#i’m not talking about these newbie idiots ok

[starcrossedxwriter]

Wicked Fantasies Part 1 (MBJ x Black OC)

A/N: this started off as 3k andddddd it tripled before my eyes lol (sorry!) Enjoy!

Series Warnings: NSFW, Smut with a plot, Heavy BDSM, Dom/Sub storyline

Raven checked herself in the mirror outside Helen’s office. She knew Helen hated when they did not look presentable and perfect, even when they were just meeting with her. She prayed Helen would actually have a client for her tonight. After her abysmal first date, she needed an opportunity to redeem herself quickly. However, as she approached her office door to knock, her movements halted as raised voices filled her ears.

“This is unacceptable, Tash!” 

Raven cringed, Helen was terrifying on her good days but when she was mad, whew… she was a tornado and anyone unlucky enough to be in her path was screwed. And if she was angry at her best girl, Raven could not help but shake in her heels at what Helen would have in store for her.

“I can’t control a sick kid!” Raven heard Tasha respond, her exasperation clear in her voice. “My ex can’t take him. I don’t have much of a choice.” 

“Hold on. Come in, Raven. Stop gawking outside the damn door.” 

Raven glanced up in the corner at the camera that Helen positioned in the hallway and sighed. She should have known. She squared her shoulders and pushed in. 

“Hi, I just came to-“ 

“I know why you came,” the older woman waved her hand dismissively. “I don’t have a client for you tonight.” 

Raven’s whole body deflated with disappointment and stress. Another night and no dates. Her mind immediately went to her dwindling bank account. She could not survive many more weeks like this. She needed clients, steady ones, and fast. 

“Really? Nothing?” 

“Sorry.” Raven could tell Helen was not sorry and did not care one bit. The long timers like Tasha made her more than enough money that she did not truly need to concern herself with newbies that would likely crash and burn. And Raven knew they all expected her to do just that. But she needed to succeed, she did not have much of a choice. “It’ll pick up soon.” 

“Ok, t-thank you.” Defeated and frustrated, Raven simply turned to leave, resigned to spending the evening in her apartment when a hand grabbed her arm to stop her. 

“Wait! She can go in my place.” 

Helen’s laugh was visceral, signaling the absurdity of Tasha’s statement. “No. Absolutely not. He is one of your best customers therefore one of my best customers. I’m not a fucking idiot. Can’t send a girl who's never turned a trick before and has only been on one date to him.” 

Tasha shook her head. “Nahhh, she’s perfect. She’s his type, wide hips, a fat ass, small waist, pretty dark skin, and she has a naiveté, innocent factor he’ll eat up.” 

Raven merely stood there, getting whiplash from the onset of both compliments and insults being thrown at her as if she was not standing in the room. However, she knew she could not contribute to the conversation or lobby in either direction because she had no idea what either of them were talking about.

“Look, she’s green as fuck but he ain’t gonna want one of these snow bunnies or redbones you got runnin’ round. Look, the real is it’s her and you still make money tonight or you gotta cancel and you don’t make anything.” 

Though Raven did not know who they were talking about, she did know one thing. If he was on Tasha’s client list, he was one of the biggest fish Helen had reeled in. One night with him would not solve all her problems but it would lessen her stress. 

“I’ll do it!” She piped up immediately, her voice assured and confident as if she knew exactly what they were talking about. “I can do it. I need the money.” 

“Fine.” 

Internally, Raven could not help but cheer though she kept her excitement subdued. She knew this was not a credit to her or because Helen actually thought she would do a good job. The reality was, all she cared about was money so sending Raven would, at least, ensure the night was not a total waste. 

“But look here, you fuck this up, you’ll never get another client in this town again. Understand?” 

Raven nodded, “I won’t. I promise.” 

“Tasha, find her an outfit in the closet… something expensive so he knows she’s not a girl I pulled off the damn street. Maybe after tonight, you can afford a designer outfit or two.” 

Raven glanced down at her black body con dress. It wasn’t much, even she could admit that, nor was it new or designer like the other girls wore. But it showed off the right assets and looked good on her so she felt like that was enough.

“Thank you! You won’t regret it, seriously.” 

“Somehow I doubt that,” Helen muttered as Tasha dragged Raven out of the room. 

Raven could not wipe the giant grin off her face as Tasha led her to the closet where the girls could borrow clothes for dates. Her body practically bounced after Tasha’s as they walked. 

“Thank you so much. I owe you big time.”

Tasha waved her hand as she started rifling through the options. “Don’t mention it. Just give me 10% of what you make tonight and we’ll call it even.” 

“Deal.” Raven answered immediately, she had no idea how much she’d make or what 10% of it would be but she knew she would still have a hefty sum even after paying both Tasha and Helen their cuts. All part of the investment, she decided quietly. “So who's the client?”

“Size? Look like a 10 or a 12?” 

“Good eye. 10. The client?” She asked again. 

“Michael B. Jordan.” 

Raven’s heart dropped and her jaw nearly unhinged. “Wait wait wait. THE Michael B. Jordan?? Actor, director, Hollywood bad boy, Michael B. Jordan? ‘The MCU just created a whole phase around him in a six movie deal’ Michael B. Jordan? ‘Time’s Magazine just dubbed him our generation’s Denzel’ Michael B. Jordan? He’s the most sought after actor in the game right now.”

Tasha nodded, rolling her eyes at Raven’s fangirling. “Damn, sis. You know his whole IMDB? But yea, that Michael B Jordan. He’s a regular when he’s out here in LA. Tomorrow’s his birthday so his friends hired me for the night. Look, leave that starstruck shit at the door when you get there, he hates that shit. And he’s rough,” she added as a warning as she handed Raven a dress. 

“How rough?” She could feel desire pool at her core at the thought. She thought about all the times she and her exes would dabble in BDSM and control but none of them were ever willing to take it as far as Raven thought she wanted it. Now, maybe it was her shot to test it out. She had figured she would get a client who was into that anyway, seemed like the most popular kink among all the clients she heard about. Raven quickly slid out of her old outfit and into the new one.

“I hate coaching you new girls,” Tasha muttered under her breath as she checked her phone.  

Raven quickly corrected herself. “I-It’s not a problem! I promise. I like rough… I did some stuff with boyfriends and I actually really enjoy it so no problem. I’m just trying to figure out what to expect.”  

“He isn’t gonna actually hurt you if that’s what you’re worried about. He expects obedience and submission but he’ll respect your limit if it goes too far. But since he’s never been with you before, he’ll probably keep it vanilla. Most you can probably expect is him calling you names, maybe he’ll make you beg or spank you a couple times? He ties me up and shit and can get creative but this is a surprise so I doubt he’ll have time to plan anything all that interesting. Don’t expect any warmth… well don’t expect that from any nigga you go in dates with as a rule but I know he seems one way in interviews and shit so people think they know him. When the door closes, you’re there to play a part and serve him. That’s it. He wants control, give him that and you’ll be fine.” 

“Ok. Anything else I should know?” 

“Oh don’t call him by his name.” 

Raven’s nose wrinkled. “Ok what do I call him?” 

“You know, sir, daddy, whatever. Take your pick.”  

Raven nodded, she could tell Tasha was getting bored of her “coaching”. But she only had one last question.  

“Is it normal to be this nervous?” 

Tasha laughed. “The first time? Yea. I almost vomited the first time I went on a date. Once you get regulars, it’s not . You get to know them, they get to know you and it gets comfortable. They are paying you but you got more power and control than you’d think. But just keep your head about you. He acts like a bad boy but he’s cool people, not a bad guy for your first time. Trust me. Dress fits like a glove. You should keep it.” 

Raven turned in the mirror for a few minutes before offering Tasha a sad smile. She coveted so many pieces in the closet but Helen always insisted they be returned unless you wanted to purchase them from her. “I can’t afford it.”

“Helen won’t miss it. It's an old dress of mine I used to wear on early dates. It doesn’t even fit most of these skinny bitches.”

Raven glanced at her. “Why are you being so nice to me? Most of the girls are… awful,” she muttered the last part more to herself than to Tasha. “They wouldn’t have done a fraction of the shit you’ve done in the last 10 minutes.” 

Tasha merely shrugged. “Most of them see every girl who shows up here as competition. You’re pretty, have a nice body and all that. But no shade, you ain’t worth the energy to be mean. Besides, if I let you fail, I could fuck up my best customer. One date with Michael and I have my rent paid for months. Don’t get it twisted, I’m a bitch,” she assured her. “But I’m not a dumb bitch.” She glanced at the clock. “Aight, I gotta go. Nanny’s gonna be gone in a bit and my son is sick. Have fun and don’t mess this up cause you’ll be on your own with Helen if this shit goes left.” 

“Noted. Thanks… again.” 

Tasha chuckled. “I thought I said don’t mention it? You’re gonna have to become more of a bitch to survive around here, newbie. Cause this good girl shit? It’ll get you eaten alive.” 

Tasha gave her one last glance before leaving Raven alone with her thoughts. 

“Such inspiring words,” she mumbled to herself before she glanced at a notification on her phone. 

Dad: Car broke down. Gonna be $700 to get it fixed. Send that with the mortgage

No please, not even framed as a question. Her money was never her own, it was her family’s. And while they blew their own money on vices and frivolous shit, they always knew Raven would swoop in to foot the things that mattered. And so now, they did not even ask. They just presented their bills to the Raven ATM and she always found a way.   

Raven: I’m helping with the mortgage already… any chance you can cover that? 

Dad: Had to set aside money for Kiara’s school… she wants to go back to be a chef. It’s just $700. 

She rolled her eyes, she did not even have the cash from her date in hand yet and the money was already dwindling right before her eyes. She knew she could not say no, there was no point. 

Raven: Yea, I’ll get it to you later this week.

More motivation, she supposed, to make sure the night was flawless.

***

The club was filled with hazy smoke as Michael and his friends passed around a blunt in his section. The night was young and the drinks were flowing with no signs of slowing down. 

“Aye brah,” Steelo hit his arm softly to get his attention. “We got a surprise for you waiting at the St. Regis,” he held out the hotel room key. 

Michael whistled and dapped the man up. “My nigga!” He was appreciative. It was his first time back in LA since finishing up filming in Atlanta and he had missed burying himself in his favorite girl. He had tried to find temporary release while in Atlanta but no girl was like Tasha and that was a fact. 

Michael grabbed the card and slid it into his pocket. “Aight that’s my cue. Thanks for the birthday present. See y’all niggas tomorrow. Rest of the night’s on me!” 

He said goodbye to everyone before his security led him to his car. Despite the liquor and drugs coursing through his system, he had a clear enough head to envision what he would do to Tasha. That girl was truly up for anything and he loved every second of it. 

He put his phone on DND as he entered the hotel and went up to the room Steelo texted him. 

He did not make much noise as he entered the suite, expecting to find Tasha already naked and ready in the position he liked. Instead, he found a woman standing by the window. He studied her for a moment, in his confusion, taking in her reflection as she marveled at the penthouse suite view of downtown LA. He studied how her fingers barely touched the glass of the window as if that would give her a closer look. He could see her face in the reflection. She was beautiful, her big brown eyes filled with longing and wonder at the twinkling lights across the horizon. She was so taken by it that she did not even notice Michael until he cleared his throat. 

She turned around, Michael suddenly amending his earlier thought. She was not beautiful, that was an insulting understatement. She was painfully breathtaking. He had been in the presence of many beautiful women in his life but she surpassed them all. 

“Oh, I’m so sorry. I-I was j-just waiting and g-got caught up in the v-view. T-this is the perfect room, you can see the whole city. I-I’m Nicole.” She always went by her middle name with Helen and on her first date. Easy enough to remember to ensure she actually answered to it but kept her true identity to herself. 

“Where’s Tasha?” 

“Oh, umm she had an emergency. Helen wanted to make sure your birthday gift was still perfect so she sent me. I hope that’s… alright?” 

Michael watched as she chewed on her plump bottom lip, he wanted to pull it out of her teeth and bite it himself. He could also hear the nervousness and fear in her voice as if she was worried he would throw a fit about the change. And while no one compared to Tasha, he still could have a good time. Besides, they could not have picked a more perfect replacement. Her ass was delectable, his hand twitched with the urge to smack it. Her hip to waist ratio was mouth watering, he could only imagine how she would look with the deep arch he liked, how his fingers would dig into the meat of her hips as he fucked her from behind. Her breasts sat high, looking good enough to devour right then and there. It was not the girl he was expecting, true, but he would not dare complain. 

“All good. We can still have a good time together.” He noted how her entire body physically relaxed at his words, her shoulders coming down from her ears, her jaw relaxing, the tension in her tight limbs releasing.

They stared at each other for a moment before, awkwardness spreading across the room before she glanced down at herself. 

“S-sorry, I s-should probably take this off… or I can wait till you tell me? You were probably expecting me to already be… Tasha didn’t say what I should do when I arrived or how you liked… so… I’m talking a lot. Does it feel like I’m talking a lot to you? There’s probably not this much talking, is there? I’m gonna stop a-and let you talk a-and tell me how you want me.” she clamped her lips shut as she realized she was rambling. She wished she could smack herself in the forehead. This was already not going well. She did not know how she got up and performed in front of ogling men all through her college and her masters program. She had an altar ego when she danced on stage then but it seemed that vixen was nowhere to be found. And she desperately needed her again. She knew she would arrive once they actually got started. This was where her first date went off the rails, the lead up. There was a certain distance with men at the club… this lifestyle though, was the exact opposite and she did not expect how hard it would be for her. She just wanted to do the deed and go but being one of Helen’s girls required so much more. And all that pre-sex conversation and “bonding” with men she’d never talk to regularly was difficult for her. It didn’t come naturally like it did to other women. “Sir.” she added, remembering Tasha’s instructions. “Sorry.” 

Michael could not help but chuckle slightly. He could not explain why but he found her ranting and nervousness endearing. She was like a lamb trapped with a wolf, so sweet and earnest, not realizing that he was the complete opposite of both those things. It was far different from his first date with Tasha who knew exactly what to say and do. This girl seemed to not know either. But he found that charming, authentic. Other women were always playing a role. It seemed as though she showed up as her true self, beautiful, innocent, awkward and all. 

He wondered how long she’d been in the game. Couldn’t be that long,he reasoned, given how nervous she looked. However, she seemed eager to please, which was his favorite type of woman. If she was done for what he had planned, he knew he could still have fun with her. 

“You can stay like that for now. Tasha told you what I expect?” 

Raven nodded. “Yes, sir.” It sounded so odd on her tongue to call anyone sir in this day and age. However, she could not deny there was a certain arousing quality to it. 

Michael perched against the table across from the bed, gesturing for Raven to sit down on the edge of the bed across from him. “And what do I expect, Nicole?” 

“Obedience, sir.” Raven fidgeted with the hem of her dress as she watched him study her. She could feel him undressing her with his eyes. Usually, she did not wilt under the ogling stares of men. Seven years working as a stripper got her over that hang up really quick. However, something about Michael’s stare was unnerving. Not in a creepy way but in an intense one, as if he was trying to learn everything he could about her by simply staring. 

“You nervous?” 

“No.” 

“Clearly Tasha ain’t tell you everything cause one thing I don’t allow is lying. 10 spankings. Lie again and I’ll triple it.” 

Her eyes fell down to his arms, taking in the taut muscles straining against his t-shirt. She wondered how heavy handed his slaps would be. Her panties were growing damp the longer she spoke to him. She could not remember the last time a man elicited this sort of reaction from her body.

“Yes.” 

He raised an eyebrow, Raven immediately correcting her mistake. 

“Yes, sir.” 

“Good girl,” Raven immediately felt her body warm at the term, she could not hide the small but distinct smile that formed. She liked hearing it on his lips. “And don’t be. It’ll be a fun night for us both. I don’t know your limits and all that shit so I’ll take it easy. Tash and I got a safe word. We can use one for the night if that would make you more comfortable?” 

Raven smiled, grateful that he was even taking that into account. “Yea, that would be great.”

“You pick.” 

“Ummm… Wakanda?” she blurted out, the first word that came to mind as she looked at him. She immediately hit herself in the head, cringing at herself. “I’m sorry, that’s so embarrassing… I’m a Marvel n-nerd and it’s just the first word that popped into my head.” 

Michael tried to hold his laughter in but could not. His laughter filled the room, causing Raven to feel slightly less embarrassed. “That is definitely a first but if that’s what you want then deal. You used a safe word before?” 

Raven shook her head. 

“When you want or need me to stop, something’s too painful or going too far, you say it and everything ends for the night. Understand?” 

She nodded again. 

“When I ask you a question, I also expect you to use your words.” 

“Yes, sir.” 

“Good, now that we got that shit outta the way… we can have some fun.” He folded his arms and stared at her. “Lose the dress.” 

Raven took a deep breath and stood up, her arms stretching behind her back to find the zipper of the dress. Before she knew it, the soft fabric was pooled at her feet. She smirked at how his eyes darkened with lust, how his knuckles gripped the edge of the table as if to control his own urges. Slowly but surely, the nerves in her body started to dissipate as lust replaced them. She started to repeat the motion to remove her bra but his voice stopped her. 

“Did I tell you to take that off too? 5 more.” Raven could not help the way her own eyes flashed with excitement at the thought of punishment, a fact Michael was all too keen to point out. “Oh I see… you want it… want me to spank that fat ass until it’s covered in my handprints?” 

