#imagine if he is ugly and plays bad football it would be so over

[stormoflina]

May I present you a new fear: what if our next manager is in fact not Xabi, but some uggo?

[yourmidnightlover]

no need to rush

summary - you and spencer are in a relationship and when you overhear morgan teasing spencer about something private, you decide to help spencer out a bit.

warnings - virgin!spencer, fem!reader, kinda soft dom!reader, fingering, oral (male receiving), unprotected sex, creampie. *let me know if i missed anything*

wc - 3,052

masterlist

------------------------------

you knew spencer was a bit touch averse. it only made sense with his germaphobic tendancies. the only thing is, you thought he had worked past those with you. so naturally, when he stops abruptly during a heated make out session, you got a little... insecure? worried? you weren’t quite sure just yet.

but you would find out.

you and spencer had been in a relationship nearing 5 months. everyone on the team found out about your dating each other entirely on accident, a story for another time. 

when you walked into the bau late with spencer, derek had that smug, suggestive look on his face. you just rolled your eyes and went directly to your desk.

in reality what had happened was you both stayed up late, him explaining to you the concept of time in fluidity and a few different theories. you had both slept through each of your alarms, so when you woke up to your fourth one you had set, you immediately woke spencer up from his sleeping position on your stomach. 

luckily it was only a paperwork day, so you could probably catch up on sleep anytime after you left.

on your lunch break, you were going to see if spencer wanted to go get some thai with you. finally unfocusing from your case files, you turned your eyes to your boyfriend at his desk, apparently talking with morgan about something. 

he looked frustrated, and embarrassed. at first you didn’t understand what about, but you figured it was probably what morgan had said when you both came in late. 

finally getting up to go save your boyfriend, you slowly walked up to his desk. you didn’t try to hear what was being said. you kind of just did. 

“morgan, stop!” spencer exclaimed, neither of them noticing your arrival. you stopped far enough away to hear the rest of what they were saying.

“reid, look, it’s no big deal if you’re a virgin,” derek said. “i’m sure y/n would understand,” he said, trying to hide his laugh.

“it’s embarrassing. i’m a 25 year old virgin,” he huffed. “god! have you seen her? she’s gorgeous. imagine what she’d say when she finds out. what if she just doesn’t want me anymore? what if she wants someone who knows what they’re doing?” he ranted out, obviously worried about your reaction.

were you surprised? a little bit, yea. he’s gorgeous. there’s no question about that. how could someone look at him and not want to be with him?

but what really surprised you was that he was worried that you’d leave him if you found out. 

you loved him, and he knew that. 

you had been friends for a while before you finally admitted your feelings for him after the lila archer incident. he was shocked, saying he never thought you’d feel the same, saying that if he’d known he would have never kissed her back and that he really wanted you. then he got you. he never wanted to lose you.

and while he knew that you loved him, a part of him, the insecure part, was worried that you’d realize how amazing you are and leave him. 

he’d seen a few of your past boyfriends, and there was no doubt in his mind that they were more attractive than him. they were more muscular tough guys. 

but he didn’t know what total assholes they were. he didn’t know how much more attractive kindness made someone. not to mention the fact that he could carry on a conversation longer than all of them combined. 

“reid, she loves you. don’t forget that,” morgan added before you started walking up, acting like you hadn’t heard anything. 

“you’re right i love you,” you said as you wrapped your arms around his torso, standing on your tip-toes to place a kiss on his cheek. “what’re you guys talking about?” 

“i’m sure pretty boy’ll fill you in on it later. right, reid?” morgan insisted, his eyebrows raising like a father getting onto his son.

“uhm... right. yea,” spencer nodded, lips formed into a line as he placed his arms around you, turning around to face you as morgan walked away. “i love you too, y/n” he placed a kiss to your hairline. 

“i know you do,” you smiled, giving his torso a little squeeze. “lunch?” 

------------------------------

a couple weeks later when you had gotten a couple days off, you were both laying on your couch watching doctor who. you had told him how you’d never seen it, so he insisted he guide you through the seasons. 

you never brought up what you had heard, wanting him to open up to you about it first. you didn’t want to corner him about anything and make him feel insecure or trapped. so, you waited. you didn’t push. 

as you were cuddled together, spencer moved his hand to cup your cheek, turning your face towards his. you smiled at his sweet action, him returning the same, love-struck face. he leaned in, placing a gentle peck on your lips, the smile on your face growing. 

you kissed him back, bringing one arm around his neck as the other held his bicep firmly. the kiss slowly became more passionate, his tongue sweeping across your bottom lip softly, asking politely for an entrance that you gladly gave. you slowly sat back up with one another, not breaking the kiss. once you were sitting up, spencer pulled you onto his lap quickly, not missing a beat. 

“mm, wait,” spencer breathed. “i-i um...” he trailed off.

“sweetie, what is it?” you asked, playing with the hair at the nape of his neck gently, trying to encourage him. “you can tell me anything, y’know. i love you,” you said, giving him a kind smile.

“it’s just that... i’ve never...” he took a deep breath. “i’m a-a virgin, y/n.”

“okay,” you smile grew even wider at the final reveal. 

“okay? th-that’s it?” he asked in confusion. 

“it’s just... nothing could ever change how i feel about you. and you being a virgin?” you scoffed. “spencer that’s okay. it’s nothing that i’d be worried about, or stop loving you over. i don’t care if you’ve never had sex with someone. hell, i don’t think i’d care if you’ve had sex with tons of people. because i love you.”

“so you don’t think i’m... weird for being a virgin?” he wondered.

“spence, you’re weird as it is. but that’s exactly why i love you. i love your little quirks. you being a virgin is just another quirk,” you chuckled. “and if you don’t want to have sex with me, that’s totally okay. i didn’t get into a relationship with you to have sex with you. i mean, it’d be a nice perk, but you certainly don’t have to or are obligated to.”

“i-i don’t not want to,” he rushed out, rubbing his thumbs along your waist. “have s-sex, i mean. i want to. i um... i wa-want to with you.”

“are you sure, spencer? i want your first time to be special. you know how i lost mine, i just don’t want you to regret it,” he did know how you lost your virginity.

essentially, your prick of a boyfriend in high school was making out with you, and it got really heated. were you absolutely ready to lose your virginity? no. did you necessarily want to lose it to this guy? not really. he was just there, and everyone else was losing there’s so you figured you might as well. so you did it. in a car. in the parking lot. after the last football game he played in. he was already sweaty, and finished after 75 seconds.

you didn’t want spencer to regret it like you did.

“it will be special. it’s you; how could it not be special?” he replied softly. 

“you’re such a little charmer, spencer,” you said, bringing your lips to meet his once again, this time he was much more eager.

you gently tugged on the hair you were playing with, a low groan coming from his mouth into yours, something igniting within you from that sound. you slowly ground your hips against his, a little whimper coming from his mouth, creating a smile on yours. 

“can-can we do it... like right now?” spencer asked eagerly, his hips stuttering into yours.

“shh, we’ll get there,” you mumbled against his jawline, your lips trailing towards his neck as you nipped gently at his skin, licking it afterwards to soothe it. you felt his breathing pick up as your lips connected to the flesh behind his ear. you gently ran your teeth along his earlobe, a groan coming from spencer as he exhaled. “you like that?” 

“mmhmm,” he nodded, his hands finding your hips and grinding them against his in an attempt to find more friction. 

“patient, bubs. be patient,” you said as you sat up off his lap, extending your hand to him. “bedroom?” he nodded eagerly, taking your hand in his as he trailed behind you into your room. 

you both sat down on the bed and resumed kissing each other. you didn’t want to go too fast with him, you wanted him to be relaxed and enjoy this. he started trailing kisses down your neck, paying special attention to your reactions to everything he did.

“do you,” you breathed. “do you want to take off my clothes? or do you want me to?” you asked him quietly.

“ca-can i do it?” he asked against your neck.

“of course, baby. whatever you want,” you confirmed as he backed away from your neck. 

he brought his hands up to your face, cupping it gently before pressing a firm kiss to your lips.

“i love you,” spencer smiled.

“i love you too,” you said as he connected your lips again, his hands moving towards the hem of your shirt.

he slowly slid his hands underneath the fabric, moving towards the peaks of your breasts and cupping them stiffly. you moaned into his mouth softly, pressing your foreheads together. 

“that’s good, spence,” you whispered to him, giving him the confidence to lift the shirt up and over your head. 

he leaned back to observe you like this, vulnerable and ready. ready for him. wanting him. you wanted him.

you wanted him even though you knew everything there is to know about him. you knew the bad, the ugly, the scary, the worrying, everything. and you still want him. you want him regardless. and that’s all he’s ever wanted.

“ca-can i?” he looked at your chest in waiting.

“you can do whatever you’d like,” you encouraged.

he connected his lips to one of your breasts, the other in his hand being massaged. he played with the nipple, flicking his tongue over it quickly and occasionally nipping at it before pressing a firm kiss and switching to the other side.

you moved to lay down on the bed as he began kissing further down your body. past your chest, naval, and right above the waistband of your shorts. he looked up at you to make eye contact, only to find that you never took your eyes off of him in the first place. 

“go ahead, bubs. do what feels right, okay?” he nodded at you, now pulling your shorts and underwear down and off your body, throwing them in the corner of the room.

“i want, can i...?” he didn’t really know how to ask, he felt awkward asking anything in this situation.

“yes, spencer. you have full reign over my body tonight,” you confirmed. 

he nodded at your response, his body moving up towards yours as his hand remained on your hip. he pressed a kiss to your lips as you felt his fingers spreading your pussy lips apart, his fingers wandering through your folds. you gasped into his mouth, your hips grinding into his hand as your hands held onto his shoulders and hair.

his middle finger ran over your clit gently, switching between going back and forth and in circles. he moved his middle finger down to find your entrance, slowly easing the one finger in, relishing in the way your pussy clenched around him. thrusting his finger in and out a couple times, he pressed gentle kisses along your jawline. 

“k-keep going, spencer,” you moaned into his ear. 

he took the encouragement and pushed another finger into you, curling them in just the right spot to make you squirm. he used his other hand to hold your body down so you wouldn’t squirm away from him. 

“spence, fuck,” you whispered, feeling the tight coil in your stomach tighten. “you’re such a good boy for me.”

you heard him whimper into your neck at the praise, his ministrations picking up slightly.

he pressed his hand into your pussy, his palm hitting your clit perfectly with the way he was thrusting his fingers into your body. your hold on his shoulder tightened, surely leaving marks where your nails were, as you gently tugged on his hair. 

“yes, yes! oh my god,” you exclaimed. 

and just like that, the coil was wound so tight it snapped, releasing a flood of pleasure throughout your entire body. 

“spencer! shit!” you gripped his arm as his hand was working you through your orgasm, helping you come down. “fuck. are you sure you’ve never done that before?” 

“i’m a quick study,” he smirked before you smashed your lips against his eagerly. 

“god, i want you inside me,” you pleaded against his lips. 

“are you sure?” he asked, pulling back to look you in the eyes. 

“only if you’re ready, spence,” you replied, your hands running through his hair. 

“i’m ready. i’m more than ready, y/n,” he confirmed. 

���alright. but first, can i do something?” you asked mischievously.  

“what do you wanna do?” he wondered, his brows furrowing in confusion.

“just... if i do something you don’t like tell me to stop, okay?” he nodded. “i need words, bubs.”

“okay, i’ll tell you.”

“great,” you said, trailing your lips down his neck as he helped you shrug off his t-shirt. 

you ran your nails gently down his chest, observing the red streaks your nails left behind. you kissed all the way down his torso and stomach until you got right above his waistband, you ran your fingers underneath them. he lifted his hips so you could pull them down swiftly. 

once they were down, you trailed your finger along a prominent vein in his member, adoring the way it twitched against his stomach. you got onto your knees, grabbing his dick and licking that same vein slowly. his hips bucked up at the sensation, you pressed them down with a little giggle. 

you ran your tongue along the top of his member, licking the precum off cleanly. you took as much of him in as you could, using your hands for the rest of what you couldn’t fit into your mouth - which was more than you expected.

“fuck, y/n,” he moaned at the feeling of your warm, wet mouth around him. “th-that fe- oh! that feels s-so good.”

you continued to bob your head up and down, you went as far down as you could, your nose hitting his stomach once you got all the way down, the sound of you gagging filled the room.

“fuck! you’ve gotta stop, y/n, please!” he exclaimed. you quickly got up off of him making your way back up to his face before he planted his lips on yours. 

“are you okay?” you asked worried.

“yea, i uhm, i-i was about to uh, to cum,” he informed you with an awkward laugh.

“ohh, okay,” you huffed out a laugh. “so, how do you want to do this?”

“ca-can you be on top? like uhm,” he pressed his lips together for a moment in thought, “can you ri-ride me?”

