#i'm so soft for malum ):

[storiesandthingsofthatnature]

To Feel Adrenaline

Part 2

Summary: Pino ventures to a district that is new to him and meets a stalker that is quite the character

Word Count: 1.3k

Pairing: Pinocchio x G!N!Reader

Warnings: Violence but that's about it :3

Disclaimer: Nothing to report~

A/N: Hey there! I'm back with a Lies of P fic! This is going to be a series based on feelings so if you guys have an idea for a prompt around a feeling do let me know and I could add to the series ^^ As for the Leon x reader series, I don't think I will be continuing with it. I dunno, it all depends really. I just don't have any further idea for it and I honestly don't like how the writing came out. But, like I said, we shall see.

Btw, the district I mention is just one I added. Gemini talks more in here because he deserves more lines, the reader is a very...Interesting character and just know that this is set after the puppet king defeat as that's where I'm at in the game so no spoilers please :'D

Anyways, enjoy! And do let me know what you think ;; Comments, reblogs and likes are always appreciated as well <3 Thank you!

Pino walked on soft footsteps, the puppet trying to evade the more basic frenzied puppets to preserve his stamina. He was currently out scouting an area that he hadn’t traversed yet, Gepetto wishing his son a safe trip but not before leaving him with a warning. “Rumor has it that there is an elite stalker in that district. I hear they keep to themselves and don’t really associate with anyone, but I have no idea how they will react if they figure out who you are and who you are with. Please be careful, my son.”

So far there were just the usual maid and butler puppets with the occasional harder opponent. But it was nothing that Pino really had to worry about, his swordsmanship and defense sharpening evermore with each battle. Each encounter something that he kept with him, memories that helped him along the way. However, he was not lax. His father’s words were still in the back of his mind and it seemed that Gemini was thinking the same thing as well. “What do you think they’re like, this “elite stalker.” Gemini mimicked Gepetto. “I’ve heard about that one woman who is supposedly the best of the stalkers, but I didn’t know that there were others. Hmmm, we shouldn’t take this lightly, huh?” 

They had only just beaten The Puppet King not too long ago, Gepetto practically forbidding Pino from continuing on his journey for the moment. “My son needs his rest. And I just want you to be safe, for once.” His father had said and Pino had agreed reluctantly but on the condition that he was still helpful to Gepetto and the others in other ways. So here he was, scouting out a district that was a little bit past Malum district. He knew he shouldn’t go out too far and go to places that aren’t really necessary, but was mostly curious as to what was out here. 

Pino wondered if he would actually stumble upon this stranger but suddenly, the amount of puppets in the area began to dwindle as he traversed further into the district. Further until there were none and just the sound of the sprinkling rain pattering against the cobblestone street was all that was left. A nervous chirp sounded from Gemini,” I dunno if I should be grateful that there are no more puppets or suspicious…Be careful, pal.” For assurance, Pino reached back and gently patted against the top of Gemini’s lantern. He may get annoyed with the cricket puppet at times but he was still a very beloved companion. 

Suddenly, fast approaching footsteps crept up from behind Pino, the puppet jumping to the side to dodge an incoming attack. “I thought I had rid this place of you guys. Ya’ll just don’t quit!” The newcomer said, obviously annoyed at Pino’s presence. They shouldered their weapon as they recentered themselves from their attack and turned to Pino. “Well, you’re an interesting one! You’re obviously not like the others either.” While they mulled over this, Pino couldn’t help but tilt his head as he observed the stranger’s animal mask. He knew that stalkers usually wore masks to show rank but he had never seen this animal before!

“Hm?” You question the puppet’s curious look, your free hand aligning with his line of sight and you meet your mask. “Oh! Ah yes! Not the usual get up, right? I thought - Donkey mask? Bunny mask? Those are quite boring. I had to go for something more, well, me!” It was a dinosaur mask that you adorned. More specifically a T-Rex mask. “I would have gone with a velociraptor, but I found out that they’re smaller than I originally imagined so, T-Rex it is!”

There was a moment of silence and Pino could swear that this was probably one of his most strangest encounters. “Eccentric. The answer to my earlier question is eccentric.” Gemini chirped, Pino giving a small nod in agreement. You give a hum,”I’m actually quite curious as to why you’re not attacking me right now. I had heard a rumor that there was a puppet made by Geppetto that is actually good but…I just don’t know. Sorry, but, do you mind if we have a sparring session? I see a person’s character better that way.” You bring your weapon back to hip height, the candle light from the street lanterns creating a gleam across the blade. 

It was nothing spectacular in appearance but when you wield it, it didn’t require aesthetics. “Well at least they were kind enough to ask.” Gemini surmised, Pino giving a single tap to the glass. A sign that he needed Gemini to be silent from here on so he could concentrate. “Good luck, pal.” Was what he left Pino before settling into his lantern further for the fight.

Pino unsheathed his weapon as well - The Puppet Ripper that he had received from Alidoro after defeating The Puppet King. He wanted to try it out and now seemed like a good time. You hum in amazement from the looks of the scythe. “Woah, that looks terrifying. Please mind that thing would ya?” You laugh and Pino couldn’t help but knit his brows at your odd wording. But suddenly, he felt your presence behind him. He noticed just in time to block your advancement, you giving a small sound of amazement. “You actually blocked that! Impressive!” You praise and then jump back, landing lightly on your feet.

Pino had no idea how you had gotten behind him so quickly, but he didn’t have time to think it over before you were coming at him with another attack. Your jabs were super sonic, your slashes nearly invisible. Pino was having a hard time keeping up, receiving small hits of damage as his blocks weren’t perfect. “I wonder how long you can keep up with me.” You say as you hit him with a heavy blow, Pino sliding back until he hits a wall. You advance quickly, hot sparks of iron lighting the area you two fought in as your blades hit with such ferocity and determination. 

Pino could feel his stamina reaching its max, the puppet needing to find a break in the fight to have a small rest to regain it but you were adamant on keeping him from doing just that. He had no idea where you kept all that energy but he really wished he could tap into it somehow. He could feel the ergo that surged within him pulsing rapidly, like a heart rate that was skyrocketing. Even with the pupper king he hadn’t felt this sensation before, the fear that he may not be able to pull through this if this keeps up. 

However, your hits subsided and your blades crossed, scratching metal a cacophony in both of your ears as you created a stalemate. Your eyes looked deep into Pinos’, [e/c] meeting iridescent blue that held hints of worry yet shone with a burning fire that screamed “I will fight until I can no longer move.” You give a breath of a laugh and jump back, the young puppet practically collapsing from the broken tension. “You have some sharp skills there.” You praise once more as you sheath your weapon. “Thank you for the sparring session! I really needed that.” You walk over to Gepetto’s puppet, Pino swearing that if he held the ability to breath he would be doing so very heavily right now. You hold out a hand, a small smile gracing your lips. “Nice to meet you. My name is [Y/N] The Fossil. I hadn’t thought that I would meet a well mannered puppet ever again but here you are.” 

Pino felt like he just experienced whiplash, the sudden change in conversation throwing him off. But yet, he took the outstretched hand, a small shake creating the catalyst for you and Gepetto’s puppet.

[wibzenadarksiderwithasoftheart]

Stubbornness and unicorns

I did something, or rather this post made me do it.

