#if I finish and post a spur-of-the-moment fic before ones that I've been WORKING ON FOR MONTHS I swear........

[goatsandgangsters]

the “I'm just jotting down some bullet points of an idea I'm never going to write” to “I am now writing a fic” pipeline

[eliotquillon]

as a change of pace from the time loop fic, would you write something fluffy? drabble or hcs.

getting the sense that i have been wreaking psychological havoc on all of you given the sheer number of anon asks i've had in the past few days begging me to pause the angst and write something fluffy LMAOO. i'm working on catching up with a few drabble reqs from before chapter 3 of time loop fic was finished but have some fluffy-ish chameron hcs to tide you over:

-chase bought cameron's engagement ring WELL before cameron finds it in s5 (and subsequently has her freakout about it). more specifically, he buys the stone for it as part of a necklace set he plans to give her for their first valentine's day together (that chase also secretly counts as their one year anniversary together since that's when they started their fwb arrangement, but is sensible enough not to say as much to cameron). he changes his mind about gifting it to her at the last minute because, well, it's an expensive diamond necklace and he doesn't want to scare cameron off (or, you know, let on to the whole 'i count the day we started casually fucking as the anniversary of our actual relationship' thing) and switches out the diamond out for something less showy, but doesn't have the heart to return the original stone. on their actual one year anniversary he books the appointment to get the diamond re-set into a ring, but gets the jewellers to keep it on hold for him until he thinks she's ready to accept. it's sheer bad luck that this happens to coincide with kutner's death and makes cameron think that this was a rash spur-of-the-moment decision lol

-there's a little phase right at the start of their relationship (when they're really in the honeymoon period) where cameron makes a bunch of excuses to tag along with chase to meet his soccer friends, or the guys he sometimes plays pool with at the bar, etc etc, purely so she can hear him introduce her as 'my girlfriend allison' because she gets such a kick out of hearing him say it. she finds this deeply embarrassing and never really owns up to it but also chase is very willing to go along with it because he ALSO loves getting to introduce her as 'my girlfriend allison'

-when they're at work, they like to just sit quietly together sometimes and don't necessarily talk at lunch. a bunch of house's fellowship candidates half-convince themselves that there's no fellowship up for grabs and that chase and cameron are just PRETENDING to be together and not work for house anymore as part of some epic prank because what couple in the honeymoon period just eats together in silence?? but really it's a fun novelty for them to not have to grab every minute they get together at work because they actually see each other properly outside of it now. that said they both find that particular rumour really funny and do play into it a bit until foreman begs asks them to knock it off because he's sick of having to give out reassurances that there's (probably) a Real Job At The End Of This

-well before they ever got together (or slept with each other, even), cameron and chase used to sometimes give foreman the slip and go out for Secret Post Work Drinks together after a particularly trying day. because foreman is still the new kid on the block and they're way more comfortable bitching about house to each other after having worked together as a duo for six months on their own. (this is also partly why foreman's meddling in occam's razor gets to chase so much and he gets so flustered around cameron--chase's brain freezes and briefly goes 'oh my god wait were those dates? have i been dating cameron? does cameron want to sleep with me??'. he is secretly a bit disappointed to realise he's being fucked with)

[lieslab]

To the future and beyond:

| °˖✧✿✧˖° | °˖✧✿✧˖° | °˖✧✿✧˖° |

Well, this is new. I keep sitting here staring blankly at my laptop screen, typing, deleting, typing, deleting, typing, and deleting again. I've been trying to figure out how to pour out my heart without coming across as selfish. I know my actions aren't selfish, but I'm afraid that it will come across that way and that's not my intention at all.

I used to update this account with new drabbles multiple times a week, but now I seem to struggle to upload once a week. Life is taking a toll again, but not necessarily in a bad way. It's more like, I'm growing up. I'm having more and more adult responsibilities that I never had before.

My work just added more hours for me to work. I'm trying to work through college classes. I've mentioned before that I have a younger sibling that I parent. Plus, I try to work in time to write and it's all just so much. Honestly, it's too much.

I get requests and I love them, but lately I feel bad because I can never seem to keep up. Because of that, unfortunately, this is the announcement that from now on requests will be closed. I've emptied out my inbox. To everyone who already requested something and I've responded to you, your drabbles are still coming. After they're posted, if you have another request, I won't be taking it at this time.

I know that sucks and I hate to do that, but it's not fair for either of us. It's not fair for you to have to wait a long time for something you want to read and enjoy. It's not fair for me to have to try and pull something together and half-ass it either.

After I finish all my requests, I'll probably still be here, just a bit quieter. I'd like to go back to posting stuff that I get inspiration for in the spur of the moment. I never post that stuff anymore because I feel guilty posting it when I have requests to do.

I want to start writing longer series and posting them for you to enjoy all at once. If you really like my writing and crave my stories, I still update full length fics five days a week. You can find the current one here.

I know it sucks, but I think it's a great way to give you higher quality writing, better stories, and who knows what I might add in the future. I think it'd be amazing to have some sort of interactive fic or create full-length trailers for each one, so you know what you're getting into.

This really is my passion and I love the band a lot. I don't want to entirely stop writing drabbles, just give you better ones. It's always been my goal to become a published author. Writing fanfic has made me better and believe it or not, it's actually opened up an amazing opportunity for me.

Because I spent so much time writing full-length fanfics, I qualified for a creator program which has a ton of resources to help grow my writing. It's the most amazing thing and it's such an honor and a privilege. I don't want it to slip through my fingers.

So while I study more resources, try to grow and expand my writing, all my old drabbles will still be here. My inbox will still be open, just not for requests. Please try not to be too hurt by this. There will probably be times in the future when I still open my requests, but for brief periods of time only.

I'm doing this to save myself stress and anxiety, to better my future, and to give you better content. I know you're strangers on the internet, but you really have become my safe space. You have no idea, but some of my drabbles are based upon my own struggles.

This is my haven and this truly does feel like home. More content will be coming your way soon, please just give it time. That's all I have and that's all I wanted to say. Thank you for reading and if you choose to stick around, thank you. I can't wait to see what this writing journey will bring and I can't wait to bring you with me.

<3 Lie

[nowordsformylove]

I would love to hear more ideas from your jonesmith list if you’d like to share 🤲

yes absolutely I'll put it under a read more because it's going to be a lot.

ok so I know I've mentioned some of these before as ideas but I'll start with the ones that I drafted fics for:

Davy wants to take Mike out on a perfect date to show him just how deep his feelings are but the date keeps getting ruined and at the end he thinks he failed and that Mike wont like him now because he ruined their first date.

Mike keeps using terms of endearment for Davy and at first he doesnt notice because Mike calls everyone babe but when they get more romantic like sweetheart or honey Davy thinks that hes doing it to purposely fluster him and he decides to do it back. Mike suddenly stops doing it and Davy is confused why he misses it.

Davy notices that Mike never goes out on any dates and tries to secretly wingman for him by talking him up to all the girls they meet. When he realizes that Mike doesnt like girls he decides to help him win a guy.

Prince and the Pauper episode from the POV of Mike and Davy being in a secret relationship.

these are the ones that I never drafted fics for:

Similar to the nickname one above where Mike keeps calling Davy things like "tiny" and "short stuff" and hes not letting up. This was been frustrating Davy in more ways than one. Based on this post.

Wanted to write something centered around Davy's lovely plush lips and Mike noticing just how full and pretty they are and now that hes noticed he cant stop thinking about wanting to kiss him.

I had outlined a fic idea about Mike going out with a girl and Davy feeling jealous but he also feels guilty because hes always the one that gets the girl so he shouldnt be mad she picked Mike over him, but the more time Mike spends with her the more he realizes hes not jealous of Mike hes jealous of HER. The way I drafted this fic made it seem like it would work better for jork so I put it on the back-burner. (specifically the way I had the confession scene planned seemed more like a Peter-move than a Mike-move).

RPF fic set around 66/67 where Davy thinks Mike is very handsome (real life) and cool and he has a tiny "bro crush" on him. He goes out and buys a coat similar to Mike's but Micky ends up teasing him about it in front of Mike making him aware of Davy's little crush. Mike invites him out for drinks and then propositions him 🤭

Similar to above with it being an RPF fic based on the story where Mike left his own party to hop on his private jet to fly back to Texas just to get a burger, but in this Davy accepts the offer to go with and they fuck on his private jet.

I reallllyyyy wanted to do something for the episode too many girls but I could never come up with anything concrete. Always thought about Mike being upset at the idea of Davy leaving the group to be with some girl.

Wanted to do something for some like it lukewarm with crossdressing Davy but it was hard to get from "Davy hated crossdressing and refused to do it again" to "Davy dresses up again and acts all feminine for Mike's pleasure"

Really wanted to do a size difference fic but didnt know if I wanted to do Davy loves Mike's huge dick or "Mike loves Davy's tiny dick (SAD I couldn't decide on a pov because they are both so good).

I also thought briefly about a fic where Davy pressures Mike into having sex with him but that was more of a spur of the moment thought from my toxic yaoi loving mind haha... but what if 😳 needy Davy begging for Mike to fuck him and Mike who only feels useful when hes needed by the people around him. teehee

I also was planning to do a group poly fic centered on Davy being the group slut who gets fucked by all the guys it was going to be four parts (seperate but related) 1. jork 2. jonesmith 3. jolenz 4. group but I kinda lost my motivation for this one 😭 I DID start the jonesmith one and since they can all be read as one shots I may finish it and post it on its own rather than in a series.

[hoenn-hakase]

what was the TPP moment that gave you the most writing fuel? one that still rly sticks in ur head. (feel free to ramble)

Gosh, that's both super hard and super easy to answer! Twitch Plays Pokemon has had SOOOO many memorable moments that immediately come to mind that have captured my imagination or turned into a major part of my lore, there's just too many to name. However, there's a lot of moments that mean so much to me but I haven't written anything (or at least not published it) about those moments. I think I have fics either plotted out in my head or partially written for just about every single Randomized Run we've done because rattling the formula always brings out some of the coolest concepts and creativity within the community. Like I have an entire backstory and character arc for Lorekeeper James from Randomized Alpha Sapphire, which a lot of people fell in love with this random Bug Catcher suddenly getting boss music. Or when Trevor in Randomized Y turned out to be the Flare Admin we had to fight at the Poke Ball Factory, but then we had a crash and my heart just breaks thinking about the scene afterward where we went "back in time" to before all the kids met up at the park. And now Trevor, Calem, and Venus all awkwardly trying to pretend nothing happened while staring each other down with the utmost scrutiny as each wonders if the other two is aware of what happened. But don't worry, all this causes him to have a bit of a breakdown and soul searching before turning against Team Flare to go rescue Abomasnow. Or even as recently as Randomized Violet+ and how I've been a bit obsessed with Terra and her misadventures for the last few months and her showing up again as the host for Super Gauntlet Ruby is not helping that. Heck, Randomized Platinum was probably the biggest world building run for my lore it's one of the three establishment fics I've had partially started that I feel needs to be either written or fully explained to point to why the Haji TPP Verse is the way it is! And hhhnnngggg.... so much more...

Of course there's also a difference between the lore to come out of things (which I've written for after being inspired by other authors or artists in the community) and the onscreen moments that seemed to change everything. And while I have a lot of runs I love, a few I can point to as "THIS still hits hard" are things like my very first fanfic I posted to the TPP subreddit was in the aftermath of Leech King's death. I remember being at work, plotting out an entire series that would follow Abe and the others trying to get to the bottom of who had her murdered and why, having Alakazam and Venomoth that joined around the same time being hired detectives, and ICU coming into her own as the heir to the throne and whatnot, but it didn't get very far and even looking back was pretty bad writing. I did eventually get around to writing the post game like I wanted with my Much Ado About Blue series so that's definitely continued to be a wealth of writing fuel. Heck, when I started my Connections series, the inspiration was from Faba kicking our ass eight ways to Sunday in Waning Moon and the feeling there was probably a personal connection there. But I literally only planned for like seven chapters if even that because I didn't expect myself to start novelizing the run as a way to lead up to that moment. Originally the plan was to skip between certain cutscenes to establish lore on Quips. (My doc is still simply labeled "Hau" even though the story has grown since then.) But for moments? I mostly do angst and dramas anyway, but one piece I'm rather proud of and STILL upset about is my short for the ending of Pyrite. Ugh, the bitterness and how everyone and their dog had an opinion on the ending of that run and poor Eeyup getting dropped after we finished instead of getting some kind of proper send off or victory lap. Or on the note of Evan and Azure, this spur of the moment piece that's kind of hinted at. I love when I'm archiving runs and something comes up like a Glitch or crash, or something so unexpected I just INSTANTLY get the idea and need to write a short for it.