“Y-Yes, sir.” And she did, she wanted his hands on her body as soon as possible.

“Leave everything else on and crawl to me.” 

Her voice hitched. She had never crawled to anyone. She had seen it in porn, men leading women around in leashes, treating them as pets. And while she knew she should have found it degrading and humiliating, it had only turned her on. She could never convince her past boyfriends to take it that far, the most they were willing to do was spank her or call her names. But Michael was clearly a natural at this and knew exactly what he wanted. And she was more than happy to oblige. 

She sank down to her hands and knees, the carpet roughly poking into her skin. She ignored it though as she kept her eyes trained on his, each step closer increasing the ache between her thighs. She could not remember the last time she had been this wet without anyone laying a finger on her. But it was him… his aura, his commanding being, the possessive look in his eyes that let her know she was his, even if it was only for the night. She so desperately wanted to please him and she found that, in her heart, it was not because it was her job. But because she genuinely wanted to hear him praise her. 

By the time she reached him, the march across the room feeling longer than it actually was, every pleasure sensor in her body screamed and begged to be touched, caressed, kissed, or bitten. Whatever he wanted to do, she did not care. 

She sat back on her heels, an innocent doe eyed look on her face as she stared up at him, waiting. Michael could have cum right then and there, the picture of submission beneath him and it was their first time together. 

And only time, he reminded himself. For some reason, that thought burned uncomfortably in his mind, so much so that he pushed it out just as quickly. 

“Good girl,” he liked how her whole being seemed to beam at his compliment. His hand went to her hair, wrapping his fist around her long kinky curls. 

He held tight as he unbuttoned his pants and his dick sprung into her face. Her eyes grew as she took in his size and girth, he certainly had a package to be proud of. And she yearned for a taste of him, salivating for it. She willed him to shove it down her throat. And she did not have to wait long as his head poked at her lips to part them. Her tongue flicked his head gently. He let her control it for a few minutes, the young woman opting to tease him with soft licks up his shaft that made him moan softly. 

“You’re gonna pay for that later,” he moaned as she continued working him, teasing his dick with her mouth. She spat on him, using her hand to get him as sloppy as possible. 

She looked up and winked at him. “You want me to stop, sir?” 

This girl is gonna be the death of me, he decided right then and there. Submissive but a brat… and she was a natural at it.  

“Nah you ain’t stoppin’ anytime soon.” He unceremoniously pushed into her mouth, this time pushing as deeply as he could, hitting the back of her throat. She gagged immediately, choking and spluttering as her eyes filled with tears. “Want me to stop?” 

She shook her head immediately, her eyes still showed her eagerness. 

And he did not stop again. She moaned around him, sending tiny vibrations through him that drove him wild. He did not give her a chance to breathe or catch her breath as he fucked her mouth like it was a mere convenient hole. And he could tell she loved every second of it as he watched one of her hands drift from his thigh to between her own. He immediately stopped, using her hair to yank her head back. 

Layers of spit kept her mouth connected to his dick. “You don’t touch yourself without asking, understand? That pussy’s mine. Such a desperate and pathetic little slut, already trying to cum.” 

“Y-Yes, sir.” 

As much as Michael had wanted to bust down her throat, he was ready to bury himself inside her sweet pussy. But first, he needed a taste. And before she could receive any pleasure, she had to be punished. 

“Crawl to the bed and bend over the edge. Ass in the air.” 

Her heart sagged as she realized he was not going to let her continue tasting him. 

“Don’t worry, you’ll get your taste again,” he winked at her. “Bed. Now. Make me wait another second and I’ll add another 10.” 

Raven knew his words should have had her hauling ass to the bed, however, she opted to take her sweet time. He liked submission, that was true. But it was clear he also liked a little pushback that allowed him to prove his dominance, reestablish his control. And that was one role Raven had always wanted to play. She took her time crawling back, putting an extra sway in her hips to show him her thick ass. She also knew that he could likely see the glistening of the mess between her thighs as she moved. She could feel the intensity of his stare on her as if he were burning a hole in her head. 

“Oh baby girl… the things I’m gonna do to you,” he whispered, his voice tickling her ears. 

The journey back to the bed was longer, Michael allowing her to continue her show. Finally, she picked herself up and assumed the position he demanded. 

She waited with bated breath, no movement in the room but she could still feel his eyes on her. 

“I hope you enjoyed that,” he offered as she finally felt him move toward her, her pussy clenching in anticipation. “Cause you’re gonna pay for it in a minute.” 

She braced herself for the onslaught of pain and pleasure but it never came. Instead, she felt a gentle touch, his hands gripping her ass. Lower and lower they went until one was hovering right above her pussy. She did not understand how he was so close and yet was not touching her.  

“P-Please,” she whimpered, desperate for any type of contact. 

“Please what? Want me to make you cum like the filthy slut you are?” 

“Y-yes, p-please… I-I’ll d-do anything,” her voice was filled with her desperation. She needed him like her body needed air to breathe. 

“I don’t think you deserve to cum,” he shot back. “Acting like a fuckin’ whore for a man you don’t even know. I bet I could touch you once and you’d cum… so horny, so desperate for me. Just like I knew you would be. Do you think you deserve to cum?” 

She knew the answer she had to give. “N-No, sir.” 

“Why?” 

“B-because I’ve b-been a bad girl.” 

“Yes, you have. And bad girls get punished, don’t they?” 

She nodded, her fingers getting tangled up in the comforter on the bed. “Yes, sir.” 

“Good girl. Tonight, you don’t cum without permission. This pussy and all your pleasure is mine to give and take away. When you’re ready, beg. Count ‘em out or I'll start over.” 

She cried out as he ripped her lace thong right off her body, the fabric snapping against her. He quickly followed it up with a swat to her ass that made her moan. 

“One.” 

She steadied her breathing and counted through each one. It got harder and harder to maintain the count, as he would stop at random intervals to touch her. The first time, two fingers slid into her drenched core, curling into her g-spot with every stroke. He slowly finger fucked her and rubbed her clit, her punishment almost completely forgotten as she surrendered to the bliss of his hands. She could feel her own orgasm building, her pussy clenching around his finger. However, he did not even give her a chance to beg before he stopped. He resumed spanking her, Raven almost losing count in the haze of the pain and pleasure he provided. 

“13.” 

“Are you gonna be a good slut for me? Or do I need to add more?” he asked gruffly in her ear as he put more force in each hit. 

Still sporting the strength and weight of Erik Killmonger, his athleticism, strength, and power showed through every single slap. 

“15… y-yessss… I p-promise, I-I’ll b-be good. Six… sixteen…” 

“You’ll be a good what? Say it!” he ordered as his hand rained down on her ass. She knew she would be bruised tomorrow but she could care less.

“20… I-I’ll b-be a good s-slut. A g-good whore. F-fuck me, p-please!” She begged. Her words were strangled, like a dying woman begging for life. He had her right where he wanted her, she knew that much. And she loved it. Loved every second of surrendering to him and accepting whatever he chose to give: pain, pleasure, humiliation. She did not care, she wanted every single thing and more. 

He stopped, resuming his teasing. This time, he spread her legs and ate her out from the back, his tongue doing the work of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit on her clit. 

She panted as she felt her orgasm build. She remembered his instructions and immediately started to beg. 

“P-Please let me c-cum. F-fuck… f-feels so good. Daddy… please!” She had not intended to call him daddy at any point in the night. She always hated the way it sounded and felt. However, it slipped out and she did not hate it so much on him, and neither did he. 

“Cum for daddy, baby,” he whispered, replacing his tongue with his fingers as he fucked her hard and fast. 

She buried her face in the comforter as the most powerful orgasm of her life ripped through her. So powerful, she felt tears streaming down her face, destroying her perfectly done makeup. Her thanks and appreciation for allowing her to cum was incoherent as his fingers continued to pump in and out of her.

While she calmed down, he took a moment to slide a condom on before lining himself with her wet entrance. He used his head to tease her, her entire body jolting with pleasure as he tapped it against her clit. 

“What do you want, baby?” 

Unflinching, she pushed herself to her forearms and glanced over her shoulder. “F-fuck me. Fuck me like a whore.” 

Without a second thought, he slammed his dick into her, Raven letting out a scream of pleasure that made him thankful the rooms around him were empty. His steady, powerful strokes sent her eyes rolling into the back of her head. She had never been fucked like this before, hard and rough. She had never expected pleasure quite like this when she entered the hotel room but she would thank God for it. 

The only sounds were her consistent moans and screams as Michael fucked her viciously, his hips slamming into her hips with every thrust. She used her forearms to meet every thrust, which only turned Michael on even more. She lost track of the amount of times she begged him to cum. He only did not allow her once, savoring the sounds of her pleas as she tried to hold it in. And when she couldn’t, he did not skip a beat in flipping her over and punishing her, this time with his belt, which almost made her cum on the spot again. 

He moved her around the room, fucking her on any surface he deemed strong enough to hold her weight. 

“You like how I’m fuckin’ this pussy?? You gon’ cum again, you fuckin’ whore?” 

Her knuckles were white as she gripped the table he fucked her on. Both of her legs were draped over his shoulders, allowing him to reach regions Raven did not even know were possible. She could barely think since he put her in this particular position, let alone formulate a sentence to respond. 

He hand one hand cradling her neck and head while the other held onto her back, using both as leverage to fuck her. He moved the one on her back to bring down a harsh smack to her outer thigh. 

She gasped. “Y-Yes, yes, yes! P-Please let me c-cum! D-daddy, p-please, please, please.” 

“Cum on this dick, baby. That’s it.” he continued fucking her through her orgasm, Raven left feeling as though she could not withstand much else. As she felt yet another orgasm start to build causing her to shy away from him. “Nah don’t run from me. You wanted it. Acting like a fuckin’ brat. Take this dick!” 

“It-It’s too… fuck! J-Just like that… It’s… t-too much,” she panted out, her words choppy as she still tried to run from him despite his instructions. Her body did not know if she wanted him to stop or continue, to go faster or slower. That is until she let go of the table, all of her weight naturally leaning to one side as her arm gave out beneath her.  

“FUCK,” she cried out as she felt the table slowly tip over. Because Michael was also bracing his weight on it to fuck her, they both toppled to the ground. She groaned, her eyes blurring as her head hit the corner of the tv stand next to them before she fell down to the ground. Her hand clutched the side of her head, now understanding what the phrase seeing stars meant. 

She clenched her eyes shut as she tried to give herself a minute for the pounding in her head to stop. She let out a breathy chuckle, in pain but finding the injury rather hilarious as she felt Michael try to untangle their limbs. Soon, his deep baritone joined in, their laughter filling the room as they laid on the floor. 

“You… alright?” she asked when they both settled down, her hand still pressing into her head. 

“Yea, fell on my arm but it’s not that bad. You good?” 

She nodded. “Y-Yea, just banged my head on the tv thing.” 

“Let me help you up.” 

Michael held out his hand, Raven giving him her free one to pull her to her feet. However, at the fast movement, she immediately felt lightheaded. Her naked body sagged into his as everything started to fade in and out. 

“Oh shit, you’re bleeding,” he muttered, lifting her head up to examine her, his arm immediately going around her waist to hold her up. “Can you stand?” 

“Barely,” she muttered. Her head felt so heavy, all she wanted to do was collapse back down to the ground. 

“Aye aye, ma. Keep your eyes open for me, aight?” He guided her over to the bed and sat her down before running into the bathroom to grab a bathrobe and a towel. He wrapped her in the robe to make sure she was covered before calling an ambulance and calling down to his security to alert them of the situation. 

He figured an ambulance was slight overkill as she likely just had a concussion but he did not want to take any chances. He worried he pushed her too far too fast. He immediately felt guilty. If he had not been fucking her so rough, she would not be half unconscious next to him. He had just gotten completely lost in her. 

He quickly pulled on his own clothes so he could be ready when the EMTs arrived. He grabbed a towel and swatted away her hand to press it into the wound. It did not look that deep but the sight of her face covered in blood was still jarring for him. Her bloody hand rested on his arm as she tried to continue sitting up. Her eyes started to flutter closed, Michael using his grip on her shoulder to keep her upright.

“Eyes open.” She still responded to his commands. “Good girl, that’s it. Keep your eyes on me. Tell me about your tattoo.” It was the first thing he could think of, referencing the ink on her forearm. 

Even through the pain, she managed to give him a funny look. “You fucked me so h-hard, I-I might h-have a c-concussion a-and you c-care about my tattoo?” 

“Gotta keep you awake somehow, baby girl. Tell me.” 

The tattoo, one of a small bird cage, three small birds flying out of the open doors. The word freedom was written beneath it. 

“M-Maya… Angelou… h-her memoir, I Know Why The Caged Bird… Sings. F-first book I r-remember relating t-to… the i-idea that literature and s-storytelling c-could save y-you. She m-made me w-want to be a w-writer.” 

“You’re a writer?” 

Even in her pain, he could see her body sag slightly, sadness rippling across her face. “Yea…w-was anyway,” she mumbled. 

“What kind of books do you write?” 

However, Michael would never get the answer to that question, at least not that night. The edges of her vision were starting to blur and grow black. Her eyes lulled closed and this time, not even the sweet sounds of his voice and commands could force her to open them back up. 

***

Raven groaned as she woke up in a bed, the beeping of the machines around her filling her ears. She shifted uncomfortably as all of the sensors in her body started to wake up and she began to register everything. The pounding in her skull was overwhelming but her whole body ached. She knew it was likely a combination of Michael’s pension for acrobatics, an ache she’d gladly sign up for again and again, and the fall. Slowly the events that landed her in the hospital came back to her. 

The fall. How embarrassing. She knew she’d never live this one down when it made its way back to Helen and the other women. Falling and ending up in the hospital after her second date overall and first one with one of their biggest clients. She was screwed. 

“Welcome back.” 

She glanced to the side, shocked to find Michael sipping a coffee and sitting in the chair by her window. She was equally shocked to find that it was already light outside. 

How long was I out for? She thought to herself. 

As if he could read her mind and questions, Michael chuckled. “About five hours… longest five hours of my life,” he added under his breath. “How’s your head?” 

“Better than my pride. W-what are you still doing here?” She could not keep the shocked tone out of her voice. It was not that she did not appreciate him sticking around, she just would have never expected it given how Tasha described him. 

“Wanted to make sure you were good,” he shrugged nonchalantly. “I didn’t want you to wake up in the hospital alone.” 

Her heart fluttered, even though she knew it shouldn’t. He was a client, and as soon as he assured she was alive and likely not going to sue him or something, he would be on his way and forget all about her. That was the gig. 

“Oh um… that’s really sweet. T-thank you. And thank you for bringing me here.” 

“It was my fault so it seems only right.” 

“Eh, I think we both shoulder some of the blame there. Not sure why we thought that rickety table could hold both of our weight. Blinded by passion, I suppose,” she mused. “It was fun though,” she muttered, more to herself than to him. “Sorry… for ruining your birthday gift. I k-know I wasn’t the girl you wanted or how it should’ve ended. I feel bad,” she admitted. 

 Michael studied her for a moment, unsure of how to respond to any of that. Sure, she was not the girl he had expected to find in his room. However, he was happy about that. The night had exceeded every expectation he had, until the very end of course. She was a breath of fresh air, a new challenger who had been up for everything he threw at her. And something about her… he just found himself drawn to it. Which is why he was still sitting here in the hospital five hours later instead of leaving. It was not just the great sex or her beauty, it was her. She was sweet and awkward but had fire and could go toe to toe with him when she wanted. He liked that, the challenge she presented. And while he knew she was only supposed to replace Tasha for that one night, the entire time he was buried inside her, all he craved was more of her. And that feeling had not subsided, even as she laid in a hospital bed. 

He shook his head. “I always believe shit goes exactly as it’s supposed to. And don’t sweat it. I had an amazing time last night. You were somethin’ else.” 

He watched as a small smile bloomed on her face. 

“No Tasha, I know,” she admitted, biting her lip. Once again, he resisted the urge to rip it out. A picture of her lips wrapped around his dick flashed in his head. He knew it was inappropriate to lust after her while she laid in the bed. But he could not help it. Having her was like the first hit of a drug, he needed another fix. “But I’m glad it was still fun for you. I had a good time too.” 

Michael closed the distance between them, one hand going to brace on the railing of her bed while the other held his weight as he leaned over her. 

“Don’t compare yourself to Tasha or any other girl out here. You’re one of a kind.” His voice was low, he usually reserved this voice for behind closed doors. It was commanding and authoritative and he could tell she loved it. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see her legs tighten together, the lust clouding her eyes, the way her lips parted to let out a shakily breath. “Understand?” 

She nodded, gulping. 

“Words.” 

“Y-Yes, I u-understand.”

But she did not understand. Did not understand why he was still there, why he seemed to care about her, even if it was just to sit in a hospital when she knew he had better things to be doing, or why he at all cared whether she compared herself to anyone. She did not understand him. She had expected what Tasha warned her about… that she would just be there to service, a mere body for him to use as he pleased for the night. That did not bother her, she was there to do a job. However, he seemed to be more than that. You don’t spend all night in a hospital for just a body, right? You don’t care about the low self esteem or self deprecating comments of just a body? And you don’t look at just a body how he was looking at her right now… with such an intense craving and yearning that all Raven wanted to do was to let the ground swallow her whole. 