I blame @prahacat 💜

I'm actually grateful, because it finally got my stubborn muse in gear to work on a story that has been haunting my brain for some time.

This is shameless fluff, mpreg, pregnant Obi-Wan (Anakin is the father), and Obi-Wan and Dooku having a moment in Serenno's castle garden.

And maybe there are unicorns. 🦄

***

Obi-Wan walked slowly along one of the many well-landscaped paths in the sprawling park surrounding Castle Serenno mindful of his condition. His stately dressed companion graciously matched his speed to his slow pace, mercifully ignoring the small sighs of frustration that escaped him, kindly lending him an arm to lean on as they made their way.

Only when they stopped in the shade of a large tree did he speak while Obi-Wan rested a hand over his bulging midsection, rubbing reassuringly over the spot where one of his children was eagerly kicking at his taut skin.

"While I'm sure it would be hopeless to tell you once again that I don't think these long walks will benefit you when you are this far along, I'm sure my words will be ignored as always," his stern-looking companion declared with an undertone of resignation.

“You are correct in that assumption,” Obi-Wan replied, flashing him one of his most charming smiles.

"As I am sure you are fully aware of, it is a well-known truth that stubbornness is an inherited trait in your lineage, Count."

"It seems so," the older man admitted with a heavy sigh, "and please, Obi-Wan, how often may I ask you to call me Yan?"

"At least a few times more."

Count Dooku of Serenno let out a small frustrated sigh. His lineage was a constant headache that he was convinced would be the end of him one day soon.

Sensing that it would be fruitless to try to persuade his grand padawan to return to his comfortable chambers, determined as he was to wander, he chose not to argue further as they continued.

They walked in pleasant silence under the bright autumn sun who cast its glow over the wide expanse of the castle gardens that was laid out in the imposing shadow of Castle Serenno. The high, already snow-covered mountains rose in the background and in the pale blue sky above them, both moons were clearly visible, Mantero almost full where it stood low above the horizon.

The park was an oasis of green and lush life, where plants native to the planet and imported species were tastefully arranged in a well-organized style with clean lines that reflected the planet's ruler. Paths and small streams ran between tall trees and bushes, creating intricate patterns and a pleasant background sound with their muffled gurgling. In some places, large open lawns were replaced by small groves of trees, both evergreen and deciduous, in their golden, red and orange fall splendor. Beds of late flowering herbs gave off a pleasant spicy fragrance that mingled with the ripe scent of malum fruit.

Obi-Wan and Yan had just stepped into a small clearing surrounded by tall spruces when a group of slender and elegant creatures surrounded them, only slightly shy to get close to the bipedal creatures.

They were an extremely rare species, reminiscent of equus in their appearance, and thought to be extinct. But a small group still existed, their existence a well kept secret. The beautiful creatures with their gleaming pearly white skin and long elegantly twisted horns had long been sought after prey, not so much for their beauty or rarity, but because they were highly force sensitive and were believed capable of healing and granting eternal life.

Gently they nudged their soft muzzles against Obi-Wan's bulging belly, neighing low in greeting to the unborn children resting there, attracted by their innocent but already powerful signatures. Honored by their closeness and trust, Obi-Wan gently stroked his hands over their soft ears and smooth horns.

Yan also got his share of attention, though more hesitantly, as some darkness still lingered like shadows around him. But the largest stallion, his horns gleaming golden in the sun, allowed him to stroke his neck in a gesture of trust offered to the one who had originally prevented their final extinction.

Against the wishes of his former Sith Master, Dooku had chosen to save these magnificent creatures when he had tracked down the very last of their kind, starved and scared. Under the influence of his former padawan and his young apprentice, he had brought them to Serenno where they now thrived and multiplied.

Five slender foals romped playfully among the adults eagerly seeking Obi-Wan's attention.

TBC

[5sosfanfictioncatalogue]

Platonic Cuddling Masterlist

Go Ahead Rip My Heart Out (ao3) - spacepixie michael/calum, luke/oc M, 33k (WIP)

Summary: “You waste your money on the dumbest shit.” He murmured under his breath hoping Calum didn’t hear him. But alas the other man did as he shoved Michael roughly in the chest before grabbing his coffee cup and exiting the shop leaving Michael dumbfounded. 

Or 

Angsty Malum & road trip(s)

holding on (ao3) - citiesbelow michael/crystal, mentioned sierra/luke T, 1k

Summary: After their first headlining shows in years, the boys don’t want to split up to go to bed. This is just shameless fluff.

Just Know That It’s The Same For Me (ao3) - slashter michael/luke, calum/ashton, michael/harry E, 5k

Summary: Luke doesn't get what exactly happened between them at the dinner, replays the conversation over and over in her head but to no avail. She's stuck, completely lost, and, to top it all off, still so fucking in love with the one person who won't give her the fucking time of day.  It's absolute shit.

[Or the one where Luke is head over heels for Mikey but Mikey doesn't seem to feel the same way]

Keeping Us Together (ao3) - Strength_in_pain T, 91k (WIP)

Summary: Twenty-two year old Ashton Irwin is the older brother and guardian of his three younger brothers: Michael, Calum, and Luke. He and his brothers are coping with the death of his parents. Ashton has too much responsibility with bills, work, keeping the house in order, and being a full time parent. His three brothers aren't making it easier for him. Ashton is struggling to keep his family together.

maybe this is just as good as it gets (ao3) - bellawritess T, 2k

Summary: "Do you guys like me?"

For a minute there's no response. Then Calum, sounding moderately confused, says, "Are you talking to me?"

"Yeah," Luke says.

miserable at best (ao3) - orphan_account luke/ashton T, 622

Summary: "I've never been so happy and so heartbroken at the same time. it's like he enjoys seeing me upset." -Ashton Irwin

Puzzle Pieces (ao3) - allsassnoclass (brightblackholes) michael/calum T, 19k

Summary: Michael has wanted a soulmate ever since he first learned what the blue on the back of his mother's neck means. This is the story of how he gets three, and how he figures out what that means to him.

Softer (ao3) - ashton_cuddles94 M, 1k

Summary: @/twitteruser: "I'm not really into 5sos, but the pudgy drummer is so cute".

"Pudgy?", Ashton thought to himself, putting his phone down in his bunk.

He placed a hand on his stomach, not expecting his fingers to sink in as much as they did. His eyebrows shot up in concern.

"Have I really gotten that soft?"

So Much Better (ao3) - cashcakeplz calum/ashton, michael/luke, bryana/ashton N/R, 84k

Summary: This is good, good for Ashton. He works so hard, always taking care of the boys, he deserves someone who will take his mind off of things, even for a couple of hours to get coffee. Maybe it’ll make him better, and by extension, the band better. Maybe Bryana is a good thing for everyone. Yet, even now, as Calum tries to think of how great Bryana could be for Ashton, he can’t help but think that he would be so much better.

Or the one where Calum and Ashton have been Friends With Benefits for years, and Calum thought his feelings for Ashton were simply sexual until Bryana came into the picture.

Sweater Weather (ao3) - allsassnoclass (brightblackholes) pre michael/calum G, 1k

Summary: Michael spends Christmas Eve of 2012 with Calum, waking up late, playing video games, and opening a package.

