#im already thinking of ideas for a prequel

[akechi-if-he-slayed]

summer has been kinda boring so far so my dad suggested i start writing and im like. ok. i mean i have been writing but i dont think he wants to see my south park style spiderman au.

[trees-to-meet-you]

Listening to MAG Season 5 Q&A - Part 1 and hearing Jonny talk abt how if he were to write more Magnus stuff he’d probably do a prequel but it would undermine parts of the original story and writing so he’s not very interested in writing spinoff stuff is kinda fun while knowing full well that Magnus Protocol exists

[donuts4evry1]

i am suddenly struck by the urge to write a light novel

[microwaving-tesilid-argente]

lying face flat on the floor passed out, vatican trio and their "if i get news of you dying another time i'll fucking get you" and "please take care of my friend this time as well".

the way that their designs are both archetypes that suggest they're not super in touch with their emotions (aloof black-haired guy and airheaded jock) but they're in fact both so casual and vocal about how much tesilid means to them

[wheeboo]

emergency contact {pt. 2} | choi seungcheol

SYNOPSIS. in which you and seungcheol first meet. PAIRING. choi seungcheol x gn!reader (ft. popular cousin!joshua and other members) GENRE. fluff and angst, hurt/comfort, basically a prequel to the first part WARNINGS. reader has anxiety from large crowds, depictions of an anxiety attack, cheol says a singular curse word WORD COUNT. 1.5k

requested by anon: Hello! I hope you don't mind but may I request a second part for emergency contact? Like maybe how they met &/or how the reader got into the accident? I really love the story!

notes: hi anon! honestly i didn’t expect for anyone wanting a part 2 or intend in making one, but coming across your msg i thought of an idea and had to do it since your my first ever request 😊 i didn’t want this to be too long, so this is about how they first met cuz i don’t think i can do the accident scene justice (im sorry!!!). i guess this is for the people who are curious behind their relationship. feedback is highly appreciated!

← part 1 | part 2 | part 3 →

Crowds aren’t your thing. Parties aren’t your thing. They never have been. 

It’s the first thought that pops up when you show up in front of Joshua’s place as the early evening breeze sends its chills up and down your arms. 

Despite you coming earlier to the birthday party then expected, you already notice some figures in the house already, assuming it’s Joshua’s friends coming to help set up. The thought of meeting people you haven’t met before hasn’t been helping in easing your worries away. 

However, you take a moment to gather your thoughts and remind yourself that tonight is about celebrating Joshua's birthday. He already told you upon inviting you that you didn’t need to show up if you weren’t up for it. But he’s your cousin and one of the only people you share a close, familial bond with𑁋you want to show you at least have some human decency, even if it means stepping out of your comfort zone. 

Taking a deep breath, you walk up and knock on the door. It swings open just a few moments later, but you aren’t met with Joshua. You’re met with a man who appears similar in height, a denim jacket covering his shoulders and his dark eyes widened in surprise just as you are. The brief, eager dimpled smile that you saw for a moment quickly fades away into... disbelief? Shock? Did you suddenly grow a second head? You couldn’t tell. And maybe you didn’t want to know.

You let your eyes scan over his somewhat familiar features. You recognise him𑁋he’s one of Joshua’s friends, obviously𑁋but your mind can’t exactly put a name on him, and it didn’t help that Joshua was quite popular himself. Yet there’s a curious flutter in your chest as the two of you lock gazes for a single moment. 

“Hi, um,” You greet awkwardly, feeling your face flush with heat from the embarrassment. “Is, uh... is Joshua home? I’m here for his birthday party...”

The man blinks back to reality, stepping aside just a tiny bit. “Oh, yeah, he’s home. I can go get𑁋”

“Y/N! You’re here! I’m glad you decided to come.” Joshua’s voice interrupts his words.

Then you turn to greet Joshua with a smile and a quick hug. “Had to show I have manners, you know?”

He gives you a few comfortable, reassuring pats on the back. “Don’t worry, you know I wouldn’t complain if you decided not to come. And you can leave anytime.” As you fully insert yourself inside the home, you notice the mysterious door man making his way back into the living room area, and you feel the subtle hole of disappointment sink into your stomach. 

Joshua leads you into the living area, where you catch sight of a few of his other friends that you also recognise. Two of them is Lee Seokmin and Boo Seungkwan, who are also quite popular. Then you notice Yoon Jeonghan, one of Joshua’s closest friends from way back when. And then... you notice mysterious door man setting up a table full of drinks in the back. He’s the only person you couldn’t put a name on.

“Everyone, this is my cousin, Y/N,” Joshua announces to the room as all boys turn to look in your direction. You give out an awkward wave as your eyes scan their faces, and when you meet back with mysterious door man, you see him give you a small, polite smile. 

Progress, you think to yourself. It’s small, but it’s something. 

Seungkwan and Seokmin greet you quite warmly and excitedly, and Jeonghan was really the only person you knew more about the others. For some reason, the interactions feel more comforting than you think. 

“...and that’s Choi Seungcheol in the back over there. He’s a close friend in my year. I think you’ll get along with him.”

You catch Joshua's words and your eyes immediately shift to the figure at the drinks table. So, his name is Choi Seungcheol. The name buries a rightful place in your mind, and a sense of familiarity washes over you, as if it's a name you've heard before, even if you can't recall where or when.

“Excuse me, sorry, excuse me...” You mumble your way through some groups of people, the weight of the crowd pressing upon you suffocatingly.

You knew what you were expecting for a party hosted by Joshua, a popular person surrounded by a circle of equally popular people. But the more you can remotely feel the presence of a stranger next to you, you feel something gnaw at your insides and all the vibrations and sounds heightening up your senses. You hate it. You hate your anxiety. 

You try to look for Joshua, for anyone in general that you may recognise, but you find yourself lost in the swamp of people. All kinds of conversations were entangled in one another, making it difficult for your mind to distinguish one voice from the other. The noise becomes a jumble of unintelligible chatter, and your heart pounds anxiously in your chest as you hike your way up the stairs and into a nearby corner, hoping that the sounds will die down.

And by the time you reach the top, you squeeze your eyes shut and focus on your breathing, feeling the brimming tears in your eyes fall down your face. Inhale. Exhale. One. Inhale. Exhale. Two. Repeat.

But the tears keep only keep flowing, a silent release of pent-up emotions. The frustration and vulnerability weigh heavy on your shoulder. And it's in this vulnerable state𑁋out of all possible circumstances𑁋that Seungcheol finds you.

“Y/N?” 

Seungcheol's voice breaks through your chaotic thoughts. Startled, you slowly open your eyes, the dampness blurring your vision. As you glance to the source of the familiar voice, you see Seungcheol's concerned and frantic expression.

“Shit, Y/N, are you okay?” he asks worriedly.

The concern in his eyes makes your heart ache. But in that moment, you feel a leap of hope amidst the suffocating weight of your anxiety.

“Sorry, yeah, I...” You sniffle, swiftly trying to wipe away any tears, but he sees them clearly. “The people, um... They’re not really my thing.”

His expression softens in an instant. Seeing your tears gives him the intrusive urge to wipe them away, but he refrains himself. 

Instead, an idea pops in his head as he scurries to take off his denim jacket before gently draping it over your shoulders. For a moment, your eyes quickly catch sight of his exposed arms.

"Here," he says softly. "It might help you feel a little more grounded."

You gratefully accept the jacket, pulling it tighter around you, his scent lingering into the air. The gesture, small as it may be, brings you a sense of comfort and safety, more than you expected it to be.

“Thank you,” You respond appreciatively, voice quiet and low.

Seungcheol couldn’t help the satisfied smile on his face as he shoots his gaze down to the floor, hoping that you weren’t able to see it. As you wrap his jacket around in a more comfortable position, he takes a step closer.

He clears his throat hesitantly. “If it isn’t working, then uh... I heard that hugging someone can also help too.”

You nearly let out a cough at his suggestion. No one has ever proposed that kind of idea before, and frankly, you hardly thought about it. But in this moment, with Seungcheol standing before you, and the thought of his arms circling around you, brings nothing but a certain jump to your heart and a sense of comfort that you sought.

