#i want to never talk to people ever again and i want to talk to them every second of the day

[drewsephrry]

Love Island: Episode 4

series masterlist

pairings: rafe cameron x fem!reader

words: 4.7k

warnings: sexual innuendos, alcohol consumption, cuss words

A heavy silence settles over the group as everyone turns to stare at Y/N.

“What are you talking about?” Rafe asks, his brows furrowing. Y/N swallows, her eyes flicking between the people around her before landing back on the boy hugging Maddy below. She exhales sharply.

“That’s…my ex.”

“Holy shit!” JJ blurts out, earning a smack from John B, who looks just as stunned. Alyssa and Pope are too busy staring at the date happening downstairs, but the rest of the group is locked onto Y/N.

“How long ago did you two break up?” Topper asks, his gaze darting toward Rafe, who is eerily quiet.

“Like a year.” She reveals. Alyssa scoffs, finally looking away from the scene below.

“Crocs? Seriously?” She wrinkles her nose as she gestures toward Kelce’s choice of footwear. Despite the tension twisting in her chest, Y/N finds herself smiling, shaking her head at Alyssa’s reaction. JJ leans forward, curiosity getting the best of him.

“What’s he like?” He pauses, then adds quickly. “I mean, like…you know what I mean.” Y/N shifts on her feet, suddenly feeling the weight of everyone’s attention. She exhales.

“He’s funny. Loves to travel, so much so that he became a travel agent. He loves soccer. He’s really creative, always took me on the weirdest dates you could imagine.” Her voice softens and without realizing it, a small smile tugs at her lips.

Rafe clenches his jaw. He watches the way Y/N’s expression softens, the way her lips curve when she talks about Kelce. It’s not even what she’s saying, it’s how she’s saying it. There’s a warmth in her voice, a familiarity that Rafe can’t compete with.

It pisses him off.

He shouldn't care. He shouldn’t feel this tightness in his chest at the thought of Y/N and Kelce, of all the time they had before he even entered the picture. He knows it’s stupid. It’s not like she’s his. Not officially, anyway.

But fuck, he wants her to be.

He watches her, torn between wanting to pull her away and hating that he even feels this way in the first place.

When she finally turns back toward him, it’s like she can feel the weight of his stare. Her brows furrow slightly.

“You okay?” She asks, her voice gentle. Rafe forces a smirk.

“Yeah. Why wouldn’t I be?” She studies him for a second longer before nodding.

“No reason.” She doesn’t push and that’s what kills him.

Because maybe, deep down, a part of him wants her to push. To tell him she doesn’t want Kelce anymore, that he has nothing to worry about. That she’s his, even though they’ve never actually said those words out loud.

Instead, he just watches as she looks back toward Kelce, a flicker of something unreadable in her eyes.

And Rafe feels that sharp twist in his chest again.

“Why’d you break up?” John B asks.

“That's not a nice thing to ask.” Sarah nudges him.

“No, it’s fine.” Y/N shakes her head. “We just wanted different things.” John B nods in understanding, shoving his hands in his pockets.

“Yeah, I get that.” He murmurs.

Rafe doesn’t say a word. He barely moves, but Y/N can feel his stare burning into her. His arms are crossed now, fingers gripping his biceps a little too tightly. His gaze flickers between her and Kelce.

The dates finish and soon enough, the islanders head downstairs to meet Kelce. JJ, John B and Pope are the first to approach, radiating their usual friendly, easygoing energy as they introduce themselves. Topper and Rafe follow, but there’s an undeniable shift in the atmosphere. There’s something about the way they move, less welcoming. When Kelce shakes Rafe’s hand, Rafe tightens his grip just a little too much. But Kelce doesn’t even flinch. He holds his ground, just as confident as ever.

The girls follow behind, Kiara’s fingers wrapped around Y/N’s hand as they walk through the flower corridor toward the yard. Sarah steps forward, greeting Kelce with a hug. But when she pulls back, something changes.

Kelce’s wide eyes flick to Y/N.

“No way!” He murmurs. Y/N smiles softly, already anticipating what’s coming.

“Yes way.” She mutters. Kelce doesn’t hesitate as he rushes toward her, sweeping her off the ground in a tight hug. Y/N squeals, clinging to him instinctively. It’s warm, familiar. When he sets her down, his hands linger at her waist and his eyes search hers.

“What are you doing here?” He asks.

“The right question is, what are you doing here?” She teases, shoving him playfully. Maddy, watching the exchange unfold, furrows her brows.

“Uh…what is going on?” She glances toward Rafe, who still hasn’t moved. His arms remain crossed, jaw visibly tightening.

“That’s Y/N’s ex.” Rafe announces flatly, making Maddy’s eyes widen.

“What?”

“Wait…he is Kelce? Like, Kelce Kelce?” Cleo interjects. “Your ex Kelce?”

Y/N nods.

“You talk about me?” Kelce asks, smirking.

“Oh my god, not like that.” Y/N groans, rolling her eyes as she shoves him again. He stumbles back slightly, clutching his chest in mock offense.

Noticing the tension radiating off Rafe like a ticking time bomb, Pope clears his throat.

“Hey, why don’t we all move to the firepit?” He suggests, trying to redirect the energy. “Let Kelce get to know everyone.”

The group shuffles over, settling in with the boys on one side, the girls on the other and Kelce in the middle.

“So, what do you guys wanna know?” Kelce asks, fiddling with his mic. He’s still getting used to it and Maddy, sitting beside him, leans in to adjust it properly. He shoots her a grateful smile.

“Y/N already gave us the rundown, so I think we’re all set, bro.” JJ says casually.

The moment the words leave his mouth, Pope smacks him.

“JJ, what the fuck?” Kiara hisses, while Y/N lets out a strangled noise and buries her face in her hands.

“What?” JJ rubs his chest, looking genuinely confused. “I’m just saying-”

“Don’t.” Alyssa interjects, rolling her eyes. “Anyway. What are you looking for in the villa?” Kelce exhales, thinking for a second.

“Honestly, this past year’s been a lot of growth for me. I feel like…our breakup really changed me.” He admits, glancing at Y/N.

That gets her attention. She slowly lowers her hands, meeting his gaze. For a second, nobody moves. The world stops spinning.

Then, Rafe clears his throat.

“You, uh…didn’t actually answer Alyssa.” Rafe mutters, scratching the back of his head. Topper lets out a barely contained snicker. Kelce blinks, then nods.

“Right. Right. Okay, yeah. I want something real. A committed relationship. I wanna find my person. Someone I can have fun with, travel with-”

“You’re a travel agent, right?” John B cuts in, smirking and Kelce laughs.

“Yeah. Y/N told you?” He throws her a knowing look before redirecting. “But enough about me. Who’s coupled up with who?”

“I’m with Topper.” Sarah says, glancing at Topper who gives Kelce a brief nod. “Kiara’s with Pope, Cleo’s with John B, Maddy’s with JJ.” She continues. Kelce nods, then looks straight at Y/N.

“And you’re with Rafe?” He asks. Everyone’s gaze lands on her.

“Um…it’s complicated.” Y/N admits, shifting in her seat. “I was coupled up with him and things were going good between us. Still are! But-”

“Alyssa coupled up with him.” Pope finishes for her.

“Guilty!” Alyssa grins, raising her hand. A few chuckles ripple through the group, but Rafe isn’t amused. His gaze stays locked on Y/N, watching the way she keeps sneaking glances at Kelce. The way her fingers fidget. The way she looks at him. He knows that look. It’s the same one that’s been driving him crazy since she first stepped into the villa.

“So, you’re the only single one, huh?” Kelce teases, smirking.

“Kelce…” Y/N groans, rolling her eyes with a small smile.

“What? Just stating facts.” He lifts his hands in surrender. Then, his smirk softens into something more thoughtful.

“Listen, I’m happy for you. I really am. I’m moving on, too.” His voice is easy, but there’s something unreadable behind it.

“And hey, this goes for all of you. I’m not here to step on anyone’s toes.” A beat passes. “But, you know…if something’s meant to happen, it’ll happen. That's how the game works.”

Everyone nods and Rafe wonders if he’s the only one who hears the double meaning in those words.

Soon enough, the girls head inside to gossip with Maddy and Cleo about the dates, leaving the boys to get to know Kelce.

“Okay, spill!” Sarah says to Maddy, sitting down on her bed and pulling a pillow to cuddle. Y/N sits beside her, still unsettled by the whole situation.

“I will, but Y/N, are you alright?” Maddy asks and the girls turn to look at her. Y/N glances around like a lost puppy before nodding quickly.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Of course. Everything is fine. Totally fine.” She exclaims.

“Say it one more time and we might actually believe you.” Kiara says, rolling her eyes. Y/N sighs.

“It's just…this was really unexpected.” She pauses, choosing her words carefully. “And he just seemed so…mature. So different from back then.”

“Like he grew up?” Cleo asks cautiously and Y/N nods.

“Yeah. I don’t know. It’s not like we had a messy breakup or anything. It’s just…” She takes a deep breath and Sarah reaches over to hold her hand.

“You don’t have to talk about it. Breakups, even mutual ones, hurt.” Sarah says gently and the girls nod, ready to comfort her.

“No, no, it’s okay.” Y/N reassures them. “When Kelce and I broke up, it felt like my whole world ended. I struggled a lot with being on my own because I was so dependent on him. It took me a long time to find my footing and become the person I am now. And seeing him again like this…it just made me wonder if it was as hard for him as it was for me.” She exhales, pressing her lips together for a moment.

“And not in a bitter way, like, ‘Oh, I hope he suffered.’” She clarifies quickly.

“It’s just…I loved him. I still have so much love for him. But if it didn’t hurt him like it hurt me…if he just moved on without a second thought, then what does that say about what we had? Or-or about me?” She lets the words linger in the air, staring at the blanket bunched up in her lap. The weight of her own thoughts makes her chest tighten.

“I know it’s selfish.” She continues, her voice quieter now. “I want him to be happy, I really do. But there’s a part of me that hopes it wasn’t easy for him. That it meant something. Because if it didn’t…if I was the only one who struggled, then maybe I was just easy to forget.”

The room is silent for a beat before Kiara scoffs, shaking her head.

“Y/N, that’s not how love works.” She says firmly. “Just because someone handles pain differently doesn’t mean they didn’t feel it. He could’ve been hurting just as much, just in his own way.”

“Exactly.” Cleo agrees. “And, honestly? You don’t owe it to your past self to keep wondering. You made it through. That’s what matters.”

Y/N lets their words settle, nodding slowly. She wants to believe them. Wants to believe that just because Kelce looks like he’s moved on, it doesn’t mean what they had wasn’t real. That it doesn’t mean she was the only one who lost something. Sarah gives her hand a small squeeze.

“It’s okay to feel this way. Just, don’t let it take away from how far you’ve come.” She exclaims and Y/N swallows past the lump in her throat, forcing a small smile.

“Yeah. You’re right.” She just wishes it was that easy.

“Are you going to talk to him?” Alyssa asks cautiously. Y/N fidgets with her ring, avoiding their gazes.

“I don’t know.” She mutters.

“You don’t have to.” Maddy says quickly. Y/N exhales, forcing a small grin.

“Yeah, but it’s not like I can avoid him in here.” She pauses, then backtracks. “Wait, no-I didn’t mean it like I am or was trying to avoid him. Outside of here, I mean.” Sarah chuckles, squeezing her hand.

“We get what you’re saying.” Then she makes a face. “Why is your hand so sweaty, dude?” Y/N jerks her hand back, wiping it on the blanket.

“Oh my god, sorry.” The girls giggle as she huffs dramatically.

“Look, unless he wants to talk, I don’t have anything to say to him.” She continues. “I’m moving on. I have a good thing going with-” She suddenly stops, eyes widening. “Oh my god. Did you see how Rafe reacted?”

The girls immediately nod.

“He was about to explode when he found out.” Alyssa says, shaking her head.

“Man, I wish I saw that.” Cleo groans.

“Wait, wait, we’re getting sidetracked.” Y/N says, holding up a hand. “We should really be talking about your dates.” The girls nod in agreement, the conversation shifting as Maddy and Cleo start recounting their dates with Kelce.

“He was so sweet. Like, actually listening to me, paying attention. It just felt different.” Maddy says, playing with a loose thread on the blanket.

“Ooh, someone’s got a crush!” Alyssa sing-songs and the girls erupt into playful cheers. Maddy rolls her eyes.

“I do not. I just…had a good time, that’s all.” She insists.

“Yeah, okay.” Sarah smirks. “You haven’t looked this excited since we got here. JJ’s never had you smiling like that.”

The girls hum in agreement.

“How are things with JJ, anyway?” Kiara asks, leaning into Alyssa.

“Uh…nice, I guess.” Maddy says, eyes flicking down to her nails.

“Not as nice as with Kelce.” Cleo teases, nudging her. Maddy shakes her head.

“No, no, it’s not like that. JJ’s funny, obviously super hot, but…I don’t know, I don’t think we really get each other.” She pauses, thinking. “Kelce, he just got here, but the vibe with him is…different.”

“Good different?” Y/N prompts.

“Really good different.” Maddy admits, nodding. “But I don’t know. I still need to think about it. And for all I know, he had more chemistry with Cleo.”

“Nope.” Cleo says immediately. Maddy raises an eyebrow.

“What do you mean? How was your date?” She asks and Cleo sighs.

“It was fun. Kelce is handsome and yeah, he’s got charm, but…” She hesitates. “I don’t know. He came off kinda arrogant? Like, it felt like he was showing off and I hate that.”

The girls exchange looks.

“I mean, I’m not writing him off completely.” Cleo continues. “I just wanna see how he acts in the next few days before I decide.”

They all nod, understanding.

“Do what feels right for you. For both of you.” Y/N adds.

Meanwhile, the guys are grilling Kelce, sizing him up as they try to figure out his intentions in the villa.

“So, Kelce, right?” Rafe leans back against the firepit, arms crossed, exuding confidence as he speaks. His tone is casual, but there’s an edge to it, like he’s already trying to get a read on him. Kelce nods, offering a relaxed smile, but he knows exactly where this is going.

“Anyone caught your eye? Up till now, at least?” Rafe asks, the question hanging in the air just a second too long. Kelce chuckles, shaking his head slightly. He’s been in enough of these conversations to know what Rafe’s really asking. His eyes flicker toward him, measuring his expression before he answers.

“Look, man, if this is about Y/N, you don’t have to worry. I loved her and I’ll always respect our relationship, but it ended a long time ago. I’m not here to rewrite history or stir anything up. She’s moved on and so have I. Whatever’s going on between you two, that’s got nothing to do with me.” He pauses.

There’s no malice in his voice, no challenge, just honesty. A quiet confidence that says he’s not here to start drama. Whether Rafe believes him, though, is a different story.

“So, if you’re asking whether you should be watching your back, there’s no need to. Not because of me.” Kelce says, his tone even.

Rafe holds his gaze for a moment before nodding, seemingly satisfied, for now. John B clears his throat, cutting through the tension.

“Alright, but be honest, man. What did you think of the girls? Anyone catch your eye?” He asks, making Kelce chuckle and glance around.

“I mean, they’re all beautiful, no doubt about that.” He says and the guys nod in agreement. “But I had a really great time with Maddy. She’s…man, she’s gorgeous. And funny as hell, too.” His grin widens as he talks about her, the memory of their time together still fresh.

“Cleo’s great, don’t get me wrong.” He continues, his tone shifting slightly. “But something felt a little off during our date. Maybe it was just a bit awkward, I don’t know. Could’ve just been first-date nerves. Time will tell, I guess.”

The boys nod before they decide to show Kelce around the villa.

The night unfolds quickly and soon it’s party time for the islanders. The girls make their way downstairs, glammed up and glowing under the villa lights. As they step into the bedroom where the guys are getting ready, whistles and cheers erupt.

“Damn, looking good, mamas!” Kelce calls out, grinning and the girls laugh, twirling playfully before heading outside.

A table set with champagne flutes awaits them, the warm night air buzzing with energy. They each grab a glass as Topper lifts his in a toast.

“To our newest islander! Hope it’s a good summer for you, Kelso!” He announces, flashing a smirk. Kelce clinks his glass against Topper’s, eyes glinting with excitement.

“Oh, it’s gonna be a great one.” He replies, as the group cheers and takes a sip. Y/N adjusts her dress with her free hand, scanning the scene before her gaze lands on Rafe across the table. Taking a breath, she steps toward him.

“Hey.” She says softly. Rafe looks down at her, his expression unreadable. He nods in acknowledgment but doesn’t say anything.

“Can we talk?” She asks, her brows furrowing slightly. Rafe exhales, noticing the concern in her eyes.

“Yeah. Yeah. Let’s.” He mutters, placing a hand on her waist as he guides her toward the daybed. They settle beside each other, Y/N’s fingers immediately finding the ring on her hand, twisting it absentmindedly.

“You do know I had no clue he was coming in here, right?” She says, glancing at him. Rafe sighs, rubbing his temples.

“I know. Of course, I know.” His voice is firm but tired. She studies him, hesitating before pressing further.

“Then…can you say something? Tell me how you feel? I just…I don’t know. You’re upset.”

“What do you want me to say?” Rafe snaps, his voice sharper than he intends. “How else am I supposed to feel? Of course, I’m upset.” Y/N exhales slowly, nodding.

“Okay and I get it. But don’t shut me out. You haven’t said a word to me since the terrace.” She drops her gaze, still fidgeting with her ring. Rafe watches her and something tightens in his chest. He runs a hand over his face before sighing.

“Fuck, I’m sorry, Y/N.” His voice softens. “I’m not mad at you. Or him. He actually seems like a decent dude. But…” He hesitates, taking a deep breath. “The thought of you and him. It's just…knowing he’s been with you, that he knows you like that…” His jaw clenches. “I know I’m probably overreacting or-or that I shouldn’t feel like this. But I can’t help it.”

“You’re not overreacting.” She assures him, shaking her head. “Jealousy is valid.” Rafe cringes slightly at the word, but it’s true.

“I just…” He exhales, his fingers grazing his knee. “I know it’s still early, but I like you, okay? And the idea of another guy, Kelce, being with you, knowing you in ways I don’t yet…It just…it gets to me. And now that he’s here, I can’t help but worry.”

“You shouldn’t.” Y/N’s response is immediate, her voice steady. “You have nothing to worry about. Truly.” She turns toward him, her eyes sincere.