[igarbagecannoteven]

hi megs :) i can't believe you scheduled that ask game for over a year ahead but I am here to ask if you are so inclined to answer! 3, 11 (i know you try to be equal opportunity, but i'd love to know if you think you do have preferences despite that), 14, and 18 for fear the fever if you'd like -hazel

hiya hazel! thanks so much for sending these in i love you and hope you're doing well 💙 hopefully you still want to hear the answers to these lol

3. what are some tropes or details that you think are very characteristic of your fics? pining, completely off-the-wall premises, people being covered in blood, cars, friends to lovers, & general sillyness broken up by characters being emotionally devestated :))

11. are you partial to a certain character/pairing or are you more equal-opportunity? If you are partial to any character/pairing, why do you think that is? i do try my best to distribute my love and fic writing across all the pairings, but i am human i am willing to admit that i occasisionally truck with favoritism (shh don't tell anyone) i have always had a soft-spot for writing lashton and malum, partly bc of what was going on in the fic community when i joined & bc i think their dynamics are pretty natural for me to write. like i can't imagine writing malum as anything other than friends to lovers which is one of my favorite tropes, and lashton are very easy to emotionally devestate bc i have a pretty clear idea of what my fictionalized versions of them would do in response to x thing happening to the other. but i also go through spirts of favoring other pairings! there was a period of time where all the wips i started were mashton (and someday i will finish them,,, someday)

14. are there any tropes you would only read if written by a trusted friend or writer? oh definitely! i think anything that starts to enter the morally grey area (ie fics involving violence or sa or sh) are ones that i don't tend to read unless i know the author's work, just bc it can be really easy to butcher a darker-themed fic, either making it unrealistic or overly romanticized or too preachy for my tastes. i also tend to be pretty hesitant to read fics that are written in a non-au (or in an au very similar to our world), and i like to be familiar with what the author thinks of each of the band members before i dive in. it's fine if their interpretation is different from mine (and it often is lol) but i like to know what to expect and know that they aren't going to be portrayed in an incredibly flat manner. what can i say i'm a bit of a writing snob lol

18. if you wrote a sequel to [fear the fever], what would it involve? welll i may or may not already have a doc with sequel ideas for this fic sooo 👀 i'm still deciding exactly how i want to handle it, but the idea currently in the lead is following them on their roadtrip to malum's wedding and exploring all the struggles that would come with that (only being able to travel when the sun's down, dealing with luke's craving and being regularly trapped in smaller spaces together like the car & motel rooms) and *meanwhile* we'd be following mali koa, who is also on the way to the wedding but she's a secret vampire hunter *cue dramatic music* who picks up on signs that a newborn vampire is heading the same way she is and decides to track it down along the way. the drama! the suspense! the potential! i would love love love to write this and it may be the next long(er) fic i write after i finish my monstrosity of a wip

[blackbutterfliescal]

Growing Up

A Malum One Shot

Pairing: Michael Clifford x Calum Hood

Word count: 1.7K

Rating: Some really soppy fluff

Requested by: Anon 😇 I hope you like it, lovely!

Content: established relationship, nostalgia, small cute awkward boyfriends, just some ridiculously sweet fluff

A/N: This is my first time writing slash and I’m excited about it! This idea was just so very Malum to me. This is part of my “5SOS as The Maine” prompts based on Growing Up.

✨ Masterlist ✨

Get added to my taglist here 🌺

AO3 Link

Feedback is always appreciated! 😊

——— 

Knowing that Calum was going to be home any minute had Michael’s stomach in knots. The nagging anxiety in the back of his head had nearly gotten the best of him earlier in the day and he thought about calling the whole thing off. But he’d spent too long working up the nerve to chicken out now.

It had been weeks since Michael called the little Indian place around the corner to plan everything and now it was suddenly real. They had been returning to their first date spot at least once a month for years and they’d become close with the family that owned the tiny little restaurant. They could always manage to get the most secluded table in the back corner, wanting to spend their time focused on each other rather than people watching in the front windows. But tonight wasn’t like every other dinner they had there. And Michael wanted it to be perfect. He needed it to be perfect. That’s what Calum deserved.

He kept pacing about through the cramped living room with anticipation. In an attempt to ease his nerves, Michael walked to the bedroom in the quiet loft he shared with his boyfriend and stood in the full length mirror, smoothing out his shirt for the fifteenth time. He closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths trying to calm down, but he couldn’t help how jittery he felt. He knew that there was no reason to be so on edge. But he just couldn’t stop his hands from fidgeting.

With one last exhale, his eyes fluttered open and he glanced around the room, hoping to find something to ground him. If Calum came home to find him this antsy, he would immediately know that Michael was planning something. Michael’s eyes landed on the picture board on the wall beside the bed. A sweet, nostalgic smile spread across his lips as he moved around the foot of the bed. His fingertips floated over the messy collage of concert tickets and boarding passes and saved love notes before he landed on the pictures Luke had given them when they moved in here. The curly blonde was always sneaking pictures whenever he thought no one was looking and now he was getting paid to put his well-honed photography skills to good use. Michael couldn’t be more proud as he reminisced on his love story with Calum, spread out on the picture board before him.

The first picture his eyes landed on was of the fire pit in his parents’ backyard. Calum had convinced the boys to go to the senior formal as a group that day, promising they’d have a good time together. None of them had given it much thought amongst all the other senior week activities and they had run out of time to find proper dates. In the scramble to find suits that afternoon, not a single one of them managed to find something that fit, but they couldn’t have cared less. They danced to nearly every song, jumping around to the up-tempo pop songs and paying no mind to the judgemental stares as all four of them swayed to ballads together. When the boys didn’t want the fun to end that night, they wound up at Michael’s house getting drunk on the cheapest beer they could pick up on the way with their fake IDs. Ashton had tried to build a pyramid out of all the empty cans, which Calum accidentally knocked over. The photograph Luke had stealthily taken showed all three boys lounging around the fire in Michael’s overly baggy sweats. Michael remembered the panic he felt in his chest when he saw his clothes hanging off Calum’s small frame. He recalled that at some point he’d brought out his acoustic guitar to show off what he’d been practicing in his lessons but the boys all teased him because the only song he could remember was Wonderwall. The four of them got more drunk than they’d ever been and stayed up until the first rays of light began to creep across the sky, talking about everything and anything. Like many other nights before, when they finally decided to get some sleep, Luke and Ashton crashed in the living room while Calum crawled into bed beside Michael. Something was different about that night, though. It could have been the copious amounts of beer or the exhaustion from staying up all night or the uncertainty they faced after high school - it was most likely the influence of the alcohol though. Just as Michael’s eyes had closed and he began to drift off to sleep, Calum rolled over to face him and placed the lightest kiss on Michael’s rosy lips. Calum had started to apologize, but he was quickly cut off with a sweet kiss before Michael pulled him into his chest and gave in to sleep.