“of course, bubs,” you kissed the corner of his mouth. “here, just lay back.”

you crawled on top of him, straddling his hips as you lined his hard dick up with your center. you made eye contact with him as his hands dug into your waist and hips.

“ready?”

“yes, please ju-just do something,” he begged.

you slowly sank down on his member, feeling yourself stretch to fit his cock as you gazed wondrously at his awe-struck face. once you were all the way down, you made sure to take a second to adjust to his length.

“oh my god, y/n,” he whispered quietly, his hands grasping at your hips as his jolted upward into your body. “please, please, please move.”

“patient, bubs. okay?” you placed your hands on his lower stomach to help lift yourself off his hips so you could slowly ease yourself back down. “fuck, spence.”

your hips rose slowly, slamming back down once just his tip was inside of you. once you found a steady pace for the both of you, you kept to it.

“it fe-feels so... good,” he groaned out, grabbing at your breasts as you moved your hands further up his chest.

“you like it?” you asked with a sly grin on your face. “do you like how my pussy feels on your big dick, spencer?”

“uh-uh huh,” he nodded, trying to maintain eye contact. “so we-wet and war-warm. so tighhht,” he mumbled out.

“that’s what you do to me. it’s all for you,” you said as you held his arms that were still up to your breasts. “fuck, spence it feels so good.”

“i-i think i’m gonna cum, y/n. please, oh my god, please!” he begged.

“mmm go ahead, bubs. cum inside of me. i want you to fill me up spencer,” you moaned, leaning down to his ear and biting his lobe gently.

“ahh fuck!” you felt the white spurts of cum shooting inside of you, covering your walls completely.

you continued to ride out his orgasm, wanting to get every last drop out. when you felt he was all done, you gently lifted yourself off of him, his hands immediately wrapping around your waist.

“spence, bubs, i need to go clean us up. okay?” you asked sweetly, running your hands through his hair.

“you didn’t... y’know,” he mumbled against your body.

“spencer i don’t always need to get off during sex to have a good time. besides, that happened earlier,” you kissed his hairline softly.

“but i want it to happen again,” he whined, placing a sloppy kiss to your collarbone.

“there’s no need to rush. we have all night, bubs.”

[cloud9in]

The Half of It - 2 (Poppy x MC)

Summary: Bea, the town’s outcast is recruited by the school jock to win Poppy’s heart. But what happens when she starts falling for her as well?

HIGHLY recommend you read/re-read part 1

No warnings this chapter

Word Count: 2.6k

Chapter 2: How to write a love letter 101

 “In love, one always starts by deceiving oneself...and ends by deceiving others. That is what the world calls romance.”

- Oscar Wilde

I was tasked with what was probably the hardest piece of writing I’ve done in all of my years of highschool, and I wrote eight different versions of the analysis on David vs Goliath my freshman year. That’s besides the point, it wasn’t like any normal research essay. No. For some reason I found that my one and only letter to Poppy would have to be the best thing I ever wrote in the entirety of the universe. Too bad I had to make it sound like it was written by Carter, that big stupid jock. You can guess how severely depressed I became after reading what he had initially written…

 “Dear Poppy, I think you’re really beautiful. Even if you were ugly, I’d want to know you, because you are smart and nice, too. It’s hard to find all those things in one girl. But even if you were only two of those things, I’d be into it. But you’re, like, all three, just to be clear.”

 Bea reads off the paper, turning her head with cringe and confusion at the confident jock sitting next to her. Carter smiles, “She’s all three, like you know all three backs of football. The running back, the fullback-”

 “Thanks for clarifying...:”

 Carter stares awkwardly, waiting for her to continue on. And Bea does, with a big ass sigh.

“...About me. Some people think I’m the cutest one in my family. Those people being my grandma...who’s dead now...Never mind about my dead grandma. All I’m saying is that I like fries. I like dipping them in my milkshake. Is that weird? It’s actually really tasty. Would you like to try that with me sometime?

 CJ, school quarterback.”

 Bea takes a good five minutes to compose herself. Yeah this was definitely gonna be a long week. She lowers the paper slightly and turns to Carter, a puzzled look in her eyes. “So what you’re trying to say is-”

 “I’m in love with her.”

 That confession definitely would have sent her sprawling a few feet back if she hadn’t been sitting. Love? What was love? And why does she despise it now that Carter has mentioned it. 

“...Have you ever spoken to her?”

 “Well...no, I’m not good with words. Besides, would I be here with you if I did talk to her?”

 Bea rolls her eyes and huffs exhaustingly. “Carter, you're not in love. You’re just stubborn.”

 “No I’m not! It’s love, I know it’s love. Love feels different, it doesn’t feel...real. It almost feels impossible. But we indulge in it because of the thrill, the adrenaline of chasing someone mindlessly...and wanting to be present in everything they do. There’s that ‘what if?’, the question that could make or break that love. Even if the ending isn’t what you had hoped for, at least you know how it felt to feel so much joy, so much want.”

 Carter stares up at the ceiling in thought, his eyes seem to be unfocused, staring at nothing and everything. Bea gazes over at him in part shock and part admiration, a smile painting her face. “...Wow.”

 “...Hm, yeah. I heard it in a dating app commercial once.” 

 Bea gasps and smacks Carter repeatedly with the letter in her hand, clearly disappointed. 

 “Wha- Ow!”

 “And here I was thinking you were being original.”

 Bea eventually sits back in her seat, her shoulders slumping as she reads the letter over and over again, trying to make sense of it. That was the problem though, it didn’t make sense, well maybe the fries part did, but the blonde had a lot of work to do. Carter watches her silently until he can’t hold back the lingering question in his head. “...Haven’t you ever felt it? That screwy feeling that love gives you? Poppy makes me feel screwy.”

 Bea continues to read, her eyes glued onto the words that are slightly falling out of the printed lines of the notebook paper. But her mind is fully elsewhere, she heard his question loud and clear. The only thing she could muster was an annoyed “no” in efforts to not become vulnerable.

 He intertwined his hands together, leaning back on the bench. “...Oh I get it, you’ve never been in love have you?”

 Bea’s legs were already one step ahead of her mind as they sprung her out of the seat. She grabs her bag and swats the papers in Carter’s direction, a scoff leaving her lips. “You want a love letter? I’ll give you a love letter!”

 “Yeah but will it be something that makes her fall in love with me and not walk away like you’re doing right now-” Carter’s voice rings out hurriedly yet Bea can’t hear anything except the pounding of her heart getting louder as she stalks out of the church. Love, love, love, what even is it? Will I ever feel it? There is nobody who could make me feel-

 The blonde was cut abruptly out of her thoughts as she crashed into someone, who was most likely on their respective part of the sidewalk. All of the materials in her arms fell to the concrete and Bea rushed to pick them up, “I’m sorry I-”

A familiar blonde set of locks and porcelain skin came into view and she immediately stopped and looked up. Poppy’s eyes were already boring into hers, a look of slight concern, and maybe annoyance? on her face. 

 “...I’m-I’m Bea Hughes…” She could only stutter, all those moments that she pretended to talk to Poppy in her room were definitely not paying off. 

 But maybe it did pay off because a small smile, masked with sparkly pink lip gloss started to form. Poppy bit her lip as her eyes crinkled with amusement, “...Yeah I know. You’ve only been playing my dad’s services on Sunday for, like, four years. He does favour you...even if you are a heathen.” Poppy peers over at the church that Bea had just come out of and raises an eyebrow in curiosity. She picks up a stray book from the ground and grins with an impressed look. “Remains of The Day...Loved it. Mr. Stevens is quite the character.” Okay, so Poppy has great taste in literature, that’s another thing to add to the list that Bea totally doesn’t have stored in the notes app of her phone. Listen, she has to write a love letter to Poppy Min Sinclair, so every piece of information is vital. 

 Poppy hands the book to Bea, their eyes never leaving each other while standing up. Say something Bea. Anything. It’s almost like the strawberry blonde was waiting, hoping, for her to speak . 

 But she said nothing. No, all the insecure blonde could do is stare into Poppy’s eyes, almost as if she wasn’t afraid to turn to stone. 

 The sound of car tires scraping against the pavement caused Poppy to break eye contact before smiling one last time at Bea. “This is me.” Bea watched the shorter girl stroll past her so casually, the complete opposite of what she was feeling in the moment. She didn’t speak until Poppy closed the car door and the driver took off, a frustrated sigh escaping her lips. “I’m Bea Hughes? Really?”

 ***

Bea sat in front of her tv, a pen and notepad in her hand. She couldn’t think of anything to write down. How do you write a love letter, or a confession? This is the one thing she had trouble writing. The tv blasted on with 1987’s “Wings of Desire”. Bea cocked her head to the side when the man started to profess his love. She put her pen to the pad and started writing. 

 Poppy,

 You don’t know me, and truth be told I see that as a good thing. You know that saying, there are plenty of fish in the sea? Well I am not a fisherman, nor do I think you are a fish. Letters are not the form of communication that I would personally prefer, but I am the one writing to you. So no more complaining. I think you are interesting. Like a book I want to read. I’d even read the author’s notes at the end just to get every bit of you. I don’t desire a lot of things, but I long for a wave of love to swell up in me. That’s what makes me so clumsy: the lack of pleasure.

 Yours, 

Carter 

***

Bea pushes down on her pedals, pacing her breath with each turn of the wheels beneath her. The voice of Carter appears as he races behind her, careful not to send her flying last time. Then she’d never write a letter again.  “Bea! She wrote back!”

 The blonde pulled the brakes on her bicycle so hard a wheel might have popped off. She was out of breath but suddenly the reason for it was different. Bea grabs the letter from Carter’s hands and makes haste to read the words she imagined would sit on the paper. 

  Carter,

 I like Wim Wenders too. Wouldn’t have plagiarized him though.

 -Poppy 

“Who’s Wim Wenders and why’d you cheat off of him? Bea I looked up what plagiarism meant.”

 “I didn’t cheat off of him!...Okay maybe I did but this is a good thing!”

 “HOW?”

 “It’s...it’s like a game. She’s challenging us..but in a good way.” Bea nods to Carter but also to herself. There was a response. She didn’t think that Poppy would write back but she did and it has changed Bea’s outlook on everything. She was in, and there was no way it could stop now. 

 “So...are we back in the game?” Carter’s words jumble Bea out of her thoughts and she stutters, “Yep..yes we are.” No you are. “We are definitely back in it.” Nope just you Bea. 

 Bea leaves Carter with an awkward fist bump before peddling away, her mind racing with a million thoughts. But they always seem to close back into one familiar blonde who danced and did everything Bea couldn’t. She sighed, the adrenaline pumping its way out of her lungs. 

 “Game on, Poppy Min Sinclair.”

***

 Bea spent the following days perfecting her next letter to Poppy. This one would be more heartfelt, and less cringe and plagiaristic like her last one. It would come from her and only her...but for Carter of course. The thing is, when Bea started writing again, she didn’t think about the fact that Carter would take credit for everything on the paper, and that he would be the one that develops a *possible* relationship with Poppy. Maybe she didn’t want to think about that part, but the other parts brought just the right amount of serotonin to make her shitty day better. Everything she read, everywhere she went reminded her of the strawberry blonde, and of the unfinished letter. Bea attempted to step into the life of Carter’s and speak like a jock would, without making him seem like something he is not. But that was hard. Because it was her words, her mind. Carter would take that from her, even if it was unintentional. 

 It didn’t help that Carter didn’t want them to be seen together in public. He would slide to the opposite end of the bench in the church when his football buddies would come in. Bea didn’t take it personal. She of course had other things going through her mind. 

 It took 7 days. One week. To finish the second letter, a very short one. Bea wouldn’t describe herself as a perfectionist, but every word that Poppy would read had to be perfect.

Dear Poppy,

 Okay you got me…

 Now that that’s done, let’s start over yeah? I’ll start by saying that I sometimes hide behind other people’s words. For one thing, I know nothing about love. I’m 17 and I’ve lived in Farmsville my whole life. I hang out with my friends, I keep my head down. I’m a simple...guy. Which is to say, if I knew what love was, I would quote myself. But I don’t. I have a question for you, please answer it in any way you want. Are you happy where you are right now?

 -Carter

Bea sat in the church, silently tapping away at the keys of piano, a simple soft melody following the nod of her head. Carter had found her like that but didn’t want to disturb. Except, Poppy wrote back again, so this was big news. They both sat in confession booths as Bea read the letter quietly, her hand gripping the edges a little too harshly. 

Dear Carter,

 You know that it takes eleven muscles to yawn? This is the sort of weird fact I find myself recalling to keep myself from...well yawning. Or showing anything I feel really. And I find myself doing that a lot. So yeah..believe it or not, I turn to other people’s words too. 