So you let your shoulders relax and mentally prepare yourself as you give him a small nod.

Seungcheol steps closer and carefully opens his arms, inviting you into his embrace. With a mix of anticipation and nervousness, you take a step forward, finally closing the distance between you.

As his strong arms encircle you, you feel an immediate wave of calmness. The world around you fades into the background, and all that matters in this moment is the warmth of Seungcheol's embrace. It’s the only thing you can focus on. His presence envelopes you, as if creating a shield around you. 

Hesitating for a second, you rest your head against his chest, hearing the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. It's a comforting sound that reassures you, as if to simply convey, It’s okay, I’m here. You never thought that being in this position with Seungcheol𑁋a mere stranger, but also not entirely𑁋would alleviate your body into surrendering in his comfort rather than pushing him away. 

The hug becomes a silent conversation; it’s awfully intimate and intense that if it were to happen again, you’d still feel the same as right now. Seungcheol holds you firmly but gently as you let your limbs fall weak in his arms. You feel the emotions begin to build once again, causing a whimper to escape your lips. 

As the tears fall, Seungcheol holds you even tighter. His presence feels like a lifeline, helping to keep your thoughts grounded in the present moment.

Minutes pass, and eventually, the intensity of your emotions begins to subside. Your breathing steadies, and you start to regain a sense of composure. Slowly, you loosen your grip on Seungcheol and pull back away from him.

“Feel better?” he asks you.

You give him a grateful nod as you take off his jacket and give it back to him. “I... think I needed that more than I realised. Thank you.”

And as you were about to leave, the last thing that he says sends that hopeful flutter through your heart. 

“I’m proud of you, just so you know.”

A small, genuine smile forms on your lips as you take in his words. "Thank you, Seungcheol.” And maybe, just this once, I am a bit proud of myself too.

[lynn-tged-posting]

tged webtoon ep 171 spoilers and thoughts but i'm mostly just going "YAY I LIKED THIS MOMENT" and more below the cut

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DEMON KING LLOYD HELLO. HELLO?? WHAT. WHY?? BUT WOW. HOLY SHIT. I REALLY REALLY LIKE THIS

I LOVE WHEN CHARACTERS GAIN WINGS AND HORNS AND . GHGHHGHGHHG AAAHHH ITS MY FAVORITE THING if you didn't already know dragon lloyd was like one of my favorite all-time panels so this is VERY AWESOME FOR ME YAYYY YAAAAYYY HAHAHA

LIKE SERIOUSLY LOOK HE GOT FANGS N SHIT AND. OH MY GODD THE SMOKE SLIPPING PAST HIS LIPS IM SO??? THAT'S SO COOL. I LOVE WHEN THEY DO THAT WITH SMOKE AND MONSTROUS FORMS OF CHARACTERS

genuinely i need to draw this asap. pacing issues aside i am obsessed with how sick this is. i love this a LOT

ok ok back to the top bc theres some stuff i wanna touch on from before demon king lloyd got revealed! because...

"master lloyd taught us". "master lloyd taught us". "master lloyd taught us". "master lloyd taught us".

EXCUSE ME WHAT

YOU'RE TELLING ME THAT OFF SCREEN, LLOYD TOOK TIME OUT OF HIS BUSY ASS DAY. TO TEACH THE KIDS HOW TO PLAY SOCCER. AND THEY HAVE PLAYED ENOUGH TO BE FAMILIAR ENOUGH TO PLAY ON THEIR OWN. WHICH MEANS THAT LLOYD . PLAYED SOCCER WITH THEM . AND WE FIND THIS OUT. NOW?? I. GGHH. THATS SO. CUTE. IM GOING TO BITE HIM. THE FUCKER. WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS TO ME

the fact that they go up to ask him im going to EXPLODE?!?!?

he looks so nonchalant abt it here im cryinf

AND LOOK AT THEM GO THIS IS SO SO SWEET IM VERY GLAD LYRA GOT TO PLAY WITH THEM I LIKE THIS A LOT

this scene, and the beginning scene where the adults were just so casual with her and treating her as a living person with feelings and someone that they can talk to was so so heartwarming i oooghhh my heart

AND THEN THERE HE IS. SMILING IN THE BACK. YOU ASS.

I SEE YOU BEING KIND AND EMPATHETIC AND SELFLESS LLOYD. YOU LOST THE NONCHALANT WAR. YOU CAN'T ESCAPE

christ. i fucking HATE him /j /aff

it is also VERY silly that they're so casual abt. destruction like that HELPPP they got it from someone sob sob, though i imagine since most of the estate consists of people who have done construction it probably isnt that big of a deal when things get destroyed every now n then

and lyra looks so damn happy,,, god im so glad she had a good experience, she really needed one :')

also i completely LOST it when the kid got mad at lyra for not responding with a yes or no HELPPP JESUS CHRIST

again they,,, got it from someone HAHA though honestly i think it tracks. kids can be straightforwardly brutal in their language, especially when they don't really have biases or cares for who they are speaking to. as crazy as this instance looks (LMFAO) i think this fits well with the context of the straightforwardness of children and considering the person who they look up to at the estate. i think it was good for lyra to meet a human child her age who can speak straightforwardly and not skirt past things, if that makes sense? i hope it does!

AND THE DEMON KING TRANSFORMATION i already talked abt it above but i wanna point out this blue system box here

a power outside of the system?!?? what does this mean for the protagonist of the new prequel bk_moon is writing?? is the weather forecasting included in this???

my first assumption right now is that the demon king power is just an in-world power system while everything else (ie the weather forecasting) is external, blue-textbox system. maybe? so lloyd got the demon king power which comes with skills separate from the ones that the system can provide? that would explain why there's no indication of lloyd trying to use the weather forecasting, he probably can't use it,,,? except i dont know why artanis can use it in that case. most likely i am overthinking it LMFAO

semi-related, i am a little confused as to why artanis did this? i guess she really, really trusted him w this power? or maybe her weather forecasting noted that this would be something good to do i have no idea,,, it Does feel a bit sudden i won't lie, i'm not sure how earned this is

also javier and everyone else not reacting that much to the demon king status. SENT ME HAHA "... nothing's changed." LOL

deadpan humor never fails to make me giggle ily javier

also loved the moment where the two of them were bein serious for a sec,,, they've got a job to do they've got people to protect. lloyd will stop fate and javier will be right besides him...

i think showing them at emily's wedding really cements how much they really, REALLY need to fight fate now. the novel events happening is very very bad, but it feels like now that so many people, emily especially, have found THIS much happiness in their lives,,, failing to stop fate will hit even harder. i really like the analogy of a taut bow that the dragon king used when he first described it, bc it's really REALLY showing how much the repercussions will hit if they fail. im praying they succeed,,, please,,, i need a happy ending or i will curl up and turn into an actual shrimp irl.

and now the demons have to build the pantara railroad,,, artanis's expression omfg

she really didn't,,, know,,, she trusted him that much,,,, girl,,,

but it's ok. it'll be a net positive trust! that's how lloyd does things!!! and then soon we'll get the happy ending where we can get the eye of summer and beat up fate and then silly fun times YAYY <- probably copium

some other thoughts of note that i had with a dear mutual (hi sprout :3) about this ep:

we were talking about how the plot seems to be paced right now, and honestly i'm of the opinion that while yes its Technically moving, the way they're ending each ep in this current arc makes it feel like it's going both very slow and very fast, that is to say it feels like it's not moving at all

bc they're like "okay NOW we're gonna do the build project" and it's been like that for several episodes now. pieces are moving but we're going past the point of it all too fast (especially the whole demon king thing. mentioned this before but while cool, doesn't feel as earned simply bc we're both tackling each point and yet blowing past all the points, so it's a lot less satisfying than it should be (despite how awesome it is,,, oh lloyd you give me so much internal conflict </3))

it does make me a lil worried that they're gonna timeskip the hell out of the pantara railroad build. however this episode, although it still has a weird pacing/movement issue, does feel a little bit better than the last two imo, so i have hope that it'll turn out okay, that it'll start heading up! i'm actually really excited to see where they go with this and i'm sure that even if the pacing is still goofy i'll have some kind of fun with it (seriously the panels this ep were wonderful HAHA)

anyway that's all for this week! extremely excited for the next ep,,, ill see yall then,,, lets go pantara railroad arc!!!