Michael’s fingers fell across the board, over a postcard and a small pride flag sticker, before they stopped on a picture from high school graduation of a very surprised Calum wrapped tightly in Michael’s arms. Michael had dreaded seeing Calum that day - nearly a week after they’d seen each other last - nearly a week after that very drunken kiss. All four of them were going to the same college a few months later and Michael had worried that having Calum as his roommate would be awkward now. They’d been best friends as long as he could remember and the last thing he would have wanted was to lose Calum over what he figured to be a drunken mistake. When Michael had arrived, graduation cap and gown in hand, he found the other three boys already talking together. Awkwardness had been quick to take over the conversation before Calum pulled Michael away from Luke and Ashton. Calum was shy but he was never one to back away from confrontation. Michael expected that he would want to forget it ever happened, but instead Calum spilled his heart out. He told Michael that he hadn’t stopped thinking about their kiss and how he wanted them to go to college together as more than just friends. When the shock had disappeared from Michael’s face, he practically lept at Calum, wrapping his arms around his shoulders and saying that nothing would make him happier than to be his boyfriend. Ever the charmer, Luke had snapped a picture and shouted something about it taking them long enough. Michael and Calum couldn’t be bothered to care but it left Ashton in a fit of giggles.

Michael scanned further down the board, feeling his smile grow as the tension left his shoulders and the butterflies in his stomach settled. He found a picture from one of the many college weekends spent at the beach. They had passed so much time at the pier, cruising the shops and soaking in the sunshine. The particular weekend in the picture, Michael had soaked in a little too much sun, though. By that point in their relationship, Calum had become used to helping Michael keep his back from burning while they were out all day. But the week before had consisted of particularly rough midterms and they were both exhausted. So exhausted that they’d fallen asleep sprawled out on their loungers after Luke and Ashton left to get food and beer. When they returned, Luke whipped out his camera and Ashton made the mistake of trying to wake Michael up by poking his very pink shoulder, which caused Michael to jump straight up out of his chair. If looks could kill, Ashton would have been a dead man. As always, Calum was there to keep him grounded. Calum had spent the whole week afterward apologizing to Michael and helping him keep aloe on the sunburnt skin so it wouldn’t hurt so bad. It didn’t seem to matter how many times Michael reassured him that there was no one to blame, Calum continued to apologize with every aloe application.

Continuing to find comfort in Calum, Michael landed on the last picture Luke had given them. It was a particularly proud day for them as they stood in front of their brand new loft, homeowners for the first time. The exhaustion from moving was evident on their faces, but Luke had insisted on a picture to commemorate the occasion. When Ashton made a joke about them being “homo-owners” now, they’d cracked smiles from ear to ear and laughed until their sides ached. Luke and Ashton had helped them bring in all their hand-me-downs from the college apartment before the four of them sat around the empty living room floor, celebrating with cheap alcohol and greasy pizza. The place was small and mismatched at first, but they had spent the last two years making it a home they were proud of, one piece at a time.

Michael dropped his eyes from the memories pinned up in front of him and ran a hand over his scruff thoughtfully. Warmth spread through his chest as he looked around him, seeing bits of Calum running through every part of his life. He picked up the small velvet box from the nightstand at his side, prying it open with a toothy grin. The band was simple and he only hoped Calum would be proud to wear it. Proud to call Michael his fiance tonight. Soon proud to call him his husband.

Michael heard the lock on the front door quietly click as Calum called out for him. He closed the ring box and slid it into his pocket, composing himself and sparing one last glance at the tokens on the wall. Michael’s nerves were completely gone, replaced with an eagerness to get to the dinner he had planned, to slide this ring on his boyfriend’s finger, and to spend the rest of his life giving everything he had to the man in the other room.

———

taglist:  @easierlftv​ @haikucal​ @kingcals​ @youngblood199456​ @calumbroutledge​ @atlcalm​ @another-lonely-heart​ @ashtonsos​ @castaway-cashton​ @itsjen223​ @bloodyoathcal​ @vapor5sos​

[cliffordsbye]

they’re too cute

[satellitesunset]

I have more thoughts about this than I probably should, but I was actually actively thinking about this seeing some babysos sleeping on the bus/van pictures, because one they look too young to be that tired and two all four of them sleep in distinct ways?? I am personally fascinated by cake sleeping, because Luke usually tries to make himself seem smaller when he's not on stage (where he is larger than live, love that for him) but when he's asleep he usually takes up the space you expect someone as tall as him to take (i would provide visuals but I'm on my phone but like the video of him and Calum in the seat of the van where he's taking like 70% of the space or even that pic that you reblogged from me yesterday) and Calum usually sits like he's trying to take as much space as he can (if you look up manspreading you'll find a picture of Calum, true story) but totally curls into himself when he sleeps, and also the way he always has his arms like he's hugging something makes me thing about that interview were malum says they are the big spoon always and lashton say they like to be the little spoon, and I strongly believe it hat Calum is the only one of that will always try to be the big spoon because he looks like he likes to hug things when he sleeps. Also Crystal has provided multiple situations where Michael was the little spoon, so like, babe don't lie you like to be held, it's okay.

Michael asleep is exactly what I expect him to be while sleeping, and by that I mean he's a cat. I'm pretty sure I have a set of Michael sleeping (i do, it's here) he either curls up into himself arms folded across his body or just full on drops his full body weight on whoever is closest to him and that just makes me want to scream if I'm honest, unless the person next to him it's Luke, then they are just there leaning into each other and that's adorable and soft and aaaaaaa. There's not a lot of Ashton asleep content, at least I can't seem to find all that much, maybe that's because he's the one taking the sleeping videos and pics usually, but if no one is sleeping on him he is kinda like a little ball?? And that's so soft considering his usual tired dad stance (What is is with 6 feet something men and trying to be small while sleeping?? Why is that so endearing?? Let me run my fingers through your hair while you sleep please)

I could actually write multiple essays about them sleeping jspsksoskspsk

Sorry this is long but I'm bored and trying to district myself and I have many many thoughts so I'm inflicting them on you jspsksoskspsk

anna hi yes thank u for gracing me with your thoughts I love them.

"they look too young to be this tired" ok yes thank you for casually just hurting me 😃 I'm fine.

ok yes excellent observation, I love the juxtaposition between now luke always makes seem smaller except when he's sleeping or performing, and If I think too much about it I'll cry.

Calum !! yes !! my guy is a just curls up around something and it's the sweetest thing ever especially when as u said he's a professional manspreader <3

there's no doubt in my mind michael is a lil spoon, he was totally lying in that interview 💀 and yes he is so similar to a kitten it's almost funny. ( honourable mention to muke cuddling bc 🥺🥺 )

and yes ashton (in rare the photos we have) does seem to curl into a ball and I think when you compare with how he always seems to hold himself it's so- many feelings ykwim

anyways thank u for indulging me in sleepysos thoughts because they're precious and I love them

[lukemichaelcalumashton]

I'm feeling some type of way about how none of these are pre-2018... like an oof type of way. they can't have never hugged before that, did they just like. never do it in front of people???? did they use to hug so rarely that it never got caught on camera?? i don't even know what my thoughts about it are but i'm very 🙂🙂 -taylor

I think i said 2018. i meant 2016, but now that i think about it we only got the msg one in 2016 and then that was it. now it seems they hug left and right and aaaaa okay bye

