” Your eyes widened, head popping up as you turned to face the source of the voice. “He’s a liability.” Barnes spoke once more, arms crossing over his chest. 

The whirring of his metal arm was only slightly distracting and you refused to acknowledge that line of thought. 

“What, are you gonna do it then?” Tony rolled his eyes. Picking up the previously forgotten bag of blueberries. 

“Actually, I am. Because I’m the only one here who actually knows what she is about to be put through. Unless you want to argue that Fury’s files give you enough intel to know how Hydra is going to react to the possibility of a fresh super soldier.” Sitting up a little straighter, you can’t help but notice that Barnes seemed to be flexing. Could super soldiers flex? Was that a thing with how bulky they were already? “Bucky…” Steve started softly. “Are you sure you’re ready for this?”

“Yeah, can’t help but worry that those magic words might rub your lamp the wrong way again.” Tony offered the blueberries to you even as he snarked. 

“I want… Wait, do I call you Barnes, or?” Turning your gaze to him. Ignoring the looks passed between the rest of the team. “I want you to check in on me. You know the risks the best. You know their methods. I barely remember anything about them. I want you.”

Barnes seemed just as surprised as you had felt by your decision. His mouth falling slightly open before offering you a crooked grin. “Haven’t been called Barnes since I was in the army, my friends call me Bucky, doll.”

You can’t help the soft flutter in your stomach at the sight of his smile. Matching it a little more slowly, a little more hesitantly. “Bucky…”

“So does this mean I can get back to what I was doing?” Happy broke the moment, jerking his thumb to point over his shoulder.

“Suppose so. Alright Bunny, let’s get you settled in then.” Standing, Tony offered you a somehow more strained smile. Though you could tell he was doing his best to still be kind. Turning your gaze away from the Sergeant to follow Tony. “It’s going to be a long weekend, so you can stay here. We have a room open. Cap, you still have your room, same with you Tasha. Sergeant, you’ll have to double up or take the room across from our Bunny here.”

“I’d rather have my own room. Suppose I’ll follow you then.” 

“No no, Cap can show you the way.” Tony said with more than a little force, despite the supposed humor. “I want to talk details of some of the tech I intend to use for the mission.”

You look between them a moment before offering Tony a gentler smile. “I’d like to hear about it, thank you. But I also need to call in to let my employees know I won’t be in this weekend then. I can tell them I caught a flu or something.”

“Sounds like a plan.” 

[julibf]

Arya and Gendry hints from the books...

Ok, I should had written about them to be honest, but life got it in the way. So, for you, lets go. I have to admit that once I reread Arya’s chapters last year, her relationship with Gendry was absolutely delicious to read. There is a lot of foreshadowing for this couple, I am not sure if they will end up together … One of the first foreshadows happens pretty much in the first book, there is always references of hammers and blacksmiths on Arya storyline, its actually pretty funny.

She frowned down at them with dismay and glanced over to where her sister Sansa sat among the other girls. Sansa's needlework was exquisite. Everyone said so. "Sansa's work is as pretty as she is," Septa Mordane told their lady mother once. "She has such fine, delicate hands." When Lady Catelyn had asked about Arya, the septa had sniffed."Arya has the hands of a blacksmith."

A Game of Thrones - Arya I

Arya has the hand of a blacksmith!!!!! This is pretty good.

“Is that why you killed all the Starks?”

“Not all,” said Jaime. “Lord Eddard’s daughters live. One has just been wed. The other…” Brienne, where are you? Have you found her? “…if the gods are good, she’ll forget she was a Stark. **She’ll wed some burly blacksmith** or fat-faced innkeep, fill his house with children, and never need to fear that some knight might come along to smash their heads against a wall.”

- Jaime, ADWD

Again, thats pretty on the nose.

Their friendship begins because Gendry takes her side when everyone else is either ignoring her or bullying/attacking her. And later on they become pretty much inseparable, they even share their food with each other.