[filurig]

Any tips on how to display YouTube content (such as animatics, pmvs, amvs) of your stories without spoiling too much of your narrative? I've been struggling a lot with subtlety when it comes to YouTube ideas.

FJKDSFDS TBH IM . not sure if im the best person to ask this because i feel i have historically spoiled way too much in pmvs until i actually decided to try to be more obscure about it (and even then i feel i reveal too much sometimes esp outside of vids). tbh a reason why i havent really made a lot of pmvs more recently is that i have sworn off depicting some story events/developments until i get to depicting them in the actual final presentation of my story (whatever it will be, comic or graphic novel we will see). luckily ive kind of non-canonized most of my old vids (since things have just naturally changed in the story as ive actually been writing it) so i feel the big events i spoiled in those have changed enough/arent canon anymore so i dont feel too bad

i guess then for my mindset now when making a pmv and actively trying to be more opaque is this:

more specific to pareidolia but im only choosing to depict events during pt 1 and also in more broad strokes. some important events/status quo changes i have depicted (in my latest pmv) but the way in which i did so was by trying to be as vague about it as possible - not showing how they happened or how they got there which can open up for more interpretations and in turn not really spoil as much. cuz i think the most intriguing thing is knowing HOW or WHY something happened which is why i keep it kind of vague for the most part

if you're not planning for it to be a big plot point in the actual story, always remember you can make stuff of backstory material!! folke's backstory doesn't really come up in detail in pareidolia the way im planning it so thats one of the story aspects i consider making more pmvs of in the future and perhaps making them more cohesive since i think that would only come up in detail if i made "prequel" material

symbolism is always fun to utilise and especially so if its already present in your story. because if you have a scene that is not entirely literal but still depict it out of context in a pmv it can be a nice way to depict a scene without spoiling much bcs without the context theres way more ways to interpret whats happening

[asmogorna]

I can't recall if I have already asked you this or not, but were you the one who drew this?

(If so, then I need you to know that this is the best Will Wood fanart that has ever been made. Plus he would totally wear that.)

i'll tell you more. there's a prequel to this. and i have a huge history with this very art. grab your hot cocoa, your popcorn, or whatever else you consume when listening to a story..

NOW tbh this mf piece of art makes my heart sink every time i see it simply because the memories of the past still haunt me and theyre not lovely /hj

imagine, year 2023, (relatively) young asmogorna doesn't yet know how twitter can get when it comes to fandoms based around real people, and his friend gives him an idea

"i had a dream about will wood drawing hamilton yaoi" his friend said to him "you should draw that"

and draw that young asmo did

but then a funny teehee connection was created in asmo's head. "hey" he thought "you know what else is related to hamilton. miku binder."

and he, inspired by this truly humorous and silly idea, drew that very masterpiece, posting it on twitter later that day, with the caption "i am so sorry mr william wood". "oh what a splendid laugh me and me lads (mooties) shall have" asmo thought, as he closed the website

yet little did he know, that the next time he opens twitter its going to be multiple people jumping him and beating his ass in the qrts

"erm,, why are we drawing real life cis men in binders?? /neg /genq" they chanted

"will wood would KILL this person" they howled

"

" they preached, as they threw their torches and rotten tomatoes at stupid young asmogorna

he was shocked, truly shocked, for he did not expect such a backlash. the last thing he had in head is implying that mr william sunshine woodiam of the okultra is trans with his art, his mind blown by the amount of people misunderstanding his intentions, for he didnt even think about the intentions people would assume he had. "where tf did i ever say that this is a headcanon of any sort THIS DOESNT EVEN HAVE TO BE A BINDER FOR TRANS PPL WHAT ARE THEY ON" he mumbled softly to his friends, glancing at the raging crowd.

asmo shamefully deleted the post, wrote a public apology thread, and decided to throw the painting he put so much shits and giggles in out in the trash, forever forgetting his legacy....

but to be fr tho that shit was funny asf and im still mad at twitter for making me look like one of them tallyship mfs who headcanon real life people as .. anything really😭

will wood would scoff and giggle in disappointment at this MAX trust me his ass does NOT gaf

[adrian-sheppy]

Sorry if this is completely wrong igore if it is LMAO but I noticed you seem to have different hcs for how mind lost his eye!!! Like in Seattles Going Under it was lost in a vague fight or something, but in art w/ the resonance cascade he lost it prolly during the ambush? I was wondering if you had info to share on it/infodump abt or if its just whatever makes the art more fun!

hehe youre observant and actually right on the money. yup!  so essentially i just have different eye trauma head canons for whichever version of freemind im drawing; since he doesnt actually lose his eye in canon, its up to everyone to fil in the blanks if they wanna use the popular headcanon. i wrote .  a good chunk of stuff .  so i put it under the cut . but heres a picture to be like a . tldr

I sorta like his eye already being gone before the resonance cascade (in a non-freemanverse scenario). he does verbally say something like "my eyes" in the series, indicating he has two, BUT . well.  its a headcanon. so we can have fun with it . my eye loss pre-rescas freemind stems from my original freemind design (before i ever started posting half-life on the internet) where he had short hair, but i needed a way to distinguish him from og gordon, so I used thr popular one eye headcanon. then I realized him losing his eye bc of the military goes perfectly with martini losing an arm. that bothered me for a while until i realized i could just have multiple freemind designs + headcanons. if theres different variations of Gordon  and martini, why can't there be some of Freemind as well? grins grins

i left it open ended in my SGU because people have their own headcanons and I thought anyone could just fill in their own. if I did every make a canon eyeloss event prequel thing, he would've lost his eye during college in some sort of either freak accident (like tripping on something and injuring himself bad; I like this one because he'll lie and say he was in a fight) or, like u said, a fight . for SGU, college was a low point in his life of him struggling with freedom from his parents for the firsr time, but them and their ideals still holding him hostage. he is simultaneously more repressed and more emotionally volatile than present!gordon. then, when his parents die, hes just given a clusterfuck of emotions. so why dont we add physical trauma? whatever the sgu canon event eye loss was, it was definitely related to substance abuse issues. whether that be he was high/drunk and got into an accident, or fought someone... not sure! yet. the only thing that i can say was that no fire or chemicals were involved, since his tearduct is (unfortunately for him) wholly in tact!

but for freemanverse!freemind, he should lose his eye during the rescas since its like thematic and stuff if (almost) every Gordon Loses Something. also, angst. whenever I draw freemanverse (even in a domestic setting) in my head, i always think of them surviving the rescas together! i have. convoluted freemanverse headcanons. the eye loss is an important freemanverae event because, like martini, it gives him a valid reason to REALLY dislike benrey (but in my au, benrey isnt the big bad, so he "redeems" himself kinda sorta) . and then it ALSO opens up freemind to be upset and vulnerable, which allows him to bond with his fellow freemen.

...

also I want barmey to tend to his wounds and call his scar(s) badass. im not immune to buttermind and i never was.

honorable mention: sims freemind, who has both eyes physically but only can see from one. this is due to me unable to properly texture a glasses + eyepatch combo, that and i have no experience with 3d modelling (I did try!).

i hope this is a satisfying enough infodump!! I'm sorry if it's a bit vague; a lot of my ideas tend to be fluid. i also like taking inspiration from what other people think! some of you guys are way super smart and have awesome ideas. i am not immune to well articulated essays and thought out headcanons

[player1064]

Ok after the amazing angst one about their first time might I request a hurt/comfort… I love the complications of them being secretly together as players. Maybe Gary (srry bby) gets injured in a match and it’s scholes that has to tell Jamie and that’s how they come out to their friends or to the world, maybe Jamie’s there, idkkkkkk but something in the following of the SAF finding out one? 😁❤️

tbh like. at this point this is fully just a full length fic. perhaps I'm insane about them...