“Our relationship ended a long time ago and as much as I loved him and still do, in a way, I can’t let myself go back there. We’ve both moved on. I’m moving on. With you, Rafe.”

Rafe swallows, his gaze flickering to her lips before settling back on her eyes.

“Do you mean that?” He whispers. “I mean…do you want that? Moving on with me?” Y/N’s lips curl into a soft smile and she nods.

“I mean it.” She says simply. And just like that, something in Rafe eases.

Rafe studies her for a long moment, searching for any hesitation, any flicker of doubt in her expression. But there’s none. Just quiet certainty, a promise in the way she looks at him.

He exhales, tension leaving his shoulders as he leans back slightly, resting his arm along the back of the daybed. His fingers ghost over her shoulder, not quite touching but close enough to feel the warmth of her skin.

“That’s…good to hear.” He murmurs, the weight in his chest loosening just a little. Y/N tilts her head, watching him.

“You don’t sound convinced.” She smirks.

“It’s not that.” Rafe says, shaking his head. “It’s just-” He pauses, rubbing his jaw, before glancing back at her. “I didn’t expect to feel this way. It’s not just about Kelce, it’s…fuck, Y/N. I don’t usually care like this.” She lets out a small breath, lips pressing together as she processes his words.

“And that scares you?” She asks softly and Rafe chuckles dryly, dragging a hand through his hair.

“Maybe a little.”

Y/N shifts closer, their knees brushing.

“I get it.” She admits. “But I don’t expect you to have it all figured out right now. I just need you to talk to me. Let me in instead of shutting me out.” Rafe meets her eyes, his fingers finally settling on her shoulder, his touch light but grounding.

“I’ll try.” He admits and Y/N smiles, nudging his knee with hers.

“Good.”

She inches closer, leaning into him. When she looks up, her gaze flickers to his lips.

“Do it.” Rafe whispers, his voice low and she smirks.

“Do what?” She teases, playing innocent. Rafe pinches her side, making her squeal as she presses in even closer.

“Come on, sweetheart.” He murmurs. Y/N giggles before leaning in, her lips brushing his. Rafe cups her face, deepening the kiss as her hand settles against his chest. When they finally pull back, breathless, she smiles up at him. Her eyes catch the shine on his lips and she instinctively reaches up, wiping away the remnants of her lip gloss.

“So, this is our thing now, huh?” She muses, focused on the task. Rafe chuckles.

“Guess so.” He shrugs. “Not that I care about the whole...lip color thingy.”

“Lip gloss.” She corrects with a smirk.

“That.” He scoffs. “You don’t have to wipe it off every time.” She shakes her head.

“It's not a big deal. Honestly, I should probably just stop wearing it around you.” She exclaims.

“Or just get used to me wearing it, too.” He says, grinning. Laughter bubbles between them, easy and warm, as she tucks herself closer into his side.

Later in the evening, JJ gathers all the islanders around the firepit, his energy buzzing like he’s just thought of the best idea ever.

“I think our new guy over here-” He slings an arm around Kelce’s shoulders “-deserves a proper Love Island welcome.” He grins.

“What do you say, guys? You up for a little ‘Never Have I Ever’?” A chorus of agreement follows, champagne gets poured and John B jumps in to explain the rules.

“Okay, so we’ll go around, say a prompt starting with ‘Never have I ever…’ Like, I dunno, ‘Never have I ever hooked up with my best friend’s sister.’ If you have, you take a sip.” Sarah, sitting beside him, turns to him in horror.

“Wait…was that an example or…?” She asks and John B's eyes widen.

“Example! Just an example!” He explains.

“Mm-hmm, sure.” JJ smirks, topping off his glass.

“JJ-” “Let the game begin!” JJ shouts in a dramatic British accent, earning some laughs.

“Topper, you’re up first.” JJ announces. Topper thinks for a second, then shrugs.

“Never have I ever…smoked a joint?” He asks, making JJ groan.

“Lame, Top. Come on.”

“We should start slow, Jayj.” Kiara reasons and the others nod in agreement.

“Fine, fine.” JJ rolls his eyes and takes a big sip anyway. John B, Rafe, Topper, Kelce, Sarah and Kiara follow suit. JJ glances around.

“Wait-you guys haven’t?”

Y/N, Maddy, Cleo, Pope and Alyssa shake their heads.

“You’re joking.” JJ deadpans.

“Not everyone wants to, you know.” Y/N says.

“But it never even crossed your mind? Just to see what it’s like?”

“Not at all.” She replies.

“She says it reeks.” Kelce chimes in, like he knows her better than her own self.

“Because it does!” Y/N exclaims, making the guys chuckle. Rafe, meanwhile, isn’t laughing. His jaw clenches as his gaze lingers on Kelce a beat too long. Y/N notices and without thinking, rests a hand on his thigh. A subtle squeeze, pulling him out of whatever storm was brewing in his head. Maddy clears her throat.

“Can we move on?” She asks.

“Yes, please.” Topper agrees.

“Okay, um…never have I ever gone skinny dipping.” Alyssa asks and drinks from her flute. Most of the islanders take a sip, except for Y/N and Pope. Kelce smirks, turning to Y/N.

“Take a sip.” He nods to the glass on her hand. She blinks.

“But I haven’t.” She replies and Kelce scoffs.

“Julia’s party.” He says making Y/N frown.

“What?”

“The penthouse? The pool? The ‘pretty pink vodka drink’?” He points out and Y/N’s eyes widen.

“Oh. Shit.” She exclaims.

“Okay, we need details, like, now.” Sarah claps her hands. Kelce raises a hand dismissively.

“Story for another time.” He nods at Y/N. “Take a sip, Y/N/N.” She does, while Rafe’s jaw visibly tightens, his grip on his glass a little too firm.

“Who’s next?” He asks, clearing his throat. Maddy perks up.

“Me! Okay, never have I ever tried sexting.”

A few people take sips. Kelce meets Y/N’s gaze and smirks before drinking. Y/N stares at the fire as she sips from her glass. Meanwhile, Rafe stares at Kelce. Y/N can practically feel the temperature rising beside her.

“Okay, never have I ever laughed so hard I, um, peed my pants as an adult.” Sarah giggles, before drinking.

Silence.

“And the crowd goes quiet.” JJ says in his British accent. Y/N snorts.

“It’s valid!” She takes a sip, to support Sarah. Rafe tilts his head.

“Wait, seriously?” He asks, in disbelief. She nods.

“It was a hilarious joke, I couldn't help it!” Rafe laughs, wrapping an arm around her.

“I should be disgusted by this.”

“Sorry.” She teases.

“Oh, no, no, don’t be. I’m not. I mean, it’s not, like…hot. But-wait, no, I mean, you’re hot, but-” Y/N chuckles, saving him from himself with a quick peck on the cheek.

“You’re cute when you short-circuit.” She points out.

“Come on, lovebirds! We got a game to finish!” Kelce calls out. Y/N sighs. Rafe sucks his teeth, visibly annoyed, gripping his glass a little too tightly. Y/N notices and without thinking, rests her hand back on his thigh.

“Okay! My turn!” Kiara clears her throat, trying to redirect.

The game continues, with Kelce making a point to throw Y/N knowing looks whenever she hesitates to drink. Every time he sips, he conveniently drops a story from their past, like a breadcrumb trail leading back to him.

Y/N, beyond annoyed, fiddles with a loose thread on her dress, until she’s had enough.

“I got one.” She says, sitting up as everyone leans in. Y/N locks eyes with Kelce. “Never have I ever faked an orgasm.”

The girls, every single one, take a sip. The guys burst into hollers, JJ nearly choking on his drink. Kelce’s smirk finally falters, his ego visibly bruised. He clears his throat.

“I think we should stop for the night.” He suggests

“Yeah, I bet you do.” Maddy exclaims, smirking. The game dissolves as the islanders start pairing off for chats, but Rafe? Rafe’s grinning.

‘Cause that's his girl.

to be continued...

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A/N: hope you enjoyed this!!!

[rafesangelita]

This idea has been stick in my head but I don’t got the skills to execute it.

Rafe dating a reader he calls “Angel” bc despite growing up with Rafe reader somehow has never done half of the crazy shit Rafe did. So reader is quite literally one of the few good thing going for him.

Until *dundundun*

Someone at a party convinces reader to try some drugs (Rafe as the controlling bastard he is, though that’s a good? thing in this case, doesn’t let reader do anything that isn’t weed) because Rafe must get tired of being around someone innocent. But when Rafe finds out what’s been done he’s rightfully pissed that someone tried to taint his angel.

warnings: childhood friends to lovers, drug use, peer pressure, coercion, manipulation, slight angst, crying, fighting, rafe is very overprotective, a little bit of rough handling, reader is described to be innocent and kind of sheltered, light fluff, reader freaks out when she realizes she’s high, reassurance + comfort

wc: 1.3k

‘innocent little y/n’— that’s what everyone called you when you were growing up. you never lied, you never stole, you were actually a tattletale and everyone hated you for it. because of that, no one ever wanted to be your friend, all except for rafe who had no idea why he felt the overwhelming need to protect you and keep you tucked into his side where you were ‘safe and sound’ from anyone who wanted to tease or be mean to you. it was rather easy since you found yourself following him around everywhere anyways.

your dynamic changed when you two got older and he had another threat to worry about that he didn’t have once before; and that was boys. he remembered hearing some of his friends talk about you in a way that had him throwing punches and getting suspended. once ward threatened him with military school on the mainland, he decided that the only way people with ulterior motives and sick and twisted minds would back off was if he stook his claim on you and let everyone know that you were his. and of course.. it worked.

no one knew how on god’s green earth you two ended up together. rafe was a hothead with a drug habit to match, and you were just there; oblivious to it all. you didn’t know anything about rafe’s little problem since he never did any lines or took rips from a bong in front of you. except for one time when he unintentionally got you high when you two were boxed in his truck and he decided to smoke since ward was on his ass and he needed it. he didn’t snap until he looked over at you and saw you spaced out, your eyes red and glossy as you played with the ends of your hair.

rafe was quick to throw out his joint before fanning the air and rolling down the windows. for the next hour he had to deal with your nonstop giggling and even went as far as getting you snacks from the food mart in a poor attempt to shut you up. “would you quit it already?!” he scolded you every time you tried to feed him whatever sweet you had in between your fingers. rafe vowed from that night forward that weed was the only thing he’d ever let you get high on. fortunately, he never smoked in front of you again and didn’t have to worry about that problem— until now.

“do you really think rafe wants to be with someone who’s boring? a little bit of blow isn’t the end of the world, angel.” topper scooted closer to you on the couch, making sure to throw in the nickname rafe has had for you since you were kids. “i’m not boring..” you crossed your arms over your chest once you saw the way topper eyed your cleavage, your eyes searching the room for any sign of rafe. “you sure about that? why do you think rafe never does his shit in front of you? it’s cause you’re a fucking buzz kill.” topper opened up the tiny baggy of powder, a smug grin spreading across his lips once he saw you peer down in curiosity.

“rafe is a pretty crazy dude, wouldn’t he want a break from all of this ‘innocent’ shit? i bet you he’s no where to be found right now because he’s talking to another girl who actually knows how to have a good time.” he scoffed, his words making your eyes water. “just try it, baby, i think rafe would love to see you bouncing off of the walls for once,” topper opened the baggy, scooping some of the substance up with his pinky, “and you wanna know something else? this shit makes you go all fucking night long. rafe would definitely appreciate that..” you eyed topper’s hand as he brought it up to your eye level.

“i don’t know—” you backed away slightly before his fingertips were nudging your lips. “yes you do know, just snort it, come on,” you kept moving away until your back hit the armrest of the couch. topper had his pinky directly under your nostril, a sense of panic flooding your system as you attempted to turn your face away. topper only followed, cursing a ‘just fucking snort it already!’ before you succumbed and gave the substance the lightest sniff you could muster. in seconds, you screwed your eyes shut tight, the crunching sound of bone meeting bone making you yelp once you realized rafe’s fist planted into the side of topper’s face.

topper was immediately rendered unconscious, the partygoers nearby all gasping in unison. rafe grabbed your face, inspecting you quickly before he spotted the coke residue on the tip of your nose. “that sorry motherfucker..” he gritted his teeth, his vision growing blind with white hot anger. despite topper’s unconscious state, rafe still punched him until he drew blood, kelce, along with some of his other friends stepping in before things could get worse. “he’s down already bro, that’s enough!” kelce shouted, your boyfriend swatting away all of their hands until they were able to get him off.

getting out of their grip, rafe wasted no time in dragging you up by your arm, your legs shaking as he lead you two out of the crowded house and to his truck. “let me see you.” he pulled out his phone, flashing the light on your face. your pupils were blown to shit, your teeth clattering as you shivered in the chilly night air. “fuck, baby..” he felt guilty beyond words for thinking stepping away to get another drink— even if it was for a quick second, that leaving you alone was a good idea. “rafe, my heart is beating really fast!” you cried, grabbing his hand and placing it over your chest as your face twisted in horror.

“i know, i know, just try to stay calm, angel.” he placed you in the passenger seat, clicking your seatbelt in place before rushing around and peeling off in the direction of home. you were sweating now and panting as if you had just ran a marathon. rafe felt utterly helpless, the scared look etched into your usual soft and happy features made his gut wrench. he swore he would never do a line again even if his tolerance was already up there from years of experience. he hated seeing you like this. “he wouldn’t stop getting close to me, i didn’t know what else to do!” your leg was bouncing, your fingertips itching to move in anyway you could.

“don’t worry, we’re almost home.” he reassured you, taking your hand and pressing a kiss to your knuckles before you could panic any further. once you two were in the driveway, rafe rushed you both inside, quickly starting a cold shower and cleaning you up. neither of you went to sleep until your high subsided a few hours later. during that time, rafe made you push down a lot of water along with eating something so you weren’t on an empty stomach. “everything is okay, alright?” rafe held you in his arms, a small hum sounding from your lips before you drifted off into a much needed slumber.

rafe watched you sleep and he couldn’t help but think of everything after this incident occurred. you were the only person in his life that wasn’t tainted in any way. the only good thing he had going for him. he couldn’t handle the thought of topper forcing his way over you and you sitting there helplessly, hoping he’d turn up soon. the thought made his fists clench again as he recalled the confused yet relieved look on your face once he was in your view. he made a promise to never leave you alone like that ever again.

gone were the days of attending pointless parties..

[dufrau]

thinking about shauna listening to jackie talk about jeff like he never even mattered when shauna is pregnant with his baby because she just wanted something jackie had and wanted to be wanted by someone who wanted jackie and now jackie doesnt even care anymore and shauna is stuck with this forever. and then jackie dies and then the baby dies but not before shauna has to give birth to him in the wilderness in winter surrounded by people who eat the dead and now fucking jeff sadecki is the last thing she has of either of them and what the hell is she supposed to do with that? she's stuck with him forever.

thinking about shauna beating lottie almost all the way to death to get all of that rage out of her and then when that rage is out of her they give her a knife and tell her to slit natalie's throat, and then when natalie runs and shauna is let off the hook for one thing for once they give her the knife again and tell her to cut up javi, the closest thing to a baby, so they can eat him, and now she's stuck with this, too. and all that rage she burned off didn't go anywhere, really. it's still right there.

and then im thinking about shauna watching lottie and everybody else crown natalie the queen for virtue of not dying, which is the same thing everybody has been doing, except for jackie and the baby and javi who all took chunks of shauna with them and left her with nothing but a knife.

im thinking about shauna who watches everybody gossip and laugh through the springtime knowing that when winter comes she will be the person who will have to cut them all up one by one so the rest of them can live and its very easy to see why she isnt friends with any of them anymore by then. she looks at them and she sees cuts of meat and how is she supposed to look at anybody normally ever again after that?

and its cruel, of course it is, everything she does to coach ben. it's not his fault, it's not about him at all, really, except that he is exactly the problem. he's innocent. he judges them. he sees what they have had to do to survive and pretends he never profited from any of it. pretends to be above it, uninvolved. he judges them. he judges her.

and shauna needs complicity from these people. she needs somebody else to know what it feels like to hold the knife. she needs people to be stuck with those guilty votes forever. tai with the gun and melissa with the knife and natalie at the butcher's table so that she's not the only one. and so ben is the sacrifice.

i saw somebody say that shauna doesnt want natalie to have to feel the pain of butchering a person, thats why she puts the cloth over his face. but that's not true. she *needs* natalie to know the pain of it, the guilt of it, the weight. The cloth is a lie she told herself would make it easier but she knows that Natalie is about to know what the inside of this man's joints look like either way and that she's going to be stuck knowing that forever.

they are going to be rescued someday and everybody will say "we did what we had to do to survive" and shauna needs to not be the only one who really has to mean that when she says it. and i guess she has that now. or she's about to.

[i-get-obsessed-fast]

Coffee and Journals

.・゜✭・. Spencer Reid x F!Reader .・゜✭・.

Summary: You step out of your comfort zone and meet a guy in a coffee shop who you somehow befriend, and end up in the theaters with him translating a Russian film.

A/N: omg this one is so cuteee, I love it lmk your thots<3

BYR(b4 u Reid): use of y/n, mentions of anxiety, readers never had a bf, inexperienced reader & Spencer, can be season 1 & 2 Spencer | none <- [warnings]

It started with a trip to the coffee shop.

You weren’t supposed to be there, at least, not alone. You didn't go places alone. That was just how… things were. But it was a new year, and you were tired of every year being the same.

No new friends, no love interests, no new experiences.

You knew, deep down, that you couldn't keep living like this. The loneliness was starting to feel like a weight pressing down on you, making everything dull.

So, here you were, Ordering a drink at the register, by yourself. God, was your voice shaking?

“Um, can I get a-a regular iced latte?” You asked, trying not to sound as nervous as you felt. The cashier nodded, you paid, and that was it.

It was such a small thing ordering coffee, and you’ve done it a lot of times just this time you didn’t have the comfort of a friend right beside you. You were all alone.

You felt proud, proud that you left your home, came to the café alone, and now you were going to enjoy it at the shop.

You picked a small table, hands gripping your journal as you sat down, waiting for your order to be called. The café was a little too busy for comfort. Too many eyes, not on you, you knew that, but… it felt like they were.

You took a deep breath, opening your journal.

Do I look weird?

No, no. There were plenty of people doing the same thing. You weren’t standing out.

After a few moments your drink was finally called, you stood up, going to grab it, only to find there was two.