@squishmichael hi hello why are you coming to me with mashton emo thoughts i didn't ask for this (though maybe i did by bringing back that post oops anyways ily <3)

i'm feeling some kind of way about this too because where are the pre-2016 mashton hugs?? the 2016-2018 mashton hugs?? they had to have hugged y'know. and i'm just thinking about how many hug footage there is of, say, malum hugging since the start and yeah, i know you can't compare the familiarity between malum and mashton but there are plenty of cake and muke hugs and touches over the years too! but this is ashton and we know ashton isn't (wasn't?) very touchy and cuddly. we still got touches, like mashton holding hands, the "it's brotherly" thing, michael nuzzling against ashton's neck which interestingly enough were all started by michael as opposed to their hugs which are initiated by ashton. and like many people have said this is probably a way for ashton to control the hug, when it starts and when it ends, how long it lasts for.... and that makes me think (and cry) about how all these hugs have happened because ashton wanted them.

the 5sos show hug is a perfect painful example. he waits patiently for malum to have their hug, waits for michael to be free to open his arms wide so michael and him can hug. he wanted his hug and he got it. and it's such??? a soft hug???? the way he leans his head on michael's shoulder and whispers something to him. the way michael keeps their feet a little apart so he doesn't step on ashton's foot??? okay. 🥺

there's not much to be said about the complete mess bts video because we don't get to see a lot of what happens before or after it but it's important because this is touchy ashton, this is 5sos5 ash and he's in his loving touchy era. he might have hugged all the boys here, he cradled calum against him while working on their scenes... just. Touchy.

and then the side hug from the dublin show that's not even a hug but deserved to be on that post because well. because it's my post and i said so fjskdjs all i can say about it is that they're both sweaty, they're both gross but that doesn't stop them. michael is stepping on ashton's foot but that doesn't matter, neither of them pulls back, they're happy! they're back! they're proud and excited to be sharing this with each other again! i cry

sigh i'm pretty sure i had a point and i lost it in this sea of mashton feelings fjskdjs but the bottom line is. we hadn't gotten a mashton hug since 2018 and now we got three in the span of four months??? probably will be getting more as tour continues??? and those are just the ones that we see because i wholeheartedly believe that ashton is hugging his friends behind the scenes too. this is a man who has grown comfortable with hugging and touching and now he can't stop. and i, for one, love that for him!!!! (and for us!)

[createdbyobsidian]

Hi hey, I’m embarrassed to admit I’m not really sure who is who anymore, so as first ask, hi! Could we have a small introduction to you all :D?

Malum gives a small wave, standing up and towering over everyone else. "Hi, I'm Malum. Ummm... I like... cooking."

"And he's a demon," Evelyn adds.

"I wasn't going to lead with that. For obvious reasons. I don't hurt anyone, I promise. I'm a reformed demon."

"And my wonderful husband," Haley says, holding his hand and giving him a soft and reassuring smile. "He saved me."

"And you saved me." Malum smiles back and leans down, kissing his wife gently.

Evelyn fake gags behind them, and then smiles at her gooey-hearted friends. "I'm Evelyn, daughter of a magic flower-guardian of another dimension. But I'm mostly a normal person, I work as a florist and rife a motorcycle and stuff."

Carter steps forward and gives a dramatic bow. "Carter Clevman, god of Cleverness, Craftiness, Charisma and Charm!"

"And pissing off other gods and wearing too much yellow," Ashlyn adds, walking into the room with a tray of fresh raspberry and butterscotch caramel cookies. "Including the god of baking, and I had to have a bake-off with them to save him."

"And she won!" Carter winks. "So see? Clever and crafty."

"And a dumbass," Ebelyn says, not unkindly, just as fact.

"Dumbass by choice, thank you. It makes things more interesting to act without thinking sometimes."

[kanohivolitakk]

I'd love to hear any headcanons you have for Malum or Sentrakh, whichever you prefer!

I'm going to do Sentrakh. I have a soft-spot for Dark Hunters as whole and do have quite a bit of thoughts regarding him, despite him being basically a non character whose only trait is hyperloyalty to The Shadowed One. That and while I do like Malum I don't think about 09 cast that much, sorry.

Sentrakh

Realistic

He is a chimera created out of multiple individuals and species. He also has artifically made brain so he is not a pre-existing person who was experimented on but instead a new being, like a Frankensteins monster.

Sentrakh is also mute (either completely physically incapable of speaking or capable of speaking to an extent, but doesn't speak), but communicates through gestures. If he is able to speak, he speaks exclusively to The Shadowed One, and with very limited vocabulary.

Hilarious

He is a lapdog to The Shadowed One, often sitting on his lap. In general he probably acts a lot like a dog.

Heartcrushing

While Sentrakh is often seen as an emotionless zombie (and to an extent he is that), he is capable of thought and emotion. This capacity is extremely stunted however, both due to his brain being "limited" but also because he hasnt been taught concepts beyond what he needs to know. So he doesnt know that much and struggles with understanding what he knows.

Unrealistic but I refuse to believe in canon and substitute it with my own

He loves The Shadowed One in a non-canon (read romantic) way (as much as he is capable of experiencing love) and is absolutely devoted to him, but is unable to express the depth of these feelings due to struggling with communication and not understanding that his feelings are more than just loyalty. Heck, I feel he doesn't completely understand his emotions and is just "master makes me happy master makes me warm i like master i care for master". He is just very devoted and loving towards his master and wants to show that love, even if he struggles with it.

Send me a characters name to receive four different headcanons

[reveriesofawriter]

okay i'm going to send a non mashton prompt for once: “What are you listening to? Can I hear?” on an airplane with malum?

Michael thought Calum was the best to fly next to. Ashton got up too often and Luke always used him as a pillow, but Calum was good at being soft and steady next to him, in the air and on the ground. If he was being honest, Michael liked being next to Calum all the time. It was too bad they were a stage across from each other when they performed, not that it ever stopped them from finding their way to each other anyway.

Calum was usually quiet on planes too. He never minded if Michael talked, but they both preferred to listen to music or watch movies the whole time. Half the time they would share headphones. Michael pushed up the armrest between them and cuddled into Calum’s side. Usually this was when Calum would automatically offer him one of his headphones, but he didn’t. Michael frowned a little and pushed his head against Calum’s shoulder, and Calum shifted slightly so he would be more comfortable, but he didn’t offer any music.

“Cal?”

“Hmm?”

“What are you listening to? Can I hear?” Calum got a little tense and Michael lifted his head. “What?”

“Nothing,” Calum said quickly. He pulled out one of his earbuds and passed it to Michael, but not before changing the song.

“Why’d you change it?” Michael asked.

“I felt like you’d like this song better.”

Calum was lying to him, and usually he’d let it go, but Calum had been acting weird around him for days. He’d been sticking to his side of the stage, for one. He hadn’t been sharing his snacks without Michael asking. He’d also asked to room with Ashton on their last hotel night. Michael glanced over at Luke and Ashton across the aisle; Luke was already asleep and Ashton was on his phone. They looked normal. Calum was listening to music out of one earbud and Michael was holding the other in his hand, far enough away from his ear that he couldn’t tell what song was playing over the ambient plane sounds.

Calum finally realized, or maybe stopped ignoring, that Michael was still looking at him. “Why can’t I hear the other song?” Michael asked. “I’m not gonna judge you for your taste in music, you know.” Calum looked away again. “Why is it a secret?”

“Because it wasn’t a song,” Calum said.

“So what was it?”

“I don’t want to tell you.”