But I must say when I read this question, the first thing that came to mind was my novel for Blazed Glazed. Holy crap, this Run changed a lot of things for me. For one, being an original ROM hack means there's an entire world that has been a fountain of writing fuel for me I intend to get back to eventually. Who are these original characters? What is their story? How does Tunod work? How does it connect to other games it made a guest appearance in? Team Fusion showed up in RW2 meaning there's a whole history there with these guys. I made special edits of the Team leaders. It's kind of insane because I had written stuff for other runs before, obviously, but this was like all consuming on my brain. And you know what started it off? ...I started watching the VODs because it seemed like there wasn't much talk about it for me to know what was happening. We got our starter, met with THE INVENTOR, met Blake (our NPC partner for the long haul) and suddenly there was a Glitch. I was already intrigued by the opening, but when the Inventor was supposed to follow and instead became frozen and uninteractable, my mind started running. I paused my viewing and started writing. It's by far the longest series I've written and what made it so fascinating in a way was writing as I watched meant there are several points I didn't know where the story was going. So I may plan on something, but then it didn't turn out that way so how do I rework the script to account for the unexpected character appearances? Freezes? Glitches? How about a random detour to find specific teammates? And don't get me wrong, like most games, the actual plot can seem vague or even silly in the writing sometimes, but then that makes it fun to try to flesh out what the deeper reasoning could be for why something is happening? And then tying it into the larger TPP universe has just been... ahh~ <3

Anyway, this has gotten really long but I hope that answers your question. I'm sorry this kind of turned into one big shameless plug. Dang I've written a lot, but I love this fandom so much. I can't even ;w;

[lemonluvgirl]

PROMPT REQUEST!! ❤️❤️

[Post-mj, growing back together]

katniss goes down on peeta for the first time?? Bonus if she asks advice from johanna beforehand and johanna being johanna, goes into explicit detail causing katniss to panic HAHAHA LOVE YOUR WORK ❤️❤️❤️

bonus pt. 2, if Peeta returns the favor 😏

Alright anon. I’ve been working on this all week. So I hope you like it. Also this song I Was Born to Love You  by Ray LaMontagne was the track I picked for this fic. The lyrics: 

You’re the only one I can talk to  The only one I can really read  I know you give because you want to Don’t you think its time to let yourself receive? 

really resonated with me when I was writing this story. 

The Only Opinion That Matters

"And then what?" Katniss asked in a choked whisper.

"Well, once it's in your mouth there are only a few things to worry about. First of all, try not to choke. You don't want to take too much at once, especially on your first try. Just fit however much feels comfortable in your mouth. Remember to leave a little room for thrusting. He may get excited if it feels really good. If that happens, and it's too much for you, pull back a little and use your hand to cover the rest. Use a rhythm you already know he likes in tandem with bobbing your mouth up and down. It's basically like giving him a hand job while using your mouth to stimulate the head of his penis. You've jacked him off before right?" Johanns asked very matter of factly.

Katniss felt like her face was turning scarlet at Johanna’s words. She probably looked like a bright red beacon broadcasting her embarrassment to the world. She cringed self consciously even though she was alone in her kitchen and Johanna couldn’t see her over the phone. This conversation was seriously testing her comfort limits. And yet, she had to finish it. There was literally no one else she could ask about this kind of thing.

"Yeah, I've um," Katniss couldn't quite bring herself to use Johanna's crass name for the method she had been using to bring Peeta pleasure lately, "used my hand on him before." Katniss finished, thinking about how she had just used her hand on him this morning, and he had said thank you by using his mouth on her. Twice.

That was Peeta for you though, always giving twice as much and never really asking for anything in return.

It made Katniss feel, well not exactly guilty. More like his selflessness spurred her to forget her own insecurities and focus on how much she wanted to give back to him the same kind of pleasure he gave to her on a regular basis. Her only problem was her lack of knowledge and experience. Hence, the call to Johanna.

"Then you already know how to work that aspect. Just keep a steady rhythm. Remember to breathe through your nose. If you’re feeling confident and you already know he likes to have his balls played with, or his ass grabbed while getting stroked then try adding that in as well. But whatever you do, don't use your teeth! Most guys don't like it, and even if they do it's got to be done with a very light touch, and only someone with a fair amount of experience can usually pull something like that off. So stick to using your tongue, hands, and some moderate suction. Right now your main objective is simply to cover the basics." Johanna advised.

"But what if he wants something exciting instead of basic and-" Katniss asked in a nervous voice.

"Brainless, he's probably gonna lose his shit three minutes in. If he can last that long. No need to get fancy. Trust me. Just pay attention to his cues."

"Cues?"

"Cues, tells, signals, you know the things he does when he's about to come."

Katniss thought for a moment about the way Peeta's breathing changed, the way he tilted his hips, and made little noises every time he got close to finishing.

"You do know what his tells are, don't you?"

"Of course I do." Katniss bit back a little indignantly. She and Peeta had been slowly but surely progressing further in their intimate relationship for a while now. There was hardly a night where his head didn't end up between her thighs and she didn't stroke him to completion. Many nights it happened more than once. 

Johanna just chuckled at Katniss’ obvious annoyance.

"Well, alright then. Good to know you've started paying attention to the guy, finally. Now there's only one more thing we need to cover."

"What's that?" Katniss bit back angrily, growing more frustrated because of Johanna’s subtle digs. 

"The finale, of course! If you’ve been getting hot and heavy with Loverboy like you said then you ought to know what I'm talking about, Brainless!"

Finale? Katniss wondered to herself, bewildered. She had no idea what Johanna was talking about. The only finale she could think of was the showdown between the final two competitors in The Hunger Games. Which was not something that she wanted to remind Peet of while they were...

At her prolonged silence, Johanna started snickering and then she started talking again.

"You know, the end of the night fireworks, the volcanic eruption, the bursting of the dam...” 

“I think I-” Katniss tried to interrupt but Joahnna just spoke over her.

“The explosion at the yogurt factory, the erection ejection, the-” 

“I GET IT JOHANNA!” Katniss’ shouted indignantly. It was immediately followed by loud cackles coming from the other side of the phone line. 

“Glad to know you’re up to date on the lingo, Brainless. But tell me this, have you decided what you want to do with said finale when the time comes?” 

“What do you mean? Like swallow it or something?” Kantiss asked, voice barely above a whisper, and extremely nervous and strained sounding. She knew some people did that. But she wasn’t sure she wanted to try it. The thought kind of terrified her.

“Swallow, spit it out, pull back and let him come on your tits or stomach, the possibilities are many.” Johanna replied with a lazy sounding hum.

Katniss was positive she could actually hear Johanna grinning at her discomfort over the phone. 

“I hadn’t really thought that far ahead, actually.” Katniss admitted. It was enough for her to juggle the logistics of all the things she was supposed to do to get Peeta to orgasm.

“Well, you should really think about it. It could happen pretty fast….. Anyway, I’d better let you go. I’m expecting a call from my head doctor at 2, so...” 

“Yeah, of course. Sorry to keep you-and thanks again, for all your....help.” Katniss replied. She cringed again at how awkward she sounded, like she had just thanked Johanna for lending her a book or something benign like that. 

“No problem, and Katniss?” The teasing tone suddenly left Johanna’s voice and Katniss waited breathlessly for whatever she said next. 

“He’s crazy about you, and he’s going to love this.” Johanna said so sincerely that Katniss was caught off guard for a moment, but then Joahnna had to go and ruin it by adding, “So even if you screw up, and don't get him off he’s still gonna think the sun shines outta your ass, no matter what.” Johanna finished with a loud belly laugh and Katniss groused at her to shut up. She reluctantly thanked her again, in a grudging tone and promised to call back tomorrow and fill her in on the results. It had been the price Johanna had enacted for all her ‘help’. 

The call clicked, and ended and Katniss was left alone in the kitchen with her thoughts. 

She mentally went over Johanna’s checklist in her head a few times, after she ran through the instructions on how to get things started there was nothing else to do but shower and wait for Peeta to come home. 

~

Peeta returned home promptly at 5:30, as usual. He washed up and they had a light dinner while discussing their respective days. Katniss left out her phone call to Johanna, because she wanted to surprise Peeta later. 

After working on the plantbook for a bit, Katniss felt anxious. She wasn't able to concentrate properly so she feigned being tired and suggested they retire to bed early. Peeta lifted one of his eyebrows in surprise, clearly not buying her over dramatic yawn, but he followed her up the stairs just the same. 

Once inside the bedroom Katniss had to get a hold of her nerves. She allowed Peeta to use the bathroom first, and scurried to her closet to take a deep breath. She tried not to think of all the many ways this could go wrong, and instead focused on finding what Johanna had called a ‘mood setting outfit’. 

There were an array of possibilities, her closet was literally still stuffed with clothes that Cinna had made for her before he--

Katniss shook her head to clear it of melancholy thoughts. She had spent many a day mourning Cinna and his prodigious talent for creating things of beauty with needle and thread. She and Peeta had vowed not to wallow in grief and instead to remember and treasure the good memories and beautiful things left behind by the ones they had lost. 

Cinna had no doubt come to the conclusion that one day she would wake up and realize that she loved and wanted Peeta just as much as he did her, and he had diligently crafted several beautiful night gowns with more than just comfortable sleep in mind. But those Katniss felt had always been meant to be used on their honeymoon. It just didn’t feel right to use them now. 

Maybe someday, if Peeta ever decided to ask her again, for real....

Focus! Katniss told herself sternly, as she recalled Johannah’s advice. 

Since you’re not the type to casually tell a guy to drop his pants, you’ll have to get your intentions across some other way. It could be as simple as giving him a certain look, or even wearing something sexy to bed.

While Katniss wished she knew just what look to give Peeta to communicate her desires wordlessly, she knew she just wasn’t that good. Yet. 

So she cast around for ideas until her eyes landed on a shirt that lay on the floor of the closet, near the hamper. It was a plain white shirt that belonged to Peeta, that he often wore around the house and to sleep in. It was a piece of clothing that she often borrowed from him in the morning when she couldn’t find her own clothes and was too lazy to go hunting for them behind the bed.  

It was large and soft and comfortable. Plus, it smelled like Peeta. Like his skin and his bath soap and the lingering traces of his baking spices. Just heavenly. 

She undressed quickly and took off her slippers. Then she gingerly unhooked her bra and let it fall to the floor, and she grabbed the shirt from the hanger and slipped it over her head. Nervousness and excitement flooded her body at the same time and her hand shook a little when she turned the knob to exit the closet. 

She found Peeta in bed. The main overhead light had been turned off and only the bedside lamp was on. Peeta was already reclining atop the sheets and reading a pamphlet about the new laws governing opening small businesses. His chest was gloriously bare and his gray cotton sleep pants hugged his trim hips deliciously. 

Now that the world had changed and she was convinced that she would actually get to keep him after all, she had stopped being so afraid of staring at him. 

She drank in the strong lines of his body. Every part of him was beautiful despite the lines of fire that licked across his body and left behind their mark. Now that he was hers, she could admit that just the sight of him made her want. Deep in her bones, there was something that ached for him in an ancient way that went beyond words, sometimes beyond thoughts. 

She just knew that Peeta belonged with her, to her, and she to him. 

He looked up, as if he sensed her, and Katniss felt her breath catch at the movement. The way his breathtakingly blue eyes roamed up and down her body made her feel a million things at once. 

“I love it when you wear my shirt.” He stated, his eyes catching on the naked skin of her thighs and lingering there before returning to her face. 

“I know,” Katniss replied, more confidently than she felt. She walked towards him slowly, just as Johanna had instructed, to draw out the tension. 

You gotta build the anticipation. Give him a naughty look and then walk over really slowly. Make his head spin with possibilities. Once you've got him thinking about sex you're halfway there.