“Leave him be,” said the boy with the shaggy black hair who rode behind them. Lommy had named him the Bull, on account of this horned helm he had that he polished all the time but never wore. Lommy didn’t dare mock the Bull. He was older, and big for his age, with a broad chest and strong-looking arms…

The Bull shouted, “Behind you,” and Arya spun. Hot Pie was on his knees, his fist closing around a big jagged rock…

Lommy Greenhands wasn’t even hurt, yet he stayed as far away from Arya as he could get. “Every time you look at him, he twitches,” the Bull told her as she walked beside his donkey.

Arya, A CLASH OF KINGS

Once they are together, Arya is always trying to be in the company of Gendry, she still doesn’t understand why she wants his company all the time, but she does…. And she is clearly attracted to him, but  since she is still so young, she again, doesn’t really understand why....

"She climbed to the roof and peeked down. Gendry was beating out a breastplate. When he worked, nothing existed for him but metal, bellows, fire. The hammer was like part of his arm. **She watched the play of muscles in his chest and listened to the steel music he made. He’s strong, she thought.”**

Gednry also, thinks Arya is beautiful and is also, always by her side. BTW, this is by far one of my favorite chapters in the books. Gendry loves being a smith and when he finds out there is a smithy close to the inn they are staying he invites Arya to go see it with him. She is the only one he shares any personal information or secret.

"Arya?" Gendry had followed her out. "Lady Smallwood said there's a smithy. Want to have a look?"

"If you want." She had nothing else to do.

In this conversation Gendry is sharing how he was going to make his first sword. He telling something to Arya that he propably told no one else. He is playfull with her, pinches her face, calls her pretty. He is soooo smitten with her, ughhh, my fucking heart

"He won't remember me, but he used to come to our forge." The Smallwood forge had not been used in some time, though the smith had hung his tools neatly on the wall. Gendry lit a candle and set it on the anvil while he took down a pair of tongs. "My master always scolded him about his flaming swords. It was no way to treat good steel, he'd say, but this Thoros never used good steel. He'd just dip some cheap sword in wildfire and set it alight. It was only an alchemist's trick, my master said, but it scared the horses and some of the greener knights."

She screwed up her face, trying to remember if her father had ever talked about Thoros. "He isn't very priestly, is he?"

"No," Gendry admitted. "Master Mott said Thoros could outdrink even King Robert. They were pease in a pod, he told me, both gluttons and sots."

"You shouldn't call the king a sot." Maybe King Robert had drunk a lot, but he'd been her father's friend.

"I was talking about Thoros." Gendry reached out with the tongs as if to pinch her face, but Arya swatted them away. "He liked feasts and tourneys, that was why King Robert was so fond of him. And this Thoros was brave. When the walls of Pyke crashed down, he was the first through the breach. He fought with one of his flaming swords, setting ironmen afire with every slash."

"I wish I had a flaming sword." Arya could think of lots of people she'd like to set on fire.

"It's only a trick, I told you. The wildfire ruins the steel. My master sold Thoros a new sword after every tourney. Every time they would have a fight about the price." Gendry hung the tongs back up and took down the heavy hammer. "Master Mott said it was time I made my first longsword. He gave me a sweet piece of steel, and I knew just how I wanted to shape the blade. Only Yoren came, and took me away for the Night's Watch."

“You can still make swords if you want,” said Arya. “You can make them for my brother Robb when we get to Riverrun.”

“Riverrun.”** Gendry put the hammer down and looked at her. “You look different now. Like a proper little girl.” “I look like an oak tree, with all these stupid acorns.”

Part of the reason Gendry doesn’t like the idea to go to Riverrun and serve Robb Stark  is because once he does that, their magical moments together will be gone. You see it, as long as they stay hidden on the roads of Westeros together, there is a tiny part of Gendry that can dream of being with Arya, they are just  dirty kids running away from the Lannisters together; once they are reunited with King Robb and Lady Stark, Arya, of course will retake  her position of a high born Lady and he will be just a bastard boy serving House Stark. Sometimes reality is just too painful.

“Nice, though. A nice oak tree.” He stepped closer, and sniffed at her. “You even smell nice for a change.”

