#i wish i could buy you a cup of coffee or other drink of your choice at the very least you are amazing

[inaris-mage-of-storms]

There are a few posts floating around with lots of love and encouragement for artists and writers, but can we take a moment to say thank you to all the beta readers and editors out there? Y'all are incredible. Your services are invaluable and I love you so very much. 💙

[yelenasdiary]

for the a widows sunshine series what about when y/n’s school is having like one of those parent days where the kids parents come to the school to do fun activities and natasha has to tell her that she can’t make it because of work or something like that and y/n is really sad about that.

so instead wanda surprises her by showing up for her which makes y/n really excited. i didn’t have a specific age in mind but maybe this could be for the 5-10 age range.

Afternoon Tea Party

Pairing: Natasha Romanoff x Daughter! Reader, Wanda Maximoff x Reader

Summary: When your mom can’t get out of work for a kindergarten event, Wanda takes it upon herself to surprise you. 

Tiny Angst, Comfort

Warnings: None | 0.9K

AC: Thank you for sending this! Reader is 5 in this, perfect for just before they call Wanda ‘mama’ at age 6! I hope you enjoy this! x 

A Widow’s Sunshine Masterlist

“Rough night?” Wanda asked Natasha while the red head poured herself a mug of coffee. “Nah, I just dropped Y/n off at kindergarten and spend 20 minutes in the parking lot to get her to stop crying before I walked her in” Natasha replied, sipping her coffee. 

“Is she okay?” Wanda asked.

“She has this afternoon tea thing, and I can’t get out of training the new recruits so I can’t go. She was really excited about it” Natasha explains, sighing to herself knowing she had let her daughter down. “Why don’t I go? I mean, only if you’re okay with it” Wanda suggested, causing a soft smile to tug at Nat’s lips. 

“You would do that?” She asked. 

“Of course, I’d love too” the brunette smiled. Nat kissed her softly, “you are a life saver, thank you! It starts at 1pm, take my credit card and buy a fruit salad or something to take” she replied. 

“Don’t stress, I’ve got this. You on the other hand, don’t need this” Wanda said, taking the coffee from Nat’s hand, “you only drink more than one cup of coffee when you’re stressed, have some juice or water and leave the rest up to me!” She added. 

----

You, along with your other classmates helped the teacher set up the family event by placing a spread of snacks on the table for guests to help themselves too. You wished your teacher would let you sit in her office to draw while everybody else had fun but your teacher said no and encouraged you to take part in the event. 

As parents started to arrive, you only got sadder knowing that you’d be one of the only students without your parent showing up. It was moments like these that you hated your mother’s job and didn’t understand why she couldn’t come. 

Quietly, you snuck off to the corner of the classroom where the books were and made yourself comfortable on one of the beanbags and looked at the picture book in hopes of ignoring the event taking place around you. 

“What are you reading there?” A familiar voice made you look up from the picture book. 

“Wanda!!” You jumped up, dropping the book and instantly giving her a tight hug, “are you here for afternoon tea?” You asked, looking up at her. 

“I sure am! I even brought some apple and orange slices; can you show me where I can put them?” Wanda asked with a soft smile. You took her free hand and took her to the snack table where she placed the fruit slices down. “Over here we have drinks you can help yourself too! Do you want a drink?” You asked, full of happiness. 

Wanda loved seeing how happy and excited you were for her to be here, “Sure! I could do with a drink” she replied before you rushed over to the drinks table and waited for Wanda to help you pour some juice for the two of you. 

After you and Wanda enjoyed your juice, you took Wanda to the wall where plenty of artwork was hanging, you showed her the painting of the beach you had painted a few days ago before showing her the robot you made from boxes which you named uncle tony. 

“And this is a folder is all about me!” You said, giving her the folder with your name on the front that you had proudly decorated. Just as Wanda started to have a good look through the folder, one of your teachers had announced that it was time to take your family member or family friend to one of the activity tables to take part in. You had your eyes set on the paper puppet making table and quickly grabbed Wanda’s hand before rushing over to the table. 

You grabbed a piece of green A4 paper while Wanda grabbed a pink piece of paper. “I’m going to make a frog!” You beamed as you reached for a piece of red paper. Wanda smiled softly before she had a quick look over the instructions sheet, once she had an idea of how to make a paper puppets, she offered to fold your green paper as shown in the instructions.

“What are you going to make Wanda?” You asked, using the kid friendly scissors to begin cutting out the shape of your frog’s tongue. 

“I think I might make a little bunny” Wanda replied as she finished up folding the green paper for your frog. “I like bunnies! I wish I could have one as a pet, but mommy says we can’t have pets in our new home” you replied.

“An apartment is no place for a bunny, maybe you could ask to keep one at your uncle Clint’s house” the brunette suggested. You face lit up at the idea, “I’m going to ask her when I go home today!!” You smiled before reaching for the glue. 

Wanda helped you glue some extra pieces of paper on the head for the eyes and even helped you cut out some white and black circles to make the eyes, once satisfied with your frog, you wrote your name on the back and placed the crafty frog on your hand. 

“I’m going to name her Miss Hoppies!” You smiled at Wanda. 

“Miss Hoppies looks awesome! Do you think she will like being friends with Cupcake?” Wanda replied, placing the bunny puppet on her hand. You chuckled at the name Wanda had picked for her puppet, “that’s a funny name for a bunny” you said, “but I like it!” You added. 

The two of you then played with the puppets together, having Wanda surprise you made you forget the reason why your mother couldn’t come. Although you were still sad that you couldn’t do this with her, you couldn’t wait to show her the puppets you and Wanda had made.

Taglist: @koinsss | @liloandstitchstan | @marcia-maximoff | @skittlebum | @katethewritersblog | @taliiiaasteria | @nova-kyle | @daddipantherr | @riyaexee | @sgm616 | @elle161989 | @alphalesbianwolffoxdragontribrid | @mathxa | @sxlfishbrokenheart | @noturlondonboy | @lovelyy-moonlight | @ghxst-guts | 

If you want to be on the taglist for this series, please see the masterlist. It's linked at the top of this post.

[robinsegghead]

Danny's Daycare Part 5

        [Master List]

   “Danny!”

            Turning towards the voice, Danny held the door to the coffee shop open as a familiar blond came running up to him. “Hey Jesse, you work today?”

            They nodded, walking through the open door. “Yeah, just about to start. It’s been a while since I’ve seen you, everything okay?” They eyed him knowingly. Danny had seen Jesse at Mr. Bianchi’s funeral and although they didn’t speak to each other, they’d both acknowledged seeing the other.

            “Been pretty busy with the daycare and some personal things. How’s school going?”

            They sighed. “Exhausting. I have this big test coming up for chemistry and I’m barely passing the class. I’ve spent every spare minute studying, and I still don’t feel like I understand what’s happening! One second.” They vanished into the backroom, returning a few moments later with an apron and hat on. “I haven’t even had time to work on my hobbies lately! Just work and school all day every day! It’s like, yeah I know my education is important but would it kill my professors to give me a break so I can hang out with friends or- god forbid go on a date with my partner?”

            He held out the cash for his drink which Jesse took without a word, still on a roll. Seeing his opportunity when they took a breath, he cut in. “I could help you, if you want?” They eyed him curiously, pouring the first two shots into the hot coffee while the rest pulled. “I have a bachelor’s in bio-chem, I was pretty good at both. Here’s my number,” He scribbled his number down on a drink sleeve and slid it across the bar. “text me a time if you want some tutoring.”

            “Oh my gods,” They breathed, taking the piece of paper. “you’re literally my savior- TIM! Your friend here is a god amongst men! Buy his coffee for him!”

            Danny frowned. “I already paid for my drink though.” He reminded before glancing at Tim. He’d expected the man to be in a suit again, hair combed back neatly, briefcase in hand; that was, after all, how he’d looked when they first met. But it was a Saturday, so it was unlikely he’d be going to any meetings which meant his apparel made a lot more sense.

            The man wore his hair pulled back in a messy half up half down bun, ripped skinny jeans, a red flannel tied around his waist, and a gray t-shirt that said ‘I <3 Mothman’. His ears were adorned by various silver studs and chains that complimented his black leather bracelets. A skateboard was held firmly in his left hand.

            “Well- fine! Free coffee for a month, you’d really be helping me out!” They poured a few more shots into the cup. “I’m in a good mood, Tim your coffee’s on the house today.”

            Tim looked between the two. “That makes absolutely no sense, Jesse. I have more than enough to cover my own coffee. In fact,” as if to prove a point, he pulled a couple hundred dollar bills out of his wallet and stuffed them into the tip jar. “keep the change.”

            “I have no idea what’s happening anymore.” Danny sighed, just wishing for his coffee.

            As if reading his mind, Jesse finally slid his coffee into his awaiting hand before whirling around to start the exact same process with Tim’s drink. Danny hadn’t actually run into Tim again since the first time they’d met. Whether it was because Tim didn’t come every day or Danny had been making more coffee at home these days, he wasn’t sure.

            It wasn’t unwelcome to see the man again, but he wasn’t sure they exactly qualified as friends like Jesse seemed to believe. “How’d those meetings go?” Danny asked after taking his first sip of coffee.

            “Ugh, don’t remind me. They’re done and now I’m avoiding any more they try to throw at me like the plague. How’s the Daycare going? You guys opened a little while back, didn’t you?” Tim leaned against the counter, waiting for his own drink to come out.

            With a nod, and another long sip of the boiling hot coffee, Danny replied. “It’s been going all right. Lots of kids now, I’m working on hiring some help at the moment but I’m just glad I can help out, you know?”

            Tim agreed, grabbing his coffee. “Seems like you’re doing something really good for the Bowery.”

            “I’m trying.”

            The two walked towards the door, wishing Jesse a good shift, and headed outside.

            “Well I’m meeting my boyfriend at the skatepark, what are you up to on one of your few days off?” Tim asked, pointed his thumb over his shoulder.

            Danny laughed. “Bold of you to assume I get any days off. If I’m not working at the daycare I’m usually at a soup kitchen or doing paperwork or something else. Today I’m actually just going to the observatory though. Skateboarding is cool though; I didn’t actually recognize you at first with the whole skater thing.” He laughed. “You look a lot more comfortable like this than in the suit getup you had last time.”

            Tim grinned. “Much. And much like you, I don’t get many days off so I’ve gotta head out, make the most of the time I do have off.” He paused. “Actually, wait,” Pulling a sharpie out of his pocket-did he always keep a sharpie in his pockets? - he scribbled something on his drink’s sleeve before sliding it off the cup and offering it to Danny. “here’s my number. We should hang out sometime.”