Katniss heard Johanna's advice playing in her head as she tried to sway her hips seductively with each step. It was a good thing the distance from the closet to the bed was relatively small. 

She managed to make it to the corner of the bed before losing her balance. She covered up her stumble by leaning forward on all fours so she could inch her way towards him. He hadn’t seemed to notice her failed attempt at seductive walking.

Katniss watched as Peeta’s eyes darkened in real time, and his pupils expanded outwards to drink in the sight of her crawling across the bed to him. 

“What are you up to?” Peeta questioned, when she swung one leg over to the other side of his hip and sank down to straddle him. 

“I just wanted to try something.....” Katniss replied evasively, and before he could ask another question she sealed her lips over his and gave him a deep, passionate kiss. 

Peeta moaned into the kiss, his hands reaching out to bracket her hips and pull her down over him. Katniss sighed in relief. 

Kissing Peeta put Katniss at ease. It was something she knew how to do by now very well, and she took some time to revel in the softness of his lips and the tantalizing flicks of his tongue before breaking off and moving in a downwards trajectory. 

She kissed his strong, square jaw and down his neck, lingering for a bit over his pulse and nipping at his ear until she could feel him stirring beneath her. He was half hard by the time she kissed across his collarbone and by the time her mouth reached his stomach he was rocking against her subtly from underneath. 

She looked up at him from under her lashes as her hands moved to pull down the waistband of his pants, and his breath caught. 

She knew the image he was likely seeing was a new and unexpected one. She had helped undress him before, but not in this position, with her mouth so close to his cock. 

“Are you--? I mean do you want to? Katniss?” Peeta’s flustered questions made her cheeks heat, but the desire and hopefulness in his eyes was easy to read. 

Once you start getting each other naked cut the chit chat down to a minimum. When the clothes come off it should be all feeling. Skin on skin, the way he smells and tastes, the way he moans your name. The only conversation required should be some dirty talk. If you're up for it.

Johanna's voice reverberated in her thoughts. Peeta had often used her name when they were in bed together but he'd never said anything explicit or dirty. Katniss wondered if by taking this new step that might change things between them...

She wasn't sure if she was in favor of that or not. She’d never done any of this before but she thought there was a good chance that if it was Peeta who was whispering naughty words to her in the privacy of their bedroom she might enjoy it. 

So in answer to his question, Katniss just bent down and took the elastic band of his underwear in her teeth and proceeded to gently tug them down. 

“Shit, holy shit.” She heard Peeta murmur and his excited, almost disbelieving tone made her chuckle softly. 

With a little help from him, his boxer briefs came off quickly. 

Once he was naked, Katniss sat up and slowly inched his shirt off her body as well, leaving her only in her plain cotton underwear. 

Peeta groaned out loud, and whispered her name like a plea when her breasts came into his field of vision and Katniss smiled a small, secret smile, pleased that something so simple could affect him so deeply. 

But then again, didn’t he have the same effect on her? She looked down at his hard length, thick and swollen with want and she squeezed her thighs together to relieve the ache seeing him erect and ready caused in her. 

She wanted to touch him, taste him, make him feel good. 

But all of Johanna's instruction went out the window the longer she stared at his erection. She forgot how to even start. 

How was she going to get it all in her mouth? And what happened if he thrusted too hard and made her gag? Would she throw up? Something gross like that could traumatize both of them. What if he wanted her to swallow? She didn't think she was ready to do that!

"Uh, Katniss? Where did you just go right now?" Peeta's voice broke her out of her internal spiral.

She looked back up at him, wide eyed and blushing in embarrassment. She hadn't even begun and she had already messed up.

"I'm right here." Was the only thing Katniss could think to say.

Peeta gave her an incredulous look.

"You know you don't have to do this. I don't expect you to go down on me just because I like to go down on you." Peeta told her in a serious voice.

Katniss cringed at the conclusion he had drawn. She obviously had been putting out some kind of signal that had been interpreted as reluctance. She felt terrible.

"That's not it! I really, really want to do this! Not just for you, but for me too!" She cried in frustration.

Peeta eased her off his lower half and sat up then.

"Okay, then talk to me. What's got you so..."

“I just…forgot how to start! I’ve been going over and over what Johanna said to do in my head all night long and I forgot the first part!” Katniss finally admitted, unable to look up from the bedspread to meet Peeta’s gaze. 

“You asked Johanna? For advice about…us?” Peeta’s amused reply ignited fury in her. 

“Because I don’t know how to do any of this…complicated sex stuff!” Katniss spat, and crossed her arms over her breasts. Peeta followed the motions of her arms and his brow furrowed in confusion. He looked momentarily put out by her covering her chest up, but he quickly returned his eyes to her face. 

“Complicated? What’s complicated about it? It's just you and me. It doesn’t matter what we do Katniss, as long as it's just us and it's because it's what we want.” 

“Yeah, you say that but what if I take too much of you in my mouth too quickly and I gag? Or throw up? What if I can’t find a good rhythm or I accidentally scrape you with my teeth?! Johanna said guys hate that!” Katniss argued. 

Peeta got that amused look back on his face. 

“Katniss, if any of those things happen, we’ll deal with them.” 

“But what if I’m not any good or-” Katniss continued pouring out her doubts.

“Katniss.” Peeta said more firmly, as he placed his hand on her forearm. 

“I won’t ask you to do anything you’re uncomfortable with. Nothing in our relationship is ever going to be forced or coerced for either of us again. Now, if this is something you actually want to do, we’ll take it one step at a time. You don’t have to worry about impressing anyone. It’s just me and you, and ours is the only opinion that matters.” 

Peeta’s words got through to her, as they always did and suddenly her swirling and confusing thoughts settled and her mind became clear and steady once more. 

“Lay back.” She asked him with a small smile, her confidence returning. 

Peeta looked momentarily surprised. 

“Please,” Katniss added and that seemed to move him. He reclined gently against the pillows and watched as Katniss sat between his thighs. 

She began to kiss the tops of them, her lips tickled by his coarse but nearly invisible leg hair. She reached up to massage his balls gently as she kissed her way up his legs, something she knew he liked from her previous experience exploring his body when she only used her hands. 

When her mouth reached the crease between his hip and groin the earthy, spicy scent of him grew stronger and she flicked out her tongue tentatively to taste him. 

His breath hitched at the tiny wet sensation, so near to where his erection was coming back to life. The closer she got to his cock, the harder he got. Katniss could practically feel the anticipation rolling off him in waves. He was probably imagining what her mouth would feel like on him. She was just as eager to experience it as well. 

She had been wanting to do this for him for a while. 

So when she kissed the last bit of space before she reached the base of him, she pulled back and looked in his eyes, to tell him just that. 

“Peeta, just so you know, I want this. I want to do this for you, and with you. You make me feel so good all the time. So happy, and safe. I just want to give this to you right now, because I want you to feel just a little bit of how happy and alive you make me feel everyday.” Katniss told him, and she only waited a second to register the look of utter adoration he gave her in return before she descended on him, laving her tongue along his length from root to tip. He tasted interesting. The fluid that leaked from his tip was slightly salty, but his skin smelled like his shower soap and that indefinable Peeta-ness that she associated with him alone. He was hot, and hard in her mouth, but his skin was so smooth and silky. She could feel his texture even better on her tongue than when he was in her hand. 

“Oh, fuck.” She heard him say in a shocked but pleasure filled voice when she flicked her tongue out to circle and dance around his head, so she did it again. Then she started exploring.

She licked him, without self consciousness, teasing around the crown of his head, along the path of his veins, in the crevice between his foreskin and his shaft, everywhere. 

Soon he was swearing to a long forgotten creator, and whoever was listening. Then she wrapped her lips around his tip, sealing him in the wet cavern of her mouth and he let out a groan so tortured and full of pleasure that Katniss felt wetness seep out of her body and soak her underwear. 

She hadn’t anticipated how arousing it would be to be the one giving the pleasure in this way. She did what felt natural, and added her hand to cover the rest of his thick shaft that didn’t fit in her mouth, and when she got a good rhythm down she began to add suction. 

“Oh! Fuck! Please suck it like that, please!” He begged in a ragged voice and Katniss obliged him readily. 

“Baby, you’re so good at that,” Peeta panted as he reached out to run his fingers in her hair. “I don’t know why you were so--Ah!--so nervous!” Peeta praised her and Katniss looked up at him through her lashes without stopping her ministrations. 

“Oh my fucking—Just look at you! Fucking beautiful! Sucking my cock so damn-ah-so-so-good!” Katniss felt her breathing pick up at Peeta’s words. 

So that was dirty talk? She felt her cheeks heating even more and her clit literally throbbing with need. She had to break off from sucking for a second to get her breath back, so she used her hand to keep pumping him. She squirmed on the bed restlessly before moving to straddle one of Peeta’s legs, then she resumed sucking him as she rubbed her soaked panties along Peeta’s thickly muscled leg. 

“Is this making you wet? Oh, god, Katniss…I’m gonna eat you out so good after this. I’m gonna fucking live between your thighs until morning. You just wait.” Peeta promised and it only made her redouble her efforts. 

She alternated between longer periods of sucking and quick pauses to lick around the head of his cock, never stopping the movements of her hand. 

Then she felt it. The change in Peeta’s breathing. The subtle angling of his hips. The more primal sounding edge to his moans. 

“Katniss, I’m gonna come, move baby,” Peeta said in a thick voice. 

Katniss suddenly, stubbornly, resolved to see things through. 

She knew what a little bit of him tasted like. Johanna had described the clear fluid that had leaked from his tip as precome. That hadn’t been so bad. So, Katniss thought she’d probably be ok letting him finish in her mouth. 

“Katniss,” Peeta warned, as he pushed back on her shoulder, trying to dislodge her. 

But she resolutely remained, bobbing her head and moving her tongue along the underside of his cock as she sucked. 

She wished she could have watched him as he got closer, but she got caught up in the moment and forgot to open her eyes, navigating mostly by the feel of his body’s responses and the sounds he made.

“Fuck, fuck! I can’t—Ohhh…..yeah, god, baby, take it. Take it all…..” Peeta moaned the words brokenly as he gently palmed the back of her head and thrust in just a little at the end. His cock pulsed inside her mouth and she actually felt each twitch on her tongue. Her mouth filled with each spurt of his cock, and it happened so fast that she could barely angle her mouth in time so that it pooled on top of her tongue instead of shooting down her throat. 

That was when Katniss realized that semen actually tasted different than precome. A little saltier, definitely thicker, and also slightly metallic? 

She had never tasted anything like it and it wasn’t actually something she was expecting, so while Peeta collapsed boneless and sated into the mattress, groaning, she gingerly got up and slipped into the bathroom to spit the stuff out into a towel, which she then promptly tossed in the dirty towel hamper. 

She looked at herself in the mirror after wiping her mouth. 

She looked flushed and bright eyed and slightly dreamy. If she didn’t know better she would have sworn she had been the one to just orgasm. 

At the thought of orgasm, Katniss felt a small proud smile creep onto her face. It widened into a full blown grin when she remembered just how enthusiastic Peeta had been and how much he seemed to like everything she did. 

Johanna’s going to be so surprised I went through with it. Katniss thought to herself smugly. 

She had actually really enjoyed herself, and she knew that the days of only giving Peeta handjobs were at an end. 

“What’s taking so long in there? The night’s not over yet, Sweetheart. And I’m nowhere near done with you.” Peeta’s voice interrupted her thoughts loudly. 

Katniss smiled again, as she made her way back to the bathroom doorway. She leaned against the frame and tossed Peeta a cocky grin before replying. 

“Right back at ya, Loverboy. I hope you’ve recovered there, because that was fun. And I might just want to get in a little more practice before I hand over the reins.” 

[thera-daydreams]

PLUS ONE

》 A TRESE TWOSHOT 《

[Maliksi x Reader]

📝 Summary: In which your beloved best friend snatches you from your apartment at dawn asking you to be his plus one for his cousin's wedding. Unbeknownst to the clueless you, everything is just going according to Maliksi's ultimate masterplan. With the help of friends and family, the Prince of the Tikbalang finally gets the girl he's been longing for. And oh, Señor Armanaz gets his dream daughter-in-law and the promise of grandchildren within the year.