The man beside you just looked at you unsure of which one was his and which one was yours.

“Oh- um, I’m not sure which is which.” He said, glancing between the two drinks. You looked at him, then at the cups, trying to find anything that could differentiate them. Nothing.

“Uh, excuse me, which one is the iced coffee?” You asked the barista. “They both are.” She answered flatly, like it was the dumbest question she’d ever heard. Your stomach twisted immediately.

Great, now I sound stupid.

“Which one has non-dairy milk?” The guy asked

The barista sighed, rolling her eyes. “I don’t know, maybe that one.” She pointed to the cup on the right.

You and the guy exchanged a look.

“Um… I guess I’ll just take this one.” You mumbled, grabbing the drink you had originally reached for. You don’t have any dairy problems, and didn’t care for the kind of milk used so it wasn’t too much of a problem.

You can hear the guy sigh as you walked away.

You sat down, watching him talk to the barista, clearly trying to get his order fixed. You couldn’t blame him for being frustrated.

You refocused on your journal, writing down your thoughts about stepping out of your comfort zone. About how weird it felt. How anxious you still were, and how you hoped this wouldn’t be another failed attempt at trying to change.

“Hi, I’m sorry, but do you mind if I have a seat?”

You looked up.

It was the non-dairy guy.

Your first instinct was to say no. You didn’t want anyone sitting with you. This was already too much social interaction for one day.

Or you could just leave, but if you let yourself retreat, wouldn’t that be losing? Wouldn’t you end up right back where you started, lying in bed tonight, frustrated with yourself for failing at something as simple as existing in a public space ?

“Of course.” You said instead, nodding toward the empty chair.

He gave you a polite smile and sat down. You stole a glance at him. Tall, kind of lanky, brown hair, sharp features, hazel eyes. He didn’t seem much older than you.

You tried to focus on your journal again, but it was hard with someone new in front of you.

“You know, an iced coffee isn’t something I normally get.” He said suddenly

You blinked, looking up.

He was talking to you.

“I usually just get a regular hot coffee.” He continued, like this was a totally normal thing to say to a stranger. “Today I wanted something different. And, well… you saw how that went.”

You let out an awkward little laugh, like the ones you give people when you aren’t sure what to say.

Is he crazy? Why is he talking to me?

“I get it.” You said after a pause. “I don’t usually get coffee on my own, and the one time I do, my coffee gets mixed with yours, and then the barista has a shitty attitude.”

That was relatable, right? That made sense?

Stop overthinking.

He smiled. “I’m Spencer Reid.”

First and last name, who does that?

“I’m y/n.” You said, giving him a small smile in return

you didn't give him your last name, it felt too formal, you guys also didn't shake hands which relieved you because those were always so awkward for you.

Almost all physical touch was awkward with you.

“I'll let you get back to work.” He said, pulling a book out of his bag.

“It’s not really work.” You admitted, which shocked you because you were trying to continue this conversation. “Just journaling.”

He glanced up again, nodding slightly. “Studies show that journaling can improve working memory, reduce stress, and even strengthen the immune system,” he said. “James Pennebaker, a psychologist at the University of Texas, found that expressive writing helps people process traumatic events by organizing thoughts and emotions, which can lead to improved mental health and reduced anxiety.”

You stared at him.

“Yeah… That’s kind of why I’m trying it.” You said, giving a small smile.

You narrowed your eyes playfully. “How do you know all that?” He just shrugged as if it was nothing “I read alot.”

“That’s cool.”

“Really?” He smiled a little. “A lot of my friends think I’m crazy, and that I should be spending more time doing other things.”

You shook your head. Well… okay, you did think he was a little crazy. But only because he could start a conversation so easily. You couldn’t imagine doing that.

“Not crazy, I think it’s fascinating your brain is able to retain all that information.”

The two of you settled into silence after that. You wrote, he read. You noticed he was flying through pages at an insane speed.

Curiosity got the better of you.

“How are you reading so fast?” You blurted out.

He looked up. “I can read 20,000 words a minute.”

Your eyes widened. “Are you lying?”

He laughed. “No. I uh… I have an IQ of 187, so I think that helps a lot with my reading abilities.”

“That’s like a superpower.”

“Some would say it’s the lamest one to have been given.” He joked, you shrugged. “Maybe. But I think it’s cool.”

And, honestly?

You were surprised by yourself.

A simple conversation. With a stranger.

A man, even.

ʚɞ

Over the next few months, you found yourself at the coffee shop at least three times a week. And almost every time, Spencer was there too.

At first, it felt like a coincidence, like an unspoken routine you both had fallen into without realizing. But eventually, he started waving you over when he spotted you, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips as he gestured to the empty seat across from him. And, recently, you had started doing the same for him.

You’d sit together, sometimes in silence, sometimes talking about what you were reading, new movies, or random events happening around town. It felt… easy.

“How’s journaling been?” Spencer asked as he took a sip of his coffee and looked at you.

You glanced up from your book. “Oh, it’s been really good. It actually helps a lot more than I thought it would.”

He nodded, thoughtful. “Yeah, it helped me a lot too.”

“You journal?”

He shrugged, shifting slightly in his seat. “I used to. Not as much anymore, but when I have the time, I try. I think it’s a good outlet, especially for people who struggle with intrusive thoughts, or high stress levels.”

“You think only people who struggle journal?” You questioned

“Not necessarily.” He said, tilting his head slightly. “I mean, anyone can journal. But research suggests that people who journal regularly are often those who need a way to process their thoughts. It can help regulate emotions by engaging the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for rational thinking. That’s why it’s often recommended for anxiety, PTSD, and even problem solving.”

You nodded slowly, letting his words sink in. “Yeah… I think it’s helped me a lot with my anxiety.”

You weren’t sure why you would say it, you never really talk about what you struggle with but somehow with Spencer it felt safe.

You looked up at him, Spencer’s eyes had softened, his expression shifting from analytical to something gentler. “That’s good.” He said sincerely. “Thank you for sharing that with me.”

You let out a small laugh, rubbing the back of your neck. “I think it’s obvious. I mean, I’m constantly fidgeting, can’t make eye contact, let alone hold a conversation with people.” You say as you look down at your hands

He shook his head. “You don’t seem that way with me.” His brows furrowed slightly.

“Well, yeah. Not anymore.” You admitted “When we first met and you asked to have a seat, I wanted so badly to say no, and even get up and leave.”

His mouth parted slightly before he quickly recovered. “Really?”

You nodded. “Yeah. But I had to let you because if I hadn’t, I would’ve felt like I lost that day, and definitely would’ve felt horrible about it. But… thankfully I did.”

For a moment, he just looked at you, processing your words. Then, the corners of his lips lifted into a small genuine smile. “I’m glad, glad that you let me sit with you.”

“I’m glad too.”

It felt strange, strange in a way that made your chest feel light and unfamiliar warmth settle in your stomach. Having someone new to talk to, someone who, despite barely knowing you, felt like they had been in your life forever.

Spencer made things easy. Talking to him didn’t feel like a struggle, like you had to overthink every word before you said it. He listened. He never made you feel awkward or unsure.

Somehow, being around him made you feel like maybe, just maybe, you were figuring yourself out.

Both of your coffees were nearly empty now, the melted ice clinking softly against the cup. It meant this little hangout, or whatever you can call it, was coming to an end. And you didn’t want it to.

Spencer shifted slightly in his seat, his fingers tapping lightly against his cup before he cleared his throat.

“Um, Y/n.” He said, voice softer than usual. You looked up at him, giving him a small, curious smile. “Yeah?”

He hesitated for half a second, then pushed his hair behind his ear, a habit you noticed. “There’s this old film playing at the theaters. It’s not far from here. I was wondering if you’d like to go?” He paused, glancing down at his hands before quickly adding “It’s in Russian, though, so if you’d like, I can translate it for you.”

“Russian?” You asked, raising an eyebrow.

He nodded, his lips twitching up slightly. “Yeah. If you don’t want to, that’s fine, I just- I thought it would be nice.” He said as he nervously rubbed the back of his neck.

You bit your lip, trying to hold back a smile. “I’ve never seen a Russian film before, but I do like the theaters. And if you’re offering to translate, I’d love to go.”

Spencer let out a breath, his shoulders relaxing like he had been holding it in without realizing. “Yeah?” His voice was lighter, hopeful.

You nodded. “Yeah.”

His lips parted, like he was about to say something else, but he just nodded quickly instead. “Alright. Um. I can pick you up? If you’re comfortable with that, of course.”

You could see the way he was watching you carefully, waiting for any sign of hesitation. But there wasn’t any. Not with him.

“No, yeah, I’m fine with that.” You said, a soft warmth settling in your chest.

Spencer’s fingers tapped against the table before he spoke again. “Can I-uh-can I have your number? Just so we can communicate better.”

You smiled, reaching for your phone. “Yeah.”

ʚɞ

Spencer arrived at exactly 8:00 p.m, right on time. When you opened the door, he stood there with his hands in his pockets, rocking slightly on his heels before offering a small, shy smile.

“Hi.” He said softly

“Hi.” You echoed, feeling your pulse quicken.

You both walk towards his car, and to your surprise he opened the door for you. It was a small gesture, but it made something warm settle in your chest.

Was he just being polite, or did it mean something more? You didn’t want to overthink it, didn’t want to confuse kindness for something else.

At the theaters, Spencer insisted on paying for your ticket. When you offered to cover snacks instead, he shook his head. “No, really, it’s fine.” He said, handing over his card before you could argue.

“Okay, well, now we have to go somewhere else after this. My treat.” You said, crossing your arms.

He tilted his head, considering for a moment. “We could get ice cream after?” He suggested.

You smiled. “That sounds nice.”

As the movie started, Spencer leaned in slightly, quietly translating the dialogue for you. At first, it was just a whisper here and there, but soon he got really into it, his voice subtly changing to mimic different characters, his hands gesturing slightly as he explained a scene.

You let out a small laugh.

“What?” He asked, turning to you with a small smile.

You shrugged, grinning. “You’re so good at translating. And getting into character, it’s honestly amazing.”

His expression shifted, something like pride flashing in his eyes before he looked down for a second, almost bashful. “Oh. Thank you.” He said, meeting your gaze again.

You hadn’t realized how close the two of you had leaned in until the moment. His hazel eyes held yours, the sounds of the movie fading into the background. Your breath hitched, and you quickly shifted in your seat, breaking the moment.

Spencer cleared his throat softly before returning to translating, but you could tell he’d noticed it too.

When the movie ended, you tossed the empty popcorn bucket and drinks into the trash bin. “So how’d you like the movie?” Spencer asked as you both walked towards the exit.

“It was really good, I didn’t expect to like it as much as I did.” You truthfully answered.

Spencer smiled, as he opened the door for you to exit the building. “They play foreign films here once a month. I’d be happy to come with you again. We could watch together.”

“I’d love that, it’ll be really fun.”

“Yeah.” He nodded. “I love films, and translating stuff.”

“I could tell.” You teased, giggling softly.

He glanced at you, something hesitant in his expression. “Still up for that ice cream?”

“Are you?” You asked. “If you don’t want to, it’s okay.”

“No-no I want to.” He assured you quickly. “I just wasn’t sure if you still wanted to.”

“I do.”

He nodded, a relieved smile tugging at his lips. “Perfect. I can leave the car parked, and we can walk to one?”

“That sounds good.”

As the two of you walked side by side down the sidewalk, you glanced up at him. “Do you usually go to these movies alone?”

He shrugged. “Yeah. Sometimes my friends join, but most times, it’s just me.”

That made you frown slightly. You didn’t understand how someone like him, someone so interesting, so kind, could go alone so often.

“Well, now you won’t have to.” You said looking up at him. He turned his head to you, a flicker of something soft in his expression. His stomach fluttered at your words.

As you both walked, your hand brushed against his. Instinctively, you pulled it back, quickly intertwining your fingers together in front of you. “Sorry.” You murmured.

Spencer shook his head. “No, it’s fine.”

You nodded, slowly letting your hands fall back to your sides. He noticed the way you kept fidgeting.

“You don’t have to be nervous.” He said.

You blinked. “Hmm?”

He glanced at you, his brows slightly furrowed in thought. “I can tell you’re nervous.”

Your stomach tightened slightly. “How?”

“Little things.” He said simply. “Like biting your lip, looking around a lot, touching the hem of your shirt.” He pointed out each thing, and you hadn’t even realized you were doing them.

“Oh.” You laughed softly, a little embarrassed. “I just- I don’t know. This is the first time I’ve ever gone out with someone who isn’t my friend.”

Spencer tilted his head, his lips twitching up slightly. “Oh? I thought we were friends.” He teased.

Your eyes widened slightly. “No-no, we are friends! I just meant my other friends.” You rushed to explain.

He chuckled. “I know what you meant. It’s okay.”

Then, he stopped walking.

You took a few more steps before realizing and turned to face him. “What?”

He shook his head, his gaze fixed on you with something unreadable.

You frowned. “What?” You asked again, playfully nudging his shoulder.

Spencer let out a small laugh, but then his expression grew more serious. “I like hanging out with you.” He admitted. His voice was quieter now, more thoughtful.

“And I don’t want to scare you, but… the little time we’ve spent together, at the café, and now today watching this movie, it’s made me just want to be around you more.”

Your breath caught in your throat. No one has ever said something like that to you before.

Your heart pounded as you swallowed, suddenly unsure of what to say. “Oh. That’s…nice.”

Spencer’s lips pressed together, and you could tell he was waiting for something more, something deeper. And you wanted to say more, you really did. But fear gripped you.

“Spencer, I-i feel a lot of things right now.” You admit, your voice barely above a whisper. “I feel nervous, scared, excited, happy- I can really go on. But I’ve never had a male friend before, never been in a relationship, and what am I saying? I could be misinterpreting this whole situation, you meant as a friend right? Like- you don’t mean romantically want to be around me more?” You were rambling, your words spilling out before you could stop them.

Your face was flushed, ears burning.

Spencer took a small step closer.

Your breath hitched.

“I’d like to get to know you better.” He said carefully, his voice steady. “And… see where we go.”

His hand found your elbow, gently squeezing it, his touch was warm and reassuring.

Your lips parted slightly. “Really? With me?”

It felt unreal.

Unreal that anyone could possibly see you in a romantic way, no one ever has.

Spencer nodded “With you.”

You exhaled, your heart racing. “I’ve never, I’ve never been in a situation like this. No ones ever wanted something with me before.”

“Well…I do.” He gave you a small, soft smile.

Your hands trembled slightly as you rubbed your face. Your chest felt tight, and your mind raced with thoughts you couldn’t untangle.

“Spencer, you don’t understand.” You whispered, your voice barely holding steady. “I don’t know how to be with someone. I don’t know what people do when they’re getting to know each other, I don’t- I don’t know.” Your words tumbled out, laced with panic, with doubt.

Spencer took another step closer to you, his expression soft but steady. “You do.” He said gently “We do it all the time. Every time we sit together in the café, every time we talk, every time we share something about ourselves, that’s us getting to know each other.”

You swallowed, looking at him, searching for some kind of reassurance in his face. He seemed so sure of what he was saying, so certain.

“But I don’t know what I’m doing.” You admitted, your voice cracking. “I could mess it up.”

Spencer shook his head, his eyes never leaving yours. “Y/n, I’ve never been in a relationship either.” His voice was soft but unwavering. “I don’t have all the answers, I know just as much as you do. But that’s okay. We can figure it out together.”

Your breath hitched as you stared at him. He meant it, every word. There was no hesitation, no doubt in his voice.

“All we have to do.” He continued “is keep doing what we’ve been doing. Spending time together, learning more about each other. And when we’re both ready, we’ll navigate whatever comes next. There’s no pressure, no expectations… just us.”

Something inside you shifted, something warm, something terrifying, something new.

You looked into his eyes, trying to believe in what he was saying. In him.

“Okay.” You whispered

A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips, his shoulders relaxing just slightly, as if he’d been waiting for that answer.

“Okay.” He echoed, as if sealing the moment between you.

For a few seconds, neither of you moved. The streetlights cast a soft glow around you, the distant hum of the city filling the silence. Then, without thinking, Spencer reached out, not hesitantly, not awkwardly, just gently, and let his fingers brush against yours.

It wasn’t a grand gesture. It wasn’t overwhelming. It was just enough. . .

hope you guys enjoyed this one <3

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@alastorssimp

~ also if you guys want to be tagged in all of my SR fics just lmk and I would love to ~

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[yvesssssssss]

Sakamoto days boys with a nonchalant s/o

(shin, natsuki, nagumo yoichi)

Anon request! Hope you enjoy it!!

Shin Asakura

Shin never thought he’d fall for someone so… calm. His life was full of noise—people’s thoughts constantly flooding his mind, emotions pressing against his skull, the chaos of the Sakamoto store, and the danger that followed him everywhere. And then there was you.

You, who barely reacted when someone tried to hold up the store. You, who blinked lazily at explosions instead of running. You, who—after Shin had thrown himself between you and an assassin—tilted your head and said, “You good?” like he hadn’t just risked his life.

At first, he thought it was indifference. That you didn’t care. But then he started noticing the little things. How you always checked his injuries, absentmindedly running your fingers over bruises like it was second nature. How you made sure his favorite drink was in the fridge. How, when he had a headache from too much telepathy, you simply pulled him down to lay in your lap, combing through his hair without a word.

One night, after a particularly rough mission, he collapsed onto the couch beside you, exhaling sharply. You glanced at him, completely unbothered, then scooted closer.

Wordlessly, you reached out, threading your fingers through his. Your hand was warm, grounding, steady.

Shin let out a slow breath, squeezing your fingers. “…You don’t talk much, huh?”

“You talk enough for both of us.”

That made him chuckle, low and tired. “Fair.”

You leaned over, pressing a soft kiss to his temple. “You think too much.”

Shin turned to look at you, lips parted slightly. “And you don’t think enough?”

You smirked. “Nah. I just know when to stop.”

His heart did something stupid in his chest. Because he realized—that was what he loved most about you. You weren’t careless. You weren’t detached. You just didn’t waste energy on things that didn’t matter. And when it came to him? When it came to this? You never hesitated.

And Shin never realized how much he needed that.

So yeah, maybe he fell for you harder than he expected. Maybe, when you rested your head on his shoulder and let him steal lazy kisses, he realized that quiet didn’t have to mean empty. That your steady heart was the safest thing he’d ever known.

