#i’m still not sure where this crossover came from

[the-spirited-one]

Gabriel has forgotten how bad it is to have beef with a crown bearer

(Don’t ask me what this is, I wasn’t kidding when I said I have the attention span of a fucking squirrel)

[harrywavycurly]

Worth The Fight: Good Hands

Masterlist: Here

CW: language, pregnancy things, jealousy, angsty bits and some light arguing.

A/N: This one is heavy-ish but has some light hearted moments so be prepared for some angsty bits but I’d say this is a very big step in a direction for them, is it the right direction? Only time will tell👀✨

Tag List: @kookjipao @msolbesg @lomlolivia @namoreno @outofthisworl-d @mema10 @watarmelon212 @natykn @sassamanda77 @st-ev-ie @ghayda0 @hannah9921 @indierockgirrl @chaoticthoughts2022 @lizsogolden @gmikaelson @styleswithaseaview @sofaritsalrightt @babegoals @fangirl509east @one-sweet-gubler @stylesftcher @umadirectioner @last-saturday-night @montgomery-929496 @laughterismytherapy @hisparentsgallerryy @jerseygirlinca @behindmygreyeyes

Summary: You decide to do some shopping for the twins while Harry decides he needs to apologize to you even if you’re not ready to hear it✨

You smile at the woman working by the door as you enter the small boutique that’s just down the street from the library you work at, you look around and suddenly feel extremely overwhelmed by the amount of baby things surrounding you. Being nearly thirteen weeks you finally decide that it’s okay to just take a look at things, seeing as you still don’t know if you’re carrying two boys, two girls or one of each you find yourself not exactly sure where to start. You look over and smile when you see a small section of onesies with animals all over them, you adjust your bag on your shoulder as you head over towards the table they are folded and laid out on.

“Oh the peaches will love those.” Ethan’s voice comes from behind you making you laugh as you feel a hand on your shoulder. “How’s my favorite produce dealer doing today? Have you eaten all the cookies my mom sent yet because I need the tin back.” You roll your eyes at the playful nickname he came up with for you ever since you started sharing the size of the twins with him as they grow each week, getting a kick out of the way all your apps are always referring to their sizes as vegetables or fruits.

“They aren’t quite peaches yet they have about four days till then so they are still lemons.” You explain as you rest a hand on your bump while looking at the little outfits on the table in front of you. “But I’m good just feeling tired today and uh no not yet there’s like fifty cookies in that tin Ethan and I may be pregnant but sweets don’t sit well with me right now.” You answer as the hand on your shoulder grabs the strap to your bag and without hesitation you let him take your purse and sling it over his shoulder making you let out a small sigh of relief once the weight of your bag is gone.

“She said they were what she liked when she was pregnant with me but that was also during Christmas time so that’s why they are pretty much all holiday themed.”

“That explains all the gingerbread men.”

“Exactly. So the peaches-”

“Lemons.”

“I mean come on they are pretty much a crossover between lemons and peaches right now so like leaches? Or is that-”

“Do not call my babies leaches Ethan.”

“Right sorry that was rude let’s just go back to looking at the cute and soft onesies okay?” He says in a slight panic not wanting to make you upset in the middle of a baby boutique having already made you accidentally cry in line at the bakery down the street from your apartment when he mentioned how good the blueberry muffins looked, forgetting all about your current aversion to the fruit ever since you tried a blueberry jam that didn’t sit well with you.

“You think the animals are cute? Or they have these.” You lift up a set of onesies that are white with gray and yellow polka dots on them so he can take a look from his spot behind you. “Is the gray and yellow too overdone?” You question as Ethan places a hand on each of your shoulders and gives them a nice rub making you relax as you look at the onesies in your hand.

“Yellow and gray is a classic color combination you can’t go wrong with it.” You let out a hum of agreement as he releases his grip on one of your shoulders so he can reach around you ever so slightly and grab the set with the animals on it. “But these are cute as shit.” He says with a smile as he looks down and sees you still holding the polka doted set.

“I could get both? Right?” Ethan just nods as you look at him with a quirked brow almost as if you’re seeking his approval.

“Excellent idea.” Is all he says before he takes the polka dotted set from your hands and holds it in the same one of his that has the animal set it. You smile as you feel him lean down and place a kiss to the top of your head. “I’m going to go look at all the weird baby gadgets.” He gives your shoulder one last squeeze before he turns and heads off towards the back of the store with the two sets of onesies in his hand and your purse slung over his shoulder.

Harry is chewing on his bottom lip as he walks down the street towards the library you work at, wondering if he’s doing the right thing coming to see you at work again when you haven’t reached out to him since the lunch at his mother’s house. He doesn’t want to make it a habit to just show up at your work when you refuse to speak to him or he can’t get ahold of you but right now he feels like this is the only way he can guarantee he will be able to talk to you. It’s been over two weeks and he just wants to get some things off his chest and maybe see if the two of you can start over and try to get to know each other a bit so the arguing can come to a stop or at the very least can be toned down. It’s not like he’s expecting the two of you to be bestfriends or anything, he just wants to be able to have normal conversations with you that don’t end with you in tears or annoyed with him.

He runs a hand through his hair and he feels as if the wind gets knocked out of him when he turns to his left and looks in the window of a store, he has to push his sunglasses into his hair so he can make sure he’s seeing things clearly and that the dark lenses weren’t causing him to mistake the person for someone else but the moment his eyes see the smile on the woman’s face he knows exactly who it is. You’re standing in front of a table of baby clothes but before he can even register that you’re looking at clothes for the twins, he quickly notices you’re not alone and all Harry can do is stand there and watch the scene unfold in front of him. He watches your neighbor stand behind you and place both of his hands on your shoulders and Harry feels his brows furrow as his eyes narrow into a glare at the way you seem to relax at his touch.

It’s then that Harry takes in the bag that’s slung over the man’s shoulder, it’s the godawful thing you call a purse and he doesn’t understand why he’s the one with it over his shoulder instead of you. Of all the times he’s been around you that bag is always over your shoulder and you’re either fighting with it to find something or trying to keep it in place making him assume you have a thing about keeping your bag with you. He feels his mouth drop into a frown as it dawns on him that maybe it’s not so much you like to keep it on you at all times, it’s just that Harry hasn’t ever tried or offered to take it from you minus when he snatched it from you in your hallway when you told him you didn’t want him to come inside.

Harry feels the all too familiar simmering of jealousy begin to bubble deep inside him as he realizes that to anyone passing by the two of you would seem like a normal couple shopping for baby things in this cute little boutique that just so happens to be a few minutes away from your work. They would have no clue that the babies the two of you are looking at onesies for are actually his, that the man currently making you smile is nothing more than just your neighbor you’re friends with or at least that’s all Harry thinks he is to you, a friend. That changes the moment he watches the man place a kiss to the top of your head, a very soft display of affection that has Harry’s hands clenching into fists at his sides because why is another man that he doesn’t even know the name of not only baby clothes shopping with you but also touching and now kissing on you in public while he can’t even manage to get you to want talk to him.

Harry decides he’s seen enough as he turns and heads back in the direction of his car that’s parked in some over priced daily parking garage because he was in too much of a rush to call for his driver and also because a part of him wanted to prove to you that he can in fact drive himself places when he needs or wants to. He slides his sunglasses back down so they cover his eyes, allowing his emotions to be somewhat hidden from the strangers passing him on the sidewalk while he reaches into his back pocket for his phone. His first instinct is to call his mom and talk through this with her, why seeing you out with someone else buying things for the twins is making him feel this way but he shakes his head as he scrolls past her contact because he has a feeling he knows what she’s going to say and he doesn’t exactly want to have that conversation right now. So he scrolls down to the name that he knows won’t ask questions and hopefully in a few hours Harry will forget all about what he saw in the window of that little shop and he’ll be able to try again tomorrow on telling you sorry.

“Hey H you finally have time for a round?” Harry laughs at how excited Niall sounds on the other end of the phone as he enters the main level of the parking garage his car is in.

“I do but uh not the kinda round you’re thinking of.” Harry says with a sigh and in true Niall fashion he just laughs and tells Harry to pick the pub and he’ll see him soon before hanging up.

“Oh fuck this hallway is so long-wait what floor is this?” Harry squints as he exits the elevator and when he sees the number five on the plaque on the wall he lets out a sigh of relief.

“Thank god.” He mumbles as he turns and heads down the hallway, half tempted to put his sunglasses back on due to the obnoxiously bright lights coming from the ceiling that while doing a good job at helping him see where he’s going and which apartment he’s walking by, are also intensifying the throbbing in the back of his head.

When he reaches the doors he’s looking for he closes his eyes just for a brief moment because keeping them closed for too long makes him a little dizzy. As soon as he opens them he raises a hand to knock, not caring about the fact it’s near three in the morning because to Harry it’s a new day and he has things he needs to tell you. He stands there and rests a hand on your doorframe as he waits for you to answer, when he doesn’t even hear the sound of you moving around on the other side of the door he knocks two more times because unlike the last time he was here knocking on your door he knows you’re home having seen your sad little car in the parking lot when his driver pulled into the complex.

“I know you’re home you’ve-you’ve got to be home.” He mumbles with a sigh as he turns so his back is resting against your door, before he can even stop himself he feels his body sliding down it until his bottom is hitting the floor and his legs are stretched out in front of him.

“I’m-I’m sorry I’m so sorry.” His voice is strained as he tries to get comfortable resting against your door, finally deciding to put his sunglasses back on in an effort to help slow down the throbbing that’s making its way from the back of his head towards his temples. He rests his head against your door with a groan as he tries to gather his thoughts so he can try to explain to you why he’s been acting the way he has ever since you told him you were pregnant.

You have to close your eyes and take a few deep breaths to get your emotions under control as you stand on the other side of the door that you now know is being used at a backrest for a slightly drunk Harry. You didn’t need to look through the peephole to know it was him, you knew by the first set of knocks and the mumbled voice that you could hear from your bedroom that it was Harry because he’s the only person that would ever bother you at this hour unless it was an emergency but even then normally people just call or text you, not show up at your door. You place a hand on your bump that’s covered by your nightshirt and give it a soothing rub as you stand there, deciding that even though you’re not ready to see him you’ll let him sit there and get whatever it is he needs to say off his chest so he can go home.

“I shouldn’t have left you that day-uhm during the exam.” He says as he looks up towards the ceiling. You swallow the lump that’s already forming in your throat, as being woken up abruptly and now hearing him apologize start to make a mess of your emotions that have already been kind of all over the place recently.

“I’m sorry I keep saying the wrong things and-and hurting you s’not what I want ya know? To hurt you.” Harry sniffles and lets out a sarcastic sounding scoff at his own words as you look down at your ankles and smile at Paris who has taken an almost protective stance, standing between you and the door. “S’hard to believe I know but fuck-you’re just so relaxed all the time n’it freaked or-really it freaks me out a bit.” He admits making you roll your eyes while he runs both hands through his hair.

“But my uhm therapist says s’a control thing an that’s why I lash out at you.” You quirk an eyebrow at the mention of his therapist, feeling a bit shocked he’s spoken to anyone besides Anne about the two of you.

“Because you-you have all the control here and have since day one like you-even when you told me you were pregnant you just I don’t know? You had it all figured out already? You were having a baby with or without me while I was fumbling around and panicking and deep down I uh know that you-you don’t need me and that’s sort of uhm my thing? I need to be needed I’m a bit of a narcissist and-and you just don’t need me like- at all and I mean that’s-that’s fine or I’m learning to uhm be fine with it.” You feel your heart drop at how sincere he sounds as he speaks between little sniffles, you know his emotions are getting the best of him when it’s quiet for a moment minus a watery sigh and then you have to close your eyes and fight back the tears that want to spill over as you hear his voice sound so desperate as it comes through your door.

“But I need you Cranky I need-I need you because I need them so just-just tell me what to do and I’ll do it okay?” Harry lets a few tears roll down his face as he practically begs you to just tell him what to do to make this situation right.

“Please.” He whispers in a last ditch effort to get you to talk to him. You let out a deep breath before you reach out and unlock your door and turn the knob so you can open it. Harry feels his heart begin to beat quicker and before he can even register that you’re really opening the door and willing to see him and possibly talk to him he finds himself laying flat on his back looking up at you from the floor, the shots he took with Niall a few hours ago making his reflexes slower than normal not giving him time to move from his sitting position with his back resting on your door before you swung it open.

“Hi Harry.” You say with a small smile as you look down at him, Harry just smiles as he reaches for the sunglasses still covering his eyes quickly pulling them off so he can get a better look at you.

“Cranky you’ve-wow.” You raise an eyebrow at him suddenly feeling a little self concious as his eyes go a bit wide as he takes in how much bigger your bump looks, especially from the angle he’s currently getting from his spot on the floor. “Lemons still right? Peaches in four-no wait now three days?” He asks and you just nod as you place both hands on your bump while he takes his time getting up, feeling a bit dizzy due to looking up from his back for too long.

“Do you mind uhm staying in-”

“Yeah yeah that’s fine I uh-I’m sorry for waking you up.” He says when you motion towards the hallway once he’s up and standing, already knowing what you’re asking of him, and he will happily stand in the hallway while the two of you talk because he’s just happy you actually opened the door. You open your mouth to say something but then you hear the jingling of a bell and both you and Harry look down and find Paris rubbing his head on Harry’s shin and you have to hold back a laugh as Harry’s eyes widen in fear.

“Oh god Paris please don’t-oh fuck god damnit that hurts.” Paris just purrs and rubs the same ankle he just took a bite of before he turns and heads back into your apartment, strutting off towards the kitchen as if he’s proud of himself for what he’s just done. “I deserved that.” Harry mumbles making you just shrug as he runs a hand over his face.

“So Mr. Popular is a narcissist huh? I never would’ve guessed.” Harry feels his cheeks get hot at your teasing words. He sniffles a bit and rubs the tip of his nose with the knuckle of his index finger while giving you a small shrug because he’s not sure what to say. “I appreciate you coming here to apologize Harry but uhm I also know you’re a little-”

“I’m not that drunk-m’tipsy at best and I swear I’d say the same things sober.”

“I believe you but it’s just everything can sort of seem a bit more emotional and heavy when said at three in the morning outside an apartment door after too many whiskey sours.”

“Who talks like that? Honestly you-you spend too much time surrounded by books.”

“Harry-”

“I’m sorry that was rude.” He lets out a sigh as he looks down at his feet. “I don’t know why I do this? Why I can’t help myself sometimes I just-you’re so easy to argue with?” You rub your lips together to hold off the smile that wants to form because he looks so distraught standing there with a hand in his hair and another on his hip as he tries to make sense of his need to just bicker with you as if it’s all his fault and you don’t also enjoy how easy it is to rile him up.

“You’re fairly easy to set off and I seem to know exactly how to do it.” Harry lifts his head to look at you as you start to speak. “We both enjoy a bit of back and forth but sometimes Harry you just say things that are very hurtful and very hard to take back.” You explain as you look down at your hands that are on your bump, trying not to think about some of the things he’s said to you in the past that have made you upset.

“I know and I’m-I’m working on that.”

“With your therapist?” You ask as you look up at him and he just nods making you feel that there might actually be a some hope that the two of you will be able to figure this whole communication thing out. “So are you really ready to be apart of this then?” Harry takes a very small step towards you just so he can reach a hand out, you look at it questioningly for a moment before you give in and place one of your hands in his.

“I don’t want to be outside the window.” He says as he gives your hand a squeeze, you look at him with a slightly confused expression because you’re not entirely sure what he means by that but you don’t want to ruin the moment so you just let him continue. “I want to be the one inside with you looking at baby stuff and holding your god awful fucking bag and-”

“Well well well if it isn’t Mr. Asshole himself.” Ethan’s voice coming from down the hall makes Harry’s eyes go wide as he drops your hand while you turn and look at your neighbor who you know is just getting home from work. “I see you’re really living up to that nickname since you have her up out of bed at this ungodly hour.” You roll your eyes at him as Harry turns so he’s facing Ethan who is now only a few steps away from the two of you.

“It’s Mr. Popular not-”

“Aren’t assholes usually popular? So it’s basically the same thing.”

“It’s nowhere near the same and-who even are you? Besides the guy who feeds her cat on Fridays?”

“I’m Ethan her neighbor but also the friend who picked her up from your mom’s house crying a week and a half ago.” Harry’s face goes pale as he realizes your neighbor is the one who came and got you from lunch, you watch Ethan take a step so he’s standing in front of his door facing Harry as he swings his key ring around his index finger a few times.

“Oh and I’m the guy who she calls when she needs something because unlike you Mr. Gucci sunglasses even though it’s dark outside-” Ethan takes his time eyeballing Harry’s attire before he continues. “I’m a source of comfort for her and those little peaches. I’m also right across the hall so I’m always available.” You feel the tension in the air as Ethan glares at Harry who is glaring right back but with a clenched jaw and a hand balled into a fist at his side.

“Those little peaches? You mean lemons?”

“Really? That’s-that’s what you got out of that?”

“I mean I think it shows that you might be the comforting neighbor.” You begin to chew on your bottom lip as Ethan crosses his arms over his chest and raises an eyebrow at the slightly tipsy man in front of him. “But clearly I’m their dad because I actually know how big they are.” You can’t help but chuckle at how proud Harry looks when he says the word dad while Ethan just rolls his eyes making you move to the side a bit from your spot behind Harry so Ethan can see you allowing you to give him a warning type glare.

“Oh so now you’re ready to be a dad huh? Well good. I’m glad because honestly picking out baby shit isn’t really a good look for me.”

“Either is holding her purse-that thing looks hideous on you.”

“I mean it’s a hideous bag-wait what? When have you ever seen me with her purse?”

“Today or uh technically yesterday? In that shop near her uhm work.” Harry admits shyly and that’s when it all clicks, his mentioning of the window and looking at baby things, it’s because he saw you and Ethan at the boutique. You close your eyes and run a hand over your face as a long sigh escapes you making both men turn their heads to look at you.