“Good girl,” he whispered. His hand cradled her face as he took in the bloodied bandage on her forehead. He tilted her head up studying it, his thumb gently caressing her big tresses of kinky hair. 

However, their moment, whatever it was, ended as quickly as it started as Raven’s phone rang loudly next to her. Michael seemed to realize his mistake and looked almost startled, as if he did not know how he ended up so close to her. He took several steps back as Raven grabbed her cell phone from the table. 

She groaned as she realized it was her dad. Michael turned to stare out the window, giving her a bit of privacy as she answered the call. 

“Hey, what do you need?” She knew he was calling because he needed something. None of them ever called to see about her. 

“Hey Rae… could you send whatever money you can today?” 

Raven’s face twisted up in confusion. “Today?? The mortgage isn’t due till the end of the month.” She glanced at Michael who seemed preoccupied in his phone before lowering her voice. “I-I can’t just pull money out of nowhere. Why do you even need it?” 

He sighed. “Kiara got arrested.” 

“Arrested?? For what??” 

“Yea, she got into a fight with her new boyfriend at a bar and they hauled them both off to County. Gotta post bail for both of them by tomorrow afternoon. Or she’ll have to sit there until Monday.”

Raven felt the ache in her head grow but this had nothing to do with the concussion. She would never understand how she was the ugly duckling of the family, the forgotten and unwanted second daughter when Kiara, the prodigal perfect daughter, could barely hold down a job or stay out of trouble for more than a week. Well, that was not true. She completely understood… it did not make it easier to stomach or deal with though. 

“How much?” 

“$10k for them both.” 

“Ten thousand US American dollars??” she cried out loudly, her shock getting the better of her. At that, Michael’s movements did still for a moment, he had been trying not to listen but her outburst made it rather difficult. “I c-can’t come up with that type of money today. Not just because it’s impossible but I’m in the hospital.” 

She heard her dad sigh. “Your sister can’t sit in jail all weekend, she’ll be hurt in there. I’m pulling some money out of savings but it isn’t enough.” 

Raven shook her head. “I’m doing just fine by the way, thanks for asking or caring,” she shot back. Michael could not help but glance over his shoulder at that, taking in the hurt and disappointed tone in her voice that she masked with snark. 

He felt the uncomfortable sting of rage at the despondent look on her face. He wanted to snatch the phone out of her hand and hang up on whoever it was. 

“I’m sorry you aren’t feeling well. But are you gonna send me the money or not? I don’t have time for this. Your sister is rotting in jail right now, only God knows what could be happening to her, and you wanna have an attitude? We are the only family you have. The least you could do is make sure we’re ok while you live it up in LA. I need $6,000.” 

She clenched her eyes shut. She knew that meant handing over her entire cut after she paid Helen and Tasha and then the last bit of savings she had left. But she also knew she could not say no. “Fine. I’ll figure it out and send you the money by tomorrow.” 

“Oh it’s her calling from the jail. I gotta go. Text me when you send it. Bye.” 

She pulled the phone from her ear and shook her head. “You’re welcome,” she muttered to herself. She leaned back in her pillows and forced her eyes to the ceiling to stop the tears that brimmed in her eyes from falling. She did not know why her family’s treatment still got to her, 30 years later. Tasha was right… She needed thicker skin in all areas of her life. 

“You good?” 

She pressed her hands into her cheeks as a couple tears fell. She felt a wave of embarrassment as she remembered Michael was in the room. As if her interaction with him could not get any worse. They went from mind blowing sex to a hospital room and brain injuries to tears. 

You really ruin everything for everyone, she thought to herself. 

“Yea, yea. Just dumb family stuff.” She waved her hand dismissively. “It’s nothing.” 

“I thought I told you I didn’t like lies.” 

Raven eyed him for a moment. Part of her would love to talk to someone about her family drama, unload all the pent up feelings she pushed deep down into her soul. However, she knew she could not do it with him of all people. So instead of the vulnerability and honestly he demanded, she instead offered him a cheeky smile. 

“The Nicole that responds to your demands costs $5k a night. And as you heard on the phone, I could most certainly use it,” she added with a wink. 

“Nicole?” The doctor came in just as Michael was about to open his mouth to respond. “How are you feeling?” 

“Like I got hit in the head.” She glanced at Michael with an expression that read what kinda stupid question is that? He merely snickered.   

“Makes sense. Well you have a very mild concussion. You’ll need to rest for at least the next 7 days… avoid a lot of screens and movement and anything that requires a lot of mental power. It was very mild though so you should be back on your feet soon. You’re free to go.” 

“Thank you,” she muttered. A week in bed meant a week of no work. And all the money she had to show for this disastrous night was gone. However, she had no time to really wallow in any of that. One thing Raven always did was figure it out. 

She slid out of bed, immediately swaying slightly causing Michael to rush to her side. He was quick on his feet, all that boxing training went to good use. He caught her before she crumbled fully, guiding her back to the bed. 

“Gotta move a lot slower than you’d think with a concussion, especially the first few days. You sure you’re gonna be good on your own?” he asked as he stared down at her. 

She chuckled, the sound void of any true humor. “Yea I’ll be fine. Always am. Thanks for the assist. C-could you hand me my dress?” 

Michael grabbed her clothes from the table in the corner. He watched her as she slid it back on, her movements far more measured and slow as she heeded his advice. She looked far more weary and exhausted than she did when she first woke up, as if that phone call and whoever was on the other line had aged her considerably. 

Once she was fully dressed and finished her discharge paperwork, she settled onto the bed to slide into her hospital slippers. Not the best shoes to wear home but they beat the uncomfortable heels she could barely walk in on a good day. 

“Thanks again… for waiting with me. You really didn’t have to.” She glanced down at her phone as she waited for him to respond, absentmindedly opening the Uber app so she could get a ride home. 

“What are you doing?” 

Her face twisted up in confusion. “Calling an uber?” 

“You shouldn’t uber home like this. I’ll drop you off.” 

Raven instinctively shook her head, the action causing a spot of pain that forced her to stop. “I-I can’t let you do that. You’ve done more than enough. Seriously.” 

“I wasn’t askin’. Ain’t about to let you uber home. If you don’t want me to know where you live, my driver can take you and he’ll come get me after.” 

Raven’s heart warmed at the thought. She did not like the idea of a client knowing where she laid her head every night. That seemed to be one of the few rules all the girls lived by. However, she trusted him. For some reason. 

“No, no, it’s not a problem. T-thank you.” 

Before she knew it, he and his security were hustling her out of a back entrance the hospital used for high profile guests and into a SUV with tinted windows. The car ride was virtually silent, Raven not knowing what to say or do around him. A night in a hospital meant they had a rapport. But he was still a client and this was the longest and most intimate interaction she had ever had with one. And everything since 3 am last night seemed like it was authentically from the kindness of his heart. She had promised him nothing in return for such kindness and he did not ask for anything. She wondered if he assumed and she just missed the cue? 

However, as they pulled up outside of her apartment building in her neighborhood, she glanced at him expectantly, waiting for the other shoe to drop. But nothing came. 

Instead, he merely said, “You sure you’re gonna be ok alone?” She could tell his eyes were searching the neighborhood, taking in the less than safe area she lived in. 

She nodded. “I, umm, have a roommate. So not fully alone. She’ll be home from work later tonight so I’ll be good. Thank you. A-and sorry again… for ruining your special day. At least, you got a good story for your friends and Tasha next time?” she chuckled. “I’m sure she’ll never let me live it down. Anyway… thanks again for everything a-and it was great to meet you.” 

She knew this was goodbye for good. Their one night together was just that, one night before he went back to being Tasha’s best client. She was the replacement, not the one they came back to for more. 

Though she did not fully know why, she reached over and grabbed his hand that rested between them and squeezed, “You were a hell of a first date,” she winked at him.  

Michael found the part of him he hated most did not want to say goodbye to her yet either. The part he kept caged and usually ignored had full control over him today. It was as if she had pressed all the right buttons to release that specific beast and did not even realize what she had done. Now, the beast roamed free and he found it difficult to herd it and the feelings it created back into their cages. 

He did not want to feel what Nicole made him feel… he did not want to care about whether her neighborhood was safe for her; he did not want to know who she was talking to so he could strangle them for causing that look in her eye; he did not want to know anything else about her like why she said she was a writer in the past tense, what she had written or what she turned to reading and writing to be saved from; and he did not want to feel the urge to reach in his pocket and write her a check for another $5,000 to solve whatever her problems were if it meant she would not look as she had in the hospital ever again. And most of all, he did not want to yearn for all those answers like he needed air. The man who would’ve done all those things, who would have already yielded to those feelings was gone. He needed to remember that. 

“Great meeting you too, Nicole” he offered shortly.  

Raven paused as she jumped out of the SUV, turning back to him. “It’s Raven, actually.”

At his raised eyebrow, she clarified, “My real name. You said you don’t like lies, remember?” Her smile was sweet and innocent. 

“I thought that was gonna cost me another $5k?” 

She smiled playfully, a light in her eyes that hadn’t been there since she woke up. ��Spending your birthday in a hospital with a girl you didn’t even know means you earned my real name for free. And where I live… don’t turn out to be a stalker creep though,” she joked. “Cause that would suck.”

He laughed. “No stalking… got it. Thanks for the two birthday gifts then, Raven.” 

She offered him one final smile and wave before she closed the door and walked into her building. 

As he drove away, he was thankful to never see her again. He would return to the comfortability of Tasha who played her role and sparked no other feelings in him but carnal lust. That was all he had room for. All those other feelings Raven elicited would fade and the beast would be locked up once again.

As Raven laid in bed, trying to force herself to rest, she could not help but think a similar refrain. She could not get him out of her head. The duality of the way he fucked her with the care and kindness he showed her after. The genuine concern he seemed to have for her. She wanted more of that, more of him. She wondered what it felt like for him to make love to a woman, and wondered how it would feel to hear him call out her real name. Wondered how it would feel to be held by him… how he took care of her, even if it was only briefly. She thought about how it must feel to be loved by him, the intensity of it must have been intoxicating. She thought back to the night before, flashes of it coming to her. If she focused, she could still feel where his hands were, like fire against her skin. 

However, she knew those fantasies were dangerous and a fool’s errand. She could not fall head over heels for her first real date. That was not the job. And maybe she would find a client of her own like him one day, but she knew she would not last long if she pinned over every man who was nice to her. She thought she had let go of her hopeless romantic phase long ago but it still resurfaced every once in a while. But Tasha was right, she would not survive in their world long wearing her heart on her sleeve. And she needed to survive, her family needed her to survive. So, she would never see the Michael B. Jordan again and she, too, was thankful. Because then she would forget about him and move on.  

She sighed as she settled into bed. Despite ending up in the ER, the night had been a success. Michael had been pleased, which was all that mattered and hopefully he relayed that to Helen. And that meant more clients, more opportunities to make money and get her life, at least financially, back on track. That’s all she needed and wanted to focus on. Anything else, fantasies of a man she could never have again, were foolish and best left for the characters she wrote in her free time. 

Sleep eluded both Michael and Raven that night as they were plagued with fantasies of each other, the person they both knew was foolish to want because they knew they could not have them. 

Tag List: @readinghere2023 @blackerthings @prettyisasprettydoes1306 @physicxal @purplehairgawdess @miyuhpapayuh @rueruesclues @geemamii

A/N: I'm both really excited and nervous about this series so I hoped y'all enjoyed chapter 1! Drop a comment and let me know what you thought!

[magicaii]

Need a spinneraki non-villain au where both of them are shut in losers. Like, shuichi is a college drop out who’s been a NEET for the past two years and has convinced himself that he will never fit into society so why even bothering trying and doesn’t even care enough to outside anymore and tomura never made it to college at all and just lives off of his rich dad’s (afo) income as he does nothing but stay home to game and browse the internet all day cause he’s addicted to league of legends and he’s a closet scaly.

so imagine tomura and shuichi meeting cause they ended up in the same game because tenko misclicked and chose the wrong tier, and because he’s a bit of a toxic gamer, when he notices shuichi’s character choice he turns on vc just to say, “seriously? fucking zilean in the jungle? you’re never gonna make it out of iron asshole” and he only said it be to be dick and ruin some guy’s day, but he actually ends up advising the guy to choose a better character because he’s weirdly innocent and clueless for a league of legends player and it completely takes tomura aback. he finds out the guy is a complete newbie, which kinda explains it.

and during the game, spinner (his online name) keeps asking him questions since he’s apparently just decided that tomura has signed up to be his guide. and tomura kinda just goes along with it, and they’re the only two talking in vc anyway, although he’s far from nice about it. (think: what the fuck? USE YOUR SKILL or SUPPORT ME IN TOP LANE IDIOT)

so after the game tomura is about to move on with his day but then spinner sends him a friend request and he’s like ??? why does this weirdo think I’d wanna be his friend. but the request comes with a message and it says “haha thx for the help today? I’m kinda new at this… wld appreciate some more guidance n stuff… hope I can be as good as u someday lolz” and now tomura is half convinced this guy is just a fucking troll or something, cause there’s just no way. but what the fuck else is he doing anyway? so they exchange discords to chat.

spinner is strange. sometimes spinner will say things like “why is everyone so nasty in this game :((” and tomura will be genuinely confused because?? everyone knows league of legends is a toxic cesspool?? one day he finally asks what spinner’s deal is and why he started playing, and spinner goes “well tbh I was looking for friends”. tomura just deadpans that he’s definitely looking for them in the wrong place. spinners like, “I thought it would be easy to talk to people since there’s a voice chat but turns out people just use it to yell at each other and get into arguments. why would anyone do that lol, crazy” tomura just pauses cause he doesn’t really know, either. he’s been getting into arguments with random people in voice chat for years, it’s practically become a routine at this point, but he never stopped to think about it much. it’s pretty much become his only source of social interaction apart from his dad. with a pit in his stomach, he just replies “maybe they’re lonely.”

sometimes weird background sounds will come out of tomura’s mic, and spinner, after a while, finally asks, “so I’ve been wondering for a while. sometimes it sounds like someone is being murdered in your basement, what is that” and tomura’s like “oh don’t mind that lmao, it’s just my dad. he’s an investment banker or some shit and he gets fucking tilted at the stock market. idk I mostly tune it out now” and spinner just goes really quiet and says “umm. ok!”

[asudai-tls]

[Archive Video] 我楽多KING's first stream! Nice to meet you all!

Video

Hikaru: Ohh? That’s so weird… Didn't he tell us that it would be OK if we did it like this? Kazu– Chihiro: Hey, idiot! We were told to use diver names. 

Hikaru: Oh, right! What was it again? Chihiro: C (pronounced Centum). It was C. Hikaru: Right, right! C! He said that he chose this name randomly. Kazu– Chihiro: AAAA. Call him C…! Hikaru: Ahaha! My bad! C is just so hard to remember. 

Chihiro: Well, you’re not wrong… I myself have a normal slang-like diver name…We’re ‘'Fraidy Cat and Silly Dog which are both pretty bold names… Hikaru: True that. ‘Fraiii… something or other and Silly… something.

Chihiro: You should at least remember your own diver name. 

Hikaru: It’s fiiine! The stream hasn’t even started! Probably. Chihiro: … Eh? Isn’t this streaming…? Hikaru: It’s not, it’s no… Huh? Chihiro: N-n-no way… Hikaru: AHAHAHA That’s hilarious! It is streaming. Seriously~ Chihiro: Wh-what do we do? What do we do? What do we do? H-Hikaru…

Hikaru: Ah, you seem a bit tense? Then, I’ll start talking! Wheee! I’m 我楽多KING’s Hikaru!

Chihiro: But the diver name… though I said Hikaru too.

Hikaru: Oh right! I’m 我楽多KING’s Silly Dog! Nice to meet you. You can call me “Dog” or whatever you like. 

Chihiro: A-a- Hikaru: This is Chi-kun– No, frai-something-Cat? Something like that. “Cat” is fine! “Cat”. Chi-kun, are you going to talk? Chihiro: Eh? Uh… M-me? Talk. Wh-What should I do? A-Aaaah–

Hikaru: Okay, okay! This is 我楽多KING's first stream! I don't really understand the settings, so I don't know if it's right. Well, I'll pretend you all can hear me and talk!!! So, our unit actually has 3 people. Right now, Kaz�� C is at the convenience store. For now, let's get started with just the two of us! So then– what was it. I took notes on what I was going to say. Umm… Aha! Here it is. Unit introduction! … What was that supposed to be?

Chihiro: Unit introduction…? Umm… Wh-What kind of unit we are… something like that.

Hikaru: What kind of unit we are? I don’t really know either but… something interesting like BAM! And something that stands out kinda like GON! And “let’s do it” like DON! Aren’t we that kind of unit?

Chihiro: That kind…? Mm.. did anyone get that? 

Hikaru: Haha! You didn’t get it? I'm such an idiot, I'm really sorry about this!

Chihiro: A-anyways, the unit 我楽多KING is made up of 3 people: C, ‘'Fraidy Cat and Silly Dog. We’ll do all sorts of fun things… I think… Hikaru: Ohh! Nice work! Even though I think I said that earlier!!!

Chihiro: Ha… haaaa…

Hikaru: Well! Next topic. Umm~  next is… “Just talk casually” is what I wrote. 

Chihiro: U-uhh casually…?

Hikaru: So, casual?