LOVE the idea of them being together in their playing days. wish I could find footage of Gary breaking his ankle but there's none!!!!!

Set as a sort of prequel to this one from a few days ago

---

17th March 2007

Jamie is on the team bus headed for Birmingham when it happens. Up front, the radio is playing match coverage, but he’s sat further back, he and Stevie too busy holding court with the players sat around them to pay it much attention. It’s always a good idea to keep an eye on what United are doing, but as it stands they’re twenty points clear of Liverpool and are certainly going to get another three today – it’s only Bolton, and they’re at home too.

So, he’s on the bus when it happens, but he doesn’t find out until the team is sat around watching Match of the Day later that evening. Even then, he doesn’t get to see the footage, the only mention that anything happened at all being a short “Gary Neville came off after 11 minutes with an ankle injury.”

His teammates cheer and Jamie tries to laugh along, but all he can think is why hasn’t he texted.

“Reckon that’s him off England squad this summer, then” Stevie says, grinning, “finally, some peace and quiet. An’ they’ll be needing someone to step in for ‘im, Carra, you might get more minutes.”

“I fuckin’ hate playin’ right back,” he groans, rolling his eyes (why hasn’t he texted why hasn’t he texted why hasn’t he texted).

He makes a show of looking at the clock, says something about needing to call his parents to let them know he’s got to the hotel alright, and high-tails it out of there to go back to his and Stevie’s empty room.

Still no texts, so he brings Gary’s number up and calls, pacing the floor while it rings.

It takes longer than usual, but eventually he’s greeted with a quiet “’lo?” and breathes a sigh of relief.

“Are y’alright, love?” he asks quickly, his words rushing together. “Only just heard, else I’d’ve called sooner – what ‘appened? That twat Lineker was so vague.”

There’s a long pause, long enough that Jamie starts to wonder if his signal’s dropped out, and then:

A voice which he now hears is definitely not Gary, saying “this is Scholes.”

“Fuck,” he hisses, and snaps his phone shut.

His phone starts ringing a few seconds later.

Jamie, because maybe he’s a bit stupid, answers it.

“Yeah?”

“Er,” he hears Scholes say, “Who’m I speakin’ to, exactly? Gaz’s only got this number saved as ‘J’.”

“Um,” Jamie says, panicking. “I’m just a friend of ‘is, heard he got injured so wanted to check he were alright.”

“’e’s still waitin’ on some scans, but they reckon it’s broken,” Scholes says. “Gaz doesn’t really have friends, does he, outside of team. An’ you sound –”

“—Okay, good t’hear he’s alright, bye then.”

Jamie snaps his phone shut again and tosses it onto his bed, wipes both hands down his face.

Broken. Fuck. That’s him out for the remainder of the season, then, he’ll be devastated. At least he’s already racked up enough appearances to get a medal when United inevitably win the league, not that the prick needs another one of those.

This thing of theirs, whatever it actually is, it’s not been going on that long. Not even a full year, if you’re ignoring the few mistaken fumbles at England camps over the years and only counting from when they’d made it – not official, exactly, because again Jamie’s not entirely sure what it is they’d be making official – but as close to official as it’s likely to get.

Gary, the prick, would probably give him a smack if he said all that to him. It all comes a lot easier to him, the – the words, and the feelings. Jamie can almost hear him now, why’s everythin’ always so complicated w’you, Jamie, stop bein’ a baby and just admit I’m your boyfriend.

His ankle is probably broken. Jamie should be there.

He has a match tomorrow.

He sits on the end of his bed, hunched over with his head in his hands while he tries to sort through the mess in his head to work out what he’s meant to do. There’s a buzzing in his head that feels so loud he doesn’t notice the soft click of the door opening until there’s a dip in the mattress beside him and Stevie’s hand patting him on the shoulder.

“Y’alright, lad?” he asks gently, shifting his hand to rub firm circles on Jamie’s back. “We’re headin’ down for dinner soon, boss sent me to find you.”

“I’m fine,” he says automatically, but when he looks up he can see the disbelief in Stevie’s face. “I am, I just – if somethin’ happened to Alex, like, if she’d been hurt. Would you go home? Even if you’re meant to be startin’ tomorrow?��

“Of course,” Stevie replies, like he doesn’t even have to think about it. “’Course I would, you know that. She’s – y’know, she’s the mother of my children, in’t she? I’d drop anythin’.”

Jamie groans, puts his face back in his hands. “’s not helpful, Stevie.”

“Well, no, ‘cause you don’t ‘ave kids.” Stevie pauses for a second, frowns. “Unless you –”

“—No!” Jamie says quickly, shaking his head. “Christ, y’think I could ‘ave a secret family? Give us a break. No, it’s just – I dunno, I been seein’ someone, for a little bit now, and somethin’s happened, and – and I feel like I’m meant to go home, aren’t I? Help out? But I –”

“But you can’t miss the game tomorrow,” Stevie finishes for him, because of course he knows that, he knows him, knows how his head works. “So there’s yer answer. Carra, she won’t hold it against you. If she – I mean, does she love you? Are the two of yous, like – why’ve you not said anythin’?”

Jamie feels a twinge of guilt. “’s complicated,” he says with a sigh. “But we – I s’pose so, yeah. I s’pose you might say that we’re – that.”

Stevie, god bless the man, seems to lose any trace of annoyance or upset over being left out of the loop, and throws an arm around Jamie’s shoulder with a grin. “My boy’s in love!” he says, squeezing Jamie tight. “Too much of a prick to tell ‘is best mate, but what else is fuckin’ new? Look, Jay, I know you, don’t I? And if she knows you, then she’ll know you ‘ave to play this game. Long as she’s not dyin’, I’m sure she’ll understand waitin’ ‘til tomorrow evenin’ for you to get home.”

“Ha,” Jamie says humourlessly, still feeling guilt clawing away at his insides, “prob’ly won’t notice if I’m there or not, anyway.”

Stevie pats him on the shoulder one last time and then stands back up, nodding his head towards the door in question.

Jamie gets up too, but they’ve only taken a couple of steps towards the door when another wave of guilt crashes into him and he blurts out “Stevie –”

“I’m bloody starving, Carra, c’mon now.”

“Stevie,” he says again, clenching his fists at his sides. He can’t look at Stevie, is staring up at the ceiling instead as he says “’s not a girl. That I’ve been seein’. That’s why I couldn’t tell you.”

There’s a long pause, where it feels like the air between them is humming, and then Stevie just nods and says “okay.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

They make it all the way out of the room and into the lift down to the dining room when Stevie’s brow furrows for a second and then he turns to Jamie, eyes wide.

“Carra,” he says grimly, “please tell me the guy you’ve been seeing that’s got hurt today’s not another footballer.”

Jamie feels himself blush. “Um,” he replies.

“Jesus fuckin’ Christ, Jamie, what is wrong w’you?”

*

When Gary is wheeled back into his private hospital room, it’s to the sight of Scholesy sat in an armchair looking thoughtfully at the phone in his hands.

He blinks when he hears Gary come in, looks up with a grimace. “X-ray gone alright?”

Gary shrugs, looks away. “Broken,” he says, trying to sound nonchalant. “Like they thought. Guess it’s gonna be more’n just three weeks out, then.”

Scholesy sighs, deflating slightly. “’m sorry, Gaz.”

“Is what it is. They said I can go home now, at least, so that’s somethin’. You got all my things?”

“Yeah, give us a second,” Scholesy says, turning around to rummage through the pockets of the coat that’s hanging on the back of his chair. He pulls another phone out, opens it up. “I’ll call us a cab, yeah? Want me to stay at yours tonight?”

It takes a second to compute that if the new phone is Scholesy’s, then the one he’d been staring at when Gary came in was –

“Erm. Were there any calls for me, while I was out?”

“Yeah,” Scholesy says, back to sounding sort of distant.