“Is that why you got drunk and came knocking at my door?” Harry swallows hard as he all of a sudden feels a wave of nervousness wash over him because he doesn’t want his answer to ruin the slight progress that’s been made while standing outside your door this morning.

“Uh well-yes that’s sort of the reason why I met Niall-”

“Niall? Niall Horan? Is he here?” Harry turns to look at Ethan with a quirked brow as your neighbor looks up and down the hallway for any signs of the Irish popstar.

“Uh no he’s at home.” He answers making Ethan let out a huff while Harry turns his attention back to you. “But the whole reason I even saw you two was because uhm well because I was on my way to the library to see you. I just needed to talk to you and tell you how sorry-”

“You can’t just show up at my work whenever you want because you need to talk to me Harry especially when you know how it went the last time we even saw each other that’s just-that’s not okay.” Harry just nods because he already knew that, before he even got in his car to drive to your work to see you he knew it probably wasn’t a good idea but he had to do something and that was the only thing that he could think of.

“I know I won’t do it again.”

“Wait you saw us at that boutique and that’s why you went and got drunk on a Wednesday?” Ethan’s voice takes Harry’s attention away from you and you watch Ethan place his keys in his back pocket before putting his hands on his hips.

“I don’t like what you’re implying.”

“What I’m implying? Dude I’m not implying shit. Just admit it you got jealous-”

“Jealous? Jealous of what? Of you? Yeah right State Farm.” You take a step around Harry so you can be ready to stop the two of them from getting any closer to each other when you see Harry take a step towards Ethan.

“State Farm? That’s cute and honestly it’s true because I am a good neighbor but do you see these?” Harry’s brows furrow as Ethan wiggles his fingers a few inches away from Harry’s face. “I am clearly Allstate because she is very much in good hands.” You roll your eyes at the two of them as you cross your arms over your chest not believing the conversation they are having in front of you.

“What does he mean by that? You’re in good hands? Have you-you been in his hands?” Ethan has to bring a hand up to cover his mouth to hide his laugh as Harry quickly turns to look at you with frantic eyes while he runs a hand through his hair. You let out a sigh and glare at Ethan who is quick to turn around and face his door so he can unlock it.

“What? No we aren’t-”

“I’m sorry it’s not uhm it’s not uh-not my business I’m sorry.” Harry fumbles over his words as he begins to turn taking a few steps backwards towards the elevators as his mouth drops to a frown and you feel the corners of your own mouth fall a bit at how hurt he looks. “It’s fine really I uhm I gotta go.” You want to tell him to stop and just let you explain your friendship with Ethan but Harry doesn’t give you a chance because before you can even open your mouth he’s turning around so his back is facing you and he’s three steps away from you. But you know you can’t let him leave like this so you let out a huff and take a step towards him and call his name.

He pauses and looks over his shoulder as his name falls from your mouth. “Tell Nick I said hello?” He gives you a small smile and nods as you mention his driver who is waiting for him in the parking lot down stairs.

“Yeah I’ll uh I’ll do that.” You smile and before he turns to head towards the elevators you see a very familiar glint appear in his eyes as the corners of his mouth curl up in a smirk. “Goodnight Cranky.”

“You mean good morning Mr. Popular.” You correct making him laugh and shake his head as he turns and continues down the hallway because of course you just have to correct him because of course you just have to be right.

“Oh he totally thinks we are fucking.” Ethan says with a laugh as he stretches his neck a bit just in time to see Harry step into the elevator. As soon as he’s out of sight you turn and give Ethan a smack to the chest making him let out a pitiful sounding groan. “So violent in front of the children.”

“Don’t be so crude. He at least thinks something is happening here and we both know it’s not.”

“What he doesn’t know won’t kill him.”

“Uh yeah Ethan it actually might? He came here after getting drunk all because he saw us shopping together.”

“Yeah well I say let him suffer a bit and think we are doing something scandalous and then when he’s maybe stopped being an absolute douchebag for more than a day you can tell him the truth.”

“God you just love drama don’t you?”

“I’m a young bisexual man my whole life is drama.” He teases as you stand in your doorway with a hand on your bump and the other resting on your doorframe. “But honesty him showing up here is like-”

“A big deal. I know.” You finish for him, the two of you stare at each other for a moment before Ethan takes the few steps between his door and yours and places a quick kiss to the top of your head.

“Everything is gonna be fine.” He reassures you before he opens his apartment door. You give him a smile when he looks at you over his shoulder. “Sweet dreams Cranky.” He jokes making you roll your eyes as he closes his door.

You can’t help but make a sour face at the sound of your nickname coming from someone else’s mouth besides Harry’s. Not liking how it sounds without his accent and deep tone of voice and how slowly it slips out of his mouth making it sound all the more condescending which is oddly something you enjoy about the way he says it. You turn and walk through your open door and let out a long sigh after you close it, you head back towards your bedroom and smile when you see Paris curled into a ball at the foot of the bed.

“Oh Paris.” You mumble as you climb back into bed making the cat instantly lift his head up and stretch his front paws out at the disturbance. “What just happened?” You ask as you stare at the ceiling trying to make sense of the events that just took place in your hallway, but as the minutes tick by and you find yourself falling asleep you decide you can try to decipher and dig deeper into all of that later because right now all you want to do is go back to sleep and momentarily forget that the man you’re having kids with knocked on your door a three in the morning just to leave in a frantic hurry forty five minutes later.

Harry feels as if he’s a mixed bag of emotions as he steps into the elevator, the first one being confusion because he’s not even sure why he cares if you and your overly friendly neighbor are more than friends because it’s not as if Harry has any sort of claim on you minus the fact he’s the father of the two lemon sized babies you’re carrying. He’s even gone as far as telling you he doesn’t like you enough to care about anyone you find remotely attractive but that brings him to the next emotion, jealousy. Harry has always been the jealous type, that’s just part of his personality but this is something different because he feels as if he could punch a wall at just the memory of seeing Ethan kiss the top of your head and holding your shoulders in such a way that would have people assume he’s your partner of some sort. The most powerful emotion swirling around in Harry’s body though is regret, he regrets walking away and not letting you explain things but he just couldn’t risk having to listen to you tell him you’re in love with Ethan or that you two have only gotten so close because Harry has made you turn to him for comfort and reassurance due to how horrible he’s treated you. He doesn’t think he would be able to stand knowing that it’s his own fault that you ended up in the arms of someone else, not that he wants you in his own arms either because he doesn’t, or at least that’s what he’s telling himself.

“I could go back? Let her tell me-no no that would be dumb.” He argues with himself as he presses the button for the lobby. “Why do I even care? Do I even care? No. No I don’t.” He lets out a frustrated groan as he paces the length of the small elevator while debating with himself. “Exactly. I don’t care. She can be with whoever she wants. That’s fine.”

“I don’t care.” He mumbles as the door opens to the lobby of your apartment complex. He runs a hand over his face as he steps out and heads for the parking lot. He looks around and sees Nick is parked towards the back of the lot, he mentally pats himself on the back for picking a time of day that not a lot of people are out and about so Harry doesn’t have to worry too much about being seen as he walks towards the black suv.

“How’d it go?” Nick asks once Harry is in the backseat of the car. He raises an eyebrow as he looks over his shoulder when hears Harry lets out a long sad sigh.

“Next time I ask you to drive me here past midnight tell me no.” Harry instructs as he slides his sunglasses on and turns to look out the window. Nick just nods before he turns and faces the front so he can start the car and take Harry home.

[burreauxsworld]

Locked In (1) | Joe Burrow

Joe Burrow x Singer!Reader

Exboyfriend!joshallen x Exgirlfriend!reader

•••

Being in the spotlight isn���t all it’s cracked up to be. Yeah, there’s glitz and glamour and getting to live out your dream you’ve had since you were a little girl, but deep down you’re still human, with normal human emotions. Emotions that are completely normal, even when people tell you to never show them. You honestly were doing so well considering the circumstances you were left with. A completely shattered heart, an album that had just dropped (full of love songs written about the person that shattered your heart), and a sold out stadium tour that would take place over the entire summer. You were thriving. Slowly but surely, your heart mended itself back together every time you took the stage. Nothing could stand in your way.

Then football season rolled around and people started noticing that you weren’t in your normal spot, in a suite at Highmark Stadium. Supporting the man you believed you would spend the rest of your life with. Even had the ring to prove it. But it all came crashing down the night you walked in on him in bed with his ex from college. It absolutely crushed you. Especially because Josh Allen seemed like the perfect guy. He treated you well, showed you off in public, spoke about you in post-game interviews, the whole nine yards. You never would have saw this coming in a million years. But it did, and it felt like the worst day of your life.

Pre season wasn’t too bad, people just assumed you were busy. Then week one came and you still weren’t there, and people started to question things. Headlines quickly made their way into the world, it was mentioned in sports news all over the country, and you and Josh had started to trend on Twitter. It was all mixed feelings. Mostly just men that were happy to see you go, the women tearing Josh down, and some fans that were devastated about the split. You never commented on the topic. You figured you’d let it die down, and at some point it would be addressed in a normal adult way.

Josh had other plans.

He’d gone on a podcast for barstool sports, and when asked about the topic he didn’t shy away from lying to the entire world. “We both have pretty busy lives. She was going to be starting her tour and didn’t really have a lot of time on her hands. There’d be times where she’d go days without reaching out to me. I just couldn’t live that way anymore”

You were dumbfounded. Completely and utterly baffled. “Brittany and I reconnected last season when we played the Chiefs. It had been such a long time since I’d seen her. We kept in touch. But assure you, there was no crossover. I’d never even think about cheating on a woman”

Blow number two. The cheating had went on far longer than you’d realized, and right under your nose. You were too busy catching up with Taylor Swift in the suite to notice that your fiancé met up with his ex. “I think I’m the happiest I’ve been in a while. I can’t speak for Y/N but I can honestly say for myself that I checked out of that relationship a year before it ended. I could not physically live that way anymore”

You couldn’t watch anymore. You powered your phone off and threw it to the end of your couch. Tears streaming down your face, your heart feeling like it shattered all over again. He’d just proposed to you in July of last year, the two of you started planning your wedding for the off season. It was all a lie.

You thought about retaliating. Putting him on blast the same way he did you, but that wouldn’t make you feel better. At this point, you weren’t sure what would make you feel better, but you knew you couldn’t be sad over him anymore. You needed to pick yourself back up.

•••

2 days later

You laughed hysterically as you threw your head back. When you realized your management team wasn’t laughing with you, you slowly stopped laughing. “Oh you guys are serious?” You question, dumbfounded. “Absolutely not. I’m not stepping foot into another football game for the rest of my life” you say firmly. “Y/N, it’s just to sing the national anthem, and then you can leave. You don’t have to stay for the entire game” your manager, Ryan, tells you with hope in his voice.

“And what reason am I going to give the media for leaving? That I was a heartbroken little child so I couldn’t stay? That’ll do more harm than good and you know it” you rant, letting out a sigh. “I don’t have a choice, do I?” You question, and put your head down when Ryan makes a face.

“It’s out of my hands. The record label won’t produce your album if you say no”

“When and where?” You say, reluctantly. “Sunday, October 6th, and in Cincinnati. This is the first AFC North divisional. There will be a lot of viewers and attendees already but you singing the national anthem would raise those numbers. The NFL is paying you very well to do this, plus you have a private suite with your name on it if you would like to stay,” Ryan explains, not tearing his eyes from you. He knew how hard this would be for you. He hated even having to ask you to do this.

“I’ll be there. But only because the future of my album rides on this. The NFL literally makes me sick to my stomach right now” you rant, rolling your eyes. “You can’t let one guy deter you from your passion of football. You loved football even before he who shall not be named. Besides, I will be there the entire time, and so will Megan. Megan is kick ass at what she does. All this Voldemort nonsense is gonna be put behind us. Clean slate, Y/N/N” Ryan assures you, and you crack a smile. “Voldemort?” You question.

“Oh yeah, he sucks. He’s lucky you’re giving him the grace that you are, and that you held me back from beating his ass that night” Ryan rants, and you laugh. Grateful that not only is he your manager, but one of your best friends. “But seriously, I’ll be there, next to you the entire day. And a little birdie told me you have some fans on the Bengals. Who knows, you may find a hotter guy that’ll be an upgrade from shit-for-brains” Ryan teases, and you scoff.

“I doubt it. I’ve sworn off athletes. Especially ones that play professional football”

“You say that now,” Ryan winks as he leaves the room, and you roll your eyes, yet again.

•••

Sunday October 6th, 2024

You heard the whispers as you walked past people. The judgmental comments about you neglecting your relationship, how you were the reason for its demise. The awful things people were saying about you, and screaming at you, almost made you want to crawl into a hole and never come out. The worst ones, were the looks of sympathy you got from the women in the stadium. You knew you shouldn’t have agreed to this.

“Ryan, I don’t know if I can do this. They all hate me” you stress, and he’s already shaking his head at you. “They don’t hate you-“

“Slut!”

“Seriously?” You say, with a flat tone. “Okay, so some macho men are just mad that you’re here. Who cares? Y/N, your career is literally riding on this”

“I can get a new label” you retort and Ryan sighs. “Y/N, you got this. You’ve literally dealt with so much worse than this-“

“Y/N, you’re on in 10” an NFL official says, walking past the two of you. You feel like your throat is closing up. There’s a lump that wouldn’t go away. In all the years you’ve been performing for big crowds, this one had you nervous. “Josh turned me into a social pariah when it comes to the NFL. He literally blamed me for everything, Ryan. I shouldn’t be here” you rant, tears brimming your eyes. “You absolutely deserve to be here. And for what it’s worth, I wouldn’t have been upset if you spoke your truth. Damage control is my job, let me worry about that. You just go out there and sing your heart out” another voice chimes in, and you turn your head to see Megan, your publicist.

“It’s time,” Ryan says. “Y/N, keep your head held high. You can do this. I’ll be right over on the Bengals sideline waiting for you to finish” Ryan assures you, as the three of you walk toward the opening to the field. Here goes nothing.

•••

After The Game

You should’ve known that staying at the game would mean Ryan would convince you to go to the after party. Although the game ended in a Ravens win, the team still seemed to be in good spirits. A lot of them were actually a lot of fun to be around. You were originally invited by Ja’Marr Chase, who made a point to come up to the suite and invite you personally. Letting you know that he and a few other guys were big fans, though part of you thinks he was just being nice.

You came in and conversed with him and a few other guys before making your way to the bar, then to an empty booth in the corner of the room. Ryan was mingling with some of the coaches and Megan decided not to attend the party, so you were pretty much left to your own devices. You nursed your dirty shirley as you scrolled through twitter. A lump forming in your throat at the harsh things being said about you.

“You really shouldn’t look at that stuff. I’ve learned that the hard way”

Your head snapped up at the sound of the unfamiliar voice, as the couch dipped next to you. “I hope this seat isn’t taken, though you’ve been sitting by yourself for the last half hour. Not that I was watching like a creep. I promise. I just got tired of standing at the bar” the deep voice rambled. “You’re okay. The seats not taken” you say, a small smile gracing your features.

“I’m just not very popular at the moment” you admit, taking another sip of your drink. “You played really well today, by the way. If you ask me, the Bengals had that in the bag” you say, changing the subject and he scoffs. “Always room for improvement,” he says, sipping his drink. “I’m Joe, by the way” he says, extending his hand to you.

“Y/N,”

“And since we’re voicing opinions, you didn’t deserve to be dragged down in the media. I’m not sure what actually happened, and by no means am I asking you to tell me, but I think it should have stayed private. Josh seemed like a nice guy, but that was a low blow” Joe says, not looking at you, as he yet again sips his drink. You frowned at the mention of Josh, and sank back against the couch. “Thanks, I guess,” you mutter, bringing your glass up to your lips. Joe looks over at you, and mentally face-palms.

“I’m so sorry. I overstepped. I shouldn’t have commented on something I know nothing about,” he says, a sense of urgency in his tone. “I literally came over here with liquid courage, with the intention of getting to know you and I fucked it up by bringing up your ex. I’m such an idiot” Joe rants, leaning back against the couch. You look over at him, a strange feeling in your stomach.

“Joe, it’s okay. You were trying to make conversation-“

“But I could’ve asked like what your favorite color is, not brought up your ex” Joe says, internally beating himself up. “It’s yellow” you answer, and he looks over at you confused. “My favorite color is yellow” you say, and he smiles. “Let’s start over. I’m Y/N Y/L/N,” you say, extending your hand with a smile.

“I’m Joe Burrow. It’s nice to meet you, Y/N”

[prozacwhorehouse]

hi! not sure if your requests are open rn but if they are, could you do a snl cast member reader fic where shes on a late night show and the host brings up how sweet her and mgg were being to fans on the street or something similar?

requests are always open my dear!! I hope this is similar to what you had in mind 🙌

just to set the scene, SNL!gf is on Jimmy Fallon here 🙏

—————————————————————————

“first off, since this is your first time on the show I want to congratulate you on all your SNL success,” the crowd cheers and claps at the mention, “i think we’re all in agreement that you were a remarkable addition to the cast, and such a hit so quickly - how was that for you?”

“I’m still trying to come down from it - it’s really weird to go from comedy gigs in bars to national television, but it was also the greatest thing to ever happen to me. I’m so grateful to have been blessed with such an opportunity and the friends I’ve made. truly a dream.” the crowd cheers once more, filling your heart with so much warmth, you hold your hands to you chest and nod in appreciation.

“speaking of friends you’ve made, we recently had marcello here, where he spoke so highly of you,” he explains. “i’m assuming you’ve seen that?”

“of course i saw it, i have a bunch of snotty tissues to prove it, cause it made me cry,” you smile as the audience laughs. “it was very sweet. i have a so much love for him.”

“speaking of love…” jimmy starts and you sigh, cheeks heating up when you respond, “i knew this was coming,” fake rolling your eyes.