 When you’re a pretty girl, and I know it makes me sound conceited, but sometimes I am, but that’s why you’re even writing to me right? I mean my image is what gives me attention, I’ve grown used to that fact. When you’re a pretty girl, people want to give you things. What they really want is to make you like them. Not like them as in, “i like you”, but like them as in, “i am like you.” You may think I’m different, but I’m like a lot of other people. Which makes me kind of no one. It looks like I’ve found my place but I really haven’t. Just a girl who’s lost in the mix. I don’t know why I feel like I can tell you this, but you provide the sort of safety I always craved. You’re interesting Carter, I like you. 

 -Poppy 

Bea read the last sentence more times than she should’ve. Carter watched her silently as she stared into the lines of the paper, maybe hoping that more words would magically appear. The blonde couldn’t describe the feeling in her chest, but it hurt. Physically. 

 “Uh...can I text her now?”

 “Too soon.”

 “No, I'm gonna do it now.”

 Bea felt herself starting to get frustrated, but calmness always overtook any other feeling she had. She was taught to be rational.

 “You do that and she’ll think you’re just like everyone else.” You’re not like anyone else Bea, she needs to know that. 

 Carter lets out a heavy sigh and pulls out his phone. Bea felt a buzz in her pocket and pulled hers out as well. A message pops up alerting Bea of another income of $50 being sent to her. 

***

 Bea slogged through the crowded halls trying to find the exit but before she can walk any further, a firm hand grabs her and pulls her into a familiar classroom. The blonde turns to scowl at the perpetrator which was probably Bradley, but instead she sees bright red lips and black glasses. Ms. Kingsley. But she doesn’t look too happy.

 The older woman holds up a paper which Bea recognizes immediately as her letter to Poppy. How in the world did she get that? 

 “So...this is why half my class is failing their essays?”

 Bea could make a snarky comment back to her, but the sight of the letter sends her thoughts spiraling once again. She lets out a defeated sigh. I mean how did this woman know she’d  written that letter? Ina Kingsley knew everything. “Look...I’ll be reopen for business soon enough.” Bea starts to turn to leave and looks at Kingsley one more time. “I can’t do this for much longer.”

 Bea couldn’t hold in her feelings for much longer as well. But not even Kingsley knew that. She walked out of the classroom with her head down, hoping to avoid eye contact with the one she wanted to see the most. 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

End Note: Part two is here woah. Thought it would never come. 

Tags: @samanthadalton @somewillwin @clowneryme @baexpoppy @zigxryanz @uselesslesbianfr @aleiramacaii  @thedaft1 @alexlabhont @iamsimpforpoppy @cloakanddaggerthings @straightlikewetspaghetti 

[oneweekoneband]

her Nebraska (1982)

In July I flew to Massachusetts with a plague on, and I felt that it was wrong, but my mother had begged and I’d been out of work for months. Mornings there I ran in long, uneven ovals on the same roads I’d memorized in high school. There’s no sidewalks, but the few feet of dirt between the craggy pavement and the open mouths of the fields serve all right for a single body in motion. When a truck comes up close from behind, the ground shakes, and I step away bouncingly from the street toward thigh-high yellow weeds and grass, and keep going. I was slowly picking my way back in that dirt, sweat-slick from only a plodding couple of miles in peak summer heat, and sucking the wet cotton of my mask in between my teeth on every inhale, when Taylor Swift announced she was releasing a surprise album produced by the guy from The National. Not the guy from The National, like, the voice, but the guy from The National whose photo was circulated on Twitter earlier this year as some kind of antifa super soldier, which isn’t the case, but would’ve been rad. First, I stopped dead to send some outraged, misspelled text messages, and then I ran home faster than I’d moved in years.

Tall, blonde, patrician pop star Taylor Swift is to me something like a cross-between a wife and a boogeyman. Bound we’ve been since we were really children. Time and its changes haven’t rid me of her, and what’s worse is I have never quite been able to wish they would, though I claim as much all the time. Countless hours of my one wild and precious life have been spent on endlessly analyzing the minutiae of Taylor Swift’s music, the mind that made it, the real world events which influenced it. And though all the while I have known she is only a person, and that people, while each strange and lovely in their own ways, are, in the end, mostly dull, needful in just the regular manner, the fantasy is better, the sick dream of a megalomaniac songstress, curious, thrilling, probably evil, and I choose that. I don’t know Taylor Alison Swift, born to this world in, I presume, the usual way. But my Taylor Swift? I’m a renowned expert. I’ve always eaten up stories—movies, music, celebrity news, the one my grandfather tells about falling off his bike once in Ireland as a boy and his face “cracking open like an egg”—like a starved dog. I’m obsessive about my interests, but not inclined to intense fandom, and certainly not fandom in the mode of the stan. For one, I’m too self-absorbed. But caring intensely for a famous person is falling in love with a ghost, and that’s all right—I mean, what the hell? We’re here together just dying... Let’s enjoy—but is an affair best undertaken with the knowledge that everyone alive has their own complex interiority, as unruly as your own, and that you, a stranger, are not in any real way connected to the lawless, blurry middle of that celebrity, and will never be. It’s freeing and fun to know this. I mean, these people are basically in your employ. Glamorous dollhouse dwellers. Acknowledging that uncrossable distance allows for a different, healthier closeness of pure imagination. My feelings, then, can comfortably be at once both fiercely intense and entirely silly. I am a foremost scholar in the art of the Taylor Swift who exists in my head. The real person raised in Pennsylvania I don’t know at all. I have some conjectures on the matter, and, as with all my conjectures, every hackneyed theory, each picky little opinion, I’m sure they’re perfect, brilliant, just absolutely right, but that’s still all they are. Taylor Swift, figure of the cultural imagination, is the Jodie Comer to my Sandra Oh in Killing Eve, annoying and pretty in frills, taunting me endlessly and holding us trapped together in a dance of most enchanting death. But the real Taylor Swift has favorite bed sheets and a social security number and a British boyfriend, none of which I have any desire to know about, and if I saw her at a restaurant I’d politely avert my eyes before, yes, dive-bombing the group text. There’s nobody on Earth I’d stand in line to speak to, but then I’ve been speaking to a certain figment of Taylor Swift for nearly half my life.

I went to a Taylor Swift concert the night before I moved into college in 2009. My father’s work friend, firefighter by day, near professional gambler by night, got comped tickets to the Fearless Tour stop taking place at the nearby casino, and he let me have them as a reward, mainly, for happening to be seventeen. Live in-person and performed acoustically, “Fifteen” made me cry. A few years after that, in the thick, sticky part of my first post-college summer, I wrote approximately twenty-three million words about her in these very pages.  (”Pages”) At that point, Taylor’s most recent release was 2012’s Red, and the work I produced that long ago July about Taylor and her career, writing I was fairly pleased with at the time, feels now, besides just being extremely clearly written by a twenty-one year old, strange to me for the way it favors the sweet over the sour almost uniformly. There is a wholesome kind of ardor in that writing which maybe I’ve outgrown the ability to hold. Or maybe Taylor just proceeded to spend the next half a decade plus releasing one bad single after another, and it was taste—and trespasses against taste—and not some shift in my nature which altered the tenor of our bond. I have real love for my particular image, gleaned from public statements and published art, of smart, bizarre famous woman Taylor Swift, and I admire the bulk of her output very much. I’m just no longer so inclined to fawn. This is not to say I am here to offer a Taylor Swift hate screed. I couldn’t swing it, and, anyway, I’m not a pop feminist-for-hire circa 2010. But we’re older now. Things are different. At twenty-eight, twenty-nine this month—Taylor will, also this December, turn thirty-one—I regard Taylor Swift warily, like an ex with whom you have a tentative friendship, perpetually on the brink of falling one way or the other into hatred or delight, only to wobble back the opposite direction again at the slightest provocation, but still, despite best efforts, even, I regard her all the time. 

folklore was released at midnight on July 24th 2020, but I was at a cabin in rural Vermont without Internet or cell service. I drank Bud Light seltzers with my mother while watching the eerie pandemic return of Major League Baseball, and when I got into a strange bed there I stewed, knowing there were people out in the world all over who were hearing Taylor Swift songs I never had, and that this was a fundamental wrong, a disruption in the balance of the universe. I listened to it the next morning in a Dunkin’ Donuts parking lot. 

And folklore is great. That’s the terrible thing. Slightly less great, maybe, than some people have insisted, tricked, I think, by just the pronounced shift in sound. But it’s great. A little gift I asked for a thousand times and was still surprised to get, like a wife who didn’t expect her henpecked husband to ever follow through and buy the paraffin wax hand bath as-see-on-TV. For years, I’ve been halfheartedly insisting that Taylor had a great album in her. I’d say it even, perhaps especially, while she stubbornly fed me gruel. Or worse, gruel with the occasional whiff of something better. With a ripe, little raspberry dropped into the slop. The bright, villainous thrill of “Getaway Car” made me believe Taylor, my Taylor, was in there somewhere under the lacquer of sequins and synth, which, while not objectionable by default, seemed a costume, and an ill-fitting one. The lived-in world of “Cornelia Street” made those old scars sting. That gay “Delicate” video. When she did “Call It What You Want” on SNL and played guitar while wearing an ugly sweater. If the abominable “ME!”, lead single off Lover, was the stick, 1989’s “Clean” was the carrot. I was Charlie Brown, and Taylor my Lucy, yanking the football back again and again. Over drinks I still yelled that Taylor Swift’s next album would be, “her Nebraska”, referring to my favorite Bruce Springsteen record, and learned to live with that egg on my face for good. I suppose I even came to like it. There was something inherently funny in taking up, like, “blind faith in the as of yet untapped greater artistic potential of massively wealthy and popular singer Taylor Swift” as my totally inane personal cause du jour, and eventually it was a bit, a gag I performed to be obstinate and didactic, but way down somewhere awful near my kidneys I meant it the whole while. And then she did it. A pandemic befell the world and amid a sea of human suffering Taylor Swift remembered she can write. She wrote, and with a massive, crucial assist from Aaron Dessner, whose music on this record is sometimes so beautiful it actually angers me, as the last thing I needed in already perilous times was to be made to try and marry my uniquely perverse emotional responses to beloved divorced dad band The National and fucking Taylor Swift,  she made an album which, if not her Nebraska, per se (I’ve come to realize that a major part of believing Taylor Swift will one day make an album I find as quietly devastating and gorgeous as Nebraska is knowing that no album will ever actually be Her Nebraska... That each will, rather, to me, be more and more evidence that it’s coming still, more proof that the limit is untouched, on and on ad infinitum, or at least until the seas take us into a place of salty peace.) is a shocking credit to all my hard-fought and deluded confidence. folklore is great. This fact has made me feel almost equally as disoriented from my understanding of the world as the time-melting COVID-19 lockdowns have, and it turned my Spotify year in review annual collective AI humiliation kink thing into a glaring indictment of my mental state, but still, I mean... It’s great.

In talking about folklore a bit this week, there are a number of specific topics I intend to cover—what a thrill it is to hear Taylor say “fuck”; Taylor’s terrifying birth chart; the astoundingly perfect bridge of “the last great american dynasty”; “because my ass is located at the back of my body”; the bit in last year’s “Lover” where deranged WASP Taylor Swift implies that to “leave the Christmas lights up til January” is some signifier of being a love-struck bohemian, when actually everyone who doesn’t employ domestic staff to take their lights down does this; how reputation is the best of the Taylor Swift records released in the latter half of the 2010s, actually, and the people who can’t see that are cowards—but intend mostly to let the muse move me where she will. Against the advice of my better angels, she—that tie-in marketing eldritch terror—always does.

[syntheticpoetry]

The Ghosts That We Knew

See my original post on the origins of this story here!

Summary: Blaine Anderson is no stranger to hospitals and has been volunteering on the pediatric unit of Lima General Hospital for years when Kurt Hummel comes along.  After Blaine is attacked at his school's Sadie Hawkins Dance, he has his best friend Kurt to help him deal with the aftermath. And when Kurt becomes the target of the McKinley football team's bullying campaign, he can count on Blaine to have his back.

AU where Blaine transfers to McKinley instead of Dalton. Set during season 1.A story of two best friends finding courage to face their bullies and discovering love along the way.

Author’s Note: Blaine has a reason he has been in an out of the hospital since childhood that will be revealed, but if you are overly cautious of the level of angst surrounding it I can assure you it's nothing heartbreaking/super serious. It's actually quite common.  I cannot thank @esperantoauthor​ enough for beta reading this for me and really helping me whip it into shape!

AO3 Link || FFN Link

Chapter 1: Of Viral Videos and Disney Princes

The last time that Kurt Hummel remembers being in a hospital, he told his mother that he loved her for the last time.  

That was six years ago.  