            Okay Jesse, you win this time.

~~~

            May in Gotham wasn’t nearly as cold as Danny though it would be, although having an ice core might have something to do with that, but he continued to stock his daycare with jackets, gloves, and hats just in case. The recent downpours had forced him to add umbrellas, raincoats, and rainboots as well. He said ‘he’- in reality, he let Dora pick out most of the clothes for the kids. It was something she liked to do.

            Danny shifted uncomfortably at his desk, waiting. Mia’s friend was supposed to come in for an interview shortly and despite his excitement to have more help, he wasn’t exactly sure what to expect. When Mia said she had a friend who was ‘good people’ and just wanted to help, he had expected someone from the area- not one of Bruce Wayne’s foster children.

            Duke Thomas was eighteen years old, would be graduating from high school at the end of the month, and had been accepted to Gotham U for the following semester. He had a trust fund that would see him through the rest of his life and no need to work, least of all work with children in the Bowery. Maybe it was a bit hypocritical to think that way though- Danny certainly didn’t need to work with children in a random universe in a random city with children from the most rundown part of said city.

            Surprising no one, Danny wasn’t exactly good at the whole ‘boss’ thing. Sure he was a king, but he had a council and he made them take care of the social aspects, and hiring Mia had been different, he already knew her! He’d never actually interviewed someone for a job, and he wasn’t even really sure what he was supposed to say or do.

            There was a knock at his door, and he straightened his jacket out before shouting a calm ‘come in!’. Mia stood on the other side, gesturing for her friend to enter, and sent a glare over her friend’s shoulder directly at Danny. She mouthed ‘be nice’ to which he responded, ‘I’m always nice’, before closing the door.

            “You must be Duke,” Danny smiled. “I’m Danny, pleasure to meet you.”

            Duke shook his hand, it was firm, stronger than Danny expected. “Mia’s told me quite a bit about you, sir.”

            “Oh Ancients, no, call me Danny. I’m like four years older than you at most. Sir is weird.” They both took their seat, Duke shooting him a grin instead of responding, and Danny spread out Duke’s application in front of him. “So Duke, why do you want to work here?”

            Duke clasped his hands in front of him. “Honestly? I think what you’re doing here is really great. I grew up in an area that needed help like this. We never had anything like this when I was younger. It’s a really awesome way to help the community.”

            “That’s good to hear. I’m not from here so getting my feet under me was a little difficult at first, but once I made some connections things got a lot easier. You’re finishing up high school at the moment, right?” Duke nodded. “What are your plans after that?”

            Duke nodded slowly. “I’m going to attend Gotham U, I’m not sure what for yet. But during the summer and the days I don’t have class I want to do something with my time. Something good. I think that’s your daycare.”

            “Do you have any experience with kids?”

            Duke considered the question for a moment. “When I lived in the Narrows I had a neighbor who… had a drug problem. Her daughter came over one day to ask if we had any eggs. She was trying to cook herself food because her mom had been gone for a few days. After that I tried to take care of her. Brought her food, made sure there were leftovers for days I couldn’t, showed her my homework and taught her what little I could. It wasn’t much, but I learned a lot about taking care of little kids.” Something in his voice was tight, which made sense, it was obviously not a happy story. “We’re still friends and she’s doing much better now.”

            Well at least it had a bit of a happy ending.

            Danny liked him. He seemed genuine, seemed like the kind of guy who would do his very best for the kids, and actually wanted to help them. “How many hours are you looking to work in a week and what is your schedule like?”

            It didn’t take long for them to sort everything out. Duke would start the week after school ended, the first week of June, and he would work Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, ten to six, and (despite his protests that it was too much) would be making thirty dollars an hour. Danny really didn’t care if it seemed like a lot, he could pay Duke thirty dollars an hour for full time work for the rest of his life and not make a dent in his fortune.

            Mia gave him a smug look after Duke left. Why? He wasn’t sure. It wasn’t like Danny had been opposed to her friends working here, he’d encouraged it! He reminded her of that, and she rolled her eyes grumbling something about a hostile takeover, but it was difficult to hear over the shrieking children, even for him.

            With Mia working nine to three every day, and Duke working ten to six three days a week (once school let out), Danny might be able to take a bit of time off in the afternoons on those days. Still, he thought he should maybe hire someone a bit older, with a lot more experience before he could take any kind of trips or vacation time.

            That night, Danny found himself craving burgers. Nasty burger to be specific, but he’d be fully dead before he’d willingly set foot in Amity Park again, so he had to settle for the next best thing. Batburger.

            There was one not too far from where he lived, technically it was over the border into Crime Alley, but he wasn’t exactly scared of Crime Alley. He lived in the Bowery. Arguably worse than Crime Alley. And also, he was already half-dead. He wasn’t exactly worried about getting mugged.

            But get mugged, he did.

            “Hey you!” Someone shouted. Danny sighed, turning around to see a man wearing a mask with a gun pointed his way. “Hand over your wallet and phone.”

            Now, Danny was rich- like, incredibly wealthy, but he didn’t actively carry around large amounts of money. In fact, after buying his and Mia’s lunch that afternoon, he didn’t have any cash on him at all. And his phone was Wayne tech until Tucker gutted half of it an added his own stuff. It wouldn’t be worth much.

            And Danny was capable of going invisible and intangible, so he wasn’t exactly worried about this guy. He honestly felt bad he didn’t have any cash to give him though. “Listen man, I don’t really have anything worth money on me right now. If you want, I can get you a meal at the bat burger though?”

            The mugger looked confused. “What?”

            “I don’t have money on me, just my card which I would totally cancel before you could do anything with it, and my phone is worthless. But I was heading to Bat Burger anyways so if you’re hungry I’d be willing to buy you a meal.” Danny shrugged nonchalantly like his offer wasn’t absolutely insane.

            The gun began to lower slowly, Danny noticed a slight tremor in the man’s hand, and then the gun’s safety was back on, and the gun was stowed. “You’re that guy… My buddy from the Bowery said you hand out meals sometimes. You… you were at the soup kitchen.”

            Danny shrugged again. “Listen man, I do what I can. And what I can do right now, is buy you a meal. If you want.”

            That’s how Danny found himself sat across from a complete stranger eating burgers. Except he wasn’t a stranger. The man had shyly taken off his mask before walking in, afraid the employees and customers would think he was robbing them (a safe assumption) and freak out. The man -Miguel- turned out to be a bit closer to a boy. Probably seventeen (eighteen at most), with dull green eyes, freckles, and ratty brown hair.

            Probably best to act like he didn’t know who this kid was- it would be startling to realize an adult remembered you and your brother after almost being mugged.

            “So, what’s your story?” Miguel asked.

            Scoffing, Danny swallowed a bite and took a swig of soda. “I don’t have one.”

            “C’mon man, everyone’s got a story.”

            Danny raised an eyebrow pointedly. “And what’s yours?”

            The kid glared. “Point taken.”

            Wiping the grease off his hands, Danny leaned back into the booth and sighed. “I’m Danny. I run a daycare in the Bowery because it helps people and that’s what I like to do. Your turn.”

            “’m Miguel.” When he stopped there, Danny raised an eyebrow and gestured for him to keep talking. “Jus’ needed some money for dinner.” Danny had noted that he’d only eaten half of the food he’d gotten and wrapped everything up neatly.

            “Are you saving that for tomorrow? Or someone else?” Miguel pulled back like he wasn’t sure he should answer. “I like helping people. And I don’t do it in the ‘legal’ ways, if you’re afraid of cops or cps or something.” Danny pushed as much truth into his words as he could. Even if the kid couldn’t pick up his aura he pushed genuine-care-worried as hard as he could towards the boy.

            Miguel rubbed his palm with his thumb nervously. “My… my little brother’s waitin’ on me to bring ‘im somethin’.”

            “How old is your brother?” Danny asked. At Miguel’s quickly tensed nature, he put his hands up. “I’m not calling anyone on you, Miguel.”

            The boy shifted anxiously. “Thirteen.”

            Danny nodded, taking another bite, hoping that a moment’s reprieve would help Miguel calm down. “School?” He finally asked. Miguel shook his head, hanging it in embarrassment. “Parents?”

            “…I…” Miguel’s fists tightened, his breathing picked up, and he looked at Danny with panicked eyes. “I take care of him, ‘m really good at it and I don’t let ‘im go hungry or nothin’ and-”

            “Miguel, woah, woah, woah, it’s okay.” Danny comforted. “I’m not here to judge you kid.” He waited for Miguel’s panic to subside, for his words to sink in, before continuing. “I help people. That’s what I like to do, remember? Do you have a job?”

            He shifted uncomfortably. “I… ‘m in a… gang- ‘ts the only way ta get money for someone like me!”

            “Yeah, it’s got to be hard for someone in your position.” Danny finished his burger, wiping his hands again, crumpling the napkin, and tossing it onto the table. “Okay. So. I could use some help in the evenings and on weekends keeping the daycare clean. Toys need to be sterilized, floors vacuumed, and carpets cleaned, that kind of thing. I’d pay well.” Miguel opened his mouth, but Danny kept going. “I could tutor you and your brother on the weekends as well, I imagine he’ll be going into high school next year?”

            “Y..yeah…”

            “How old are you? What year of school would you be in?”

            Miguel fidgeted, clearly confused. “Seventeen. I’d be a senior next year I guess.”

            “Okay, so I can tutor the both of you, get you ready for school next year, and I’ll obviously pay for that too. Where are you living? I can set you guys up with an apartment too.”

            “What the fuck are you sayin’ man?” Miguel looked at him like he was -well- a fruit loop.

            Danny sighed and slid his card across the table. “I know it sounds like a trick; I swear it’s not. I help people. Call me your fairy godmother if it makes you feel better. I’ll let you think about it though, I know it sounds fake and you’re probably worried I’m like, some crazy trafficker or something. So, come find me, or call me if you want that.” He stood up, grabbing his trash. “In the meantime, let me get another meal for you to take to your brother.”

            Miguel’s ‘you’re absolutely fucking crazy’ look didn’t go away in the time it took for Danny to get him another meal (which was definitely more like three meals) so he reminded Miguel to call him and went on his way. Hopefully after the eventful couple of days he’d had, he could sleep in extra late tomorrow.

            Right?

~~~

            Wrong.

            He’d never been more wrong. How come it was so easy to jinx himself? And why did these things always happen to him? Apparently the power went out in the middle of the night and Danny’s alarm decided that meant it should go of at six in the morning (Ancients fuck factory settings), he was going to go back to sleep after shutting it off but the sound of an explosion not too far away woke him back up, so he stumbled out of bed and decided on coffee. What? Explosions were not for ex-vigilantes.

            Except his coffee maker had decided to not come back on after the power went out and he realized the whole thing was broken (he could fix it, but it would be easier to just go out and get coffee for the time being), which is when he thought things were looking up. The barista knew him (not as well as Jesse, but he thought his name was Eddie?), his younger brother went to daycare, and gave him his drink for free. The drink that he promptly spilled all over himself. No Tim in sight to buy him a replacement coffee.

            Fine, he didn’t need it anyways. He needed to go to the grocery store, so he’d just buy a premade coffee- with a lid that screwed on. It was a foolproof plan.

            “You should be more careful, walking in alleyways by yourself.” A hysterical voice called from the shadows of the alley he was cutting through. “You Wayne’s always thinking you’re safe because of the bat. But he’s not here, is he?” When Danny realized who was speaking he decided to nope out of the situation immediately.

            Nope. Fuck that. He didn’t do clowns. Didn’t matter what they looked like, if it walked like a clown and talked like a clown it was a fucking clown. Turning around, Danny moved to walk away from who he assumed was the Joker but had never actually met before. Wasn’t he in Arkham? Jazz had complained about him once or twice. He’d also heard complaints from several of his subjects about the man, a problem he never thought he’d have to deal with personally.

            A hand grabbed his shoulder and before Danny could stop himself he spun around and threw a punch at the man’s face. He. Didn’t. Do. Clowns.

            A sickening crack came from under Danny’s fist and blood poured out of the man’s nose. The man screamed and laughed hysterically; Danny questioned if he really was insane to be laughing at a broken nose.

            What exactly was Danny supposed to do in this situation? Joker decided for him, pulling out a gun and aiming it at the Halfa. Not the smartest move. Intangibility swept through him as the trigger was pulled, the bullet flying straight through him and lodging into the brick wall behind him. It only took another second for Danny to knock the gun out of his hand, grab the man by his shirt, and throw him across the alley into the opposite brick wall.

            The opposite brick wall which immediately collapsed on top of the body he’d thrown. Shit. Jogging over, Danny searched for a pulse. Aaaaaand… there wasn’t one. Cool. Cool cool cool cool cool. No biggie.

            “Ancients damn it.” He grumbled, pulling his hand away from the dry bleached skin and taking a step back. “Well you really stepped in it this time Danny.” He stared at the body, one hand on his hip, the other rubbing across his forehead as he debated what to do. “Could call the cops, don’t really want them to know I killed a guy, could try to find the bats- really don’t want them to know I killed a guy…. Could leave him here? No, no telling what someone would do with the body- might try to bring him back.”

            “And what have we here?” A deep modulated voice came from above Danny.

            Looking up, Danny came face to face with someone he was honestly surprised he hadn’t met before. The Bowery was part of Red Hood’s territory even if he was more known for his work in Crime Alley and Danny had been almost mugged a number of times, still, he’d never run into the crime lord. Despite knowing he should avoid vigilantes at all costs, Danny couldn’t help the bit of excitement at meeting the one his people called ‘the Avenger of the Dead’.

            Danny remembered the situation he was in and sighed, resigned. “Listen, it was an accident.”

            Red Hood tilted his head, dropping down from the fire escape he crouched on, gun still trained on Danny. When the man glanced toward the body he faltered, hand lowering slightly before looking back to Danny. “What the fuck?” It came out like a whisper.

            “He grabbed me and pulled a gun on me, I… didn’t mean to throw him that hard but I don’t like clowns.” Red Hood nodded as if that explained everything. Maybe it did. If he remembered correctly ‘the Red Hood’ was an old moniker of the Joker’s. Danny found it hard to believe someone nicknamed ‘the Avenger of the Dead’ would be in cahoots with the Joker, so it was more likely that he’d stolen the name to make something better out of it.

            He probably hated the clown more than Danny.

            Holstering his gun, Red Hood looked back to the body. “I’m guessing you don’t want anyone to know?” Danny nodded warily. “I’ll have someone take care of the body, give me a second to make a couple of calls.”