“You don’t. You stink.” Arya shoved him back against the anvil and made to run, but Gendry caught her arm. She stuck a foot between his legs and tripped him, but he yanked her down with him, and they rolled across the floor of the smithy. He was very strong, but she was quicker. Every time he tried to hold her still she wriggled free and punched him. Gendry only laughed at the blows, which made her mad. He finally caught both her wrists in one hand and started to tickle her with the other, so Arya slammed her knee between his legs, and wrenched free. Both of them were covered in dirt, and one sleeve was tom. on her stupid acorn dress. “I bet I don’t look so nice now,” she shouted.

Gendry is always described as a serious and grumpy boy, the only momments he seems relaxed and happy is when he is with Arya. Look at the way he talks to Arya about his art of making swords, he was sharing a very special thought with her and he will do this with only her. He is falling for her, but she is a Highborn Lady and he is a bastard and he knows what this means.

Tom was singing when they returned to the hall.

My featherbed is deep and soft, and there I’ll lay you down,

I’ll dress you all in yellow silk, and on your head a crown.

For you shall be my lady love, and I shall be your lord.

I’ll always keep you warm and safe, and guard you with my sword.

Pay attention to those lyrics, “I will dress you in yellow silk”.. yellow is the colour of House Baratheon … and on your head a crown… you all know that Arya is going to be a queen, you have been warned by me, lol. “For you shall be my lady love, and I shall be your lord. I’ll always keep you warm and safe, and guard you with my sword.” This is a love declaration…

Harwin took one look at them and burst out laughing, and Anguy smiled one of his stupid freckly smiles and said, “Are we certain this one is a highborn lady?” But Lem Lemoncloak gave Gendry a clout alongside the head. “You want to fight, fight with me! She’s a girl, and half your age! You keep your hands off o’ her, you hear me?” “I started it” said Arya. “Gendry was just talking.” “Leave the boy, Lem,” said Harwin. “Arya did start it, I have no doubt. She was much the same at Winterfell.”

Tom winked at her as he sang:

And how she smiled and how she laughed, the maiden of the tree.

She spun away and said to him, no featherbed for me.

I’ll wear a gown of golden leaves, and bind my hair with grass,

But you can be my forest love, and me your forest lass.

In the second verse of the song, the lady accepts the love of the Lord, but refuses his proposal “She spun away and said to him, no featherbed for me.” But you can be my forest love, and me your forest lass.

I think that George was trying to tells us, that even tho Arya desires love, she may not desire marriage. Her hungry for independence may be stronger. I hope I am wrong, I would like to see them getting married.

Gendry was actually very jealous of Arya friendship with Ned Dayne.

Poor Ned seemed to grow more miserable with every mile. “When I wear my helm, the rain beats against the steel and gives me headaches,” he complained. “But when I take it off, my hair gets soaked and sticks to my face and in my mouth.”

“You have a knife,” Gendry suggested. “If your hair annoys you so much, shave your bloody head.”

He doesn’t like Ned. The squire seemed nice enough to Arya; maybe a little shy, but good- natured…

“You have a House?” That was stupid; he was a squire, of course he had a House. “Who are you?”

“My lady?” Ned looked embarrassed. “I’m Edric Dayne, the… the Lord of Starfall.”

Behind them, Gendry groaned. “Lords and ladies,” he proclaimed in a disgusted tone. Arya plucked a withered crabapple off a passing branch and whipped it at him, bouncing it off his thick bull head. “Ow,” he said. “That hurt.” He felt the skin above his eye. “What kind of lady throws crabapples at people?”

“The bad kind,” said Arya, suddenly contrite. She turned back to Ned. “I’m sorry I didn’t know who you were. My lord” …

Just like Arya is also very much jealous of Bella:

Then maybe I’ll go find that black-haired girl and ring her bell for her.”

“But…”

“I said, go away. M’lady.”

Arya whirled and left him there. A stupid bullheaded bastard boy, that’s all he is. He could ring all the bells he wanted, it was nothing to her.

BTW, just like in the tv show Gendry decided to join Jon Snow and serve him, I believe the same will happen in the books. The last time Gendry and Arys talked in the books Arya was mad at him because he decided to join the brotherhood and not go to Riverrun to serve Rob.