Natsuki Seba

Natsuki liked attention. He liked praise, drama, flair. He was the type to stir things up just to keep life interesting. So when he met you, he wasn’t sure how to feel.

You were quiet in a way that wasn’t shy. Relaxed in a way that wasn’t lazy. No matter how much he bragged, how much he showed off, you barely reacted beyond a smirk and a slow blink.

One time, he tried to impress you at JCC, showing off a perfect shot. Everyone around him was hyping him up—cheering, clapping. You just glanced at the target, nodded, and said, “Nice.”

That was it.

At first, it bothered him. Did you not care? Did you not think he was cool?

But then, one night, he caught you watching him while he practiced. You were sitting on a ledge, chin resting in your hand, eyes following every movement. When he finished, you hopped down and handed him a water bottle.

“You work too hard,” you murmured, pressing the drink into his hands.

Natsuki huffed. “Gotta stay on top.”

You tilted your head, then shrugged. “You’re already the best.”

And damn. Damn. He felt his face heat up, because you said it so easily, like it was just a fact. No over-the-top praise, no theatrics. Just certainty.

After that, he got it. You weren’t unbothered—you just didn’t waste words on things that didn’t need them. And when you did say something, you meant it.

The first time you kissed him, it wasn’t some dramatic, fireworks moment. You just tugged him down by his collar, brushed your lips against his, and pulled back like it was nothing.

Natsuki blinked at you, completely thrown. “That’s it?”

You smirked, amused. “What, you want me to sweep you off your feet?”

“I mean—”

Before he could finish, you leaned in again, this time slower, warmer, teasing. And damn, if he didn’t melt into it.

Yeah. He was gone.

Nagumo Yoichi

Nagumo knew immediately—he had to have you. Not because you were easy to impress, but because you weren’t.

No matter what he did, you never flinched. Disguises? You saw through them. Jokes? You gave as good as you got.

The first time he flirted with you, leaning in with a sly grin, you simply raised an eyebrow.

“Are you trying to seduce me?” you asked, completely monotone.

Nagumo faltered for one second, then smirked. “Is it working?”

You tilted your head, pretending to think. Then, with the same deadpan voice, “Try harder.”

Oh. Oh, he was in love.

He made it his personal mission to crack your composure. He tried teasing you, throwing knives near your head (you barely blinked), flirting outrageously (you sipped your drink), even fake-dying (you nudged him with your foot and said, ‘You done?’).

But what really got him was the way you showed your affection. You never made a big deal about it, but you always noticed things. When he came back from a mission exhausted, you pulled him into your arms without a word. When he was fidgety, you grabbed his hand and ran your thumb over his knuckles.

And when he finally, finally got you to crack—when he kissed you deep and slow, and you let out the softest sigh against his lips—he felt like he’d won the best prize of his life.

“Gotcha,” he murmured, smug.

You rolled your eyes, but your grip on his collar tightened. “Shut up and kiss me again.”

Nagumo grinned. “Thought you’d never ask.”

And he did. Again, and again, and again. Because no matter how calm you were, this—you—made his pulse race every damn time.

[malikaihii]

“Me and y/n are not in a relationship.”

Ushijima Wakatoshi and you have been close for years. You grew up together. Though recently, the Dynamic had started to shift. You’ve started hanging out more, holding hands, even cuddling. You spend your nights watching him practice, and after you both go back to your dorm to watch movies. Even without ever saying anything, everyone knows you both are off limits.

You’ve never offically spoken about your feelings for one another, but the amount of time you’ve spent holding hands, staring at each other, and to be honest, just talking to him, shows that there’s something there. Ushijima isn’t known for being talkative, and while he never tells people to go away if they try, he rarely engages in conversations. He’s just not known for being a social person. But with you? He listens to everything. You may not notice how intently he’s listening, until suddenly, a week later, he brings it up again. You guys often go on dates, calling them just that. You spend almost all of the time that he’s not in volleyball or class, together. So it’s no shock that you just assumed you were dating.

Yet, here you are, standing outside his classroom door with his volleyball jacket in hand. He had left it in your dorm the night before and had asked if you’d bring it to him. You were just about to walk into the classroom when you heard Satori Tendou.

“So,” he drags, “did you hear Yoshida talking about how he has a thing for l/n?”

Wakatoshi frowns slightly, likely unconsciously.

“I see.”

Tendou groans, “That’s it? You’re not like jealous or upset at all?”

He knows that Wakatoshi doesn’t typically show emotion, but Tendou had thought he’d say something more interesting.

Ushijima ponders for a second before answering, “No, I don’t think so. Why would I be? Should I be?”

“Well, I mean, yeah? Some guy is into your partner? Doesn’t that bother you?”

Wakatoshi frowns deeper, “Me and y/n are not in a relationship.”

You knew you shouldn’t have been listening. It’s not nice to eavesdrop. But you just couldn’t help it. Honestly though, after hearing this you don’t know if you’d rather have just walked into the classroom or not.

Taking a deep breath, you enter the classroom.

“Hey, ‘Toshi! Here you go.” You say, trying your hardest to give a genuine-looking smile.

Wakatoshi nods and mutters a ‘thanks’. You say a quick goodbye to him and Tendou and walk away.

“Do you think they heard?” Tendou asks.

Wakatoshi had noticed your smile didn’t quite meet your eyes. It made him uncomfortable as he answered, “I don’t know.”

—-

You knew you shouldn’t be this upset. There’s no reason to be. Honestly, you shouldn’t have just assumed you were together anyway. Everyone knows Wakatoshi is a very serious and literal guy. Hell, you know that better than everyone. Though it does little to ease the sadness that seeps through as you’re sitting in class.

Despite trying to rationalize that he just hadn’t asked you yet, He hadn’t asked, so obviously you weren’t dating in his eyes, and you should have known that, you couldn’t help the sinking disappointment. Honestly, why would he want to date you? There’s not much special about you. You don’t have any major interesting part of you. I mean he’s literally a star volleyball player, he could have anyone. He just tolerates you for knowing you for so long.

As the class periods go by, all you can do is think about him. Next thing you know, lunch is suddenly here, and you’re dreading it. As you exit the classroom, walking as slow as possible, Wakatoshi catches up to you. He grabs your bag from your should as you walks beside you.

“You really don’t have to carry my bag, you know? I can carry it, it’s no big deal.” You tell him, trying your best to give him a small smile.

Wakatoshi frowns, he always holds your bag, why is it bothering you now?

“I always hold your bag, it is no trouble. Besides, I’m already holding it, no reason to give it back.”

You nod, walking the rest of the way to the cafeteria in silence.

Wakatoshi, however, is questioning everything in his mind. Why do you seem so upset? Did he do something? Why aren’t you rambling on about some random topic? He loves listening to you speak, so why aren’t you? He can tell you seem upset, it’s obvious. Well, maybe not to everyone, but he’s not just anyone. He knows you better than anyone. He’s been in love with you for years now. Of course he’d notice you’re upset.

As you enter the cafeteria and get your food, you still don’t speak outside of thanking the cafeteria workers. You even go as far as to throw in your earbuds as you eat.

This action causes Wakatoshi’s heart to hurt. You always talk to him during lunch, you most certainly never go out of your way to not have to talk to him.

Tendou and the over volleyball members at the table also notice something’s off. Usually you and Wakatoshi are off in your own little world, as you talk about anything and everything. Yet now, you’re completely closed off and Wakatoshi is frowning deeply.

“Did the lovers fight or something?” Semi asks Tendou.

“I don’t know.” Tendou answers, though he has a suspicion of what caused this.

After realizing that you both had finished eating, Wakatoshi has had enough. He grabs your tray, throwing both of your guys’ food away, then comes back to the table. Without words, he just grabs your hand and pulls you up.

“Uh, ‘Toshi? What are you doing?” You ask, rushing to put your earbuds away and grab your stuff as you follow him.

He stays silent, leading you to an empty hallway before turning to you.

“What’s wrong?”

He’s never been one to beat around the bush.

“Nothing.” You say.

His frown deepens, “That’s not true. You barely spoke to me after giving me my jacket earlier. You slightly argued over me holding your bag, despite me doing that everyday. And you’ve barely spoken a word to me, you even put your earbuds in. You never do that unless something’s bothering you, typically the cause is me upsetting you. So, what’s wrong?”

Your heart flutters at how much he noticed, but you still don’t answer. You opt to avoiding his eyes instead.

“Is this about what I said to Tendou? Did you hear? I don’t quite understand why that would upset you, but Tendou suggested it might.”

You sigh, knowing you needed to answer now, you didn’t really have a choice.

“I…I don’t know, I know we’ve never spoken about it. I guess just some part of me kind of just assumed we were dating already. I mean, we literally go on dates. It’s stupid, sorry I’m just being dramatic. I mean why would you like me?” You explain, laughing slightly to try and ease the awkwardness.

“It’s not stupid if it upsets you. I do like you. Why wouldn’t I? You’re nice, attractive, caring, and so much more. We aren’t dating. Not because I don’t want to, but because I haven’t asked you yet.”

You look up at his eyes.

“I’ve been trying to plan a nice way to ask you, I apologize for taking so long. I wish it was a better scenario, but I can’t wait any longer. Y/n, will you allow me to be your boyfriend?”

Your eyes widen, you really weren’t expecting this, “Of course, ‘Toshi. I mean I already thought we were together.”

You laugh lightly as he smiles.

“Tomorrow, 8pm, let’s go on a date, to celebrate.”

“ok, ‘Toshi.”

You both head back to lunch, only this time it’s with bright smiles and hands holding eachother.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A/N: i finally got around to editing it sorry for the errors, i was babysitting while writing. 😭😭

[hopegrasping]

I think we fundamentally value different things in art. I think you're someone who has access to college and values professionally made art over the hobbyist art I do and the art my family makes and their family before them because they didn't have a college education but still made do with what they had and they did damn good too.

I'm not saying you should never buy another piece of professionally made clothing ever again or that untrained people will 100% always do a better job than people who've had "proper training" or whatever you call it. I'm the "those with disabilities" you're talking about and we still try our best and we work within our limitations given we are at all capable. Don't discount disabled people simply because we have disabilities, we are not your counter argument. We are real people and not a nebulous hypothetical demographic of unfortunate souls with no skin in the game we have conviction and values and while we might not be able to do As Much As Often as the next guy, we do what we can where we can and that's a lot more than a lot of people regardless of their disability status can say. some may not be able to diy at all and that's okay but this post obviously isn't For people who literally can't do a diy project and those who are disabled and unable to do diy are aware of that. It's for people who feel intimidated bc all they every fucking hear is about how fuck ugly their seriously basic handicraft is going to be bc society has been conditioning us to thing only special people are artistic and I simply know that to not be true so I said so.

I say diy isn't inherently going to look like shit 100% of the time that that is a true and productive statement. and that every effort made to better your skills, while it may not be Product You Can Sell Quality, or The Cure To Sweatshop Labor Everywhere, it's a damn good thing to do, for other people, for the environment, and for yourself I have no idea what crawled up your ass to even give this post a wack ass rebuttal as if it ever needed one to begin with, but your "uh actually, you'll never be as good as a professional and thus should never sew a button bc it's gonna look terrible just trust me bro" reads as elitist at best.

I can't tell if you think poor people can't make things work (we can) or if you just love to blatantly ignore the real life daily abuse we know is happening as we are constantly directed to fund it but maybe whatever you got going on is a you problem and maybe you should read the room and step off my cringe ass hopecore Tumblr account during these trying ass fucking times? I'm trying to inspire people to be brave and do something good for others and themselves to keep myself afloat emotionally on this god forsaken planet and you are SO pissing in my Cheerios with your weird defeatist projection

you realize before you graduated you were still making incredible things, right? Things you should probably be proud of? You were building your knowledge with experience and learning as a supplemental part of the process and you Made Stuff? Since you were a kid? We're doing that too. Everyone is allowed and should feel beyond welcomed to do so. We will learn our own way and do without college or the proper materials because we don't Need college or the proper materials to make a wrap skirt or tote bag. I've made repairs using my own hair before because I couldn't afford thread, let alone a new piece of clothing and it looked FINE no one bothered me or noticed and I want everyone to know they have That much freedom to diy. I have thread now and my current diys are amateur yeah but they're Nice and I Like Them and that's all most of us need. People are incredible and amazing and I believe in our ability to excel in our endeavors regardless of our access to college, end of. Normal people making normal art because that's a normal thing you don't need to be special or wealthy to do that is what I am saying. Nothing more. Nothing less. Do you know how insufferable it is to say "Hey everybody! Let's do a little crafting! You can do it! :D" and wake up to someone the next day pisssssssing in your Cheerios? It sucks! It's stressful! You obviously weren't my target demographic! Leave people alone if they aren't hurting you! Go sew or something idk ur good at that right? I am, and that's what I'll be doing, I encourage everyone to do the same. Literally any of you can message me I will help you find resources if you couldn't tell I really believe in the moral and beneficial nature of diy I think even one project a year makes a difference but the more the better.

I can't believe I can post something with punk in the tag and have Anyone go "NUH HUH SEWING ISN'T ACCESSIBLE" there have been days where I had acess to a sewing needle but not food. It's inaccessible to buy all your tools at once and the exact fabrics you need from the fabric store, or even to thrift every item just to add bits and bobs to an already pricey piece. But myself and other and others before our time have been poor in style for decades and for centuries. You salvage thread from clothes you legitimately can't wear anymore. You sneak a pair of scissors from school if you're young, you'll find a needle eventually if you look at ground enough and pick up enough litter. Worst case needles are 1.25 at the dollar store. So is thread. Everyone should have access to sewing. I think that is important and I think it is important to not discourage people from engaging in diy

Let go of the idea that diy will inherently look shit. All your clothes are handmade you just don't see the people doing it.

[inthelibrarybtw]

you want me to pretend? | three

SERIES MASTERLIST

pairing: college!basketball!captain!rafe x college!student!reader content: fluff, teasing, college au, smau/irl

summary: You were trying to make one problem disappear. You were tired, so you lied. That small lie led you to contact the last person you wanted to ask for help. It wasn’t that you didn’t like Rafe; only that you didn’t want to deal with his constant teasing more than you already did. Also, you two weren't that close, but this one lie was going to bring you two closer and maybe help some truths come to light.

word count: 2.1k

authors note: I just want to thank everyone for all the love this has been getting, I love that you love them just as much as I do. Also thanks to @rafesbabygirlx for helping me decide what to do with this part.

02 | 03 | 04

Wednesday

He was shocked, to say the least. But he would be lying if he didn’t find it appealing. Also, even a bit cute that you had chosen to ask him for this out of all your friends. 

“Wait, let me see if I got it right…” he paused. “You want me to pretend to be your boyfriend for a night?” He asked, still shocked and trying to see if you were joking. But you never joked, at least not with him.

“Yes,” he knew you weren’t joking now so he decided to take the teasing route. 

“And what do I get from this?” he asked with a smirk on his face 

“A free dinner?” 

“Oh come on Y/N I know you can do better than that” he teased making you sigh 

“I don’t know… what do you want?” you start to feel actual panic setting in. How were you supposed to convince him? 

“I can think of a few things” he smirked, he was just making things difficult for fun, you didn’t find it funny. 

“Why do you have to be like this?” 

“It’s fun to see you annoyed” he smiled 

“You are the worst”

“Hate me all you want but we both know it’s all fake or you wouldn’t be here” he had to suppress the urge to boop your nose knowing it was going to piss you off. 

“I never said I hated you, you are just extremely annoying” 

“I like to say I’m charming”

“Full of yourself” 

“Who else am I supposed to be full of?” he lifted an eyebrow, and you sighed defeated.

“Rafe, please… I will owe you one no questions asked” 

“Oh well now that you say that” he smirked again taking a few steps to get closer to you. “I might take you up on that princess” he changed his tone to a more flirty one 

“You disgust me” 

“Ah don’t be like that, I’m your boyfriend now” he wiggled his eyebrows. His smirk was still plastered on his face. 

You felt a sense of relief at those words, he had agreed to help you. 

“Thank you” you gave him a half smile 

“Sure but I do have a few questions though”

“About?” 

“Why did you have to look for a pretend boyfriend?” 

“Long story” 

“Will I ever know?” 

“Maybe but not today.” you paused for a second “I’ll send you my location and let you know what I need you to do that day” 

“Fine by me” 

“Thank you again, really” 

“Thank me after I have charmed your parents” 

“Fine whatever, bye”

“Bye princess” 

“Can you not?” 

“You are my girlfriend now I have to be nice and sweet talk you” he smirked again, he was enjoying this a bit too much. 

“Fake one, and for a night”

“Let me have my moment” You rolled your eyes and walked away.

He saw you walk away with a big smile on his face. He shook his head and chuckled to himself before going back to his practice.

Thursday

Today - Friday

You had been anxious since the moment you woke up. Kelce hadn’t shown up to statistics that day because he had gone out with Nicki according to him to end things finally. So you had been left alone to deal with Rafe on your own. Anyone would expect him to be solely focused on basketball since he was captain, but no, he truly cared for classes and his grades. 

Just today he seemed a bit more chatty and you couldn’t wonder if it was because today was the day. Yes, THE day. 

“So tell me, why don’t you want people to know?” 

“Because I don’t. I’m not gonna tell people I had to look for a fake boyfriend because my parents pushed me to my limit” 

“Ah so there is a reason, and here I thought you didn’t want to share” 

“I said maybe so here I am, plus it seemed fair to tell you since you agreed to help me” 

“Aw thanks” he put a hand over his chest pretending to feel touched. “So tell me more” 

“My mom has been a bit worried I haven’t dated a guy in more than a year and lately she has been more pushy and all that so I lied saying I had been seeing this guy for the past two months to keep her quiet”

“And I’m guessing it didn’t work as you expected…” 

“Yeah, they asked for his name and all”

“Okay wait…”  he smirked “So you said my name?” You rolled your eyes and sighed. There was no point in denying it. 

“Yes but only because you were texting the group chat nonstop and then to my chat so I panicked and said your name” he felt the honesty in your words but he was going to take the chance and tease you. 

“No need to make excuses I feel honored that you thought of me” 

“You love to have something to tease me with” 

“Oh yes I do” 

You kept the small talk for a bit more until it was time to work. You did all your classwork together and finished first. 

“Okay so one more question, how did we meet? How did we start dating? I’m assuming they will ask questions” You turned to look at him; a sense of relief washed over you. He was going to help you. 