As he walks through the lobby, towards the directory by the elevators, he keeps his gaze fixed forward, careful not to spare a glance at the waiting area to his right.  He spent so many months in that waiting room.  Entire seasons, multiple holidays spent watching people receive good news and bad news, with his father stoic and silent beside him as his mother underwent procedure after procedure.  Until it was their turn to be the family that received bad news.  The doctor sounded sincere as he said a lot of big words Kurt could not quite understand at the time, but he understood the look on his father’s face.  He took to studying the ugly designs on the carpet to distract from the tight clench in his father’s jaw, the way he kept himself so still and barely blinked through the entire explanation— Kurt knew, even at eight years old, what it was like to use up all of your willpower to hold yourself together for the sake of someone else.  To this day, he cannot look at paisley print without thinking back to that awful day.

Kurt scans the directory before punching the up button to call the elevator and folds his arms across his chest, tapping his foot as he awaits its arrival.  When he first heard about the volunteer program on the pediatric unit he was naturally hesitant to return to the place that held some of his worst memories.  He had been on the fence about it all summer, torn between the desire to give back to the hospital staff that had gone above and beyond in their attempts to cure his mother’s cancer and wanting to put as much distance as possible between himself and the place where they finally had to say goodbye to each other.

Until he saw that YouTube video.  

A curly-haired boy with big doe eyes and an unwavering grin, guitar in hand, leading a Disney themed sing-along with a group of elementary school age kids.  The warmth that spread through Kurt’s chest was almost overwhelming as he watched the boy march around the room performing Hakuna Matata with the parade of children trailing behind, mimicking him raucously and off-key.  It was the first time Kurt had really smiled in a long time.

So he had decided to look into the program.  Mostly because witnessing the boundless energy of pure joy from each child singing along in that video elicited memories of countless nights of living room performances with his own father, both of them puffy-eyed and exhausted but still managing to find the stamina to sing at the top of their lungs, using the furniture as stage props.  They were two lost souls attempting to cling to each other through tidal waves of insurmountable grief, and those nights together— well, those nights wereeverything to Kurt.  He had never felt closer to his father than when they were both breathless and laughing their way through the most eclectic collection of songs imaginable, hugging each other tightly at the end of each performance.  

And if Kurt happened to run into the boy from the video along the way, well, that would certainly just be an added bonus. Kurt did have eyes after all.  And there was no denying the boy’s natural charm or the air of confidence with which he carried himself.  

Truth be told, entering yet another school year with no friends was beginning to take its toll on Kurt and the possibility of finding camaraderie with a cute boy who seemingly shared similar interests was certainly enticing.

Ding!

The doors slide open before him revealing an empty elevator.  Kurt steps in and presses the button for the fourth floor.  He thinks about that video and jumping on armchairs and couches in his living room with his father for the entire ride up.

***

He has to be buzzed in to enter the unit, which he thinks is strange.  But the woman who greets him, a young nurse with bright green eyes and deep auburn hair pulled back into a messy ponytail, explains it is the protocol for all pediatric units in order to prevent children from wandering away or being kidnapped.  There are security bracelets around each patient’s ankle that trigger an alarm if they are taken past a bright yellow line painted on the floor.

“Who would kidnap sick kids from a hospital?” Kurt asks, looking absolutely horrified.

“You would be surprised at how common it is.  Parents fighting over custody, usually.”

He nods and guesses that makes sense, but the thought is still deeply unsettling.

The hallways are empty as she leads him to a room behind the nurse’s station.  The unit is certainly much different from the one his mother had been on.  The walls are covered in murals of different cartoon characters and scenes from popular storybooks.  While the nurse punches in a code, Kurt studies a painting of Rapunzel in a high stone tower, golden plaited hair strung over the edge of the window for a handsome prince at the bottom. The door buzzes and she holds it open for him.  “I’ll let my supervisor know you’re here.”

Kurt thanks her and takes a seat at one of the tables to wait.  On the far wall he spots a bulletin board covered in an overabundance of overlapping photos, hand-drawn pictures and a variety of cards both homemade and store-bought.  He casts a quick glance towards the door before crossing the room to investigate.  He cannot help but smile as he scans over the collection of memories, reminiscing back to his own pile of hand drawn cards for the staff on the oncology unit.  

Then something catches his eye.  

It’s the curly haired boy from the video.  He’s standing, guitar in hand with the strap over his shoulder, in the center of a group photo, surrounded by children of varying ages and the unit staff.  His outfit is different from the one in the video though.  He’s wearing baggy sweatpants and a printed T-shirt, only the edges of the otherwise obscured design visible from behind the guitar over his torso.  In the video he had certainly seemed more, well, put together, to say the least.  He had worn light grey slacks and a navy polo shirt accented with a white bow tie, which Kurt could not help but notice because he could count on one hand the amount of teenage boys he had ever seen wearing bow ties in the state of Ohio, himself included.  

Kurt wonders how often he comes by to visit and volunteer.  Maybe there is a chance they will be able to meet after all.

The faint beeping of the key code and jiggling of the door handle to his left draws his attention and he turns in time to see an older woman with ashy blonde hair and huge round glasses that take up half of her face walk in.  Her scrub top is printed with different Winnie the Pooh characters.  She smiles and approaches him, extending her hand.  “Hi, you must be Kurt.  I’m Jeannie; we spoke on the phone last week.”

“Oh! Yes,” Kurt shakes her hand.  “Nice to meet you.”

“Shall we?” She gestures to a table and Kurt takes a seat opposite her.  “So we just have to get some paperwork in order and then we can take a little tour around the unit so you can meet the kids.”

“Okay.”

“This is your first time volunteering, right?” She opens a Manila folder and begins rifling through a large stack of papers.

“Yes.”

“What drew you to it?”

Kurt steals a glance towards the bulletin board, lips curling up into a half-smile.  “I heard about it through my school a few months back, but honestly? I spent a lot of time visiting my mom in this hospital when I was a kid and when me and my dad would get home he would always try to cheer me up.  We put on a lot of concerts for my stuffed animals in our living room.  And I mean… like a lot .”  

Her eyes are soft as she listens, a piece of paper held loosely between both hands just inches off of the table, almost forgotten, and gives him an empathetic smile.

“I saw that video of the Disney sing-along online and I just really wanted to be a part of it, helping kids, especially with music, because it’s really helped me through some tough times.”

“Well,” She straightens up and slides the paper across the table towards him, “I think the kids will really love having you around.  Do you play any instruments?”

“Never missed a piano lesson,” Kurt says, grinning.  “But mostly, I love to sing.”

The paperwork consists of a lot of signatures.  Kurt is not to discuss any of the patients or their health conditions with others in order to maintain privacy regulations, not to post anything to social media without permission, and just a lot of general information about the hospital’s protocols such as what to do in the event of emergency scenarios (of which there are many ).  By the end of it, Kurt has a pretty sizable stack of papers to take home with him and a dull cramp in his wrist.  

“I know it seems like a lot of information, but nothing you have to memorise.  You’ll always be with other staff members who will guide you through every step of the way.”

Kurt releases a nervous laugh, “Okay, good.  I can save my highlighters for school work then.”

***

Jeannie leads the way to the playroom which, she explains, is a safe space for all the children on the unit that remains open every day until 7 p.m.  No medications or treatments are allowed to be administered to a child in the playroom, they must be brought out first.  There are about ten kids inside, ranging from toddlers to older teens, all of whom have seemingly gravitated towards splitting into their own little cliques based on ages.  As soon as they enter the room two of the younger kids, a boy and girl no older than three or four, look up from a mountain of blocks and start crying.  Kurt casts an alarmed glance at Jeannie.

“It’s okay, you can keep playing.” Jeannie kneels down and stacks a loose block onto their small tower.  “Everyone, this is Kurt, he’s going to be coming by to help out and spend some time with all of you.” She stands up and backs away from the two toddlers with the blocks to stand beside Kurt again.  

“It’s the uniform,” she says quietly to him.  “Some get scared when they see us come into a room cause it usually means it’s time for medicine or treatments.”

“Hi, Kurt!” A small girl with bronze skin, a round face, and long thick black hair comes over and takes his hand.  “I’m Melanie! You wanna come draw with me?”

She does not wait for an answer before she starts tugging on his hand and walking back towards a small rectangular table covered with construction paper and crayons.  She climbs into one of two plastic blue chairs which are far too tiny for Kurt to fit in, so he sits on the floor beside the table, crossing his legs.  Melanie slides a piece of yellow construction paper towards him and pushes a pile of crayons into the middle for them to share.

“Did you draw all of these?” Kurt picks up a red crayon and starts sketching.

“Yes! My daddy brought my big brother to visit and we draw together,” she says, shading in what looks like a sunflower with a purple crayon.

“They’re very beautiful; I like that one a lot.” Kurt taps the one she is currently working on.  “I’ve never seen a purple sunflower before.”

“I’m gonna invent them one day,” she says matter-of-factly.  Kurt smiles and returns to his sketch of a new outfit design that has been floating around his mind for the past week.  

“Woah!”

Kurt begins to lift his head up to locate where the voice has come from when he spots movement beside his left elbow.  To say the boy is small would be an understatement.  He is tiny .  A pale, skinny little thing dressed in Batman pajamas that look two sizes too big on him.  He has wide, bright blue eyes and is wearing a charcoal grey beanie.  Clutched between his toothpick arms is a stuffed rabbit with drooping ears the size of its entire body.  

“Hello,” Kurt says as the boy leans forward to peer at his drawing.

“You can draw,” the boy says, clutching his rabbit closer.  

“Would you like to draw with us?”

“Can’t draw,” he says.

“Oh, I bet that’s not true,” Kurt says and holds out the crayon to him.  “Everyone can draw.”

The boy looks at the crayon then up to Kurt and shakes his head shyly before raising the bunny up to his chin, hugging it tightly.

“What’s your name?” Kurt asks.

“Jason,” he says quietly.

“Well, would you like to watch me and Melanie draw?”

“I’m really good.” Melanie looks up at him.  “You can sit next to me, I’ll show you.”

Kurt spends the next hour drawing with Melanie while Jason continues to peek curiously between them.  The other kids begin to trickle out of the room, some led by nurses, some by visiting family members.  Pretty soon, only the three of them are left until Jason’s mother comes in to collect him.  Before he leaves, Kurt holds out a piece of paper to him.

“Something tells me you like Batman,” Kurt says as Jason’s eyes widen at the image of a child-sized Batman with bright blue eyes.  “How about next time you can draw me?”

“Okay.” Jason grins, slipping the picture between his stuffed bunny and his chest to hold it there safely.  “But you’re gonna look like a potato.  I really can’t draw.”

It is the most Kurt has heard him speak all afternoon.  Something about the way he talks contradicts the way he looks. Kurt wonders how old he actually is; the boy looks smaller than most five year olds he’s seen but definitely talks like an older child.  Kurt makes a mental note to find out next time.  “Deal.  I can’t wait to see it.”

Jason’s mom gives Kurt a parting smile before she shepherds her son away.  Soon after, Melanie’s nurse comes to collect her as well, leaving only Kurt and Jeannie in the empty playroom.

“That went well,” she says.  “You’re a natural with them.”

Kurt beams back at her, a sense of pride swelling in his chest.  

After his dad comes to pick him up, Kurt spends the entire car ride home filling him in on the events of the day, excluding Jason and Melanie’s names.  He goes to bed that night with his mind already buzzing with activities for the next visit.

***

Kurt starts volunteering two days a week after school and over the course of the next month, he becomes very familiar with some of the regular kids on the unit.  Jason, he discovers, is actually nine years old, has leukemia and is in his final round of chemotherapy by the first week in October.  Melanie has sickle cell anemia and had been hospitalized for something called ‘sickle cell crisis’— she had gone home two weeks after they first met, but Kurt learns that she usually returns frequently for the same problem.  There’s a teenage boy not much older than Kurt is, but taller and skinnier with jet black hair and sad eyes, named Julian who has cystic fibrosis— he usually keeps to himself, oftentimes choosing to sit in the back corner of the playroom and silently watch everyone else.  

The rest have been a whirlwind of faces and names with a variety of issues such as pneumonia, appendicitis, broken bones and asthma attacks.  There have also been quite a few cases of children who have come in with injuries as a result of abuse at home, more so than Kurt would have imagined actually occurred.  He finds trying to interact and engage with those kids to be the most heartbreaking.

Some of the kids are not as keen to warm up to him as others, keeping to themselves or staying with their families while Kurt leads sing-alongs, painting lessons, hosts movie nights, and reads aloud during story time.  He has developed a steady routine in the five weeks since he began volunteering.  So on the Tuesday during the second week of October he waves hello to the security personnel by the front entrance like he usually does.  He rides up the same elevator and is buzzed into the unit by Rosie, the first nurse he met with the auburn hair.  And with his usual wide smile in place, he strolls into the playroom with a new four-pack of Disney themed puzzles under his arm.  