            Danny stood uncomfortably shifting from one foot to the other while the Red Hood moved further down the alley. It gave him an opportunity to study the man. He was, well, to put it bluntly, he was jacked. He was almost a foot taller than Danny with broad shoulders and obvious muscles filling out his tight-fitting suit. It wasn’t like the suit was all spandex either, it was a much thicker material, definitely layered with Kevlar and probably some other tech and protective layers, and yet you could still see every muscle on the man.

            Danny wasn’t checking him out. Not even when the man placed one hand on his hip which jutted out to the side and showed off his extremely firm looking ass. Firm looking? Danny mentally face palmed. You’re not allowed to thirst over a crime lord. Even the Avenger of the Dead.

He tried not to listen in on the conversation- he didn’t want to accidently learn the man’s identity or something and focused on the sound of the city in the distance. Sirens, guns, and the explosions from the morning all indicated an Arkham breakout and his concern immediately shifted to Jazz.

            Whipping his phone out of his pocket he pressed one and called. It rang three times before he heard his sister’s voice.

            “Danny?”

            “Jazz! Are you okay?”

            There was a lot of background noise, and it took her a moment to respond, she was likely distracted. “Yeah I’m fine. The breakout happened before my shift today, I just got in. Listen, the boss is, obviously, not happy so I can’t talk. I’ll call you tonight. Maybe we can do takeout at my place?”

            He confirmed and was quickly hung up on. The timing was good, Red Hood making his way over right after.

            “Okay, I’ve got someone on their way to take care of the body. You need help getting home? Actually- let me rephrase- I’m going to get you home.” His voice left no room for argument.

            Danny argued anyways. “I was on my way to go grocery shopping. I’ll be fine.”

            Hood grunted. “Sorry man but we’ve got an Arkham breakout on our hands. Better for you to get home now and shop tomorrow. Besides, with the Joker dead it won’t take as long to clean everything up.”

            He noticed the way Hood said Joker was dead seemed almost smug, but he didn’t question it. He sighed, dragging a hand down his face. “You’re not going to tell anyone that I did this, right?”

            Hood tilted his head and Danny pressed on before he could respond. “Because I mean, technically I killed him, but it was self-defense, and also this guy totally deserved it, but I’m just not totally sure it would look good for me with the parents whose kids I take care of and I would really prefer to not have to explain to all of them that ‘yes I killed the Joker and yes I’m still taking care of your kids’-”

            “Guy!” Hood cut in. “I’m not going to tell anyone. But I think you’d find most people would feel even more comfortable leaving their kid with someone who can defend themselves and their kids. Now let me take you home, I’ve got other people to catch and not a lot of time.”

            Danny relaxed at his words. “Oh don’t bother with me, I can-”

            “Just shut up and hold tight.” Red Hood grabbed Danny’s arm, pulled him close, extended his grapple, and they were flying.

            Now, Danny was used to flying, it was common practice for him even after hanging up his metaphorical cape, he flew on the daily, in his apartment he often found himself floating instead of walking, but flying while gravity was still a factor? Not at all the same. Danny’s arms wrapped around Hood’s neck tight, and his eyes snapped shut on reflex before he opened them again.

            “Where too?” Hood chuckled, swinging (apparently) aimlessly but away from the crime scene.

            Giving Hood his address, which he still wasn’t convinced was a good idea, he found himself enjoying the flight. It would be better with little bags of trail mix and a seatbelt, but he’d suffer he supposed.

            Setting down on the fire escape outside of his window, Hood leaned against the railing and seemed to be sizing Danny up.

            “Well… Uh… thanks, I guess.” Danny wasn’t sure what to say, settling instead for flattening down his hair. Between the shock of killing someone (which he had only done once before, and did Ending Pariah Dark really count? If anything that was worse than killing someone but also entirely different.) and meeting someone many of his people considered their hero (who he had hoped he’d get the opportunity to thank for his selfless deeds at some point or another) Danny couldn’t figure out what would be appropriate to say.

            Hood paused. “Anytime.” Danny snorted. “I mean it.” Even through his helmet Danny felt like he could see something blazing in his eyes. There was a solemnity in the way he spoke. “You killed the Joker. You need anything, come find me or my people. I owe you one.”

            Before Danny could argue (could insist that no Hood didn’t owe him anything, Danny owed him so much more for avenging so many lost souls that Danny had to introduce to the afterlife and they were always so young or powerless or scared and Hood had been able to bring them a comfort he never could so really it’s Danny who owed Hood a favor-) the vigilante leapt over the edge of the fire escape and swung away.

            Danny took a deep, shuddery breath, tearing his eyes away from where Red Hood had disappeared and using his intangibility to enter his apartment.