“Is it something to do with why you’re avoiding me?”

“I’m not.”

“Yes you are, you’ve been weird for more than a week, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong.”

Michael let the earbud drop to Calum’s side as he sat up. “If you don’t want to be best friends anymore, you can just say it,” he huffed. Now that was a lie. If Calum said anything of the sort, Michael wouldn’t know what to do with himself.

Calum sighed. “It was you.”

“What was me?”

“That I was listening to.”

“You mean one of our songs? That’s not weird, I listen to us all the time. We’re great.”

“It wasn’t a song.” Calum held the other earbud back up to Michael as he scrolled through his music and landed on a track that was all numbers. Michael put it to his ear and heard only his own voice, jabbering away about absolutely nothing. “It was you.”

“What is- why were you listening to that? Where did you even get it from?”

“You sent it to me last time we were home. I wasn’t answering your calls I guess so you talked at my voicemail for five minutes until it cut you off.”

“But why?”

“I like hearing your voice?” Calum said, looking at Michael worriedly.

“But I’m right here? I can talk to you now.”

“I don’t want to make you talk to me,” Calum said.

“When have you ever made me do anything? I like talking to you. But you’re avoiding me, so I can’t.”

“I’m sorry,” Calum said quietly. “I don’t want you to stop being my best friend.”

“Good, I don’t want- wait why would I stop being your friend?”

“Because I like you?”

“I like you too?” Michael said, confused.

“No, I like you,” Calum insisted.

Michael’s stomach dropped, because of Calum or the turbulence. No one else seemed bothered, so, because of Calum. “You—”

“Please don’t hate me,” Calum said.

“I don’t hate you,” Michael said, sounding dazed even to himself. “I like you too.” Too early to say he loved Calum, he supposed.

“You do?”

“Yeah,” Michael said breathlessly. “For a long time.”

“And you never told me?”

He didn’t know exactly how to say he’d thought it was pretty obvious, that besides Calum being his best friend, he might as well have been his favorite person ever, and he didn’t even try to hide it. “You never told me either.”

“I didn’t think you’d like me back.”

“What’s not to like?” Michael asked, cuddling back against Calum. He was warm and comfy and playing Michael a song they both liked, and now he was loosely holding Michael’s hand, squeezing his fingers like he was trying Michael’s hand on for size. Calum would never not be the best person to fly next to.

[5sosfanfictioncatalogue]

Swimming Masterlist

Bittersweet - @daydadahlias (cornflowerblue (daydadahlias)) luke/ashton T, 20k

Summary: It’s not growing older that scares Luke. It’s that everyone else will outgrow him before he catches up.

Hearts, Chlorine and Valentine Lovers (ao3) - ethereal_larry (ttmngx) luke/ashton G, 2k

Summary: Luke's body was bubbling with anticipation. It flooded his mind and pumped through his veins. Every single cell forming his brain was full of excitement. He wasn't really sure of how much more he was able to wait for anything. It was his favourite time of the year.

He liked summer February in Australia.

He loved Saturdays more than his brothers.

And he completely, undeniably adored Valentine's Day.

If I'm Lame Then You're Beautiful (ao3) - ashsparagus michael/luke N/R, 4k

Summary: Luke doesn't think cheesy stuff can be cute. Michael takes that bet. They never thought they could fall deeper in love.

I Would Hate You If I Could (ao3) - CliffordAffliction luke/ashton, michael/luke, michael/calum E, 23k

Summary: Luke’s been in love with his best friend Ashton for years, to the point where it’s driving him insane how much he wants to be with him. Out of the blue Ashton starts to treat him like they aren’t even friends anymore and Luke doesn’t know how to handle it so he tries desperately to get his mind off of the boy…and fails miserably.

Just Me, Her, and the Moon (ao3) - orphan_account calum/ashton G, 4k

Summary: Ashton and Calum have had enough of the garbage weather and atmosphere of LA, so they book off to the middle of nowhere for the weekend.

Lake effect kids (ao3) - petalrock luke/calum, michael/ashton T, 10k

Summary: The dock house door flies open and a boy comes bouncing out. 

“Another day, another dollar!” Luke hollers. He’s wearing giant aviators, board shorts, and a life vest, even though he was just indoors, and the water around the petro dock is six feet deep, at most. Calum cracks a smile. Luke beams back with enough force to burn Calum’s retinas. 

God, he’s gorgeous.

lost in the swirling sea (ao3) - irwah michael/calum/ashton E, 3k

Summary: '“Adventuring is my thing. Skinny dipping is my thing. And you went without me.” Ashton muffles into the pillow.

Calum rolls his eyes, stroking Ashton’s hair. But Michael smirks.

“We can skinny dip into your bed if you want?”'

Or: mashlum sex, inspired entirely by malum's antics and ashton's jealous tweet

Never Gets Old (ao3) - louluke luke/calum G, 1k

Summary: Luke is on the swim team and Calum is always there cheering him on. They hangout after the meet, blah blah blah. This is basically just Cake fluff so hope you enjoy!

Splash (ao3) - Branithar michael/ashton, luke/calum G, 1k

Summary: The boys have fun at the beach.

Thunderstorm (ao3) - outlawofideal michael/luke M, 15k

Summary: Or the one Luke loses his hope of his swimming career, Calum is a impeccable medley racer, Ashton and Michael are really close friends.

We Are Strange, In Our Worlds (ao3) - fourdrunksluts michael/luke N/R, 84k

Summary: Luke's an aspiring artist, and Michael's a traveling musician. They cross paths in Hillvue in the summer of ‘95.

why don't we be friends? (why don't we make out?) (ao3) - bellawritess luke/calum T, 2k

Summary: “You’re staring again,” Luke says quietly. Calum smiles and floats nearer to him.

“Yes I am,” he says easily. “You’re very easy to stare at.”

Your name is written in the sand (ao3) - screamtobeheard (orphan_account) michael/luke M, 4k

Summary: “Luke, what are we doing?” he asks, some slight panic in his voice. Luke places his hand on Michael’s shoulder. It’s a completely normal touch, something all of them do daily but right now, in the dim light of the pool and the only heat he feels is coming from Luke, it makes him melt. Luke’s thumb strokes once, twice up and down before he makes eye contact again. “We’re just skinnydipping,” he says, reasonably. His hand doesn’t move however. It slides from his shoulder over his arm, till his soft fingers trial over the palm of his hand. “Just swimming,” Luke says softer as he carries on.

Or a summer fic

You Saved Me (ao3) - CliffordAffliction luke/ashton M, 5k

Summary: After a boy from school causes harm to Luke Ashton's protective instincts kick in and all he wants to do is make sure Luke feels safe and loved

[igarbagecannoteven]

good luck on writing your novel opening! i am sending you lots of positive writing and plot vibes!!! but also i would like to know the answers to 5, 11, 12, 24, 35, 43, 54, 72, and 77! That's a lot of questions so feel free to pick and choose but i am genuinely curious about all of them -hazel

thank you for the positive vibes and good luck wishes!! they have been received and i edited and reworked the first 4.5k of the assignment! (most of it had already been edited previously, so don't be too impressed lol)

5. how many wips do you have? how many fandoms/pairings are they for? depending on what you count as a "wip", i'd say somewhere btwn 30-40ish? all 5sos pairings have more than one wip, and i've got a couple hp wips (and one doctor who drabble, but that's finished so it doesn't count)

11. do you write scenes in order or do you jump around? i usually start from what i think is the beginning at the time and then start jumping around when i either run into a wall or am inspired by something that will happen later!