But when he walks in, the kids are already sitting in a circle, staring up at a boy with loosely gelled curls coiffed into a fluffy side part, bright hazel eyes, and a sapphire acoustic guitar perched on his lap. Kurt is caught completely off guard as he realises, Oh god, it’s him! It’s the guy from the video!

He looks shorter in person than Kurt assumed.  In both the photo on the bulletin board and the video his hair was ungelled and wild.  Kurt vividly remembers his dark curls bouncing as he bopped his head along to the music while impersonating Timon and Pumba for the younger kids.  He’s dressed in another carefully selected outfit though— bright red pants, a black polo and a white bow tie with black polka dots on it.  

“Kurt!” A few of them yell excitedly.    

“Ah, so you’re the famous Kurt I’ve been hearing so much about,” The boy with the guitar says, that same unwavering grin already in place.  “Nice to finally meet you, I’m Blaine.”

[ciggylungz]

Boys are weird

BUTTERFLIES AND BANDAIDS- chapter 4

Boys are weird

••

The boy stared down at his best friend. Eyes locked on hers, trying to figure out what to say. His train of thought was halted when he heard a little giggle from Y/N

"I was just joking Haz, you look like you're gonna pass out...am I that ugly?" She stuck her tongue out at the boy and he just shook his head letting out a little chuckle himself.

"Not at all love, just caught me off guard is all" his fingers went up to pinch her cheek before dropping back on her bed. He tried to push the thought out of his head, but he does wonder about how Y/N's lips would feel on his, not just his cheek or forehead like he's used to.

He imagines they'd feel soft, they're rather full and plump. He thinks they'd feel like a little pillows against his. Her cherry chapstick leaving a little layer of grease on his, but he wouldn't mind.

He was brought out of his little day dream by the girl herself, "Harry are you listening to me?" He looked up at her and blinked a few times "sorry love, mind drifted. What were you saying?"

The young girl gave him a little playful eye roll. "I asked how I look, these jeans are new I got them because Emma said they make my butt looks good, thoughts?" She did a little spin and he huffed

"Not gonna comment on your body little love. You know you're beautiful, looks great" he gave her a smile and she returned it.

"Thanks stinky" her little hand held his cheek as she kissed his other one, smiling at him.

"No problem dummy" he blew her a kiss before sitting up and cracking his back.

"You really gonna go to Eli's house? I really don't think it's a good idea, got a bad feeling sweetheart."

He crossed his arms over his broad chest and his eye brows pinched together. The younger girl looked up at him with a tilted head

"What do you mean?"

Harry let out a low sigh and ran his fingers through his chocolate locks trying to find a way to warn her without being a dick.

"Well, sometimes guys can be jerks. Some guys don't have good intentions, they want selfish things and some guys don't take no for an answer and that's what I'm afraid of. Not ever gonna let someone hurt you if I can help it. You're my best friend, still see you like the little girl I met. Just as protective over you as I am over my mum and sister. Care about you sweetheart."

He gave her a warm smile after speaking and she took a second to let it sink in. Looking back at him a nervous look on her pretty eyes

"What do you think he wants from me?"

Her fingers toyed with the hem of her sweater when she asked, nervous energy evident with the slight shake of her fingers.

"I don't know bunny, that's what I'm scared of." He brought his fingers up to push a few curls from her face, rubbing his thumb on her blushing cheeks.

"Okay...I'll tell him I'll reschedule with him...do you wanna do something together instead?"

He gave her a smile, nodding and twirling her hair around his pointer finger.

"Course, always wanna hangout with my girl. Can go to that diner we like tonight? Steal a couple beers from your brothers stash and have a little movie night?"

Y/N smiled at the offer, nodding and holding her hand up, palms smacking and pinkies locking as they did their handshake, purely muscle memory at this point.

"Sounds good. Think Luke is at his friends anyway, he won't care. But for now let's go get some snacks and I gotta get tampons so let's go to the pharmacy."

Harry let out a groan, he may be her best friend but he's never super into hearing about periods or her needs for period products.

"Relax, you're so dramatic. I don't start till next week but I wanna just get them now cus Lily used the last of them, I'm paying for the snacks this time so be nice or I'll eat all of them myself"

She poked his chest and he just nodded chuckling a bit.

"And I'm the dramatic one?"

••

The two teens jogged down the steps of her family home, hopping over the baby gate at the bottom of the steps, greeted by her 3 year old brother Jackson, 8 month old sister Miley and then year old Violet. All of the toddlers looking up at them, instantly getting excited.

The little ones have always loved Harry, and he loved them just as much. He's always wanted to have kids, so they are kinda like his little practice family till he settles down and has his own. Plus making a baby smile is one of his top ten favorite feelings.

Jackson was the first to rush towards the older boy, hugging his leg and smiling

"Hi! I missed you! We play football together?" The little boy looked up at Harry and he smiled down at him, rubbing his head

"Course we can, later yea? Going out with your sissy for a little while. I'll bring you back a surprise though, don't tell your mommy ok?"

He talked lowly like it's a big secret, getting the toddler even more excited as he pinky promised not to tell.

The next one up was Violet, she was a sweetheart just like her older sister but she definitely has a sass that Y/N was too shy to have when she was little.

She lifted her little arms up prompting him to lean down and pick her up, kissing her cheek while settling her on his hip.

"Hey Vi, how are you today?"

The little girl grabbed onto his necklace and smiled at him

"Good Berry, tooked nap!"

The fact she still couldn't say his name, and settled for 'berry' instead still made Y/N giggle sometimes, the boy found it endearing though.

"You took a nap?! That's great! Good job!"

He highfived her tiny hand and kissed her little knuckles before letting her down, watching her run off to the little play area they had in their living room.

Finally Miley managed to scoot her way up to Y/N getting promptly scooped up, she was definitely a lovey little baby. She loved being held, kisses, cuddles any affection anyone wanted to give her, she welcomed. She was a lot like Y/N, they are both the softest most cuddly girls he's ever met. And he still finds it adorable.

The baby babbled a bit, smacking her lips and sticking her tongue out. A new trick she had learned from her older brother. Harry gave her a smile and a kiss on her rosy chubby little cheeks, giving her a quick cuddle and baby talk session before the two teens left the army of infants with their mother and started making their way towards the small pharmacy at the end of the block.

The pair made conversation as they went, mostly Y/N telling him gossip she'd heard, and because he is guilty of being quite the gossip himself, he ate up every bit of it.

"There's no way! You're lying!" He exclaimed as she told him a juicy little bit about a girl she is on the volleyball team with.

"I swear! She really is! She's pregnant, by Austin Lewis!"

She waved her hands around as she talked, both of them shocked at the piece of drama they now were clued in on.

"God, that's gonna be one ugly baby...Austin's an ugly little prick, personality and looks wise. She must be legally blind." The boy chuckled at his own comment, holding the door open for her as they entered the store.

They continued to chat among themselves as they browsed the isles, grabbing snacks and the tampons she came for. Harry made sure to snag a little bouncy ball from a crank machine for Jackson on their way out. Knowing the little boy would lose his mind over the brand new toy.

••

They made it back safe and well, both distributing the snacks and bouncy ball to their intended recipients before marching back up the steps, Y/N snagging 4 beers from her brothers closet on the way and stashing them under her bed for the evening.

The pair sat together talking and simply enjoying each other's company. Both always feeling content even if they are both on their phones not talking, as long as they were in each other's vicinity they were content.

Harry only looked up when he heard an audible gasp from the girl beside him, seeing an immediate blush rush to her face and eyes wide as ever, cocking his eyebrow at the girl.

"What? It looks like you just saw a ghost"

He sat himself up and peeked at her phone screen, eyes widening before squinting when he saw what she was looking at.

A text message from Eli, normal enough until he saw the very graphic dick pic he sent attached to it.

The boy instantly went into protective mode and snatched the phone

"Yea you don't need to look at stuff like that, why did he send you that? You're like 6, no don't look Y/N!" He held the phone away from her grabbing hands and scrolled up the thread of messages.

" 'You sure you're not able to come over tonight?' 'I had something special planned, even got some drinks for us' 'really wish you were coming...' 'know it's a bit unexpected but maybe this might change your mind about coming...got me rock hard just thinking about you baby' what the hell-"

Harry read the texts aloud and cringed at most of them, Y/N blushing like crazy hiding her face in her hands.

"I knew that kid just wanted to sleep with you. He literally sent a picture of his dick mid conversation, he has horrible game bloody hell"

Harry took it upon himself to delete the picture from their texts and send the boy a text himself.

' keep your dick pics to yourself mate, She's 14- Harry'

Sending it off before handing her phone back and blowing out a breath.

"Oh my god...this is the most embarrassing moment of my life...I can't believe you just sent him that text...I can't believe I just saw his penis...I'm- what is even going on?"

The young girl groaned as she finished talking flopping back on her bed, the boy chuckling a bit as he watched her.

"That's high school boys for you. They think with their pricks, not their heads sweetheart. They see you and have one thing on their mind, and I will die before I let you sleep with some guy who has a small dick. Not gonna happen love."

She simply shrugged and gave him the side eye, getting a cheeky smile from the boy who was covering up his sliver of jealousy with his protective tendencies. He knew it was up to her what she did with her body, but he hated the thought of her sleeping with some boy who only wants one thing from her. As much as she is a smart girl, she's still a bit naïve at times. So of course he does what he can to keep her safe.

If he has to endure looking at his classmates penises to keep her protected, then he will.

He secretly felt a bit of an ego boost seeing that kids dick compared to his, Harry knew he had at least 5 inches more than Eli and was a hell of a lot thicker. He knew he was above average in that department but who doesn't love a good confirmation once in a while?

Y/N finally let out a little laugh, starting to lose the embarrassment and find humor in the situation turning to Harry and letting out another laugh

"His dick was...ugly. I've seen others but why did his looks so odd? It was like 4 different colors! Is that normal?"

The boy snorted and laughed with her shaking his head

"Mine isn't, not sure on if it's normal or not. But out of the dicks I've seen in my life his was probably the ugliest."

She smiled at him and poked his side

"You go around looking at penises in your free time Styles?" She raised an eyebrow and he let out another bark of a laugh.

"Not intentionally usually, locker room and porn is usually where I'm exposed to guys bits. Some guys don't care much about just letting it all hang out in the showers"

The girl giggled and sat up a bit. Smiling and laughing quietly to herself while she gets comfortable against her headboard.

"Boys are weird, girls don't get like fully naked usually but I've seen lots of boobs in the locker room. Katie Wilson has really nice boobs, I'm honestly jealous. I have seen Sarah Peters fully naked in the showers, that's really it. I've seen guys in the locker room like twice when I had to go in their locker room to drop off towels and stuff, saw Seth Newman fully naked and Grant like that too, they were definitely not shy about it. A bit uncomfortable."

She let out another laugh and he did the same.

"Boys are weird." He nodded

"You're not that weird though, you're the best boy I've ever met. You haven't sent me Dick pics mid conversation either so you get bonus points for that." She poked his stomach and smiled.

"I don't typically send unsolicited cock pictures"

He laughed when she gasped at his choice of words, cheeks growing pink yet again.

"I've only ever heard people call it that in porn, do people really use that word?"

Harry gawked at her for a second before nodding.

"Yea, lots of people say it. But you watch porn?! Since when? You're a baby! You shouldn't be exposed to that!"

Y/N rolled her eyes and waved him off.

"I'm 14, I can watch porn if I want to sir. You watch porn, I've seen your search history you Weirdo. Eli isn't the first guy to send me pictures, I've sent a few before too. Not to him but to someone else."

Harry was shocked to say the least. The shyest sweetest girl he ever met just admitted to sending nudes to other people. He couldn't believe it.

"YOU sent nudes?! To who?!"

The girl smiled shyly,

"Don't worry about it, not your business mister."

He stared at her for a second before shaking his head.

"I'm gonna pretend you didn't say that, you're still such a innocent little girl to me. I refuse to accept you've done that ma'am. I still can't believe you've made out with people before, the only reason I accepted it was because I literally caught you doing it once. Still not happy about that one Y/N, boys are stinky! You're not allowed to do that, I decided it's illegal now."

Y/N laughed at him and pushed him back a bit

"Shut up, you're such a drama queen Haz. I'm not 4 anymore, I'm old enough to kiss whoever I want."

He grunted in response and frowned.

"Nope, it's illegal I made the law. Now I need a beer after that."

She just snickered to herself while handing him one grabbing her keys and popping the cap off with her house key before grabbing her own doing the same.

Locking her bedroom door and turning off her overhead lights, opting for her fairy lights instead. Switching her tv on, both of them sipping their beers while skimming movies before picking one. Both just drinking and enjoying their evening together, but still Harry couldn't help his mind wandering off a few times thinking about the pictures his best friend has sent other people.