“you and matthew gray gubler,” he hints, and the crowd goes wild, cheering and clapping because they’ve been waitinggg for more info on the two of you. the cheer even louder when a picture of the two of you from your Instagram out and about appears on the screen behind you.

“yes…” you raise your eyebrows, “continue,” you giggle with jimmy, who is very clearly revving up a question.

“we’re all dying to know where this came from!” he finally bursts, curiosity getting the best of him, the crowds sounds backing him up.

“yeah, it is a strange crossover, i will admit that. but, we met when aubrey plaza hosted the show two years back. she introduced us when he came to watch, but it wasn’t until i ran into him at a thrift store in the city a few months ago that we got to talking - and now he pretty much lives on my couch,” the audience laughs at your choice of words but also cheers and the hint that you two are possibly living together??

“well the fans love you guys - a lot of people say you act like you don’t know you’re famous when people come up to you in the street.” he mentions, with a laugh.

“famous is a big word, which i don’t think applies to me, definitely him though - either way, we’re all people. and i mean these are the people that got me to where i am. at the end of the day I’m always like ‘i made so many new friends today’, and, i don’t know. we love meeting people, i love all of you” you smile to the audience as they clap.

“there are multiple videos of the two of you, one of you guys paying for a strangers meal, one where matthew gives his shoes to a girl on the street because hers were bothering her, and you inviting some girls on the street to your show? i mean you guys are just insanely nice to complete strangers. it’s really awesome, I aspire to be like you guys,” he states.

“like I said, they don’t feel like strangers. i can remember all the people I’ve met. it’s very special. Matthew is the same way - we’re very social people, so every interaction we have is the highlight of our days. and everyone is so kind. I think if someone came up to me and said ‘i hate you you suck,’ I probably wouldn’t respond so humbly,” the audience laughs at your statement, “but yeah. i just like nice people. And Matthew just likes giving people his shoes, I guess,” the crowd clapping and chuckling once more at this.

“that’s just the kind of person he is. there have been so many occasions where I’ve walked around the city in a trenchcoat that is way too big for me when I refused to wear a jacket, and got cold anyway, and he’d give me his. i like to sleep cold, so he endures the tundra that is my apartment at nighttime. he will really do anything for anyone. someday it’ll get him in trouble, but for now, it’s one of the reasons i love him.” And the crowd is like LOVE AS IN PLATONIC OR LOVE AS IN LOVE???

Once again this all goes viral and I’m sure you can picture the comments. They’re raving about how passionately you talk about him. If you ever break up, the world may explode!!

taglist :

@sarcasm-and-stiles @mystargirl-interlude @rubyirene @ashrrams @ghostatrixx @forevermorepassionate @saint-boudica @reidmarieprentiss @awakeforu @spencerlicious @kittycat-april @baudarling @delusional-4-fake-people @avenlymars @angelinajolie0213 @arusio @littleslayofhorrors @jezabelle9299 @jaemnationnn @princess-ofthe-pages @flow33didontsmoke

[blueikeproductions]

The Trigger collab animation came out and it’s the best thing Transformers has done in the current decade.

Truly a love letter to Transformers from G1 to EarthSpark, it squeezes in everything it possibly can from most media. However the catch is that it’s only animated media and the live action movies, the comics (any assorted manga, Marvel, Dreamwave, IDW & Skybound) aren’t referenced, while some Japanese exclusive stuff gets a lil’ bit more attention (understandable since it’s, y’know, Japanese fans being nostalgic about the anime they grew up with).

Transformers Go, Q-Transformers, and the Beast Wars anime got particular attention.

This shot of Liger Megatron and Green Lion Lio Convoy is especially cool.

I think initially I was expecting a Trigger animated greatest hits from select moments from each show, and while they still technically do that in spots…

It’s mostly a mega crossover with different characters interacting otherwise.

And it’s all the better for it.

I mean where else are you gonna find TFA Optimus about to smash Masterforce Overlord’s face in?

There’s no real narrative, it’s just random cool shots though the closest thing to a framing device is the PV opening with Vector Prime looking down on Cybertron across all time lines.

Regarding EarthSpark’s contributions to the short, they’re minimal. The Terrans and Mandroid don’t appear at all, which is a little bizarre.

ES Megatron appears among the other Decepticon leaders instead of being with ES Optimus on the Autobot leader side.

You’d think Mandroid would be there next to BWII Galvatron instead, but I guess not. Sadly they omitted RiD15 Steeljaw too, instead using RiD15 Megatronus Prime’s floating head.

SatAM Robotnik voice: Ah well, life is not perfect.

The main ES rep are the Maltos.

This just reinforces ES needed to be 2D, because they actually look good. Roche’s style doesn’t work in 3D.

Anyway the human cast they chose for this final shot amuses me.

Love seeing my favorite Clays being included. The lack of RiD Steeljaw (G1 Steeljaw did appear with Lio Junior and RiD15 Aerobolt though) is forgiven.

Anyhow, the specific use of the Clays, the (S3) Witwickys, the Maltos and the Onishis (this is especially funny since Koji’s mom never met her universe’s Optimus) is somehow very random, but also kinda appropriate. Like I get Spike and Dot’s families, since it serves as bookends, but the Clays and Onishis still feel a bit random. Still, including both Robots in Disguise families is a nice touch in my book!

The short ends with a different bookend as mentioned.

What starts out as G1 Prime & Megs transitions to ES Prime & Megs shaking hands. The old with the current series. It works~! I admit I’m surprised they didn’t include TFONE somehow. I know it’s technically not out yet, but there’s enough material to have had Orion and D-16 have some kind of tussle. It would’ve been an interesting way to tie it into the above scene and this one:

When it comes to general rep, the stuff that gets the most focus is G1, Beast Wars, Animated, & Galaxy Force. Cyberverse doesn’t really get anything beyond the leader shot, but there is this awesome but very random shot of Croaton over looking Holi’s Rescue Patrol walking on a beach littered with the dead bodies of the generic Decepticons from “War Dawn”.

Sucks to be you guys.

It also occurs to me the Rescue Bots cartoons appear to be omitted along with BotBots, but that might partly be due to them not having Japanese releases? I’m not sure, but it’s funny how Q-Transformers is acknowledged of all things, but not Heatwave or Burgertron. Maaaaybe that’s for the best on the later…

Still the PV is a blast and is pry the most earnest passion project that GETS Transformers vs what we’ve been getting post Aligned cartoon wise.

I still hope this leads to a proper TF anime series made by Trigger, like what happened with Gridman. We need a return to good 2D animated TF shows and not more CGI slop like WFC or S2 ES. That Beast Wars and Machines are still superior despite being retro by today’s standards says something…

The catch however is the original video is region locked…

but some fans have ripped it and posted it on their YT:

So go check it out while you can! It’s pure Energon-y goodness!

[helloalycia]

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐉𝐀𝐂𝐊𝐈𝐄 𝐓𝐀𝐘𝐋𝐎𝐑 𝐄𝐅𝐅𝐄𝐂𝐓 [𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐄𝐄] — 𝐉𝐀𝐂𝐊𝐈𝐄 𝐓𝐀𝐘𝐋𝐎𝐑

summary: after your drunken kiss with Jackie, you're left to deal with the consequences.

warning/s: mentions of underage drinking and minor violence.

author's note: here’s the final part! last jackie one for a while as i don’t have anything pre-written, but i’m working on other stuff so i hope this holds you guys down for a bit :)

one / two / masterlist / wattpad

It was safe to say that the next day, after the worst hangover of my life, everything came back to me and I was mortified at what I'd done. Technically, it was the both of us, but we were both out of it and Jackie Taylor never begged for anyone, especially not me. It had to have been a mere drunken mistake and that was it.

Two days after the party, Van and I were hanging out at the skate park and she, expectedly, brought up the whole finding Jackie and I making out situation.

"I never would've guessed, y'know," she was saying, surprised. "Jackie didn't strike me as a–"

I stopped skating before her, foot on the lip of the board as I shot her a look. "We were drunk, Van, you saw it yourself. It didn't mean anything."

Van snorted. "It didn't look that way from where I was standing."

Cheeks flushing, I tried to play it cool. "You were standing on the balcony claiming you could do a ninja flip in the pool at one point. I wouldn't take you as gospel."

"Hey, I totally could've landed that if Tai didn't pull me down!" she defended, making me stifle a smile as I skated circles around her. "Look, all I'm saying is Jackie has been asking about you a lot lately. No offence, but you're not that interesting."

"Gee, thanks," I said sarcastically.

"Could've meant more is all I'm saying," she finished with a shrug.

"Well, it didn't," I assured her, though a small part of me was beginning to question if it did.

No, it couldn't have. She was Jackie Taylor and I was... an absolute idiot.

And with that mentality, I wasn't really planning to bring it up to her, figuring she'd do the same. The following Monday at school, we didn't really have much crossover as Chemistry wasn't on the schedule. There were times when my eyes would cross hers in the hallway, but I couldn't read her expression. The memory of her lips on mine would come to mind and I'd be forced to look away, still wondering if it had been real.

That afternoon after school was when our paths really crossed, as we had our weekly volunteering hours at the community garden. When I arrived, everybody was gathered in front of the manager outside and I hurried to join them, noticing I was a little late. Jackie was stood a few people down from me in the row, and when I glanced at her, she made no effort to look my way.

After being given our tasks for the next few hours, we all got straight into it. Unlike every other time we were here, she wanted nothing to do with me, no inclination to work together. In fact, it was as if she was avoiding me completely, frustrated by my presence, and I wasn't sure why because I was under the impression it was a mutual understanding we wouldn't talk about the kiss.

After an half an hour of planting some seeds, I decided to just ask her, finding her in the corner by the water fountain as she (surprisingly) scrubbed it clean.

"Er, hey," I spoke, the first time since we'd made out in Lottie's gaming room.

At my voice, she glanced up at me with narrowed eyes before scoffing quietly and looking back to the fountain. I felt something cold patter on my skin and looked up to see it was beginning to drizzle, but only slightly. Ignoring that, I focused my attention on Jackie.

"Are you mad at me about something?" I asked.

She paused to look at me with an incredulous stare. "Seriously?"

I pursed my lips awkwardly. "Yeah."

Clenching her jaw and simultaneously squeezing the sponge in her hand, she lowered her voice and fixed me with a glare. "Weren't you going to say anything?!"

"What?"

"Do I have to freakin' spell it out for you?"

"The kiss," I acknowledged, fearing saying it aloud, because it only made it more real.

She exhaled sharply, hazel eyes looking green with fury.

"You... you meant that?" I asked dumbly.

At this, her expression loosened and she looked away with pink-tinged cheeks. "Forget it."

Taken aback, I stepped forward, forcing myself in front of her. "No, wait, Jackie–"

"You don't care," she said in a surprisingly sad voice, eyes flickering to mine. "No matter what I do."

I swallowed hard, my heart squeezing in my chest at the way she looked at me. Her words from the party, before the kiss, came to mind. I've been trying to get your attention for months, you idiot. All this time, all this attention... she meant it?

"I thought you were playing a game," I admitted, feeling stupid even as I said it.

Slowly, her face scrunched up with hurt. "Well, I wasn't."

She began to scrub the tiles of the fountain rapidly and I realised how blind I'd been. But as I opened my mouth to apologise, a fellow student called for my help and I had no choice but to leave.

The drizzle worsened over the next hour, as did Jackie's avoidance of me. I was still reeling over her admission, truly believing she'd have regretted kissing some loser Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle on Halloween when she could've had anyone. I knew I needed to make things right because making her this upset was never my intention.

We ended up finishing earlier than usual because the forecasted drizzle quickly turned into a cool shower, making it impossible to work in the garden. As everybody rushed to leave, I tried to find Jackie, spotting her walking out the garden and down the road. Hand clutching my hood on my raincoat, I followed after her, noticing the only thing she had for protection was her denim jacket. Typical Jackie, not dressing for the season.

"Hey," I called to her, eventually falling into step. "Have you got a ride home?"

She didn't bother to look at me. "None of your damn business."

I struggled to keep up with her pace as I squinted my eyes through the rain. "Jackie, please. I can give you a–"

She stopped abruptly to scowl at me. "Leave me alone!"

I frowned guiltily. "At least take my jacket."

"Fuck off," she hissed, before storming off.

I sighed at her stubbornness, running the other way to get to my car. It took me barely two minutes to drive down the road and catch up to her. She was still storming down the street, soaked to the bone and very much irritated.

"Jackie," I called out through my rolled down window, driving slowly next to her. "Just get in the car! Please!"

She ignored me, managing to flip me off without sparing a glance in my direction.

"You don't have to talk to me, just please let me take you home!" I offered, guilt pressing on my chest.

Nothing.

I groaned and parked a little ahead of her before jumping out the car and trying again, unable to leave her when she was so upset. And the reason she was so upset was because I was a coward when it came to my emotions. Well, no more.

Running to catch up to her, I skidded to a stop before her. "Wait."

She tried to shove past me, but I grabbed her by the shoulders and kept her fixed in place, speaking before she could berate me further.

"The reason I'm not swayed by you like everyone else is because I never had a chance," I rushed out, competing with the pitter-patter of the rain.

She paused, studying my expression curiously as I continued.

"I wasn't going to drool over you like everyone else because it only reminded me that it was a delusion," I said weakly, letting go of her shoulders. "It's embarrassing, Jackie. It's not that your charms weren't working, it was me."

She opened her mouth slightly, eyebrows lifted with surprise.

"I'm sorry," I said sincerely, squinting through the rain. "I don't want you to be upset at me. It's just– well– like I said, it's embarrassing."

Her eyes flickered between mine, before her expression hardened. "Shut up."

I sighed, expecting her annoyance. "Jackie–"

"No, shut up," she interrupted, and then her hand lifted to my cheek and she was pulling me in for a kiss. 

The breath was quite literally knocked from my body as her lips found mine, intermingled with water droplets and her lipgloss. It lasted only a few seconds, not even enough for me to acknowledge, before she pulled apart and frowned at me.

"You have a fucking chance," she said sternly, contrasting her warm gaze that was making my heart race. "You always did."

Her breath tickled my lips as she held me close, sending shivers down my spine.

"You're so stupid," she muttered.

I sighed, licking my lips. "I know." And as the rain seemed to pick up, I became aware of the two of us stood out here, soaked to the bone, and gave her a knowing look. "Not stupider than you though, marching off into a thunderstorm because you're stubborn."

She scoffed, hand resting on my chest as she shoved me slightly. "I would've gotten the bus."

I couldn't help but smile, which soon turned into a laugh. "Please, get in the car. I'll drop you off."

Her expression softened as she looked to me, nodding, and I quickly opened the door for her, helping her in. We both sat there for a moment, warm air blasting to fight off the cold damp that had settled through our clothes, and my mind was still racing.

"I notice you," I admitted to her, earning her attention. "Everything you do. Everything about you. I'm as hooked on you as everyone else. That was the problem."

Feeling her eyes on me, I glanced at her, unable to read her mind.

"Is it still?" she asked softly.

All I could do was shake my head, eyes taking in the sight of her smudged makeup and wet hair, pressed to her forehead. She had a hold on me like nobody else did, but I wasn't so scared of it anymore.

Her hand found mine, squeezing it gently, reassuringly, and I encased hers between mine.

"Time to go home," I said, and she smiled gently.

"Please."

I returned her smile before finally setting off, driving her home in a comfortable silence. She didn't live far and I reached the Taylor residence in ten minutes, pulling up outside.

As she reached to open the door, I quickly said, "Wait," and jumped out the car, taking off my jacket.

I raised it above my head to use as a cover against the rain, then opened the passenger door for her. She smiled gratefully, accepting my outstretched hand, and I held my jacket above us as we rushed to the front door, hoping to make it out the rain.

"Thanks," she said when we stopped on her porch, giving me chance to lower my jacket momentarily.

I smiled then hesitated, eyes flickering over her face, nerves creeping in the longer I stared.

"Do you, maybe, wanna go out with me on a date?" I asked quickly, before I could overthink it any longer. "Maybe we could get lunch? I'm not sure when you're free, but–"

"Yes," she answered just as quickly. "Tomorrow?"

Both relieved and excited, I nodded. "Yeah. That sounds good. I can pick you up for one?"

Her lips pressed together in a warm smile. "Yeah."

I nodded, unable to stop smiling. "Cool."

She laughed and then kissed my cheek, making my whole body grow alight at her touch. "Drive safe, Y/N."

I swallowed hard, nodding instantly, unable to find my words. Waving goodbye, I began to walk down her pathway and back to my car, glad she couldn't see my face because my grin was permanent. I was taking Jackie freakin' Taylor out on a date!

—

Dating Jackie was still difficult to believe, especially when it was just the two of us who knew, so it felt as unreal as it did wonderful.

Our first date went as smoothly as it could've been, and I was surprised when Jackie asked me out on a second one before it even ended. It was easy to fall into her, everything she did igniting every part of me like fire to a match, and though she was still her usual self-obsessed and cocky self, I suddenly found those traits endearing, only because they were hers.

It hadn't been discussed, but neither of us told anyone about our relationship, not even a month into it. Neither Van or Shauna, the people who knew us the best, knew about us. It wasn't because we didn't trust them, but it was easier to live in our bubble for a little longer before we shared it with the others.

Of course, with friends like them, secrets didn't stay secrets for long.

I was grabbing some books from my locker with Van, who wouldn't stop chatting my ear off about one of her classes. A little tired, definitely not a morning person, I was only half listening to what she was saying.

"...by the way, can I borrow your headphones today? I left mine at home and I've got a free period," she said between her rambling.

"Yeah, they're in my bag," I told her, passing her my backpack before resuming my search in my locker for my textbooks.

She accepted it and began rooting through it whilst continuing to talk, and then she suddenly fell quiet, pulling something out of my bag with a questioning look.

"Whose is this?" she asked with confusion.

I glanced at her, almost doing a double take when I recognised the lipgloss in her hand as Jackie's. She must have dropped it in there by accident when we were last hanging out. But I couldn't say that to Van, not without her asking why we'd been hanging out in the first place, so I tried to play it cool.