📌 Warning: May contain some slight NSFW for spicy suggestiveness and cussing. No smut or anything super SPG—this girl can't write that for her life—but just be prepared. It's Maliksi we're talking about. We've got friends-to-lovers, obliviousness, pining, fluff, and a tikbalang simp. Figure it out. 😃

(word count: 7,454) ♥︎ Part Two: ?

》 AUTHOR'S NOTE 《

Not an Inday spinoff, but a lengthy oneshot in celebration of this blog getting 90 followers. Just ten more to 100, yay! Thank you so much for the love and support, everyone. I also promised that I'll be making this brainrot that @binibiningbabaylan and I have fangirled over a few days ago (find the original post here) when I finished the latest chapter of Inday. Here it is! 🥰

Before I forget, I was also inspired by the cute fic made by @crispybasil titled "Sunshowers" and the "Trese Boys As Things My Guy Friends Do" made by the amazing @smolla-than-a-bug (I bow down to your wonderful works in the Trese fandom). I definitely see Maliksi to be the type to go on spontaneous roadtrips and be the boyfriend to drive you around eveeeerywhere (while also driving you crazy). 🚘

There are also some songs mentioned throughout this work. You should probably listen to them while reading for the full experience. Ending was somewhat rushed but eh, I'm too exhausted and I've rewritten it too many times. Also, if someone makes some actual tikbalang smut, tag me please. Anyways, enjoy! 💕

The way it all started was hilarious. Absolutely fucking hilarious. It happened like a blur. Literally. One second, you were snoozing in your bed. The next? You had a seatbelt on in the shotgun seat of a sophisticated-looking car. Your brain didn't even get to process it yet.

"... So let me get this straight," you grumbled, still half-asleep from your sleep marathon. You just finished a hugely successful project at work yesterday, got promoted, and wanted to make up for the restless nights you spent overtime in the office. Of course you were irritated from being disturbed. You were on vacation leave for two entire weeks, originally planning to go into temporary isolation by deactivating your social media accounts and reserving a beach cabana for yourself in Batangas.

Well, turns out, you weren't going to Batangas anytime soon. All because your unreasonably spontaneous bestfriend of ten hectic years stole you from your apartment at 2AM. Was this considered kidnapping? Was this him just being more in touch with his tikbalang side, taking unsuspecting women in their sleep and leading them to their inevitable death? (He was going over the speed limit, so it was a valid thought.) Will wearing your shirt inside-out save you today? Lord, masyado ka pang pagod para mag-isip ngayon.

"Go on."

"You abducted picked me up in the middle of the night because you want me to be your plus one at your cousin's wedding in Tagaytay?"

"Yup. And technically, the venue is right on the outskirts of Cavite going to Tagaytay," he corrected you as a matter-of-factly.

"Same thing, whatever," you huffed tiredly. "Your cousin's wedding is at 6AM today. In a few hours. In four hours."

"Uh-huh."

You groaned exasperatedly, "Mal naman, eh! You didn't even let me bring anything. Could've at least given me a heads-up a few hours ago. I'm practically emptyhanded right now save for my phone! Sinungaling ka, you said this was just a normal midnight drive—not a freaking wedding!"

The Prinsipe ng Mga Tikbalang, son of the Great Stallion, heir to the Armanaz herd, and the Top Drag Racer of C-5 Expressway—if that was even one of his Game of Thrones-like titles—grinned as he continued driving beside you. He let you continue ranting in the passenger seat while he mulled over his ultimate masterplan that would change his entire life later on. He was a spur-of-the-moment kind of guy, so all this wasn't his thing. But for you? He'll make plans, alright.

"Wala man lang akong dinalang masusuot o kahit konting makeup para maging presentable sa harapan ng buong pamilya mo," you exclaimed, in absolute despair. "Do you know how out of my league you are? Your rich-ass family might judge me—hell, your dad might see me as a hampaslupa if I show up there in my pambahay and tsinelas!"

"Psh, I'm not out of your league," Maliksi waved it off, smoothly turning a corner. "And calm down. We've known each other for a decade! My dad practically loves you as his own daughter. Heck, the entire family knows you and keeps telling me they want you adopted in already. Lolo Andres and Lola Perlita said they'd have the paperwork settled. You just need to sign them."

It would be even better (and easier) if you married into the family. To him, specifically (as if he'd let anyone else have you). God, he was already being so obvious in his advances, but you were just so damn oblivious whenever it came to romance. None of this needed to happen if you just got it through your thick skull that he was madly in love with you.

"That's not the point, idiot!" you slumped back into your seat, hopeless. "Do you think the bride and the groom will get offended? Shit, baka masumpaan ako kung magagalit sila, Mal. Mukha akong patay galing sa South Cemetery."

The long-haired tikbalang rolled his eyes, "Huwag kang mag-alala. Nothing's going to go wrong. Chill ka lang diyan. I've got everything under control, babe."

Babe. Yes, he even called you babe but you thought it was him being a himbo and a massive flirt. Now, it was his common term of endearment for you, but you still assumed it was him just being irksome to you and that you couldn't stop the man from saying it anymore. Thus, you let it be (the most obvious hint of his attraction to you, bestie).

"... Ugh, why didn't you ask Hannah or Amie to go with you?"

He just smiled knowingly, shrugging and making up an excuse, "Nagmamadali ako, eh. Hannah and Amie are also coming, but they already have the other tikbalang as dates."

"'Luh, ako pala ang backup choice mo?"

"Heh. Whatever you want to think."

Little did you know that you were always his first choice. Always. Even when he pursued Alexandra Trese many years ago, trying to convince himself you were just his best friend, it was always you. How did he come to that realization? Well, an international band he was a fan of released a song a couple years ago and he heard it being played in a club in BGC. The song title?

It Was Always You by Maroon 5.

Needless to say, after hearing the song and being unable to get it—get you—out of his mind at night, he stopped courting Alexandra. Unfortunately for him, that time, you'd started dating other men. Therefore, he was left on the sidelines... until your latest and most painful breakup, at least. That was five years ago. You still hadn't dated anyone since then, kind of traumatized from getting into another failed relationship like that.

In the present day, as if the fates were playing on you two, one of your favorite artists played on the radio. A very ironic song given the situation you two were in.

Best Friend by Rex Orange County.

Maliksi knew it was a favorite of yours. He knew it by the way your eyes lit up like a star brightening the twinkling night sky. Like the sun first rising in the morning at Apolaki's command. Like the moon extending its gentle rays from the magic of Mayari herself. If there was anything he wanted to ask of the old gods, it was you—everything else be damned.

"I wanna be the one that makes your day, the one you think about as you lie awake," you half-sang and half-screamed happily, somewhat out-of-tune. "I can't wait to be your number oooooone! I'll be your biggest fan and you'll be mine—"

Maliksi glanced at you, not minding that his eardrums were probably getting microscopic ruptures from your aggressive singing. As much as he wanted to stare at you all day, he had to keep his eyes on the road. But the lyrics you were singing were wrong; the Prince of the Tikbalang was already yours from day one.

"Babe, McDo drive-through tayo for breakfast. Let me make it up to you. Gusto mo ng caramel sundae for your promotion gift? Sige. Ako bahala. Chicken nuggets din? Mabubusog ka ba niyan? I don't think they serve those this early..."

》》》

"Sandali lang!" you shouted out from inside an empty room. You'd just arrived at the venue—the Alta Veranda de Tibig in Silang, Cavite (practically the gateway to Tagaytay)—an hour or so ago. The hired makeup artist just left so that you could privately change into the outfit that had been bought specifically for you. Curse Mal and his ability to buy anything (perhaps anyone) he wanted. "Bwiset, Mal, you didn't tell me we'd be part of the damn entourage. We have to be walking the aisle in thirty minutes, simbako! You just love rushing me, don't you!?"

If only you were the one walking down the aisle today towards him.

When you exited the room, Maliksi couldn't help but let his jaw drop as he skimmed your figure, clad in the luxurious, silky satin blush midi dress he bought in one of those fancy stores in Makati yesterday. He imagined that it would look great on you, but now, seeing it on you in person... you looked divine (and frankly, he wanted to see it off your body to see what was underneath—but don't get too ahead of yourself, Mal). It was a whole 'nother level from his imagination. The deep cowl neckline and thin spaghetti straps showed your lovely collarbones... as well as a peek of your cleavage. His favorite and the best part of it all? It was backless, allowing him to gaze at the tempting curve of your spine.

He hadn't realized he had grown silent until you smiled and closed his mouth, tapping his chin.

"Lalangawin ang bibig mo, Mal," you laughed softly. Never had you seen him so speechless. You then flicked your hair back, ridiculously posing for him like you were on the cover of Vogue magazine (haba ng hair mo, gurl!). "Do I look that good? Char lang."

"... You look absolutely ravishing—I mean, uh, stunning. Hot. Yeah." That was all he could say. He mentally punched himself for not showering you with more suave compliments.

Still, your face brightened up, not knowing that the man in front of you just fell for you a thousand times harder, "Wow! Really? Damn. Ang galing talaga ng MUA na kinuha mo, ginawa akong artista. Give me their contact number later! May work event pa naman ako in two months. I'm shocked, it's like they made me rise from the dead! Even my eyebags are gone, Mal! How'd they do that?" Heck yeah, your confidence was boosted. He offered his arm to you like a gentleman, making you half-heartedly roll your eyes (you took it anyway). From holding it alone, you could tell that your best friend was a sinewy man (well, you knew that already after seeing his tikbalang form before—the little shit didn't even wear a loincloth like all his clanmates; your poor eyes were eternally scarred).

You looked him up and down. You wouldn't lie—Maliksi is and always has been an attractive man. Now? With his hair in a ponytail (pun not intended), definitely one of the hunkiest men you've ever known. "You're not looking too bad yourself, horsey."

"Ako pa!" He puffed his chest out in pride. You chuckled at his reaction.

"By the way, how do you even know my dress size and my shoe size?"

"Babe, I've known you too long. You know almost everything about me, I know everything about you."

You snorted at his confident tone, "'Di nga? You don't know every single thing about me, Mal. Assuming ka masyado."

"Alam ko nga anong cup size mo. Wala lang 'yang shoe and dress size."

You slapped his shoulder, cheeks quickly flushing red, "Huy, umayos ka! Walang hiyang tikbalang na 'to." With this guy as your best friend? You heard dirty jokes at least once a day. "Don't be inappropriate here!"

"What? It's only fair I know!" He looked down on you suggestively, wiggling his eyebrows. "You already know I always go commando, so of course I know that your bra is a size—"

"Shhh! Baka marinig ka, 'nyeta."

"So? Let them hear. My best friend has a nice set of melons!" he shouted. You were grateful there was no one around. Hopefully.

"Oh my God..."

Your best friend chortled at how flustered you'd become. He led you to where some of his family was waiting, with a couple of his relatives already greeting you. You instantly and quite easily mingled with them, your worries of them not accepting you far from even true (they all knew how much their prince loved the innocent you).

"Kayo na talaga, pare?" one of his older tikbalang clanmates asked while you went away to be fawned over by his aunts.

Maliksi chuckled, crossing his arms as he watched you from afar, "Heh. Hindi pa."

Another one of his clanmates—a younger one—laughed, wrapping an arm around his shoulder, "Talaga? That's cap, bro. You two are like a married couple already and you guys still aren't a thing?"

"Ilang taon na ba kayong magkakaibigan?" the older one asked him.

"Almost ten years," Maliksi responded, a smile unconsciously pulling his lips up as he remembered your moments together. He watched you converse with his female relatives (who adored you the moment Maliksi brought you to a family event many moons ago).

The two tikbalang snickered as they saw the look on the Great Stallion's heir.

"You're down bad," the younger one said, snapping a photo of his lovestruck kuya. "You've got it so bad for her, dudeparechong!"

"Balak mong ligawan anytime soon?" the older tikbalang inquired.

"Heh. Balak ko na ngang pakasalan. Kung pwede, ngayon."

They looked at Maliksi as if he was crazy. He was very much serious, though, even if there was a huge, lopsided smile on his face. The Prince of the Tikbalang raised a brow at them.

"What? Don't give me that look. Our ten years of being best friends is practically the courting and the dating stage already."