Please be from my mum, Gary thinks desperately, almost wanting to squeeze his eyes shut while he waits for Scholesy to elaborate.

“Um, texts from the family, of course. But just the one call.”

He hands the phone back to Gary, who opens up the call log to see exactly what he was hoping he wouldn’t.

Still, there’s a little glowy feeling in his chest at the fact he’d called.

“Ah,” he says. “Did you, er, d’you speak to him?”

“For a minute,” Scholesy says carefully. “Said he were a friend of yours.”

“Yeah,” Gary says with a relieved chuckle. His idiot boyfriend is good for something, after all. “Yeah, he’s a good friend. Good of him to check up on us.”

Except, then Scholesy adds: “Sounded Scouse.”

“Ah, yeah,” he replies, rubs a hand over his jaw. “Well, can’t hold it against him, I s’pose.”

Except, then Scholesy looks him dead in the eye and says: “Called you ‘love’.”

Fuck,

Fuck.

“Scholesy,” he says, feeling panic rise up inside him, “Scholesy, I can explain –”

“First boyfriend in how many years and it’s a bloody Scouser,” Scholesy mutters, which –

Which isn’t what Gary had thought he’d say, not even close.

“You don’t – you don’t mind that he’s – that he’s a man?”

Scholesy frowns at him like he’s lost his marbles. “Well, what else would he be?”

“I – a woman, Scholesy!” Gary screeches.

“But you’re gay?”

“You’re not meant to know that!”

Scholesy’s eyes flit up towards the ceiling. “Oh my god,” he mutters. He looks back at Gary, voice even. “You are so annoying, d’you know that? Nobody cares about the gay thing.”

“Oh,” Gary says, even though his head is screaming other people know too???

“He sounded worried, your lad on the phone.”

Gary feels himself relax a bit as it finally clicks how nice it is to be able to talk about this. “Yeah,” he says fondly, “��cause he’s bloody stupid.”

Scholesy hums thoughtfully. “What’s ‘is name?”

Ah, right. There is still that one, teeny tiny little problem.

“Um,” he says. “’s name’s Jamie.”

There’s a brief second while Scholesy’s brain works through the complicated equation of ‘Jamie + Scouser’, and Gary can tell the exact moment it computes because his eyes go wide and he says “Carragher?”

[shesnake]

i started the acolyte but…the acting is bad and the writing is bad. what made you keep going? ( i trust your judgement but im not seeing it yet. what should i be looking forward to 😢?)

dhjdkssjhd honestly don't force yourself through it if you're not already enjoying it! unless you're a prequels fan in which case I do think you'll get smth out of it! I stuck around because I love anakin skywalker and this series though not directly about him really honours his arc and explores the same key themes of his story in a way that other disney sw properties either ignore or erase.

I definitely found the script very thin the first time I watched it and I still have SEVERAL NOTES but I'm really in it for the big picture ideas, the Jedi Are Just Cops angle, and the insane stuff me and my friends in the groupchat pull out of the subtext. I don't think the acting is any worse than any sw thing I've seen which isn't saying much but at least amandla and manny and jodie are hot

[yourgrantaire]

im rewatching the smosh liveshow and i wanted to keep track of my favorite moments so they are below the cut

angela's tippy tappy toes of joy at amanda's new jersey voice

amanda's "LOOK IT UP" for increasingly unrealistic things, and ending it with "are you at peace are you at peace are you at peace hello areyouatpeaceareyouatpeaceareyouatpeace anthony areyouatpeace DON'T GOOGLE ME"

tommy's "only a tragic life could lead to looking like if a motorcycle was gay ... i can say that, i'm a motorcycle" and him saying the meaning of anthony's tattoos was so that he could fuck goth girls. oh and how could i forget describing angela as an "amber alert on rollerblades"

the cool ass music when the guests came on, made by tommy bowe i think? i honestly would listen to the music from the show all on its own

brandon rogers' "let's. eat. anthony!" and then making a very emphatic pitch as to why it would be a great idea

THE HALF-TIME SHOW OF COURSE. i know that they mostly won't post the show on youtube but i really really hope they post the half-time show

also a detail i just noticed is josh playing that escalating carnival "do do do do!" when chanse and keith got iced

dan and phil's extremely explicit video message with dan's repeated references to jerking off onto anthony's sexy calendar

courtney as bikini girl while still wearing doc martins. and there's something about the rhythm of "get you a girl who can do both two things two one time! :D" that is so funny, as well as "women are so scawwy ooohh!! what's under your blouse, two perfectly round GUNS? OHH!!"

rhett and link showing up standing menacingly in the doorway, and their tag line being "A Jesus and a Lesbian Woman"

the multiple "ian loves drinking breast milk" jokes

the chosen: "you're probably wondering why i look so badass right now. its because we are on the cusp of the greatest battle in the entire history of the universe.

and also i got queso on my three wolf moon shirt.

and i fell off my razor scooter on the way here."

i am glad that even though they made him look cool as fuck, shayne still emphasized that the chosen is not nearly as cool as he thinks he is.

"worst of all, anthony padilla HAD SEX!" and then quoting the star wars prequels lmao

also shayne singing without any self consciousness was very funny to me, but i can't put my finger on what the song was

ian saying i love you but having to say it in a silly voice (and in the after show anthony saying he can say i love you back to ian because unlike ian, he's actually said it before)

anthony's joke about how he expected everyone to roast him about his "dick piercing" and the entire audience going "wait wait, go back to that, what did you just say" and him moving on with no further comment

anthony to shayne: "i won't talk about how you were once known for your promising tv career and now you're known for wearing a t-shirt with limes on it''

chanse just full on horror movie screaming when anthony said arasha was in an ad for a republican dating app. also arasha's faces for everything were so great

keith full on responding whenever someone addresses him (and sometimes reacts out loud just because), he did this in the other funerals as well but it delights me every time

anthony saying chanse slides into his dms all the time, and chanse immediately replying "you respond, bitch!" (and then later anthony saying that chanse can go with mythical and he "can call link daddy now" but "watch out, [chanse] dms")

i loved anthony's reference to tommy's show serving cunt

anthony to amanda: "you're like if jessica rabbit drove a mini van"

anthony to ian: "one thing we all know about ian is he might have some trouble showing emotions" ian proceeds to stare deadpan into the camera. it was fun watching ian's reactions because often he wouldn't react to a lot of it or he would react as part of the bit, i've already forgotten the one thing that he really reacted to, fuck so i might have to rewatch it again

and then my favorite part of the aftershow was amanda and tommy continuously leaning in to make out and then saying "no save it for the parking lot, save it for the parking lot", and no they were not going to go anywhere, they were going to stay in the parking lot at smosh and make out in the car

[enginator2000]

worst popular infinite headcanon?

oh my. this one got long so im going to spare peoples dashes by putting this under a cut haha

anyways my answer is: making him out to be a little crybaby who is driven purely by revenge and sadness to make the world pay for shadow killing his squad mates, whom he loved in a normal way and saw them as family or whatever. it makes his character so goddamn flat and boring bc thats such a standard villain motivation, and it entirely strips away a lot of his personality even when theres already so little to work with LMAO

i know ive spoken about it at length in the dog&hog server but to me, infinites most notable trait is that hes selfish

in the prequel comic rise of infinite (yay, prequel comic talk. everyones favourite, i know) he deliberately ignores any protests from his gang against accepting eggmans deal of working with him, because eggy singles him out and offers him a place at his side to bring his fantasy of ruin into reality. not infinite and his crew, just infinite

(image has two comic panels. in the first one, eggman is reaching a hand out to infinite as he says "now you are an interesting guy. i like you. how about i hire you to lead my forces? together we'll take over the world!" in the second panel, one of the jackal squad members says "boss! dont be tempted by him. we'll be fine!")

and infinite says yes after briefly talking about how he personally feels bored and tired of how the world is right now

(image has two panels. in the first, infinite is mumbling to himself, first laughing and then saying "interesting. all this time ive been going through the motions. ive actually grown quite tired of the world as it is." in the second panel he stands and says "lets do it doctor! i'll help you change this world!")