I think Gendry regrets this decision and wishes to make it right with Arya, not to mention, Jon will be the last chance he will have to reconnect with Arya. I have no doubt they will reunite in the books too.

There is so much more about them in the books, this is just a tiny piece. I can easily say they are one of my favorite couples of this story. I love, love love them and will write more about them for sure. I hope Gendry survives season 8, his death would break my heart!!!

BTW - Imiss writing metas and I miss tumblr, life has been crazy these past months, but I will be here for sure for season 8!!!

[yurtletheturtlehenderson]

It's A Date || Max M. x Fem!Reader

Requested: @fuckwaad Hey bro I need some cheering up! Can you do a max x reader with max comforting the reader

A//N: okay my [half] gay ass was so excited to write this!!! We love and support our wonderful and strong Max Mayfield. Also, who doesn't love Sadie Sink? Raise your hand if you want to be friends with her 🤚🏻🤚🏻🤚🏻 also this fic so quickly became near and dear to my heart and I put a lot of myself and my struggles into this and I hope that this can help people the way its helped me.

Pairings: Max Mayfield x Reader

Warnings: Cursing. Brief mention of Troy being gross and creepy. More cursing. TRIGGER WARNING FOR ANXIETY/PANIC ATTACKS OR FEELINGS OF BEING OVERWHELMED OR STRESSED. IF YOU EVER WANT TO TALK MY INBOX IS ALWAYS OPEN AND I DEAL WITH THESE FEELINGS EVERYDAY. YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

What the hell?

How the hell did everything go wrong so quickly? Everything that could have gone wrong this week, has gone wrong. At first, it began with the little things; you spilled your drink all over your favorite jacket this morning, Troy and his minion wouldn't stop leering at you in Social Studies. Which of course made you so uncomfortable that you couldn't focus on the lesson and now, somehow it had all snowballed and you were behind in a handful of classes in the efforts to catch up. Just when you thought it couldn't get any worse, the teacher opened her mouth.

"The tests have been graded. To say I'm disappointed would be the biggest understatement of the year."

'Yeah, you can say that again.'

The dreaded clicks of her wedged shoes as she made her way down the isles of desks, handing back every test with a pointed look and a disappointed 'hmpf'. You couldn't handle the wait much longer. You studied so hard for that test. You spent countless late nights hunched over your desk at home and squinting, retaining every word on on the textbook, so many hours went into worrying about this test.

'At least a C. At least a C. Please God, let it at least be a C.' You closed your eyes and said a silent prayer to yourself, however the drinking feeling in your gut said otherwise.

You peeked you eyes open when you realized the clicking of her shoes had stopped and you felt a looming presence over you. You looked up to Mrs. Ratliff sheepishly, bracing yourself. The look she cast down at you was nothing short of soul crushing. Her eyes bore into your own from the end of her nose, her chin up in disgust. Barely looking at you she dropped the paper in front of you before moving on to her next victim.

D minus.

Hours upon hours of studying and you got a D minus. Absentmindedly, your hands curled into fists and your blood began to boil.

'Why the hell was it so hard for me? What is wrong with me? I try twice as hard as everyone and it's all for nothing!'

You decided that you would talk to her. She had to understand. She had to. Right?

***

"Mrs. Ratliff." Class had ended and seeing as you had a bus to catch you had to try and make this quick.

No response. She only continued writing at her desk in silent concentration.

You cleared your throat.

Nothing.

"Mrs. Ratliff!"

"What?" She hadn't even so much as spared a glance in your direction and continued to write.

You tried making yourself look taller and took a deep breath.

"Mrs. Ratliff, I would like to talk to you about my test grade."

"I'm not changing it."

"Well, you see, I figured since I haven't properly learned the material that i would come to you for help and then i could maybe retake it."

"Absolutely out of the question."

"But-"

"But nothing. I told the class that this was your only chance. If you can't even manage to pay attention when I give directions how do you expect to know the material?"