"Eh... you're right. Don't waste anymore time. Go and marry her today, dude. Suporta kami sa'yo, basta groomsmen kami sa kasal niyo, ha!"

"Ge. Without question."

Meanwhile, on your end with the ladies of the family, they started pestering you on your love life (like all typical Filipino aunties). Chismis everywhere.

"O, iha, single ka pa ba?"

"Kailan ka magpapakasal? Malapit ka nang pumasok sa thirties mo."

"Do you want kids? How many?"

"Are you and Maliksi a couple? You look good together! Kayo na, 'di ba?"

"Will you be getting married next? Are you engaged? When's the wedding? Invite niyo kami!"

Before you could get overwhelmed by their questions, Maliksi swept you off your feet to lead you to the entourage that was lining up outside the chapel area. Again, it happened like a blur. He laughed at the partially nauseated look on your face.

"You okay there?" he asked, grinning.

"Your family thinks we're together," you muttered quietly, not meeting his eyes. You weren't sure why you felt... tingly about their statements.

He tilted his head at you curiously, gently setting you down on your feet and helping you stand.

"Do you hate the idea?" It hurt him to ask you the question, but he wanted your thoughts on it. Perhaps doing this was a bad idea. Maliksi was competitive in many things, including wanting you to be his, but if you were so opposed to it, he would never force you into something you didn't want. He let go of your hand; you didn't even notice he'd been holding it until he let go. "Am I making you uncomfortable?"

Your wide-eyed gaze snapped back to look up at him, "No! No, it's not that! And... it's not bad." Your hand felt strangely empty now that his was gone. Biting your lip, you disclosed, "You're not making me uncomfortable, Mal. Don't ever think that."

With that, you shyly interlocked your arm with his, tearing your eyes from his to mask the growing warmth you felt spreading in your veins. You two didn't say anything else when the ushers let you walk down the beautiful, petal-covered aisle together.

The man beside you was starstruck. Hopeful. Maybe both of you did have a chance. Maybe somewhere in the depths of your soul, his feelings for you were being reciprocated. For the rest of the sacred ceremony in the gorgeous main pavilion, both of you relished in short, comfortable, and low conversations. He even cracked jokes every once in a while—really funny ones that made it challenging for you to you stifle your laughter.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife! You may kiss the bride."

Maliksi fervently prayed to Bathala that he'd experience the same opportunity he was seeing with you someday. One day.

Even while the sun was brightly out, the sky began showering down light rain onto the land. You were in awe as you looked out the window.

"Hala, totoo nga pala! Tignan mo!" you laughed, tugging Maliksi's suit sleeve, pointing at the window.

"Na ano?" he curiously inquired, not understanding what you were referring to.

"Na kapag may tikbalang na kinakasal, umuulan habang may araw pa," you replied, eyes filled with childlike mirth and wonder. A rainbow had even begun to form by the clouds. "Look, it's magical! Ang ganda pala ng view dito kasama ang old Spanish architecture. Timeless na timeless. It's so pretty, 'no? Picture tayo 'maya, Mal."

Unlike you, it wasn't the sky outside that the prince was looking at. Amidst the loud cheers for the newlywed couple and the bubbles the guests were blowing, his vision could only focus on how magnificent you looked while being amazed. You were his best view. (Ed from 90-Day Fiancé, kabahan ka na, may katapat ka sa pickup line mo.)

》》》

"Smile for the picture!"

You giggled as Maliksi was dragged into a photo-op with the bridesmaids and the important older wedding sponsors a few feet away (funnily, he looked a little constipated around them). All of a sudden, when he was heading back to your direction, you were roughly pushed into the said man's arms. When you turned around, there was nothing (except maybe a gust of wind that came out of nowhere).

"Ooh, gotcha. Careful," the tikbalang steadied you, strong hands holding your biceps. "Natapilok ka?"

"... Huh, hindi naman," you wondered suspiciously, looking around. "I think someone pushed me? Parang tinulak ako... but wala namang tao."

"Weird. Maybe it was just the wind."

It actually was. Really. Maliksi knew for a fact that it was those two taong hangin who were spying on you from the corner, trying to pair you up. He gave them a thumbs-up while your back was turned in the opposite direction. Hannah and Amie returned the thumbs-up before vanishing. Suddenly, the two wedding photographers had moved on from the bridesmaids and were right beside you.

"What a lovely couple you two are!" she praised. Before you could correct her, she held up the black contraption she held towards you two. "Pose for the camera, lovelies!"

And so you did, the photographer guiding you two on what to do. Maliksi wrapped his arm around your waist and you leaned on his side, looking sidewards to the camera with one leg cocked in front of the other. Her assistant, who was holding a polaroid camera, printed out two photos for you.

"Thank you," you told him, taking the photos from his hands then flicking them rapidly to make the images develop. You and Mal were about to walk to the reception area when the photographer stopped you, handing the male beside you a business card.

"If you two need a photographer or a videographer for your wedding, call me," she signaled to both of you before running to another guest, bringing her assistant with her.

You gawked, "Mal, did you just hear what she said?"

"Loud and clear." A grin was on his face. He seemed very pleased at what he heard.

"... How can she even tell if someone is married or not?"

Maliksi's free hand took your left hand, tapping the ring finger, "Nothing here."

"Ooooooh. I get it now." Your brows creased. "Huh. This is like the fifth time today the people here have mistaken us for a couple."

Maliksi shrugged, teasing you, "Who knows? Baka may potential tayo, babe."

Before you could ask him what he meant, he was hurriedly towing you to the reception venue. While he was doing that, you stared at the now-developed polaroid photos you were holding. Huh. Maybe you two did look like a couple.

"Come on, they're serving some snacks at the welcome reception area. Peach pie and mango float-flavored. Paborito mo, babe."

》》》

The rest of the night went by without a hitch. You were actually enjoying the event—the host was great, the food was great, the music was great. Everything was great... that was, until the games.

"Alright! Now that the bride's garter has been removed, let's have the bouquet and garter toss... starting with the females!" the host announced. "Dear bride, please stay here in front. And all single ladies—and by single I mean ready to mingle and are not married—please rise and stand here on the dance floor. Let's play matchmaker tonight, everyone!"

"Uy, single ladies daw," Maliksi nudged your side. "Sign mo na 'yan." You snorted like a pig.

"Nope, ayokong madamay sa bouquet toss," you whisper-yelled at your best friend. "Do you know how embarrassing that is?! Besides, they won't notice if I don't join! Special tactic ko 'yan sa weddings: pretending I'm not single. Katabi naman kita."

More women came to the front, making you feel assured that you didn't need to participate. The host was about to say something, when the bride interrupted to whisper something into his ear.

"Hala, halaaa! Sabi ko all single ladies, pero may isang single lady na nagtatago pa!" he announced, making you freeze. Please don't let it be you. "What's her name, beloved bride?"

"Y/N L/N." You nearly spat out your champagne. You? Did they just call out your name? How did they know?

"Oh fuck," you cursed quietly.

"'Di ka makakatakas dito, babe," Maliksi jabbed, making you stand up. "Tinatawag ka na."

"Baka may ibang Y/N L/N dito," you resisted, attempting to sit back down. "I can't do this, Mal."

"'Sus, ikaw pa. And it's just a symbolic ceremony!" he encouraged, as if he didn't have any underlying intentions. "I doubt the bouquet will go to you anyway."

Sheesh, what a big fat liar you are, tikbalang prince.

You expressed your dissatisfaction with the situation, "Bwiset, fine. I'll just... dodge it. Or evade it. God, I swear..." You calmed down, confident. "I'm not going to worry. I've never caught the bouquet at my own friends' weddings anyway."

When you were at the dance floor, Maliksi snickered, seeing the bride—his cousin—wink at him. After all, he had thoroughly bribed her earlier.

《《《

"It's about time you settled down with someone, Mal," the bride commented while he slipped her the newest Hermés designer bag filled with a bunch of jewelry (plus some bills) two hours ago, right before the reception began and while you were in the restroom freshening up. "Hehehe, this is why you're my favorite cousin."

"Do we have a deal?"

"Of course. I'll make sure she participates. I'll also try to throw it in her direction."

"Good. Thanks."

"You better invite me to your beach wedding. I can tell how much you love her."

"Not a problem. I'll even make you a sponsor."

The bride stared at her bouquet, already practicing how she was going to throw it, "Tito's going to thank me so much for ensuring that he's going to get grandkids soon, hihi."

》》》

Back to the present, on the other end of the room, Maliksi saw a familiar duo give him a sign that they were ready. Bingo. Time to execute the most important part of his plan.

《《《

"I don't care how you do it," he told the two wind elementals after he bribed the bride. "I've already instructed the bride on what she should do, pero siguraduhin niyo lang talagang lumipad sa kanya ang bouquet."

"Mmhmm," Amie flipped her hair, a hand on her cocked hip. "And what do we get in return, oh great Señorito Armanaz?"

"Sagot ko bar-hopping niyo for one month."

The two girls pretended to think about it, making Maliksi roll his eyes. He had to pull out the big guns, huh?

"Fine. Magbibigay ako ng cash deposit plus pwede niyong gamitin ang black card ko for a one-week shopping spree in Ortigas." There. Bullseye. That's what they liked.

"Deal!" they exclaimed excitedly.

Hannah let a cool gust of wind enter one of the nearby windows, testing out how they're going to do this. "Ano pa bang pinaplano mo for Y/N mamaya?"

Maliksi hummed, "Basta."

》》》

You tried your best to hide within the densest part of the group of women. The bride seemed to have her eyes on you, weirdly enough, and she looked almost feral wanting to throw her flowers into someone's face.

That someone being you. Most likely.

"Target locked on," you saw her mouth move. She positioned herself like she was about to throw a football at someone (ahem, you). Holy shit, was she talking to you? Miss ma'am, it was a bouquet toss not a bouquet throw. The bride seemed to notice this, and once more regained her elegant composure.

"3, 2, 1," the host counted down. "Go!"

Surprisingly, the bouquet flew very high into the air (it was a wonder it didn't get tangled in the ceiling decor), but quite a distance away from you. You grinned, knowing it was too far to even touch you. Squeezing through the crowd of women eagerly awaiting the bouquet, you went to return to your assigned table.

Ah, what a wonderful evening.

Sike!

Something painfully landed right into your face, leaves and flowers getting into your hair and mouth.

... Wait, leaves and flowers?

Before you could comprehend it, the bouquet dropped right into your arms. What kind of ungodly, inhuman force allowed this to even happen?

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have our lucky girl for the night!" Everyone clapped, with some—those guests you knew—even cheering your name unbelievably loud. The host approached you, a glint in his eye which you couldn't understand. "Miss Y/N, kindly sit here while we await the lucky guy who catches the garter from the groom."

What just happened?

"All single gentlemen, please proceed to the dance floor. Remember, the man who gets the garter gets to slip it onto the lucky lady's leg later!"

Oh, God. You pinched the bridge of your nose. What you'd give to be back at home or to be in that resort in Batangas you'd planned on going to for a solo vacation.

"To make this even more exciting," the host stated, handing you a black blindfold. "Our lucky lady has to keep her eyes closed until her lucky man for the night captures the bride's garter! When the music plays, only then can she uncover her eyes."

See? Humiliating, just as you expected. Still, you wrapped the blindfold around your head (albeit hesitantly). You attempted to guess who it might be, thinking of all the tikbalang friends Maliksi had introduced to you back then whenever he invited you to his clan reunions.

"Groom, are you ready?" the host asked, microphone loud and clear.

"Ready na ready!"

"Single gentlemen, are you ready?!"

"Ready na ready! Awoo, awoo!" they loudly chorused, exactly mimicking Spartans about to engage in battle. You sweatdropped in the seat you were in. This was actually kind of scary. Maybe you felt a bit objectified.

"3, 2, 1, go!"

There was a brief moment of silence, which made you concerned. Ba't ang tahimik? Then, everyone erupted into roars and bravoes much louder than when you caught the bouquet—perhaps even louder by tenfold. What the heck was happening?!

The music played. Very raunchy, spicy, babymaking music. You expected it to be the typical Careless Whisper by George Michael or Pony by Ginuwine (corny songs which you could probably laugh at, at least), but no. Nuh-uh, this was probably worse. The DJ must be pretty young, the song of their choosing being a slowed, bass-boosted, sexier remix of Earned It by the Weeknd.