Chihiro: Impossible. Hikaru: Yeah. Casual. Casual… Umm… Chihiro: Come back quickly…

Kazuki: Just when the mood has died, I have arrived! Hello, 我楽多KING’s C here. 

Chihiro: He’s back…! Hikaru: Welcome home! You brought the mood back!

Kazuki: In this situation, I can confidently say that you are the best. I saw it, you guys’ stream. Cat too, you did your best. Everyone might have been surprised by the sudden start of the stream. I’ll introduce us again. This unit is 我楽多KING. As you heard, it’s a miscellaneous unit made up of the newbie divers Silly Dog and ‘'Fraidy Cat as well as the mysterious veteran diver, C! The origin of the name comes from the idea that “Even with a bunch of junk*, we aim to be KING.” There are many areas where I am immature so it would be helpful if you could keep an eye on me! The fan name is ACE! By all means, please become a big supporter!

Hikaru: Thanks! Chihiro: T-Thank you for the support…

Kazuki: We are still amateurs in many ways. We are going to do Astro Dive a lot from now on. We also plan to distribute music. What kind of song do you want to do, Dog?

Hikaru: Upbeat!  I love high energy songs! 

Kazuki: Makes sense for Dog. What about Cat?

Chihiro: I… Refreshing. I like calming songs…

Kazuki: The two of you are complete opposites. There’s so much we can do! While we’re talking about it, Cat’s singing voice is amazing. Are you looking forward to it? 

Hikaru: Ohohoho!!! Chihiro: Ah no… my singing isn’t that… It’s not a big deal at all…

Kazuki: That’s not true. Stand tall because I said so.

Chihiro: S-sure.

Kazuki: By the way, I’m looking forward to defying everyone’s expectations with both the songs and the streams. I want to create exciting things. For example, streaming while bungee jumping. Or having a mountain explode in the background of us singing. Put down what you predict will happen now and we’ll circle back to your guesses later, okay? If you get it right, I’ll give you anything you want as a gift. 

Hikaru: Seriously? What should I do? I might need a new watering can. The handle broke the other day!

Chihiro: It’s not a present for us… Hikaru: Eh? Is that so? Oh that’s true, I can’t get it. 

Kazuki: I'll just buy you a watering can. Anyways, I’lll be doing this on a whim, so please look forward to it! Now then, see you next time! This was 我楽多KING!

Hikaru: Thanks for tuning in! 

Chihiro: Thank you for watching…

*The 我楽多 (Garakuta) in 我楽多KING means junk/trash

[i-me-mine]

As time goes by | Chapter 5: The gift

Pairings: Eddie Munson x fem!reader

Word Count: 3.6k

Masterlist | Previous Chapter | Next Chapter | AO3

“Shit, shit, shit!” Eddie whispers. 

It’s almost 8:50 am, and Eddie is supposed to be at Gareth’s place for band practice by 9 am, so he knows he will be late. 

When he enters the kitchen, he looks at you with widened eyes. “Jesus, you scared the hell out of me! Give me a goddamn warning!” he screams, his voice high-pitched.

“Wow, I know I’m scary-looking, Eds, but thanks for the reminder,” you chuckle, and Wayne, who is also there, laughs a bit.

“Idiot,” he says, rolling his eyes. “What’s for breakfast?” he asks.

“Pancakes” 

“Smells good! I’d love to eat, but I’m late” he seems disappointed.

“I know; I packed some so you can eat later.” 

His hip bumps against yours. “You’re the best, sweetheart! I have to go, band practice now; a couple of deals later, I’ll stop by Reefer Rick; my stock is getting dangerously low… you two take care, ok?” 

He kisses you on the cheek before going out, and you hope he has not seen you blush while Wayne says, “Take care, son.” 

You take your pancakes and sit in front of Wayne, who is still eating his. “Now that he is gone, we can talk…” 

“What happened, kiddo?” Wayne’s voice was suddenly urgent; he was worried something terrible had happened.

“You know our graduation gift idea? We may have a problem… Eddie doesn’t think he is graduating at all this year” you wait to see if Wayne will react or say something, but he is still looking at you, waiting for you to complete your line of thought, with no interruptions or judgments. 

“And I know we are not exactly in our best behavior mode, and I’d understand if you change your mind… but I really want to do this.” 

“I want the best for you two, and I know you are just trying to have fun… but people here don’t see it like that. I just want you to be safe and happy, try not to get in more trouble for now, will ya? 

“We’ll try not to get caught.” 

“That’s not what I said, kiddo,” he replies, trying to sound serious, but you can see the hint of a smile there. 

You dodge his comment, changing the focus of the conversation again. “But what about the gift? Will you still help me with it? I can use my flirting skills and get us a discount…”

“No way, I’ll handle it! But don’t you wanna wait for next year then? I know that you are not getting many shifts lately.”

“My money for that is already saved up…, and it’s just because Ben is leaving for college after this summer, so they are training Keith to work at the arcade and can’t pay us all at the same time… but I’ll get my shifts back later, so no worries.” 

“I wish I could help more; It doesn’t feel right to let you spend all that money…” 

You smile warmly while reaching out to rub Wayne’s arm gently. It’s ironic to think that he wants to help more when he has already done much more than expected, not only for Eddie but for you as well. He saved you both and is the best caretaker you could have asked for. It seems that both Wayne and Eddie need to learn to recognize how incredible they really are. Better than most of the closed-minded people living in Hawkins, having to deal with being misunderstood by them. 

“I would not be able to do this without you; you are already helping a lot. You always help. You do a lot for us, and I appreciate that.” 

“You are so kind to us.” He gets up and pets your head. “Fine, I’ll speak with Miller again soon.” 

“Thank you, uncle Wayne! Once you get it, remember to keep it out of sight… we don’t want to spoil the surprise!” you say in a cheerful voice. 

“I just don’t know what she sees in him.” Jonathan shrugs.

“Bob is nice; give him a chance…” 

You and Jonathan are spending the afternoon at one of the picnic tables at the trailer park, he occasionally taking pictures and you scribbling in your notebook when the subject of the conversation changed to his mother’s new boyfriend, Bob Newby.

“There is something wrong with him… that whole over-friendly attitude is not normal.”

“He is just a bit different than us; that’s not exactly a problem. It’s easy to see how devoted to her he is. I think that’s cute.” 

Jonathan had seen firsthand how his father, Lonnie, was different from Bob, how he mistreated the whole family. He had worked extra hard to shield Will from it. And now Bob is much healthier to Joyce, but he also absolutely adores Will - which is not hard, as Will is such a sweet boy. You are the one that doesn’t get why Jonathan is so against Bob. 

“If you think about it, it just doesn’t make sense; how did they become a couple?” 

“Jonathan, love just doesn’t make any sense, and you have no control over it… but they love each other, which means they are luckier than most of us; let them enjoy it.” 

You can’t help but think that you would like Eddie to love you as intensely as Bob seems to love Joyce. And speaking of the devil, you see Eddie passing in the back; he smiles and waves at you, making you wave and smile back, and right after it, you are startled by the flash of Jonathan’s camera.

“What’s wrong with you? You almost scared me to death!” you scolded.

“You’re in love with him.” It wasn’t a question, and his voice sounded like he was suppressing laughter. 

“Don’t be ridiculous,” you say, throwing your pencil at him.

“Hey bunny, I know you, and I recognize that facial expression. Will I need the photo to show you concrete proof?”

He knows that using the pet name warms you; he is not playing fair. “I don’t know what you are talking about,” you murmur.

“Really? C’mon, you know you can tell me. You know I’ll understand.” 

And he is right. If there is someone that you could trust that would understand how you are feeling and the conflicts that fill your mind, that someone would be Jonathan. But neither of you is good at talking about feelings. 

“I didn’t want it to happen. It wasn’t exactly planned, Jonathan…” 

“Love never is… so you do love him, right?”

“I love everything about him… except that he is not mine.” 

“Yet! When are you telling him?” he throws the pencil back at you.

You catch it before replying, “Never, of course. I fell in love knowing there was never any chance of being with him, so no need to bring more misery into my life.” 

“Knowing that something won’t happen doesn’t make you want it less.”

“Yeah, tell me about it.” 

There was a bag of nuts on the table. You start eating them absently, staring out the trailer park. The idea of you telling how you feel to Eddie crossed your mind a couple of times, and the tiny hope that he would be willing to give you a chance burns in the corner of your heart, but the risk of rejection is too imminent. He sees you as his best friend only, maybe as a sister. You already have so many great moments together; you are afraid of being too greedy by making a move and losing everything. 

So no, you will wait patiently, and maybe someday you’ll learn how to live in peace with your feelings, or they will simply vanish. Then, as if he could read your mind, Jonathan says:

“The feelings, the yearning, that connection you have with him… it won’t just go away like magic just because you don’t want it to be there… it will only grow. Trust me, I know. So you should tell him if you want to save yourself from suffering.”

“The same way you are telling Nance?” 

He stares blankly at nothing, but you see the glimpse of pain crossing his eyes, which makes you regret saying that - because you know it hurts, and it’s not fair to push him like that. It’s not even the same scenario - Eddie is still single, while Jonathan has to see Nancy being happy with Steve every day and live with that. The guilt goes into a spiral mode within you. “I’m sorry, let’s call it a stalemate and drop the subject, shall we?”

Being pros at the art of hiding feelings, you engage in conversation without touching on this topic again. 

Time is flying by. Everything seemed to be happening faster than usual, and before you knew it, it was the last day of your school year. You were exhausted by all the exams and happy when the end of the day finally came. Standing at your locker, you grab your things and notice Eddie approaching you with a smile and wave.

“Hi.” You say wearily, a soft smile on your face.

“So… did you pass?” he asks cheerfully.

“Yes, sir! Senior year, here I come.” 

“That’s my girl!” he pulls you into a bear hug, and without warning, he throws you over his shoulders and runs to the exit door. “So long, fuckers!! We are getting out of here. We are freeee!” Just another loud and theatrical glory demonstration of despise for Hawkins High School by Eddie Munson.

“P-put me d-do-wn, Eds!” You try to tell him, but you are laughing so hard that you are unsure if he understands it. When you are at the parking lot, he finally puts you down, patiently waiting for you to stop laughing and start breathing again. 

“You can thank me for the ride now, M’lady,” he says with a soft, enchanting laugh.

“Not very comfortable, you know.” 

He hesitates a bit but then says: “Well, I can offer you a very comfortable movie session tonight at Munson’s trailer as compensation. Would that be enough?” He looks at you with hopeful eyes. 

You usually have an end-of-school-year celebratory bonfire by the lake, and as some of the boys from Hellfire are graduating this will be their last one, and they will be probably overly excited about it. But Eddie is asking you to stay at home with him, watching movies. By looking into his eyes, you think that maybe he has not yet settled his issues related to not graduating this year and is not yet ready to face his friends celebrating graduation while he is not. 

“That’s an irresistible offer, I take it!” 

“Awesome! Wanna come with me to choose the movie?”

“I better make sure chores are all done back home to ensure my father won’t spoil our night. But I’ll see you later!” 

“See ya!” he stroked your cheek gently before leaving, making you feel like your blood was on fire. 

Doing laundry, cleaning, and tidying up the house took quite some time, but you additionally prepared dinner - you weren’t sure if your father was coming back home that night but wanted to ensure that he would have something to eat if he came. Once everything was ready, you showered and chose something cozy to wear. 

You are brushing your hair, lost in thought. While you are still within the safety of your bedroom, you allow yourself to daydream how a movie night with Eddie could be if you were together, imagining the warmth of his embrace, his lips molding into yours, his firm touch and the contrast of his cold rings against your warm body, he sighing your name, you tangled together while the movie is playing in the background, forgotten as you both are too into each other to pay attention to it. You can’t help but smile before bottling up this feeling and getting ready to face reality. 

Eddie opens the door as soon as you knock with a wide smile, making your heart flutter when you see him. 

“I’m so glad you came, sweetheart!”

As you enter, you notice the clean trailer,  and there are snacks, candy, orange juice, and beer at the table. 

“I wouldn’t miss the chance of getting free food!” 

He happily serves you, and you start chatting, updating each other on your whereabouts that afternoon. He reaches out to give your shoulder a nudge in the middle of the conversation, but due to his clumsiness, he spills his beer over your shirt. 

He immediately apologizes and rushes to pick a dishcloth, and in an attempt to clean your shirt, he starts scrubbing it, touching your boobs while doing it, making your face scarlet. It takes him 2 seconds to realize what he is doing, and he drops the dishcloth. 

“Ow, I’m so, SO sorry!” his eyes are wide, and he looks embarrassed.

“That’s ok, Eds. It’s just a T-shirt… mind if I borrow one?” 

He seems so relieved that you are not angry.

“Go ahead, what’s mine is yours, remember?” he replies. Of course, you are both trying to laugh it off. 

You are hyperventilating when you arrive in his bedroom, trying to bury the memories of what happened and how you felt when he touched you by accident in the back of your mind. “Not now, save it for later.” you think. You take deep breaths to calm yourself. When you return to the living room, now wearing one of his shirts, you see that he is waiting for you on the couch with a bowl of popcorn in his hand.

“So, what are we watching?” you say, climbing up the sofa and eating some of the popcorn.

“Graduation day. A slasher movie of a masked killer murdering senior students,” he replied playfully, seeming proud of the ironic movie choice. 

Here is the thing, you don’t hate horror movies, you usually like them, but they could also scare the shit out of you, making you tense or sitting on the edge of the couch expecting a jump scare or something else to happen. 

The movie starts, and soon you both eat all the popcorn. Finally, Eddie puts the bowl aside and picks up the blanket, wrapping it around you both. This would be something for you to think of as cute, just the two of you curled up on the couch, sharing a blanket, but right now, you notice your knuckles turning white due to how hard you are gripping the blanket due to tension while watching the movie.

“What the fuuuuuuuck!” you mumble in disgust as you see one of the characters being stabbed through the neck with a sword. Meanwhile, Eddie is just laughing and having the time of his life.

Later in the movie, you are not that afraid anymore, so each time you get scared or see something disgusting, you take the opportunity to squeeze Eddie tighter or hide your face in the crook of his neck. Just because he is not yours does not mean you won’t take the chances you have to get closer to him. 

Wayne arrives home in the morning after a long night shift at the plant. The TV is still on, and you both are laying on the couch, you half-dozing, Eddie fast asleep. He gently speaks with you:

“Hey, kiddo, sorry to wake you up, but it’s important,” he hands you a small package. “Keep this. It’s here, at the end of the trailer park. You can show him today if you want.”

This makes you go fully awake mode, jumping out of the couch. “You’re the best!!” you say, hugging Wayne. Eddie opens his eyes, still sleepy and looking confused. 

“Give me 30 min; I’ll be right back… be ready; we’ll take a walk,” you say, giving him a kiss on the forehead before storming out of the trailer, returning home to shower and change clothes.

Eddie is already waiting for you at his door when you come back. 

“What’s going on, sweetheart?”

“I want to show you something,” you say, fighting the urge to give small jumps of excitement. 

“Cool, let’s go.”

You come closer, wanting to clap your hand over his eyes to cover his sight before taking him but quickly notice that it would not work as you intended. 

“Do you trust me?” you ask, your lips curling up mischievously. 

“Absolutely not. Look at that face.”

“C’mon, Eddie… would you please borrow me your bandana?”

“What for?” the arc of his brow rising in suspicion.

“So I can cover your eyes with it.”

“No. Nope,” he says, raising his hand and moving it widely to demonstrate his dissatisfaction clearly. 

So you put on your best puppy eyes and smile, hoping this helps. “Pleeease?”. It works; he takes out the bandana from his back pocket. You use it to blindfold him, thinking how much more attractive his lips are now, and a crazy thought of stealing a kiss from him comes to your mind.

“Is this really necessary?” he asks, interrupting your thoughts. 

“Yes! Now come,” you say, taking his hand and leading him down the path, taking care not to let him stumble upon anything. He is curious, and a little confused but is going along with it.

After a quick walk, you stop and put the key from the package Wayne gave you this morning in Eddie’s hand. “Here we are,” you say, moving behind him to remove the bandana, revealing the surprise. “It’s yours. I hope you like it.”

“Are you shitting me?” he replies, but without moving a muscle, no other words are spoken after that. 

You expected a more energetic and vibrant reaction from Eddie upon seeing the 1971 Chevrolet Van parked in from of you. But, on the other hand, he might not understand what was happening.

“Wayne and I thought you would like your own car, so we decided to give you one.” 

Silence. 

“I know it’s not black; we can work on that.” 

You pause. Eddie was still frozen. You were afraid that maybe he thought that it was a gift too expensive.

“You know, this Van is going to need a lot of help before it runs again,” you warn him. “Miller would charge more to fix it than we paid for it; that’s exactly why he sold us so cheap... But I believe you can get it running again.”  

The lack of reaction from Eddie’s side is making you nervous. You are on the verge of crying, but you try to say something funny to see if he says something.

“Don’t think I’m doing it for a selfless reason; you’ll drive me to school every day during our senior year.” 

You are starting to freak out, wondering if this was a terrible mistake. 

“I thought a Van would be a good idea because you could transport the band instruments and equipment, you would have the freedom to move around, do the band practices somewhere else, and even take them to play somewhere someday…” 

You are sure you heard him gulp before he starts to turn to you slowly. 

“This car is so…” he starts.

You sigh deeply. “Boring?” 