            He deserved a nap.

~~~

            Sleep never came to him, and he found it was much more elusive than it had been before he’d killed someone.

Prev. Next

[astroismypassion]

Astrology observations 🌌🌌

Credit goes to my Tumblr blog @astroismypassion

🌌 Virgo MC can’t really get away with “bad decisions”. For example, if they don’t eat well, overindulge, they are more likely to get backlash or criticism from people.

💙 Retrograde Mars people can often percieve themselves as not enough sexually desirable. They might think people don’t want to have sex with them.

💜 People with Capricorn Moon or Moon in the 10th house and other Earth Moon feel like their mental health starts get better if they just begin doing chores.

🌌 Neptune in the 4th house and Pisces IC native is that family member that can’t ever be blamed. Family members might even fear hurting this native due to how innocent they are and that they have the most unconditional love out of all family members.

💙 Gemini Suns are scared of gossip. Because they are aware of the fact that even a made-up thing can be turned into “a fact” too quickly and that people can end up taking a misconstructed thing as the whole reality.

💜 To me Virgo Venus has “minimalist” aesthetic, Taurus Venus “quiet luxury” aesthetic, Pisces Venus “coastal grand daughter” or “cottagecore” aesthetic and Capricorn Venus “preppy” or “dark academia” aesthetic.

🌌 I noticed Scorpio Moons most often only have one active social media account. Like they would use JUST Tiktok or just Tumblr, just Instagram and nothing else.

💙 Neptune in the 1st house women enjoy colouring their hair and changing colour. This is even more prominent if they also have Uranus in the 1st house.

💜 Women with Virgo Mars might have a husband that is gluten or dairy free. Also, your partner might have really nice skin if Virgo Mars is located in the 9th house or the 2nd, but if it’s in the 8th house or aspected with Pluto, he could actually struggle with keeping a healthy skin, could be prone to acne.

🌌 Musicians who have Gemini North Node or North Node in the 3rd house were discovered on Youtube or on a social media platform.

💙People with Scorpio over the 12th house or Pluto in the 12th house might help or serve ill people, such as granting the wish of critically ill people.

💜 You might buy food, food brands or meals from people who share your Moon sign. As an example: if you are Taurus Moon, you buy food items made by Taurus Sun people. If you are ans Aries Moon, you support food brands made by Aries Sun.

🌌 Leo Rising hair always stands out. Even if they are bald, have buzz cut, thin or frizzy hair. People tend to remember their hair the most.

💙 Gemini Mercury loove saying “fun fact…”. 😂

💜 Sagittarius Mars natives might really like their first time (having sex).

🌌 And also a side note, I noticed a pattern that people tend to describe their first time mostly with their Mars sign traits. If it’s Cancer Mars, they felt really comfortable and it was probably with someone they really, really liked and had a crush on for a very long time. Virgo Mars could point that it might have been a quickie or you paused and had a second round. It could also mean that you first started with a hand job, oral. Taurus Mars could also mean your first time started with a blow job (Taurus rules throat). Like 8th house sign also comes into the consideration.

💙 Taurus Moon people love having a drink with them. They love a cup or glass in hands. Such as grabing a smoothie, a cup of coffee, tea or a matcha. It just comforts them.

💜 Pisces Venus looks really good in emerald green clothing.

🌌 I noticed that one MC that is really common among celebrities that almost never (or very rarely) receives hate is Taurus MC celebrities. Real life examples would be Emma Chamberlain, Selena Gomez, Emma Stone, Margot Robbie, Eddie Redmayne, Blake Lively, Gemma Arterton etc. These people are really, really loved by the public. Also sometimes Capricorn Venus or Venus in the 10th house, but not to the same extent as Taurus MC. They can’t do wrong in the public’s eye. It’s like it’s very NOT to like them.

💙 Virgo Lilith women enjoy wearing bows and ribbons in their hair.

💜 People with Gemini Descendant or Gemini over the 7th house often talk down on their own beauty. They might have really glowing skin, but would still say “Yeah, but it’s still not *perfect* looking skin”. Or they might point out more their “beauty/appearance quirks” (uneven teeth, frizzy hair etc.) just so that people don’t end up idealizing them too much or build expectations for them.

🌌 I noticed Capricorn Moons with time love more luxurious pieces, otherwise in younger years (before Saturn Return) they quite love rather cheap stuff.

💙If you have Gemini over the 7th house people can often question the character of your spouse, committed partner. If you have Gemini over the 4th house people can question your mother's character or that of your loved ones, close friends.

💜 Men with Libra Moon often feel threatened by beautiful, conventionally attractive women. However, they also have this deep need of satisfying perfect beauty so they often pick models as their partner or women that look well-balanced, harmonious and have striking physical features, which sometimes intimidates them even more.

🌌 Pluto in the 8th house people or Scorpio over the 8th house might have regrets if they quit a sport they were really passionate about. They have more guilt than others of not sticking with it.

💙 I can’t stress enough how important is for Cancer Moons and Moon in the 4th house to stay in touch with the things they grew up with. It soothes them the best and it really benefits their emotional and mental wellbeing. If you have this placements, watch movies or series you enjoyed when growing up, build a pillow fort, listen to top hits from that time that remind of childhood/teenage nostalgia.

💜 The public and people always want Virgo MC to leak that daily routine👀 Like people are so interested in how they spend their day and what their day-to-day life looks like.

🌌 Virgo Moon (but also Gemini Moon to a certain extent) can act very stingy in their home. They would keep the lights off just so that the electricity bill will be smaller.

💙 I noticed people that are the most consistent with daily work outs tend to have Capricorn Moon or Moon in the 10th house. Because they can detach from feelings, even when they don’t feel like working out.

💜 Leo Risings often end up doing a job, profession or have a career that doesn’t really feel like a regular job. It’s like one of their hobbies for them. They also are found in jobs where they entertain, not necessarily on stage, it can also be on a social media platform.

Credit goes to my Tumblr blog @astroismypassion

[the-fandom-is-now-my-life]

Would they peel an orange for you?

Yes, I saw the TikToks and thought about doing it before I remember I don't have boyfriend

Yes, unprompted

Thoma

There is approximately 30-40 minutes between the time Thoma gives ayato his evening tea and when ayaka needed to be escorted to town.

And like clockwork Thoma would be waiting for you under a tree in the residence, on a somewhat secluded corner with a tray with two tea cups and a little platter with cut up solsettias and oranges.

Even if one day you arrive early where he is still getting settled and just about to start peeling and ask to do it for him he just smiles but refuses with his head.

“ Don't worry about it! Why don't you drink the tea? It's a new blend that arrived today, though you would like it”

Childe ( he is used to peeling fruit for his sibling)

Itto ( hear me out, he hears a girl mention a novel where the main character gets fed apple slices while sick and how attentive that was and immediately starts a competition with nobody to prove himself the 'bestest' boyfriend ever"

Yes, if asked

Zhongli

He doesn't have the same nutritional needs as humans, where we would need variety of vegetables and fruits, grains and meat in his dragon form he only needs three cows every month, now as a human his metabolism had slowed significantly, even then it would be strange to only buy kilos of meat once a month and nothing else.

That is where you help him out, going to his house for diner and lunch to not let the good rot.

“ I saw green tangerine at the stall and decided to buy them” zhongli settles the fabric bag on the table “It reminded me of such a delectable tea I had a while ago, I guessed I would have my hand at it, it will take at most 10 years only”

“ Tea inside tangerines? It sounds nice. Do you think I can eat one, I never had one” he nods from the kitchen putting away a bag of rice and other things while he mumbles about only needing the skin “I don't really want to peel it though… Can you peel it for me?”

Zhongli looks at you, head slightly turned but he smiles as he answers “ as you wish” he walks to the table and grabs a knife, before skillfully cutting the skin and stabbing a wedge “open wide”

Kaveh

Kaveh might work as an architect, loving the flow and composition of his buildings, but that love extends further away to other areas of art, from painting to rug making to clothes, so when you ask him for help when remodeling your home ( you paying) he was on cloud nine.

Walking and haggling the price all around the grand bazaar from 7 am (he insisted all the good things arrived early) to 3 pm was expectedly tiring to your legs and to your head, seeing how happy kaveh was with a 20 mora discount. So when you two stopped at alhaitham’s house to leave some bags you threw yourself on the ergonomic couch that was on the living room.

“Oh, we didn't stop to drink anything all morning, do you want some water and…” you could hear him rummaging around the shared kitchen for something to offer “ … some oranges?”

You only sigh but nod, even if you knew he wouldn't see “ water is fine. I don't want to peel anything, I hate how the smell lingers on my fingers”

Kaveh brings a jug with cool water “ I can peel it for you if you want, I don't really mind”

“... Yes, please “

Diluc ( would ask a maid the first time but when they tell him what it means he starts peeling it himself)

Neuvillete (furina said it was something sweet between lovers and it stuck with him)

Wriothesley

Not really/ doesn't find the point:

Alhaitham

At breakfast he doesn't like to eat heavy, not wanting to dirty his kitchen before going to work and not having much appetite so early. Usually a warm cup of tea or coffee and a bit of fruit or bread.

Seeing as he was picking an apple from the bowl on the kitchen you ask him to pick you an orange to which he only nods and grabs you a knife.

Leaving it in front of you he sits on the contrary chair and bites through the apple and sips his tea.

“ I don't really want to peel it, though… maybe someone could do it for me” you look at him, hinting at him

“ Do you want an apple then? You don't have to peel it” he doesn't look up from the book on the table even as you sighs

Wanderer (rat man)

Kaeya ( does it because you asked him but doesn't find the point in asking him for such a small favor. Prefers showing love/care in other ways)

[cyborg-franky]

Shopping Trip With One Piece Characters

Part of a trade with the awesome @softcenteregg

Doffy - The very definition of “Get in loser, we’re going shopping!”

Has money but you will have to pay for him all day when it comes to lunch and drinks.

Will be sitting at a restaurant at 11 am with a cocktail as he tells you about his week, regardless of if you asked or not.

Checks out the mall hotties.

Laughs when people open push/pull doors wrong.

Always has a cocktail or a Starbucks clutched in one hand, waving his credit card around in the other hand.

Rude to salespeople.

You will be dragged through the mall for hours because he needs to go into every designer shop he can and try on at least seventeen pairs of $400 sunglasses or he’ll die.

Will be the most overdressed person in the area,

When your having lunch with him and he sees someone he doesn’t like, he will be like “Oh hey! Been so long since we hung out, should do it again soon!” then soon as they're gone he’s dishing the dirt.

Also, you will carry his bags, thx.

Roger

Makes you wish you could get those reigns for kids but in adult sizes.

In fact, the entire trip is like taking a child out for his birthday.

Ever seen a huge bearded man grinning in pure glee at the new limited edition Build a Bear products? Ever seen one make like 12?

Do yourself a favor and limit his booze and sugar intake.

Is confused he can’t do a pub crawl in a mall.

Buys alot of those ‘alcoholic chocolates’ by the box load in an attempt to get a nice buzz going.

Thrift shopping but he will try on everything he can.

Does not know how to dress but does it with style, oddly enough.

You won’t get a chance to sit down or rest unless it’s dinner time.

At least he’ll sleep well tonight.

Kid

Hit’s all the stores that sell music and band merch.

Will snort at people who buy things he doesn’t like.

Throws around words like ‘poser’ and judges everyone.

The kinda metal kid who hangs out at the mall with all the wallet chains looking like their parents grounded them, but in their late 20s.

Will spend hours looking for CDs and just say he’s too broke and he’ll download it online anyway.

Walks around the mall trying to find the right shade of lipstick with Killer, both their arms and hands are covered in testers before they both just get more black nail varnish and the same shade they always buy.

Has a reusable plastic cup that's full of jack and coke. 

Taunts mall cops.

Killer

Imagine all of the above but he also spends alot of time looking at fancy new cook wear.

Will spend nothing on food all day but will drop $90 on a brand new crockpot or air fryer for the kitchen.

Very metal of him.

Thatch

Thatch is fun to go with.

Treats you, buys the coffee and lunch.

Is happy to do whatever you want as long as he gets to check out homeware sections while you look at your things.

You will never lose him behind shelves because you can always see his hair.

Like Jaws but with hair and ozone layer murdering levels of hairspray.

Will flirt with staff, will get talking to them for far too long, and hold up the line.

The type of person who has alot of change and makes it a personal challenge to count out change exactly.

Will carry your bags though, he’s a good boy.

Bit judgey on eatery places pastries.

Shanks

I hope you enjoy getting nowhere because when you're at a mall with Shanks or out and about in town you will be stopping every ten steps because someone recognises him and comes over and chats.

Has no concept of how long he’s been talking.

Is the type to have a pint with breakfast or brunch when you guys hang out.

Sale on ugly pants? He’d push you down to get there first.

Always texting the gang when he’s out.

Lol Benn guess what, I saw Buggy and he was with that guy, you know, the one with the hook, lol lol

Will drop Uta off at the mall kids' soft play area even though she’s 18 and still forget to pick her up before leaving.

Ace

Low key baits mall cops by loitering around and looking like an issue but has no intention of being an issue.

Might skateboard inside the mall.

Poses with ‘no skateboard’ signs.

Hopefully, there isn't an arcade in the mall because if you had any intention of getting things done today, that won’t happen now.

Hungry every 20 minutes and has to grab snacks.

100% the kinda friend/boyfriend who sits on the seats outside the changing rooms holding all the bags and groaning, acting like it’s the worst thing in the world.

Is one of those people who opens push/pull doors wrong.

Marco

After taking five minutes to park correctly he’s happy to go with the flow. 

Likes to have a coffee and a people watch with you, chatty and social.

But he will drag you to shoe stores and you will be sat there for ages as he tries on every strappy sandal in the place, walking up and down and asking you what you think.

“I like this one but I don’t know if it makes me too tall yoi.” while you can’t for the life of you tell the difference between that pair and the last 40.

If you meet him at the mall he might be late, very much the shows up 20 minutes late with Starbucks.

Has a tendency to wander off in shops and you spend half your time looking for him.

Doesn’t give a warning when entering a shop if something shiny caught his bird brain.

Benn

He hates the mall.

Imagine a dad who has to take his teenage daughter clothes shopping and that’d basically be him with Shanks.

Benn is a very ‘I know what I am here for’ in and out kind of person but he doesn’t mind going to other places with you.

Ignores staff-only signs when he knows there is a smoking area on the other side of that door.

Is the person to remind you of the ‘insert thing here we have at home’ and is a shop sensible person, though he won't say anything if you do buy another T-shirt that looks exactly like the one you already have.

Pretends to be annoyed at carrying the shopping, but he offered and he likes to help you out.

If you complain about your feet hurting he’ll helpfully tell you he told you to wear your other shoes.

Sabo and Luffy

Banned

Both have their pictures up in the security office.

Sabo for giving the mall cops the finger, graffiti, and shoplifting.

Luffy peed in the fountain and kept stealing pick-n-mix.

[flamingo-writes]

I'm literally begging you 🙏🏽😭 for a gentle/sfw fic or head canons (it's so rare to see a fic of Hobie that is not nsfw😔) where Hobie has a significant other (that is also a spider person from Mexico from different universe) that has cottagecore vibes and is really colorful unlike Hobie but they still love each other, and it's just Hobie visiting them in there universe or they went on a date and it's just a sweet moment💓

I adore how well you write Hobie, I wish you well and thank you in advance 💕

I absolutely loved this!! I wanted to write an actual fanfic but the freaking heat wave and the seasonal depression are making it hard for me to write extensive pieces 😭😭 so I wrote this in headcanon's format. I hope you like it.

the song Corazón de Rubí by El Búho ft Miük helped inspire this.

Corazón de Rubí – Hobie x Mexican!Reader.

Hobie could never really understand what people meant when they said "warm winter"

Seriously? What the fuck was that? Winter was always cold. Sometimes it was less cold that previous years. But it was always cold.

At least until he met you.

Not only in the cheesy metaphoric way. Hobie is artistic, not only he's a visual artist, he's a musician. Of course he's thought about it in a metaphoric way.

Something he'd always keep hidden, maybe except from you.

But you literally were warmer.

From the friendly and welcoming nature. To the very bright colours surrounding you.

He changed colors, and sometimes they were bright. But the color palette you and your universe was vastly different. It was vibrant, saturated, contrasting between them. It was like someone had turned up the brightness in the world.

Both literally and figuratively.

Your world was simply warmer.

Even well into December with winter just around the corner.

Hobie thought it was adorable how you complained about it being cold when the humidity and warmth was so unlike anything he was used to.

The jungle was still vibrant green.

When you were taking a break from you Spider Duties and escaped the city, you'd hide away in a small house that once belonged to your grandmother, in the middle of the jungle.

Where exactly, he didn't know. He just knew the vast green mountains before him were referred to as La Sierra.

For a full week, the both of you decided to run away from your duties and maybe forget about the mutliverse, the rest of the Spider Society could hold the fort just fine without you two around.

And for a full week, close to the start of winter, you hung out in your grandmother's house.

It was small, and could easily get lost between the tall trees.

It was sunny for the most part, but not hot enough to be bothersome.

Hobie's favourite part was watching you go about your day. Water the plants, take out the dogs, buy groceries for lunch and see you interact with the people in the closest town. Show him off as your partner. Even learning a little bit of Spanish to get him about his day whenever he felt like adventuring on his own.

He wasn't exactly fond of spicy food in the beginning, but he got to appreciate that tangy taste of chili pepper in the food.

While you were and early riser and immediately got started with your morning routine, he wouldn't wake up until midday.

And by the time he was up, you'd make tea for him, and keep him company with a cup of coffee for yourself. Who knew Mexican's liked coffee so much. Especially with cinnamon. café de olla, was called. He still liked tea better, but he'd ocassionally indulge in some café de olla.

Walking around town was also pleasant. Everyone you came across to was so nice and kind. Being a small town, everyone knew each other, and everyone apparently knew and remembered your grandmother.

And soon everyone in town came to know him too.

At night, you'd sit on the small balcony and gaze at the stars visible. They were definitely more than in the city, but it was still not that rich of a stary sky. But the way your eyes shone put the stars to shame.

Drinking either coffee (late at night), tea, if the night was too hot a cold beer. Just talking back and forth, exchanging stories and comparing childhoods.

For that full week, Hobie felt like he was in a dream. A tropical vacation swallowed by the jungle, nice humid weather, cool nights, and friendly people.

But it was spending his free time with you what made it so magical.

After returning back to his usual routine, for a good three months, he'd make so much art inspired on all the landscapes he saw. Suddenly all of his art had green in it. Green, yellow, hot pink and blue.

He kept askign you over and over again when would you two go to another week getaway from the responsibilities, already missing your grandmother's house in La Sierra. Missing the food. The nice weather.

"Fine, let's go. But we're absolutely NOT going during the summer. You're gonna die of a heat stroke on me, and mosquitos will eat you alive" You chuckled.

If Hobie felt the winter was already warm enough, he thought maybe the summer would be, indeed, very hot.

[upon-a-starry-night]

Number Neighbors Pt.9

Natasha Romanoff x Fem! Reader

Natasha Masterlist Series Masterlist

Word Count: 745

Summary:  When you catch sight of the newest trend going around you know you’re all but bound to at least try it, it was harmless anyway. What could possibly stem from something so little?

---

You stirred your cup of freshly made coffee as you thought of how close you and Nat had gotten over the past few months. You’d just finished some mild cleaning and were taking a break to make your third cup of liquid energy. There was no way you’d normally have the energy to clean your apartment without caffeine, and honestly, you were considering switching to energy drinks, the taste of coffee was becoming too…bitter.

Although you had to admit at least the taste matched your mood. If your mother were here she would berate you for how much pacing you’ve been doing, but you couldn't help it. Every time you let yourself rest your thoughts drifted to Nat.

 You were worried you may have overstepped after your last conversation.

~

You and Nat had been texting over the weekend as you usually would when Nat expressed to you that her work was probably going to consume her for a while again this week, you outwardly groaned at the information. You knew that meant she probably wasn’t going to be able to text you the entire time. It always made you upset when you couldn’t text her, you wouldn’t ever admit how dependent you’d become on her presence out loud. 

This time though, as you lay on your bed under the covers as the city lit up with its usual Saturday night party-goers, you listened to the laughs of friend groups and couples outside of your window and you found yourself succumbing to your usual melancholy loneliness. It was that same hollow feeling and the thought of being virtually alone all week that led you to confess something you knew you probably shouldn’t have

       Nat🔪:

Y/n🍦: 

I wish I could hear your voice.

The thought occurred to you many times as your friendship progressed, along with other terribly intrusive thoughts about her appearance and whether or not she was as beautiful as you’d begun picturing her to be. Nat didn’t respond to your message for a while and it got to the point where you stopped staring at the gray “seen” on your phone and turned the TV on for some comfort. Anxiety began to creep into your blood and you realized after watching the credits roll on an episode that you’d not even been able to pay the TV any attention. 

You began to nervously pick at your skin, refusing to acknowledge the lump threatening to form in your throat. You’d googled so many times if it was appropriate to be so forward with online friends- Google the lying bastard told you it was common for online friends to send each other voice messages and even Facetime from time to time. 

You knew it would be different with Nat, everything was. But you guessed some stupid hopeful part of your brain thought maybe…

You’re forced out of your thoughts by the sound of your phone buzzing, you quickly grab it and unlock it, heart pounding in your ears as you stare at the new message

          Nat🔪:

Nat🔪:

You know I can’t do that.

It was such a simple message but it still made you ache all the same. You typed out a blank response and shut off your phone for the night, you doubted she was going to respond anyway.

Y/n🍦:

Yeah.

You fell asleep soon after that, missing the sound of your phone buzzing once more as you turned in bed.

Nat🔪:

I’m sorry.

That was the last message you’d gotten from Nat, and while you were broken up about it you were also salty. You didn’t text her on Sunday when you realized that it had always been you who texted first, and maybe it was petty but you wanted to see if she would reach out first for once. 

Your Sunday came and went without a single message. 

You called your mom just to have someone to talk to. You loved your apartment but lately, the space felt too empty and cold, maybe you should go buy a plant and get emotionally attached to that instead, people were too unpredictable. 

Especially your person

~

The rest of your week was quiet and boring, you knew Nat would be busy but you didn’t bother spamming her with memes and messages like you usually would. You looked around your clean apartment and sighed, downing the rest of your coffee. You picked up your keys, needing a distraction, at least you could go grocery shopping.

Pt.10

A/n: And now we get to the angsttt :(