"Huh, I'm not sure," I said with a shrug, neck growing warm. "Must've fallen in there from class or something."

Thankfully, Van thought nothing of it, shrugging. "Huh."

I assumed she'd drop it back in my bag, but she wordlessly tossed it in the bin next to us, making my eyes widen slightly. Well, now I owed Jackie a new lipgloss.

It wasn't until later that day in History class when Van and I were taking our seats behind Shauna and Jackie, as usual, that Van began piecing everything together. Students were still filing into the classroom, Jackie being one of them, but she seemed distracted.

"You find it yet?" Shauna asked with amusement once she spotted the blonde approaching her desk.

Jackie pouted. "No." Then her eyes fell to Van and I hopefully, asking, "Have either of you seen my lipgloss? It's like this big–" She gestured with her fingers as she continued, "–pink, sparkly, literally the only one I wear? I've lost it."

The earth could have swallowed me up there and then and it would've been less painful than enduring the confused glance from Van.

"God, you guys are no help," Jackie grumbled when neither of us replied, myself avoiding Van's questioning gaze as she tried to work it out.

As Jackie returned to her seat, Van kicked my leg beside me, making me groan.

"Why did you have Jackie's lipgloss?" she asked quietly, and I glanced at her quickly before shrugging.

"You don't know it was hers."

Van narrowed her eyes. "It very much is." Then, she added, "You're being weird..."

I scoffed. "You're being weird."

Thankfully, the bell rang again, signalling the start of class, and I was able to avoid any further questions from Van. She wasn't stupid though, and it wouldn't be long before she figured it out.

That same afternoon, I had Science class with Jackie as my partner, so that was when I decided to update her about her precious lip gloss. She was already sat down, scribbling in her notebook, when I pulled out the stool beside her.

"Hey," she greeted with a warm smile, eyes softening in a way that was only reserved for me and still made my heart race a little.

"Hello," I said with a slight smile, sitting beside her. "I come bearing news. The good news is, I know where your lipgloss is. The bad news is, Van threw it out."

She lost her smile, expression contorting into one of confusion. "What?"

So, I briefly explained about the whole lipgloss situation this morning, including Van suspecting something or the other, and finishing with an, "I'm sorry, I'll buy you a new one."

She sighed, disappointed by her trashed lipgloss. "It's okay," she said, before adding, "Y'know, maybe it's time to tell everyone? Then Van wouldn't have to suspect anything."

I was surprised at how certain she sounded, though nodded. "I– yeah. If you want."

She began to smile, honey-coloured eyes meeting mine with a hint of amusement. "If you want."

I mirrored her smile, a mixture of adoration and excitement running through me at the possibility of sharing our relationship.

As much as I could have sat there staring at Jackie all afternoon, we were suddenly interrupted by Van who thought it would be funny to slam her hand on the desk between us, startling us.

"Hey, nerds," she said with a grin, making me roll my eyes as Jackie cracked a smile. "Anyone got some spare goggles?"

I breathed out petulantly as Jackie handed her the goggles, purposely avoiding Van's suspicious eyeballing of us.

Something told me she might know something already.

—

Now that Jackie and I had mentioned telling our friends, we were yet to find the right time. Only days after that, we hadn't had the chance to properly discuss it, but with the way things turned out, we didn't need to.

Van was at soccer practice after school, so I was staying back to study so I could be her ride home. By the time they'd finished, I went out to the field to go get her, seeing her drinking some water with the other girls by the benches.

Naturally, the first girl I noticed was Jackie – she was chatting to Shauna and their teammate, Nat – and she looked adorable in her gym clothes, slightly sweaty and red in the face from practice. Her eyes found mine like a magnet and I couldn't help but smile in her direction, heart fluttering like it always did. She returned my smile before tuning back into her conversation with the others.

"Hey," I greeted Van, elbow bumping hers. "How was practice?"

"Pretty good," she answered, capping her water. "I was amazing as always."

"You wish," Taissa said before I could, walking past with her gym bag but smiling at Van with amusement.

"You're just jealous," Van said knowingly, making Taissa roll her eyes before walking away.

I chuckled and gave Van a disapproving look. "I thought we were making friends at soccer practice, kid?"

"Shut up," Van huffed with a ghost of a smile, shoving me slightly.

I laughed. "Well, I'm ready when you are. You can shower first or–"

"Hey, ladies," Nat suddenly interrupted, approaching us with a mischievous smile, before her eyes settled on me. "Y/L/N. Good to see you."

"Nat," I acknowledge with a smile. "You good?"

"Hell yeah," she said confidently, and Shauna and Jackie approached us as she continued, "How about you? Still breaking noses?"

My cheeks grew warm uncontrollably, the memory of punching Leroy still a little embarrassing when it was brought up. "It was once. Nose, singular. And it was for a valid reason. I don't just start fights for the fun of it."

Van snorted and I shoved her once more, continuing to look at Nat.

"Gotcha," she said with a slow nod. "Hey, I have to ask... you're single, right?"

I almost choked on my spit when she said that, eyes darting between Van, Nat and the tense expression of my girlfriend.

"I– er–" I wasn't sure what to say, since technically nobody knew about Jackie and I yet, but I didn't know if I could share it right now.

"'Course she is," Van answered for me. "Why? You got the hots for my best friend?"

Nat smirked. "Maybe I do."

I was taken aback, since Nat and I had never really talked much before, so where was this coming from?

Jackie, on the other hand, was silently fuming beside Shauna as she glared daggers into the blonde's head.

"I– I'm flattered," I said awkwardly, attempting to fix everything, "but I'm not interested, Nat." There was an uncomfortable pause, which I felt the need to fill, "Not that you're not pretty or anything–"

Jackie's glare was then directed at me and I knew I'd said the wrong thing.

Clearing my throat, I continued, "What I'm trying to say is–"

"Oh, c'mon, it could be fun!" Nat encouraged. "You, me, the skate park you go to that I definitely don't get high in."

Van shrugged, glancing at me. "Could be fun, Y/N."

I furrowed my brows, wondering why she was so on board with the idea of Nat and I going out.

"She doesn't wanna go, so maybe let's just drop it," Jackie suddenly interjected.

"Van's right, Jackie, it could be fun," Shauna said, before nodding at me encouragingly, and now I was outright baffled.

"Yeah, it's not like you're seeing anyone," Van added, looking to me.

Before I could speak, Jackie blurted out, "She is!"

I pursed my lips as I glanced at Jackie's reddening face, both from soccer and her frustration.

Van chuckled. "I think I'd know if my best friend was–"

"She's dating me," Jackie cut her off bluntly. "Y/N is my girlfriend. Okay?!"

I swallowed hard. "That's one way to share it..."

Jackie narrowed her eyes at me, unimpressed, as Van suddenly jumped up with satisfaction.

"I knew it!" she exclaimed, further existing to confuse me. "I knew you guys were dating!"

"You what?" I asked her with raised brows.

"Twenty bucks, please," Nat said with a hand out to Van.

Van sighed and placed a ten dollar bill in Nat's hand, as Shauna did the same. Jackie and I's jaws dropped as we watched the exchange. This was planned?!

"See you around," Nat said with a wink, before leaving the four of us alone.

"You were playing us?!" Jackie asked Shauna with disbelief.

"Van and I had our suspicions, okay?" Shauna admitted. "You two were being super fishy and we waited for you to tell us, but you didn't!"

"Wow," I said with surprise. "How–"

"Manipulative," Jackie finished for me.

"I was gonna say funny," I added, making her stare at me with disapproval.

"You made it so obvious with the lip gloss, y'know," Van pointed out. "And the giggling together in labs? What – did you think we're all blind?"

My cheeks grew warm yet again and I avoided Van's teasing gaze.

"We were actually planning to tell you at some point," Jackie admitted.

"Bit too late," Shauna said playfully. "But look, we're happy for you!"

"Yeah, you guys are cute," Van said with a smile. "How long?"

"Just over a month," I revealed.

Van sighed. "God, you kept me in the dark for that long? Terrible friend."

"Van!"

"I'm kidding," she said with a laugh, before pulling me in for a side hug, to which I shoved her off because she was sweaty. "I'm happy for you, kiddo."

"Shut up," I whined.

"I can't believe you let Nat hit on her when I was stood right here," Jackie complained.

"Hey, it worked, didn't it?" Shauna said with a shrug.

Jackie rolled her eyes. "Barely."

Glad they at least knew, I sighed. "Okay, well since that's been cleared up, Van, are you ready to go?"

"Yeah, one sec," she said before going to grab her bag.

"I'll get our stuff," Shauna said to Jackie, before following after Van to grab their bags.

Once Jackie and I were left alone, I stepped forward and took her hands. "Guess that's that."

She sighed. "They're assholes."

I chuckled. "They are. Funny, though."

She scoffed. "Stupid more like." She glanced at me curiously. "You really think Nat is pretty?"

I groaned. "C'mon, Jackie, I was put on the spot! Believe it or not, I've never had to let someone down before. It's not easy."

She narrowed her eyes suspiciously before leaning in close.  "You're lucky you're cute."

"Gee, thanks."

A small smile played on her lips before she leaned in, kissing me briefly. Barely a second passed before Van and Shauna felt the need to make vomiting sounds from behind us, making us pull apart.

"Get a room!" Van shouted as Shauna laughed.

"I regret them knowing," I said instantly.

"Same," Jackie laughed.

[avaritia-apotheosis]

5 Universes Parallel and 7 Perpendicular

Trouble often found Constantine like maggots to a corpse

A DPxDC Crossover // Read on [AO3] [FF.net] // Fic Masterlist

Trouble often found Constantine like maggots to a corpse. 

This time, Trouble’s name went by Danny Fenton. Some random kid— “hey I’m fourteen!” — with an impossible physiology and a soul that not even the most desperate demon or benevolent angel would take. Not because Danny is in any way particularly good or evil, but because Constantine is 99.998% sure the Lords of Hell and the Heavenly Hosts even knew what Danny’s soul even was in the first place. 

(If you could even…call it a soul, anyway. He isn’t sure how he can explain it, and Danny has zero clue at what Constantine’s asking for anyway. “It’s science,” Danny would say with a shrug. “Weird science, anyway. Something about ectoplasm and imprinted consciences and mutations in the DNA. I’m not sure on the specifics, but my parents can tell you.”)

Of course, being lost in another fucking universe probably didn’t help.

He clips another cigar and lights it. Cuban, full-bodied, good blend; he got it as a bonus from some clients a few weeks back and he’d been slowly making his way through the pack. He lets the smoke settle on his tongue before he puffs it out, slinging his legs up to rest on top of the coffee table with a groan. 

Danny scrunched his nose at him, uncrossing his arms to go over and open a window. 

“What?” Constantine rolled his eyes, gesturing to the boy with a cigar. “You don’t get to complain. You don’t even need to breathe.”

“Yeah and smoking still makes everything smell like crap. It’s a terrible habit, y’know.”

He huffs, smoke billowing out, and makes a note to himself to smoke like he’s a goddamn dragon just to annoy the kid. “Hey, I think putting up with a bit of my bad habit is enough compensation for having to help your penniless ass, brat.”

Danny scoffed. “It’s not like I had any choice in that.”

Which was the crux of the matter, of course. See, Constantine has had his fair share of inter-dimensional or inter-planar travel. But shit like parallel universes …well, that was more the Justice League’s purview anyway. All those alternate universes where everything is a distorted mirror of their own reality—and apparently home to way too many evil Supermen to be comfortable with— not exactly Constantine’s cup of tea. He’s had his fair share of experiences with them, but definitely not enough to actually help someone whose universe is nowhere even remotely similar to his own.

Oh, according to Danny his Earth did have a London and an America and a Korea, etc. The majority of their countries were the same, give or take a few that only seemed to exist in Constantine’s universe. But it was the people where they differed.  Remarkably, there was no Justice League in Danny’s world. Or any kind of superheroes at all. ( Like in comic books? Danny had said when Constantine asked.)

As far as Danny knew, he was the closest thing that came to a superhero in his world and half of the time people just consider him a menace.  Even big shot ‘civilians’ like Bruce Wayne, Lex Luthor, or Oliver Queen were non-entities in that parallel world. Instead they got some creepy asshole called Vlad Masters who should probably get another hobby that isn’t ‘terrorizing a fourteen-year-old.’

But where this strange alternate world lacked in martians and cosmic world-ending threats, they made up for with a shit ton of ghosts. Which brought them to their current predicament: through a ridiculous set of circumstances that Danny really didn’t want to explain, the kid managed to tumble through a rift in the Infinite Realms (something that Constantine hasn’t heard of but you’ll be damn sure he’s gonna make it his business to know) and landed probably five parallel universes and seven perpendicular universes away from  his own earth and right in front of Constantine’s doorstep. (No, those were probably not the correct scientific terms but Constantine was a fucking occultist not a physicist so sue him.)

(Actually, don’t. He’d rather not deal with it.)

Constantine did try his best to do right by the kid. He’d taken Danny’s case up to the Justice League to see if they had the tech that could send the kid home. No such luck at the moment. And even if they did, they weren’t sure if they had the capabilities to connect to not only Danny’s specific branch in whatever cosmic tree was keeping everything afloat, but the correct version of Danny’s universe as well. Constantine’s other contacts said much the same thing.

And since Danny Fenton didn’t exist in this universe, he felt bad leaving the kid alone, so he offered him room and board at his place until they could find a way to get Danny home. (Or until the kid got sick and tired of Constantine’s antics and just moved out.)

(Or until Danny died. Constantine had a pretty bad track record of getting his friends killed by association, y’know. Though considering Danny’s half-ghost… could he even die again?)

(Better not push his luck.)

Constantine set his cigar aside. Danny’s still by the window, elbows propped up on the sill, eyes trained a thousand miles away. No— ‘light-years’ is probably the correct measurement here. 

Constantine rests his chin against his knuckles. “Penny for your thoughts?”

Danny shrugged, chin nestled against his open palm, fingers curled near the seam of his mouth. Nervous nail-biter, maybe? “Just…worried.” His voice is level, but you could feel the anxiety nestled deep within from the sharp staccato of his fingers against the windowsill. Tap-tap-tap-tap-tap. “I’ve never been gone this long from Amity Park before. It tends to…attract a lot of annoying ghosts, and it’s up to me to make sure their trouble doesn’t get too out of hand.”

“Ah. Define trouble.”

Danny laughs. “It depends on which ghost it is, I guess. Some of the regulars honestly just want to annoy me. There’s the Box Ghost—yeah that’s literally what he calls himself, he controls boxes, no I am not making this up—who should really learn to just stay in the Zone already. I think my record for beating him is like 15 minutes, and 10 of those minutes was just trying to find him. Skulker’s a bounty hunter that’s just dead set—pun intended—on skinning me for my pelt. I don’t know what he’s gonna do with that pelt, and at the rate things are going I don’t think I’ll ever find out. I’ve probably destroyed more of his robot suits than anyone else.”

Some of his rogues want to skin him? Huh. Maybe Constantine should be more concerned about how nonchalant Danny is when describing all of this. “If you got regulars, then that means you also got ghosts that only come in sometimes, right?”

“Yeah…” Danny raked a hand through his hair. “It’s part of the reason why I’m so worried. Those kinds of ghosts have been coming up at an alarming rate recently. Like, the last ghost I dealt with was this guy named Undergrowth. He’s big, green, looks like a giant weed, and is pretty much able to control all plant life. He took control of the entire town and essentially enslaved everyone using mind vines. I literally had to develop a new powerset just to fight him.”

“Huh. Must be tough, having to fight all this on your own.” 

“It is, yeah…but I’m not alone. My friends help me.”

Constantine lowers his feet to the floor. He scoots up to the edge of his ratty old sofa and pats down the spot next to him. “Friends? That’s good, at least. Tell me about them.”

“Well…” Danny let out a sharp exhale, eyes wavering between the window and the empty spot on the couch as if deciding where he’d be more comfortable being at. Eventually, he pushes himself away from the window and tentatively sits down on the couch, fingers drumming against the burgundy cushions. “There’s Sam and Tucker. I’ve known Tucker since forever ago, but the two of us became friends with Sam back in middle school. They were there with me when I, well, became this. And ever since then, they’ve been helping me fight all the ghosts that’ve been coming through the portal.”

There’s a smile on Danny’s lips as he talks about them. Soft but bright. A flash of teeth every time he has to hold back a laugh whenever he suddenly remembers a funny story. He talks about Tucker’s genius with technology, Sam’s interest in the occult,  and how the two of them have a running argument regarding their food preferences. He goes into anecdotes about their adventures, and how so many of Danny’s own victories couldn’t have been done without their help.

“Sounds like you trust them,” Constantine said.

“With my life.” There’s an air of gravity in the way Danny said those words. As if they were an unwavering truth of the universe.

He placed a comforting hand on Danny’s shoulder. “Then trust that they’ll be able to hold down the fort until you get back.”

Danny’s eyes widened a fraction, before he hung his head low, smiling sheepishly. “Yeah, yeah, I guess you’re right.”

Suddenly finding himself feeling very awkward at this almost-tender moment, Constantine slapped his knees once and pushed himself off the couch. “Well, best stop your worrying for now, kid. Come on, grab your jacket. Let's go get some Nando’s.”

Danny’s brows scrunched up in confusion. “The heck is Nando’s?”

“Oh you poor, poor, American. Come on, let me introduce you to the wonders that is peri peri chicken.”

Trouble often found Constantine like maggots to a corpse. But maybe this time, he didn’t mind Trouble so much. 

[knivestothroats]

In The Woods Somewhere + Professional//Victim Crossover AU

@victimeyez and I like to play with our OCs together like dolls. We came up with a number of ways Tommy ends up with Fletcher but this is a "my mom sold me to one direction" type AU where Fletcher buys Tommy to basically replace Buck.