12. do you outline your fics? if yes, how detailed are your outlines? how far do you stray from them? it depends! most fics i start have a general idea of how they'll go, but they rarely get an outline (unless you count one sentence in a notes app as an outline, but i don't) as for proper outlines, i have three aus (my big superhero au, we gotta make a decision's parent au, and my crazy scifi au) that have "proper" outlines, which range from extremely vague to very specific. i have yet to stray too far from any of them, but i'm also not super far along so we'll see! (my 4th of july au and my baby blue au also have docs that are vaguely outline shaped, but i'm not counting them for multiple reasons, chief among them being that they may never be written)

24. how do you choose which pov to write from? answered here!

35. what's your favorite fic you've posted? ohhh gosh. i really do love what if i'm weak (and i need you tonight?) i think it's one of my strongest writing-wise, i love the characters, it's my 2nd most popular fic,,, yeah idk i just think it's nice :))

43. is there a trope or idea you'd really like to write but haven't yet? lots! there are so many that are in wip-land, but one that hasn't even gotten a doc yet is a longer fic that's both a quarantine au and a slowburn and a fic that centers around the character's ace-ness. i've been thinking about it for a while now and i think it's something i need to sit on for a few months/years before i start it, but hopefully someday it'll be written :))

54. what's the fandom/pairing distribution of your posted fics? it's very sad :(( i've got 3 malum, 2 lashton, 1 mashton, 1 cake, 1 malum friendship fic, and no muke or cashton :(((( i can't wait to release more stuff with other pairings i don't like how unbalanced it is :((

72. what's your favorite writing compliment you've gotten? today in my creative writing class i got a very nice compliment from a classmate that made me very soft(tm). he said something like "we've talked about how great your ideas and concepts are in your story and that's true, but the real strength is the characters, who are so real and strong that they help me believe everything about this world you're building". and i just. :') i mean any compliment on my writing makes me melt but i think characters are the most important part of a story and for him to say that??? i did not propose but it was a close thing ksdjflkdsjfljsd

77. why do you enjoy writing fanfic? i like the freedom it gives me! i like that i can write characters and not have to worry about telling people what they look like or their general vibe bc they already know! (i hate describing how characters look lol it's the bane of my existence) i like the community feeling! i love how people can just comment on what they liked best and know that i'll read it! i like that so many different kinds of writing can fit under this one umbrella! i just love it!!

writer’s ask time!

[clumsyclifford]

#96 you choose the pairing I'm ready to be soft over anyone

ok i promise after this ill go back to writing malum and lashton more regularly but we were already in so deep with mashton so here.......is this

-

Michael wakes up at six, to the coldness of a half-empty bed, and Ashton tugging on his jeans.

"Ash," Michael whines softly, even though he knows this is protocol. This is the deal, and Michael knows it has to be this, but he doesn't have to like it.

Ashton shushes him. "I'm sorry," he says, and sounds like he is.

"Can't you stay a little longer?" Michael reaches groggily for Ashton. "Five minutes. Come on."

"Mike," Ashton says, in that familiar you know I can't tone of voice. "You know I can't."

Michael does know. He knows Ashton's mum would ask questions if she found his bed empty in the morning, and questions would mean answers, and Ashton wouldn't have any truthful ones, because his mum doesn't even know he's gay, and anyway he's not supposed to be sneaking out — and Michael knows it's all for him, and he should feel grateful, and should feel lucky, which he does, but mostly he just feels sad. He wants Ashton to stay.

He knows it's selfish, and doesn't even care.

"I know," he says unhappily. "I'm sorry."

Ashton smiles at him, apologetic. "If I could stay, I would." He pulls his shirt over his head and leans over Michael for a kiss. Michael savors it until it ends, and then pouts as Ashton tugs the window open and climbs out. It's all very coming-of-age film, but Michael wishes they could skip to the ending, where Ashton's mum finds out and gives him her blessing to, like, move in with Michael so they can just sleep in the same bed every night and make out until they fall asleep.

As the window slides shut and Ashton disappears from outside of it, Michael closes his eyes, hugging the extra pillow in his bed to his chest. It's not the same as Ashton, who's sturdy and warm, but Michael falls back asleep all the same, buzzing from the parting kiss.

-

Michael could probably have a cool countdown moment to the knock on his window if he weren't too busy playing Fifa.

As soon as the knock does come, though, he ends the game and hurries over to open it. Ashton is outside, and before he can even speak Michael leans in and kisses him hard, almost daring Ashton to pull back. But Ashton just kisses him back, purposeful and direct, with the heat that Michael misses every hour he doesn't spend with Ashton.

Finally they part, and Ashton says, "Can I come in, Juliet?"

Michael steps back to admit Ashton, and Ashton pulls the window closed behind him. "Is everything okay?" Ashton asks. Michael doesn't answer, so Ashton holds out his arms, and Michael sags against him, weak in his embrace, and confident that Ashton won't let him fall.

"Tiring day," he mumbles. "I missed you. You weren't at school."

"Yeah, sorry," Ashton says. "I had to watch my siblings."

Michael doesn't ask why it's Ashton's job to watch his siblings. He already knows, and immediately feels badly for being so whiny. Here Ashton is, literally raising his brother and sister, and Michael's complaining about — what, exactly?

"No, no," he says. "Fuck. Sorry. Don't apologize. It's okay. I mean, it's not okay that you have to do that, but it's — you don't have to be sorry."

"Well, if it's any consolation, I missed you too." Ashton presses a gentle kiss against Michael's temple, and Michael tilts his head, a silent encouragement to continue. 

"You smell nice," he says, as Ashton kisses his way down Michael's face and jaw. Michael pulls back enough to meet Ashton's eyes finally, and Ashton kisses him once on the mouth, so soft that Michael could melt in his arms.

"Thanks," he says. "I showered."

"Wow," Michael says. "For me? You shouldn't have."

"No, for my other super hot secret boyfriend. I'm going to see him when I leave in the morning."

"Well, by then you won't smell nice anymore," Michael reasons, tugging Ashton towards the bed with a crooked smile. "You'll just smell like me. And sex."

"I think you smell nice," Ashton says, affronted. "And I'm pretty sure sex is what, like, most perfume companies are selling."

Michael rolls his eyes. "I'm propositioning you," he says.

"I know that," Ashton says. Michael hates him.

"I wish you could stay," he says mournfully.

Ashton pushes lightly against Michael's chest, and Michael falls into his bed, bracketing Ashton with his legs.

"Stop thinking so much," Ashton says. "I'm here now."

"And yet here I am, still wearing all of my clothes."

Ashton shakes his head, immeasurably fond, and dips his head down to kiss Michael. "You're difficult," he says against Michael's mouth. 

"You love it."

Ashton doesn't reply, just kisses him harder with a little more fire, and Michael decides he can stop thinking ahead for a little while. Ashton will fall asleep with him; Ashton risks his freedom to come kiss him goodnight. Michael's not going to ruin these spare hours with pesky thoughts of the future. He's got Ashton now.