~~~

@marvelwomen-simp @cd-4848 @wandanatlov3r @rebeltombraider @ctrlamira @fxckmiup @aliherreraaa @natsxwife @la-douler-ne-finite-jamais @romanoffsgal @moistblobfish

[bullet-prooflove]

Hi I just discovered your blog and I’m so happy to see someone writing fic for the FBI show!

Can I request Scola + Stealing kisses at the break of dawn?

Tagging: @trublu2u@burningpeachpuppy@upsteadlogic@noxytopy@kmc1989

Companion piece to Little Changes - Stuart notices when you start to make little changes.

You aren’t in bed when Stuart wakes up, your side is vacant, the sheets cold. He sighs because this is the third night in a row he’s woken up alone and he’s concerned it’s going to become a habit.

He finds you in the living room, curled up under the couch blanket, a cup of tea clasped to your chest as the TV plays in the background.

“You wanna talk about it?” He asks you as he sits down on the couch alongside of you.

“What’s the point?” You ask him, your gaze fixed on the TV as your palm rubs over the nape of your neck. “It doesn’t change anything.”

You’ve been like this since the appointment with the fertility doctor, since you found out you’re the reason that the two of you can’t have kids. You’d been trying for over a year before you decided to see a specialist. You thought she’d tell you it was just stress, that you needed to cut down on your hours, relax a little more instead the news was worse.

You were in menopause, early onset.

Apparently there’s a history of it in your family. You’d had no idea because you don’t speak to your mother and your father hates discussing ‘women’s things’.

You’ve become withdrawn since then, burying yourself into your work, staying out late. A couple of times he’d found you at the bar alone, drinking whiskey and studying your phone. He knows you’ve been looking up ways to reverse it, researching, he also knows you’ve come up dry. There’s nothing you can do and that’s the part that’s got you twisted up in knots, you’re used to fighting your problems and this is something you can’t.

“Sasha…” He says softly, his hands cradling your face between his hands. “This is not your fault.”

He can tell you don’t believe it, he can see it in your eyes. He wishes there was something he could do to take away the pain but the agony you’re feeling, he feels it too. The difference is he’s pragmatic, he knows there’s other options, he’s open to them but right now you’re not. The anguish, it’s too raw, too recent.

“I don’t want to talk about it anymore.” You say quietly as you climb into his lap and begin to undress. “I just want to forget.”

You fuck him hard, the light from the sunrise cascading over his bare skin as you kiss him like it’s the last time, because for you it is the last time. This is your gift to him, your final goodbye because tomorrow you’re leaving him.

You’re going to set him free so he can have the family that he wants, the one that you can’t give him.

Stuart? Don’t miss any of his stories by joining the taglist here.

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Like My Work? - Why Not Buy Me A Coffee

[scaredcrab]

Coffee shop (drabble)

Character: ☼ Wukong x Reader

✐ Summary: You work in the most relaxing coffee shop of the city. A special client starts visiting the place regularly.

✐ Category: Cute. Romantic.

-✐-☼-✐-☼-✐-☼-✐-☼-✐-☼-✐-☼-✐-☼- ☼ Sun Wukong was going around in the form of a bird when he saw with his golden eyes some beautiful pastries by the window. He couldn't resist entering.

☼ Taking the opportunity to go through the door when someone opened it, Wukong sneaked to the countertop, ready to use his enchanting bird appearance to gain free snacks.

☼ That's when he fell into the trap, he held his gaze in the direction of something that attracted much more attention than the sweets themselves.

☼ Finishing writing down an order on a notepad, you tucked your pen behind your ear and turned to go on your way, until your attention was stolen by the sight of a bird inside your workplace.

☼ "Wow, what a beautiful visitor we have here. Would you like something, buddy?"

☼ You not only gave him a treat, you also let him have a table for two in the corner of the establishment. All the comfort that someone who eats without paying would want.

☼ From there, he decided that he needed to get closer to you.

☼ He started visiting whenever he could, only buying something if you are in your working shift.

☼ Wears a hooded outfit to hide most of his features, and a disposable surgical mask to hide his face when he comes to talk to you.

☼ He usually asks for some peach desserts and a coffee drink to go with it.

☼ Initially, Wukong doesn't like coffee, but he asks for it every time, since you recommended it when he asked your favorite product of the cafeteria. He would get rid of it by giving it for free to Tang later.

☼ But over time you realized that your shy customer had the habit of not drinking all the coffee and always asked for a cup to "drink the rest on the trip".

☼ "What do you think about having a latte instead of the espresso this time?"

☼ You asked what kind of latte art he would like to see in his drink. Uncertain of what to reply, he simply blurted out a "surprise me".

☼ And you fulfilled the agreement! The king almost couldn't drink when he came across the image of a small peach with delicate leaves made from milk foam in the cup.

☼ The next time he came for a latte he asked for a little foam monkey, and the next time he asked for a fireworks image, and so on with different specifications each time.

☼ A small detail that stole the monkey's heart even more was noticing that something started to accompany the latte: You started leaving messages thanking him for visiting on napkins with smiley faces drawn in the corner of the papers.

☼ Of course, he didn't hold you hostage to the latte arts for long. When he saw that with a specific drink you wrote what people asked for on the cup, he had to ask for one of those too.

☼ "Uhhh… Which one of the drinks come in with those plastic lids and a straw, and then you write something on the cup?"

"You mean a frappé?" - You said it with a smile that clearly showed how cute this was for you.

"If this is going to make you write in the cup, than that's exactly what I want."

☼ Once the drink was ready, you did what you normally do, asked the client name to put in the cup. A perfect opportunity to find out something about the peach dessert customer.

☼ Then you heard a cough through the mask, followed by a sly remark.

"Actually, I would prefer to see your number written there."

Needless to say, he got your contact, right?

☼ And everything would have ended as Wukong wished, if not for an unexpected problem. The place that only a few minutes ago had only the two of you had its front door opened, revealing two thieves breaking in.

☼ Facing the sight of your frightened face, he came out of his disguise to defend you. A fight that didn't last long, considering that one of those involved was none other than the Great Sage.

☼ He thought he lost all chances with you, considering that the opportunity to approach him calmly without the pressure of being "The Monkey King" has now been destroyed.

☼ "Thank you so much for saving me, and sorry for the inconvenience. Would a free dessert be a good way to make up for the inconvenience?" - Even after seeing who he was, your attitude towards him hadn't changed, you remained the same charming barista as ever.

Still dazed, the monkey had to shake its head to think again and come up with the perfect answer.

"It wasn't an inconvenience to help you, buuuut a date would be a nice reward if you want my opinion."

☼ Fortunately for both of you, several encounters followed that day. If before there was a crush full of chemistry, now a sugary love has begun to build.

[obsessedwithtoomanythings]

The Terrifying Ordeal of Falling in Love with Leon Kennedy

CHAPTER 3

Pairing: Leon Kennedy x Reader (female reader)

Series Warnings: Minor injuries, Leon teases reader a lot, Strangers to Friends to Lovers, Mutual Pining, Drinking, Drinking followed by driving, DO NOT DO THAT THIS IS FICTION, Anxiety, Leon S. Kennedy has PTSD, Leon has an anxiety attack, Anxiety Attacks, Swearing, Tooth-Rotting Fluff, Nightmares, Leon S. Kennedy has Nightmares, Cuddling & Snuggling, Probably incorrect medical talk, Strangulation in one tiny little scene, Reader's brother was a cop who was KIA, Slow Burn, Slow Build, Grief/Mourning, Christmas Fluff, Mistletoe, Fluff and Smut, Eventual Smut, Arguing, Love Confessions, Looking for Alaska is mentioned, Inconvenient Love Confessions, Penis In Vagina Sex, Dirty Talk, Dirty Thoughts, Oral Sex, Cunnilingus, Leon loves eating Pussy change my mind, Shower Makeout, romantic smut, Desperate Leon S. Kennedy, They are both desperate for each other tbh, They say I love you as they come, Scar Kissing, Enthusiastic Consent, Always pee after sex, UTI PREVENTION, POV First Person, No use of Y/N

Words: 1.2K

Masterlist

April 2004

I could give a thousand reasons why

But you're going, and you know that

All you have to do is stay a minute

Just take your time

The clock is ticking, so stay

-Stay, Zedd

The bustling cafe feels inviting from the outside, but unfortunately, that atmosphere dissipates once you enter. If you aren’t a fan of crowds, that is. I glance at the clock on the wall, opting to order a second drink before leaving, given it’s pretty obvious that the friend that invited me out here isn’t coming. The barista gives me a small smile that spreads across her pink cheeks, her button nose scrunching while dimples appear.

“Another one?” She assumes, offering to take my empty cup. I nod silently, handing it to her before she rings up the same drink. Reaching for the cash in my pocket, I am beaten as a voice speaks up behind me, moving forward and placing a hand on the small of my back, my muscles tensing at the contact.

“I’ve got hers.” Oh, I know that voice. I release a breath before turning to him. His hair is much smoother than the first time I saw him and a bit damp, obvious that he’d recently showered, which is also evident by the woodsy scent that wafts off of him in waves. I’ve never been this close to him, not with his face this close anyways, and it’s hard not to notice the small details. A small mole on the bottom of his chin, dark circles under his crystal blue eyes, and a small cut on his jaw, presumably from shaving.

“Agent Kenned-” He finally looks at me, eyebrows raised before he cuts me off.

“Ah. Leon,” he corrects, corner of his lip coming up into a small smirk.

“Sorry. Leon. Why are you buying my coffee?” The question feels redundant, his card having already swiped through the machine after he orders a simple black coffee, but I find myself asking anyways.

“I owe you.” He says it as if it’s the simplest thing in the world, and he chuckles at my furrowed brows. Glad he thinks my confusion is funny. “For patching me up?”

“You know, Leon, that is kinda my job. I was paid to do that,” I explain before the barista hands me a warm cardboard coffee cup, followed quickly by her handing Leon his. It’s almost impossible to miss the phone number scribbled in black sharpie on the brown cardboard sleeve, and I release my own small giggle at the barista’s balls. I’d never be brave enough to do that.

“Something funny, Nurse Nosy?” I scoff at the nickname, wishing he could have settled on literally anything else as we step away from the line, standing off to the side.

“Do you always get phone numbers without asking?” I tease. She was really pretty.

“Sorry?” Now it’s his turn to look confused, eyebrows furrowed. I gesture to the coffee cup resting in his hands, and he looks at it before glancing back at the barista, who gives him a smile and wink. When he turns back to the point where he’s out of her line of sight, he rolls his eyes. “So, any big Saturday plans for the off-duty nurse?” He inquired leisurely, trying to make casual conversation as we slowly move toward the door.