“Yeah… let’s just say Kelce introduced us, which is the truth, and…” he cut you off

“He invited you to a game, he introduced us and we hit it off” 

“Sound believable so it’s okay” 

“Now hobbies, I know you like reading but like things we do together” 

“Uh… watching movies, I guess I go to your games” 

“That’s kind of a given, let’s say you are my lucky charm” he teases and you chuckle. You had to admit it, he was being more positive than what you had expected. Maybe the dinner wouldn’t be that horrible.

After the unexpected call, you continued with your stress-baking. It always helped you to take your mind off things and for the hour and a half hour that it took you to bake, you had accomplished not thinking about anything else. You noticed the time and decided to start getting ready. 

You went to your room to get ready. The first thing you did was go through your closet to find something nice to wear, you settled on a floral dress you liked and called it a day. With your dress on you went to do your hair and after that, you sat down to put makeup on. As soon as you started doing your makeup and humming to the songs that were playing you got lost in the process and found comfort in something you did almost daily. 

By the time you were done, it was almost time and the nerves settled in for good this time. As soon as the doorbell rang you felt a pit in your stomach. You took a deep breath and walked down to open the door.

When you got downstairs, your mom was about to open the door. You tried to hurry, but it was too late, and she was already opening it.  

“Hello! You must be Rafe.”  

“I am, nice to meet you,” he said, extending his hand to her.  

“Mom, I was going to get the door.” You finally entered his field of vision. He felt time stop for a second; you looked beautiful. You always looked put together, but today was different—your hair, the dress, the makeup; it was all different.  

“Well, look at you, princess! You look beautiful,” he said as he walked in, kissing the top of your head. You gave him a soft smile. Meanwhile, your mom looked at the scene in front of her, her heart leaping at what she was seeing.  

You felt extremely awkward, but after taking another deep breath, you took Rafe’s hand and guided him to your living room. For Rafe, the house felt cozy, and it made sense that you were how you were if you had grown up in a place like this.  

When you walked into the living room, you were met by your dad reading something on his phone.  

“Dad, this is Rafe… Rafe, this is my dad.” Your dad lifted his gaze and smiled as he stood up.  

“Ah! You are the guy she hasn’t stopped talking about all week.” You hadn’t done it on purpose, but they had been asking a lot of questions about him, and you answered. Rafe just chuckled and squeezed your hand gently, as if marking that comment to tease you later.  

“It’s a pleasure to meet the parents of this pretty girl,” your dad smiled at the comment.  

“Come on, sit down,” your mom motioned to the couch.  

“So, Y/N tells me you play basketball.”  

“Yes, I have been captain since last year. It has been a great experience so far.”

With that, the conversation flowed. You still felt like you were in flight or fight mode, but seeing how Rafe was handling the situation was better than you had expected. You had moved to the dining room to have dinner, and the conversation had continued. Your parents had asked every question they could imagine. Now Rafe was telling the story of how you two had met.  

“We have friends in common, and for a game, she was sitting with them in the stands, and I couldn’t stop looking at her during the whole game." He paused. "I had seen her in a class before and barely exchanged words, but I knew I had to talk to her. So at the end of the game, I asked one of our friends to introduce us, and he did.”  

It was all half-truths; you two had met in a class, and that same week, you had gone to one of his games not knowing he was playing. You all had hung out that day after the game, and from that point forward, you two had, in a way, become friends—more acquaintances since you two never hung out just the two of you or talked outside of college and homework.  

"That’s so sweet! Who is the friend?"  

"Kelce," you both answered simultaneously.  

"We’ll thank him next time we see him for bringing you into her life." At that moment, you panicked; no way that was happening.  

"I’m going to make sure to tell him," Rafe said, reassuring your mom. You turned to look at him.  

"You are a good one, Rafe," your mom said.  

"Well..." you paused. "I’m going to bring the dessert."  

"Do you need help?" Rafe asked, and you nodded. He excused himself and followed you to the kitchen. Once the two of you were out of earshot, he spoke.  

"Your parents are great," he said as you pulled a berry cheesecake out of the fridge. "Oh wow, that looks amazing"  

"They are, and thanks. I take pride in my baking," you smiled, setting the cheesecake on the counter to take out some new plates.  

"You bake?"  

"I do; it’s one of my hobbies."  

"Hmm, you are full of surprises."  

"What can I say?" you replied with a smile, exiting the kitchen.  

He grabbed the cheesecake and brought it to the table as you placed the plates next to it. As soon as it was served and everyone was seated, the conversation continued as if nothing had happened. Everything that you hadn’t discussed how to answer came out naturally. During dinner, both you and he saw each other in a different light. You had learned so much about him thanks to your parents' questions, and he had learned so much about you from the way you interacted with your parents and from what your mom had told him about you.  

He understood why it had been a big deal for your parents when you had told them about dating someone. You didn’t know, but your mom had shared a bit of the backstory, and it had made him feel some kind of way. He could see how much your mom cared for you, and seeing you so heartbroken last time had worried her. She didn’t want you to close yourself off before, so seeing him there had assured her you were going to be okay. He was never going to bring this up with you, even though he was curious about what had happened.  

When everyone noticed the time, it was 9:25 PM. Rafe helped clear the table and began saying his goodbyes. You sighed silently; it was finally over, and it had gone great.  

"Rafe, before you go, why don’t you come over on Sunday?" your dad asked right as he was about to leave. Your face dropped; this was supposed to be just one night.

taglist: @zyafics @maybankslover @niaunoffical @marleymarleymarleymarley @rafesbabygirlx @akobx @papercranesandinkstains @drewstarkeyspecs @winterivory @my-name-is-baby @drunkinthemiddleoftheday @drewrry @ursogorgeous13 @pr3tty-pink @lmaowhatt @reeseswirl @xoxosblogsblog @lili-swagalicious @ayy1234567 @rihannamars @congratsloserr @moonywhisp3rs @iamheretoread1234 @rafesdrew @bee-43 @pogueprincesa @cokewithcameron @landososcar if you want to be added send an ask or comment! :) follow and turn on notifications on @inthelibrarybtw-notifs to get updates on everything i write

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INTHELIBRARYBTW ✧.*

[aninipanin1]

HOW DID YOU TWO MEET?

Notes: Nothing but pure fluff! AU about Adult Miss or rather Mrs. Manager with each love interest hehehe. Also, since this is an AU it might not be accurate to the future of the BLLK players so please forgive me.

LAVINHO

"What do you want now, mi niña y niño?" A deep chuckle left his mouth, catching the two who crashed beside him on the couch, laying their upper bodies on his lap. 6-year-old Rey and 3-year-old Ana found themselves splayed across their father's hold.

"Papa! Papa! Guess what?" The energetic boy asked, bouncing on the couch to which the blonde man just raise an eyebrow at.

"What? What's got you two so energetic so early?" He laughed, booping both their noses which only made the two flinch before pouting at the ticklish feeling.

"We asked Mama how you two met, but she told us to ask you instead... Can you tell us, por favor?" The meeker of the two, Ana asked a little shy. Now that got Lavinho's attention, smirking at the two, albeit teasingly.

"Por què? What's got you two so curious, huh?"

"Our friends all know how their mama and papa met, but we don't. Please, Papa?" He was not planning to hide the story on how you both met, but the siblings' case became a little stronger when they gave him their irresistible puppy eyes. He knew he can never say no to their puppy eyes.

He was always impressed with how you managed to say no to their cute eyes, but alas, someone has to be the strict parent, and he was not built to be that parent to the two.

"¿Por què no? Come here." He pulled the two in and started to tell them about his time in Blue Lock and how you saw him first at a party (child friendly version of a bar), but seriously met at the Facility.

"What's Blue Lock, Papa?" Rey asked curiously.

"You two were not born yet then, but it was a place where young brats competed in Football."

"Ooh! Did Papa win?!"

"Yeah! Papa is the best player ever!" The man just laughed heartily, definitely feeling his ego being boosted by the enthusiastic praise from.his bel9ved children.

"Right?! But Papa did not compete. He only taught some people there, like your Uncle Bachira and Uncle Otoya." And to that, they gasped, after all these years you remained in contact with the Blue Lock players, but due to Bachira and Otoya playing for Barcha and your family living in Spain, the kids were the closest to the two.

"Really?! Wow...Papa is so cool!"

"Yeah! Uncle Bachira and Uncle Otoya are very good players! So that means Papa is good too!"

"Of course! But, the moment I met your mama, I was so stunned you know? She was very smart and pretty, so Papa felt a little starstruck."

And there was no lie to it. He did remember his team laughing and mocking him for being too wonderstruck whenever you talked to him that he would shut his mouth up, which was weird and so not his usual cool and energetic self.

But, then again, who can blame him? You were always so hot, and even after so many years, that did not change.

"Mama is always pretty!" Ana exclaimed, always looking up to her beloved mother. After all, you will always be the prettiest woman in her eyes, and she wishes she could be like you when she grows up.

"Mama is smart! She helps me with homework." Rey nodded, remembering the many nights you would stay up with him just to help him with all of his schoolworks or teaching him lessons he did not get.

"She is. Buuuut, Papa did have to win your mama over, since there were other men like me who liked her." He said with a laugh, remembering the old days where his fellow mentors and some other players would try to win you over. The several shenanigans from him and the others were definitely entertaining and he did miss the competition a bit.

However, he loves his life with you now even better. And, he would never let his ex-competitors live the fact that you became HIS wife and not theirs.

"Mama...Papa's laughing like a maniac again." Rey pointed out. Lavinho has been laughing evilly for a few seconds now as he remembered his pathetic ex-competitors. Unbeknownst to him, you already walked in the living room from the kitchen, raising an eyebrow at your husband.

"Mama...is Papa okay?" Ana asked, holding unto your pants, worried for her father. Meanwhile, you just rolled your eyes at the man, before carrying the little girl while holding the little boy's hand.

"He's fine, that's just how your Papa is. Let's eat breakfast, shall we?"

CHRIS PRINCE

"Please, Daddy! Tell us!"

"Aww, of course! What do you want to know, my little princesses?" Chris asked, patting the twin girls' hair. Alice and Elise are both curious kids, getting their father's athleticism and mother's curiousity and intelligence.

It was definitely both a blessing and a curse, seeing as to how they are always so full of energy, running around in full speed while also talking everyone's ears off with the most ridiculous questions a person can ever ask.

However, to Chris, his little girls were the cutest to ever live! No single part of them was annoying to him, no matter how many questions they asked (mainly because he was also annoying), and he is almost always the one to quickly entertain any of the girls' questions.

"How did you and Mommy meet?!" Elise asked from her place on her father's chest, her little hands busy with playing with his blonde hair, the same hair that mirrored that of the twins.

Now that got him smirking, tuning to both the twins, who looked more than eager to hear the story.

"Do you really wanna know?"

"Yes! Yes please daddy!" Alice cheered, abandoning her busy work at playing with her father's larger hands. The two snuggled close to Chris' chest, eyes wide while looking up at him expectantly, which only made the man laugh.

He then started to recount the moment he met you, how you were oh so oblivious to him and the rest of the men's attempts at winning you over and how, eventually, you started to return his feelings.

"What did you do, daddy? How did you make mommy love you?"

"Weeell, it was not easy. The first time I asked your mommy on a date, it was because it was all a huge mistake. I asked her out on a date, but she thought I meant by a meeting and...well, I wore a fancy outfit while she wore her cute tracksuit. Turns out I was a little too vague, buuut it all worked out in the end, and she ended up agreeing on a second date." He sweatdropped at the memory, feeling so bad to see you so confused.

He did act like a pussy, not being clear enough with his intentions but till this day, he is oh so thankful he made that mistake. Else, if he did ask you clearly out on a date, then there could have been a larger possibility of you saying no to him. That meant the domino effects that happened would have never happened.

And, at the end of it all, he probably would not have the beautiful family he currently has now. He could not even imagine not having his three beloved girls, they were his everything, his pride and joy.

"So that means Daddy is happy even if it all started as a mistake?" Elise asked to which the man just patted her head.

"Of course! If it did not happen, then both of you wouldn't be here. Besides...it did not seem like your mother minded me on that date-"

"Minded you on what?"

You asked, entering the front door after going on a quick run to a nearby store, only to find your family giggling away on the couch while in the middle of talking about something entertaining it seems.

Well, as entertaining as something relating to you, that is, because you did hear your name earlier.

"Mommy! You're back!" You smiled at the greeting, hugging Alice, who immediately stuck on your leg.

"Hi, pumpkin. What are you guys talking about?" Sitting on the couch beside Chris, you turned to them with a questioning look in your eye. The man just wrapped one arm around you before turning to the girls on both of your laps.

"I'm just telling the kids about how we met, darling."

"Oh...well, did you tell them about how you threw a tantrum when Snuffy-san took me out on a date before you did?" Now that made him stop, eyes turning into a glare of jealousy as you and the girls started to chuckle at his reaction.

"Hey, in my defence, I met you before he did! And I have been flirting with you ever since I met you. Don't I deserve a date before him?" He frowned, his arm wrapping around your shoulder before placing his head ontop of your shoulder.

"I guess. But hey, who's ahead of who now, right?"

Chris' eyes looked down at you, his beautiful wife of years now, and the twins whom he love very much and thought, yeah you were right. He did win in life, didn't he?

MARC SNUFFY

"I'm home!"

The player stored his shoes on the rack before plopping his bag on the couch. Looking around the living room, he was a bit confused seeing as to how it was so unusually quiet.

"Dear? Matteo? Where are you both?"

He raised an eyebrow at this. Going up the stairs, a smile slowly appeared on his lips the moment his ears picked up on soft, familiar giggles and laughs coming from one of the rooms.

Opening the door, there he found you sitting on your shared bed with him while holding up with what seemed to be an old photo album. Beside you was Matteo, who was unblinking while looking at the pictures in awe, sometimes nodding to what you told him or even laughing at some stories you told while he laid his head comfortably on your pregnant belly.

"Oh, welcome home, love! Sorry we didn't hear you." You said the moment you lifted your head and found your husband standing in the doorway. The moment Matteo noticed his father, he jumped off the bed before hugging Snuffy's leg.

"Welcome home, Dad! Did you know? Mom is showing me pictures of what Blue Lock is." Now he raised an eyebrow at that, very much amused and curious of what you told the little boy.

"Hm, is she now? What did she tell you?"

"Teo was curious about how we met and well... I told him about Blue Lock, what happened, and how we met." You answered for the boy, patting the space on the bed beside you. Getting the signal, Snuffy carried Matteo in his arms before sitting beside you, looking down on the pictures.

"I also tried to explain the hard words Mom said to little sis!" Matteo bragged, caressing your stomach once again.

Ever since you started showing, Matteo has been obsessed with talking and touching your belly, showing his excitement to meet his little sister. Snuffy laughed at the enthusiasm before reaching his hand over to pat his head.

"You're a really great big brother already, Teo. You're doing so good, buddy."

The boy's smile brightened, eyes wide in satisfaction before nodding his head excitedly. Finding his place next to you again, the boy pointed at another picture on the album.

"Ooh, where did you go this time, Mom?" His little finger pointed at the picture of you in the familiar museum from Kamakura, a place you will never be able to forget. After all, it was where your love story started, and it is the reason why you have the beautiful family you had now.

"That is where you and your mother had our first date. Well, to me, it was, since she was too oblivious for her own good. And well...it's also where I fell in love with her." Snuffy answered for you, his eyes filled with blissful nostalgia. Just remembering that time, where it felt like time slowed down and it was only just you and him.

Where attraction turned into something deeper, and it started his eventual deep fall for you. The time and place where the start of something more meaningful than just finding you beautiful. It felt just like yesterday, but now, he is happily married to that same woman, who gave him a beautiful son and is preparing to give him another wonderful blessing in a form of a baby girl.

"Wow... Mom's hair was (shorter/longer) before..."

"It was. She looks pretty, doesn't she?"

"Yeah!" A chuckle escaped your lips before ruffling both their hairs away.

"Flattery will get you nowhere, you two." Looking at the two, you sweatdropped seeing the same grin both on their faces. Dang, Matteo really is just a copy of his father. In fact, it was a running joke the moment you gave birth to the boy, teasing Snuffy about how he did not need a DNA test to verify that Matteo was his.

"I just hope our little girl won't get both of your mischievousness because I need an ally too, you know?"

Your husband just shrugged at that before giving you a back hug, rubbing your swollen stomach.

"We'll see. But we all know you prefer when we act this way."

"Hmm, maybe. But don't count too much on it." And with one last bickering argument, you both turned to the questions your little one still kept barraging you both, his little mind filled with wonders and inquiries about how such a facility managed to bring in the two most in love people that he has ever seen in his yet short life.

NOEL NOA

"What happened..?"

Noa blinked his eyes at the two little boys who looked up at him innocently, offering an old memory card. Emile and Yves were absolutely covered from head to toe in dust and cobwebs, a sight that would probably have you shrieking and scolding the two boys for being messy and him for being irresponsible.

"We found this papa..!"

"Did you two go to the attic unattended again? You know your mother won't be happy about that, especially since she forbid you two many times from going up there."

"But we wanted to find new toys!"

Noa sighed. To anyone else, he may look like the helicopter parent, the one who makes the rules and punishes the kids for breaking the rules. But actually, he was akin to more of an old and done father, who just lets the kids while you were left to do more of the parenting in the house.

Mostly because he believed that trial and error was the best teacher. He did not want his kids to experience the hardships he went through, yes, but he also does not want to spoil them so much that they can not stand on their own foot. So, he finds more of the balance when it comes to it.

Although, he does get scolded by you sometimes for being too lenient at times. But, he always did reason that boys will be boys, especially due to the age of the two.

"Just remember, if your mother finds out, I won't get in the way of her scolding you two, so I suggest you take a shower now before she comes home." He sighed, voice not threatening but more of warning them of the consequences, and that he wanted them to solve the problems they created themselves rather than have him help them in everything they did.

"Oh... right! Okay, Papa! C'mon Yves, I'll prepare a bubble bath for us!" Emile, being the oldest, naturally took more of the lead, holding and guiding his younger brother's hand to the bathroom where they both took a shower (although a bit messily).

While the two busied themselves on the tub with Noa guarding outside the door in case something happened, he noticed the memory card that the two placed on the side table momentarily.