“Perfect. The car is perfect. And so are you.” His voice is beautiful, high, clear, and filled with life, like melting honey and washing your worries away. 

He gives you a massive, heartfelt hug. “You can’t keep giving me things. I don’t have anything to give you back.”

You roll your eyes in annoyance, but he can’t see it. Of course, being only friends with him causes you pain, but having him in your life, no matter how, gives you infinitely more joy, and that he should know. You would do anything for him because he would do the same for you. You treasure him more than anything. 

“Now don’t you dare say you never gave me anything, Eds… because you have. You’ve given me an amazing life, reasons to smile, and good times to laugh about… you’ve given me memories I will never forget. You help make my life easier to deal with, and that’s something I’ll never be able to repay.” 

You pet his hair, running your fingers through his curls, and he clings to you tightly. You can feel his heartbeat and breath on your skin; it feels so good. The sense of warmth and safety you feel is almost inebriating, making you feel protected and loved, wishing you could stay in that embrace forever. 

“I never thought I deserved something like this. Dammit, I don’t deserve you,” he whispers.

“Eds,” you sigh, “you deserve all the good things in the world.”

“Don’t be melodramatic, sweetheart,” he replies

“Don’t you be so ridiculous, then,” you say jokingly. 

Laughing softly, he lifts you off your feet and put you back on the ground before letting go of the hug, which almost makes you sad because you were in such bliss right there. Then, he runs to the van, checking every inch of it. 

“Do you really think you can fix it?” you ask.

His face glows when he replies, “You’ll see, M’lady. All it needs is a little love and attention… and it will become our pride and joy. We’ll have such a fun summer!”

He seems genuinely pleased by the challenge, overjoyed and excited even. That is the reaction you were hoping for. He looks like a child that just received his favorite gift from Santa Claus.

You smile with high hopes that you’ll have a fun summer indeed.

Read next chapter

Notes: As promised, a chapter with a happier tone :) Thank you for reading; feedback is always appreciated! Please bear with me, as English is not my first language, and this had no proofreading - feel free to let me know if you find any major errors.

@sidthedollface2 @bimbobaggins69 @roxy9295 @aftermidnightwriting @ghosttownwherenoonegoes

[firstdivisiongirl]

Emma x Draken: Love Story Part 3

Toman Meetings

Toman meetings were usually just the boys and Emma.  She wasn’t a member, but any excuse to see Draken was good enough for her.  She just sat on one of the benches and watched from the outskirts as the boys talked about gang activity.  The Tokyo Manji Gang had gotten huge since they first started.  But no matter how many of the newbies tried to come and talk to her, Draken was always the first to tell them to leave her alone.  He was also the first to ask if she needed someone to walk her home.  “Hey Emma,” Draken asked, drawing her attention away from her notebook.

“Yeah, what?” she responded walking over to him.

“I’ll walk you home tonight.”

“What about Mikey?  We live together, so why wouldn’t he just take me home?”  She was waiting for his answer. She was hoping maybe, just maybe, he’d tell her he likes her.  Though at this point, after years of knowing each other, she was starting to believe all he cared about was Mikey, fighting and motorcycles.

“He has stuff to do with Baji.  Come on,” he said, motioning her to follow him.

“Ok.”

She hurried up and caught up to him.  No matter how long she knew him, she couldn’t believe how much bigger he was than her.  But she hoped one day she had to stand on her tiptoes just so she could kiss him.  They usually walked in silence, neither having anything interesting nor anything they thought the other would care about.  Usually, Emma would try to break the silence, but it was Draken’s turn.  “So,” he started, “anything interesting happen lately?”

“Not really.  Can I ask you an honest question?  Why do you always want to walk me home?  Even when Mikey’s just going home you still insist on walking me home.  I'm not saying I don’t want you to walk me home all the time, I just want to know if there’s a reason.”

Draken froze.  He wasn’t sure if he should tell her the truth and confess or just give an excuse.

“You’re Mikey’s sister and it’s my job to protect you,” you lied.  He felt like such an idiot when he could see tears welling up in her golden eyes.

“Oh, I get it.  I’m just the little sister.”

“No.  I enjoy our walks home.  They're quiet and nice.  Sometimes it’s nice to get away from them.”

Emma’s eyes brightened up!  She was so happy.   Maybe there was a chance.  Maybe he did like her.  She still doubted it, but there was now a super small glimmer of hope.

When they arrived at her house, she ran inside after telling him to have a good night and to be safe heading home.  That night Emma went to bed happy, with hope her crush liked her back.  

Please do not copy, modify, translate or repost my writing on other platforms. Comments, reblogs and likes are highly appreciated!

[pekodayz]

💞💐💕 (I'm sure people already asked you some of these but I'm still curious :3)

these were alr answered but for some reason i have more on my mind.

💞: How do you both express affection?

answered here :3

Ok so i meant to explain this too but I was sleepy. Boooo… also I’m on the phone omgee. I think they would use platonic as an excuse to be more …romantic-ish. they would I think oso would give aini a lazy smile and she would smirk at him back. then, they’ll slowly move closer to each other and hold hands for a while. They they’ll stop and say omg haha…that was gay…what? (that doesn’t make sense ofc but they’re idiots so..) Maybe they’ll do something where aini leans on her chair and puts her legs on oso while he works, then they’ll watch YouTube. flipping back and forth between that and work while on the job, every time their boss walks by. punchies is smth they love doing bc it’s funny to them. sometimes it gets out of hand and they end up knocking each other straight in the face accidentally. Aini secretly admires oso’s work ethic, sad…I know…he’s better than her for some reason (even tho Aini’s been here b4 him. She HATES THAT) she uses that as an excuse to say petty insults towards him (u didn’t do that right. do it my way. stop using that shortcut ur gonna make me look bad) oso usually has a comeback to say to aini so just imagine aini hovering over oso while he’s working and she’s just nitpicking stuff to make him mad cuz she’s jealous. at some point she pulled him aside and interrogated him abt how is he doing so much better than her. She’s so confused….he’s supposed to suck…not her….(she’s good at her job, oso just happens to be better than her ew)

💐: How did you two meet?

answered here :3

But ig I’ll talk more abt it (they already knew each other thru other means ofc) aini bragged abt having a job and moneyyyy (waving it in his face) .I think a week prior to oso working with aini, he kept giving some vague hints abt a surprise for aini. She really thought he had something for her, very suspicious. Kept asking him what he was talking about. He told her he had some interview for a job, aini shook her head and kyahahaha laughed at him. Oso said watch me, he’s gonna get this job. then yah. Day b4 he showed up, aini was told she had to train a newbie. Smug, she happily accepted….then yeah…it was him. surprise aini…..her blood went cold and her smile went away. She was like, no you’re joking right?????? RIGHT??? Staring him up and down like she’s looking at a dead body. Then ya oso sat right next to her and nudged her talkin about being work buddies forever and everrr!! aini asked him where he got the suit, he stares at her. looks away…mumbles ur money…aini cant really be that mad bc she was actually quite happy abt him working with her on the inside. but she still punched him in the arm. Still flabbergasted and pissed that she cant brag abt being the one with a job anymore. (and that he took her money lol)

💕: Who’s the clingier one in the relationship?

answered here :3

[adventures-written]

;; Ok, so now that I’m awake again and slightly coherent, here’s my thoughts on episode 10:

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Some of it I expected because, being on tumblr, ya just see spoilers. So I knew some stuff that would happen. LIKE THE FRICKEN SNEEZE! That was great.

I have to do another rewatch cause I might have missed some stuff, but like...Zazie’s little “But they were mine :(” as Conrad takes their things was adorable. Pouty pile of bugs, poor thing. 

And Vash’s scars! Heck, they make me so sad because all he wants is to protect people. It doesn’t matter what happens to him. Scar him up in his entirety and he’ll still keep fighting. The guy that shot him? Vash does not hold a single grudge, he understands. That scene broke my heart...

And let’s talk about one of the elephant’s in the room...Roberto.

So, I had a feeling for a while something bad was gunna happen to him. His whole character was about protecting Meryl. Sure, he claimed it was for his own health, like on the Steamer where he found a life boat and wanted to get the hell off because they were gunna presumably die. But when Meryl gives her big speech, he doesn’t leave. Why? Because she doesn’t leave. He’s got this dad mode on him where he has a need to protect. Journalistic integrity? Nah, he’s there to protect the newbie. 

When that demon child started to attack, I had an immediate gutteral feeling that this would be it. The way he protected Meryl, the way he put himself in front of her every chance he had, it just screamed this was going to be his end.

As much as I want every character to live, I understand why Roberto dies. It’s for Meryl, it’s for her character and motivation. Not everything is sunshine and rainbows. As Roberto says in episode one “It’s a dog eat dog world out there” and this just shows Meryl not everything works out and even those she’s closest to get hurt or die.

I cried like a baby.

As an aside, I do like Ele’s and Nico’s dynamic. It was kinda cute the way they argued, almost like siblings.

Now, I’m sure everyone knew this was a trap for Vash. if you know anything about the manga or the OG Anime, you know July got destroyed, so clearly, if they’re going to July, only bad things can come. That was unsurprising when they realized they wanted to trap Vash.

But Vash knows. At least, somewhat. He knows, and he is well aware that Nico is working for them. He’s not an idiot. Vash might act naïve and dumb, but he really does pick up on a lot of things. And he knows Nico is doing it to protect something. He’s got other people in mind and this is not self-motivated. So Nico being with him, basically bringing him to his brother, is not a surprise either.

Can we talk about that contract? I saw a screenshot but I’m going to have to get a better look to see what it said at the bottom. As much as I wanna hope Nico feels accomplished, like he did the right thing, we all know that he probably feels he didn’t. That he could have done more, better, etc. I dunno, I gotta sit and stew on those thoughts in particular for a while.

Let’s talk about the drama llama that is Knives. That man...of course he’s playing their song, of course he’s sitting at a piano. But I do want to say...I’m kinda glad the way he’s shown is not far off from how I’ve been trying to play him? I am still terrified of episode 11 and 12 shattering how I’ve been portraying Knives, but this was a good insight and relief to my fears...

His fricken piano room though, the motif on the floor. And those statues. Knives can’t let it go. He has to put up reminders as to why he’s doing what he is. He has to remind himself of the suffering the human’s have caused for so many of the plants. And his little jab at Vash about the crash... (hah I called it). A reminder to Vash that he helped him, even unknowingly. And that the human’s would forever hate Vash for it. Which we know isn’t true, but in Knives mind it is because he’s a wanted man. Vash is getting the blame for everything Knives is doing, he’s the face and he’s the one people hate. So Knives can’t understand why Vash continues to defend the people who seem to, in his eyes, despise Vash for everything that he is.

And of course the dramatic bitch uses the piano to open the floor under Vash. I now understand why everyone was saying Vash soup. As a side note, I love Vash’s little wire from his arm. That’s great.

But of course, Knives is dramatic, and he cuts the wire. A wish to reset his brother and make him perfect, like he is.

And now I’m terrified for 11 and even more so for 12.

So I just get to sit here and try to piece together these fragments I have while I wait again. This is gunna be another long week...

[gemstarstarlight]

See, I put down “I never get annoyed” because to me, it’s not about the number of words. It’s about the content of the words, and if the pacing makes sense.

I have extremely low patience for “Idiots to Lovers.” I don’t mind it in under 5,000 words, but unless the characters are socially idiots with their friendships or other relationships, I don’t tolerate it in love lives. It’s just dull when you open up a book to read a romance and it’s very obvious they like each other but they aren’t having a romance because…reasons. Low EQ reasons. Basically if any of the reasons the slow burn happens is “I could ruin the friendship”, “I am emotionally unintelligent and can’t see that my friend likes me back, and neither can they,” or “I am keeping a lie that the other person would probably be okay with knowing because I feel like they would hate me,” I am irked and impatient. Plot heavy-handedness gets to me. Even if it’s a royalty AU where there could be political reasons, if it’s “My father won’t let me marry the person I love because they’re lowborn and so I must just stare longingly at my love forever while being silent,” all I’m thinking is, “Ok, and why does that matter? What are the real political implications to not doing what your father wants? Would there be war? Death? Debts levied? A curse laid on your family? Because, I’m sorry, losing your wealth and title and social status or feeling obligated because of duty just does not cut it for me. Explain the stakes or don’t have them.”

Basically, in order for a slowburn to work (for me), there needs to be

high stakes (physical or emotional)

that don’t have an easy solution

that explain why they are being slow.

If you don’t have all three of these things, it needs to be a minor subplot or not there at all.

On the other hand, I am reading an ongoing sci-fi series where one of the romantic subplots (the other two are mutual puppy love at first sight and innocent newbie with powers meets deeply traumatized emotionally stunted loudmouth) is an enemies to lovers slowburn of epic proportions. The series is at *checks notes* 550,000+ words currently and these characters aren’t even friends yet. We as the audience know they’re gonna get together; even if you don’t see the shipping tags, there have been hints dropped in the text to suggest it. But no one, including but definitely not limited to the two characters, would ever think they would get together, in any universe.

And I’m not mad about it. In fact, it makes perfect sense. I’ve only just gotten to the point where I think they might be allowed to be a bit more civil and less petty to each other. Why? Because there are deep, intense political, sociological, and economic divides between these two characters. To give an idea of the intensity, imagine if a 60-something redneck farmer from Alabama met a non-binary 20-something influencer from California. Now force them on a road trip across America and tell them they have to stay together the entirety of the trip. These two people come from different generations with different belief systems, and they both see the other as the reason bad things are happening in the world, even if, individually, the person had nothing to do with the bad thing happening. How on earth would they even communicate? How would they decide the route? What would stop them from rage killing each other? What would allow them to meet each other halfway, communicate in a way that allows them to achieve the shared goal of traveling across America, and give them the ability to have a comfortable relationship while being stuck in a car together? Let alone civilly talking about why they see each other as the evil in the world? Is that even feasible?

That’s almost how bad it is between our characters. They could not be from more diametrically opposed worlds, and their respective worlds have given them real-life evidence to hate each other. They don’t have a shared background experience between them. And they have both made decisions that made absolute sense to one but betrayed the values of the other. The only reason they’re stuck together is because of common goals, happenstance, and the little hints of the other’s character behind their pride and prejudice.

Because that’s the stakes/thing to overcome: intense pride and prejudice that’s baked into their very worldview. And only when those things are peeled off will they be able to see each other as equals, and eventually partners that they can rely on.

And holy motherfuck is that a hard thing to do, even in real life with well-adjusted people who know how to communicate. To attempt to see the person behind your personal prejudice? To attempt to understand why people do the things that they do? That’s insanely difficult.

And that’s why I don’t have a problem with the relationship being where it is. It absolutely makes sense for it to take a really long time. I expect us to be over the million word mark before either of them can have a romantic relationship realized. And it will be so worth it. Because it will have told a complete story where both characters will grow, immensely, in every direction, including towards each other. The growth won’t just apply to the relationship, but to the characters as a whole. They will be extremely different people by the end of it. And it will be not just a great romance, but a great story.

TLDR: I don’t care how many words you use, as long as it’s a good story. “When will they kiss?” is not the goal. “Oh, they’re not kissing, and I want them to but I don’t want them to because how can they?” is.

[daomaikeng]

say what you want about bollywood nothing will ever compare to the music we have

[cressssssss]

coworkers with benefits? chapter two

chapter two lets go!!!

warnings- swearing. mentions of canon typical violence.

find chapter one here! and chapter three here!

word count- about 1.5k

summary- Adrian hasn't shown up for any of his shifts in the last couple days, and you're starting to get worried. You look for him at his house, and while you're there you run into the task force... and vigilante.

enjoy! (plot gets a little fucky here... just go with it ok and also sorry this is short and kinda shitty I'm dealing with some stuff i just didn't wanna let yall down by not posting something haha)

★・・・・・・★・・・・・・★・・・・・・★

Work was slow again. For something that was the most interesting part of your life, it sure was boring sometimes. Ah, the joys of living in a small town.

Adrian wasn’t there, which was strange because he was supposed to have a shift today. And you would be lying to yourself if you said you didn’t miss him.

Your friendship with him was something that had snuck up on you, but it was nice. Talking to Adrian was comfortable, and the two of you fit together perfectly. You were an introvert who preferred to listen and not talk, and he was an extrovert who loved to fill silences. Match made in heaven.

You were refilling the coffee mugs of some cops when you heard something noteworthy. Yes, eavesdropping is bad and whatever, but when you work at a restaurant you get to eavesdrop a little. As a treat.

“This chick's body was blown to bits- I swear we couldn’t even tell that the remnants were a human body. One of the rookies thought her face was a slice of pizza!”

Well, that’s gruesome. You tune them out as you collect the breakfast dishes set at the end of the table. You’ve had enough death and destruction for three lifetimes, don’t need to hear about anything more. Eavesdropping on diners did have its downsides sometimes, you don’t always need to know everything that's going on with everyone.

You head back to the kitchen, performing the usual balancing act with the plates. Setting them all in the sink and giving a nod to the dishwasher, you head to the back.

“I’m going on break!” Your manager nods at you, not bothering to respond. She’s busy training one of the newbies, a frazzled-looking kid who seems to be in a constant state of fight or flight. The kid is currently attempting to learn how to use the fryer, which was something that would 100% end in disaster. Not something you want to stick around for. You push the back door open, heading outside.

The cool air hits your face and you sigh in relief. It’s lonely, without Adrian to talk to. But he’s probably got stuff to do, and you don’t want to bother him.