“Well, I was supposed to meet a friend for coffee, but she bailed,” I uttered, embarrassment coloring my cheeks.

“Why not call up some of your other friends?” His unoccupied hand now rests in the pocket of his dark wash jeans, and for a moment, I find my mind racing at noticing his casual attire. A simple tee shirt, dark wash jeans, and are those Converse? I snort in response, wrapping both hands around the cup, my eyes looking around the coffee shop. Anywhere but at him.

“I think you overestimate my social skills.”

“You don’t-” He has the decency to at least seem surprised.

“It’s okay. I have a hot date with my GameCube,” I joked, an overexaggerated wink tossed in his direction. “Thanks again for the coffee.” Turning to leave, I give him a small wave, which he returns, although his eyes look like he’s locked in an argument with himself. As my fingers make contact with the cool metal of the door handle, he speaks again, loud enough that I can hear him over the whir of the machines and the light chattering of people.

“Nurse Nosy!” I turn, irritation growing on my face as he quickly makes his way over to me.

“Can you pick a different nickname, please?” I ask, and he ignores the question in favor of his own request.

“A couple of friends and I are grabbing drinks tonight. Come with.” It takes me by surprise, him inviting me out with his friends.

“Look, if this is a pity thing, it’s fine. I’m content in my loneliness.”

“It’s not. I’m just trying t-”

“To help?” His sentence is finished by me, and for a brief second, I see a flash of embarrassment on his cheeks due to the nature of my line of questioning the first time we met.

“I’m just trying to invite you out for a drink. That’s all.” It’s clear he’s not used to the pushback when it comes to these things, my skepticism and self-doubt making this harder than it needs to be.

“Why?” He rolls his eyes again, probably regretting asking in the first place by now.

“Because you seem like a decent person, and I don’t hate your company. Is that so hard to believe?” Yes. It is. Because you are you and I’m… well… me.

“Fine. One drink. Can I have the address?” I concede, figuring why the hell not. Leon allows a small smile onto his face as he nods, pulling out a pen.

“Sure. It’s only like 30 minutes away.” My face drops, mentally calculating cab fare cause there’s no way in hell I can walk that far, nor would I want to. “Something the matter?”

“No. I’m just thinking about cab fare, that’s all.” It’s not embarrassing to admit, a lot of people in DC don’t have cars, and cabs are on almost every street near the city center.

“Wait, you don’t have a car?” He pauses.

“Nope. It’s on my to-do list, and I’ve got a good chunk saved up. Should hopefully have one in the next couple months,” I explain. He returns the pen to his pocket as quickly as he removed it.

“I’ll pick you up then.”

“What?” That surprises me, his offer.

“Yeah. I invited you out. Feels a little shitty for me to force you to pay for a cab.” I get his logic, but it still feels strange.

“It’s okay, I don’t want you to have to go out of your way.”

“It’s no problem. If you give me your address, I can pick you up at like 6:30ish.” There’s no arguing with this guy, is there? I nod hesitantly, telling him my address, which he writes on his arm in small rough letters while I hold his coffee.

“You sure you’re okay with this?” I question one last time, gesturing to his recently scribbled-on arm.

"I invited you, didn’t I?” He smirks, taking his drink back, fingers brushing against mine and sending a shiver down my spine. “See you at 6:30.” Then he winks. He fucking winks. My heart jumps in my chest, too stunned to speak as he turns on his heel and heads for the door. “Hey Nurse Nosy?” He grabs my attention once more. “Wear pants.” Then he’s out the door. Pants?

Leon: @house-of-kolchek @bonnibuckets @athanasia-day @muffimtv Everything: @chaosandbubbles @kassiekolchek22 @akiramoon8088

[filth-burps-writing]

Pigs Banquet part one; Arlo’s hangover

The first real section of the pig’s banquet story!!!

Arlo awoke at 12pm and stared at the wall. It was definitely moving. Nausea washed over his body as he remembered what he did last night. Contrary to popular belief Arlo loves beer. But they are roughly three stages to Arlo drinking beer;

1. “Beer makes me burp so good! I’ll just have one!”

2. “Oh my god I feel amazing I’m definitely not stopping.”

3. Passing out.

It wasn’t that he couldn’t handle his liquor or that he was alcoholic, it was just how beer made him feel . Masculine , powerful and most of all fat. He felt like such a slob when he drank it. But now he was paying the price. “ babe wake up. You got me drunk last night so have to buy me breakfast. Those are the rules.” Arlo shook Mercy. So hot, so cute, so fucking evil. Mercy woke and placed a hand on Arlo’s belly “ of course honey. You did great last night. 20 beers! And your burps were incredible”. Arlo sighed. Instead of putting on his work clothes he pulled on a pair of basketball shorts and his “shame hoodie” as much as he loved the fat, disgusting patrons of the restaurant he did not want to oggled today. As he pulled the hoodie past his binder that was still on from the night before he released a wet belch. At least being nauseous came with excellent gas.

In front of Arlo sat his favourite breakfast. Three bacon egg and cheeses, a plate of pancakes with butter, syrup and more bacon, two cups of black coffee and a plate of french toast. Despite the nausea and pounding headache he was famished. Mercy had several plates of sugary pastries, a plate of scrambled eggs and two frappecinos. They both shovelled their food down, burping and farting as they ate. Arlo couldn’t resist glancing at his girlfriend as they ate. Mercy may be reason he was shaking and in pain but she was still sexy and dripping syrup down her breasts. As he finished off his meal he belched, farted and patted his belly. Food was life’s second greatest pleasure and gas the first. Mercy belched herself and started rubbing Arlo’s belly. Before Arlo knew it he playing with her shirt straps. They belched in each others faces and released loud farts into the air. “Did you have to buuurrrrp get me drunk last night” “yes your sooo sexy when you’re drunk. I couldn’t resist” “fine”.

As Arlo stepped into his workplace dizzy and nauseated, he considered the pros and cons of having a sexy girlfriend. Pro; she looks hot. Con; she can convince you to do anything. Even the elastic on his short felt tight on his gut. Admittedly it did make him feel extra fat. God he loved having such a big belly. He slapped it. in appreciation and immediately regretted it as another wave of nausea passed through him. He slipped a hand under his belly to rub it as he walked in. As per usual the first thing of the day was a staff meeting that mostly consisted of Ronald showing off how smelly his farts are. Arlo hoped one day he could have farts like that but it was mostly boring. Then it was helping get the trays of greasy food into the warmers ready for the customers and filling up the dock with plates and silverware. He was grateful today of all days for the “one plate per customer sign”. Then it was time to just stand there until a patron needed something. In a move surprising everyone, Reginald decided to do something nice and bring Arlo a plastic cup of ginger ale. Arlo chugged it, belched in his face and smirked. Reginald commented on how he wished Arlo’s clothes were less baggy, flipped the bird, slapped his ass and left. The rest of the majority of his shift passed in a blur. Drinks, hosting, plates, insults,flirting. Catching glimpses of his sexy girlfriend between tables. A usual shift only slightly marked by his nausea and exhaustion.

Halfway through the dinner rush Arlo felt dizzy and heavy. He walked to the staff bathroom and threw up. He was struggling to breathe and just felt … wrong. His whole body was sticky. He looked at himself in the mirror. God he wished he didn’t have to bind. He did yet another wet belch and went to open the door. But then he thought to himself “ fuck it. I’m wearing a baggy hoodie and they’ll blend in with my fat belly”. Then he pulled his hoodie off, took off his binder and put the hoodie back on. His chest was barely noticeable! He went to his next table much happier and less nauseous.

A few hours later him and Mercy were done clearing up and had just put their tips in with Alfred when he decided to get another ginger ale off Reginald. “He’s been less of an asshole lately” thought Arlo. He went to the bar with the money. “What do you want titties?” Reginald greeted him. Arlo saw red. “The fuck did you just call me?”. “It was just a joke chill. Are are you not smart enough to understand it?” Arlo responded “don’t call me that!”. Reginald smirked and chanted “tit-ties tit-ties tit-ties”. The other guys on staff joined in while Mercy stared helplessly. Arlo wasn’t scared though. He was furious. He wanted revenge. Not just for this. But for everything.

[ki-irke]

Ground Zero

Prologue: Fresh blood

"Damn it, Bianca, you can't just leave Mystic Falls!" Klaus shouted, making me stop on the stairs leading to the floor where my room was. A sly smile appeared on my face as I turned to my friend.

"A bet, Klaus?"

Don't bet with me.

"How's it going, Klaus? Any pee break or no?" I asked, taking my eyes off the road for a split second to look at my grumpy friend, who was scrolling through social media. Klaus forbade me from going, even though after so many years (sometimes I forgot how many) I deserved a vacation. Wasn't it true?

"At least check where we are," I said, seeing that houses began to appear around. My new home, here I come!

 "Ten miles from some town called Beacon Hills," Klaus replied, taking a swig from his coffee mug. Then he winced as he put the cup back in its holder. "Gross"

"And yet you're still drinking it," I laughed.  “We'll stop at the nearest station and wait until morning. I'm getting tired"  I explained, and the man nodded. I continued to drive, when Klaus suddenly shifted in his seat, glancing intently in the side mirror.

"I think we'll might have to stop a little further" I furrowed my brows and looked in the mirror. I caught a glimpse of the driver of the car behind us in the mirror and smiled sly at him.

"Klaus, turn the music up"  The man did what I asked for and fastened his seatbelts. "This is going to be fun" I said, suddenly hitting the gas. The car following us was also speeding up.

"Any idea?" Klaus asked.

"Hunters. They're going after me for a few weeks. I changed gears and looked in the mirror.

"Automatic transmission is easier, you know?"

"Manual funnier," I said, shifting gears again. Seeing that the car was still following us, I frowned.

"God, I can't have one day off?" I asked, annoyed, and suddenly turned left.

"What's the plan?"

"We're stopping at Beacon Hills. Find some house on sale" he raised his eyebrows, but he didn't comment on it, he just started looking for a house to buy.  Money has never been a problem for me.  I had loads of them and liked to spend them.

"They're still coming after us?" I asked, focusing on the rough and dark road.

I could see well in the dark, but I preferred to be careful.

"Yupp, they are" he smiled slowly, slowly realizing what I mean. He stretched his arms out in front of him, stretching after a long trip. Wish I could do the same.

I noticed, that the road is closing, so I slowed down and swerved hard, making us face the car that was still following us.

Klaus quickly got out of the car, stretching his body and getting ready for a fight. I stayed in the car, carefully watching the car stop in front of my friend. I noticed something in the woods, like a pair of eyes. I ignored it, though. Seeing the second car, I got out of my car. Several people got out of the cars.  There weren't many, maybe five or six.

"Hungry?" asked Klaus, turning his head back to smile at you. You chuckled, showing him your fangs.

The man turned around, as hunters attacked him. They only paid attention to Klaus, which made me yawn and move closer to one of them. I tapped his shoulder twice, and when he turned around, I punched his nose. He tried to punch me back, but his eyes were filled with tears.

I quickly grabbed his hand that was outstretched towards me, and with no hesitation, threw him over my shoulder. As I leaned over to knock him unconscious, another man pulled me back and punched me in the nose.

My head snapped back and my whole body followed, causing me to fall over and roll a few meters. I groaned, feeling tears in my eyes making it difficult to see.

My other senses, luckily, still worked, and I sensed the man approaching me. 

He grabbed my right leg, lifting it up, and when he did, I bounced off the other which, thanks to my grace, allowed me to jump on his back. I wrapped my arms around his neck and squeezed hard, choking him.

When he finally lost consciousness, he fell forward, allowing me to stand calmly on my feet. I ran my tongue over my teeth, feeling hunger grow stronger through the smell of blood, but there was still one man left. I turned around, facing the last man back, as he fought with Klaus. I came up from behind and hit his temple, which made him lose consciousness quickly as he fell down. I looked at my friend and frowned, seeing as his mouth was already stained by blood.

"And here I was thinking, that you would wait for me with dinner" I sighed, shaking my head, as I moved to one man. I didn't know who it was, all that mattered was the beautiful smell of his blood. He must have had a good diet because his smell was the most inviting. I bend down extending my fangs again, and I quickly showed my fangs into his vein. His blood tasted amazing and fresh.

"Now, now, we talk about not getting used to fresh blood again" Klaus said, pulling me back. I turned around to him, rolling my eyes. He laughed as he came a little closer, gently wiping the blood from around my mouth.