CW: long term captivity/human trafficking, withholding food (in past), physical violence, burning, dubious consent sort of, guns in places they shouldn't be

read In The Woods Somewhere here || read Professional//Victim here

Scene 1

Tommy hadn’t experienced a thunderstorm in years.

It rained sometimes when he was on his way to a client, but having lived in a basement for the last five years, he had forgotten their intensity. How loud the incessant, arrhythmic rainfall echoed down from the roof. How lightning could suddenly illuminate the whole room in a flash. How he could feel the house shake with the roar of thunder. Or maybe it was just him shaking. He felt like a dog on the fourth of July. 

It was stupid, after everything he’d been through, to be afraid of the weather.

A bright flash through the window again, followed shortly by a crack of thunder that he could feel in his chest. They were getting closer together. 

There’s no way Tommy could sleep. He was sitting up in his bed in his new home, knees to his chest with his arms wrapped around. 

As much as he loathed Caius, he did provide comfort at times. It was twisted, but it was something. Fletcher… he wasn’t sure about. They had been more reserved so far, treating him with a sort of casual amiability. But Tommy was well aware how Fletcher reveled in inflicting pain. He just hadn’t figured out yet when and why they shed the wool to become the wolf.

Another flash. Tommy tried to brace himself, but he still jumped at the thunder.

Tommy swung his legs off the bed. He stared at the door for a second before going through into the hallway. It was still strange to not be locked in.

He walked gently down the dark hallway. He knew where Fletcher’s room was - they had pointed it out on his first day with a strict do not enter.

Tommy stood outside Fletcher’s bedroom door. He rubbed his hands over his arms. 

This was ridiculous. Going to Fletcher for comfort? Like a child waking up their parents after having a bad dream? During a thunderstorm of all things. He should just go back to - 

Flash. Crack.

Tommy knocked on Fletcher’s door. He tried to listen for movement over the sound of the rain. They probably hadn’t even heard him over the din. Maybe he should knock again, or maybe he should go back - 

Fletcher opened the door, wearing just a t-shirt, gym shorts, and bed head. They squinted at him in the dark.

“What?”

“I’m sorry,” was the first thing out of Tommy’s mouth. “I, um. I can’t sleep and, um…”

Fletcher was silhouetted as their room lit up. The thunder followed so quickly behind, rumbling through the house, that Tommy didn’t have time to count. 

Fletcher saw Tommy flinch hard, drawing his shoulders up by his ears.

“You’re scared of thunder?”

Tommy felt his face redden, in spite of himself. He should be incapable of embarrassment at this point, after all the humiliation he was put through, but he just felt childish.

“Alright, come in,” Fletcher said with a yawn, moving aside to make way. “Don’t try to kill me in my sleep.”

“Really?” Tommy asked, perking up. He took a hesitant step into the room. “Can I, um, do you mind if I share the bed?”

“Yeah I assumed that was what you were asking,” Fletcher grumbled, shutting the door behind him.

Fletcher took their side first, and Tommy took the other. He laid stiff in the bed, making sure they had a gap between them. Tommy had wondered if sharing the bed would come with a cost, putting himself in a vulnerable position within Fletcher’s grasp. But Fletcher had turned their back to him, sleeping on their side.

He was still on edge. Was sleeping beside Fletcher really better than being alone?

There was a flicker of lightning, followed by a grumble of thunder. Not as loud this time, but enough to make Tommy nervous. 

Tommy turned on his side as well and carefully scooted over until his back was brushing against Fletcher’s. He held his breath, but they didn’t react. 

Tommy could feel their warmth seep into him. He let out a slow breath. It was definitely better than being alone.

~

Fletcher had managed to tune out the storm into white noise, but they were a light sleeper, forever on edge. They opened their eyes in the darkness, listening to Tommy murmur and shift in his sleep.

Fletcher rolled over and draped their arm over Tommy’s middle.

“Shhh,” they hushed gently.

Tommy’s shirt had ridden up, and he whimpered when Fletcher made contact with his skin.

Fletcher tensed up at the noise. Tommy was definitely asleep, but that whimper was perfect. They wondered if he practiced it for his clients. It was difficult to resist the urge to wrap their arm tight around him and squeeze, trying to elicit the sound again. 

Fletcher moved their hand over Tommy’s bare torso. They could feel his ribs too distinctly beneath his skin. Caius and the others probably had him skipping meals. Whether to keep up his waifish victim aesthetic, to keep him weak, to punish him, or just from neglect.  Fletcher figured he would put on weight quickly here. He was going to need to, if he was going to keep up with the work Fletcher had for him to do around the lodge. 

~

“Get up.”

Tommy gasped awake as a hand jostled him from his sleep. He looked around quickly, getting his bearings, and saw Fletcher leaning over him.

“I’m getting up, you can’t stay in my room alone,” Fletcher said.

“Oh,” Tommy rubbed his eyes. “Right. Okay. Thank you… for letting me sleep here.”

“Uh huh,” Fletcher said. “I’m making breakfast.”

“Do you want me to help?”

“Mm, I’ll let you know.”

“Okay… do you want me to make your bed?” Tommy offered, trying to show his gratitude.

“No,” Fletcher said flatly. They gestured to the door. 

“Right, sorry.” Tommy hurried out of the room. “Um, would it be alright if I took a shower? Or do you want me to wait?”

“All yours, bud,” Fletcher said, closing the door shut behind them. “Just don’t take too long. You want to get the breakfast while it’s hot.”

~

Tommy turned the water up as hot as he could stand. It staved off the chill that seemed to linger in the lodge. He allowed himself a few moments to just stand under the stream after he had washed, but Fletcher had told him not to take long, and he didn’t want to push it.

Tommy dried and dressed quickly, scrunching his hair with the shirt he had slept in and finger-combing it out of his face. He made his way to the kitchen, which was already calling his name with rich, savory smells.

Fletcher was standing at the stove, stirring one pan with a spatula while another sizzled away next to them. 

“What smells so good?” Tommy asked, trying to peer into the pans.

“Onions and bacon, mostly,” Fletcher said.

“Do you need any help?” Tommy offered.

There was a pop, pop as a pair of bagels sprung up from a two-sided toaster.

“Yeah, grab those bagels for me and add butter and cream cheese. There’s plates in that cabinet, silverware in that drawer.”

Tommy moved swiftly to do as he was told. 

When he had plated them, Fletcher carried over the first pan.

“Okay, get out of my way.” 

It was said lightheartedly, but Tommy still leapt back.

“Just take a seat,” Fletcher nodded to the kitchen table. “It’s ready.”

Tommy sat down and watched as Fletcher assembled the plates, but their body was blocking his view. It wasn’t until they set his breakfast down in front of him that he was able to take it in. 

Scrambled eggs with multicolor peppers, strips of bacon, a sausage, and the bagel he had prepared.

He couldn’t believe how much his mouth was watering.

“It’s veggie sausage,” Fletcher said. “I only had a couple left. Oh - you want coffee?”

Tommy looked up at them wide eyed. Fletcher had told him on the first day that he could help himself to food in the kitchen, but he had been too afraid to touch their coffee maker. Even when there was a pot already made, he had been too anxious that he wasn’t supposed to take any.

“Yes, please.”

“How do you take it?” Fletcher asked, getting a mug from the shelf. It was designed to look like a can of Campbell’s tomato soup. 

“A lot of sugar and cream,” Tommy said. “Please. If you don’t mind.”

Fletcher heaped two spoonfuls of sugar into the mug and then looked in the fridge. 

“Mm, I just have oat milk right now.”

“Okay, that’s fine, thank you,” Tommy said, even though he had never tried it before.

Fletcher splashed some into the mug before pouring the steaming coffee on top. They gave it a stir and set it down in front of Tommy.

Tommy hadn’t touched his food. He stared at the spread before him, not quite believing it was really for him.

Fletcher settled down across the table with their matching meal and began to eat.

“I don’t know where to start,” Tommy said in a small voice.

“Eggs,” Fletcher provided.

Tommy scooped up a forkful of the scrambled eggs and took his first bite. 

It wasn’t just peppers, there were onions and cheese mixed in as well. The texture was perfect - they weren't dry or runny. 

“Wow,” Tommy said. He followed it with a long sip of coffee. It wasn’t as sweetened as he would have made it for himself once upon a time, but it was hot and rich and maybe the best cup he’d ever had.

He might actually start crying. 

“The secret is cream cheese,” Fletcher said, gesturing to his eggs with their fork. “And to scramble it in the pan. How’s the coffee?”

“So good,” Tommy said. “Thank you.”

“Mhm.” Fletcher started to pile their eggs and bacon onto the bagel. “How often were you being fed before?”

“Um, twice a day, usually,” Tommy said. “Sometimes… less.”

Fletcher nodded. “Figured. You need to start increasing your caloric intake. I need you to do work around here and I don’t want you passing out after an hour in the garden.”

Tommy took a bite of the bagel. The layer of butter under the cream cheese felt so indulgent. 

“If it means I get to eat like this every day, I am more than happy to oblige,” Tommy said.

“Well, I’m not cooking every meal for you,” Fletcher said. “But I want you to eat.”

I want you to eat.

Even if it was to work him like a dog, it was so much better than being worked like a dog on an empty stomach. Despite Fletcher’s generally cold aloofness and passing threats, despite having been the victim of their bloodlust in the past, Tommy felt oddly cared for.

He took another bite of the eggs and hoped he could get Fletcher to teach him how to cook like this.

Scene 2

Fletcher had their sleeves rolled tightly up above their elbows. On their hands they wore black disposable gloves. Tommy watched as those hands deftly sectioned the chickens into pieces, their well-sharpened knife effortlessly cutting through the flesh. 

Tommy had to let his eyes drift away. He watched Fletcher’s arms instead. They tended to hide their form under layers, but every time they rolled up their sleeves, it revealed their muscle tone. Tommy wondered why they didn’t show it off - most people would. He noticed as well, as he watched, that Fletcher had some lighter lines on their skin - old scars haphazardly slashed into their arms. He imagined them getting into knife fights. He imagined them holding someone down by the throat with both hands, arms tensed, as their victim clawed at their skin to no avail.

Fletcher moved the chicken pieces into a bowl of marinade. Spice bottles were cluttering the counter around it. 

Fletcher covered the bowl and set it aside. They cleaned up, discarding their gloves and disinfecting their work space. 

Tommy had been tasked with washing the potatoes he and Fletcher had harvested from the garden. Fletcher had asked him to take his time, making sure each one was free of dirt in the divots, as they wouldn’t be peeling them. He was worried, when Fletcher turned to him, that they would be angry he hadn’t gotten through the whole crop, but they merely began to take from the clean pile and start cutting them into chunks. 

“When you’re done with that can you go through the green beans and just make sure to snap all the stems off?” Fletcher asked.

Tommy nodded. “Sure.”

They had picked the beans together as well. It felt nice to be doing something actually productive for a change. 

When they were done, Fletcher dumped the potatoes into a big pot of water but didn’t light the stove. They sighed, looking at the clock and chewed their lip a moment.

“I should’ve started this earlier. I’m already starting to get hungry,” Fletcher said. “I just want everything to be done at the same time.”

Fletcher shook their head like they were hoping the thoughts would fall into place. They took a baking sheet and returned to the chicken, laying the pieces out.

“I’m done,” Tommy said from his spot at the table with his bowl of beans. He swept the stem pieces into his hand and got up to dump them in the trash.

“Ah-ah!” Fletcher waved their hand at him, causing Tommy to stop abruptly. “Compost.”

“Right, sorry.” Tommy ducked his head.

“Just give the beans a rinse and then you’re done for now,” Fletcher said. “I’ll call you back when it’s ready.”

It was a while later when Fletcher called Tommy back into the kitchen. He was sitting out on the back deck, just feeling the sun on his skin and listening to the birds, when Fletcher opened the door and leaned out.

“I need your help,” they said.

Tommy jumped up and followed them in.

“I forgot to make fucking gravy,” Fletcher growled. “I just need you to mash the potatoes for me while I whip this up. And just shake the pan with the green beans occasionally to move them around.”

The kitchen was hot now, and Tommy quickly shrugged off his sweatshirt before taking over the potatoes. Fletcher was mixing ingredients when there was a thud above them, followed by an indiscernible shout, followed by, “Fletcherrrrr!”

“Jesus Christ,” Fletcher rolled their eyes. “Okay in like two minutes you need to take the chicken out of the oven and check it. 165. Don’t forget to shake the pan.” They rattled off instructions as they marched out of the kitchen. 

Tommy kept an eye on the clock, rolling the beans in their saute oil. They looked kind of brown? He looked closer, not wanting Fletcher to come back and find them burned. Hm, no, he was pretty sure it was whatever they were being cooked in. Balsamic maybe? There were chopped onions in with it as well, and those similarly looked a little brown but not burnt. 

He checked the clock again. Okay, two minutes. Tommy looked around the counter, seeing the thermometer but no oven mitts. There was one pot holder laying out, and he folded the towel hanging off the oven door to go with it.

The tray was heavily laden with the chicken, heavier than Tommy expected it to be. He tried to adjust his grip so it didn’t tip backwards, but his adjustments shifted his fingertips off the towel. 

Tommy quickly pulled his hand away from the heat. Now holding the tray with one hand, it began to go sideways. Instinctively he tried to catch it, only serving to touch the hot metal again. This time, his brain - desperate to keep him from making the same mistake a third time - drew back his hands completely and the tray clattered to the floor, scattering the chicken. 

Tommy’s heart leapt to his throat. He dropped to his hands and knees and picked up a piece of chicken, dropping it immediately.

It’s hot, it’s all fucking hot, he berated himself. He started using the towel to scoop up the chicken. He didn’t know what to do with it, so he piled it back onto the tray. His heart was beating so loudly in his ears he didn’t hear Fletcher’s footsteps. It wasn’t until he saw their boots that he looked up.

As if they had materialized before him, summoned by his fuck up, Fletcher stood glowering down at him. They held a bloody rag in their hand from whatever they had been dealing with upstairs.

“I’m sorry,” Tommy said. “I’ll… I’ll…” Fix it? How was he going to fix it?

Fletcher closed their eyes and dug the heel of their palm into their temple. 

“Do you have any idea the amount of effort that went into this dinner?”

“I know, I’m sorry-” Tommy started again.

Fletcher cut him off. “You don’t know. I had to drive an hour and a half just to get these chickens. Every time I have to leave the lodge it’s a fucking ordeal. I don’t know if you’ve noticed this, but there’s not much around here. I can’t run to the grocery store without making a day of it. I can’t order fucking take out to fix this. You do know how long this took me today to put together.”

“I do, I know, I’m sorry, I’m sorry-”

Fletcher reached down and slammed Tommy’s head against the cabinets. 

“Stop fucking saying you’re sorry! I know you’re fucking sorry! What happened?”

Tommy held his head, trying to blink his vision back after it whited out.

Fletcher crouched down on their haunches and grabbed Tommy by the front of his shirt, giving him a quick shake. 

“Hey! What the fuck happened?”

“I, uh, I burned my hand…” Tommy said, keeping his eyes low. He held back another “sorry.”

“You burned your hand?” Fletcher repeated unsympathetically. “Where?”

Tommy glanced up at them and hesitantly opened up his hand to them. Fletcher grabbed his wrist with more force than necessary.

“You think this is a burn?” They snarled. “I’ll show you a fucking burn.”

Fletcher took Tommy’s hand and pressed it down against the still hot metal pan.

Tommy screamed and Fletcher allowed him to jerk his arm away. He cradled his hand to his chest, tears escaping from his eyes.

Fletcher stood again, looking down on him.

“Don’t bother getting up. You’re going to be scrubbing the floor.”

Fletcher turned around to storm off, only to see the three trainees leaning around the doorway to observe.

“The fuck are you looking at?” Fletcher snapped.

One held up their hands and made themself scarce.

“Does this mean there’s no dinner?” Another asked.

“There’s potatoes,” Fletcher grumbled. Then they suddenly turned back and dashed to the pan of green beans, taking it off the heat. They inspected the vegetables, ignoring Tommy sniffling on the ground, trying to scoop up the chicken with one hand. “Yeah, these are fine. There’s also green beans.”

Scene 3

Tommy had experienced more types of pain than he could count, but burning was usually off the table to clients. Too much deep tissue damage. It was scary to think that his hand may never be the same. And if it was to recover, it was going to do so at the slow, agonizing crawl of natural healing. 

Tommy did his best not to flinch as Fletcher applied the cream to his burns. He just had to suck air between his teeth and not complain. 

“How’s it feel?” Fletcher asked once they had finished wrapping the gauze. 

“It stings,” Tommy said pitifully. “It feels like I’m still being burned. Do you think… do you think it’s going to be okay? Eventually?”

“Well, if you want to give me the information of that doctor you used to see, I’m sure he can give you a magic healing potion or whatever the fuck. Once I decide you’ve suffered enough.”

Tommy’s stomach flopped. He would take a burn any day of the week if it meant he never had to see Sam again.

“Please don’t take me back to him,” Tommy begged softly. 

Fletcher raised an eyebrow, but said no more on the subject. They peeled off their gloves.

“Then here’s how it will go. It’ll hurt, and then it will blister, and then the blisters will pop. You have to keep it clean so it doesn’t get infected. If you find yourself unable to do simple tasks because you can’t use one of your hands, you can come find me…” Fletcher took his chin in their hand. “And beg for my help.”

~

Tommy slept with his hand cradled against his chest. There was a brief moment of peace when he awoke before he began to feel the throb of the burns. 

He kept his arm close to his torso as he walked to the kitchen, trying to think of what he could make for himself. Surely he could manage a bowl of cereal with one hand.

The box was easy enough. Tommy got the milk from the fridge. Oh yeah - oat milk. He held the container between his arm and his side, twisting the cap off with his good hand. Looked like milk.

He thought about pouring some into a glass to try, when Fletcher walked in, carrying dirty dishes to the sink.

They glanced in Tommy’s direction, then away, saying nothing. 