Picking it up, he found it quite familiar. Ah, it was your memory card of some pictures and videos you took back when in Blue Lock. You used to obsess over filling the space of the card with memories of the facility, and now it became like some sort of time capsule for you to look back upon.

"Papa! We're done...what do you do with that?" Yves, who was trying his best to dry himself clumsily with a towel, looked at the weird chip in confusion. Of course, they did not know what a memory card is anymore.

"It's a memory card. There are pictures and videos here. It's your mother's." He answered, helping to dry the boy and urging the two children into new clothes.

Due to the curiousity of the two, Noa pulled your old laptop from under the bed (that to his surprise, still worked) before plugging in the memory card to be bombarded with dozens of folders filled with pictures of videos. Some unfamiliar like the ones from before the Neo Egoist League, with some familiar and even included him too.

"Ooh! Papa, it's Uncle Kaiser and Uncle Isagi!" Yves cheered, remembering the two men who would always visit you and in turn meet up with the two boys. Although, Uncle Isagi will of course, always be the favourite (he spoils the two A LOT, unlike intimidating Uncle Kaiser).

"It is."

"Is that Mama?!" Emile pointed at the picture of younger you. Noa blinked at this and nodded, pulling the two kids closer to his chest as they started to slip from sitting on each of his thighs.

"It is your mama when she was younger."

"No Yves or Emile?" The younger boy asked to which their father shook his head.

"No. This was also before me and your mama were married or even together." It has been a while since he reminisced about the past. Noa, after all, is not the type of person to dwell in the past, especially his messed-up past.

But, all his firsts and moments with you were definitely something he deemed worth looking back on, especially now that he carried in his arms the testament of how far you both truly came, asking him with innocent questions about the time where they did not exist yet.

And for once, he found a small smile appear on his face. One with satisfaction about the whole result. Because, no matter how much he tries to look at it in a logical perspective on how a family will kust hold back his already booming career, the emotions were just too strong for him to just abandon you and the kids.

And for once, Noel Noa let his emotions rule instead of cold, hard logic.

Blue Lock is WRITTEN by Kaneshiro Muneyuki and ILLUSTRATED by Nomura Yusuke. All credits to the both of them.

[aithusarosekiller]

You know how ghosts are stuck the way they died? Imagine if regulus became a ghost and he was permanently stuck with a torn up face, hazed over eyes, and coughing up water that isn't even there anymore. He's always just...choking and digging his nails into his palms, struggling to ever get a word out

Because that would be so cool when the order moved in. For ages it had just been Kreacher looking after him (as much as you can look after a ghost) and regulus watching him continually fail to destroy the locket. Sirius isn't there for long before he starts inviting the entire order in so he doesn't even know there's a ghost inside the house. He tries to stay hidden for a while by staying in the attic or in his own room because for some reason it's one of the only places they aren't trying to renovate? (He doesn't know that Sirius explicitly told them not to touch that room)

Dumbledore is the first to know he is there. Regulus picks up the habit of eavesdropping and one day he's listening in and hears dumbledore pause and say 'you can come in'. He looks around but there is nobody there. He waits. 'I'm talking to you, yes. Come in, please, there is little a ghost can do to sabotage our strategy.' He realises that he is talking to him just as the door opens and he's met with a sea of shocked faces, including tonks, who had been the one to open the door. Dumbledore may have called him in but Severus is the first person to recognise him. Sirius doesn't, which hurts a little but he rolls his eyes (in his mind, it hurts too much to actually move them) and tries to forget it. Besides, it's not like Alastor, Remus, Molly, Kingsley, or any of the others recognised him that quickly

It takes Severus standing up and saying 'Black, we weren't expecting you' for people to begin to catch on to what was happening, including Albus. His face is so destroyed and unrecognisable that even when it has been said, people take a moment to realise that this grotesque shimmering blue figure is supposed to be the well-cared-for, wealthy, strong young warrior they had known or heard of.

He almost instantly starts choking and stumbling and Severus lurches forward a little to help before realising that there's nothing they can do but wait. When Regulus recovers he tries to smile out of awkwardness but it hurts and looks ghastly. Everybody wants to ask what happened to him but they seem to be afraid to. They soon realise that either he cannot talk due to the physical damage to his face or he can speak but it makes him choke and hurts too much to be worth it

After that, hes allowed to sit in on order meetings and technically he can go around the house as he wishes but in reality it isn't that simple. Molly is always trying to keep the kids far away from him and he can't exactly blame her. He's scary to look at and he used to be a member of murder cult. He couldn't even articulate why anybody should believe that he wasn't still a loyal death eater but it seemed that the rumour people had taken to was that he'd died a coward. Maybe it wasn't to far from the truth. The others don't really talk to him because they either don't know him or don't trust him. Remus speaks to him once. Severus tries to connect with him as best as he can. Alastor clearly does not want him around, he never looks away from him.

Sirius joins him in his room occasionally, they just sit in relative silence unless Sirius feels like talking. He'll say something along the lines of 'you look worse than me when I got out of Azkaban' or 'what happened to you, kid?' and regulus would have a choking fit and that would be it, back to silence.

The only time he talks is the time he approaches Sirius for the first time. It's during breakfast and other people are already down so they have a small audience. He walks into the kitchen, looking around to see how everybody is doing. He starts to choke and feels his limbs fail him. It's like drinking the potion all over again and he'll never get used to it. Sirius and Bill try to talk in order to bring him down from it and afterwards, he's curled in the corner like a scared animal, looking g up at them through dripping hair. He looks right at Sirius, manages to say 'I'm sorry', then starts to choke again

[xo-adeline]

"I could never choose to love another..."

⋆°• ☁︎ - In celebration of the end of book 7!

Feat. Silver Vanrouge

AN: Silver Vanrouge supporter since day one!! Plus, Silver's new card is ethereal, I love it so much

Was it weird how when Lilia saw you his first idea was to call you Leia? Absolutely. Did it continue forever even after you had told him your real name? Of course! Was it even more strange now that Lilia had this weird thing with making you and the sleepy second-year of Diasomnia be together whenever he could get the chance? Hell yeah! Would you ever figure out why? Nope.

Well, not all hope was lost when you suddenly made it into Lilia’s dream and there were many mentions of somebody with the same name that future Lilia called you, the only issue was they all seemed not super pleased when the name came up in conversation, especially when tacked onto the word ‘human’. As time and time progressed you could only feel worse about how the Lilia you knew actually felt about you, as the one from the past hated the name. The name had been thrown around more than you could think when the four of you had stumbled upon Henrick, and the Knight of Dawn, to which Lilia, in the process of running, had explained the relation of the name Leia towards the hatred of the two men standing between the castle and the group.

The wife of the Knight of Dawn.

Why in sevens earth would Lilia ever relate you to the wife of one of their worst enemies? He must have really hated you…

As you ran out of the castle with the egg in tow, there were many thoughts flowing through your head, why the name? Was this really the Malleus? Was there any way that everybody would make it out of this? Much to the dismay of the plan that seemed full proof, there was a loud crash before you were pulled behind Silver, who had been close to you the whole time you were there. Out, a few feet in front of Lilia was the Knight of Dawn, the one person that you actually needed to get away from.

You all were done for.

That was until he looked over at the group, noticing Lilia with the egg, and you, standing slightly behind Silver, looking at the man now standing in the pile of rubble. The only thing that you could notice when the mask broke was the fact he had been staring straight at you, not the main fact of how much he looked like the boy currently standing in front of you. It almost looked like the blonde had wanted to say something before just heading off back towards the main fight, not daring to take the chance to get the egg in arms reach of him, thank the sevens for that.

When all was said and done, Malleus was finally defeated and everything started to go back to normal there was still the lingering question of what the hell they were all talking about when addressing you even just being around you, for hells sake Maleanor was about to attempt murder the first time you even spoke. There was only a laugh that escaped the fae’s mouth when you had seemed so worried about it, and he only laughed louder when you asked if it was really because he hated you and didn’t wanna say anything. Lilia had only shook his head when you had almost started to walk away before handing you something, he had only said it was supposed to be given to you by Malleus but every time the delivery had missed you, and everything would be better shown and not explained. Which only left you more confused when you started this conversation.

The invitation was today at the same castle as the dream, only this time it was covered in black thorns and much darker than when you had originally seen it, but that must have been a hundred years ago. You would be a little surprised when you saw both Silver and Malleus again, but it would quickly change to an expression of awe when you saw the magic between Lilia and Malleus start to take shape and the people gone for years appear around you. Starting with the way the man who had moved next to you a few minutes ago’s parents. Standing and staring at him, the Knight of Dawn, and Princess Leia, which is when you noticed it. The replica of the family.

Of course, over the time that you had first met Silver out in one of the courtyards where he had fallen asleep. You had stayed out there with him just to make sure that he was okay, and nobody was messing with him, you two had gotten close. And it was only after that, when you had been hanging out in the Library with Silver when Lilia first met you, which by the looks of it, he had just straight related you to the love story he had first seen with humans, the love been the princess and the knight, and of course it didn’t help that you already looked like them.

Lilia was never trying to say he didn’t like you, quite the opposite actually. There was a sweetness to the words, almost a blessing of future love between you and his son, and the second you had turned to your left turning to look to the silver-haired man next to you, noticing the similarities to both of you and his parents, there he stood, fidgeting with a silver ring in his hands as he slowly started to speak.

“…there’s been something I’ve been meaning to ask you for a while… but I was to scared to… but after everything we’ve been through I feel that there is no better time than now. I already asked many people who look after you about this. I got blessings from them, which has now led to this stage… (Name), will you go out with me….?”

You let out a small smile when he asked, only he would make this sound like a proposal when he was just asking you out.

“Of course…”

He let out a genuine smile before slipping the ring on you and whispered.

“…It’s just a promise… a promise to be the best boyfriend, and eventually… be an even better husband…”

There were some things in stories that would have never made sense before you had ended up here: true love, dragons and sword fights, and even men would weren’t complete douchebags. But yet somehow, maybe there was a chance, and that chance had followed the footsteps of his parents, and found the one not only would go to war for, but also protect with his life.

⋆°• ☁︎ Bonus! ⋆°• ☁︎ The second that Silver had stepped away to go talk with his real parents, Lilia had came over next to you.

“Told ya’ I didn’t hate you!”

You laughed as he continued

“I just noticed the similarities, and maybe was pushing on it that you and Silver would fall in love… I mean I saw the way he looked at you when we were finally introduced. Isn’t that right, Leia~?

[creatingblackcharacters]

hello! i’m kind of looking for some advice from you or anyone who might have dealt with the same thing. i’ve always been outspoken about racism that i’ve faced irl and online and i’ve had some non-black friends that have always supported me in messages and listened or were open to hearing me when i talked about things they’ve done or said that have made me uncomfortable. but i’ve taken a step back and noticed that i’ve been saying the same things over and over to them with no real change in behavior. a particular instance was after several times of mentioning a specific author and their racism made me uncomfortable, they were still laughing and promoting and fawning over said author with a vague “i know some people don’t like this.” and when i mentioned it, and being tired of feeling like a resource more than a friend at times, i was ghosted.

i see them sometimes on here or insta or wherever else and they’re always boasting about being so progressive and standing on business and how they can’t be friends with people who don’t support BLM or Palestine. and i wonder if they care or ever really cared about these issues or if it’s all performative. i think they think they care but then if they do then why wouldn’t they care when it came to me? or they’ll make posts about how white shouldn’t be the default in fandom, and get tons of praise and people flock to it but when i said the same, nobody said anything.

it feels like i’m only good to privately teach non-black people how to not be racist so they can post about it and be applauded. and it feels lonely, like i have to wait and sus out everyone’s intentions when they talk to me to see if they actually care about me or these issues. and even then, there were people that i really thought did care and they didn’t. or maybe it’s me and the way i’m approaching things but there’s only so many ways i can politely say this thing is racist and it hurts to see people i thought cared about me praise it in front of me. and i shouldn’t have to be polite about it after several times but then i’m a bitch if i’m stern about it. it’s like i can never win, there’s nothing i can do, and i don’t ever want to stop trying or not say something but it feels so lonely. and obv i know they aren’t worth getting upset over but at the same time i felt close to some of these people and was vulnerable with them and it sucks that i’ve lost what i thought were real, in some cases years long, friendships while they just continue on like nothing’s changed.

and it’s like how do you come to terms with that? that you’ll never be friends with those people again? that you never were friends with them? how do you get over the anger at seeing them come here and get thousands of likes for saying a basic “white isn’t the default” when you get called slurs and threatened for the saying the same thing?

I feel bad that I don't have any uplifting words to give you, because I go through the same thing. Just did, yesterday, that lil painful reminder that some people that you were once or want to be close with... Will pick antiblackness for the sake of entertainment over you. Or will support someone else for saying or doing the SAME thing you did (from fandom to politics!), because it's safer to support them doing those things than it is to support a Black person doing them. It's annoying ASF.

Unfortunately, I've grown jaded, recognizing that I don't have the ability to have as many friends as I'd like on this website because supporting actual Black people is far harder than just reblogging posts that look progressive from safe nonblack people who- like them- understand the safety net of being able to back out at any time, that there is always Something that will be worth more than their support for you.

And so I go into this basically expecting that you simply cannot trust that most people will not find that thing, and move accordingly. Protect your heart. My rule is that if I see you reblogging nonblack people (fandom or politics) on Black topics or Black images and characters, but you are never around Real Black People (except when you want something), you are probably not to be trusted as an ally, and I won't be disappointed nor invested when you inevitably aren't. You have not shown to me that you actually care about me as a real person, but as a concept, a Barbie doll, that makes you look and feel "better". I am not your Negro!

It helps that I've (mostly) surrounded myself with people who DO reach that (basic, imo!) standard of being able to stand up for their own rights, but also standing up for mine at the same time. These are people I've seen in the trenches with me and mine, building that solidarity and actually platforming Black voices and activists and bloggers even though they know that being pro-Black often inspires anger and disgust within their own community. I also surround myself with other Black people; it's far less lonely and more empowering to know you're not alone or making it up.

And for me, dare I say it- and I know it's hard- but I think that anger is good. You should be angry. You have every right to be angry. I'm not sure I ever want to become complacent with such a feeling, because that means I've stopped fighting. But I wouldn't let that anger be all there is. You see they're on bullshit, why should they be allowed to also be comfortable within it? Keep shaking the walls. 👍🏾

[stevieschrodinger]

Part One Two Three Four Five

TW Human trafficking discussions of injury

Steve finished his phone call, and it’s been long enough that Eddie’s kind of...over it. For a second.

“I’m going to go put blockers on, and then I’ll bring back-”

A whine escapes Eddie. Needy and Omega and not even remotely under his control, he slaps his hand over his mouth, mortified. Okay, he’s not over it. Whatever the fuck that was with Steve’s scent, he’s not remotely over it.

Steve takes a deep breath, “right. Are you going to be okay sleeping in here alone today?”

Eddie swallows, and he manages it, he just about forces out a, “yeah. Course I am.”

“You’re not are you?”

“Not even remotely,” Eddie could be stronger. He could have held that in but...he just didn’t want to. He’s been so fucking strong for so long, he suddenly feels like he’s slid off the end of his strength. He’s...safe with Steve. Steve rescued him. Even if Steve did sort of...leave him here. Overnight. But apparently he was dismantling that abusive assholes empire and that was...satisfying. And worth it.

Eddie’s tired to his bones, everything that happened yesterday, the pain in his feet, the bad stomach and the night spent pretzeled on the floor all seem to be hitting him at once now that he’s showered and wearing clean clothes.

Something about Steve’s scent has just breached a dam inside Eddie. He just doesn’t have it in him to fight any more.

Steve breathes out sharply, then pinches the bridge of his nose, “okay. Okay. I’ll go and get blockers for both of us, and then I’ll stay in here with you, is that-”

“Yes,” Eddie says it too fast. He knows he does, but he’s got Steve’s scent in his nose and, other than last night, the horrific night wedged up against Steve’s couch, Eddie hasn’t slept alone in a room for...a long time. A very long time. It’s not just that he wants to roll around in Steve’s scent it’s that...well. He’s used to the sounds of other people breathing, whispering to each other, even the sounds of the night security guy doing his rounds.

“No,” Eddie finds himself saying when Steve reappears in the doorway, a can of scent blocking spray in his hand, the word slipping out without Eddie's consent.

Steve hesitates, but then says, “it’s a really bad idea for us to not wear blockers.”

“It doesn’t feel like a bad idea,” and it doesn’t. It feels like the absolute best idea Eddie may have ever had. Ever, in his entire life. It’s kind of a sex thing. Alright, definitely might be a sex thing, but Eddie’s never had sex and right now it’s an Alpha safe sleep thing that Eddie’s Omega is just crying out for.

Steve swallows thickly, “you’ve only just...come out of that place. And...we only just met. And, I mean. I know it might, feel like a good idea but...I feel like we should…” Steve trails off vaguely, and Eddie is at least comforted by the fact that Steve doesn’t seem to want to wear the blockers either, “I don’t want to end up doing anything you’re not...I mean, you’re hurt…”

“Don’t think you’re gonna’ rub your dick on my feet. Unless you’re into-”

“Eddie.”

“Fine.”

“We can...talk, tomorrow, okay?” Steve sprays his wrists and neck, then spritses the rest of himself, a fine spray over his loose sleep clothes. The throws the spray to Eddie, who does the same where he’s still sitting on the toilet lid.

“Okay, I’ll finish up your feet now.” And Steve does, taking his position in front of Eddie, applying a fresh layer of antiseptic cream and wrapping his feet with the padded bandages, pulling a fluffy pair of socks over the whole lot to help keep it in place.

Eddie limps to the bed, one arm slung over Steve’s strong shoulders. He gets in, but when Steve heads towards the door he can’t help but whine again. Which is just, a tiny bit embarrassing, Eddie’s certain he’s never whined for an Alpha even once in his whole life, and now he’s suddenly making a habit out of it.

“Look. Look it’s okay I...okay, look,” Steve comes back to him, “we’re both really, really tired, and we really have to sleep. I’m just going for a glass of water for both of us, alright? I’ll be right back, okay?”

Steve’s voice is so gentle, so even, Eddie’s pretty sure he’s being...handled in some way. An alpha comforting their Omega, or something along those lines, but he’s too tired to fight it, he’s far enough gone that he doesn’t even want to try and fight it any more. He’s not to proud to admit that he likes the idea of spending the night in close proximity. To have the protection of an Alpha. To maybe losing his virginity in this massive fucking bed.