Ano 'to, bold? Fifty Shades of Grey? The hell was this?

Alright. This was embarrassing. Thank the heavens there were no children at this party. From the music alone and its implications, this was strictly for adults.

You removed your blindfold (that was okay now, right?) as the guests whistled playfully. You peeked one eye open reluctantly, then inwardly groaned. Oh, no. You should've expected it to be him of all people from how loud the reactions were. And all those yells from the crowd were from his family.

Son of a—

"Well, this has proven to be a very interesting arrangement!" the host proclaimed. "Our lucky man for tonight is none other than our great clan leader's heir, Maliksi Armanaz! Congratulations, sir! You get to slip the lacey little garter on Miss Y/N!"

The said very smug tikbalang stood a few feet away from the chair you were sitting on, smirking at you. His hair was no longer in that mesmerizing ponytail—instead, he'd tied it into a more sinfully attractive man-bun, loose strands framing his face and accentuating that sharp, angled jaw of his (say yes and thank you to Manny Jacinto's jawline, besties).

"Let's cheer him on in his new mission, everybody!" the host pushed. Was this that glint in his eye earlier? And was that a one thousand peso bill sticking out of his pocket?

The groomsmen, Mal's cousins and uncles whom you've met before, hollered words of encouragement to the tall man (who was, oddly enough, not one bit fazed). In fact, Maliksi seemed like he was famished as he stared you down.

You swallowed, feeling like you were going to get eaten (heh, say that again). Maliksi had shrugged off his dark suit blazer to the beat of the song (holy fuck, he also unclasped the suspenders attached to his pants right before your eyes—asdfghjkl). Were you prepared for this? No. Will you ever be prepared? No!

"Mr. Armanaz, before you begin," the host interrupted. "We have an additional challenge for you in this mission. Kaya mo ba? It was a request of the newlywed couple."

"What is it?"

"Use your teeth!" the bride and the groom cheerfully shouted, clapping with the other guests. Whatdidtheysaaaaay???

The cocky bastard didn't even hesitate, his smirk at you growing wider; those pearly whites of his on full display. Was it just you or were his canines a little sharper than usual?

"Anything for the newlyweds. Challenge accepted," he dashingly replied, winking at you. You sputtered indignantly. Pisteng yawa. Putangina. Putek. Pakshet. You swore you thought of every swear word in the book at that moment. What did that YouTube parody song about Filipino mythological creatures say again? About the tikbalang? Ah, yes. Half-macho dancer and half-stallion. Maybe the joke was true, especially when you saw what Maliksi did next.

He bit the shred of lace, loosening his necktie (bestie, you good there?), unbuttoning some top buttons, and rolling up the sleeves of his collared white undershirt up to his elbows (consequently showing off his toned, veiny forearms—those lucky bridesmaids behind him nearly fainted). Honestly, you felt like you were about to lose your mind from embarrassment. With how tantalizing your guy best friend was being? Let our response be: San Pedro, kunin mo na ako. Was he doing all this to tease you? To rile you up?

Because damn it all, it was working. In your ten years of knowing Maliksi Armanaz, withstanding all his daily dirty jokes and flirtatious attempts, never had you seen him like this. So... wolfish. Ravenous. Like he was a man that hadn't been fed in years.

He stalked closer towards you, falling to his knees in front of your legs. Your gown had a long slit that extended up to an inch or two below where your left leg began—your best friend was eyeing his target already, knowing where to place the garter. Normally, you would never even wear something as revealing as this gown. It just wasn't your type, but Maliksi was the one who bought this for you for this specific occasion, so you had no choice. It was this or your pantulog he stole you in just hours ago. At first, you were confident in the gown. Now? You felt too... naked.

Somehow, in the heat of it all, you'd muted out the noise of the venue. Maliksi teasingly lifted your foot up, fingertips slyly grazing the thin shoe straps around your left foot—his calculated touch leaving fire in its trail. Once the garter had been successfuly inserted past your high-heeled stilettos, the man kneeling in front of you kept his hands to himself. Despite the fact that now there was absolutely zero skin-to-skin contact between you and this man, your body felt hotter than it ever was before as he expertly slid the lacy bit of cloth up your ankle at an agonizingly slow pace.

Maliksi's warm eyes had turned dark, his pupils blown, a tinge of red in them—of his true beast—while he maintained striking eye contact with you, pulling the garter up your calf with his teeth. Smoothly tugging... tugging... tugging. Tangina, it was like he was undressing you with his eyes alone; like he was telepathically telling you to keep your eyes open.

To keep your eyes on him, where he was knelt inbetween your legs, his hands intentionally locked on his back. Did you ever imagine this? Him between your legs? Maybe. Once or twice. But you never thought about it seriously; Maliksi dated girls left and right in the past.

His lips... his lips were so close... so close to your leg that you could feel the heat of his breath along with the lace. Were you about to die? Perhaps you already did. Maybe you were in heaven. Up... up... up... snap!

Suddenly, he stopped, grinning up at you mischievously and letting the elastic bounce back to the skin of your left knee.

"I'm not going any further, don't worry, babe," he whispered, noting that your eyes had become misty and glazed over. Internally, he grew worried. "That's enough." Did he think it was from discomfort? From you being uncomfortable? Bitch, no. It was the exact opposite. You had never been this turned on in your entire life.

You felt like your soul had left your body at that moment. Did you just have a heart attack? Was your blood pressure okay? Before you or Maliksi could stand, however, someone bellowed from the wedding sponsor tables.

"Higher! That's an order!"

Fucking hell, it was Maliksi's father who shouted. He wasn't in the huge tikbalang form you'd normally meet him in, but he was still very intimidating in his humanoid form, commanding attention and subservience wherever he went. You could tell where Maliksi got it from.

Instantly, the other guests—already half-drunk and wanting the spirit of partying to continue on—joined in.

"Higher! Higher!"

The host cheered, "You heard Señor Armanaz! Higher!"

Maliksi gave you a questioning look. Even if it was his father who spoke up, he still wouldn't do anything you didn't want. Well, you two made it this far; there was no point in getting embarrassed now. You bit the inside of your cheek, nodding. You probably couldn't erase the redness on your skin with how much you'd blushed from this night. It was as if the heat was tattooed onto your skin.

"Go on, Mal," you whispered to him, bending your torso down closer to his face, eyes half-lidded from want. "Finish what you started, babe."

With those sultry bedroom eyes he'd never once seen you show him before—plus you turning the tables with that familiar term of endearment, how could he refuse? Like a switch had been flipped inside him, he immediately complied, taking the frilly scrap of stretchy lace between his teeth once more, moving it further up to your thighs until where your high slit ended—centimeters below the warming juncture between your legs.

Your legs felt wobbly... boneless, as you stood up from the chair, the fabric of your gown cascading over where the lace sat securely on your upper left thigh. The party was still going strong even after you two finished the garter wearing tradition.

"'Atta boy! That's my son!" Señor Armanaz blazoned, standing up and raising his glass for a toast. "Cheers to the newlywed couple! May they last forever!"

You guys weren't the newlyweds, but it did sure feel like it. If the clan leader was hyped up, everyone was hyped up. Heck, the groom and the bride didn't mind one bit what had just transpired on their dance floor. In all the chaos, Maliksi took you out of the reception area and somewhere quieter. More private.

You would need to have a serious, urgent talk with your boy best friend.

》》》

You two silently sat on a stone bench in a gazebo somewhere in the reserved venue for the wedding, trying to cool down and get yourselves back together (at this point, you needed ice from that steamy, half-scandalous event you just went through). Here, there was no one else except for the chirping of crickets, the lush trees surrounding the area, and the golden fairy lights strewn all over the roof. Awkwardness was something you'd expected after what just happened, but somehow, you still felt comfort in this man's presence. For the past thirty minutes, both of you just stayed still, lost in your thoughts and reflecting.

"Mal?" you finally spoke up.

"... Hmm?"

"Ano tayo?"

"Whatever you want us to be."

Your fingers instinctively reached out for his, just like they always did when you were anxious. Sensing this, he grasped your hand and squeezed it reassuringly. Soothingly. He massaged the skin of your fingers, distracting you from your nervousness. It seemed like both nothing and everything changed between both of you. The gesture was the same, but so different at the same time.

"Mahal mo ako." It was not a question. It was a statement. A truth—one that you'd been too blind to see before. One that you only discovered while you stared into each other's eyes in that party not as best friends. You realized with a jolt in your heart what he really felt for you, and now, what you really felt for him. In those thirty minutes of silence, you knew. You just knew.

"Yes. I do."

"... Just as a best friend?" you probed.

"..."

Finally, you gazed into his eyes, previously so dark and full of hunger. Now? Just reluctant. Vulnerable. Open. Unsure of what to do next.

Seems like you had to be the one to take initiative tonight. Taking out your phone, you opened your music app and pressed play on a certain song. Ikaw at Ako by Johnoy Danao. You removed your heels (which were starting to blister your ankles and toes), then pulled him up to stand.

"Dance with me," you murmured, grabbing his arms to wrap them around your waist. He was stiff. Tense. What was he to do when the woman he's been pining after for so long let him hold her? All his gallantry and ability to romance disappeared out the window the moment you let him touch you so intimately.

You two weren't even waltzing. Just swaying. Slowly, you leaned your head on his broad chest, listening to the steady thump of his heart.

"... I love you," Maliksi admitted in the middle of it all, feeling like he was dreaming. Your head on his chest kept him grounded to reality, however. "More than anything in the universe. I fell for you ever since you patched me up when you were nineteen and I was a reckless drag racer who didn't have a purpose in life. 'Nung dinala mo ako pabalik sa Armanaz Tower on the verge of death. Simula noon, ikaw lang."

"I realized that," you smiled, reminiscing the old memory. You were just a broke college student that time, coming back to your dorm from making your group thesis at a classmate's house. Imagine your panic when you found a half-man, half-horse bleeding out by some bushes on the way home at night. Despite your fear and your little money (only enough to feed you for the week), you went out of your way to buy a first-aid kit at the nearest 7/11. It was scary, but you managed to mend the creature's wounds by the side of the road. When he was finally able to speak, turning fully human (which you admit, freaked you out initially), you arduously carried him back to his address—to his father and his clan, even if you had classes the very next morning. Because of your heroic deed of saving their precious heir, the tikbalang clan had become indebted to you: a teenage girl on the verge of a mental academic breakdown, just making her way through the cruel adult world. How old of a memory that was, you thought, yet you still recalled it in perfect detail. "Just a while ago."

"Ah." He swayed you gently.

"Lahat ng ito, plano mo?"

"... Yes," Maliksi fessed up. "Except for this part where we're here dancing in this belvedere. Wala sa plano ko. Gusto ko sanang magconfess doon sa may fountain para sweet, pero..."

You lifted your head off his chest, smiling at him with one brow raised, "You know, between both of us, you're supposed to be the spontaneous one. Planning isn't usually your thing."

"I know. It's a failure, huh?" Maliksi sighed.

"Nah." You shook your head, then suddenly locked lips with him. It was so fast and surprising he didn't even get the chance to return your first kiss. For once, you caught him off guard. You pecked him on the lips again. "It's not a failure."

"Wha—"

"I'm sorry for making you wait, Maliksi. Ten years. We're twenty-nine now, and only tonight do I realize how blind I've been. We've been going around in circles, wasting so much time. Ayoko nang mag-aksaya ng oras," you whispered guiltily against his lips. How could you have been so blind? Andaming nasayang na taon. Making up your mind, you told him, "Yes. Sige, I accept. I'll be your plus one."

The tikbalang was flustered and baffled from the kiss, as well as your revelation, "... But, you already are?"

"No, silly. I meant that I'll be your plus one for life. For as long as you'll have me," you laughed, now processing that you were currently dancing barefoot with your boy best friend and had just kissed him in a wedding you didn't even plan on going to. The universe had a mysterious way of doing things. "Guess I'm the spontaneous one now, huh?"

Maliksi was tongue-tied. "Seryoso ka ba? Is... Is this a marriage proposal?"