"I have! Every word. I-I-"

"That's enough. I don't know what else to tell you, maybe you should just try harder." This was the first time Ratliff had looked up from her notes, sending a cold, fake smile.

The anger returned in seconds and turned to sadness just as quick. You stood there, mouth agape, trying, struggling to choose the right response from the thousands bouncing around your head.

"Now I have work to do. Go, on." She gestured to the door, her gaze returning to her work.

Your face turned hot out of anger and sadness and the embarrassment at yourself for not being able to form coherent sentences. Your legs carried you to the door without a thought, your mind on fire. You found yourself against the cold metal of the lockers, you back sliding down until you were sitting with your knees tucked into your chest as you try to process what just happened. Hot, angry tears streaked down your cheeks, that overwhelming fit of helplessness sinking in.

"[Y/N]?"

You looked up to see a very concerned redhead that never failed to bring you butterflies. Those butterflies quickly turned to stones and felt them hit the bottom of your stomach when you realized she had caught you in this very vulnerable state. You quickly wiped you eyes and nose as best as you could and turned you head away so you didn't have to think about her seeing you like this.

"Um, yeah?" You sniffed.

"What's wrong?" You felt Max's presence near you on the floor and knew she had taken a seat next to you.

You shook your head, words failing you. Words always seem to fail you around Max but this was for a completely different reason. You knew if you spoke, your sobs would get in the way. Still shaking your head, you reached to pull your sleeves over your hands, a nervous habit of yours whenever someone caught you crying.

"...Are you hurt? Did someone do something to you? Oh, I swear to God if that asshole Troy tried something," she began ranting, anger evident in her voice.

"No, well yes, but no. I mean," you sniffed again, unable to take your eyes off of your lap.

"I mean, he was looking at me again creepy but he- that's not why I-" you tried to hold in your sobs as much as possible but one slipped out and Max hesitantly moved herself closer to you to show she was supportive.

"It's just... Everything is going to shit. And I try and I try and I try but I fail everytime and I'm-" The words bursted from your mouth like a water from a dam yet you couldn't put your feelings into words which only made you more frustrated. You only hated yourself more for showing her this side of you, and you expected for her to give that same crap about how your just "being dramatic".

Only, to be met with something more terrifying. Silence.

'Great. I scared her off.'

This only made you cry more. It had been a couple of months since Max moved here and ever since you got to know her, every time you saw her, she gave you this feeling. You didn't know what it was at first. You thought, maybe you were just intimidated by her. Or, you just thought she was pretty and that's all. But the more time you spent with her the more things started to click. You were terrified of your feelings for her. You were terrified of what people would think. Of what she would think.

You were fine with having nothing more than a friendship with her. You thought, as long as you got to spend time with her, be with her, that was enough. But now you scared her off. Or so you thought.

"I'm so sorry. Is there any way I can help?" Her words surprised you. No one ever asked that before. Everyone always decided to fix it and thought they knew best. It was strange to have someone ask permission. Though, sadly you couldn't think of anything.

"I would actually love help... but I don't think there's anything you can do." You sniffled.

"I just, I try so hard to catch up in class and I work five times as hard as anyone else and I fail everytime, but kids who don't even care, who just guess the answers get it right and I'm just so... I feel so, stupid."

"Over the short while I've known you, I've come to find that you are many things [Y/N] [Y/L/N], and stupid is not one of them." There was a firmness to her tone.

"You are one of the most determined people I've met and I respect the hell out of you for it." Your heart began to flutter at these words.

"Really?"

"Duh! You're amazing! You helped me feel so welcome at this school, and you have just this amazingly warm welcoming presence and you care about everyone and you are just crazy cute and-" She stopped mid-sentence when she realized what she said. Her cheeks turned as red as her hair.

You were positive that your cheeks rivaled her own, and your face became hot. The flurry of butterflies had awakened and occupied your heart and your stomach. You lungs stopped working for a brief second as you stared at her unable to process what she just said about you.

"You-You think I'm... cute?"

"I'm sorry did I just make everything weird?" It was her turn to look down at her lap, avoiding eye contact.

Your heart pounded, you could hear your heart beat in your ears.