And he couldn't help but be jealous.

[jeontaeh]

〚EPILOGUE〛

6 YEARS LATER

"I hate you!" Jungkook snapped, looking at Taehyung, who was seated on the couch. "Ever since you've entered my life you've just ruined everything and made-made me this person I despise."

"Oh, shut up," Taehyung scoffed, drinking his can of beer. "You're just fucking mad because I'm right."

"You're not right! You're so wrong, Taehyung- god, I hate living with you." Jungkook shouted from the kitchen, seeing his coffee brimming in the maker.

"Then move out."

"Maybe I will!"

"I'd love that!" Taehyung snapped back. Jungkook stopped and looked at him. Jungkook furrowed his eyebrows and walked over to him. Jungkook pointed his finger at him.

"Admit it. Admit that you're wrong." Jungkook said lowly. Taehyung looked up at him and then stood up.

"No." Taehyung snipped. Jungkook took a deep breath. "Fine. Then I'm breaking up with you." Jungkook said firmly and then turned around to walk away.

"Jungkook! Are you fucking kidding me?" Taehyung let out, angered. Jungkook walked a few steps and then turned around again.

"No! Because you won't admit that Jerry the mouse from the television cartoon Tom and Jerry is a GIRL!" Jungkook shouted.

"Jerry is a fucking boy! He had a crush on a girl mouse!" Taehyung shouted back.

"Jerry was a fucking lesbian, Taehyung! Fuck you!" Jungkook snapped weakly.

Taehyung couldn't help but let out a small smile. He walked up to Jungkook and then wrapped his arms around Jungkook's waist. "We've been debating this for 3 hours now, baby. Can we just agree to disagree?" Taehyung said softly.

Jungkook looked at Taehyung's warm brown eyes and chewed on his bottom lip, nodding. Taehyung smiled fondly and leaned in, touching their noses for a second, and then sealing their lips together.

Taehyung and Jungkook had been together for 6 years now.

They finished their senior year of high school 5 years ago. Taehyung got into Seoul University with a football scholarship. Taehyung was so elated he accidentally called his father on the phone and called him fat and ugly.

Jungkook got into Busan Art School... but not for the course he applied for. He applied for Art Therapy, but he got in for normal art and design. That was bad for Jungkook. But the good news was he got into Seoul University for Art Therapy.

And, well, that's where Jungkook went.

College was fun together. They both got an apartment not too far from their university. It took Taehyung a whole year to become the captain of the university team, but he didn't lose a single game after he became one. Jungkook had fun learning art therapy than he imagined, and was more than happy doing something he enjoyed.

Both were 23 now, and Jungkook worked as an assistant in a design firm and earned a basic salary. He was fine with that, it was a starting job anyway. Taehyung, on the other hand, was.... unemployed.

Anyways- they had a small two bedroom apartment in Seoul. It wasn't ideal, but it was comfortable. Currently, Taehyung kissed Jungkook's jaw and down his neck while Jungkook fiddled with his collar, smiling.

"Are you bored without me, Taehyungie?" Jungkook asked. Taehyung squeezed his butt.

"Yeah. I've binge-watched Naruto and finished it. I think that should give you an answer." Taehyung said, looking at him. Jungkook kissed him softly.

"Hmmm... maybe if you got a job," Jungkook wiggled his eyebrows. Taehyung looked at him and then pulled away.

"Kook... come on. You know I'm just waiting for the confirmation, right? I know I've been a bother, sitting around at home all day for a month or two. But- I-I'm being productive! I learned how to bake! I dyed my own hair-" It was grey. "-and, I painted for you-"

"You drew a giant dick on a piece of paper."

"Yeah, but I put a lot of love into it," Taehyung pouted. Jungkook kissed his lips, gripping his waist. "Okayyy. Sorry. I love you."

"I love you more," Taehyung said, kissing Jungkook's forehead, a small smile emerging on his lips.

Taehyung and Jungkook had thankfully gotten less touchy-feely than when they were bumbling 17-year-olds. But still, the love for each other was strong. Stronger, if anything. Taehyung knew Jungkook like the back of his hand. Every little thing, every little tendency, every mood switch, every upset- Taehyung knew how to handle it.

When Jungkook came home from work upset, Taehyung knew what to do. He'd sit Jungkook down, give him hot cooked food, a nice cold drink, and set up the bath for him. And then, of course, he'd fuck him anyway Jungkook wanted.

Just like that, Jungkook knew how to be with Taehyung. Sometimes, after stressful matches, Taehyung would come home seething. Sports got him angry, it was obvious, that's the one part of him that hadn't changed since he was 17. But Jungkook knew what to do. He'd wear something cute, give Taehyung anything he wanted to eat (usually fried chicken and ice cream) and then ride him and be extra submissive and cute. Taehyung loved it.

Their relationship was so strong, neither could imagine life apart from the other. There had been ups and downs. Small fights, sometimes instances where one slept on the couch, or maybe just yelling for hours on end. But they always came back to each other. They couldn't stay apart. They worked so well together- Jungkook couldn't imagine being with anyone else. He wouldn't want to.

They were still so in love.

Jungkook got his cup of coffee and walked towards their bedroom. "Jimin called me last night," Jungkook said. Taehyung followed.

"Oh shit. What's the news?" Taehyung asked wearily. Jungkook turned around, sighing in relief. "It was a false alarm. Thankfully. They're both happy about it."

"Of course. I'm sure Eka would be mad as fuck to be pregnant at 23." Taehyung scoffed.

"She really would. They've only been together 5 years or so. Not even engaged yet." Jungkook said. Taehyung hummed, nodding.

Eka and Jimin were cute, to say the least. After 2 months of Jungkook and Taehyung being together, Eka stormed into the cafeteria, grabbed Jimin by his collar and kissed him. Jimin was super confused. Eka said if Jimin doesn't ask her out then she will. So Jimin did.

And they'd been together since.

Jimin was an associate in a law firm. Eka was doing small modeling gigs. They lived 15 minutes away, and the four met up for dinner quite often. They were still best friends, thankfully.

Taehyung followed Jungkook into the bedroom and grinned when Jungkook bent over to pick things off the floor. Taehyung walked behind him and smacked his ass, lining his crotch up to the peach. Jungkook bounced up right.

"Ah! Tae- you're so annoying!" Jungkook squeaked, running off, hands on his butt. He turned around, angry. "You still act like you're 17 sometimes."

"You act like I'm 40 or something. I'm only 23. Can't I appreciate my boyfriend's cute little butt?" Taehyung asked, walking up to him with a grin.

Jungkook reached up and yanked his bandana down, making it cover Taehyung's eyes. "No. You can't." Jungkook said, walking past him. Taehyung grunted, fixing his bandana. He rushed up to Jungkook and wrapped his arms around his waist.

"Are you mad, baby? You're so cute when you're upset." Taehyung said softly, kissing his earlobe.

Jungkook blushed lightly. He found it strange how Taehyung's small words still caused the boy to blush like he was still a teen and had a huge crush on him. Jungkook put his hands on Taehyung's, which were on his stomach. Taehyung squished his tummy.

"Yess, your abs are gone." Taehyung pointed out. Jungkook hit his hand.

"Shut up! I know. I don't get time to work out anymore. Don't be mean. You literally play football for a living," Jungkook scoffed.

"Hell yeah, I do. Don't you love your strong athletic boyfriend?" Taehyung asked, lifting Jungkook up from his feet. Jungkook cried, smacking his arm again.

Taehyung had been doing football intensively for years now. In high school, he thought it was hard. But college level football was different. And professional level football was fucking worse. Taehyung loved it, of course he did. But he had to be in the gym constantly, or his coach would kill him.

Taehyung had changed since high school. Jungkook was there through the change and saw him grow. Taehyung's shoulders got wider, his chest got firmer, his arms got more built, his jaw more stricken, thighs thicker, calves stronger. Jungkook loved it. (Of course, he did. Who wouldn't like their already hot as fuck boyfriend to somehow become hotter??).

"Of course I love my strong athletic boyfriend. And I love pinning him down on the mattress more." Jungkook said, and then kissed Taehyung's lips. Taehyung didn't kiss back, just smacked his ass. Jungkook giggled, looking at Taehyung. "Mmm. Your ass still hurt from last night?"

"Shut. Up. I hate letting you top."

"Letting me top? Please. You begged me to fuck you." Jungkook said. Taehyung scoffed, walking away from him.

"I don't beg. And don't pretend like you're less bad. Don't you remember Eka's birthday?" Taehyung asked. Jungkook's eyes grew big, and his cheeks turned beet red.

"Shut up," Jungkook mumbled in a small voice. "Oh- I want Taehyung's hot, aching, bulging cock in my asshole until I can't walk, until he tears me apart, until he pees in my-"

"I was drunk!" Jungkook yelped, embarrassed. "You-you didn't stop me!!! You shouldn't told me to shut up!!!! I said all of that to Eka's dad and you let me!"

"It was kinda funny." Taehyung giggled. Jungkook arched his eyebrow, folding his arms.

"Oh really? Remember your 20th birthday? When you put on those dog ears and made me call you puppy-"

"If you say one more fucking word I swear I will throw you out of the balcony," Taehyung snapped really fast. Jungkook burst into giggles, running into their shared bathroom.

Jungkook took his t-shirt off, as well as his sweatpants. He took the pair of jeans he'd put on the counter to change into and stepped into them. Taehyung walked into the big washroom.

"I have one. Two months ago when we were both drunk and had sex and you said 'impregnate me'," Taehyung said suddenly.

Jungkook looked up, eyes big. "You remember that?"

"You said it 8 times in a row," Taehyung said. Taehyung reached forward and saw Jungkook pull his jeans up his cute butt. Jungkook reached for his t-shirt, but Taehyung grabbed it before Jungkook could, and brought it over Jungkook's head, helping him wear it.

"I wouldn't mind having a baby, though," Jungkook said, looking around for something. Taehyung knew Jungkook's face routine, so he grabbed Jungkook's moisturizer and handed it to him.

"It's far too early for that, babe," Taehyung said. Jungkook opened the small bottle and put cream on his face. Jungkook nodded. "I know. We talked about this, remember? No children before we're 28-"

"35," Taehyung said at the same time. Jungkook looked at him and then frowned. "28," Jungkook repeated.

"30." Taehyung tried. Jungkook rubbed the cream in small circles on his skin and pierced his eyes at the man. "29." Jungkook compromised. Taehyung sighed and agreed.

"How many?" Taehyung asked. Jungkook looked at him through the mirror, and then looked down shyly, looking for his comb. "You know how many," Jungkook said.

"I know. But I love hearing you talk about it." Taehyung said, hands wrapping around Jungkook's waist. Jungkook looked at him in their reflection, and then bit his lip.

"2 children. One girl, one boy. The girl older, hopefully." Jungkook said. Taehyung looked up and met eyes with him.

"Mhm. We'd move into a proper house in a nice neighborhood and send them to the best school. Not a boarding school." Taehyung said.

"Absolutely not. I've seen the shit kids do in boarding schools. I'm not doing that to our kids. If my child ever meets someone like you then I'll be so upset-" Jungkook shuddered, unable to finish his sentence. "I can't. No boarding school ever."

"What the fuck," Taehyung said, blinking. "I'm literally married to you."

"Okay we're not fucking married, stop telling people that," Jungkook mumbled. "You told that woman on the bus we were married. Your coach thinks we're married. You told my mom that we're married-"

"We are, basically! We don't need to do some big ceremony. We're already ready to spend the rest of our lives together, aren't we? Do we really need a label to seal that? Labels are so annoying." Taehyung said.

"Deja vu," Jungkook muttered to himself. "And yes, I want a label. Husbands. Jeon Taehyung sounds so-"

"Gross. Kim Jungkook sounds better." Taehyung said, slapping his butt. Jungkook huffed. "I know. I just wanted to say it to piss you off."

"Seriously, though. This whole marriage thing is a scam. Like, I'm in love with you and want to be with you forever. You know that. I know that. I don't think I need a ring to prove it to you."

"I know, Taehyung." Jungkook said, looking at him. "You say it all the time. Now I need to go to work, or I'll get late." Jungkook said with a smile and then walked out.

Taehyung sighed to himself. "Fine. I'll hit the gym again." Taehyung said, walking out of the bathroom. "Do you want me to cook tonight or order in?"

"Whatever you want, babe," Jungkook said, finding his folders and bag. "But don't you dare cook tonight."

"Then why did you-? Fine." Taehyung said. Jungkook gathered his things and walked out of the bedroom. Taehyung walked out as well. "Have fun at work, baby."