again, its a decision based off an entirely personal and individualistic opinion that only takes his own feelings into account. you would think that if he valued his squad to the extent that they were "like family" to him, he would have listened when they said he shouldnt make a deal with eggman. if he actually cared about them as much as he cared about himself, he would have trusted them enough to say no. instead he only thinks about what he wants and what he can get, not about what will happen to the others

ive always been of the opinion that infinite used his squad and position of authority as their leader to prop himself up and viewed them more like underlings or subjects that he could order around and be superior to, rather than equals whose opinions and input he valued. maybe he started out having more camaraderie with the other jackals, but it certainly doesnt show by the time we get to the events of the prequel comic, and even less so when we get to episode shadow/the main game

the idea that he saw his squad more like tools to make himself look better than people also makes more sense because when in episode shadow, eggman calls infinites squad "useless" directly to him and all infinite says is "yeah, yeah" in a very uncaring fashion. even when he then spots shadow and says "you.. you destroyed my squad!" its entirely unconvincing to me that he said it out of sorrow or sadness; to me it was more like simple anger that it happened. because now without his little group of followers that looked up to him and did whatever he told them to, he had nobody to feel superior to. he couldnt go on any more power trips by being The Boss bc there was nobody left to indulge him, no one to stoke his ego, nobody to be the boss of. so thats why he felt slighted by shadow in the first place; how dare this hedgehog take away what made him feel special and important. and then of course the ensuing humiliation that came afterward was just the icing on the shit cake haha

it also explains why infinite never brings up his squad in any of his monologues (besides the prequel comics and episode shadow being obvious afterthoughts to the main game loool); he just doesnt care. if anything, their loss was his gain bc it pushed him towards acquiring the phantom ruby and getting to go on the ultimate power trip of world domination and near total subjugation of the population. i think that also ties into his mindset that friends make you weak and you cant rely on anyone but yourself; in his case, thats literally true. if he hadnt lost his squad, if he had initially listened to them, the chain of events we know well would not have come to pass and he would not have gotten to become the powerhouse he did. he would have still been leading his monotonous life and following the same old script. from his perspective they really did hold him back, and only once they were gone was he able to become stronger. he reiterates this by thanking shadow in the dlc for doing what he did in mystic jungle (killing the jackal squad and kicking infinites ass) bc otherwise he wouldnt have gotten the incentive he needed to take on the mantle of becoming a super powered weapon

and if you want some more evidence thats admittedly a lot more of a stretch, you could also interpret infinite creating a posse of past sonic foes as him filling the void of using the jackal squad that was created after shadow had taken them down. he gets to control people again (even if theyre clones that had no choice but to obey him but nyeh i told you it was a stretch), he gets to be a leader again

idk, i just think that having a sob story as a main motivation is (funny joke here) weak. i have never once thought that infinite needs to have some kind of sympathetic or tragic backstory. and maybe thats just my own personal bias coming through bc i prefer villains that are evil for reasons like their moral philosophies or have some kind of goal that makes the audience go "maybe they do have a point tbh" and villains that are just evil for the sake of it over villains that say "my mom died" as if that is any kind of justifiable explanation. imo it almost always comes off as them making an excuse, and its lame. just own it, yknow?

so yeah if i could block one thing from the minds of infinite fans it would be the hc that infinite was tightly knit with the jackals and wanted what was best for them. bc with all the evidence ive seen, its not supported at all, and hes actually the exact opposite; he does what he wants and uses who he wants for his own purposes and gain

also yes i do think shadow straight up killed the other jackals and i do think thats in character for him but thats a conversation for another day

[rimunagenius]

The Five Times Will Miller Wanted to Kiss You.

Parings: Will Miller x f!reader

Word count: 3.7k

Warnings: Straight fluff, a lot of cuteness and platonic? semi established relationship behavior?? A LOT OF PINING!! (unrequited love [Will]) This is basically Will Miller pining over reader years before she met abusive cheating husband and before he got engaged.

Note: IM BACK!!! i wanted to depict Will and readers relationship before the events of Triple Frontier, and provide a small explanation as to why Will acts the way he acts when it comes to the reader (the TENSION IMMA ADD FOR THEM PEOPLE!!) the build up for their story is gonna be insane!! also, the tension in these scenarios you have to cut it with a chainsaw. ‘bowie’ and ‘sunshine’ are nicknames used for reader.

could/should be read as the prequel to Lucky

——

one:

The first time Will wanted to kiss you was when he got back from his first deployment.

You did this everytime they were coming home. That he was coming home. You had been his bestfriend for years. Well into your guys' second year of highschool. He always thought you were the prettiest girl in the world. All those girlfriends or girls who lined up just for him, had nothing on you.

It was certainly hard leaving you behind for months, you two had only been apart for weeks at a time, but months was something he didn't know he could handle.

So seeing you standing at base, waiting for him, stirred up a feeling he had missed while he was away. Watching you bounce from heel to toe, hands clasped together infront of your mouth, hoping to see him get off the plane, elicited a warm feeling in his cheeks and stomach. Etching a smirk on his soft pink lips.

He saw you before you saw him, hell, Frankie and Ben, and anyone who was near and paying attention could see him already looking at you. His smile only tripled in size when you finally saw him approaching.

Immediately he dropped his bags right where he stood when he saw you take off running towards him, squealing, giggling, and crying all at once.

Right then and there, he wanted to pull the prettiest woman into him and kiss her while everyone watched. He wanted everyone to see the most beautiful woman hug him and be excited for his return. He wanted everyone to be jealous the way he was when it was him watching you and someone else.

He was entranced by you. Your hair had grown longer and healthier, the same color looking impossibly more vibrant than ever. He couldn't help but notice your frame and figure changed. You have a slightly, just slightly, taller frame and you certainly grew into your curves since sophomore year.

His mind was only ever on you. The whole time he was away on those dark nights. The hard nights. It was only ever you. You. You. You.

He caught you when you had thrown yourself at him, full force. Him, barely moving an inch.

"Oh my god, Will! I missed you so much, you have no idea." You spoke, slightly muffled, as your head pressed into his neck in the hug you seemed to wrap yourself, literally, in. From catching you, one of his hands moved from the bottom of your thigh to your back to join the other.

All he did was hold you. "I think I do, Sunshine." He whispered into your ear. His grip on you only tightening. He missed his girl.

"And oh my god! You look so good with short hair! And you have muscles! Oh my god you have muscles, Will." You had pulled away from his neck, your legs and arms still wrapped around his body, just looking at him in the eyes.

Your faces were close in proximity due to the position. That's when he felt every bone and muscle in his body aching to kiss you so passionately. To kiss you like he's missed a lifetime with you, essentially, he has emotionally.

He couldn't kiss you. He didn't know if there was someone, he didn't know where that kiss would lead him. Where it'd lead you and your guys' friendship. It was far too risky. So he settled for resting his forehead on yours, slowly letting you drop to the floor.

"Im so glad you made it back home." Was all he heard you whisper from your conversation as he focused on the touch of your hands that somehow ended up cupping his cheeks.

"Me too, darlin'."

Will planned to spend every waking moment he could with you on leave. He didn't want to waste any moments that could be pulled from right under him. He would spend this leave watching you, loving you, regardless of if he wasn't yours or you, his. He knew it wouldn't be like that because your you, and he's not who he was before he left.

"C'mon you, it's time to get you home." You whispered as you let go of him, and grabbed his hand instead, already trekking to the car.

——

two:

The second time Will wanted to kiss you was when you two were at Tom's wedding.

He should've known you would have looked like an angel sent to earth from heaven. Your beauty has always been something that captured his mind in a way he didn't understand and didn't want to understand. The way you were nothing less than the most beautiful human being on this earth, and that you were his bestfriend.

Although you looked like you were heaven on earth, he felt this was his own personal hell. He felt as if the gods were punishing him and condemning him to an eternity of witnessing the godly beauty bestowed infront of him. Torturing him because he knows he cannot have you, and that he will never have you. Atleast in the way that he wants. The temptation egging on the intrusive thoughts.