Eddie adjusts things a little while Steve is off getting water and whatever else he’s doing. He rearranges the pillows to his liking, adjusting the comforter and the soft blankets folded at the bottom of the bed. He’s never been able to nest before; stolen away before the instincts ever really kicked in, and then simply never having opportunity after that. The narrow beds in the dormitory had an absolute economy of blankets to ensure the Omega there never nested.

“Oh,” Steve comes back eventually, full glass in each hand, “good,” an assessment of the nest that has Eddie’s Omega practically purring despite the tired and lacklustre nature of the nest. Eddie settles into his slap dash, half formed nest, not interested in doing any more now that Steve is here. He puts a glass on each side of the bed before pulling the thick heavy curtains to block out the daylight, “I spoke to Hopper briefly, he probably has a lead on your uncle Wayne. He might be able to do something about putting you two in touch tomorrow.”

“Oh,” Eddie doesn’t know what to think; he hasn’t seen Wayne in years. He hasn’t been a part of the real world in such a long time that it all sort of slaps him in the face a little bit. He’s going to...go off and just expected to be normal, despite what he’s been through. Eddie flashes briefly on a future where he has to wear a tie to a job interview and the sheer mundaneness of the image is almost overwhelming.

He doesn’t know if he should laugh or cry at the thought.

“Is that...okay? Is that what you want?” Steve speaks, and Eddie realizes he’s probably been quiet for too long.

“Yeah. Yeah of course I...I’ve got to go somewhere, I guess. I’ve got nothing. Man...I’m actually going to have to get a job.”

Steve snorts, “I’m sure you’ll find something. But...all the others that got rescued this morning, Hopper said they’re setting up, therapy and stuff for them, if you want that? Most of them were taken more recently than you, it sounds like they all have homes to go to.”

Eddie makes a derisive noise as Steve clicks off the lamp, leaving them in darkness, “no thanks. And I never got to finish school, so we’ll see how the job thing goes. Good, though. About the others.”

“I could...probably help, with something, if you like-” Steve starts to say, vaguely trailing off, and Eddie sinks further into his nest. The bed is too soft, really, and he worries for a second he’s going to have the same issue he had with the couch last night.

When Steve climbs in, he decides he’s going to make it work.

“No...no, thank you, I mean. You’ve already done so much, you saved us all I. I should probably get back to Wayne and...live my life? I guess. It’s so weird to even talk about it.”

“You’ll definitely be able to sue for damages once he’s found guilty which...Hopper says they need you to give a statement. He said it probably won’t be any more than that, they’ve already started going through the Ranch and Tommy’s bank accounts, they have the recording from me...buying you. Hopper couldn’t go into details I guess, but it sounds like the evidence is already pretty landslide. Hopefully you guys bankrupt him, his stock already tanked and he hardly has anything left.”

“What...what happened to the Ranch?” Eddie asks hesitantly, and then yawns. Kind of weird to think that after years of being stuck there, he’s never going to see it again.

“Once Hopper’s people release it and the legal stuff goes through, it’ll be mine. It’s as is, other than what they take for evidence, is there something there you wanted?”

“Never had anything,” Eddie answers honestly, “what are you going to do with it?”

“Not sure. Only really wanted it because it was Tommy’s.”

“Stealing the other kids toys, huh?”

“Pretty much. He’s always been a dick, I just didn’t realize he was actually...a monster, you know?”

“Yeah,” Eddie blinks into the darkness, “I hope he’s someone's bitch in prison.”

“Big hairy dude. Covered in tattoos. Answers to Bubba.”

“Oh you know the guy?”

Steve snorts a laugh, and the bed shifts as Steve settles, close enough to feel his warmth but not close enough to touch.

It’s not long before they’re both asleep.

Eddie wakes, gummy eyed, to a fucking god awful noise. He groans, flopping over, only half aware that Steve’s pulling away from him, grabbing his phone.

“Someone at the gate,” Steve mumbles. Apparently he can control the whole security thing from his phone, because he’s speaking into it, “leave it at the front door.”

Eddie blinks, squinting in the light, leaning over, watching on the tiny little security feeds on Steve’s phone. A delivery guy coming up the drive, getting out of his van, dropping off a box, and then doing the whole thing in reverse.

The gate closes behind his little van and Steve’s phone goes dark.

“We should get up, it’s gone two.”

Eddie doesn’t even bother to answer, just rolls away and buries his face in his pillow.

He’s vaguely aware of Steve leaving, coming back maybe ten minutes later. Eddie squints over in the light from the open doorway; Steve unpacks a box, and then Eddie remembers. His clothes. Steve ordered him a bunch of ugly rich people clothes.

Steve goes into the walk in, and there are little clinky noises as he hangs things up. A drawer opens and closes.

Steve comes back, the box and some wrappers abandoned, and he climbs back into bed, resting his tablet on his knees, “look.”

Eddie does, it’s just front page after front page. Every headline. Every news site. Hagan is completely and irrecoverably fucked.

There are pictures of him in cuffs and being shoved unceremoniously into the back of a police car, which Eddie is fucking thrilled by, “could we print that one? I’ll have it in a nice frame next to my bed, I think.”

Steve snorts a laugh.

Steve scrolls, skimming faster than Eddie can hope to keep up with. He can read it’s just...he hasn’t been allowed too for a long time, he needs to get some books, get back into what he enjoyed. See what new stuff there is.

The thought of being able to do something as simple as buy a book, then sit and read it, is quite heady.

Steve tuts, dragging Eddie’s attention back to the screen, “Nancy, what have you said.”

“Who’s Nancy?”

“She works for me, looks like she’s given an interview already.”

“Oh, about you, like, buying everything?”

“Yeah...Yada yada Harrington Enterprises...here we go. Mr. Hagans’ alleged crimes...if proved guilty...despicable. Oh, she said despicable, she doesn’t usually commit like that. No comment on the take over. Okay, that’s kind of boring Nance.”

Eddie laughs.

Steve reads a little more, “yeah, he’s fucked. Tommy won’t be coming back from this. Not ever. And to be honest, the people inside are going to know what he’s in for, people don’t like Omega abuse. He’s going to get fucked up.”

“Good.”

“Yeah. Hungry?”

Eddie thinks for a second, he could do with more sleep, but if he sleeps now, he won’t be able to tonight and that’ll just fuck him up even more, “I could eat.”

[peachesnpears95]

NAH, THE FANDOM NEEDS TO DO BETTER - IN ACTUALLY PAYING ATTENTION TO WHAT'S HAPPENING ON SCREEN! INSTEAD OF BLINDLY THROWING OUT BLAME BETWEEN WUKONG AND MACAQUE!

I am just done with this; I try to be as chill and as agreeable with people as possible and try to see other people's viewpoints, and try to get behind their thoughts and opinions as best I can- but no more. I'm sick of this Macaque slander and defamation.

THIS ENDS NOW.

Alright so, that's it! Dishonor! Dishonor on the whole fandom! I'm taking Wukong AND Macaque away from y'all until you can play nice and stop bashing on both of them and misunderstanding their characters and saying foul things that are untrue and is utter character- assassination.

Neither of them deserves it!

But right now, we're talking about Macaque, I'll probably talk about Wukong at a later date- but for now we focus on Macaque.

So, let's get into it.

I have to disagree with this person for several reasons.

Forgive me if this seems hostile, I am just very passionate and I am in no way trying to start a fandom war. I just can't sit back and watch Macaque get slandered, misunderstood and treated like he's the worse of the worst by the fandom anymore.

I'm sorry but I have to step in and say something, because I would be remise if I didn't and I can't STAND to see something like this floating around, perpetuating that Macaque is some type of fucking abusive, vindictive, and evil character that hasn't tried to be better or make amends in any way shape or form- because it's not true at all.

"Macaque, who has put in ZERO on-screen effort to become a better person or make amends to his victims"

^^^

my fucking whole ass, no.

I am sorry op but this is a fucking shit take and completely and utterly false and wrong.

All Macaque has done SINCE being freed from the LBD's control is work to be BETTER and make amends through his actions- and y'all and many other ppl of the fandom are really gonna go and ignore all of it?

SERIOUSLY?!?!

NAHHHH! NAHHHHH NAHHHHHHH! Macaque has risked his life for the others multiple times, and put himself in danger over and over again for not only MK, and Wukong but also for the others too. Just because we don't see him VERBALLY apologize on screen, doesn't mean his actions don't speak. There are so many instances where Macaque's actions speak LOUDER than words ever could or will. You can SAY things, but unless you actually DO something to back those words up- they will mean nothing.

If Macaque hadn't finally broken free from the LBD and went up against Wukong and put his life on the line to keep him distracted, then MK and the others would have been fucked.

Also, you all realize that Macaque's HEART was never in playing the big bad villain, even MK said as much. Macaque only did those things to survive. The LBD held his life over his head and told him to fucking DANCE with death. Macaque was backed into a corner, with nowhere to go, and no allies on his side to help him.

He was literally all alone, trying to keep himself alive. Macaque bringing the mayor to the LMK gang should speak volumes on Macaque's TRUE character. Macaque is a complex, morally gray character, and it sucks to see posts like this paining him in such a black/white way.

Macaque was an unwilling shadow puppet for the LBD, and he only did what he thought he had to, in order to survive. Because who was he going to turn to for help? It's like when you back a caged animal into a corner, they're going to bite. Don't you lie to me and say you wouldn't do about anything to survive, even if it meant having to do things that weren't 100% morally correct. Like if you were pushed far enough, if your life was on the razor's edge, wouldn't you fight for it?

Like yes he hurt people, yes he threatened Mei, yes he did a lot of fucked up things- were they right? NO. But it's understandable why he did what he did, he WANTED to live.

Like should he have just given the fuck up and died, again? Is that what you wanted from him? Cause that's fucked up. He's literally a victim (just like everyone else) and was being used and abused by the Lady Bone Demon. He had his freedom and agency taken away from him unwillingly and forced to fight to survive.

But the SECOND he gets free from the LBD's grasp. What does he do? He HELPS MK and the others. He chooses to stay and fight with them. Chooses to BE BETTER and help RIGHT the wrongs he (unwillingly) played a part in. And he does this knowing Wukong is waiting for him. The very person who killed him. He fights Wukong even though he's terrified, and this time he's willing to risk his life, because he actually CARES about Wukong and MK both. They're probably the two people he cares for the most at this point and he's willing to die freely just to save them.

He doesn't really have much of a relationship with the others at the time, but he knows they're important to Wukong and MK, so he also risks everything to help them too.

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Then he helped MK go into the scroll -reliving memories that were probably as painful for him to relive (as they were for Wukong) but he did it anyways, to help find Wukong and bring him back. Which I might add was the final push Wukong NEEDED to get out of the scroll.

And then he helped Mei fight Peng to give everyone else a chance to do what THEY needed to do in the plan, so Wukong and MK could get to Azure.

Making sure it went off without a hitch, risking HIMSELF like how everyone else was risking themselves.

Peng wasn't fucking playing, that bird was aiming to kill with those strikes. Peng even called Macaque out.

Asking him if there was nothing Wukong could do that could break his hold over him. And the answer is NO. Not even DEATH broke that hold.

Macaque is ride or die for Wukong still, and would risk his life for Wukong's sake -even though Wukong is an immortal being who can't die- I'll BET MY GRAVE AND ANYTHING ELSE, THIS! Macaque would throw himself in front of Wukong to shield him just because he cares so much about him. He would also probably do it for MK too, in fact he DOES put himself at risk for MK later on to try and save him from himself, and we will get into that soon!

_ _ _ _ _

And then later down the line he let the others escape Ling Ji's prison by literally putting himself in the line of fire and letting himself get captured instead! He SHADOW TELEPORTS THEM OUT BECAUSE HE KNOWS THEY WON'T GO IF HE DIDN'T.

THEN HE DOESN'T RUN OFF, HE STAYS THERE TO BUY THEM TIME. MACAQUE STAYS TO FACE THE CONSEQUENCES OF PUTTING HIMSELF ON ThE LINE. HE CHARGES STRIGHT FORWARD LIKE A WARRIOR WITHOUT EVEN KNOWING WHAT IS WAITING FOR HIM!

HE HAS NO IDEA WHAT IS COMING! ANYTHING COULD HAPPEN TO HIM/ANYTHING COULD BE WAITING FOR HIM IN THERE. BUT HE STANDS HIS GROUND.

And then when Wukong is being tormented by the 100 eyed demon? Macaque doesn't even HESITATE to help him from the 100 eyed demon's control. HE IMMEDIATELY comes to Wukong's side to free him so they can go find MK.

He was also the one to strike out at the 100 eyed demon when they DID find MK. Mei might have threatened the demon first, but Macaque was the one that just went STRAIGHT to strikes.

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AND THEN- Tell me who is it that uses his shadow powers over and over against the 9 Headed Demon, trying to protect MK the only way he can while he's literally tied up and was the ONLY one who could ACTUALLY do anything about it?

And who was the one that BROKE out of the chaos powers to KEEP MK from throwing himself into the pillar initially- oh that's right, Macaque!

Look at him, Macaque is GENUINELY fucking terrified.

Because he's seen this happen before, with himself. Macaque has been in MK's position before. An emotional spiral of self-destruction that ended up with him dead.

Macaque KNOWS from experience because HE LITERALLY went through the same thing before. And didn't have anyone to let him know that not EVERYTHING was on him. That he didn't have to be alone and do things by himself. That he could have found a better way, a different way. A path that wouldn't have led him attacking the Pilgrims and Wukong- and then right into the grave.

Macaque knows what's happening, he has since the start of S5.

Macaque let himself spiral in the past due to feeling neglected emotionally, and he went down a path of self-destruction that ended up with him dead (he even says as such in the show during s4) when he was talking about Wukong meeting Tang Sanzang.

Macaque has had to WATCH MK go through the same fucking thing here as he did.

He KNEW at the start nothing good would come of MK's spiral.

That's WHY he told Wukong to be better, because he was speaking from past experience. (Not to be spiteful or vindictive or whatever.)

Macque was truly concerned for MK and he doesn't want what happened between him and Wukong to happen between MK and Wukong- because he cares about the Kid so much even if he doesn't say it.

Wukong has been shown time and time again he's not the best at reading people, and that sometimes he prefers to cheekily brush things off without really listening to anyone else, only getting tunnel-focused on the task and hand.

And forgetting to really listen to the concerns of his friends/family, because he is just focusing on protecting them instead of actually taking their thoughts/feelings/emotions into consideration. ((We can also see this during the Samadhi fire arc, where he keeps the fourth ring a secret- MEI EVEN CALLS HIM OUT FOR IT))

I am not saying that Wukong doesn't care, he in fact cares a lot, but he just forgets to actually let the people he cares for ACTUALLY know.

This is what happened to Macaque.

Wukong brushed off his feelings every time he tried to voice his concerns, or ignored him, instead of actually listening to him. He unintentionally neglected Macaque's feelings as he sought out immortality and to take down the Jade Emperor.

Macaque isn't just pulling this from nowhere. This is a fucking pattern form Wukong, we see it on screen, we see him do this. Unintentional or not, Wukong neglected Macaque's emotions and made him feel like he meant NOTHING to Wukong. This is what Macaque has been afraid of since getting to know MK, that MK would end up being neglected just like him. Remember his shadow play? "The Hero and the Warrior were like the Sun and the Moon. Their light, a protective glow, shining upon the world. Together, there was nothing that could stop the two of them. Either in the Celestial Realms or on Earth. As time went on, the Hero attained power beyond comprehension. As the Hero's light grew, so too did his shadow. And soon, the Warrior was cast in that shadow. In the darkness, the Warrior was forgotten by the Hero." "Well, with ol' Monkey King not around, I thought someone should teach you a lesson. Ah, MK, you really are dense, aren't you? You saw a story about a hero who got handed everything, who didn't have to work for anything, and you thought you were the other guy? The second the Hero got real power; he couldn't care less about his friends. That's you, bud."

"Oh, did you just realize they were missing? Classic hero maneuver. Maybe it's just me but these guys don't look too happy about being left in the shadow of the great Monkie Kid."

Everyone thinks Macaque is lying or embellishing, but he's not.

Not really, he's just showing it from his perspective, which is the only one he's got- speaking from his past experiences about how he was unintentionally left feeling neglected.

Macaque was quite literally projecting his own emotional neglect onto MK. To Macaque, Wukong forgot who/why he was doing all of that for. He felt abandoned and cast aside by Wukong. Because Wukong never listened, he brushed off his feelings, and it obviously left Macaque with emotional scars, due to his best friend's neglect.

Wukong did WRONG by Macaque, by accidentally neglecting him.

This is what Macaque has started fearing for MK, why he's so tough on Wukong to be better, because he can SEE it. He can see what happened to himself, happening to MK. The Kid is on a path of self-destruction, and if he doesn't say or do anything, then the past will happen ALL OVER again. This is why Macaque was rightfully fucking angry and pissed off when he asked Wukong if he ever once questioned why MK had all his powers and could lift his staff, and where he even came from. All because Macaque doesn't want a repeat of the past. He doesn't want MK's emotions to spiral out of control and lead him down a dark path that might end up in his death.

Macaque has come to genuinely love and care for MK and doesn't want him to THROW his life away. HE EVEN BEGS - and LOOKS and SOUNDS like he's going to CRY when he's trying to stop MK. He's so desperate to save MK from himself, because no one TRIED saving him- no one CARED enough to. But MK has so many people who care, and he needs to know that! MK NEEDS TO KNOW IT'S NOT ALL ON HIM!

Macaque has BEEN HERE before. He has LIVED this. He KNOWS how it will END.

He's trying so hard because he cares about MK. and he knows Wukong does too, and the others. And he can't just like MK do this- Macaque CAN'T let MK do what he did and destroy himself.

Then who is it that uses his shadow powers AGAIN to free EVERYONE! So Wukong can go after MK- AH RIGHT MACAQUE! Macaque isn't even concerned about himself in the moment, he doesn't care how he's feeling, doesn't give himself a second thought. All he needs is for someone to go after MK - because he can't fucking do it in his current condition.

Selflessly, Macaque rejects Wukong's concern (what he's wanted for centuries, the thing he's truly wanted most- for Wukong to actually show genuine concern over his wellbeing, without trying to play it off and be cheeky/brush it off- to actually be serious) all in favor of telling Wukong to LEAVE and stop MK.