Jungkook turned around before walking away and ran up to him. Taehyung got startled when Jungkook hugged him tightly. Taehyung hugged him back, chuckling. "Relax, pumpkin. I'm not going anywhere,"

"I know. I love you. I'll see you tonight." Jungkook said, then kissed Taehyung deeply. Taehyung kissed back, and Jungkook pulled away. "Go to the gym. But shower when you come back, okay? And don't leave your gym bag in the bedroom, put it in the laundry room. And don't make your coffee too hot, last time you burnt your tongue-"

Taehyung chuckled. "I'll be fine, Kookie. You don't have to stress so much." Taehyung tsked. Jungkook nodded, cupping his jaw.

"I know. Sorry." Jungkook said, hugging him tightly. "Can you fuck me when I'm back please?"

Taehyung shushed him and kissed his jaw. "Of course, baby. Don't get worked up. I love you too." Taehyung said in a hushed tone. Jungkook nodded, blushing lightly.

Jungkook tended to get anxious before going to work because the perfectionist in him worried he was messing everything up and could get fired any second. Taehyung promised him that's not how it worked, but Jungkook worried himself anyway. Jungkook didn't like losing control like this, especially in work-related aspects. So he trusted on Taehyung to calm him down. And Taehyung always did.

Jungkook left after, and Taehyung sighed to himself. He doesn't know how he got so fucking lucky. He'd trade the whole world for Jungkook.

Taehyung heard his phone ding, it was sitting on the kitchen breakfast bar. Taehyung walked up to it and picked it up. His lock scream was a picture Jungkook mid-giggle which Jimin took.

Taehyung unlocked his phone, his password still Jungkook's birthday, and then saw the text he got.

Coach You did it. You got into the Seoul Korean national football team.

Taehyung froze.

His eyes widened. His breath stopped. Taehyung looked into his phone for 7 seconds and then screamed.

The first thing he did was fumble with his phone and rang Jimin's number. Taehyung put it on his ear hastily, and Jimin picked up after 4 rings.

"What's up dudebro." Jimin said through the line.

"Jimin!" Taehyung squealed. Taehyung heard Jimin flinch through the phone. "You need to help me. Today. Right now. Right fucking now."

"What? Why?"

"I-I need your help. I need to go ring shopping. Right now."

Taehyung's been putting on a front for about like hmmmmmm 3 years now that he doesn't want to get married and doesn't like big ceremonies or anything. False. Taehyung's been envisioning their wedding day since Jungkook and he started dating.

But Taehyung wanted it to be a surprise to Jungkook, and more, a sort of thanks to Jungkook for how much he's helped Taehyung over the years. And that would only happen when the confirmation came that Taehyung got into the South Korean national team.

This has been Taehyung's dream since the beginning of time. Now he could fucking play in the World Cup and stuff. That was insane. Taehyung squealed by the thought of it (never out loud).

Finally, after months of waiting, it happened. So here he was, outside Tiffanys & Co, with Jimin and Eka on either side of him.

"Get him the biggest fattest diamond ring," Eka said, looking at the store's sign.

"Jungkook won't like that. It's a lot of money." Taehyung said.

"What the fuck are you a footballer for?"

"I don't know! But now that I'm part of the team, I'll probably earn a fuck-ton!" Taehyung snipped. Eka stepped on his foot. Taehyung stepped on hers.

"Stop," Jimin said, stepping in between them. "Let's step inside. I know Jungkook the best so I'll decide on what to buy."

"I've literally lived with him for 5 years."

"Irrelevant and invalid. I'm his best friend. He tells me shit you don't even know about." Jimin said, and then looked and Taehyung. "By the way- dog ears? Seriously?"

"Shut the fuck up, Jimin. Eka, stop him." Taehyung said quickly.

"Jimin if you don't stop talking I won't send you nudes," Eka said. Jimin looked at her. "We're literally dating. I see you naked all the time. Plus, you never send me nudes."

"Let's go inside," Taehyung said, and then walked into the store. He stepped in and took a deep breath. Oh god. There were rings everywhere. Taehyung looked to Jimin and Eka, who were singing some Ariana Grande song about rings or whatever while looking like fools.

"Stop embarrassing me. I'm going to become an adult."

"Taehyung you're 23."

Taehyung ignored Jimin and walked to one of the cases filled with beautiful diamond rings. He imagined them on Jungkook's delicate, pretty fingers. None seemed... right. They were all too big or too wonky or too... meh.

"One 6 carat princess cut diamond engagement ring with a rose gold ring please," Eka said to the man behind the display.

Taehyung frowned at her. "No, Eka. That's too much."

"Not for Jungkook. It's for me." Eka huffed. Jimin reached up behind the black haired girl and wrapped his arms around her waist.

"This one will look so pretty on you," Jimin said softly, looking at the ring in display in front of them, brushing the pad of his thumb on her fingers. Eka turned a bit, a faint blush on her cheeks as she saw Jimin place his chin on her shoulder.

"Y-you think?" Eka asked softly. Jimin smiled, looking at her. "Of course. Everything looks pretty on you."

Eka kissed him gently, and Jimin kissed back. Eka pulled away, their lips brushing together. "Do you wanna get married?"

"Yeah," Jimin whispered, looking at her sleek black eyes, long eyelashes. Eka smiled.

Taehyung cleared his throat. "You guys are so fucking gay. Get off each other. This is for my engagement. Do this for each other later." Taehyung snapped. The man working in the store looked at them in confusion.

"Wait, sir, are you the one here to buy the ring?" The man asked. Taehyung nodded with a sigh. "Oh. Great! What is she like, the one you're buying the ring for?"

"He." Jimin corrected, still holding Eka in his arms. The man gulped. "Sorry. What is he like?"

"He's..." Taehyung trailed, and then tapped on the glass, suddenly feeling abashed by everyone looking at him, waiting keenly for an answer. "I don't know. He's perfect." Taehyung breathed out. "He's sweet, he's delicate, he's gentle, but he can be brash when he wants to. And he makes sure everyone knows not to overstep his kindness. He's feisty, sometimes a little sassy, sometimes a little opinionated- but I love that about him. He doesn't let anyone overstep him. He's beautiful, he cares so much about m-me- and everything around him that matters. He's the nicest person I've ever met. The most beautiful boy in the world. He's simple but extravagant. H-he's waited patiently for me for years because he loves me too much sometimes. I'll put him over anything in the world."

Taehyung took a deep breath. He didn't even realize he was rambling. He looked up, and Jimin, Eka, and the man working in the store looked at him with big eyes. Taehyung gulped. "Sorry. Did you want to know, like, his favorite tv show or something?"

"N-no. That was perfect. Let me find you the ring." The man said, before rushing off to the side of the store. Eka smiled at him.

"You're such a cutie, Tae. Remember when you 'hated' him?"

"I've kind of blocked out the memory of myself when I thought I was 'straight' from my memory," Taehyung said. Jimin giggled.

"Don't do that. It'll remind you of how much you've grown, and how you'll continue to do so." Jimin said. Eka sighed, flopping her back onto his shoulder.

"You're so smart," Eka whined softly. Jimin kissed her forehead.

The worker finally came back with a few boxes. He opened the first one, showing it to Taehyung. "This is 3 carats-"

"It's too much." Taehyung mumbled. "I need something- something pretty, and delicate, and eye-catching- which stands out. Like my Jungkookie." Taehyung said.

"That's so fucking cute." The man working in the store blurted. Taehyung widened his eyes. "Sorry. See this one," The man said, opening another box.

"Too small," Taehyung said.

"That's what she said." Eka laughed, and Jimin looked at her. Eka patted his cheek. "Not to you," She reassured. Jimin smiled.

Taehyung was way too picky throughout.

"Too many details." "Not enough details." "Too dull." "Too shiny." "Jungkook wouldn't like it."

The poor man working there gave up. He had, like, 40 boxes full of rings open. Taehyung looked between them. Jimin and Eka picked through some and told Taehyung they could work. Taehyung didn't like them.

Taehyung sighed, walking away. Was he thinking too much about this? Maybe a part of him was nervous. Nervous that Jungkook didn't want to marry Taehyung? But why wouldn't he? Taehyung's uncertain anxiousness was getting him nowhere. Taehyung turned around to look at the store manager, but then saw a glittering ring in the corner of a display.

Taehyung walked up to it and imagined it on Jungkook's finger. Jungkook's cheeks would turn pink, his eyes would widen, and he would smile brightly. Taehyung's heart paced faster. Even after years and years, Jungkook made Taehyung feel like a smitten dumb 17-year-old in love for the first time.

"This one," Taehyung said, pointing at it. Jimin and Eka and the store boy came to see it. "I want this one."

"It's so pretty! Koo will love it," Eka said, eyes glittering at the thought. Jimin smiled as well. "Yeah! It's perfect."

Taehyung smiled at them, and then at the store guy, who grinned. "Sure thing, sir! I'll give it to you in a pretty blue box." The man said and then took it out of the display to take it away.

"When are you going to propose?" Jimin asked. Taehyung sighed. "I-I'm not sure yet. But there are just a few more things I need to do before I propose." Taehyung said decidedly, looking down.

Later that night, Taehyung hid the blue box perfectly in a place Jungkook would never find. He ordered some Chinese food from down the street and realized he hadn't gone to the gym like he promised Jungkook he would. So while waiting, Taehyung did, like, 50 pushups.

Jungkook walked into the bedroom while Taehyung was on his 49th pushup. Taehyung did his last one and then huffed, getting up. He saw Jungkook by the door, pouting slightly.

"Hey babe, what's up?" Taehyung asked, breathing heavily. Jungkook trotted over to him and latched his arms around Taehyung's neck, kissing his lips.

"My boss yelled at me..." Jungkook squeaked. Taehyung gripped his waist for a second, and ten left Jungkook's hold, yanked open the drawer of the desk, and took out a knife. "What the fuck did he say to-"

"Why do you always have a knife with you!!! Anyways, it was my fault mainly. Don't worry, please." Jungkook reassured. Taehyung put the knife down. Jungkook leaned up to him. "You're still ready to beat someone up for hurting me, Tae?"

"Of course, baby. I'll hurt someone who even puts a finger on you. But- I mean- probably not your boss. He's kind of scary." Taehyung said sheepishly. Jungkook giggled, kissing his lips.

"You're so cute. Let's eat and then shower and then sex." Jungkook said. Taehyung nodded, grinning.

They ate and then showered and then sex.

They both ate the lo mien and drank beer. Jungkook burped after drinking all of it and then put his hand over is mouth, giggling. Taehyung kissed his cheek because he thought it was the cutest thing ever.

Then they showered. Taehyung pinned Jungkook to the shower wall and kissed his neck. "Remember when I did this to you back during our first times?"

"You were fucking bold. I don't know how you had so much confidence. You came into the shower, saw me naked, lied to me about the other showers not working, yanked your own towel off and then accused me of being gay."

"So fucking cringe." Taehyung shuddered. "But, yeah, I was bold because you were always so cute and looked at me funny. So I thought you'd be into it."

"You were hot," Jungkook said. Taehyung frowned. "Was??"

"M'kidding. You're the hottest." Jungkook reassured. "Hottest guy in football. You're gonna have sooo many fangirls when you join the national team, Tae." Jungkook pouted.

"Too bad I like your dick instead," Taehyung said brashly. Jungkook burst into giggles.

After a warm shower, Taehyung left early to let Jungkook prep for sexy times. Taehyung dried his hair with a towel and hung it around his neck, looking at the black roots which were creeping in from his grey hair. Taehyung ignored it and went to the bedroom, dried, and sat down on the bed.

Jungkook came later, fully naked and shaved, which Taehyung drooled over. Taehyung was quick to pin him down and finger him open, see him writhing and crying for more. They'd had sex a thousand times, but still found it more enjoyable every time they did it.

Taehyung fucked Jungkook while Jungkook was on his front, ass in the air. Jungkook just whined and begged for more, voice high and airy as it got when he got fucked. Taehyung knew exactly where to fuck him, where to pinch him, where to kiss him. He knew Jungkook too well.

"Pretty petal," Taehyung said after pulling out, cumming inside the condom. "Prettiest flower."

"Taehyunggg," Jungkook whimpered. Taehyung cleaned Jungkook up with a tissue and chucked it to the side, deciding to clean it up later. He tucked himself behind Jungkook, throwing his arm over him, holding him close.

"I love you baby." Jungkook said softly. Taehyung kissed his shoulder. "Love you too." Taehyung replied.

Jungkook played with his fingers. Taehyung kissed his neck, the back of his ear, his temple. Taehyung pulled away from him, and then squeezed his waist. "Goodnight." He said gently, and they went to sleep.

///

Taehyung did it. After 6 years, he did it.

The day before the proposal, Taehyung drove to his dad's office building which was 45 minutes away from where he lived. He went into the building, ignoring the woman at the front desk asking who he was, and went straight to the 20th floor where his father worked. Taehyung reached the floor and walked to the CEO's office.