"Whatever you want it to be," you echoed his words back to him. "Best friend, plus one, girlfriend, wife—mmpf!"

He kissed you so hard your lips bruised. After an impromptu makeout session which was definitely more in character for Maliksi, you both pulled away, panting heavily in search for air, still desperate for passion. He cupped your cheeks, giving you a sweet, featherlight Eskimo kiss.

"You're missing one more title."

"Hm? What do you mean, Mal?"

"Love of my life." He kissed you again, this time lifting you off your feet and spinning you around (his sneaky right hand was resting on your bum, too, giving it a tight squeeze). You know in the Princess Diaries where the main character's foot just... pops whenever the prince charming kissed her? Yeah, that happened to you on that humid summer night. This was right. You two were meant to be together. Everything was falling into place.

The bungalow you reserved for your Batangas vacation leave ended up being the site of your very eventful honeymoon with the Prince of the Tikbalang (with his libido, it wasn't that difficult to continue where you'd left off in the garter toss; that scrap of lace came off your leg the same way it went on). Actually, nauna pa ang honeymoon sa actual wedding (it was definitely spontaneous). Right after your confession in that alcove, you two went to Maliksi's father to ask for his blessing (which he gladly gave, cackling and saying that it took you long enough) before you guys went driving off to Batangas that night. You and Mal indeed had lots and lots of fun in that resort (I'll let you imagine the rest). More beautiful memories were made from that point on—this time, not just as best friends.

All that and your small, intimate wedding occurred in early April. Just when you thought that it'd be impossible to fulfill Maliksi's life goal of having a baby within the year (nine months of pregnancy meant that the earliest you'd give birth would be January next year), the impossible happened.

Exactly thirty-two weeks later, on New Year's Eve, the Armanaz herd welcomed one prince and two new princesses into the world. Triplets who were instantly adored by everyone in the clan.

Señor Armanaz had never been happier, and so were you and your husband. Your best friend. The love of your life. Your forever plus one.

Maybe being spontaneous wasn't so bad after all.

Taglist: @belladaises @binibiningbabaylan @4kodzuk3n @sparklingmallow @severuslovebot @holyshxtangel @marinac15 @space-flamingo @pippethealien @kashasenpai @disappointmentpastry @hornehlittleweeblet2 @seijohoe @monimiin @ibelievein2dmensupremacy @tinybonksharkcop @methehipster @banisuoh @genshin-idiot @lemonnie-kimmie

[qu1nby]

every single one but the [insert fic] is ur favorite fic youve ever written

THANK YOU! tbh I don't have a favorite so I'm going to pick a new one each time <33

hopefully the links work because I didn't double-check them all

A: How did you come up with the title to [insert fic]?

How did I come up with the title to I Wasn't Made (to Fall in Love) you ask? Its a song!

I'm very bad at titles.

B: Any of your stories inspired by personal experience?

Not really!

okay well I do project onto Dazai a lot but we don't talk about that

C: What member do you identify with most?

I think this is supposed to be about characters? I tend to lean towards characters that are pining for a certain person but are scared of being with them because they don't want to get hurt

D: Is there a song or a playlist to associate with [insert fic]?

Journey to the Past is very much inspired by the version of Anastasia. There are also Happiest Year and A Slow Dance With Death, which are songfics!

E: If you wrote a sequel to [insert fic], what would it be about?

If I wrote a sequel to Would You Catch Me? it would be more of Dazai making everyone worry about him until eventually they sit down and work together to get him some therapy

F: Share a snippet from one of your favorite dialogue scenes you’ve written and explain why you’re proud of it.

This really isn't anything special but I don't know, there is something about that last line that brings it all together

G: Do you write your story from start to finish, or do you write the scenes out of order?

I used to only do start to finish but writing out of order is pretty fun! usually it depends on what I'm writing and how long it is

H: How would you describe your style?

Messy. I like to ignore grammar rules for the sake of aesthetic

I: Do you have a guilty pleasure in fic (reading or writing)?

Dramatic, spur-of-the-moment confessions

J: Write or describe an alternative ending to [insert fic].

I'm in the stages of rewriting Write to You but an alternate ending would be one where Chuuya manages to convinces Dazai not to rejoin the mafia

K: What’s the angstiest idea you’ve ever come up with?

HMM, I think maybe killing Chuuya in Inked

L: How many times do you usually revise your fic/chapter before posting?

I edit myself to death. I revise and rewrite until I can't stand to look at it anymore

M: Got any premises on the back burner that you’d care to share?

Oh, too many. The biggest one is definitely the Bideou/Ningguang rival business owner AU that I still haven't STARTED. I can't decide what I want the big conflict to be, so there hasn't been much progress. I'm hoping I'll have more time to work on it once it's summer and I've finally moved!

N: Is there a fic you wish someone else would write (or finish) for you?

Nope! as much as I want to read some of my unfinished fics, I also want to be the one to write them

O: How do you begin a story–with the plot, or the characters?

Plot

P: Are you what George R. R. Martin would call an “architect” or a “gardener”? (How much do you plan in advance, versus letting the story unfold as you go?)

I think I'm more of a gardener. I like to start off with a rough outline and then let the story go from there

Q: How do you feel about collaborations?

Love them! The first fics I ever wrote were written with a friend and it was so much fun. I would love to collaborate with someone again

R: Are there any writers (fanfic or otherwise) you consider an influence?

Too many to count! I have so many mutuals that are writers and they are so, so talented

S: Any fandom tropes you can’t resist?

I love all of the cliché tropes. One bed, enemies to lovers, soulmates, you name it and I have probably read it

T: Any fandom tropes you can’t stand?

I can't think of any right now!

V: If you could write the sequel (or prequel) to any fic out there not written by yourself, which would you choose?

honestly I have no idea--

W: Do you like more general prompts, or more specific ones?

The prompts I come up with are almost always general but I prefer to write more specific ones

X: A character you enjoy making suffer.

Dazai, next question

Y: A character you want to protect.

Kaeya. almost all of the Genshin characters, really.

Z: Major character death–do you ever write/read it? Is there a character whose death you can’t tolerate?

I both write and read it, but I won’t read the ones where child character die

[loonysama]

2021 Fanfic Year in Review

Thanks @bad-at-names-and-faces for the tag!!!

Total Completed Works: 21 (plus 3 WIPs)

Word Count: 584,486

Fandoms I've Written In: Frozen, Brave, The Little Mermaid, Tangled, Rise of the Guardians

Looking back, did you write more fic than you thought you would this year, less, or about what you expected? I haven't even been writing fanfic for a year yet, so definitely more! If you had asked me a year ago whether I'd be writing anything at all, I would have laughed and said you were funny. I'm frankly astounded at how much I've accomplished.

What's Your Own Favorite Story Of the Year? That's a really hard question because I love all my stories. I'll narrow it to three: Sophisticated Grace, Uncertain Uncertainties, and Always.

Fanfic goals for the new year: I want to finish posting my WIPs - Sophisticated Grace, The Refugees, Seeing Is Believing, Hearing Is Deceiving, and The Best Pick-Up Line There Is (my rewrite of The Office and the Orphanage at FFN). I've also started on three multi-chapters I'd love to start posting this year, but it seems ambitious. ALSO - I want to run two more challenges. One for Anna's B-Day/Midsommar and another for Halloween.

Most popular story of the year: Love, Essentially. It's about ER nurse Anna and train conductor Kristoff meeting and falling in love during the Arendelle Pandemic. And Ariel and Merida are Anna's daughters. It's about second chance romance and found family. Also super steamy. One of the three stories I am gonna try to post this year is a sequel to this one where Ariel and Merida meet their half-brother Harry Tarzan. I'm excited about it.

Story of mine most under-appreciated by the universe, IMO: The Rose Gold Ring Leap (part of the Ahtohallan Olympics series). It's about an OC (Anna and Kristoff's daughter Amber) and Ryder Nattura so understandably it's not that popular (even though it does have background Kristanna and a pretty sweet bromance between Kristoff and Ryder). It's a proposal story that takes a little from Kristoff's failed attempts in Frozen II and the outtake "Get This Right." Plus gymnastics! I think it's so cute and sweet and I love it. And it was so much fun writing Kristanna's daughter!

Most fun story to write: Heart of Gold. Hands down. It was a spur of the moment idea I got while watching Olympic gymnasts this summer. I took some story ideas from the news and my observations, and I did a lot of research on gymnastics moves and history. Plus there were some readers that left lots of nice comments and that always makes it more fun and easier. I liked it so much that I expanded the universe with 6 other stories!

Most unintentionally telling story: I really can't pick just one story for this. Let's just say that I had almost total amnesia from childhood trauma before I started writing and now I sort of know what happened. I think that's pretty incredible.

Biggest disappointment: I had to abandon Seeing is Believing, Hearing is Deceiving! I plan to pick it up again in time for Halloween, though. I just had too many things going on in the story and with contests and all that, and it just got too frustrating for me, so I had to let something go. I also had to take long breaks in the middle of some of my longer multi-chapters due to emotional burn-out, and I know that's ok, but I feel like I lost some connection to the stories after that, and now I really regret it. I'm trying to pace myself better now so it doesn't happen again!

Biggest surprise: So, I write a lot of pretty graphic NSFW stuff... Again, a year ago, I would have laughed at you if you told me. And I've also met some wonderful people in the fandom community that I've become close friends with, even though we live on other sides of an ocean! And just to know that people are reading stuff I write and liking it is sort of unreal.

Tagging:

@hiptoff

@hyggescribble

@true--north

@anywhozits

@thecassadilla

[nikkxb]

Hey friend! Which part of What Could Have Been was the hardest to write?

10 Questions || @pointyobjects

3. Which part of What Could Have Been was hardest to write?

Two parts and they were both equally hard so I'm going to talk about both.

The first scene is the beginning where I set the tone and the story. First iteration of this fic was leading toward a very dark Kouga. I barely had a plot, barely had a leg to stand on, so I sat down and wrote. And wrote. And wrote and wrote and wrote. I rewrote the first 4k words three times before I finally figured out where it was going. I could finally figure it out when I finished writing the chapter. It was the last thing I edited before posting. I had to figure out where it was going before I could fix it.

The second one that is absolutely tied for hardest part is the two of them in Midoriko's cave. And it was very odd because that scene flew out onto the page immediately -- but it didn't feel right. Something was missing. I had no idea what it was. And it was so frustrating! I rewrote it countless times and I could not get it to feel complete.

So I took a couple days off, edited the rest of the chapter, took another day off, got ready to post the fic and did one last final edit. On that very last read through -- after countless times trying to figure out what was wrong -- I added the last sentence where something comes out of the jewel and goes at Kagome. I literally added that sentence minutes before the chapter was posted. I had no idea what fuckery I was on because that changed so many things. I was panicking.

But it fit. It worked. The scene finally felt good. The end of the chapter felt right. I had no idea where it would go or what it would do and it wasn't until I was writing Chapter 3 that I could start understanding more about that extremely spur of the moment editing decision.

It makes sense now. It answers a lot of the questions I've had through the fic. But I had no idea what was missing until I added it and I hurried to post it to keep myself from shying away.

[ddagent]

hi I'm new to your tumblr and came across your Single Parents tags. I love them! Especially, Douglas x Poppy. So is there a chance I could request a Douglas x Poppy fic? thanks regardless! i think your fics are great!

Hi! *waves* I adore Single Parents and Douglas/Poppy - I will be forever angry that the show was cancelled and we didn't get any resolution for them. Unfortunately, I'm only writing Babylon 5 (John/Delenn) at the moment. But I did track down a half-finished Douglas/Poppy fic I wrote a couple of years ago. I'll post it underneath a cut and I hope you enjoy! <3

I think I like Douglas.

Five simple words, spoken at a picnic table, barely taken in by Angie – understandable, considering her own drama with the men of the world. But Poppy had needed an ear. A kind word, a horrified gasp. Anything to put those five words into context, into a world that made sense. Poppy could have not imagined, when she'd first met Douglas offering a hundred dollar bill to someone to braid Emma and Amy's hair, that she would ever put like and Douglas in the same sentence. Like, with the possibility of love.

"No, no, that can't be right."