"And now you look decent" he stood up again, giving me his hand to help me up. I accepted the help and when I got up we walked to my car together. Klaus got in, but I felt the need to look around the forest.

I was almost sure that I locked eyes with someone or something, but I shrugged it off and got into the car. I noticed that the sun was slowly rising, so I started the engine and drove away, heading for Beacon Hills, where I had been gone for a long time.

[neetily]

꣑୧ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ── MATCHUP EVENT: Date #10

♡ cupid's victim number ten!! ♡

yippeee!!! i had a lot of fun with this matchup, so i really hope you enjoy it too, even if it's not who you'd expect!!

─ you have one new message from...

Elliott . . .

love, would you perhaps like to continue yesterdays date in proper privacy this time? you know that my cabin is open all hours to you, so please— come visit when you can, okay?

Why? introverted besties turned lovers, i think! you did mentioned that elliott would be one of your fav picks, and i can see why! you both match energies so well, the quiet introspective types, i think. in my HC, elliott loves going for coffee and writing in cute cafes, which provides you ample opportunity for dates with him! he'd encourage you to try as many drinks as you please, taking notes on your favourite ones, just so that he can better appease you in future too! a man of note taking, he's always remembering those little details about you, which i think you'd appreciate! he'd love for you to site and brush his hair while he relaxes, maybe even braid it for him, test out new and pretty hairstyles on him; anything so long as he's spending time with you! and, of course, you both share a love of reading! im imagining you both having your very own private book club of two, swapping notes and questions and theories over shared stories together, taking turns on who gets to pick the next shared read, excitedly waiting for the other to catch up on chapters.

you both just give off this air of sophistication, i feel. something that would help you both get along well! oh, and i also think he would go CRAZY over having a flat chested partner, like it's his preference. thinks you're just sooooo cute ugh <3

Book Nook . . .

this was a bad idea.

not solely due to the public setting, stowed away in a relatively private booth at a corner cafe, big comfy seats providing ample support as he sits with your weight in his lap, doing his best to look as casual as possible when sipping away at his coffee; but he can't focus properly. even if he knows that no one is looking at how hard his hand trembles on the bland cup, or how he's not even glancing at his open book at the moment, he can't help but to stay vigilant.

only because he doesn't want anyone else to see you right now, so vulnerable and cute for him. a protective arm coming up to wrap around your tummy, pausing for a brief second as he checks his surroundings before coming up to squeeze at your flat chest once or twice. he smiles to himself at the short gasp you let out in response to his perversion.

it's not a bad idea simply because he can barely stand to sit still, not with the way you consistently squirm and shiver on his cock, warm wet little cunt just begging for him to give in, to offer her some movement. an intended stern "princess..." escaping his tense lips, but it comes out more like a whine as opposed to anything else. a plead for more himself, tapping the cafe table idly as if doing so would somehow help calm him down from this little hidden sex game, lessen the heat radiating his cheeks, allow his cock to fuck so deep into you that you're left gasping for air in the middle of everybody's daily lives.

but it's a bad idea because of how addictive it is, from the get go too. to claim you so publicly, his pretty princess, sitting on her rightful throne. cock buried balls deep in you as you pretend to read with him, a squirmy little mess on his lap— it feels sooooo good to have his arms wrapped around you too, huffing in your scent against your neck; surely it just looks like a big hug, right? the way your skirt flows over him, hiding the degenerate secret behind layers of fabric.

he never knew cockwarming could be so exciting, honestly. but as per usual, you always seem to surprise him. perhaps later, when he's decided he's had enough of idle sitting and instead wishes to give you want you deserve, he'll let you wobble on over to the cash register to buy yourself a nice little sweet treat. one for him too, to take home.

then, he's rushing you to the nearest private spot. nursing an erection for however long it takes, just so that he can show you exactly how much he loves and appreciates you.

— you like to... do something creative when alone! here is a moodboard that i think fits your matchup!

[somewherebetweendisorder]