“I can-” it came out quiet and hoarse. Tommy cleared his throat and tried again. “I can wash those.”

“Can you?” Fletcher asked without looking back at him. 

“Um, I can, well, I can try…” Tommy offered. 

Fletcher turned to face him now, leaning back on the counter. “If you drop something, and it breaks,” they said, “I am not going to be happy.”

Tommy paled. “Is there - is there something else you would like me to do?”

“Not really,” Fletcher said. They walked out of the room. 

Tommy wasn’t sure what he was supposed to do. They hadn’t told him not to do the dishes, just not to break them. And if he misinterpreted their response as a no, and they came back to find that he hadn’t washed them, they might be angry.

His strategy for washing dishes with one hand was to lay them in the sink, scrub them there with one hand as best he could, and then move them into the stream of water.

It took longer, and was more awkward - they kept sliding around - but he was able to do it.

When Tommy found Fletcher next, they were out behind the lodge chopping wood. He watched them raise the axe over their shoulder and swing down on the log, cleaving it easily in two. 

“Do you want any help?” Tommy called out, keeping his distance.

“No,” Fletcher called back, setting up the log again.

Tommy hesitated. “Is there anything you would like me to-“

“What the fuck did I just say?”

Chop.

Tommy left them alone the rest of the day. He kept to his room, trying to give Fletcher space now that they had made it clear they didn’t want him around. For a while he tried to read, but he struggled to find a comfortable way to both hold the book and flip the pages. He ended up pacing the floor, filled with anxious nerves that urged him to do something.

He had been having such a… if not good, unquestionably better time here than he’d had with Caius and the rest. This was a bad turn. It didn’t have to be like this. He just had to make it up to Fletcher somehow; get back in their good graces

He had tried to make himself useful around the house without much success. It was true that what he could do would be limited while his hand was injured. Which meant he had to rely on other skills to make himself useful.

~

Everyone else had gone to bed. It was just Fletcher sitting on the couch, illuminated only by the fluctuating light of the TV screen. They had a beer in one hand, resting on the arm of the couch.

Tommy approached slowly, tugging on the hem of his shirt with anxiousness. Fletcher didn’t acknowledge him, even when he was standing in front of the couch. He kept to the side enough not to block their view.

It was only when Tommy lowered himself to his knees that Fletcher said, “What?” without taking their eyes off the screen.

“I’m really sorry about the dinner,” Tommy said. His stomach rippled with anxiety.

“I know,” Fletcher said flatly. “You’ve said.”

Tommy swallowed. He hesitantly leaned in and nuzzled his cheek against Fletcher’s leg.

Fletcher finally looked down at him.

“I would like to make it up to you.”

“How’s that?”

Fletcher said it flatly. Disinterested, still annoyed. There was no flirtation nor cruel amusement in their voice. 

Tommy swallowed. Was this a bad idea? Or was he not making it obvious enough? Most people would jump on him at the mere suggestion. 

Tommy put a hand on Fletcher’s knee and ran in gently up their thigh. Not far, not overstepping. Just trying to give them the right idea. He looked up at them with his best wet dog expression.

“Okay,” Fletcher said. 

They set their beer down on the end table and shifted their pose, spreading their legs a little more. Tommy dutifully shuffled in between.

Nothing you haven’t done before, he told himself. It’ll be better afterwards. 

“Close your eyes.” Fletcher said. And once he had, “Open your mouth.”

Tommy opened his mouth, sticking his tongue out a little. He waited, listening to Fletcher shift on the couch. Probably opening their pants. A click, that must’ve been their belt buckle. 

What entered his mouth was too big, too hard, too metallic. 

Tommy’s eyes flew open as the barrel of the gun forced his jaw wider. He tried to pull back, but Fletcher snatched a fistful of his hair and held him in place. 

Tommy whimpered that beautiful whimper, but it was more rounded, more frantic.

“Breathe through your nose,” Fletcher said.

Tommy squeezed his eyes shut and followed the order. He tried to breathe deep and slow through his nose. He tried to keep his tongue down as far as he could, to not gag and to not taste the oiled metal.

“I want you to look at me now.”

Tommy slowly opened his eyes. Fletcher was staring down at him impassively.

“Don’t try this shit with me again.”

Tommy couldn’t nod, so he did his best to make an “Uh huh” noise. 

Fletcher withdrew the gun. Tommy doubled forward and hacked. His mouth was left with an awful taste.

“Don’t spit on the floor,” Fletcher said. They picked up a magazine from the cushion beside them and slid it back into the gun. “Go.”

Tommy clamored to his feet and ran off. He managed to get to his room and close the door before fully breaking down into sobs, sliding down to the floor.

He had just been trying to make things better.

~

Tommy cried himself to sleep. Nothing new. He had just hoped to break the habit. 

He shuffled into the kitchen in the morning, and froze when he saw Fletcher sitting at the table, nursing a mug of coffee.

Tommy dropped his gaze quickly. He tried to decide quickly whether he should leave now, or grab some food and then leave. 

“Hey,” Fletcher said. It was softer than Tommy expected. “Sit.”

No running now. Tommy drew out the chair across from them and sat down, still avoiding their gaze.

“I recognize… that I have been harsh,” Fletcher said.

Tommy slowly lifted his eyes towards them, trying to read their expression. Was this a trick? Was he supposed to tell them he deserved it all? Was he supposed to believe them, and be lulled into a false sense of security?

“I didn’t give you a concussion, but, you know, the head can be tricky. And your hand…” They looked for the words. “I try to - I want to keep you in working condition. Nothing that’s going to really put you out of commission for a while. So that probably won’t happen again. Not to your hands. And the gun…” Fletcher ran a hand over their face. “The gun was a lot. That was uncool of me because, you know, gun safety rules.”

Tommy’s mouth was hanging slightly ajar. Was this an apology? At least, as close as Fletcher could get to one? He had expected something closer to, I recognize I’ve been harsh, but if you behaved I wouldn’t have to do these things.

“I know how it feels to have a gun on you,” Fletcher continued. They were the one to look away now. “And I… forget, I guess. That most people aren’t used to it. Can’t shake it off.

“Look, I’m not… not gonna say it will never happen again, but it probably won’t be this bad most of the time. Plenty of days will go by without incident, I’m sure. But I am… a violent person. I have violent tendencies, and I get angry. And I’m not trying to curb these tendencies because I enjoy indulging in them. So…” They tapped their knuckles on the table and shrugged. “That’s the situation. We’re square, for now. So you don’t need to be skulking around anymore. And… nevermind, I was going to say something mean.”

Tommy shifted uncomfortably. “About last night?”

“Yeah.”

“What, I’m not your type?”

Fletcher chuckled. “I was going to say when I want to take sexual advantage of you, I’ll let you know; you don’t have to initiate.”

“Right,” Tommy muttered, looking down again.

“I’m joking,” Fletcher said. “You can tell from my lighthearted expression.” They pointed at their face, purposely putting on a grumpy look. “Anyway, I’m planning my lesson for today. Might have to throw you around a bit for the demo. Nothing personal.”

“Oh,” Tommy said. “Okay, um…”