Your dress long and green. The green that he despised before he had met you. What once reminded him of broccoli and vomit, now reminded him of the purest of natural beauty. The green he loved because you did. You hair long and the curls sitting nicely as they cascaded down the expanse of your back.

He was entranced by the look—by you. And he would be damned if he took his eyes off of you.

"Hey boys!" He heard you quip as you got closer to the groomsmen of the wedding. Frankie had texted you in need of assistance of tying his tie—everyone's tie. "Im here on time which means I took my seat on time, for once might I add, and you boys still find a way to make me late." You shook your head as you hugged Frankie. You fixed his tie and moved onto Benny, hugging him and fixing his tie. The two left the room to go check on Redfly as you moved to Will.

"Hi." He said. That's all he could say. His mind somewhere else as he gazed at you. All he could think about was the beauty that was you. That encapsulated his mind into a bubble of attraction at all hours of the day. It was damn near impossible to speak a full sentence when you looked at him like that.

Granted you thought it was just a normal look of platonic affection, but to him, it was as if you knew what he was thinking and feeling all in that moment. "Hi."

He watched you smile at him while you adjusted, and fixed his tie. He knew how to tie a tie, he thinks a part of you knew that too. He would be lying if he said he played dumb just to have you this close and personal with him. "I thought you knew how to do this, Miller." You quipped, a small giggle escaping past your soft lips.

There it was. He was caught. "I do."

"Then you don't need my help." You started to drop the fabric of his tie, and land a small shove to his shoulder.

"I said I knew how, I didn't say I didn't want you close to me, sunshine." Will knew he may have exposed himself, said too much. But the look on your face when he said it, assured him he didn't push it. He had placed his hands on your hips, bringing you closer, closer than before.

He didn't take his eyes off of you. The whole time you tied it. He watched the way your eyes were trained on the task but flickered up to his every couple of seconds. He watched the way your nose sloped perfectly and how well your hair framed your face.

He could stare at you forever if time allowed it. If you allowed it. The feeling you brought out in him was something he's never felt for anyone before. This feeling was only reserved for you, no one would be able to bring this back out in him.

He stared at you until you finished, and for a little while after. You two stared at eachother and it took everything in him to not kiss you. To not kiss you like you were the air he needed to breathe.

It wasn't until you leaned in closer and closer that his heart started to beat out of his chest. This wasn't happening. You couldn't have someone like him, surely you knew that you deserved so much better than what Will could offer. His mind was moving a mile a minute thinking and rationalizing all the possibilities that could come from your face inching closer to his.

"Your gonna be late, handsome. Your the best man, so I suggest you stop looking at me how you just were and get a move on." You whispered into his ear. Okay, so Will was a little dissapointed, completely dissapointed, that you didn't actually kiss him. He would hope that you would, you still had time.

He couldn't have you. Repeating it in his head like it was a prayer with an ulterior motive. If he kept repeating it, maybe the universe would take pity and jinx it. Just give him what he wanted.

"Thank you, pretty girl." He settled for a kiss on the forehead before you both walked out of the room.

——

three:

The third time Will wanted to kiss you was when you and the guys had a movie night.

Movie nights didn't happen often as everyone had a busy schedule. Frankie was spending more time with his new girl, Benny training to start fighting in local fights, that Will often coached him for. Santiago was always planning to go back home to his mother, and everyone thinks that will be set in motion soon.

So no better than for you, who's schedule was mostly open aside from work, to suggest a movie night before everyone gets to busy and before Santi leaves.

It started like every other time you've done this. Santiago took the best recliner in this basement, Frankie took the loveseat in between the two couches, Benny was always sprawled over the one couch and Will and you shared the other.

Except this time, Will sat on the farthest end of the sofa by the right arm rest. Your head in his lap and the rest of your body stretched over the expanse of the couch like Benny. Will never had a problem with the seating arrangement until right now.

All he could think about was the proximity between you two. Damn the movie, and damn everyone else in this room. You right here. In his lap. This was all his mind wanted to focus on—could focus on. His eyes weren't on the screen, they were simply drawn to you. Like busy honeybees drawn to a pool of honey.

One hand was on your cheek, his thumb making small strokes, and his other playing with your extended hair. Was this a little too domestic? yes. Did he care one bit? no. of course not. How could he when he had a beautiful beautiful girl his reach.

Yes your beauty was something he couldn't shake. You were always beautiful, and everyone could attest to the notion that you, the beautiful angel sent beauty, has never had an off day of looking like the most divine intervention in human form.

You had always been beautiful to him, but right now, you looked absolutely ethereal. It didn't help that you were sporting his favorite black hoodie that he had left at your home after the last gathering you hosted. He had to buy a new one and as fate would have it, or it all happened coincidentally, he had wore it paired with dark denim jeans and his black and white shell toe adidas.

You both matched and if that didn't do anything for his attraction to you then, it sure as hell did now. It didn't help that a scary part of the horror movie you suggested, got to you, which had you curled into his stomach; your face now hidden in his abdomen, away from the movie.

Your lips were drawn into a small pout and by god, did your lips look so kissable to him. All he ever wanted was to kiss you, tell you that it'd be okay even if it wasn't that scary. To call you his.

All he ever wanted was for you to want him. For you to need him the way he did. He was so desperately gone for you. It'd take him years to get over you and to make his heart stop beating for you. To make it stop repeating the constant call of your name. He just needed you to let him love you the way you were intended to be loved. His heart simply called your name, he believes it always had.

But he knew it wouldn't happen. Maybe not now, not soon, hell, maybe not in this lifetime. That wouldn't stop him from wanting you. From loving you. He'd just have to have you from afar.

And that's what he'll do until your ready. Love and admire you from afar, just like he's doing now. His eyes on you, the insatiable need to kiss you, the restraint in his actions, as you watch the movie. While he watches a vision better than any movie. You, in his lap. While you look like the effortless ethereal beauty you are to him.

——

four:

The fourth time Will wanted to kiss you was when you two were at the beach together.

"Will! Why are we in so deep! The water is about to reach my boobs." You huffed, arms moving any motion that would guarantee that you stayed afloat.

Of course Will didn't nessacarily realize how far it was for you. To him it barely hit his waist.

"Will! Are you even listen—AH!" You laughed as you tried to jump over the wave that looked giant compared to you, considering you were right under the wave in deep water. Suddenly you were submerged in water as the wave was far too big to jump over.

You rolled a little under the water, trying to come back up but the swell of the wave hasn't passed. The current pulling you closer to the shore but not far enough to where your far away from Will. You came back up, the current passing you making its way to the shore.

You swiped both hands over your hair and took a deep breath in.

Will turned as he heard you come up for air, and immediately a small smile of relief and amusement etched his sun kissed skin. He slowly moved closer to you as you opened your eyes and met him halfway.

Once you reached him, you slapped him on the chest. All he could do was laugh as he found more amusement in your frustration. "It's not funny you jackass! I almost drowned." Your eyebrows frowned just a little.

"But you didn't and that's all that matters." He smiled as he wrapped his arms around your head, pulling you impossibly close to his chest.

"It's gonna matter when my fist connects with your face, asshole." You rolled your eyes at the blonde.

"Yeah? You think can hit me?" He mused, his eyes not once leaving your glimmering eyes.

"Oh hell yeah, i can. It's gonna hurt, too." You quipped, mostly convincing yourself than him, but he decided to humor you. He's literally apart of a special forces tactical team, captain at that! A punch from you wasn't going to phase him one bit.

"Oh yeah? I think that’s kinda hot." He smirked while still holding the most intense eye contact you think you've had in your life, and you couldn't lie and say that it wasn't turning you on in the slightest.

"Oh, so your kinky? Never expected that from you." The water pushed your body just a little bit closer, your breasts flush against his stomach. Instinctively, his hands found place on your hips.

You two stared at eachother. You gaze falling to his lips for a split second hoping he didn’t notice. He did. That’s when his gaze fell from your eyes to your lips. Slowly, without either of you realizing it, you were both leaning closer to eachother. His breath fanning your cheeks. Before you couldn’t even make contact with him, he stopped.