Friendship is something you don’t have the most experience with, but if anyone asked you would deny that. You didn’t connect with anyone when you were in college, and currently, your best friend would be your cat.

Or Adrian, you two had known each other for a while, but on a level that you would consider acquaintances. He was probably the person you were closest to at work.

It wasn’t as if you disliked other people, you just didn’t consider yourself to be particularly close to them.

*

Adrian didn’t show up to his shift the next day. Or the day after that. In all honesty, you were worried about him. He was many things, but he wasn’t the type to go AWOL without a reason.

And that is why, on the third day he's gone, you are outside his house, standing on the porch and pounding at the door.

“ADRIAN! ARE YOU IN THERE?” There’s no response. The house is seemingly empty, the lights off inside. His car is parked in the driveway, the Sebring looks normal. Maybe he was kidnapped.

Curse that idiot, making you care about him then dropping off the face of the earth. You’re pulling your phone out of your pocket and punching in his number when a loud crash comes from inside.

Fuck this.

You break his living room window with a rock and climb inside, too filled with adrenaline and anxious energy to notice the shards of glass cutting your skin.

“Adrian?” The house is empty, no sign of whatever made the crashing sound. Or so you thought until you went in further.

The scene you were greeted by was something you never had expected to see. Vigilante, Peacemaker, and one other woman are fighting some strange man, and while it's three to one, the strange man seems to be winning.

You are not cut out for this. They hadn’t noticed you yet, too preoccupied with fighting for their lives. There was a gun on the floor, probably from Vigilante or Peacemaker. You stared at it, heart racing. You didn’t know how to shoot, but that just meant you would hit anything important, right?

You grab it, fingers curling around the cold metal. A chilly reminder of what you were about to do.

You point the gun at the strange man's legs, wait for him to be still enough to get a good shot, and pull the trigger.

The gunshot sounds like a fucking atomic bomb, causing everyone to pause. The man crumples to the floor, a dark red stain appearing on his upper thigh.

“Oh, fucking hell. I actually shot someone.” The gun hands loose in your grip, the other hand flying to your mouth. “Oh my god.”

To make matters worse, now there's some fucking creature crawling out of the dude's skull, and without thinking you raise the gun again and shoot at it. It takes a couple bullets, but you manage to hit the creature, and it's pulverized by the force of the bullet. Its crumpled wings twitched a bit before it went still.

"What the fuck is going on, someone needs to start talking and tell me what the hell just happened.” You drop the gun now, staring at it horrified.

The blond woman and Peacemaker look at you confused, still panting from the fight.

Vigilante, however, just stares at you. You can’t make out much of his features, but from what you can see, he's shocked.

"Vig? Do you know who this is? Why is he in your house holding one of your guns?"

Hold on. In your house? But this is Adrian's house. Unless Adrian and Vigilante...

Your head is spinning. Adrian Chase is Vigilante? The dorky busboy you work with is also the ruthless killer? So many emotions were caught in your chest, but you also feel a little embarrassed. The implications of your only friend being Vigilante and him not having told you…

“What the fuck?” Vigilante- Adrian, looks up, and you can see his face now. He's taken off his mask. His expression changes to one of guilt, and a little bit of sadness.

“I’m just going to go- sorry for- I don’t know. I’m just going to pretend this never happened.” You hesitantly side-step to the door, hoping and praying they don’t try to stop you and kill you.

“Are we really just going to let him go? Vig, is he one of your friends? Is he going to compromise our mission?” Peacemaker sounds upset, stressed, and vaguely pissed off.

“Wait don’t go!” Adrian grabs your arm as you walk past, staring into your eyes. “Okay, I know this looks really bad, but please just come with us and I’ll explain everything. I promise.”

*

And that is how you find yourself sitting in the back of a van, surrounded by strange equipment and somehow even stranger people. You recognize all of them from the restaurant that one night, but it doesn’t seem like they recognize you.

“So how do you know Vigilante?” One of the women- Adebayo?- asks.

“I work with him. In his day job, not the murdering business. I’m a waiter at Fennel Feilds.” The van falls silent after that remark. Finally, after several agonizing moments of awkward silence, the vehicle stops and you find yourself outside the task force headquarters.

*

"Okay. So what you're trying to get me to believe is that there are parasitic aliens that take over inhabit human bodies, and it’s up to you all to stop them?” You’re sitting at a round table, trying to take in the information you were just told. "And the guy I shot was one of those butterflies?"

"That would be correct," Murn says.

This has to be some sort of joke right? But everyone is nodding seriously, which makes you pause. They look like they could be government agents, but aliens? Seriously?

“Alright. Let's just assume all of that is true and this isn't some weird prank.” You lean forward, resting your elbows on your knees and staring at the other people sitting around the table. “What the fuck does that have to do with me? Why am I here?”

“You saw Vigilante without his mask, you saw the task force together, we don’t know what you overheard. You’re a liability. We can’t be sure that you won’t ruin the mission by blabbing to the press. Plus you managed to subdue a butterfly, and saved our task force from danger. That's no small feat.” The serious man- Murn?- says all that as if it's the most logical thing in the world.

“So are you going to lock me up? Kidnap me? What’s the plan here. Because I have work tomorrow, and I can’t afford to lose my job.”

“Of course not. We aren’t sure what you would be doing yet, but the current plan is for you to be an unofficial member of the task force, so we can supervise you. Most likely you would be helping Economos with recon because we aren’t sure what your abilities are yet.”

“Okay this is most definitely not government protocol- didn’t yall say you're a government task force?- and secondly, what the fuck?”

“I think it’s a great idea!” Adrian chimes in, smiling at you.

“Thanks, Adrian, but respectfully, I’m going to have to pass on that. And I’ve got a shift coming up, so if there’s nothing else I’ll be going now.”

You stand, grabbing your coat and keys, and walk out the door. No one tries to stop you, but there are some disappointed whispers that you can’t quite make out.

Whatever, you don't have time for that bullshit.

★・・・・・・★・・・・・・★・・・・・・★

A/N I wasn't sure that I would be able to post this tonight, but i didn't want to disappoint yalls haha. The plot is getting a little fucky sorry but Im not sure what else to do. Chapter three will be up at the end of the week once i finish it, and I'm thinking there'll be about 5 ish chapters in this series.

Hope yall enjoyed, leave comments or criticism down below pretty please!

taglist- @bigassbisaster @specificpuppy (i think i did that right? tumblr confuses me)

[beann-e]

Bnha Characters reacting to when you quit your job

bakugou

your steps were quiet as you tried to work up the energy to unlock your front door. Your hands sweating and cold when you finally got the energy to put the key in the lock a deep exhale leaving your lips when you finally walked in.

Your Body only carrying you to your kitchen counter before you dropped your keys and bag on the same counter your body now rested against.

The room heating up and shifting from the ice quiet atmosphere youd created when you felt strong arms wrap around your waist and pull you back to meet a hard chest

Small kisses being planted on the side of your neck as you let out another sigh of relief as you spoke trying not to drown in the comfort being given to you “ baby “

Your body shook as you heard a deep grunt of acknowledgment “ we — we need to talk “

you felt as another set of kisses were placed to your neck before his head snuggled into the spot between your neck and shoulder “ I— I think I made a mistake“

You bit at your lip as you kept going “ I— I was trying my best to stick up for myself y’know like you told me”

“ mm—and did you“

“ I did —I mean I did stick up for myself and I had to I needed to bu—”

“ slowly losing interest y/n “

you let out a shallow cough “ but I think I did it at the wrong time “

his body stood up a bit straighter head still remaining in the same place somehow “ baby I —i lost my job “

You felt as your boyfriends body went hard almost as if he was trying not to slam your own body into the floor in anger his grip around your waist only getting tighter “ like I said I — I wrong time“

“ wrong time? — y/n wrong place “ he screamed as he jolted your soul out of your already shaken figure. His head flying back to look at you conveying all the anger and annoyance he held, “ what the fuck do we do now “

you let out a small laugh to try to ease the tension “ we — we rely on your hero check ? “

You watched as he sucked his teeth and moved out of the kitchen “ I can barely feed a fucking roach with my salary y/n “ his voice getting louder as he walked into the living room you following closely behind “ i — i can barely feed you — us — y/n this is why we don’t have little crumb snatchers running around now “

his voice deep and heavy “ cause we’re broke do you get that babe ? huh no — fuck — you— fuck fuck fuck you gotta go back — you can’t just be chilling around the fucking house while i’m working my ass off that’s not how starting a family works y/n “

“ baby it’s just until I can get a new job “

“ tch— and how long will that take y/n “

“ well I— “

“ huh months ? “

“ well n— “

“ couple weeks “

“ I mean hopefull— “

“ babe you don’t even fucking know “ he sighed as he griped the skin on the bridge of his nose “ so fucking stupid — so so so fucking stupid “

the room went quiet as your eyes dropped to the ground. “ wel— no — I — I don’t know kats” you shook your head “ I— I really don’t“

“ and that’s the problem y/n “ he screamed eyes finally opening to look at you.

God, he loved you but seriously you just didn’t think sometimes

It’s not that he was calling you stupid it’s just that he really really loved you

He loved that you listened to him. That whenever he gave advice you heard it and went with it.

The night he told you to speak up he was honestly just fucking with you. He always forgets that he has someone who loves him now meaning he’s taken seriously. He always forgets he’s not in high school anymore.

He can’t say something crazy and asshole—ish and expect to just be ignored. He has someone that loves him and will truly listen.

Your not the stupid one

nor the one in the wrong he is

and he knows he is because he heard everything you said about your situation. Yet, he knew you were different from him whereas he had been speaking his mind for years regardless of ranks.

You couldn’t.

You had a job where everything relied on ranks and status. You couldn’t just say whatever the fuck you wanted to like he could and yet he convinced you that night to speak up whenever your boss gave you extra work you didn’t wanna do.

His eyes felt heavy and so did his body his brain automatically beating himself up as he stared at you imagining the rough day youd had. If he was pissed off with the current situation he could only imagine how you felt.

Someone who hated to rely on others yet, now having to rely on their boyfriend.

“ come here “ your eyes lit up at the statement as your tired body wobbled over and into bakugous arms. Head hitting his chest as he crushed you “ I love you and i’m proud of you “

your heart sank.

“ fuck those idiots you only have room for one anyways and hes— fuck trust me I know i’m enough “

Shoto

“ so “

“ so “

You sat on the couch legs splayed out in front of you and hands playing with the tassels of the pillows placed next to you.

God you loved these pillows. You actually remember the day you bought them.

Y’know back when you had money

“ y/n “ you watched as shoto shifted uncomfortably on the couch next to you “ my love what are you doing home “

He shook his head confused at the body placed comfortably next to his own “ your not supposed to be home for “ he looked down at his watch moving his suit jacket up his arm to create space and to make sure he was seeing the time correctly “ for 7 more hours “

you let out a short laugh “ you sound like you just got caught cheating sho “

his eyebrows crinkled together as he stared at you in disgust “ y/n I would never “

His hand moved to be placed on your thigh “my love is that what you think ? — if that’s why your here then I can assure you tha—I mean honestly if so I would never be stupid enough to disrespect you in our home— you could’ve went to my office at least I mea— “

“ I lost my job shoto “

The air shifted as the hand on your thigh suddenly felt colder than before “ I— I lost my job “

you took a deep breath shaking your head “ it’s a long story on why but i’ve been leaving the house — pretending really— to go to work “

You chuckled “ god i’m sucha bad person “ your small chuckle turned into a hearty laugh as you felt your body go slack “ A fucking horrible timekeeper too if I managed to forget my husband gets off before me on weekends “

“ do not say these things about yourself “

“ it’s not like it’s a lie “ your tear filled eyes coming up to look at his. ” right “

“ I will not stand for this y/n “

“ for what — having an unemployed s/o—i mean you already have one so not much to do about that “

you scoffed “ why don’t you want a housewife ? huh“ you smiled “ I can wear the skirts for you y’know with the aprons cook you dinner and maybe we can have kids y’know we can even get —“

“ enough “

your body shook your eyes widened facing the 6 ft male now towering over you “ your always joking about serious things and I — I don’t understand “ his eyebrows creasing in desperate need to understand you. Eyes darting around your face “ how “

his voice going deeper as he got angrier “ y/n you lost your job“ his eyes grew wide “ do you realize how serious this is “

“ wh— “ you shook your head letting out a short scoff “ of course I do —I mean sho i’m the one who qui—lost it “

“ no you clearly don’t “ he scoffed “ not if your sitting here making jokes in my face “

His mouth quirked up in disgust “ it’s almost insulting — disgusting really “

“ wh— sho—“ you felt as a tear fell from your eye “ baby what could be so disgusting huh ? so ‘ insulting ‘ about me choosing to leave huh “

his eyes softened “ because of your reason to leave “

“ my reason ? “

“ my love I know you — I know you didn’t get fired and I know you wouldn’t just leave you loved it there “

your head dropped as your fiddled with your fingers “ so that means something led you to make that life changing decision and it hurts me that you were forced to make it “

Your heart broke, he was right he was always right, for days at work youd been dealing with an overbearing co worker who would tell you to do everything they didn’t feel like doing and when you finally decided to say no to them

They went and told your boss. Who even though you’d been working there longer than your so called coworker still believed everything they were told.

That was the day that you sadly found out your job favored years over hard work.

Due to the other person being there longer you were trumped in telling your story. It was seen as not necessary because , someone who was there for so long would have no reason to lie on someone like you.

A newbie

“ someone made you quit this job “

“ sho no they— I decided “

You felt as the couch shifted from him kicking it. You thinking he was moving to grab his shoes except walking past them and unlocking the door instead.

“ baby where are you going — we need to talk about how we’re going to split the bills now that i— “

“ i’ll handle it “

“ shoto you can’t put everything on your dads card we’re not “ you let out a soft exhale “ we’re not children anymore “

“ i’ll pay for it all myself — and you can be my little housewife “ he scoffed as your expression grew sour “ it was so funny a moment ago right “

“ shoto i’m not gonna ask again where are you going “

“ where else “

your eyebrows came together in a furrow “ wh— “

“ my love you work for my company ? obviously who ever I put in charge “ he shrugged walking barefoot to his car unlocking the door “ isn’t doing a very good job if they fire their bosses s/o ? “

He got into the drivers seat as he turned the car on and reversed the car “ needs to learn respect no ? so i’ll just have them switch places with you“ he smiled softly “ i’ll see you when I get home “

His once furious eyes turning soft at your body hidden in pajamas “ go inside baby —it’s cold —go order us some takeout i’ll be back in a little ok “

“ sho “

“ just let me handle this —i love you and i’ll be right back my love—go “

You shook your head softly “ go y/n “

[mangoisms]

ok i’m throwing it all out there as just. stream of consciousness. under the cut bc it’s. Uh. long. Just me talking abt an au where reader and miyuki are basically those characters (or rather mirrors of them)

to be clear i’m saying as in. an au in the dc universe where reader is kryptonian (supergirl? superwoman? supergirl mantle is technically taken, not sure abt superwoman and i do kinda wanna actually include clark and lois and other dc characters — with some daiya characters as well. Yes this is for one person in particular and that person is ME).

anyway sorry. basically reader is clark kent a kryptonian leading a double life as a newbie at the daily planet and also saving the city on the reg and miyuki is the lois lane aka the hot shot journalist who keeps getting himself into danger while chasing leads and reader — as supergirl/superwoman — is like. Please stop.

and in my mind they meet cause he gets passed on some promotion putting him on the sports beat (i don’t know how any of that stuff works bear with me) while reader gets the investigation one and Yes he does have a past with baseball here but idk i’m trying to think of a motive that would have him preferring something other than sports (if i include clark and lois he would absolutely look up to her so that could be one) and anyway. He’s not happy abt it but he doesn’t know Who got the promo but reader finds out and trades hers with him and again he has no idea until he sniffs around and finds out and is Intrigued. idk. something something he keeps bothering her and also finds out she’s from smallville (like clark) and he does call her smallville teasingly (like lois does to clark)

what else. Not much. him realizing she (as supergirl we’ll go with that for now) is continually looking out for him while he gets into trouble and is a little smug and annoying about it all and just generally really blasé whenever he’s in a dangerous situation. or alternatively he keeps getting into trouble and reader is just like FINE but if you’re in a situation you know you can’t get out of — call me. and he’s like. What. and she’s like. Call me. because she’s supergirl she’s a kryptonian clark can canonically hear every voice on earth and even in space so she can too and in the literal billions of voices out there — she will hear his and she will come. but also by some point reader will be able to pinpoint his heartbeat in billions of them, she’ll be picking it out of a crowd by instinct, she just knows it. by heart. heh.

also after they get together he helps cover for her when people are like. wow reader sure is gone a lot. haha maybes she’s supergirl. and he’s like Don’t be an idiot i once saw her bump into a table and apologize to it. (This has happened). then also they get kidnapped together and he’s just so annoying about it while they’re being tied to chairs he’s just like Wow supergirl would be useful right now. and reader is just mouthing Stop talking. also thinking of this post as a reference for reader having to Act Like A Human when it comes to being attacked and he thinks it is just so incredibly funny

fun. But i’m also vastly unqualified for some of that mostly because i haven’t sat down and read clark’s stuff like with his origin and then with lois as well. i mean we all know the pop culture stuff and i’ve gained some secondhand knowledge but. idk. not enough to comfortably write it. but who knows maybe i can pick up some stuff. or wiki it. idk. if the idea keeps picking at me i might. it would be so indulgent but like. that’s just life

thinking……. basically while i was writing dgfh, especially as i made reader an actual dc comics fan and had her referencing it. it’s this. where she compares her relationship with miyuki (after they get together) to clark and lois

And now i am. Thinking

[letarasstuff]

Sass Queen

(A/N): This was requested by an anon, I hope you like it :)

Summary: First day of middle school and the first thing Spencer's daughter learns is sass. How are the team and her father going to react?