Poppy tossed her cell phone to one side; Douglas' profile in her contacts fading to a dark screen. She did not, nor ever would love Douglas Fogerty. It was just that damn kiss. Soft, and tender, with the possibility of so much passion. That kiss had got under her skin, and left her completely messed up. That kiss, that night, was the start of her problems. But it wasn't just that night, her inner voice whispered. You've been looking at Douglas differently for a while now.

Poppy groaned. This internal speculation was getting her nowhere. And making a rash judgement (like calling Douglas to come over, and seeing just how much passion was in his six foot eight frame) wouldn't help her either. She needed to be sure before she made her next move. Sure that what she felt was genuine; sure that he felt the same. For the sake of their pack, their family. For the sake of their children. Other than talk it out with Angie, there was only one real solution.

Scenarios.

"Rory, could you come in here please?"

His bedroom door opened; laughter spilling out into the hall. Her son approached cautiously, as if waiting for a reprimand from his mother. Poppy didn't have the energy to investigate why her son looked so guilty: there was another man she wanted to question tonight.

"Everything okay, Mom?"

"Everything's fine." Rory visibly deflated. "Listen, I was thinking: now that Will is dating his co-worker at the station, she might be more open to the idea of Scenarios."

Rory, however, was not convinced. "I'm not sure, Mom; she didn't seem that impressed before."

"That's because you didn't have a demo." Poppy stood up from the sofa, trying to sell her bit. "We play the game, videotape it, and then Will can give it to Tracy Freeze on his date this Saturday. We can do it tonight, while the energy is fresh."

Lying to her son wasn't one of Poppy's favourite things to do. But they certainly could try and give it to Will's girlfriend. Once we know whether Douglas and I are compatible. Thankfully Rory seemed on board; spurred on by her enthusiasm. "Brilliant! I've got a new suit I can wear, and the poster board is ready to go. We just need contestants…I can't use my friends."

"How about…" Poppy said, pausing to look like she was actually giving this thought, rather than allowing the name to fall off her tongue. "I know, I can be one half; Douglas can be the other. He's not got plans tonight, so we can go over to his place."

"His décor will work much better for the demo. You start the car; I'll get my crew." Rory paused, before turning to look at his Mom. "Thanks for doing this. You and Fogerty should be a train wreck. But, it's what the audience wants to see"

A train wreck, huh. Here's hoping.

--

The door opened. Douglas was framed in the doorway, wearing a light blue shirt and holding a glass of scotch. His lips twitched, almost smiling, when he saw who it was. "Poppy? What are you doing here?"

Before she could answer, the twins brushed past her. "Let's set up over there!" "I'll get the cameras; you check the lights."

Sophie followed with a selection of Rory's best suits, and Graham entered with the poster board and a microphone. Douglas watched each child with increasing confusion. Finally, Rory entered. He looked Douglas up and down, frowning. "We'll need to get you in makeup straight away. Come on, people! Before we lose the light!"

With all five children setting up in his living room, Douglas turned to her. "Should I ask what's going on, or should I kick you all out now?"

"Okay, I know I was supposed to have the kids tonight, but – honestly – I think this is for the best. They were getting up to something shady back at mine. Anyway, it's just for a little while. Please, Douglas. It's just Scenarios."

"Scenarios? Poppy—"

"—it'll be fun.And it'll stop our kids from committing a felony." Douglas still didn't seem convinced. Clearly your presence isn't persuasive enough. But Douglas had a hair-trigger, and Poppy would exploit it to get the answers she craved. "So far, it's just Mark and I that've played it. We got a horrendous score. You know, it's probably for the best you don't want to play: we probably wouldn't beat it, anyway."

"Of course we can beat it." Douglas took a sip of his scotch. "Mark. Thinks he's so special. So wonderful. But he's not. And we'll prove it with this game: I – no, we – are gonna win this. Now, how do we play?"

The second ever instalment of Scenarios took place forty-five minutes after she and the kids arrived at Douglas' house. Cameras (handheld digital recorders, put on dollies by Douglas' ever-inventive girls) were set; make-up applied. Well, to her. Douglas pointed a single finger at Sophie with a make-up brush and she retreated to Rory's side. Her son had gone through two different costume changes already. But Rory was finally ready.

Theme music filtered through Douglas' expansive living room. It cut off just as Rory swung into frame. "Good evening, West Coast, and I'm your host: Rory Banks. Tonight on Scenarios we have a returning contestant, Poppy Banks!" Sophie and Graham politely applauded from the side lines. "And joining her tonight is Doctor Douglas Fogerty!"

More applause, this time from the two young ladies operating the cameras. Rory smiled, turning to Emma's lens. "Your Scenarios categories: It's all Relatives, Robes and Baths, Three Day Weekends, Out on the Town, and State Capitals. Douglas, your first category?"

Douglas peered at the poster board, illuminated by stage lights and purple feathers. "I have absolutely no idea. Robes and Baths, why not."

Rory plucked a ten point card from the board. "My Mom draws you a bath. Do you take the bath?"

Douglas wrinkled his forehead, reaching for the glass of scotch by his elbow. "Absolutely not. Men who take baths are weird."

Poppy didn't even hear Rory as he announced that Douglas was correct, or see Graham write the score on a custom-made scoreboard that was a new addition to the game since she'd played it with Mark. She just watched Douglas; his face lighting up as he scored an early point. Maybe we would be more compatible than Mark and I. Her euphoria quickly evaporated when she remembered that Mark had won that point too.

[looselucy]

I KNOW you must have answered this before but I've been searching and I can't find it, but I was wondering what your favorite chapter or scene is from each of your stories- in terms of writing? You're such an amazing writer and I'm curious to know what you think are your best written moments. LOVE YOU❤❤❤

OOOOOOOOOH THANK YOU SO MUCH, I LOVE QUESTIONS LIKE THIS! I think I may have answered for individual fics, but not all my fics so LETS FUCKING GO!I’m gunna do this under the cut because I have a lot of fics, so this is bound to get lengthy.

SO, my personal favourite parts from each of my stories!

Butterfly BoySo I do have a few personal stand out moments in BB. From when he helps her throw up, to their first kiss, to when she tells him she loves him, when they listen to Songbird together, every second of Mike Jokes, but I think when he finally admited he loves her… kills me. It genuinely feels like we wait so long for it and then to hear that he’s felt that way for so much longer than she has, and how he thinks she deserves better. It hurts.

“I am in love with you, Pippa. I have been in love with you for longer thanI’ve even liked you. I… I remember the exactmoment I fell in love with you.” “No you’re not.” I gasped, no idea what else to say.“Last November. I hadn’t even lived with you a month. Me and Zayn… We wentdrinking, and then we got back and you started drinking with us. You-you dranktoo much and you threw up. I walked into your room and… and I found you likethat and… I helped you. I sat on your bathroom floor with you, and helped youthrow up. You were barely dressed, slumped between my legs… sitting against melike you belonged there. You wereabsolutely fucked, but you were still so witty. You were so funny and so sharp…How could I not fall in love with you?”

This is why I love the scene where she first tells him so much, because he reacts so badly because he’d tried so fucking hard to get over her, and he was finally getting somewhere. It’s fine. I’m fine.

The Faux AffairAs you all know… this fic is the one I’m most proud of by miles. I don’t know if there are as many like… stand out moments in the story as there are in like BB, but I think as a piece it’s much better, and the imagery is stronger and the was I planned it and the hints dropped, it was all very precise. So I personally like scenes like the break up scenes, the nightmares, any mention of sunflowers and just generally the journey that Ren goes, y’know?HOWEVER, when they have sex. I’d never written anything quite like it before and it scared the shit out of me and when I posted it I went offline for hours just avoiding what people were saying because I was so nervous, but I still feel very proud of it.

In every possible timeframe, in every universe and every past-life, every dreamand every possible continuum, he had fallen in love with Florence DaisyValentine. Time and time again.

And I think as well… it’s just what that moment means for both of those characters. How substantial it is for both of them just being in that moment and feeling what they’re feeling. My ultimate couple.

The Lamb and The LionI love those little bastards so much. The chemistry and the history they have became this like thing that was almost out of my control. That’s why it went from being a one-shot to being this full fic like I had to keep writing them. I like that they’re far from perfect. They never have a stage where everything is sweet, it’s always messy and it’s always up in the air but they just can’t turn away from each other. That was fun to write!SO AGAIN, A FEW MOMENTS I LIKE! I like in the last chapter when he see’s George and you can just feel him being gutted and confused and kinda hurt and just… urgh. I also love the NYE when they’re not together anymore, but still very soft and painful. I love when he turns up after they’ve kinda ended things and says he’s falling in love with her.BUT, I actually really love when he turns up late to her part and she goes mad at him.

“I don’t need to beany more conscious of your schedule than I already am, Harry, and the fact thatyou can’t see that kills me.”“I see it now, I’m sorry!”“It’s toolate now! You shouldn’t needme yelling at you to realise what’s beengoing on with us for the past year! You should have known anyway! I am not justa fucking side character in your life, Harry. I’m toobusy being the lead of my own.”

I love Lulu. She loves him but she’s not gunna sacrifice herself for him, and he kinda does want her to, and I just love how she handles him and airs her feelings. I remember I’d been really looking forward to writing that scene! (I love a break up / argument hehehe)

AM GirlTwo moments for me here that really stand out. The first letter is always the one for me. It’s years old now but I’m still very very proud of it. The way it reads and stuff. I was dead chuffed with that.And then of course, the moment you realise that the letters are not from Harry the story is going to take this complete new turn and it happens in just a few words and the whole story feels and read completely differently after that. I love that twist. Die for a twist.

To WarThis story was written and alive in my head before I’d even really thought about actually writing a fic, and I very nearly didn’t, I just thought it was something that would stick in my head (there are a million stories in my head) but I’m glad I did decide to write it. I think the little bond between the two of them, and writing in that era was fun and different.And throughout, I was so excited to write the end. Everyone was ready for Alex to be hurt, or not come back, and I think it was good to write the other side of war, one that’s brushed over or forgotten a lot of the time, and that’s the people (women especially) who do the work at home. I loved writing that, and the way it’s not even a question to Alex that they’ll be together regardless.

“I don’t wantyou to feel guilty, for not wanting me anymore, Alex. I do understand. And I didn’t want you to feel… obligedto-”“Eve, stop.” He hushed her words to a halt, placing his hand steadilyon her leg. “You think… Do you really think this bothers me?Do you really think this would keep me from you?”“I don’t-”“I am in love with you, Evelyn. That hasn’t changed!” The more he spoke, the more comfortable she became gazingback to him. “This doesn’t change anything for me! It doesn’t change my feelings for you! I stilllove you, I… I still want a life withyou!” 

Vitae & MortemI knew this story wouldn’t land with the majority of my readers. I stopped and started writing it numerous times because, as much as I knew it was going to happen, but it was a story I wanted to tell and I was writing it for me, it’s still hard receiving a small amount of feedback, which I did throughout this story. But I just had this idea that I needed to share. So I’m chuffed I finished it.And I think my personal favourite moment for me as the author, is this moment, when Harry loses his shit and almost attacks the Krows when he hears them talking about Jax.

“You let go of me!” Hescowled, pushing forward, but I only pushed back harder.“I can’t letyou do that! They will kill you!”“I’llfucking scream if you don’t move!”“Harry, I can’t watch you die!” Ihissed back at him, worrying over our tones but needing to be clear with him. “If you go over there, he will shootyou before you’ve even got near to them.”“Letme go!”“I am with you, Harry. I will fightwith you and I will help you, but I am not letting you do this. We have to runaway from this. Now.”“I want to fucking kill them.”“Think about what ya doing.” I instructed, feeling that he was nolonger pushing back against me, easing a little. “Juststop for a second, and think. Please.”His nostrils flared as he forced himself to calm down, tears bubbling in hiseyes but I knew he wouldn’t letthem fall. I knew they’d beenspurred by anger more than anything else, and they blurred his vision as heconcentrated on my face in order to calm down.

That for me is a genuine moment from a character we don’t see too many genuine moments from. I think that was his real, initial reaction, and he truly wanted to protect her then. He forgot what he was there to do, and he acted on instinct, and his instinct was to keep her safe. It hurts me because V&M Harry is the worst and the best all at once and IT ALL HURTS!THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS I’M SORRY IT’S SO LONG!