Cold Brew Love

Eddie Munson x fem!reader

A cofee shop AU

Warnings: angst, fluff, eventual smut

~~~

The lock slides home with a satisfying click, signaling the end of Eddie's day. He loves the bar, coated in water to slide drinks easier, the music, crackling through the ancient speakers, and most of the patrons. He likes them better when they're heading out for the night. The sound of glass on glass when the guys at the bar are toasting another weekend, the chorus of playful jeers when Mr. Birkman buys another round of shots that he can't afford. But when the day is done, there's nothing better than locking up and going home.

The air has shifted, the last remnants of September bleeding out into a cool October, leaves falling in fiery waves from the trees. His jacket vest combo is feeling a bit too thin, a bit too worn to fend off the chill, and he shivers against the autumn wind. Maybe he should grab a box of hot chocolate mix or something.

He slides into the van, wishing the heater worked better, wishing he could afford to fix it. It'll have to do until the next paycheck. That could be a gamble, knowing how cold it gets overnight, the new touch of frost lingering even in the sun. Driving slow, he debates a single cup of hot chocolate or a box of packets.

"They'll probably be the same price," he mumbles as he glances at the coffee shop to his left. It's the only place in Hawkins that sells just coffee, boasting the best cup in town, and Eddie avoids it like the plague.

He wouldn't stop; he swears to himself he wouldn't stop if he wasn't suddenly looking at the most beautiful girl he'd ever seen. Baggy jeans with battered Vans and a smile brighter than the dawn breaking over Hawkins. Hair loose, wind-whipped, and shining in the raw sunlight, you're taking orders in the line, moving from car to car with more poise than he's ever witnessed in one person, like a dancer.

That's all he needs to make a sharp left into the parking lot and pull in behind the other waiting cars, more eager to see you closer than he is for the hot coco he had been fantasizing about. The line creeps forward, agonizingly slow, but before he has a chance to gather himself, you're bounding up to his window with a cheerful grin and a perky, "What can I get you today?"

He freezes, words dying on the tip of his tongue, thoughts crashing together in a useless, messy heap. Hawkins is far from a large town. How has he never seen you before?

"Uh, do you have- Do you have hot chocolate?"

You grimace, frowning apologetically before you even speak.

"We do not, I'm sorry. It's obscene, really, but my boss doesn't take suggestions, so coffee and tea it is. Either of those sound good?"

Eddie shakes his head while speaking. "Yeah. Just- A small black coffee is fine. Thanks."

You seem unfazed by his behavior, tapping away at the tablet in your hands. "Okay, sweet. And can I get a name for the order?"

"Um, yeah, 'course. It's, uh, Eddie. With two d's."

"Eddie with two d's. Alright, they'll have your order ready at the window, Eddie."

He wants to stop you as you walk away, moving to the car behind his, wants to ask your name, but he's caught on the way you spoke his, saccharine and light like you weren't tilting his world upside down with those eyes and that smile.

"Get ahold of yourself, man."

The window slides open the moment he gets to it, a small paper cup shoved into his partially outstretched hand. It's hot, almost too hot to hold and he scoops the receipts and change out of his seldom-used cup holder frantically so he can set the cup down.

He doesn't spare a glance at the girl behind the window as he mumbles a thank you, doesn't really care if it's not you. A perfect stranger in every right, but he wants more. Feels like somehow he's seen you before. God, he must know you from a past life. What else could it be?

As he pulls away he chances a sip of the coffee. It's as bad as he remembers, searing his tongue, almost sludge-like in consistency. Setting the cup down he sighs, shaking his head. Still worth it. Of course, it was worth it.

The moment his van door jerks open with a loud creak he's popping the lid off the cup, pouring the drink out into the dry grass bordering the Munson drive.

~

"Well?"

"Well, what?" You turn to Krista as she hands out a cup of tea to a customer, never knowing where she's actually taking a conversation.

"That guy was cute."

You crane your head to see out the window, taking in the dark blue truck that you see come through regularly. "Wasn't that-?"

"Not him, the guy earlier. Eddie. The guy with the curls."

"Oh. Oh. That guy."

You saw him. Really saw him from his chipped black polish, contrasting the silver of his rings as his fingers drummed a nervous staccato beat against the steering wheel. The steering wheel that was peeling at the top, leather flaking away from the seam. His brown eyes were wide, almost too big for his face, looking anywhere but at you as he spoke. He would be impossible to ignore.

Not that you'd been here long, maybe two months, but most were regulars, ordering the same thing day in and day out thanks to small-town habits. You could relate to that, the familiarity of routine. The move had turned your world upside down, shaking up everything you knew and dropping you in Hawkins of all places. And you'd definitely never seen that guy before. Eddie. The name suited him, seemed to fit his cupid's bow and gangly frame just right.

"Yeah, that guy. What'd you think?"

"Um." What sort of question was that? How could you even answer? He seemed to be your type right down to his little flock of bats, but Krista talked too much, and really, it would be more fun to think of him without having to play twenty-one questions with her over your thoughts about a stranger.

"I don't even know him. How could I have an answer."

She laughs, shaking her head as though something about your dismissal of her question is funny. She laughs like she knows something, and it irritates you. Moving away you drop a dirty shot tin into the sink, watching it slowly fill with sudsy water, sinking to the bottom with a soft clink against the enamel.

~

Eddie is not a coffee person. He'd watched Wayne drink it every morning for years, sighing after the first sip, face bathed in steam from the freshly brewed cup. When Eddie worked up the courage to try it, he poured a full cup, eager to prove a point. His first sip was hot, searing his tongue, bitter as if he were drinking charcoal. Topping it off with milk or stirring in spoonfuls of sugar never made it better; it just tasted bad.

He preferred his brew, cold and malty, on draft at the bar. So why was he once again in the drive-thru of the only coffee shop in Hawkins, eagerly anticipating you opening the window to hand him the cup of black sludge he wasn't going to drink?

God, would you even be at the window? Yesterday you had been outside, but today he's the only one here, crawling out of the bar a bit later than usual.

The thin panel slides open with a squeak, revealing you, fresh-faced, hair pulled back, a few loose strands framing your face sweetly. You smile at the sight of him, eyes crinkling around the corners, making his long night worth it, nearly convincing him he should just drink the damn coffee today, instead of pouring it out.

"Hi, there! Back for more of Hawkins's best coffee?"

Eddie desperately wants to smile, offer a witty reply, with a cool practiced tone, as if he talks to pretty girls all the time. Like the nymphs in the woods come to visit when he makes his way out to his old table in the woods.

But as usual, he's speaking before he can really think it through, words tripping into each other, pitching off his tongue clumsily, cheeks tinting a faint pink.

"How'd you guess?"

Maybe it's not the worst thing he could have said. You giggle softly, turning to pour his cup of coffee, shaking your head a bit.

"Mm, I dunno. Guess I'm hoping we haven't lost the monopoly on the Hawkins' coffee market since yesterday. Offers me some job security."

It's a weird response, long, and over-indulgent like you're humoring him. The way you say it, clearly, quietly, almost like you're knee-deep in sharing a secret, voice ringing with sincerity has him pausing with his fingers outstretched for the cup. For a moment, he's not sure how to react. Does he love this, or hate it? Are you playing along out of pity?

You look up, meeting him in the void between the drive-thru window and his waiting hand, fingers brushing his palm, sending a wave of heat through him, goosebumps erupting across his arms, skin tingling like he was shocked by a live wire.

"Oh yeah, that's a real concern in this town. Better make sure no one sneaks off with the secret recipe."

"Don't worry. If anyone did, it would be me." You say it lightly, winking as you drag your hand away from his, lips twisted up into a jovial grin.

"Smart girl."

The car behind Eddie honks, loud and long, tired of waiting for him to pull forward.

"Sorry," Eddie begins, hastily setting his cup down, dark liquid sloshing out, spilling over his hand. "Fuck. Sorry! Didn't realize anyone was behind me. I'll um- I'll see ya later."

He's pulling away before you can say anything, your balmy laugh chasing him, treacly and soft.

He'll go back tomorrow. He knows he will, even as he pours another wasted cup into the Munson yard.

~

"Hey Pam, we're out of cream and green tea bags."

Your boss looks up from her phone, glasses perched on the end of her nose, blinking slowly as she processes your words. "Cross 'em off on the menu."

She's looking back at her phone, an obvious dismissal, abundantly clear after the last time you asked her to restock before her usual shopping day. Nodding to yourself you step away, moving back to the small prep area, snatching the nearly empty tip jar off the window ledge.

"Krista, wanna go grab cream and tea at the store?"

She watches you count the change out on the sticky countertop, neatly stacking the change and uncrinkling the bills.

"That's not gonna be enough, Miss Overachiever."

You look up, fingers curling tightly around the bill you had just been dutifully smoothing out. Deep breath in, deep breath out. Once, twice, three times.

"I'm aware. Just trying to figure out how much extra I need to give you."

Before you can finish she's pushing her way in, sliding the coins off the counter into her palm, crumpling the few bills again as she shoves them into her pocket.

"You're pathetic, spending money on a job that pays fuckin' peanuts. It's gonna cost at least another five. I'm only going because I love you so much."

"What would I do without you?" You pull out the neatly folded money in your back pocket, all you had for lunch, and pass it over.

She's breezing out the front door, the bell jingling, giving you away. Thankfully you weren't trying to keep this on the down low. Sagging against the cool metal work table you plant your hands on the edge, wincing when your palm lands in a tacky, half-dry puddle of cream. God, this job.

Small towns don't lend many options, but surely there's someplace better than this. Peeking through the narrow window you take in the strip across from the shop, small businesses just opening for the day.

Your eyes catch on the LED signs lining the record store's windows. That could be promising, music has always been an easy escape, a world to disappear into. It couldn't hurt to stop by, ask around, see if you can convince them they need two more hands to stock shelves. Any more time here and you might end up in trouble like before. A change might be good, sooner rather than later. 

~

"Alright, I've clocked out and wiped everything down for the night. You need anything else before I go?"

Pam doesn't look up, shuffling papers around on her cluttered desk, grunting in response. It's infuriating, the slight grating across your skin, itchy and hot. Why does she behave like this? Does it make her somehow feel better, powerful? You've worked with coffee before, it's the only reason she hired you, so why now are you so beneath her?

Taking this as your cue to go, you pivot on your heel, following the short hallway, shoving open the door with a stiff arm, enjoying the way it slams harshly as you exit. Maybe it's juvenile; hell, you know it is. But it feels nice.

The neon lights across the street call to you, orange and yellow and pink, promising something to ease the pain, a balm for another shift wasted. You start to cross the street, remembering to look for oncoming traffic at the last second, Docs scuffing harshly against the curb. You lick your thumb, bend over, try to soothe the rough patch away in vain. It's a tiny thing, the mark, the curb, the day in general, but suddenly everything is an avalanche. Teeth clenched so tight a sharp pain worms its way through your jaw, you straighten, growling out a repressed scream, nails biting into the delicate flesh of your palms.

Sky dark, sun dipping low as the peachy gray smear of dusk fades, you step out into the street, skirting a pothole, shoving your fisted hands deep into the pockets of your jacket. Ten more steps and you'll be crossing into warmth and a universal familiarity. Five more steps and the music will touch you, pick up the pieces of this day. Three steps and your fingers will be curling around the frigid handle of the door. Two steps, one, and then sanctuary.

Chimes above the door jingle softly, calling attention to your presence as you try to slip in unnoticed. The carpet is thin, rough, scraping against the worn soles of your shoes, hues of purple and blue rippling away from your feet in odd geometric patterns.

The store smells musty, an old, lingering smell, like it's never really been cleaned well permeates that air, mingles with the low sounds of guitar and bass trickling through the speakers around the store. Records are stacked neatly on the counter, high enough to hide whoever is working the register, business cards spilling across the surface that vinyl isn't occupying. The shelves are filled, new and used, categorized by genre, then alphabetized.

The general organization of it all had your toes curling in a simple sort of pleasure as you make your way deeper into the store, allowing your fingertips to brush along the faces of a few covers, smiling when you find one of your favorites.

Near the back of the space, the light dims, a small stage and seating area nearly concealed by the shelves and racks of records and vintage stereo and photography equipment. It's an odd assortment, none of it really cohesive, yet it fits all the same.

"Ten minutes 'til close!"

You jump, startled, turning to face the front. The counter is blocked from view, and you wonder if it is a general announcement or if you are expected to answer. All that's left to look at is a thin rotating rack with a hand-drawn sign above it that reads "Local Talent".

A cover catches your attention, crudely drawn, but with intent, with care, like the artist wanted nothing more than to see their vision to life by any means. The edges look burned intentionally, the design lingering with you, preventing you from skipping over it.

"Corroded Coffin," you whisper to yourself, fingers curling over the edge, tipping it toward you as though it's fragile, some great epiphany hiding just behind it. Nothing jumps out, nothing feels different as you flip the CD over, reading the song titles, feeling some odd sense of kinship forming with the mind behind these songs. You haven't even listened to it yet, and it's speaking to you like this, one of those instincts. When you know, you know.

Stepping away from the stand you hold the case close to your chest, protective, or using it as a shield from what you don't know, but it remains there until you get back to the front. The case hits the counter with a muted tap, cheap green laminate an ugly backsplash.

The man behind the counter is older, thick-framed glasses drawing your attention to the pale blue eyes that skirt over you, uninterested, assessing, quickly drawing judgment; you don't belong here. A beat passes before he reaches for the item you set down, scanning it and placing it in a bag.

"That'll be $12.97."

"Sure thing. Here ya go," you extend your hand, credit card dangling between limp fingers, confidence long gone, eager to run away. "It's um- This is a really nice shop."

"Thanks."

That's it. He passes your card back with the bag, not even looking at you, as dismissive as Pam. And it's even worse the second time around, bile churning in the pit of your stomach, inching up your throat, fingers twitching with anger, jaw ticking.

"Listen, actually, I came over to see if you need any help. Part-time, or full-time. I can stock, clean, run the register. I work at the coffee shop right over there." You pause to gesture uselessly, fingers curling into a fist mid-air. "I'm a hard worker. And I know music."

He does look at you now as you deflate, burst of esteem withering like a flower without sunlight, hungry and dying, crawling in on yourself. His face is riddled with doubt, lips twisted up like he smells something rotten, putrid, and noxious.

"We're not hiring right now, sorry."

He doesn't look very sorry as he shifts, getting to his feet, reaching for the keys at his belt pointedly.

"Okay. Thank you for your time."

The bells rattle again, far less cheery this time around, the sound is monotonous, hollow. As the metal door thuds closed behind you you shake your head, trying to dislodge the thoughts clawing their way up in your mind, decomposing figures breaking through the soil, ready to torment, ready to hurt. You just need it all to be quiet.

Jogging back across the road you pull out your keys and unlock your car, all but falling into the seat, unable to relax but dissolving into the worn fabric all the same. Assholes, all of them. Your fingers flex, squishing against firm plastic, reminding you of the new treasure clutched tightly in your hands. Tearing off the cellophane, crinkling it loudly in the stale air lingering in your car. The CD slides in, a soft whir as it begins to play, deep bass beginning to leak through the speakers, the ones that still work anyway.

It's real, the music, every note hitting some tattered cord within you, licking the pain away, replacing it with some small measure of relief. You can't help the smile playing on your lips, barely there, but there all the same as you slam the gear shift into drive. Apparently, not everything in this town sucks. 

[frances-baby-houseman]

lol I love it how we're all like, no I won't make you ask these, I will just overshare on my own 😌

Ask meme for people in their 30s 40s

What was the first piece of furniture you bought? A little ikea coffee table with curved legs that I used as a tv stand until it literally collapsed.

What proportion of your meals do you cook? I cook dinner 5ish nights a week, and I make most of the breakfasts and lunches when we're at home. I'm the only cook in the house (my husband does do basic meal stuff like eggs and mac and cheese) so the other nights tend to be takeout.

Foaming hand soap or normal hand soap? foaming or liquid, just not bar.

Favorite chore? folding laundry

Least favorite chore? every other part of laundry (but honestly I hate all chores, they're chores!)

Most precious thing one of your pets has destroyed? no pets!

Any groceries you've been getting into lately? popsicles

What cleaning product do you swear by? folex carpet cleaner

What's your emotional support craft? crochet

Youtube, cable TV, or streaming? my PREFERENCE is cable from the year like 2002, but my reality is cable and every single streaming service.

What's something you saved up for and then regretted buying? honestly I cannot think of anything?

How many cups can you see from where you're sitting? owala water bottle, can of strawberry culture pop, empty mug from my friend's bookstore

Which filter are you most likely to go "eh, it's probably fine" when you find out you need to change it? I don't filter things, I barely chagne the car oil

How often do you take baths? omg never bc I barely fit in our vintage tub but if I could I'd do it weekly

Do you go down each aisle when you grocery shop, or only the ones you know you need stuff from? I exclusively shop at trader joe's, which only has 3 aisles, so yes, but when I am forced to go to a real grocery store, absolutely not.

Where do you go when you need to get out of the house but it's raining? Target or the movies or the gym. gtl if you will.

What's a movie you saw recently that you liked? Hit Man!

Pro or anti tchotchkes? pro! I love little things that show people who you are.

What's your go-to tape? just regular scotch but I also like pink painters tape in the right situation.

What's in your freezer right now? ICE, bc I am southern, and also many popsicles and asian items from trader joe's

Last concert you attended? James Taylor, it was wonderful

Favorite grocery store? Trader Joe's but ideally Publix, where I would go down every aisle, bc they are still reasonable.

Paper bags, plastic bags, or reusable bags? reusable but I sometimes get paper (I have to buy them for $.10) bc I use them for our compost.

Do you get your government mandated 8 hours every night? lollllll

Favorite old person activity? saying "who is that, you know that guy in the thing with the girl who was in that show with julia louis dreyfus"

Would you rather sit on the porch drinking sweet tea or sit by the lake drinking beers? lake with sweet tea

Do you prefer Boardgame Night, Build-Your-Own-Pizza Night, or Movie Night with your friends? movie

Be honest, do you like all of the pictures of their babies that your friends send you? oh yes, who doesn't love a baby

Go-to holiday card format? no holiday cards! we're jews!

How many pairs of scissors do you own? like 3 normal pairs and 2 pairs of kitchen shears

Do you still own your first car? Nope.

How do you take your morning coffee/tea? coffee with whole milk

What's something you collect? I don't really collect anything but I do wish that I did. I just like a lot of junk!

What's your commute like? about 35 min on the expressway including school drop off, but hopefully taking the train next year.

Aisle at the grocery store you never bother walking down? again I only shop at trader joe's, which has 3 aisles and I have them all memorized. Ask me where something is.

Do you keep a daily journal or agenda? daily journal with just a few lines

Do you still listen to the same music you listened to in high school? all the time

What's the last filter you changed? HVAC filter like 2 months ago

What little treat do you always get when you run errands? cute socks at target or a dessert treat

Grocery list or no grocery list? list

What's an unjustifiably expensive appliance that you really want? pebble ice maker

Favorite book you've read recently? Greta & Valdin

Honest feelings on Settlers of Catan? ??

What's something you wish you had more time for? spontaneity

What kind of stuff do you keep on the door of your refrigerator? school stuff and pictures of me as a baby for some reason

Lamps or overhead lighting? lamps

If you could build your home from scratch, what outrageous feature would you want to build into it? a private living room just for myself

Do you bring a bag with you everywhere you go? no, I load up my giant coat pockets in the winter

Pro or anti throw pillows? pro but not super strong feelings here. like, they are good for design and comfort but don't go crazy.

How many blankets do you keep in your living room? 3 in the living room, 4 in the den

Did your relationship with your parents get better when you stopped living with them? lolllll

What's worse, the DMV or the Social Security Office? bureaucracy is bureaucracy

Do you decorate your house for holidays? Which ones? not really, a little for halloween but again, jews.

Favorite high-effort meal that you make? oh god I haven't cooked something really good in ages, but I guess brisket and potato kugel

Favorite low-effort meal that you make? chicken sausage pasta

Do you tend to bring an appetizer, entree, dessert, or drinks to a potluck? dessert or pasta salad

What kind of bag do you use for your bag full of bags? the most structured of the bags

If you died and your ghost was stuck in the outfit you're wearing right now for the rest of time, would you be happy with it? mostly, though these shoes rub a little.

Do you have an opinion on your local weather reporter? Tom Skilling 5 eva

Do you have a favorite brunch spot? I once did! I don't brunch anymore but I do love the french place in my town.

Where are you on the minimalism-maximalism kinsey scale? far on the maximalism.

Opinion on Bath and Body Works? nope.

Last time you visited a farmer's market? saturday. we go most weeks in the summer!

Anything you're procrastinating on right now? oh god just about everything. I'm on question 64 of this stupid survey!

Do you get your taxes in as soon as possible, at the last minute, or late? I used to be early but now my husband has to do them and it's a Whole Thing

Do you keep any stuffed animals on your bed? yes

Are your garbage bags scented or unscented?oh god unscented, I would throw away scented ones

What are you looking forward to next week? getting a new tv! (ours died and the replacement won't be here for a few days... kill me)