Macaque WAS right all along what would happen if things continued like they were.

He truly saw the real and deep extent of MK's self-destruction before ANYONE else- before Wukong, or his other family/friends. The others were concerned, sure, but they didn't understand the true severity of it, not until MK is about to sacrifice himself.

But Macaque, deep down, understood where this might lead MK. That MK might fall from the edge, with no one to catch him. Which is why he was so desperate to catch MK as he fell, because no one caught him when he did!

Macaque's spiral destroyed him, he knows what it's like. He lived through what MK did. He lived the path of self-destruction centuries ago. Macaque saw himself in MK, and feared where it would lead MK. Feared he would do something that got himself killed.

AND IT DID!

MK DID jump into the pillar, because he still believed he had to do it alone, that it was all on him. MK went down the path that Macaque did, and he almost DIED for it. (in fact, technically he WAS dead, if you think about it)

Macaque never wanted this for MK, because he knows what it's like to die, then come back to life. The physical wounds might have healed, but mentally and emotionally?

MK might have come back physically fine, but his mental and emotional state will NEVER be the same again. He and Macaque have both DIED and come back to life- changed forever. Physically they are fine, but mentally and emotionally?

They will BOTH be scarred with that for the rest of their lives.

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Macaque HAS changed and HAS become a better person- and it sucks that his efforts have been downplayed by the fandom, all because he doesn't just say a stupid fucking word?

"sorry?"

HEAVENS HELP ME!

Macaque has done nothing but selflessly risk himself, time and time again, since he worked for the LBD. He has worked to make amends through his actions.

He's made it CLEAR that he cares about Wukong, MK and the others, and he will fight alongside them, and hell if he has to- he would DIE alongside them. He hasn't run from a fight once since he's started fighting alongside them. He's THERE, through thick and thin, and he would push himself beyond the breaking point to protect them.

What better way is there for him to make amends/show his remorse than show he's willing to do whatever it takes to protect the LMK gang?

To Macaque, words are NOT enough. There's nothing he can say that would make things better. So, like a warrior, he takes action instead and shows -instead of tells- the others that he's sorry, and he is willing to stand by them and fight.

It wouldn't hurt for him to say sorry verbally, no.

But what the fuck is he even supposed to say: Hey, sorry for almost fucking killing all of you back then?

It would be so awkward of him to say, and it probably wouldn't even SOUND sincere, even if it actually was. I understand people wanting a verbal apology, but being SORRY doesn't always mean JUST saying sorry.

You can BE and SAY sorry all you damn well want to, but it means FUCK all if you don't show you are with actions and with change, and Macaque has done BOTH in leaps and bounds.

Being sorry means you back it up with actions, and with change.

You do better.

And Macaque HAS been!

Macaque understands full well he fucked up, he's not stupid, and he faces the consequences of that by having to work every day to show the others he's changed.

Macaque will ALWAYS have to live with the guilt of what he's done in the past. Is that not fucking punishment enough? Do some of y'all in the fandom have to fucking bash him at every fucking turn possible? Frankly, I'm done sitting by and watching Macaque be misunderstood, misjudged and hated on, because some of you people are as blind as the fucking brotherhood when they wrongfully blamed Wukong for everything going wrong and not holding themselves accountable for their actions.

Macaque does in fact, hold himself accountable, by doing everything he possibly can to protect and fight alongside the LMK Gang. Macaque is trying, and his story isn't over yet.

The fandom is judging him unfairly (as they do with Wukong as well) and failing to consider the nuance, the subtext, and the complexity of Macaque and his character- and just painting him as this one dimensional, obsessive, abusive, and loathsome character.

MACAQUE'S STORY/CHARACTER ARC HASN'T EVEN CONCLUDED YET, AND YOU'RE ALL STILL SITTING HERE CURSING HIS NAME LIKE HE'S A SCOURGE!

WHAT THE FUCK YOU GUYS?! Also like, the characters in the show seem to have already forgiven Macaque (or ARE on the verge of)- so like, why can't we all fucking do the same?!

Has Macaque not suffered enough from dying, being revived, used and abused, and then risking himself and his life over and over for the LMK Gang (Showing he's changed from selfishly seeking self-preservation.)

Seriously Macaque went from an I only want to survive mindset, to a mindset of- I will die for Wukong, MK and their family/friends if I must.

Macaque really sells himself short, saying he isn't a Hero. But is that not what heroes do? Do they not forgo themselves and the threat to their life- to save others. Which is what Macaque has been doing ever since the LBD Arc.

Just how many more times must Macaque risk his life to prove he's changed to the fandom? To prove he has regrets/remorse for what he's done? What does Macaque have to do for some of the fandom to stop treating him like the spawn of fucking evil? Does he have to DIE again for you lot to be satisfied?

I cannot take this Macaque slander and hatred anymore. I am sick to death of it. I'm usually not this fucking mad, but this post ENRAGED me.

Op I promise I do not hate you.

I just HATE what you wrote and put out there, because it's simply not at all true or correct, and Macaque already gets enough misplaced hatred.

(if you want to block me, I don't blame you. I just needed to get this off my chest and your post just made it all come to a head.)

I am not defending Macaque simply because I think he's hot/can do no wrong/is perfect uwu baby victim. No, I understand Macaque for his faults. I know he's done wrong, I know he's not a perfect victim.

But he's NOT who you're making him out to be either. He has changed, and has done better.

Can't we just PLEASE acknowledge this?!

Seriously, I'm at my limit, I cannot fucking take it anymore. GET ME THE FUCK OUTTA HERE!

If I pissed some of you people in the fandom off, then just fucking block me. I don't care. Just don't engage with me. I don't want to interact with people who can't even see that y'all are wrong about Macaque and he doesn't deserve half the fucking hatred he gets! Just because he isn't what you want him to be, or act how you want him to act, or say what you want him to say- doesn't make him a poorly written character. He's just flawed, messy, complex, and makes mistakes in LMK like everyone else, and I'm sick of people demonizing him.

I am revoking the fandom's right to play with Wukong and Macaque for the time being, until the fandom can learn some media fucking literacy, look beyond the surface level, and learn to be SHOWN THINGS AND PAY ATTENTION and not just be handheld and told things and to think for your god damn selves and actually use your noodles!

MOMOCHI KID OUT!

“You need to do better.”

(This gets vitriolic, and is a full-blown criticism of Macaque’s portrayal in Season Four and Five. If criticism of a character/franchise you like upsets you, I do not recommend reading.)

Wow. I had no faith in his character writing, and I’m STILL disappointed.

And it only took one episode! How impressive!

Macaque, who has put in ZERO on-screen effort to become a better person or make amends to his victims, is criticizing Wukong for being a bad mentor! And does Wukong criticize him back? NOPE!

After getting screamed at and berated, does Wukong defend himself? NOPE!

Ooh, but there was a second long reference in a dual yelling match that mentioned that Macaque was a genuinely bad person who took glee in hurting innocent people! Oh, fucking delightful! Ooh, Wukong even points out in one episode that Macaque goes without consequences!

Pointing out a flaw in your writing does not make it less of a flaw.

Macaque will always be allowed to do whatever he wants to anyone he wants- power theft, attempted murder, insults, deceit, assault-

And the narrative and characters will never hold him accountable or force Macaque to look inwards or become a better person.

Macaque will always fall upwards into redemption without any obstacles or pushback.

There will never be a struggle to goodness with a satisfying conclusion. There will never be a moment where falters in his newfound goodness and questions going back to his old ways. There will never be explicit remorse or regret. He will never have deep introspections on his crimes and atrocities that provide a reason for him to want to change.

The sum of his “arc” will always be “you were a good guy all along”, and that lack of depth is where it will stay.

RIP Seasons 1-3 Macaque. You were fun and interesting and cool and lovable.

But the man they replaced you with was destined to be a boring and brooding “anti-hero” who has no real connection to the actions you selfishly and violently performed with your own two hands-

And you will always be a less interesting character for it.

The execution of the actual arc boils down to a single heroic (but ultimately self-serving) moment and then Macaque is immediately forgiven for all the crimes he’s committed and is a magically better person without any effort and nothing he’s done is ever brought up again.

It severely weakens any character’s arc to cut them off from their past actions. If MK forgot his traumas every season instead of carrying them forward- we’d all agree that doing so was a case of poor writing.

It was the reason that people disliked Mei’s portrayal in Season Four- she immediately moved on from the Samadhi Fire arc and “no longer wielded it” after spending a whole season gathering and learning to use it.

Why can’t we agree that it’s bad for Macaque, too?

You can’t “develop” a character by dropping an entire plotline and writing it off with one line.

You can’t “redeem” a character by pretending that they were a good person right from the start.

Sorry, bud.

I really did like you. I just wish I could like your writing.

——————

And, what is more clear to me now than ever?

People only defended Macaque’s shitty writing because they think he’s hot.

I know this now, because I’ve seen white-hot Li Jing arc hatred from fervent Macaque arc defenders.

So we all agree that an “I didn’t really mean it!” isn’t an excuse to abuse the people around you? That you don’t get to mistreat innocent people just because you’re stressed and upset?

Hmmm.

Hmmmmmmm.

I wonder why people despise Jing for his dogshit “one nice thing redeems all your bad actions” arc but love Macaque for his??

(Because they think the monkey is hot.)

The funny thing, though?

Li Jing apologizes to at least one of the victims of his actions. He expresses regret and remorse.

Macaque doesn’t even have that.

——————

Anyways here’s a line that I hate because Macaque has in no way developed enough to have the right to deliver it-

AND NO, SUDDENLY HAVING AN AFFINITY FOR PERFORMING KIND OR SACRIFICIAL ACTS IS NOT GOOD CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT

HIM MAGICALLY OFFSCREEN BECOMING A GOOD PERSON WHO CARES ABOUT INNOCENT LIFE IS NOT GOOD CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT

IF ALL IT TAKES TO “BE BETTER” IS ACTING LIKE A HERO, WUKONG IS LITERALLY A THOUSAND TIMES BETTER OF A PERSON THAN HE IS

THIS LINE IS DOGSHIT

“You need to do better.”

Really, Macaque? Maybe you should take your own damn advice- try apologizing to one of the people you tried to hurt and tried to murder in cold blood!

Like when you trapped MK under his staff after stealing his powers and tried to murder him when he was helpless?

Or when you kidnapped MK’s friends and tortured the kid by forcing him to fight them?

Or you led a violent assault against a palace full of innocent people?

Or violently beat his dear friends until they were screaming in pain?

Or assaulted Tang, who posed no threat to you?

Or threatened to murder an innocent girl if you didn’t get your way, then ran away (and encouraged MK to abandon her) first thing when it put her into a life-threatening meltdown of raw power?

(Isn’t it cool how NONE of these people have interesting or varied reactions to him doing this and ALL immediately are cool with him like a gelatinous hivemind.)

(Oooh ONE mildly questioning line from Pigsy but no anger over his adoptive son nearly being killed multiple times over)

(Isn’t it cool that no one has complex or interesting thoughts on this.)

(Isn’t it cool that by robbing them of unique feelings on the matter they robbed Macaque and the Monkie Kids of compelling and interesting interactions that could’ve helped flesh out their personalities and strengthen their characterization.)

(Isn’t it cool that Macaque and the Monkie Kids are actively denied intriguing character dynamics so Macaque’s shitty “redemption arc” can happen faster.)

(Isn’t that cool.)

Why don’t YOU do better, Macaque?

(In a way that is more satisfying than “one kind-hearted speech from a kid that I tried to murder changed my mind and now I am a better person but all my character development happened offscreen and without personal introspection”, at least.)

Also what the fuck do you mean by “do better”?

Be heroic and put your life in danger? He already does that! He’s done it more than you have!

Just tell MK that he’s not alone? YOU COULD DO THAT YOURSELF, MACAQUE!

Help MK with his traumas and fears? MK doesn’t tell anyone about those! He keeps them bottled up, lock and key, and actively refuses attempts to help!

Wukong TRIED to reach out to him, and MK PUSHED HIM AWAY! Was he supposed to tie the fucking kid down and torture the information out of him?

He respected MK’s boundaries by not pushing any further and letting him leave!!

WHY IS THAT A BAD THING??

What the fuck, man

[bwobgames]

“OLIVER GET BACK HERE”

Dad suddenly grabbed him once more, which means he’s safe again!

“Take better care of your kid”

“Who do you think you are to tell me that. Aren’t you ashamed of yourself? Dressed like that? You think your mother is going to be proud?”

Unbeknown to him, his father just put them in great danger.

Even unbeknown-er to him, his father has been in great danger for a long time.

“Excuse me!”

“Please ignore him, he’s from the farms, he doesn’t know any better. You are Miss Sandra’s son, yeah? She should be working right now but I can tell you where she is!”

The lady from the store gets between her dad and the strange man.

His dad doesn’t stop staring. He can feel the disgust coming from him.

Eventually the man leaves, and they return to the store for the forgotten bread.

“Please, be more careful about what you say. I know it’s supposed to be over, but you never know how people like this will act, you know this! Less so if they find out the things you’ve done..!”

“You don’t want to leave Oliver without a father, right?”

“…Thanks for the bread. Goodbye”

“Bernardo!”

They leave without another word

“Who was that, Daddy?”

Good thing Oliver is there, he knows so many words

“A dog.”

“Huh?”

“A lost dog without its owner. Raised to hurt. Don’t trust them, Oliver”

“But, but, can’t it be nice again? Copito used to bite a bit too hard when playing but then he didn’t!”

“That won’t happen. Dogs are loyal to their owners. They would never bite the hand that fed them”

“I don’t get it”

“You don’t have to. Hopefully you’ll never have to.”

“I do want you to understand this, though”

“If you’re ever in trouble with another dog, call me. I’ll come get you”

“Seeing as you can’t help yourself but get into trouble, I’ll have to get you quite often”

“But I’ll do it. Don’t ever doubt it.”

“Huh? Wha- Ángel?”

“Oliver”

“Oliver? You back?”

“Welcome back! We finished eating a good while ago, but you seemed so comfy zoning out that I didn’t want to interrupt you”

“Wha- everyone’s gone?!”

“We should be getting ready for bed, actually. You missed me telling the new guys the cat car joke”

“Oh, so nothing important”

“You evil little fiend. Once I get new material, you’re toast! You’ll laugh with so much joy and whimsy it will conjure a rainbow!”

“I expect nothing less”

It’s 10:15. He still has a bit of time. Maybe have a little chat with one of his friends, before waking up to the chaos of vacations in a new city. He can see some people in the corridors.

When he grew older, he found out about his dad’s illegal activities.

He found out the grave danger he was putting himself in.

But he never held that against him.

His father taught him that sometimes, the law isn’t fair. That sometimes, the police aren’t right. That sometimes, it’s all about the whims of whoever is on charge.

And that sometimes, you have to fight for what’s right.

Although, there’s been some times. Some three particular times. That he wished he was there.

His dad is old now. He’s no longer the resistance bullet smuggler he once was. And he’s glad for that. He’d rather his dad be safe, he would never do anything that could put him in danger.

That he’d carry him away in that uncomfortable way he used to do.

That he’d used his trusty stick to defend him.

That he’d drive the scary dogs away.

<PREV START NEXT>

[maxdibert]

Wow, and here I was thinking his reasons were:

1. That his father was an abusive man who hit him, and that every other Muggle he had ever known had treated him like crap (like Petunia making classist comments, for example).

2. That on his very first day on the train, the rich, white, aristocratic kid started picking on him.

3. That the rich, white, aristocratic kid and another rich, white, aristocratic kid made his life a living hell for seven years—one of them almost killing him, and the other publicly humiliating him by stripping him naked in front of a whole crowd.

4. That the so-called “bad guys” in Slytherin actually accepted him and gave him a safe space, a place where he wasn’t constantly facing violence and abuse, while the supposed “heroes” made it their mission to make his life miserable every time they saw him in the hallway.

5. That, of course, he wasn’t going to follow the “good guys” who had spent years tormenting him—because what fucking sense would it make for him to join the cause of his abusers instead of siding with the people who had actually given him a place where he felt safe? Do you guys use your neurons, or are they still in their Amazon packaging?

The idea that Eileen was a pureblood is fanon—pure speculation that is never mentioned anywhere. What is mentioned is that Severus came from an extremely poor background, to the point where he didn’t even have money to buy clothes, and that the canonically rich, upper-class kids with a higher blood status than his spent years bullying and humiliating him. Do you want them to be the racialized ones? The white, aristocratic kids who tormented a boy who was economically and socially far below them? Would that be better to you?

Since when is Severus Snape an incel? Your lifelong best friend cutting you off, and you never going after her, never harassing her, and only mentioning her name again when you know she’s about to die—that makes you an incel? Have you ever met a real incel in your entire fucking life? What the fuck are you even talking about?

Severus Snape is a character whose entire life was shaped by abuse, oppression, a class dynamic that worked against him, and guilt—guilt for making a wrong decision that was directly caused by the horrible life he had lived, and then spending twenty years of his life trying to atone for that mistake in order to free himself from that guilt. If you have no fucking clue what his character is actually about and you want to paint him as a villain while talking about one of the three most important adult characters in the series, who played an essential and fundamental role in Voldemort’s downfall and the salvation of the wizarding world—well, that’s your problem.

But stop using racism as an excuse to hate on a character who, in fact, has way more in common with the discrimination and social exclusion people face due to race than any other character in the series.

Yeah, it makes total sense that they chose Snape, of all characters, for that change. And the fact that you’re surprised or horrified about it has nothing to do with any real concern about racism—in reality, deep down, you know Snape suffered a lot of unnecessary shit. But since nobody gives a fuck about classism or body shaming, you could keep bashing the character all you wanted.

Now, that discrimination—based on background and appearance—is going to be a lot more obvious, and suddenly you’re not going to be able to hide the bullshit that’s been going on in your head.

ooooooh my God the whole reason Snape buys into the death eaters rhetoric when he's young is because he hates that his rich full-blooded mother married his poor abusive muggle father. he thinks he's biologically 'ruined' because it effects his social standing in both the muggle and magical world. with this casting I just. I KNOW if they get into snape's backstory they're gonna cast a white woman as his mother and a black man as his father. there's no way the showrunners don't know what they're doing by casting a black man as the incel nazi child abusing teacher who has a rushed as shit redemption arc in the eleventh hour. Snape is not a character you can race blind cast without it effecting his story. this is like actually the worst thing they could have possibly done lol!!