Fletcher was already up, carrying their coffee out of the room. “Get some breakfast,” they reminded him. “Three meals a day.”

~~~

hm i kind of thought our taglists would overlap more. good luck everyone.

@suspicious-whumping-egg @whumpyourdamnpears @generic-whumperz @lonesome--hunter

@whumplr-reader @theelvishcowgirl @sunshiline-writes @dont-be-gentle-please @galesgallery

@2in1whump @sparrowsage @apokolyps @whumpinggrounds

@morning-star-whump @leviiio @alexmundaythrufriday

@defire @jumpywhumpywriter @watermelons-dont-grow-on-trees

@light-me-on-pyre @slighlydisturbedbeans @dislexiher @paperprinxe @desert-dyke

@just-a-whumping-racoon-with-wifi @burtlederp @whatwasmyprevioususername @cursedandtired

@whump-only @misspelledwitch @redstainedsocks @thehopelessopus @im-just-here-for-the-whump

@thatsthewhump @aqua-blogging  @utopian819 @whumpinggoodtime @pretty-face-breaker

[the-golden-comet]

✨OC Reddit AITA Tag✨

Aha! A crossover from Reddit! Thank you for tagging me here @paeliae-occasionally , here @willtheweaver and here @theink-stainedfolk ❤️✨

Rules: Make an Am I The Asshole? post (look at r/amita or r/AITA for examples if you haven’t seen them) for an OC. The community will then vote to see who is the asshole in the given scenario.

Noah from YWIMC is a redditor, so he’d probably be on this forum:

AITA for giving my roommate the cold shoulder after he dragged me to a party?

Hey, everyone! I had an argument with my roommate, and I’m trying to see whether or not I’m in the wrong here.

So for context, I (25M) am NOT a partygoer. I’m in grad school ffs, I have deadlines to meet and my thesis to do. I can’t waste time at college drinking my grades away. This behavior concerned my roommate (1000+M 28M), who is the direct opposite. He loves to chat, goes out to parties, and is generally a really cool guy to be around. He’s usually really nice and careful about my boundaries, but there have been a few things that annoyed me.

For starters, he sometimes comes into the bathroom while I’m showering despite me telling him to give me privacy. Recently he started sleeping in the same bed as me after his evening prayers. It was awkward at first, but these little things I could let slide…until last week.

So roommate (let’s call him A) approaches me while I’m finishing up one of my assignments. He’s all like, “Hey, OP. There’s a party tonight and I think you’ll really benefit.” Um hello?? I told him that he could go without me and that I was busy with my project. A huffs and stated that, “You’re always working on your computer. Relax a little, sadiq.” Again, I told him I was busy and that he could take my bag (He can’t go too far without it; it’s a weird thing that’s a little hard to explain) if he really wanted to go. A was adamant that the party wouldn’t be the same without me.

This is where I may be TA, but wasn’t sure: I told A that I didn’t want to be around a group of C averages pissing my college tuition away, and that if he wanted to associate with that crowd he could go right ahead. A finally leaves me alone and goes to the party, letting me finish up my paper.

But then, A came BACK to the apartment, grabbed me, and forced me to go to this frat house. (Thank God I finished my paper and hit save before he did this). It was loud, people were obnoxious, and I was tense the whole time. I ended up taking an Uber home early, and have been giving A the silent treatment since.

So, AITA for not wanting to go to a party with my roommate?

Update: A has since apologized and made me baklava, but I’m still pretty pissed.

This is fun. I’m going to (gently) tag: @tragedycoded , @wyked-ao3 , @gioiaalbanoart , @jev-urisk , @drchenquill , @honeybewrites , @nczaversnick , @finickyfelix , @autism-purgatory , @sableglass , @words-after-midnight , @aintgonnatakethis , @ominous-feychild , @mysticstarlightduck , @saturnine-saturneight , @davycoquette , @thecomfywriter , @addicted2coke-theothercoke , @kaylinalexanderbooks , @katenewmanwrites , @lychhiker-writes , @zackprincebooks , @paeliae-occasionally , @agirlandherquill , @avaseofpeonies , @topazadine , @thatuselesshuman , @moltenwrites , @rivenantiqnerd , @writeahurricane , @differentnighttale , @houseplantblank , @lavender-gloom , @smellyrottentrees , @48lexr , @saebasanart , @theaistired , @mundanemoongirl , @fantasy-things-and-such , @clevah-girlboss , @inseasofgreen , @corinneglass , @alinacapellabooks , +open tag for whoever wants to join!

[allyheart707]

Are you still taking art prompts?

I had an idea! It would be fun to see a little crossover between your fic and your comic!

Ex: Due to some cosmic glitch, Leo connects with LS Donnie instead of EDHPMW (tricky acronym lol) Donnie. Confusion ensues.

Leo: Where's Donnie..?

LS Donnie: I'll do you one better, WHO is Donnie?

Anyway, no pressure. Love to see your updates!

- Later, in a different universe -

Donatello. It was a name that felt as if it had been stuck on the tip of his tongue the second Carol had brought up naming them. He wasn’t sure why it felt so right, or where the warm feeling came from- like a dream long forgotten, but it was the perfect name. Raph, the snapping turtle, had insisted that he was their brother and this name was the second piece of evidence that pointed towards that possibility. The first one, of course, was him being a mutant turtle. 

He still wasn’t sure he could trust the two strangers- especially the other one… Heishi. He had been nothing but a menace since he arrived. It seemed he was trying to get them in trouble. Currently, the slider was desperately trying to convince his brother- Michelangelo- to further break their bed. 

“If we pull this part off here I bet I could use it to make a weapon! Now that would be a distraction!” He pushed Mikey, who looked to his brother for the answers. 

Donnie shook his head- that would almost certainly get them in way more trouble than it was worth. Plus, they just wanted to go outside, not to hurt anyone. Mikey frowned, but turned back to Heishi and shook his head.

“Nu-uh, mm sorry, but they would get really mad if we broke our bed.” Mikey answered, making Heishi groan.

“Hmmm, welllll… what if I promise to show you all my cool warrior moves?” Donnie knew exactly how this would turn out, and groaned as his brother let out an excited squeal.

“REALLY?” He gasped, and Heishi gave him a big grin.

It did not take much to break his little brother, who thought on the new deal for only a second before giving in and nodding.

“Okay! But only if you do it on my bro’s bed- er… Dee’s bed! He likes his bed cuz the cameras can’t see it!” He whispered the last part as he pointed to the bottom bunk where Donatello currently sat, staring at the both of them in disappointment.

“You're going to get us all in trouble, you know.” He offered, but Heishi was already yanking on the middle rung to their bunk, attempting to pull it from the bed.

“Yeah! An’ what if they put those handcuffs on you again?! Or worse?” Raph added, making Donnie nod- at least someone had some sense.

Of course, his brother and Heishi were not listening- both now on his bed, pulling against the rung until there was a resounding C R A C K and they both tumbled backwards- the wooden rung now in their hands. Ugh.

“AH-HA! Now this is a plan!” Heishi shouted triumphantly, holding up the splintered remains of their bunk as if it was something spectacular.

Donnie turned and flopped against his pillow- refusing to see the end of this. ‘Will they fix our bunk?’ He wasn’t sure. When the light broke a few weeks ago- they fixed that but… him and his brother have never broken anything on purpose before. ‘They took away our books… would they take away their papers next? Or their bunk? That is what they broke so what if-’ Donnie shook his head, burrowing it further into his pillow- 

‘no, Carol wouldn’t let them take their bunk. Plus, how would they fit it through the door? It wouldn’t fit!’

‘... wait… how did it get into the room? … was it always here?’ Donnie lost himself to his thoughts as he watched the large snapping turtle pace back and forth at the door and attempted to ignore the delighted chattering between his brother and Heishi.

“Master Draxum says I'm too ‘small and weak’ for big weapons… but he does let me use a wooden sword sometimes! I’m really good with it too!” His words were followed by whooshing sounds and Donnie's bed bobbing up and down with each thrust of Heishi’s “sword”- making Mikey gasp in excitement. Even Raph seemed to be a little impressed, stopping his pacing to watch, big eyes wide in a mixture of nervousness and awe. That only fueled the fire in Heishi. Ughhhh. Curiosity got the best of Donnie and he finally decided to turn his head to watch the ‘greatest warrior’ swing his ‘sword’ around.

He couldn’t stand on the bed without hitting his head, so instead he was moving around on his knees- despite that rather awkward position, he was keeping himself upright which was already a little impressive. He moved with surprising speed, twisting his arms and slashing the sword about as if fighting some imaginary enemy. Every time Donnie thought he would hit the wall or one of the bedposts he would pull away just in time and begin another set of random exercises. 

It was… a little … cool.

Then, as Donnie tried his best to cool his expressions and Heishi swung upwards for what looked like a finishing blow, that the sword exploded in blue light. Heishi screamed, throwing the sword and hitting his shell against the wall as they all stared wide eyed at the bright blue that danced over the sharp wooden stick.

-Meanwhile-

-To Be Continued- (??? If people are interested.)

I thought it would be fun that, for the crossover, they switched media! My comic being written, and my fic being in comic format! :DD

I was so nervous to post this and kinda went blind re-reading it over and over again soooo there are probably grammar/spelling errors I missed. Sorry about that- I might go through and edit them later?

[ilikesuperheroesokay]

Chaz is endgame, and I don’t want to hear otherwise.

Chase and Kaz have always had HELLA chemistry, even from the very first crossover episodes with Mighty Med and Lab Rats. Kaz was one of the only ones to stay by Chase’s side while he was out, even though he could have gotten anyone else, or stepped out for a bit. He also was the first one to offer to switch their intelligences, when anyone else could have done it. Then, in Lab Rats Elite Force, Kaz went on a date with Chase’s robot Christina. Now pictured, is him and Chase doing the same thing! They literally went on a date.

Then, throughout the rest of the show, they are best bros. Let’s be real, as much as I like Oliver, he wasn’t really doing any of the heavy lifting. Chase and Kaz were. Their dynamic is so full of chemistry. Ever notice how Kaz is ALWAYS the first one to check on Chase, or help him? Or how Chase is CONSTANTLY trying to one-up Kaz, or show off around him? And don’t even come at me saying, “Well, what about Christina and all the robot girlfriends? What about Reese?” Christina and the robot girlfriends was something Chase did in fact make to cure his loneliness. But once Kaz was involved, he didn’t actually care about the robots. He just wanted to beat Kaz. Almost like…he cares about impressing Kaz. Huh! Then, Reese was literally sent out as her mission to win over Chase. To know his interests and to be exactly his type. Of course he fell easily, anyone would if the perfect person dropped down from the sky! He was played. Still not convinced? Look at all these scenes in which Chase and Kaz are either competing or making sure the other is okay. They 👏 are 👏 in 👏 love 👏. The actors even said that they think Chase and Kaz wouldn’t be a bad idea. They said it sounded good. And respectfully, if you’re a Braz shipper…what chemistry? Where’s the explanation? Get outta here. (I’m just joshing you can ship whoever you want. This is just my personal opinion, you’re all beautiful) Also, when Chase’s little sister Naomi came to the penthouse, Kaz and Chase LITERALLY ACTED LIKE CONFUSED DADS. Like, seriously. It’s right in front of your freaking faces! 👏 Go on AO3 and search up Chase Davenport/Kaz, I can assure you you’ll find quite the assortment of fics to open your eyes.

[cf8wrk4u-us]

TFA: Corpse Conjux

( A Transformers Animated X Corpse Bride Crossover)

(Featuring ProwlOp and MegOp)

The city of Iacon was a rather dismal place, sure it had an abundance of businesses, nice houses and manors, but that never did make up for the drab fog that hung in the air that painted the town in hues of depressing grays. 

But it was home for young nobleman Optimus Magnus.

It was all he ever knew and all he was used to, but now it was suddenly going to change. 

The poor young mech gazed at himself in the mirror, primed and polished to meet his future-future in-laws. And more importantly the bot who would become his conjux.

He felt sick at the thought that just in a few minutes he would be at his wedding rehearsal, and a few hours more the real ceremony would take place.

“Where is Optimus?! We might be late”!

Optimus cringed at the sound of his brother Sentinel's voice. But knew he needed to start moving soon enough, less his sire came for him.

So giving one last onceover to his now lonely little room Optimus raced down stairs into the carriage where Sentinel and his sire, Ultra Magnus, were currently waiting for him impatiently.

He gave a polite smile to their carriage driver Bulkhead, who gave a big grin back before  a nasty cough overtook it, then the young noble hopped inside taking a seat.

“About time” Sentinel snarked

“Sentinel ” cautioned Ultra 

His elder brother grumbled but remained quiet…for a few minutes.

“You’ve certainly hooked a winner this time” said Sentinel “Now all you have to do is riel him in”

“I’m already reeling, Sentinel” muttered Optimus “Shouldn’t someone like Prowl from House Praxian be promised to a Lord or someone of higher nobility or something”?

“Nonsense! We're every bit as good as the Praxians, maybe even more so”! Said Sentinel sticking up his chin.

Then why don’t you conjux with them?

But Optimus already knew the answer to that, as the eldest of their house he was entitled to the family name, home, and business; along with that the right to decide who he could be conjuxed to. While Optimus was the current youngest, a place acquired since the death of his sister Elita, and had to settle with any match his father had chosen for him.

Though Optimus wished he had more time, more years of function before being tied to someone so intimately. Logically he could see this as a good match given that his family merchant business relied heavily on trading and the Praxian family was an old house with many connections. Along with that the Praxians had been looking to lock down their house since the death of one of their patriarchs, Yoketron.

But still….

“We never even spoken” Optimus mumbled

“Least we have that in our favor” huffed Sentinel before yelling out and banging on the carriage ceiling when Bulkhead gave another round of hoarse coughing.

“Hey, Bulk-for-brains! Would you stop it with that coughing”!

Optimus cringed “We really should have Bulkhead see a medic, he doesn't sound the best”

“Or we just fire the big lug”

“Sentinel, you do well to care about the state of your employees” Ultra Magnus warned.

Optimus had to hide a smile as he saw Sentinel wilt under their sires gaze, only to straighten up when the head of the Magnus family looked at him steely.

“I’ll take your suggestion into consideration, but only after the ceremony”

Optimus nodded stiffly.

It was barely any time before the carriage stopped and Optimus was standing with his family at the steps of the Praxian estate. Optimus could almost consider it a palace; the mansion was far bigger than his own family's estate home. Made up of blue metal with white accents, the roof had additional light sapphire arches that pointed to the sky.

A lovely dash of color to the usual hazy greys.

Optimus decided that, if this was to be his new home, then he rather liked it.

He wasn’t allowed to admire the outside of the house for long before Sentinel had him walking up the steps towards the door.

The group didn't even have to knock as the door was immediately opened by a service drone.

“The Magnus Family has arrived, my lords” the droid said in a neutral glitching voice.

Then quickly stepped aside to reveal two mechs stepping down a lavish stair large staircase. 

The taller of the two mechs, with grayish plating and brownish highlights, was Dai Atlas Praxian. His angular face and shoulder spikes matching the sharpness in his stare. 

The bot next to him was almost his opposite, a mech with pure white plating and a lovely blue visor that shifted with his welcoming smile. This was Jazz, the eldest Praxian 

“Welcome there”! The mech said brightly, stepping down the steps and holding out his servo.

Sentinel was the first to take it, shaking it briskly before stepping past the mech to let himself inside and give a gracious bow to the head of the house.

“Lord Praxian” said Sentinel “I must say you don’t look a day over 20 megacycles”!

The smile on Jazz’s face faltered a bit at that.

 Dai Atlas hadn’t moved from his position, not addressing Sentinel, simply staring down Optimus and his sire as they stepped inside.

“Ultra” he finally spoke

“Atlas” responded to Ultra Magnus with the same dry tone.

Finally Dai Atlas shifted to Optimus.

“Is this him”? 

Optimus stood stock still under the Praxian heads gaze, feeling like an examined mech animal brought in for purchase.

“My youngest, as agreed” Ultra Magnus said simply “I’m sure you have no qualms against him as conjux for your son”

With that Dai Atlas face finally shifted, a small smile formed on his face plate but had a melancholy to it.

“No, I supposed I don’t” he said, before stepping down the steps to stand beside his elder son “What a pleasure to have you all here, our soon to be family”!

Sentinel smiled “Why thank you, it's a….” the blue and orange mech hesitated as he took in the rather empty room “...lovely home”

Optimus too was a bit surprised by the lack of decor, perhaps it was an aesthetic of theirs?

Dai Atlas didn’t seem to notice or even care about Optimus' brother's hesitance as he turned to the left hallway.

“We will be taking tea in the west drawing room” said Dai Atlas as he beckoned the group “Do come this way”

Sentinel and his father didn’t hesitate, Optimus slowly trailing behind them, seemingly forgotten despite being HIS soon to be wedding.

But knowing he had very little choice in the matter, Optimus was going to just suck it all up and try to get to know his new family.

Though before heading over to join the others, the mech noticed one of the few pieces of furniture within the room.

A piano.

Optimus hesitated, before gently stroking his digits over the smooth keys of the large instrument. Dust came away from it, evidence that the instrument hadn't been used for quite a while besides being made an unconventional table setting by the vase of near withered crystal flowers placed on top of it.

 He looked to the hall, seeing it empty as his family and the Praxians have long since left. Then with a found smile he began to press at the teeth of the piano, at first giving out a few soft little notes before daringly sitting down and thrumming out a full melody.

He remembers how he and his sister, Elita, had begged to learn to play, their father at first hesitating till on the eve of their shared birth cycle they woke to find a lovely black piano sitting in their drawing room.

Elita had squealed and given her father a hundred kisses while Optimus struggled to climb the seats. Sentinel had scoffed at their enthusiasm, calling the instrument a waste of time. But that of course didn’t stop him from sitting in to listen as Elita and Optimus learned to make the piano sing for them.

But…after Elita died Ultra Magnus had the piano removed.

Optimus had been too laden with guilt to even protest, too guilty to even attempt another song after all these years.

But now, with everything changing, Optimus wanted to resurrect that feeling he had during his youth. Wanting that connection with his lost sibling.

So caught up in the music that Optimus didn’t notice that someone was behind him till they were practically looking over his shoulders.

The youngest son of House Magnus shot up, stumbling out of the bench with apologies already out of his mouth.

“Do-do forgive me”!

The mech before him was a slim built bot, painted in black and gold, his narrowed shades looking at Optimus with a neutral expression.

This was the youngest son of House Praxian.

This was Prowl.

His soon to be conjux.

“You play beautifully” he said, his voice betraying no emotion.

“Again, I do apologize, Lord Prowl” stuttered Optimus “How rude of me to-well-excuse me-”

“My sire wouldn’t let me touch this since my carrier died” Prowl said “Said it wouldn’t be respectful, too passionate as we are to grieve the fallen”

The tone in Prowl's voice hadn’t changed, but the way he stared at the piano Optimus could make out a hint of longing hidden under those shaded optics. One that felt all too familiar to him.

“I apologize, Lord Prowl,” said Optimus

“Don’t be” Prowl responded “Yoketron would have been delighted to hear one of his most prized possessions being used”

Optimus coughed awkwardly “Well, so long as no offence was taken my Lord-”

“Perhaps…in light of the circumstances” Prowl cut in “You could just call me Prowl”?

The smaller mech started right up at him, a genuine smile easing over his face. 

Optimus felt his face plate heat up, it wasn’t a lie that he and Prowl have never spoken but it wasn’t like he didn’t know the mech. They had attended the same academy together, Prowl was considered by all means an oddity. He spent most breaks by the edge of the grounds where the metallic trees were thickest, sitting in or under them as he coaxed small mecha animals to come sit by him. 

Once even causing an incident when he accidentally let a wild retro-rat loose in the classroom.

Prowl Praxian was a strange mech for sure, but one that Optimus couldn’t help himself but admire.

He only wished he had gotten to know him sooner than in this sudden arrangement.

“Well, yes, Prowl..” said Optimus, not meeting his gaze.

“Yes, Optimus” said Prowl, stepping close to him.

Optimus fidgeted with this helm cap “Tomorrow we are to be ca-con-cah-”

“Conjuxed”? Finished Prowl, his voice chiding lightly, before taking a graceful seat on the piano bench “I never much cared for my conjuxing day, such things always seemed so far way…though I did hope I would have found a bot I was deeply in love with, someone to spend the rest of my function with” he looked to Optimus with his previously black expression “Silly, isn’t it”?

“Yes, silly, ha” Optimus tried to laugh nervously, but catching himself he gave a sincere “No! Not at all”! before sitting next to his intended, trying to copy his graceful sitting. But the move turned awkward with his large shoulder pads that bumped the small vase of flowers over. 

“Oh dear”! Optimus cried, getting up and trying to fix the mess, his and Prowl hands fumbled together as they stood.

Optimus' face felt like a smelter as he and Prowl's hands interlocked to cradle the crystal flowers.

“Hey now”! A voice called suddenly.

The pair shifted around to see Jazz in the hall staring at them with a smile and showing off all his denta, Prowl was quick to pull his hands away making Optimus back away embarrassed.

“Save some of that for the rehearsal, my bots” Jazz said raising and optic ridge “Don’t want my sire accusing any one of “impropriety” and whatever”

Prowl immediately grew a sour look before hastily walking back towards the hall. Leaving Optimus standing awkwardly with Jazz still staring at him.

“Lord Jazz, sorry about that-”

“No apologies needed, my bot” said Jazz giving a disarming shrug “Besides, if all goes according to plan we could be calling each other family soon enough…. just be sure to hurry, Alpha Trion is here, and he doesn't like to be kept waiting”

Optimus nodded stiffly before heading out with him.

Three Joors Later~

“Master Magnus, from the beginning again” the priest, Alpha Trion, said frustratingly “With this servo I will lift your sorrows, your cup will never empty for I will be your energon, with this candle I will light your way in darkness, with this ring I ask you to be mine”

Optimus flinched as Alpha Trion leaned menacingly close to him on his walking stick “Lets try it again”!

They had all gathered in a ballroom in another part of the Praxian estate, where a small assembly of chairs was placed for immediate family. Meanwhile a small altar was set up holding a candle and a cup of energon. Optimus and Prowl were both in the front, each holding a candle.

“Yes sir” said Optimus before clearing his throat “With this candle-”! He announced before attempting to light it using the larger candle on the altar. But to his dismay the wick seemingly refused to light, simply pushing around the flame.

Optimus stood awkwardly as he attempted to light it several times, the glare of almost everyone there palpable. 

“Do I seriously have to get up there and do it for him”?! he heard Sentinel mutter.

“Don’t get overheated Sentinel” said Ultra, but there was a clear frustration in his voice.

Optimus chanced a look over to his shoulder plates to see his family with an obviously shameful look on their faces while on the other side Dai Atlas looked on coldly while Jazz seemed simply bored.

Alpha Trion gave a sharp cough.

Optimus realized that the wick finally caught fire and gave a happy laugh as he leaned back, only for the flame to snuff out easily.

Everyone in the room groaned.

Just then a bell chimed that echoed throughout the house.

“Get the door, EM-1” ordered Dai Atlas 

The service droid scurred off.

“Let's just continue from after the candle bit” said Alpha Trion 

Optimus nodded enthusiastically but couldn’t help but stare at the newcomer that entered the room. It was a rather elegant looking Seeker, wings pointed upwards, painted in dark blacks and purples, the piercing red of his eyes matching the smile on his face.

“A Lord Starscream” announced EM-1

“I haven’t the head for dates” the large winged mech said, his voice posh “Apparently I’m a day early to the ceremony”

Dai Atlas looked questioningly at the mech with Jazz even asking in a low tone “Is he from your side or carriers”?

“I…can’t recall” said Dai Atlas, Optimus remembered a key fact of the Praxian family line did have seeker ties to it. The evidence being the door wings some of its heirs inherit.  “EM-1, set down a chair for Lord Starscream”