"No. For what it's worth," your mouth ran dry. "I think you're really cute too."

It only took one look and you guys knew. You both knew the feeling was not one sided and everything was best left unspoken. Scared to ruin the moment by breaking the intense silence. Relief and pure joy filled you. But fear and excitement accompanied.

A bright smile crossed her face. "Hey, how about you go to the arcade with me? We'll walk. You need a break from worrying about school, and I want to hang out with the cute girl I like."

She rose to her feet, and extended a hand out for you to take. A warm smirk on her face.

Your heart may as well burst at this point. You took her hand and stood.

"It's a date."

*****

Should I do a part 2????

[studylix]

(VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL AQUÍ)

¡Hey! It’s been 3 days since I finished my first term of University. I have completed this first half with one of the highest grades of the class, and I’m really happy about it! 

Winter break has started for me, and I stopped to think about everything I learned in this first 4 months of University, and what I can do to improve. And so, this post was born. Let’s go!:

I study Multimedial Design and it turned hard, very quickly. It’s a career that requires a lot of planning and organization to succeed. 

OWN AN AGENDA: If you don’t have one, then take a random piece of paper, a notebook, your notepad, whatever!. Write down important dates, what you need to get done today, and the days that follow.

ORGANIZE YOUR TIME: There isn’t a single task that can’t be done in time. With some exceptions, it’s common that big projects are announced at least a week before it’s due. Start the big projects when they are little!. Divide your time so you can complete everything in time, without having to risk your health and sleeping habits (you’ll lose some sleep inevitably, so don’t add more hours!)

READ THE MATERIAL BEFORE THE CLASS STARTS: Be it a book, a powerpoint presentation, or a related article. Prepare yourself so you can start and actually follow the class. It won’t be the first time you are exposed to the topic, so you can ask questions when doubt rises.

SORT YOUR NOTES OUT: A mess of papers will only bring problems. Here, opinions differ. I personally like to divide each subject in different folders. The idea is to group the notes and pages that belong to one class, in the same place. If you can number the pages, even better. 

SET AN ALARM AND RESPECT IT: Pretty self-explanatory. Being late to class is harmful to you and the image the professors have of you. You can risk losing an entire term to retake a class because you didn’t attend. Honestly? Those 5 minutes are not worth it.

PREPARE EVERYTHING YOU NEED THE NIGHT BEFORE: Plan the outfit you’ll wear to class and leave it in the chair by your bed. Prepare the accesories and your bag. Clean your shoes and leave them by the door. Prepare all the things you need for class, put your wallet in there, along with your documents and your keys. Check the weather and leave a jacket ready for the cold. Charge your phone, set your alarm and...

GET AT LEAST 7 HOURS OF SLEEP: Sleep is important, people. If you are correctly organized, you can finish everything you need to do and go to bed at a reasonable hour. Of course, this can vary when it’s exam season, but even then, try at least to sleep 5. 

My classes start at 7:50AM and finish a little past lunch. Some things to consider:

MAKE THE MOST OUT OF YOUR CLASSES: Pay attention, take notes, discuss, add to the topic, ask questions, listen. If it’s hard for you to talk, listen to the questions others make: They may ask just what you need. Establish a good, respectful relationship with your professors, They want to teach and answer questions. Submit your work on time, too.

BRING SOMETHING TO EAT: Class periods can transform into long, long hours in which you need to eat at least something. Bring a tiny snack. Water, cookies, cereal bars, fruit, cereal and yoghurt. If it’s cold, bring coffee or tea, or a light soup that will warm you inside out!

Oh, the horror!

WRITE DOWN ALL THE DATES RELATED TO THE EXAM: Days when they will revise with the class, the date and time of the actual exam, and the date to retake it. If your University offers a virtual campus, they will most likely post an Academic Calendar listing all the important dates. Read it and write it down!

KNOW THE REQUIREMENTS TO SIGN UP FOR AN EXAM: This is so important. You don’t want to miss an exam because you couldn’t successfully register to take it. Some subjects need a specific amount of attendance % to register (Mine, for example, is 80%). For this subject in particular I needed to register at least 2 days before the actual exam. Some of my classmates tried signing up the night before and the system rejected it, and they lost the opportunity to take the exam. So! Be careful! Ask your professors about the specific method for the class so you don’t have any problems!