One day he'll have Ashton forever, but right now Ashton is here, kissing him, wandering hands on Michael, and it's enough.

[ashtcnirwin]

god typing your url is always so hard for me i don't know why but i always want to type ashtocn ANYWAY how about this: gimme a director's cut for jalex in paris, change my mind fic, or makeup artist ashton fic. yes those are the three you wrote for me. i'm giving you the option to only break down one of them if you don't wanna have to dig into all three. but like you can hit all three if you wanna! go crazy. whatever floats your boat. love youuu xoxo bella

you and me both, i keep spelling it as aschtnirwin whenever i have to type it out🤡

hmm giving me choices... i like that, thank u miss bella! i haven’t really talked much about any of these fics (that i can remember), and i can’t quite make up (heh heh) my mind (heh heh) so i’ll just do all three and here’s to hoping i can keep it at least a little bit short

⭐ we’re doing director’s cut of fics guys⭐

jalex in paris aka we go together (or we don’t go down at all)

writing this fic was really hard in one way because i’d never written a fic for a fandom that i barely knew anything about, and i remember that i spent that whole morning/early afternoon looking at atl interviews and miscellaneous vids to get a tiny teeny grasp of their vibes. and it’s like...when you’re part of a fandom, you keep picking up all these little pieces of information about whatever/whoever it is you’re a fan of, things that you won’t find on a wiki page or anything, but to try and pick up all those little details in one day just wasn’t gonna happen obviously. 

i think you, bella, commented on smth in the fic, a little detail or smth that didn’t add up with the real people, and i never went back to fix it (cos it just...didn’t matter to the story at all really) but i remember thinking to myself like “ah fuck...okay making little mistakes like that is really irritating cos if this was 5sos (or 1d for that matter) i’d never ever make a mistake like that”, yk?

anyway, i love paris a lot, i’ve been there a few times, and i’d been meaning to write you some jalex for a while when...either sam or meghna said smth about jalex in paris, and i thought...yeah...i can do that...mhm. so i did. and you know me, i’m usually all about the angst and the emotional torture and the heartbreak and all that stuff, BUT in addition to this fic being written for you and i know you’re all about the easy love, writing this as angsty or have jalex have a bigass argument over their relationship or anything like that just didn’t feel right AT ALL. 

in my mind at least, the combination of how jalex act irl, both as individuals and as a duo, and the general vibe i was going for in the fic, the easy love-path was the only thing that made sense. it was just like...they spent a day wandering around paris, being a little chaotic, and ended with them sitting at a restaurant in the early evening, waiting for their dinner, and then jack just being like “are we on a date?”, totally casual, and then that was it, sort of. no conflict, no long conversation, no colliding expectations, etc etc, and it was lovely to write.

(but ofc, in true me-fashion, i had to throw SOMETHING in there, hence the nods towards a fwb-arrangement)

(in my defense, if it wasn’t for that, there never would’ve been a ‘is this a date?’-question tho so)

and i really, really enjoyed writing this piece, far more than i thought i would, and getting to write about parisian vibes (and cute boys complaining about awfully hot parisian summer weather) was just...i felt like a soft boiled egg by the time i finished and posted it😌

change my mind-fic aka we dance along

would you believe that this was the first fic i ever wrote that was inspired by a song? actually, so far it’s the only song-inspired fic i’ve written, i haven’t written another one since. why haven’t i? it was so much fun...huh 

well i’m a wh*re for 1d, i was deep into the fandom back in the heyday, and this song was my sad jam back when tmh came out, so writing a fic for it eight years later and for a different fandom was...it felt a little odd, ngl, especially since i wrote it as non-au? which would indicate that 1d exists in this universe? and that 5sos went on tour with them? i don’t think i put a direct timestamp on the fic, but they were in stockholm when the events of the fic went down and it was established that they were in sheffield a week prior, so that would have been the myt tour, so...yeah, they would have toured with 1d a few years prior, and now they’re hanging out, drunk, in an hotel room, speaking in 1d lyrics? that’s a vibe

just like the jalex in paris-fic, there’s easy love here, too. i think i said something in the club a little while back (it might have been in response to...nik asking for general writing tips?) about how sometimes, people just...do things, they don’t think it through, they don’t stress out about it or anything; they want something and they go for it, and it just isn’t deeper than that. not everything has to be super fucking deep, right?

and i remember thinking as i was getting started on writing malum’s whole conversation about what went down in sheffield, that if any 5sos ship was gonna hook up and then a week later be like “ykw? i like you, i liked kissing you, i liked hooking up with you, so let’s just run with it and see where it takes us” with just a brief, minor freakout and not getting themselves into a whole pining, angsty situation over it, it would be malum. cos the basic premise of this fic COULD have been turned into an angsty slow burn, no doubt, but it made sense to me to drop the argument all together and just go for a soft and easy conversation

makeup artist ashton au aka something old, something new

ah awkward, nervous luke...loml. this one was SO FUCKING HARD to write for the sole reason that idk shit about makeup, like i’m literally barely able to paint my own face without ending up looking like heath ledger in the dark knight, u feel? had it only been hairdresser!ashton. i know way more about hair. well anyway doesn’t matter.

it’s been so long since i wrote that fic now (or, it feels like it’s been super long, in all actuality it’s only been like half a year) and i wrote it so quickly that i can’t remember a lot about my thought process as i wrote it, tbh?

the only thing that stands out to me is the line in the fic that goes, “He chooses to not say anything about the fact that it’s the judgement he’s passing on himself that’s the main problem.” because while i’m obviously not gonna sit here and speak for everyone else, i often find that when i make a big change in my life, be it with my looks or my job or my studies or in personal relationships or whatever else, i tend to be more focused on judging myself for whatever it is i just did than i am on whatever judgement other people may be passing on me.

i wrote luke as being super nervous and unsure about asking ashton to put makeup on him, but his nerves definitely came more from being scared of taking that step than from worrying about other people judging him. i didn’t elaborate on it in the fic as far as i can remember, but i imagine that the reason he was so nervous was that he was scared of taking another leap away from traditional masculinity and what it might lead to. i feel like...a part of him was hoping that he wouldn’t like his face with makeup on, simply because then he could take it all off and carry on with his life, but well, that didn’t happen. he’s a pretty boi, even prettier with makeup.

also, in hindsight, i realise that this is one of those fics that could have been left pairing-less and it wouldn’t really have changed the story much at all. the focus of the fic was very much on luke, not as much on the interactions between him and ashton, and i think the main reason why i did include some flirting (or, clumsy attempts at flirting at least (luke just going ‘hey do u have snapchat? pls? i wanna talk to u more)) was that it’s become more or less second nature to me when writing fic to include at least a nod or two towards a romantic relationship?

yeah i did not manage to keep any of these particularly short? surprise surprise but thank u bella for giving me the chance to talk abt these fics that i have a tendency to forget abt, ily🧡

[calpops]

girl i'm so soft for malum, if you ever wrote anything on them i would probably just die. not that i want to pressure you! just know that you would have a fan out there for sure if you did 🥺💛

Malum has such a special place in my heart. I for sure want to write something for them. Maybe a sports fic, maybe just some good ol fluff idek 🥺💛