The Seeker had little trouble taking the seat and casually waved to the group at the altar who were staring at him.

“Do carry on”~

Alpha Trion didn’t hesitate “Lets try it again, shall we Mister Magnus”?

“Yes, sir, certainly” Optimus said, his eyes drifting to Prowl who had helpfully lit his candle. His eyes couldn’t help but follow the Praxian’s gilded digits.

“Right” announced Alpha Trion

“Right” Optimus repeated hollowly

“RIGHT”! Barked the priest, making Optimus realize he was referring to using the wrong hand to hold the handle.

“Right”! Optimus repeatedly as he corrects himself, reaching out to clasp Prowl's small servo and holding it up. 

“With this servo-” said Optimus, looking at Prowls bright blue shades “-I ask you to be mine-”!

He grunted as his knees hit the altar.

“Three steps”! Bellowed Alpha Trion “Can you not count? Do you not wish to be married, Master Magnus”?!

“No”! Optimus said urgently 

“You don’t”? Said Prowl, sounding almost hurt.

“No! I meant no, I don’t want not to be married” Optimus explained hastily “That is something I very much-OW”! He cried as Alpha Trion whacked him on the helm.

“Pay attention”! Demanded Alpha Trion “Did you even remember the ring”?

With an optimistic smile Optimus reached into his subspace and pulled out the ring that his sire had given to him. This was at least one thing he had done correctly.

He grasped Prowls servo once more, straightening a digit to place the ring on. He found himself lighted to see it over Prowls finger…only for it to of course slip off being too big for his intended. Before bouncing comically across the organic mesh flooring.

The group gasped and moaned as Optimus chased after it.

“He dropped the ring”!

“Are you kidding me”?!

“Obviously this mech does not want to get conjuxed”! Roared Alpha Trion.

Optimus finally scraped it off the rug, smiling shyly but seeing the horrified faces of his family he noticed that unfortunately when he was leaning against the floor his candle had lit the fibers of the organic rug.

Optimus tried to snuff out the smoke by stomping on it but was quickly pushed aside by Dai Atlas.

“Out of the way you nitwit”! He yelled.

The whole group tried their best to kill the flame but the smoke just kept growing, the heat eating at the fibers.

“Hoping it doesn't stain,” commented Jazz with a quick kick.

“Stop aiming at my ped”! Yelled Sentinel.

The fire was finally doused out when Ultra Magnus poured the cup of energon onto the carpet. Optimus flinched both from the hard glare directed by his father and Alpha Trion.

“This wedding cannot take place until he is properly prepared”! Said the priest before raising a thin long digit in Optimus' direction “Young mech, learn your vows”!

Looking at the angry glares of most of the mechs in the room Optimus spotted Jazz sliding up to Prowl. With an arm on his shoulder plates in a gesture of concern. Optimus was sure that the pair loathed the mech their sibling was forced to marry. 

He rushed out, the last thing he caught was something Lord Starscream said snidely.

“Well, isn’t he a catch”~

Optimus couldn’t bring himself to go home

He walked aimlessly through town, but even there he felt the eyes of every mech and femme passing already knowing his blunder that day.

He sulked against the bridge at the end of town that connected to the chapel, looking at the water as tried to find some relief in the reflection of the watery surface.

“Oh, Prowl” he said out loud “He must think I really am a nitwit….this day can’t get any worse”

“HEAR YE, HEAR YE! REHEARSAL IS RUINED AS MAGNUS YOUNGEST CAUSES CHAOS”! Shouted Cliffjumper the town crier “PRAXIAN FAMILY ALL FIRED UP AS MAGNUS SETS HOME ABLAZE”

Optimus sighed heavily, walking off the bridge and further into the woods nearby.

Up above cipher crows cawed as Optimus walked under the full moon light. Scolding himself further for his blunder at the conjuxing rehearsal, all because he couldn’t say a few lines!

“It really shouldn’t be all that difficult” he muttered “It’s just a few simple vows! I memorized whole textbooks back at the academy! I could do this”!

He breathed before saying “With this servo…I will take your energon-no”! He corrected himself frustrated “With this servo, I will cup-” Optimus face heated up as he yelled another “Oh Primus, no”!

He paced aimlessly around trying all he could to repeat those lines.

“With this candle..with this candle…I will set your house on fire…”

Optimus sighed, wondering if he should just go home in defeat, maybe hope the ceremony will be canceled all together. The mech slumped onto a tree stump before feeling around for the ring in his subspace. As he took it out a small crystal flower also came along with it, somehow twisting itself in Optimus seems.

He looked at the flower for the longest time, before rising to his feet with new determination.

“With this servo, I will lift your sorrows”! Optimus said, raising his own digits up “Your cup will never empty, for I will be your energon”!

Flicking the ring into the air, he smiled with confidence imagining himself in front of his soon to be conjux party “Aw, Lord Jazz! You look well this evening”! He said to large shortage shrub with blue leaves, before turning to a large cyber tree saying “What's that Lord Dai Atlas? Call you sire? Why if you say so”!

Getting into the scene Optimus broke a metal branch announcing, “With this candle, I will light your way in darkness”!

Finally with ring in hand he bent down, finding a perfect blackened dark metal root he slipped the jewelry over.

“With this ring! I ask you to be mine”! He stated, proud of himself for completing all the lines without a hitch. 

Optimus took a second to admire the simple gold band that rested perfectly on the root, it was still too big for Prowl but maybe he could talk his sire into-

The wind howled loudly as the cipher crow's calls grew in volume, Optimus shivered as the gust made the root he placed the ring on sway and twitched in an unnerving manner.

Almost like it was really moving.

All of a sudden the roots flexed before grabbing at Optimus and attempting to pull him through the earth. The young mech screamed as he was tugged at. Desperately trying to pull himself free from the iron grip.

Finally his struggles found purchase as he was able to throw himself from the ground, before he could sigh in relief Optimus gasped as he noticed the root or rather the arm still grasping his wrist.

Shaking it away in disgust he watched in horror as the ground began to crack and erupt as something large rose from the earth. Soil and thin roots rolled off a figure who stood tall in front of Optimus, dressed in ratty and torn clothes that shifted eerily in the moonlight with a tarnished metal holding it in place. Two red glowing eyes, the color of burning coals, stared at Optimus.

“This is a certainly an unusual way to propose” the figure, a mech, said in a hollow grave voice “But…I accept”

The large mech then raised its one hand out to Optimus.

Snapped from his panic, the blue and red bot ran through the forest, bumping and tripping along the way. But no matter how much he ran the figure seemed to keep close behind him.

He struggled and fought his way through branches, a glimmer of hope arriving when he caught sight of the bridge leading back to Iacon. Optimus raced forward! Not stopping till he felt his pedes hit the cobblestone of the bridge.

He took a breath and chanced a look behind him and to his relief the nightmarish mech wasn’t there anymore. 

Optimus sighed in relief and made to turn towards the direction into the town, but to his shock collided with a solid barreled chassis. Optimus squeaked as he saw it was the frightening mech from before stood in front of him, now with both arms boxing him into the side of the bridge.

And before Optimus could breath out a scream, he felt the mechs chillingly cold breath against his face.

“You may kiss your conjux” they whispered.

Then everything went black.

[loredrinker]

Solas Before the Veil

Firstly, spoilers below...

It hit me yesterday - my whole perspective on Solas through the spirit lens has been shaped by the Veil as it exists now, this physical barrier separating the Fade from the physical world. 

But Solas made the choice to form a body in a time before the Veil existed. 

In the pre-Veil world, spirits weren’t alien or separate entities. They existed naturally alongside the elves, Titans, and dwarves. The Fade wasn’t a separate realm - it was woven into the very fabric of the world. There was no “crossing” into the physical realm because spirits were already a part of it. They weren’t outsiders; they were neighbors, collaborators, even friends. 

This realization has my mind spinning. This is why I love Solas as a character: the layers, the vastness of interpretation. 

No Veil. No twisting of purpose. 

There was no Veil for spirits to be pulled into or corrupted by. In those days, they didn’t “crossover” in the way we think of now - they used lyrium, the blood of Titans, to form physical bodies. 

His transformation likely wasn’t tied to the risks of corruption that spirits face in the post-Veil world (still a possibility). Without the trauma of “crossing” the Veil, spirits like Solas could become physical without risking their essence being warped (I'm not saying experiencing human emotions and the shock of being human wouldn't be traumatizing). In this context, it's not Pride vs Wisdom. Instead, it’s the natural struggle of a spirit becoming man. 

I am reforming a lot of Solas thoughts - from his connection to Mythal, to his pride, his decisions, even his relationships. Oh my god. Bear with me, this might ramble – this came up during Christmas dinner with my sister, and we ended up debating it over a lot of wine afterward. 

The world before the Veil wasn’t governed by absolutes like good and evil, or even spirit and demon. Those are oversimplifications. 

What if lyrium, the blood of Titans, acted as a stabilizing agent? A way for spirits to create physical forms without losing their identity or purpose? That would be so different from the chaotic, dangerous processes spirits face in present day Dragon Age. 

Still thinking this through.

Anyway, this is shifting how I see Solas, his choices, and what it means to be a spirit-turned-man (immortal man). 

(This thought made me think of an awesome 10 part breakdown I read just before Veilguard came out from @nadas-dirthalen.  They have amazing insight and concepts related to Solas, Lyrium and Titans that I need to reread if I'm going to go further with these thoughts).  

MYTHAL PERSUADING VS BINDING

I stand by my belief that Solas, despite his reluctance and hesitancy, chose to take a body. Where I once saw that choice as something that helped him avoid becoming completely twisted (as per this post), I’m starting to see it in a different light. 

I’ve never quite bought the theory that Mythal might have bound Solas. This perspective makes even more sense in this context (to me). 

How could Mythal have bound him? There was no Veil that would force a spirit to change. Lyrium was needed to create physical bodies. She couldn’t physically force him into corporeal form against his will because the act of using lyrium to transform a spirit into a body would require cooperation. Sure, it’s possible that in the pre-Veil world, spirits were metaphysically bound to serve beings like the Evanuris. But that kind of binding was different - a spirit might be compelled to act in service while still remaining in its natural form. 

The act of physically transforming into a body with lyrium, though? It’s physical. It would require active engagement with lyrium’s magical and physical properties.

For the transformation to succeed, the spirit would need to align its will with the lyrium. Does that sound right? The body it forms would reflect the spirit’s essence, and that process seems like it would require both consent and intent. Solas had to choose to take on a physical form by engaging with the lyrium. 

So, if a spirit has to actively engage with lyrium and use its own will and essence to shape a physical body, then Solas didn’t just choose. He committed. (And let’s take a moment to appreciate what a fine body he shaped.) 

And Mythal would have needed Solas to act willingly. Binding him would’ve completely undermined the very wisdom she sought from him. If she needed his insight and perspective, she also needed him to act freely. We are led to believe a spirit of Wisdom can’t function under compulsion. (Spirit of Wisdom Codex: "I am not certain the spirit would have talked so freely had it been shackled at the time.") 

Solas’s reluctance to take a body, as per his warnings to Mythal about the risks of using lyrium, tells me he understood exactly what the transformation entailed. He knew the dangers - not just to himself but to the morality of what they were doing, including the horrifying reality of exploiting Titans for their blood. And why wouldn't he? He was a spirt of Wisdom. 

There’s no question that Mythal persuaded him, manipulated that persuasion, appealing to his purpose, emotional manipulation - but she didn’t force him. 

He still agreed. 

He wasn’t drawn to physical form for power or glory but out of a sense of...what? Duty, loyalty and purpose? To Mythal? He didn’t take a body to dominate or conquer the physical world. He did it because Mythal needed him as a counterbalance to the growing chaos and imbalance caused by the Evanuris.  

And then? He regrets it. Big time. 

That regret, to me, is so telling. Regret is a reflective emotion - it stems from owning up to your own choices. If he’d been bound or coerced, his feelings would’ve leaned more toward resentment or anger at Mythal. Instead, he’s consumed by regret because it was his decision in the end. 

NO BINDING – NO TWISTING OF PURPOSE 

As a man, Solas struggles with pride - not as some twisted perversion of Wisdom in this context, but as a human emotion. 

Solas’s decisions are just so much more painful, awful, delightfully complex, and utterly infuriating because of all this. The layers! They’re impossible to ignore. And honestly, the whole Mythal geas thing always bugged me. It felt too simple, too black-and-white. Something about it didn’t sit right. 

If Solas was under her geas, how could he choose to walk away from her? How could he burn her vallaslin off his face? Some say Mythal marked him with the vallaslin as soon as he took bodily form; others think it came later. Does anyone actually know? Either way...the vallaslin might have been more symbolic since there’s no evidence Mythal used it to enslave her people (or is there? I'm too impatient to look right now). 

But if it did have magical enslaving powers? That makes Solas’s agency even more impressive. Despite that, he still chose to remove it – successfully. (Let's say Mythal did have some sort of magical power over Solas, could the burning off the vallaslin have severed that?)

Anyway...getting distracted. Sorry!

Ok, so lyrium. It’s the blood of Titans.  Titans are "earth," so by taking on a physical body, Solas connected himself to the earth. He became man - human in a way he wasn’t before. 

Pride isn’t some monstrous force he has to overcome. It’s an intrinsic part of who he is, shaped by his choices, struggles, and human experiences.

Solas is what he has always been, a man, all too aware of his failings.  

Solas has been revealing who he is all along.  

Anyway, I'm still thinking through a lot of this and how it might change more perspectives (like how I view the various endings, how his time with the Evanuris shaped him, the Inquisition time). Lots to chew on and things may shift again for me. But I’d love to hear other thoughts - even if it’s to tell me this doesn’t make any sense or if I got anything wrong.

[bleachbleachbleach]

Hiiiii, re ur post abt goals and the whole being more active in the community thing -- I'll try to remember to interact with u more than just liking/reblogging things! I've been super quiet on my own blog since I had burnout two years ago but I'm trying to get back into doing more than just occasionally posting fic, and honestly I love a lot of ur head canon posts and metas etc. I probably won't read any of ur fic because I'm a Bit Weird in that for some reason I hate reading fic in the fandoms I write for (but still love metas and headcanons? Brains sure are weird) but everything else I'll try to actually Write Words instead of letting my thoughts stay in my head!

This is such a sweet message! <3333333

I would totally welcome conversation, and it’s great to know that you are open to it, too. Because I feel like Tumblr as a platform runs on a parallel play model on purpose, and most people probably just want to do that, and my hesitation in going full throttle about using Tumblr the way I would want is my fear that it is going to be obnoxious/overbearing/overwhelming (e.g. driving people to madness via “Why is this person talking to me… I didn’t want to talk to them...”).

It’s so funny you should say that, re: enjoying hcs/meta but not fanfic in your writing fandoms, because I think about that divide a lot! Half the time I spend writing most* headcanon posts is actually time spent workshopping “sooooo…. how do I say this without saying ‘well, in my fanfic…’” because it’s probably something I already wrote in fanfic or notes for fanfic, but 1) I want to talk to people about it, and the chances that I will get to if it’s written in a fanfic are fairly slim, and 2) I want to hear other people’s versions of it, too. In their fanfic, if they write fanfic, but also their posts or tags!

But that can be complicated because in my mind, [insert headcanon post topic] tends to be fairly situated in context—the context of fic things having happened, or things that are going to happen, or thematic undercurrents/relationships—so it becomes a project in trying to make the proposition NOT sound completely bananas without that context/something being written in a particular way. Which can sometimes be its own kind of fun and is sometimes like “good grief, I could have simply been writing more fanfic!” (I feel like I should emphasize here that no one should feel obligated to read my fanfic. I mean, I want people to want to read it! But I very much do not want anyone to feel like they Have To or like they need to explain why they’re not!)

Our approaches are opposite, in that my brain is fanfic forward, both for myself and for others’ fanfic. But I do feel like a lot of RP blogs share your orientation re: not wanting to read other versions of the character they write for! I don’t know if this is where you, specifically, are coming from, but I’ve read on some of the RP blogs that it has a lot to do with having a strong investment in their own particular color on things, and wanting that centered and front of mind. (Which isn’t to say that sentiment isn’t true of most people, I think, because otherwise they wouldn’t write them that way—it’s true of me—but ymmv on how much someone wants to see the other iterations.)

For me, I know that I’m a lot less adventurous about Interpretations That Excite Me for my blorbos than other characters I might read for. Like, to use a silly example, in my mind Soi Fon is 100% Lesbian (which stands out in my headcanon space because I generally assume most everyone in Bleach would be on some level willing to get down with most anyone else), but did I click on Soi Fon/Vegeta when I came across it anyway? Absolutely I did. I barely know who Vegeta is. But my down-to-clown boundaries with Soi Fon are very low, nearly tabula rasa, so go get Vegeta, girl!!!! Whereas for like, Hitsugaya, I’m probably not going to read Hitsugaya/Vegeta because I am not actually a crossover person, my knowledge of DBZ is limited to The Osmotic Experience of Having Grown Up in the 90s, and my favorite version of Hitsugaya’s sex life is the absence of one.

*Of course, there are other headcanons posts in the omake/filler vein that are simply too dumb (affectionate) for me to want to write full fanfic of, like the Gotei regatta or the Gotei bowling league, or that “I think the average shikai user would probably be pretty good at driving a car but they would NOT be considerate or lawful users of said car” post.

[cb-writes-stuff]

Okay, I’ve been thinking more about In Hats and Time. The crossover AU of In Stars and Time and A Hat in Time.

I think, instead of having one go to the other, I’ll just blend the two together. Mustache Girl entirely replaces the King, and instead of freezing the country she’s, y’know, using the power of time travel to change the world into her own vision of… something. Hell, probably, but no one’s really sure. But she can’t do that yet, because she doesn’t have enough Time Pieces. So she starts with Vaugarde.

Instead of orbs, the family has to travel around collecting Time Pieces against Mustache Girl. At some point, they’d encounter Hat Kid, and finally learn where these Time Pieces came from.

I haven’t finished ISAT, so I don’t know all the lore. I’ve got some ideas though. And I think I know enough of what’s up. I have not yet started Act 5, so please don’t spoil me. But some of my ideas based on speculation are below the cut.

Obviously, there’s a few questions that need to be sorted out. How does anyone even know anything’s wrong? If there aren’t Sadnesses, what are there? Mirabelle is still the Chosen One, obviously, but how? Regardless, this is still way better than my previous idea for it. I like this blended version more than the “one goes to the other” version.

Speculative Stuff

So, Mustache Girl is also from that mysterious island north of Vaugarde. It still disappeared for some reason no one knows (including me). I’m thinking, she’s trying to collect Time Pieces to bring the island back? There’s no more Mafia of Cooks to take it over, so I’m not sure where she gets her skewed sense of justice from. I feel like that’s a necessary part of the Mustache Girl vibe.

The vacuum of space sucked out all of Hat Kid’s Time Pieces in response to Mustache Girl’s wish to… make things right, or something.

Instead of Mustache Girl doing her “We could be crime-fighting time travelers!” bit with Hat Kid, she does it with Siffrin once she realizes he’s looping. But that would be way later on, since this AU goes all the way back to start.

[skylarmoon71]

Winchester - (Supernatural / Smallville Crossover AU) - Chapter 1

Smallville was supposed to be a temporary gig.

There was word about some weird occurrences, so Sam and Dean were quick to forge some documents and drop you off at the school. When it was discovered that the most recent attack was a boy who’d been affected by the meteor rocks, well it started to make a little sense. Especially when you realized he’d gained some aquatic powers and was now drowning his bullies. You thought it was a lot easier to take him down. Fortunately you weren’t the only one.

One Clark Kent had run to the rescue. 

After you’d seen him get thrown into the air with a wave the size of a small planet, well you thought you were done for. But like magic he appeared back at your side and blasted the expanse of water with what appeared to be heat vision. The entire mini tsunami had evaporated and your attacker John Felleck slipped out in a sizzling mess.

Reporting to the sheriff came next.

There were a lot of unanswered questions.

Like how was Clark able to do that and where the hell were your brothers!!

“Sorry kid, we got distracted. We were chasing the meteor rock lead. Turns out a lot of other crazy stuff has been happening around this place.”

Dean was grinning like an idiot as the cops pulled away with John. Sam was standing at the side and Clark seemed quite awkward and unnerved.

Now that it was just the four of you, there were a lot of questions.

“I guess it all turned out okay then.” Clark gave an awkward laugh and you just squinted.

“Are we really going to pretend that didn’t happen?”

He scratched his head and both of your brothers were waiting for an explanation.

“So…what’s with the lumberjack?” Sam asks.

Clark realized at that point that he couldn’t just brush it all off. So you all gathered in the rented house, as he explained everything.

Every single crazy detail.

“An alien!”

You were intrigued, surprised, a bit in disbelief.

Clark nodded.

“The rocks are from my planet. It’s how they got their powers.”

Your brain seemed to be downloading all the information. Sam smiled when he saw that look in your eye.

“You’re doing it again.” He commented. You just blushed, turning your head and Dean laughed.

“Since it all worked out, I think you better stick around for a while. Sammy and I are heading back to the bunker. There haven't been any world ending events, so we can all use the break.”

“Okay.”

Your immediate agreement made them raise a brow.

“Really, you’re not going to put up a fight?”

“Are you kidding me, do you know how much research I can cover here. He just told us aliens exist. I’m heading to the library to track everything.”

“Of course you are.” Dean mumbled as he stood. He gave you a pat on the shoulder.

“If you find anything crazy make sure to call us.”

“Yep, if I stumble on anything I’ll call Cas, or Gabriel.”

They both groaned at the mention of the archangel.

“Hey, just because you both don’t like him doesn’t mean I shouldn’t.”

“He turned Sammy into a car!!”

Dean had obviously still been holding a grudge. Sam rose with Dean, sending you a smile.

“Be careful.”

“You know I will.”

Dean’s eyes shifted in Clark’s direction.

“Look out for my sister, otherwise..”

Dean made a beheading gesture and you shoved him. He just shrugged.

“What, I was just kidding. Maybe.”

Rolling your eyes, you bid them goodbye.

The entire week had been quite hectic, but you knew you had your work cut out for you. When Dean’s car pulled out of the driveway, Clark walked a bit cautiously to your side. He kept looking at you, like he had something to say. Finally you turned to him.

“What’s wrong?”

He seemed a bit hesitant to speak, but he finally worked up the nerve.

“No one knows, aside from my parents. I..”

He couldn’t finish the statement and you just nodded.

“I get it, it’s a secret. No one is going to hear from me. Promise.” You made a crossing sign and for the first time since the discovery, he actually smiled.

“Thanks.”

You grin.

“Sure, no problem. So uh, you think you can super speed me to the library, I wanna get a head start on my reading.”

This time he actually started laughing and you couldn’t help but do the same.