PREPARE TO STUDY AT LEAST A WEEK BEFORE: Everyone has their own methods, but before actually studying you need to have your material ready. Have you done all the exercises? Have you read the mandatory reading list? If you take notes, have you revised or rewritten them? It’s fundamental that you have everything set so you can start studying. If you don’t, then the time is now. Complete your notes, read what you haven’t, ask all the doubts away, rewrite the info, everything. Reach the deadline with a calm mindset, knowing that you have done everything in time. It’s good because if you start early, you can go at your own pace. If you are late, you’ll rush it. So start at least a week before.

IT’S TIME TO STUDY: Leave your phone charging in another room. Some people like to study with music, I prefer silence. Find what’s best for you if you haven’t already. Gather all your notes and mental maps, and start. Don’t forget to take breaks and to eat properly. There is a phrase a professor told me that really helps me when i’m feeling stressed: STUDY WITH LOVE. Remember that you chose this career because you want to be a professional. Study with your goals in mind, know that studying this is a step towards that professional that you want to become. Of course, this doesn’t always work. If the subject is shit, and you just need to know it and you’ll forget as soon as you are out of the exam, then breathe and just get on with it.

The time has come:

BEFORE THE EXAM: Dress up comfortable, don’t break the dresscode if there is one (I, for example, have to wear a button-up and heels to take a Final). Have a good breakfast so you are energized and ready to nail the exam. Reread your notes one last time, briefly go over them but don’t try to study something you left out. Go with what you know. Prepare all the materials you need and greet the professor when you enter the classroom.

DURING THE EXAM: Don’t copy, please. Be honest about what you know and what you don’t. Write what you know, take in consideration how much time you have to do the exam. Write your name, the date, and pour everything you know. It’s time to show how much have studied.

AFTER THE EXAM: Breathe. It’s over. If you feel like you didn’t do so great, don’t worry over it too much. It’s done and you can’t change what you wrote there. Take charge of what you will write when you retake the exam by studying again, and better. Rest a little before starting up a new task, and take a shower. Pat yourself in the back. You did it.

¡Woooo! 

BE YOURSELF: A bit basic, isn’t it? But seriously. Be yourself. You are older, you attend University. There is no need to be who others want you to be, there is no need to please others. Be who you are and people who like you and are like you will gravitate towards you. That’s how you make long lasting friendships.

EXCHANGE NUMBERS/EMAILS: If not for chatting, at least get the number or mail of someone who shares classes with you, just in case. Maybe, when you get sick or can’t attend a lecture, they can give you a helping hand or record the class for you. You never know!

Buy a box of white stamps/labels, they will come in handy.

Write down how you feel, track it: In a notebook, in a piece of paper, in your notepad, wherever. Allow yourself to feel and write it down when it feels too overwhelming. Give yourself time to adjust, it’s a new experience!

If you want that boxset of markers and you can afford it, buy it. Treat yourself, life’s too short not to.

Continue with your hobbies. Don’t let Uni take over all aspects of your life. Sure, it’s a big thing, but try to continue your extracurricular hobbies. An hour a day, an hour a week, but don’t drop them!.

But most importantly:

ENJOY! It can be stressful and you will be busy most of the time, but ENJOY!!! It’s a new stage in your life. It’s a priviledge that you have amazing professors who share the art of what they do. Absorb all of it! Enjoy it! Study hard. Study with love and with discipline, be constant and honest, and turn into the person you dream to be, one note at a time.

Oh!! This is so long omg. I hope you find this useful! There is a lot more to say and topics to cover, but this is a general view of what I took out of my first 4 months of university. It’s different that what I imagined it would be, but there are also familiar things. 

It’s a new experience, and I hope we can grow in this path together! The studyblr community has helped me a lot in this 4 months, and even before, when I was in high school. I hope I can give back a little with this long post. 

Let’s have a good day, everyone!