Warnings: Sass

Wordcount: 1.3k

✨Masterlist✨ ___________________________________

Anybody, who has ever seen Doctor Spencer Reid to his fullest, knows that he is a human reincarnation of a teddy bear. Well his daughter is just the same two goodie good shoes. Both of them are so innocent, whenever somebody makes a slightly naughty joke they are the only ones with confused looks on their faces. Penelope gushes over that more often than not.

“Do you have everything? Lunchbox, notebooks, schedule and pens?” Spencer lists off, seemingly more nervous than (Y/N) herself. After all, today is her first day of middle school. The thought that his child is growing up isn’t exactly sitting right with the doctor, but he knows that this is an important part of her life. It’s when the body begins to change and puberty hits you in the face with a chair.

“And you are a hundred percent sure you don’t want me to take you? Because Hotch won’t have a problem with me coming in a few minutes late.” But she shakes her head vehemently. “I’m a thousand percent sure. Dad, it’s middle school. I’m not a toddler anymore. Also, today is the day where the social dynamics are determined. I can’t be late, so I gotta go. Love you!” After a quick peck on her father’s cheek (Y/N) is out of the door, not giving him the opportunity to explain to her that all of these tween movies are nonsense.

Now her commute to school isn’t long, but the building is far enough away for her to get antsy. Countless shows and movies she watched with her Aunt Penelope taught her that today is the day where it’s decided whether or not she counts to the popular kids.

(Y/N) biggest problem is her being shy to no end. Asking a teacher for help in order to understand an assignment seems impossible to her. The shame that she says something wrong or she embarasses herself would be too much. So how on earth is the girl supposed to seem cool enough to sit with the other cool kids?

That question haunts her the whole day until lunch. Before the bell rings indicating their break, the class played a few get-to-know-each-other-games and filled some paper works for the teachers to evaluate their level of education.

Indecisively (Y/N) stands in the cafeteria, a tray with her meal in her hands. “Hey twat, don’t you know where to sit?” A girl approaches her. One glance is enough to know that she is Heather of middle school.

“Uhm, ye- no- I don’t know?” Is her not so eloquent answer. ‘Heather’ laughs. “Ah, I see. You are a newbie. You can sit with me and my friends, they will surely love you. What’s your name?”

“(Y/N), I am in Miss Huber's class.” “Oh, she is a nice one, be good to her. I’m Natalie and it’s my last year in this hellhole. You know what? I thought yesterday ‘Hey I’m in eighth grade now, it’s time to teach someone so my legacy will be kept up’ and now I decided you are my little protegee. Ok, so screw lunch with the others, I need to give you a crash course in how to be me.”

The remaining time Natalie uses to ‘teach’ (Y/N) the basics. “Ok, so to be like me, you need to stand up for yourself. No offence, but you don’t look like you are able to do that. This is the reason why I’ll give you some to go phrases to defend yourself in situations you don’t like to be in. Also I suggest you to just use them as often as you can, because everybody close to you should know not to mess with you, especially your parents.”

With Natalie by her side she is sure to become one of the popular girls and never will be messed with. The girl is ecstatic to come to the BAU and put her new learned skill to action.

“Hey, Baby Reid is back. I was afraid you forgot about us now that you are all grown up and going to middle school”, Derek greets her with the biggest smile. “I could never forget about you all, old man.”

It seems like the whole bullpen stops in its motion. It’s not that “old man” is a particular mean name, but hearing some sort of insult from the sweet goodie shoes is something they witnessed for the first time.

“Oh, I see. Don’t get ahead of yourself, shortcakes. And how was your first day? Do you already have some gossip?” Before she can get out another sassy remark, Spencer shows up.

“Hey Sweetheart. I thought you’ll go home after school. How was it? Did you make any friends?” (Y/N) smiles and nods. “Yes! There is a girl from eight grade, who took me under her wing. I don’t have to worry about being the unpopular one.”

“WONDER BABY! Can you tell me how your day was?” Penelope shouts over all of the people in the bullpen, who are not fazed at all. It’s understandable though, because a screaming Tech Goddess is not a rarity in the BAU.

“I don’t know if I can. Try and make me!” “WHOA!” Emily joins the conversation. “What happened to you? Are you now the new sass queen?”

Before she can stop herself, another snarky reply leaves (Y/N)’s lips. “Sorry, my fault, I forgot that you are an idiot.” This time the whole office goes quiet for real. But the girl doesn’t understand it. She just uses what she was taught today, so why are they so shocked?

Spencer works quickly and takes his daughter into an empty office. “I don’t know what happened, but I don’t want you to keep that attitude up. So why are you acting like that? We can talk it out, you are not in trouble, just tell me what brought this mood over you.”

His serious face confuses her. She just did what she was told to do. “Why are you mad? I’m standing up for myself, Natalie taught me how to do that. She said I’ll continue her legacy, because it’s her last year of middle school and wants someone to honour her. Isn’t that cool? When I defend myself and know how to do it perfectly, nobody is able to mess with me! No bullies and I’ll have the time of my life.”

Her father’s face falls further. “Is this about you being scared of being bullied? Sweetheart, is this why you are so sassy today?” He goes down on his knees to be somewhat the same level of height with her. (Y/N) actively tries to avoid eye contact. “Maybe?” She answers in a high pitched voice, the floor suddenly becoming way more interesting than anything else.

“Sweetheart, why didn’t you tell me? I know what it means to be scared of getting made fun of, I was in the same position once. That’s why we make a deal: Whenever anybody is mean to you in the slightest, tell me. I’ll sort it out with your teachers and the other’s parents. I know, your body and mind are going through major changes and it’s more than scary. Just keep in mind that I’m always here for you. Ok?”

Moved by his concern and speech, (Y/N) throws her arms around him. “Thank you for being so understanding. I’m sorry I was a mean tween, I just thought it would be helpful.” Spencer laughs lightly, a child’s logic never ceases to amuse him.

“It’s not me you have to apologize to, there are other people out there you owe one.” Groaning but understanding she lets go of him, knowing there it’s the only right thing to do. And she does it. Still, everybody is preparing for some oncoming sass in the near future, which is the right thing to do. Teen girls can really be mean.

Taglist:

All works:

@agentshortstacc

Criminal Minds:

@averyhotchner @mggsprettygirl

Spencer Reid x child!reader:

@ilovetaquitosmmmm

[datleggy]

I’m already so insufferable about buddie that if they got together in canon I think I would just spontaneously combust. 

I think about their beginning a lot tbh, and it’s insane to me that others don’t see them as a thing or even a potential thing, only because let’s be real here, if Buck was a woman (or vice versa w Eddie) there would basically be no question as to whether or not they should/would get together. 

Like, imagine Eddie comes into the show in S2 and he’s the hot new firefighter/single dad and Buck is the hothead bombshell previous newbie from S1 and they introduce Eddie like that, with that goddamn “What a man” song playing as he takes off his shirt and then the camera pans over to Buck as she pouts, feeling all insecure about her place on the team/not liking change--and then they’re forced to work together to disarm a whole bomb and Buck turns to her Captain and says “You wanted us to work together, we bout to be real close” (or something along those lines, I’m paraphrasing) like---FULL STOP, anyone who denies the chemistry between those two idiots would already be anticipating their “get together” moment, period. 

On top of that, imagine if that scene where Eddie shakes off the advances of that one woman at a call and tells Buck that she wasn’t his “type” or something and talks about how he’s a single dad so he doesn’t really date and Buck were a woman and gave him THAT LOOK as they touched shoulders on their way to the truck???? COME ON. 

And then that time Eddie had to bring Christopher to the station bc he couldn’t find anyone to watch him and when Eddie tries to apologize to the Captain, Bobby lets him know Buck already informed him ahead of time? DUDE--the amount of people who would be screaming at these two to get together at that point, if this were concerning a straight couple? 

And don’t even get me started on when Buck introduced Eddie to Carla and Eddie was so put upon initially bc he thought Buck was trying to set him up on a date but it turned out Buck was just trying to help him w Christopher?! 

AND THIS IS ALL SO EARLY ON IN THEIR RELATIONSHIP, TOO, LIKE, THIS IS LITERALLY ALL TIP OF THE ICEBERG STUFF HERE DUDE, THIS IS START OF SEASON 2 OK????? 

Anyway when those two become canon officially (bc right now in my head they are ABSOLUTELY canon and also raising a son together, don’t touch me!) I am surely going to lose what is left of my collective shit. 

[rekisboard]

✨Shadow x Oka oneshot for the soul✨

“Roses mean love, they show love, like my love or well like wait no, damnit! I can’t do this.” Shadow squatted down on the floor.

“Yes you can Shadow. Just look him straight in the eye and and tell him you wanna go out!”

“Yea and like you weren’t in my place when you asked Langa out red.” He lifted his head up.

Reki blushed and rubbed the back of his head muttering something “well whatever, but come on Shadow. Your so amazing im sure Oka will love you. He seems to never shut up about you after Langa’s winning party anyways.”

“Yea right. I’m just some scary unlovable guy to him.”

“Shadow im serious. Hell ask Langa he’ll tell you the same.”

Shadow sighed and stood up when he had an idea “hey wait I have a beef in a few days! Maybe he can watch me!”

“Ok but do you really want him to see you throwing bombs and stuff at someone. I mean he already has but like-“

“No I can do it! I’ll invite him myself! Show him I’m worthy!”

“I... you know what alright Shadow. I’ll be right behind you on this.” He smiled.

“Alright well my breaks over so you should get going. Don’t you have a date with Langa anyways?”

Reki’s eyes widened and he ran out the back door of the shop and ran in a hurry. Shadow chuckled and sighed walking out of the room and greeting his manager again. He was still a bit heartbroken when he found out she had a boyfriend but then he met someone better. Throughout the day he had a gentle smile, more so than usual, and a skip in his step. He was going to ask him today.

“Hiromi? You seem happier then usual today. Anything special going on?”

“You could say that. I’m going to ask someone on a date.” He said to his manager.

“Oh well I hope they say yes! You deserve the best in the world anyways.” She smiled softly.

He nodded and hugged her goodbye as he left the shop. As he rode in his car he looked at the purple sky as it shifted into night. He smiled and took notice of how beautiful everything looked at the moment. Of course he still had anxiety starting to build up as he got closer to the shop, but he was getting even more fired up as well.

Oka stretched his arms and leaned back in his seat. The shop had been slow today but that was okay, especially since the two love birds wanted to have a date today. He looked over to the pot on the front counter. He smiled softly, he never thought Shadow, that mean scary hunk of a guy, was in actuality, a sweetheart. The flowers he gave where still in good condition, thanks to Oka of course.

He was awakened from his gaze when the door opened. He looked over ready to welcome the customer, when he realized who it was.

“Hey Shadow! Sorry the boys aren’t here tonight-“

“Oh Umm I didn’t come to see them. I wanted to see you.” He smiled walking to the counter.

“Me? Oh well I’d assume it’s about a board then, so what kind of board-“

“Will you watch me at my next beef?” The room went silent.

Oka could feel the heat come to his cheeks “you want me to watch your next beef?”

“Yes. It would be an honor honestly.” Shadow was turning the same shade as Reki’s hair.

“I’d love too.” Oka smiled.

“Really? Cool cool cool. Yea cool. Umm anyways it’s in two days and umm I can pick you up if you want.”

“Yea I’d like that.”

“Ok then I will. I should get going now though.”

“Are you sure? I mean you just got here.”

“Do you want me to stay?”

Oka hesitated a bit before he spoke again “yes.. I mean I am closing up shop in a few minutes so it would be nice if I had some help.”

“Yea of course I’ll help you.”

The two cleaned up shop will talking about different things, but both had the same idea in their mind, and both where very happy and excited. When they had to part ways a heavy tension was in the air, nothing bad of course, more of a sad tension.

“Well I’ll see you again in two days.” Oka said stepping into his car.

“Yea, two days you’ll be cheering me on.”

“Of course.”

Two days where so little, yet so so so so so so, very slow.

The day of the race Shadow had been running around trying to make his makeup the best it’s ever been before. He was great full for Cherry though, since he offered to take the boys to the race instead so that it could just be him and Oka just for that small bit.

Shadow got to the store and smiled. Oka had Sketchy on his shoulder as he ran to the car smiling. When he got inside the two greeted each other and went off. It was quiet at first until Oka spoke up.

“So, what’s the beef about?”

“Some newbie really, he challenged me and whoever wins burns the others wheels on his board.”

“Why?”

“Don’t know really. This was all him. I was bored at the time so I said hey what the hell why not and here we are.”

“Do you think you’ll win.”

Shadow hesitated “maybe. I uhh I’m changing my ways a bit for tonight. You know he’s just a newbie anyways.”

“What do you mean?”

“You’ll see.”

The crowd was pretty big that night. It had been a while since Shadow had a beef so everyone was quite excited. The newbie was pretty impressive already too. So they all new this would be an interesting race.

Reki Langa and Miya had been fighting over why people can’t breath underwater if water had oxygen already when the too walked up.

“Hey guys.” Oka smiled.

“Oka knock sense into my boyfriends head please! He thinks we should be able to breath underwater!” Reki yelled.

“Well we should! If water has oxygen why can’t we just adapt to having gills and breath the oxygen out?!” Langa yelled back.

“Both of you have good points and that’s what I hate!” Miya groaned.

“Should we answer that question?” Shadow said.

“No I go through this daily anyways with those two.” Oka said.

“Boys stop, all three of you sound idiotic. Hellow Shadow. Hey Oka.” Cherry walked up with Joe trailing behind.

“Hey Cherry. Have you seen the newbie?”

“Yea he’s already at the start.” Joe responded “he says he going to wipe you out.”

Shadow scoffed “we’ll see about that.”

The group made their way over to the starting line and saw the newbie standing there waiting. The group wished Shadow a good luck and he went over when Oka quickly grabbed his arm.

“Be safe, alright?”

“Yea, of course.” He smiled.

Oka sighed and let him go watching him go up. They got ready and zoomed off. Oka grabbed his phone and started making his way to the finish line while watching. That’s when he realized it, what Shadow was doing differently.

“I thought they said you have tricks and gadgets uo your sleeve!” The newbie said sounding a bit angered.

Shadow groaned ignoring him and skated up infront of him. The match was boring for Shadow as it was. The newbie would try getting infront of him but it would be so predictable that Shadow would be quick to avoid him.

“He’s not using his bombs or anything.” Reki said looking at the screen.

“That’s unusual for him.” Cherry stated. “Then again, he seemed more stiff tonight. Why did he bring Oka anyways.”

Reki smiled “Too scared to ask Oka on a date so he brought him here.”

“Shadow likes Oka? That’s new.” Joe chuckled.

“I assume he didn’t bring anything because he didn’t want to look terrible infront of Oka.” Langa noted.

Oka got to the finished line and continued watching his phone. Shadow seemed pretty happy, he looked like he was having more fun without his stupid tricks he could say. Oka smiled when Shadow entered the building with the rookie trailing behind. Oka stood watching the stairs as Shadow came hurling down laughing. Oka laughed at his expression once he hit the ground.

Shadow hit the ground and looked up seeing Oka standing right infront of him smiling. His eyes widened and he grinned wider pushing his way past the line and straight over to Oka. The crowd cheered for Shadow but Shadow had something else on his mind at the moment.

“I did it! Did I do good?”

“You did amazing Shadow. I’m impressed, you didn’t use any of your fancy tricks today.”

Shadow smiled and rubbed the back of his head “yea about. I just.. I just ummm. I I know your not a fan of it so I really like Umm I don’t know-“

“You didn’t use them because I was here? You should have, don’t let me not hold you back-“

“That’s not what I’m saying, I didn’t want to use them because, I wanted to impress you. That I could win without anything.” Shadow was currently very great full for makeup.

Oka blushed “I think your cooler with them.”

Shadow smiled and fiddled with his jacket. He’d almost forgotten that the rookie was behind him waiting for him to burn his wheels. He looked pretty defeated. Shadow sighed and agreed that he wouldn’t do it, he had important matters right now. Let’s just say, the newbie was greatful for that.

The two walked away from the building in silence. But it wasn’t awkward, it was comforting.

“Hey Oka, wanna leave before the others come and get something to eat?”

“It’s a date.” He smiled.

Shadow smiled and grabbed his hand as the two ran to his car. Tonight has definitely gone better then expected.

[katnissmellarkkk]

Alrightttt, I’m on a roll so we’re going onto chappy five 🥳🥳🥳😎😎

I know the movies made the Capitol — re: basically only Effie and maybe Caesar — have those ridiculous made up accents but .... I actually feel like the description of the Capitol accent in the book is supposed to be like the Kardashians or Paris Hilton’s voice. 🤷🏼‍♀️

“Why do these people speak in such a high pitch? Why do their jaws barely open when they talk? Why do the ends of their sentences go up as if they're asking a question? Odd vowels, clipped words, and always a hiss on the letter s. no wonder it's impossible not to mimic them.” Like this is a pretty good description of how Kim Kardashian and her sisters talk. And Suzzy C did say she was inspired by the juxtaposition between war news footage and ridiculous reality television shows so... I think my theory of the Capitol all talking like they’re on the Real Housewives of LA is pretty valid.