You were being hoisted into the air and you didn't know what for until an even bigger wave made its way for you two. The water clashed with your skin, the cool air and the cold water sending chills all over your body. Will holding you up, took the brunt of the wave, pushing you and him closer to the shallow of the beach.

Once he put you back down, the water now at your hips, he placed you back in the same position as before. You both stood there for two seconds before he spoke.

“Cmon, it’s getting dark. We should head back, or we’ll be late for the guys’ movie night tonight.” His hand tapped your hips before you both made your way back to the shore, your hands locked together.

This would definitely play in his head over and over tonight when he can’t sleep. Another sleepless night from his nightmares…atleast he’ll have this beautiful moment—beautiful person, to deter the scary thoughts. You had the power over them. Over anything in his life.

——

five:

The fifth time Will wanted to kiss you was when his leave was over and he would be deployed for months. Months where he wouldn’t see you—his girl.

“I’ll miss you, Benny.” You stood on your tip toes to wrap your arms around Benny’s neck and kiss his cheek.

“I’ll miss you too, Bowie.” He kissed the top of your head. You’d never get used to the fact that even though he was the youngest, he was always the biggest.

“You know I love you right? Be safe.” You said before releasing him and walking over to Will.

You started coming to the buses on base because your dad had gotten you a pass when you were younger, coming to work in his office with him when your babysitter canceled. Plus, Will and Benny being your bestfriends, single, and parents who live in another state, don’t really have anyone to say goodbye and hug hello to when they leave and come back. So your here for them everytime.

Plus your here for Frankie and Santi too. But now they have their girlfriend and wife here for them too.

You had already bid your goodbyes to Santi, Frankie, and Benny. Last was Will. You walked over to blonde who was already looking at you. He had watched you hug and kiss everyone goodbye.

The internal conflict going on in his head drove him mad. He could kiss you goodbye and see where it take you two when he gets back. But that’d leave you reeling for months and he didn’t want to spark any hope just incase he didn’t come back. But there was the possibility that he’d come home, see you and hold you and never let go. You could finally be his and him, yours.

Or he could settle for the friendship between you two. Although he didn’t know that after the beach trip you guys took a while back, he didn’t know if the lines between friends and lovers was blurred. Regardless, he could have you to himself either way, just one he knew he wouldn’t lose you forever. And hell would he be a stupid man to not pick the one where you would remain in his life for as long as you’d have him.

“Bye, Will.” You immediately wrapped your arms around his neck, already trying to fight the tears. You didn’t know why it’d be so hard to say goodbye to Will. The worst just swimming in the back of your mind, the worst being he may never come back home to you. Your best friend. Your lover.

“Bye, bow.” He instantly dropped his bags and wrapped his arms around your waist and embraced you wholeheartedly and tightly. He didn’t want to let you go.

You drew back slowly, your hands landing on either one of his cheeks. “I love you,” You kissed his cheek. “Don’t you dare die,” You kissed his forehead. “You and Benny better come back home to me, you big idiot.” The hesitance in your body only lasted a millisecond before you decided to place a hopeful kiss to the corner of his mouth. Dangerously close to his clips and the boundary between friends and lovers.

You thought this would be a significant will boosting kiss, to encourage him to fight and come back to you. The possibility of being able to receive more from you if he came home safely.

“Wow, so touching. Truly.” He feigned sarcasm as he placed a hand on his heart before he grabbed your face. He knew how much he meant to you. But he also knew for a fact that you had no idea how much you meant to him. Although your words we definitely encouraging, he didn’t need them to have the most animalistic will power to fight his way back to you. If worst came to worst, he’d shoot himself in the foot just to be sent back home to you.

“I love you. I’ll come back home, baby.” He then kissed your forehead, and then reciprocated a kiss on the corner of your mouth before moving to the other side and placing a kiss there. His hold still on your face, he then opted to just let go and get on the bus. Another kiss would go against his internal conflict decision.

He’ll come home. When he does, he wouldn’t wait anymore. You’ll be his. He’ll be yours.

How it was always meant to be.

——

should i create a taglist for this small series? idk. if you want to be added, comment or message me!!

taglist:

[dateamonster]

man i was kinda excited for more books in the legends and lattes verse but im sorry i have absolutely 0 interest in a prequel.

the copy i got from the library already had a short story set prior to the events of the book and i remember thinking, despite the increase in action and fantasy shenanigans, it was just so much less interesting compared to l&l itself. no idea why the author would choose to do that again but in full length novel form. without the like quirky novelty of the coffee shop setting dudes writing just reads like a fairly average fantasy paperback idk.

[hanasnx]

i've loved the whole starlet reader little bits and bobs recently. she's my babygirl, i have posters of her up on my walls and her playboy cover under my bed <33

i know the au! is hayden-based, but my brain circled around anakin for this one. 

in my mind the prequels take place in what would be our 1940s or 1950s as the ogs reflected closer the political context of the 60s. 

which lends itself for a golden-age starlet reader, and i wanted to share a thought! ITS SO LONG IM SO SORRY  ;;

-🥩

with a war raging on, people need some sort of distraction as to not go insane with the politics and bloodshed of it all - an escapism the entertainment industry is more than happy to provide. anything you could possibly want to escape your own life for a little while, they have. 

i like to imagine each clone legion has has their own taste when it comes down to their poison of choice - the 302th are very into the thrillers of an acclaimed silver fox actor. the 127th favour comedies regardless of whoever stars in them.

the 501st claimed starlet!reader as their girl. that's quite literally how she's known in the clones barracks, "the 501st's girl".

the legion is very familiar with their girl and her filmography. even though not all of her repertoire is romance, that's the one genre they indulge in the most.  

in the two hours they get to spend with her, they get to live the romance of a lifetime they may never get to experience otherwise. she's their forbidden lover, their wife, their temptress.

their girl, really.

she's special to them, even if in a parasocial way. it's a tragic thought to think how many of them passed with a picture of her on the windshield of their ship. 

maybe that's why anakin agreed to watch a holo-film of hers with the 401st. it's important to them, so it's important to him. a little bonding time. 

he just didn't expect to become so quickly enraptured with you, too - not in the same way his clone comrades are, their girl is the vessel for their fantasies. to anakin? you're his fantasy. 

i doubt he cares much for your movies, i think he prefers your interviews and commercials.  he has a few favorite frames he comes back to often. 

he lingers on them more than he should - a parasocial relationship *hardly* counts as an attachment anyways. 

considering how most holo-projections are 3D, i'm sure he's already familiar with your form, from head to toes. 

but no projection can compare to seeing the real thing for the first time - you were actually real? he couldn't wrap his head around that idea. 

i mean, you looked real when you arrived in a pretty little white-blue outfit, accompanied by palpatine, (who ofc organized the whole thing). you were all smiles and waves, clearly trying to make contact with as many eyes as you could before you went onstage.  

you sounded real when you yelped and giggled when you almost tripped on the slippery stairs when you were headed center to deliver a small speech to your boys (as you so lovingly called them). 

but what really almost sold him on the fact that you were real, was feeling you. physically you were meters away, but with his connection to the force? you were almost breathing down his neck with how close he felt your force presence. the very essence of what makes you, you. 

you were singing your heart out up there -  oblivious to how you intoxicated almost all of anakin's senses by simply existing in the same space as him. 

he just really needed to confirm you tasted real, to be completly sold on your existence as something beyond a hallucination of his haunted mind. 

WHAT THE FUCK

look i dont like long inbox msgs bcos its rly difficult for me to focus on them and all that etc etc whatever whatever but this.. this i loved reading. i want more of it. i want to hear more about the 501st's girl and how ppl joke about it "oh hows your lil girlfriend??" as if shes the collective gf of this division sldfj. i wonder how anakin gets closer, do you feel drawn to him too? if so, is it cos hes pretty or is it a magical thing? are the 501st jealous or playfully jealous over anakins success in bagging you??

my cheeks slowly heated up the entire time i read it i rly enjoyed it omg