Just imagine Paris Hilton as Effie and Nicole Richie as one of her preps

Lolololol this whole section of waxing is reminding me to go get my legs waxed 😭😭😭 straight up calling me out here, Suzanne

I like how Katniss says her stylist “apparently has no interest in seeing her until the prep team has addressed obvious problems.” Like you can tell from her narration she was expecting to feel the same was about Cinna that she does about Effie and her prep team.

The “gritty loam that takes off dirt and three layers of skin” is probably just a strong exfoliator 😭😭😭 my girl knows nothing about quality skincare 🤧🤧 someone build a Panem Sephora

She mentioned them waxing her underarms.... girl, did you have hairy armpits before this? Idk why this revelation is new to me

“Grease her down!” Just sounds wrong 😅😅😅😅 I need to stop being annoying omg I’m like a twelve year old

Hmm it’s funny to me that Katniss refers to Octavia as plump. You’d think in a place like the Capitol body image and weight would be very important. Unless it’s like back in the old, old days when being overweight was a sign of wealth. Which would make more sense so this was an unnecessary thought process curtesy of Samantha

Katniss faking a smile and thanking her prep team shows she does know how to play the game and fake it better than she says.

So ... okay, hear me out, I’m not trying to get over the top or make this into something it’s not but ... the whole stylists / Cinna coming into the room and staring at her naked is a little weird. Especially considering Cinna isn’t Lenny Kravitz who’s like a bit older than her but actually like a twenty-something year old dude.

But okay, here’s the thing I was getting at ... Cinna’s one of the best people in this series and you can’t deny that. Even if you find him boring, he’s still one of Katniss’ closest people. Also he’s probably gay. But like ... what about the other stylists? I don’t wanna be that person who makes everything more than it is, but like, this scene just sounds like a perfect opportunity for some Capitol creep to assault a teenager idk I’m probably making a mountain out of a molehill just ignore Samantha okay.

That’s nice that he complimented her mama though 🥰🥰🥰

So Katniss calls District Twelve the least desirable district but ... doesn’t District Eleven suck too? Like she also later says District Twelve is the smallest and the poorest but doesn’t she also say Rue is worse off than her and Prim? Make up your mind, Suz.

Cinna claims he asked for District Twelve but did he really get an option? 😅 If it’s his first year and Katniss claims the newbies get them anyway 🤷🏼‍♀️ Samantha is once again, reading too much into this.

Awww, Katniss is thinking about how long it would take for her to assemble this fancy meal at home 🤧🤧🤧 it would take her days and the Capitol just has the necessary resources at their disposal and they just takes it for granted. And yes, I’m aware this is supposed to be calling all us readers out who take so much for granted I know. We’re the Capitol.

“How would I spend the hours I now commit to combing the woods for sustenance if it were so easy to come by?” It’s honestly so sad but so vital to her character that Katniss has zero hobbies or real free time. Her life is about surviving. She doesn’t get to live or enjoy very much of her time. She dedicates everything to keeping Prim — and her mother — alive, sacrificing everything a teenage girl should be doing. Sacrificing even the things the other girls in her world get to do. She mentions the merchant girls and the Seam girls who are more experienced romantically and sexually and socially than her. Because she doesn’t get to be a kid or innocent or even happy, in order to focus on her and her family’s survival. And the things she does enjoy, like spending time with Gale or dancing with Prim (mentioned in Mockingjay) she downplays in case they’re taken away, because nothing good is secure in her eyes. 🥺🥺🥺

Okay but what did Katniss’ facial expression give away that Cinna knew exactly what she was thinking? Or is she just less emotionless than she and Haymitch both claim? Ironically I think they’re the only people who call her emotionless which can easily be chalked up to their self-hate and terrible self-esteems.

Katniss is so afraid they’re gonna make her be naked for the parade 😭. Honestly though they’re children that’s so creepy that they’re even allowed to make 15/16/17 year olds be naked in a parade. I mean I know they kill kids every year but isn’t there like child pornography laws in Panem? 😭

“You’re not afraid of fire, are you, Katniss?” Is so foreshadowing 😭😂😅😎 Caesar Flickerman’s voice “Katniss Everdeen, the girl on fire!”

Honestly though Cinna is smart to make Katniss recognizable in the arena by leaving her with simple makeup. I know and the sky is blue we all know this already beating the dead horses until the farmer comes home.

“It crosses my mind that Cinna's calm and normal demeanor masks a complete madman.” It’s true though 😅😅😅😭😭 he was always a rebel. I actually think he may have asked for District Twelve after Katniss volunteered, because he saw the potential in her. Poor Peeta. Baby, I’m rooting you for even if no one else is.

Also I always found it a bit .... curious? That Peeta had a female stylist and Katniss had a male one? Not just because of the required nudity, you’d just think men would do better as a boy’s stylist and a woman would make a better girl’s stylist. So yes, my whole Cinna was interested in District Twelve because Katniss seemed like a good symbol for a rebellion idea seems very plausible.

I know I know I know I read wayyy too much into this stuff sometimes a cigarette 🚬 is just a cigarette 🚬

Katniss being relieved when Peeta shows up 😭😭😭 because even if she won’t admit it and even if she won’t let herself trust him, she still sees him unconsciously and completely against her will as a comfort because they’re in this thing together in a way, even if they’re supposed to try and kill each other

And honestly, it’s such a like... relatable feeling? To feel alone and nervous and uptight and then someone who you recognize — even if you maybe aren’t even friends with but you at least know — shows up and you just instantly feel less alone. I’m totally looking at this through shipper goggles and I’m not even ashamed you all knew who’s blogging you were reading ight? 😂🤣🤷🏼‍♀️

“He should know about fire, being a baker's son and all.” And he’s gonna learn a lot more about it when he falls in love — for real, falls in love, not a childhood infatuation — with the girl on fire. 🥰🥰🥰

But also, I love this particular line on a reread because it totally is an indicator towards their future. Like Peeta knows about fire, he’s experienced with how to handle it, and later on, he becomes the only person who truly comes to understand Katniss, who represents fire, in a way that no one else could ever imagine.

Hmmm, Katniss’ point of view here, talking about how Portia and Peeta’s team seem all giddy and air-headed and it’s only Cinna who seems reserved makes me rethink my previous imaginings of Peeta’s stylist. Maybe she’s just a Capitolite idiot and nothing like Cinna. And my baby got a raw deal here then too. Good thing Haymitch loves him more. Just kidding 😅😅😅

But also I wanna know why Cinna is hesitant to accept congratulations for his and Portia’s idea? Wasn’t he at least lowkey excited about it when he pitched it a page ago?

Their horses are coal black 🐴 😅. I like that they went the whole nine yards with the theme. Nothing but the best for the kids on Death Row.

Aww Katniss asking Peeta what he thinks about being set on fire is so sweet and pure for some reason. I just find their commodore here cute ok

“I'll rip off your cape if you'll rip off mine” this is literally their first friend type of interaction and it’s so pure y’all leave me be I’m emotional for them

🙃 Also lowkey reminds me of “I’ll show you mine if you show me yours.” Everyone look away ok I’m sorry

Peeta’s shady/annoyed Haymitch comment and Katniss’ joke at his expense 🤣🤣😂🤣😂😂🥲🥲☺️🥲🥲 they’re bonding it’s so presh

“And suddenly we're both laughing.” I hope they laugh a lot together post-canon 🥲🥲🥲. If they can make the other laugh during their terrible circumstances, then they can make the other laugh anywhere. 🤧 Except in Thirteen because he’s hijacked and she’s certifiable and they’re both so used and abused and 🥺🥺🥺🥺

Okay I have to say, Suzanne Collins really builds up a lot for certain events and then just like grazes over the actual action of said event? Like she builds towards the tribute parade but then kind of rushes through off the actual event itself? It’s a common theme in her writing. And I don’t like it at all ngl.

Oh wait she doesn’t actually rush the parade events the paragraph before just looked like she was about to I jumped the gun 🤣😂🤭 but what I said is still completely true for many events in these books sorry not sorry

I’m definitely reading too much into it but the fact that District One — the favorite of the Capitol — gets snow white horses and District Twelve gets coal black horsies kind of ... seems to imply something .... 🤭

Cinna just lets out a sigh of relief “it worked” like ... way to fill your tributes with hope, dude. “Yeah, you’re totally safe, don’t be scared-OH THANK GOD THAT WORKED I wasn’t actually sure you wouldn’t blow up.” But actually this answers my previous inquiry about why he seemed hesitant I guess he wasn’t even sure this wouldn’t burn them up that’s nice 🤭🙃

It’s a literal trial by fire *cue drum hit* 🥁 aww, I just cracked myself up 😭

“Then he gently tucks a hand under my chin. "Remember, heads high. Smiles. They're going to love you!" This is caught halfway between being very Capitol-y and very father-brotherly and idk which way to take it but it’s kind of cute 🤭

“For the first time, I look at him and realize that ablaze with the fake flames, he is dazzling.” This is such a significant line because Katniss isn’t saying Peeta is technically good looking (like when Haymitch said they were decently attractive) or someone else thinks he’s good looking (i.e Gale, her mother and lowkey Finnick) but she’s saying she herself thinks he’s attractive. Girl, your crush is showing.

"I think he said for us to hold hands," says Peeta.” I’m sure Cinna actually did say that but this just seems like a very good opportunity for Peeta to hold the hand of the girl he has a massive crush on. 😭😭😭

Okay Cinna gave a thumbs up so he actually was saying that but can you imagine Peeta’s excitement right now?

I mean, yeahhhh, there’s the certain death looming over him too but like live in the moment, babe. 🥰😘🤗👌🏻

I like that Katniss says the crowd is at first like 😳😳😳 before they start cheering like they’re thinking “what are these backwoods, hillbilly kids doing this year?”

“At first, I'm frozen, but then I catch sight of us on a large television screen and am floored by how breathtaking we look. In the deepening twilight, the firelight illuminates our faces” okay they both have to be pretty naturally attractive people objectively, because you illuminate my face without much makeup and no one is gonna be cheering.

“Remember, heads high. Smiles. They're going to love you! I hear Cinna's voice in my head. I lift my chin a bit higher, put on my most winning smile, and wave with my free hand.” I wonder what the true difference is for Katniss between Cinna and Effie saying this to her? Maybe it’s that Effie is just outright mean to her sometimes whereas Cinna shows her nothing but kindness from the start and expresses sympathy and understanding? It’s probably that he’s already earning her trust versus Effie who’s just cruel I’m not over her comments on the train ok

“I'm glad now I have Peeta to clutch for balance, he is so steady, solid as a rock.” Right from the start, Katniss refers to Peeta as solid and steady. Idk, I feel like this is something that the movies really misses along the way. Katniss wasn’t always strong or confident at all and Peeta, at least publicly, exuded those qualities pretty well. Samantha’s complaining again ™️ 💁🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️

Also this is just outright foreshadowing how Peeta will eventually become her rock. Or that he will be soon painted a rock ... pick and choose which way you wanna go with this. 🤷🏼‍♀️💁🏼‍♀️😅🤣

“As I gain confidence, I actually blow a few kisses to the crowd.” Okay, see I feel like Peeta really gives Katniss confidence in herself. If he’d been there in District Thirteen and they’d done propos together, she probably would have been a thousand times better.

But also this makes me think Katniss actually has it in her to be a charismatic, confident, alluring celebrity. She just chooses not to. 🤗🤗🤗

But this also reminds me of “She has no idea the effect she can have” okay imma move on and stop focusing on every little detail

I say that every chapter 🤧😅

“The pounding music, the cheers, the admiration work their way into my blood, and I can't suppress my excitement.” Say whatever you want, Katniss is still such a girl underneath it all. She gets excited over people liking her and cheering her on. And I know it’s because it increases her chances of getting sponsors but still

Honestly Peeta trying to showcase Katniss and let her take the spotlight is so selfless and indicative of his ultimate plan to help her win but also ... I can see how Katniss would believe it’s too good to be true and he’s messing with her. That he’s just playing the game to earn her trust, get her guard down and manipulate her later.

See, Peeta is actually framed at the start like the typical, standard YA love interest turned villain. In majority of YA books, at this point the boy is kind and sweet and helpful to the girl until she trusts him completely and then he turns on her and uses everything she gave him to destroy her. But the difference is, Katniss refuses to truly trust him and she is guessing his game incorrectly at every step. And then it’s revealed that it was never a game and he truly isn’t messing with her and everything he’s done that’s seem too good to be true and not even remotely plausible has actually been genuine and heartfelt and that, my friends, is why Peeta is above all other YA love interests. Because Everlark is actually the foil to many of the cliches. That was a long speech over some incoherent thoughts I’m so sorry if you suffered through that.

“It's not until we enter the City Circle that I realize I must have completely stopped the circulation in Peeta's hand. That's how tightly I've been holding it.” Awww he is her rock 😭🤧🥺

"No, don't let go of me," he says. The firelight flickers off his blue eyes. "Please. I might fall out of this thing." Okay this part is so cute and so blatantly setting Peeta up as her main love interest omg 😅 this isn’t the least bit subtle or disguised. But first off, the fact that Katniss is also Peeta’s stability here too 😭😭😭 and second of all, she takes time to notice his blue eyes against the firelight? She was attracted to him from the very start, y’all. That’s indisputable. 👌🏻😎🤧

“It's not really fair to present us as a team and then lock us into the arena to kill each other.” I agree with you, baby, it’s not fair at all. But you two take care of that situation nicely. Or not. Y’all do start a dang war. 🤭🤭🙃🙃

It’s rather ... ironic that it’s District Twelve’s chariot of them all that is pulled up and stopped directly in front of President Snow’s mansion. I know it’s a book, certain details like this are definitively contrived, I know get over it. 🤦🏼‍♀️💁🏼‍♀️

So uh. Snow is a small thin man? Why do I suddenly imagine Danny Devito as Snow 😅😅😅😅🤣🤣🤣🤣 y’all know he’d kill the role

“The darker it becomes, the more difficult it is to take your eyes off our flickering.” Okay, this is such a great line and it’s so significant to the rest of the series? The fact that Katniss — and Peeta, let’s not forget our boy — became symbols of the revolution. Like this line is deep if you think about it. The worse things in Panem got, the more the civilians looked towards Katniss and Peeta for hope 🥺🥺🥺🥺🥰🥰🥰🥰

Omg now after Songbirds and Snakes, we know the national anthem. I’m sorry, babies, that you have to endure that I’ll get you out of there 🙉🙉🙉

I feel like in part, the Capitol camera crew — Cressida, Pollux .... Pollux’s brother... is that you here???? — put so much attention on District Twelve because it would create some resentment and competition between them and the careers 🤭🤗

“I notice a lot of the other tributes are shooting us dirty looks, which confirms what I've suspected, we've literally outshone them all.” Insert Gretchen Wieners “I can’t help that I’m popular!” 😅😅😅😅😅

“I realize I'm still glued to Peeta and force my stiff fingers to open. We both massage our hands.” — they were hanging on so tight 😭😭😭😭

“Thanks for keeping hold of me.” He’s so sweet ☺️☺️☺️ I love him even if he’s kind of an idiot sometimes but so is Katniss so let’s not point fingers

“I'm sure they didn't notice anything but you. [...] And then he gives me a smile that seems so genuinely sweet with just the right touch of shyness” Omg I know Katniss views this as him trying to manipulate her but the fact that he’s actually just admitting the way he’s felt for years is so 😭😭😭😭 if only you’d spit it out sooner, Bready

“he gives me a smile that seems so genuinely sweet with just the right touch of shyness that unexpected warmth rushes through me.” She literally has a crush on her fellow tribute and her first line of defense is to decide he out to get her for making her feel this way 🤣😭🙃

“The more likable he is, the more deadly he is.” The more my crush grows, the more deadly he becomes. I know I’m reading this with shipper goggles but guess what? I’m unashamed. 🤷🏼‍♀️🤷🏼‍♀️🤷🏼‍♀️🤷🏼‍♀️ who feels guilty for reading this book with an Everlark bias not this girl right here 🙋🏼‍♀️🙋🏼‍♀️🙋🏼‍♀️

“I stand on tiptoe and kiss his cheek. Right on his bruise.” Okay first off, she says cheek here but according to a chapter ago, she claimed the mark was on his jaw... so in other words, she’s incredibly short. If a medium height guy has a bruise on his jaw and she has to stand on her tip toe to reach it... well... hashtag LittleKatniss

And second off.... can you even imagine how Peeta must feel. He genuinely complimented her here, the girl he has had a crush on forever, and she responds by kissing his cheek. He was probably really happy at this moment. And also this probably played further into his buying into her false display in the arena. That here we have her clutching his hand, smiling and laughing with him and kissing his cheek. Idk what I was trying to say necessarily but I made myself sad wow way to go me 🥺🥺🥺🥺🤧🤧🤧

Anyways! Those are my very over the top and too detailed thoughts! Hope you enjoyed if you read this! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳😎😎😎😎😎😎😎🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