He pushed open the door and walked in. His father, hair whiter than it was years ago, more wrinkles, looked at Taehyung and then stopped. "I'll call you back," He gruffed in his smoker's voice to the person on the other end, before cutting the call.

"After years of being absent, you decide to show up like this?" Taehyung's father asked, snickering.

"Don't act foolish. You know why I wanted to leave you. I'm not here to ask for anything. Not for money, or respect, or your love. Nothing. I know I'll get none of it from you. I'll resent you forever." Taehyung spat. His father looked at him, not saying anything.

"I just need you to know." Taehyung said lowly, eyes darkened. "I need you to know you made life living hell for me. I need you to know that sending me away from you was the best thing you've done for me. I need you to know that- t-that mom was the sweetest- most amazing person ever and she didn't fucking deserve you," Taehyung let out the last part weakly, eyes close to welling up.

Taehyung's father stood up, frowning. "What are you saying?"

"Mom. If she w-was here, she would've told you herself. But she can't. So I will, for her. You're terrible. A terrible man, a horrible father, and an even worse husband. You h-hurt her. Why? Why did you hurt her? She never did anything to you! She never said anything! A-all she ever did was try and protect me," Taehyung cried.

"Back when you were a child, Taehyung, I used to get drunk too often. And in those instances, I would hurt your mother. But I loved her, you should know that-"

"You didn't." Taehyung said, not wanting to feel like a child, but feeling close to it with how his voice wavered. "And if you d-did, then mom didn't love you. She wanted to leave. She only stayed f-for me."

Taehyung's father looked down. "I know."

Taehyung took a deep breath, a hatred growing deeper inside of him by seeing the old man. "Doesn't matter. The reason I came here was to tell you that I've been with someone for 6 years now, and I'm going to propose tomorrow."

Taehyung's father looked at him. "What? That's... that's good news."

"Not for long." Taehyung snickered, regaining a bit of his strength. "You remember when you came to my school? Called me a fag? Slapped me?" Taehyung asked, eyes glinting red. "It was 6 years ago, but you must remember."

"I was only trying to teach you how wrong what you were doing was, Taehyung-" His father began. Taehyung laughed.

"You didn't teach me well enough." Taehyung said dryly. His father frowned. "It's him. That boy you saw. Jungkook."

His father froze, eyes widening. "What? How- how can you when I told you-"

"Why the fuck would I care about what you told me??" Taehyung snapped, growing louder, a suppressed anger deep inside of him finally letting out. "It didn't matter then, and it doesn't now. Because I'm still a 'fag'. And I'm in love with him. And I'm going to ask him to marry me tomorrow."

"What??" His father burst, vein thickening in his neck. "Are you insane? This could ruin your career, Taehyung. It could ruin-"

"Doesn't matter. I got into the national football team. I think I'm fine career wise. And I'll probably retire earlier than you, who's still working when he's 90 or something." Taehyung said.

"Don't talk to me this way. You know who's more important than all these partners and friends? Family. I'll be there when you don't have anyone-"

"I'll be fine, dad." Taehyung snapped, walking to the door. Before walking out, he looked at his father. "Don't come to the wedding. Don't congratulate me. Don't give me anything. I have an amazing boyfriend, who I'll create a family with, and in-laws who care for me. Thanks to you, I have friends who are more to me than family will be." Taehyung said.

"Taehyung don't do this to yourself." Taehyung's father said lowly, from behind his desk.

"I'm only making myself happy." Taehyung raised, looking at his father. "I don't care for you. I don't want to see you again. Besides, for what anyone cares, I was orphaned when I was 12." Taehyung said, before walking out of his office.

Taehyung let out a breath, a weight lifting off his shoulders that seems to be there since he was a preteen. Finally, he could relax. It didn't matter anymore. He could be happy in peace.

///

"Why're we here so early?" Jungkook grumbled.

The two stood outside their highschool gates, peering inside. On a large banner, it read REUNION DINNER IN CAFETERIA! as it there was a highschool reunion for Jungkook and Taehyung's graduating class. Jungkook was excited to meet up with all his old friends.

"Shit, babe. I thought it started at 7." Taehyung said. Jungkook looked at him. "It starts at 8! Dummie." Jungkook said, hitting his leg. "Our taxi left, too. Now we're stuck here."

They'd taken a train all the way to Busan, then a taxi to their boarding school. Taehyung wrapped his arm around Jungkook's waist. "Don't be upset. Let's go in and reminisce." Taehyung said. Jungkook sighed dramatically, agreeing.

They walked into the gates and Taehyung instantly went towards the football field. Taehyung saw a football lying around and let out a sound of excitement, running around, hitting it to the goal post, smiling when it went in perfectly like always. Jungkook smiled at him.

"You do this for a living, and still love it every time. It's so cute." Jungkook said. Taehyung looked at him.

Taehyung was yet to break the news about the acceptance into the national team. Taehyung smiled. "Yeah! Well, I missed this field. I spent every day of 4 years here, almost. Simpler times, when being a captain was easy as fuck." Taehyung grumbled.

"It's okay. High school art is a lot easier too." Jungkook said, pouting. Taehyung walked up to him, kissing his cheek. He hugged him from the back.

"Remember we made out on the benches there." Jungkook said, pointing at the benches in the far giddily. Taehyung grinned. "Yeah. Remember when we had a fight there and then went behind to that shed?"

Jungkook giggled. "We used to practice football here and I used to think you were the worst because you called me a fairy once for wearing shorts."

"You're a cute fairy." Taehyung said. Jungkook rolled his eyes, leaning into his chest. They both looked at the field for a few more seconds. Jungkook smiled suddenly.

"Remember the last game you played before graduating? I was standing on the side, cheering you on and stuff? That was amazing. The whole school was there. You scored 7 times." Jungkook said.

"My highest record. M'pretty sure there's a picture of me hung on a wall somewhere in the school." Taehyung said cockily, to which Jungkook pinched his chin.

"C'mon, let's go." Taehyung said, taking his hand. Jungkook was confused as to where they were headed, but Taehyung dragged him and Jungkook found himself in the boy's locker room. Jungkook gasped.

"Ohhh, they repainted the walls! Look how much cleaner everything is! Ewww, no, they removed that penis Jackson scratched onto the lockers. Aw! Jimin scratched out our names on the bench over here because Jaebum used to keep taking our places." Jungkook babbled.

Taehyung looked around the locker rooms, sighing. "God, the amount of shit that took place here. I fucked you over here," Taehyung said, pointing at the floor. "And there," Taehyung pointed into the showers. "And there," Taehyung said, pointing at another shower. "And there," Taehyung said, pointing at the lockers. "And-"

Taehyung wasn't listening. He walked over to Jungkook and slapped his ass. "Remember when we fucked on the floor?" Taehyung asked cheekily, looking at Jungkook. "Wanna do it again?"

Jungkook blinked. "Absolutely fucking not. That was the most unhygienic thing ever. I'm 23 now." Jungkook snapped. "17 year old me would let you fuck me in the bathroom of a mall."

"17 year old you literally let me do that."

"Oh my god, I forgot. Why were we so gross??"

"We were just horny." Taehyung shrugged. "I think it's cute. You think any kids fuck here after we're gone?"

"Ew. I don't want to think about that." Jungkook said, frowning. "No one's allowed to be gay but us."

"That's fair." Taehyung nodded. Jungkook laughed. Taehyung grabbed his hand and took him out of the locker rooms. Jungkook followed after him, couldn't help but notice how excited the man was.

They both walked towards the school building. Both looked into old classrooms and giggled, remembering old stories and funny things teachers did. They went past the hallways. They couldn't go into the dorm buildings, as that was locked- but thinking about the small closets and uncomfortable beds brought back tons of memories.

"The art room!" Jungkook suddenly squealed. "Remember that? Can we go see it, Tae?"

"Of course we can, baby. I would love to. I wonder if anyone ever found it after we did." Taehyung said, following Jungkook towards the upper floors.

Jungkook hummed. "I kind of hope not. I put so many things in there. I cried when I had to leave it. It was my haven. I miss it." Jungkook said with a sigh. "She was so comforting."

"She?"

"The art room."

"Why are you assigning it a gender?"

"Because I can."

Taehyung snickered, following Jungkook in the 4th floor. Jungkook was in a yellow shirt and faded jeans, while Taehyung was wearing a black shirt and blue jeans. Taehyung saw Jungkook walk into the art room, and went after him.

Jungkook gasped. "O-oh," Jungkook let out. The moonlight was streaming in through the windows, falling onto the table in the middle like it always did. Splatters of paint littered the brown oak, along with the floor and walls. Jungkook smiled widely when he saw the room cluttered with his old paintings and words he didn't find good enough to take back home.

"Look! It- it's all my stuff!" Jungkook said. He closed the white door, and then saw 'J.K' scribed onto it, along with a '+ V' in bad handwriting. Jungkook giggled.

Jungkook stepped towards the shelves with the paint. "That's the painted pillows and tapestry that we... had sex against once. And that's where I did all my art. Ooh- these are the brushes I used! God, these are old as fuck. No one found this place after me, it seems! I love that. It's my room, Tae!" Jungkook gushed, looking at the ceiling. "Maybe they can name it after me. Or, well, not. I hope some lonely art student finds it in the future and creates memories in here. Don't you, Tae?" Jungkook said, turning around.

Jungkook froze. His eyes widened, pretty pink lips falling apart. His eyes grew of moonlike glitters, sparkling like they always did in the night light.

Taehyung was on one knee, with a blue box in his hand, looking up at Jungkook. He smiled. "Hey," Taehyung said.

"T-Tae?" Jungkook let out, already feeling close to tears. "What a-are you-"

"Jungkook," Taehyung said softly. "I just wanted to tell you-" Taehyung began, and Jungkook's heart beated really fast. Taehyung looked at him for a second, looking uncertain. Jungkook took in the silence. Taehyung opened his mouth, and then let out the loudest fucking sneeze.

Jungkook screamed and stepped back. "God, Tae! You scared me!"

"I'm sorry! Fuck, it's dusty in here." Taehyung sniffled, wiping his nose with his cuff. "God, shit. Sorry. Wait, let me do that again. Jungkook? I wanted you to know that-" Taehyung sneezed again.

"Oh, babe. I told you to put a jacket on this morning." Jungkook said, stepping closer to him. Jungkook brought his chin up, looking into his eyes. "Look. Your eyes are all red and puffy. You're sick, Taehyung! Listen to me next time." Jungkook huffed, stroking his jaw lightly.

Taehyung looked at him for a few seconds, and then smiled fondly, gradually. He put his hand on Jungkook's. "I love you so much." Taehyung whispered.

Jungkook looked at him, and then brought his hands back, blushing gently. "Sometimes, when I see you, I can't help but stop and stare for a while. You're perfect, Kookie, and you always make me smile-" Taehyung said, and then stopped, eyes big. "Yo, holy fuck I just rhymed." Taehyung started laughing. "Holy shit! I could rap this shit. Oh my god, should I have written a rap for this? Wait-"

"No!" Jungkook cried, hands against his mouth. "Taehyung. Shut up, oh my god. Just keep saying what you were saying earlier."

"Okay okay, sorry. The thing is, Kookie, that I thought this intense love I have for you would fade away after a bit. But it hasn't. And it never will. Because- being with you, it just makes me so- so happy. Even when you're laughing or sad or snappy-" Taehyung began, and then started laughing. "I rhymed again!!! Check me the fuck out. DJ V out in the streets-"

"STOP!" Jungkook said, and then got tears in his eyes. "Holy crap, Tae. I fucking love you so fucking much. I'm going to start crying."

"Don't cry! Let me propose first! Oh fuck, I spoiled it. Damn it. I shouldn't have told you."

"You're literally down on one knee and have a blue ring box in your hand. I think I knew you were going to propose."

"Maybe I just want to look at your feet."

"Taehyung I swear to fucking god if you got down on one knee to look at my feet I'll-"

"Jungkook!" Taehyung burst. Jungkook paused, looking down at Taehyung. "I'm really fucking nervous, okay? You're the love of my life and I want to spend each moment with you until death do us part. Which never will! I won't let you die before me!"

"It doesn't work like that, babe." Jungkook sniffled.

"It will! You're immortal. I love you. Fuck, I'm so nervous. WOW. It's hot in here. Oh my GOD." Taehyung sneezed. "Fuck what-"

"Tae," Jungkook said, getting down on his knees in front of the boy. "You-" Jungkook began, and then pressed their foreheads together. "I-I love you so much, Tae. You don't know. You don't know how much I love you. This right here is why I love you."

Taehyung smiled at him. "Seriously? You love me?"

"Taehyung we've been together for 6 years."

"I know but sometimes I feel like MAYBE we're still friends or something."

"WHAT?"

"I'm kidding! Fuck. Sorry. Sometimes I get nightmares of bulbasaur eating my legs. Jungkook!" Taehyung yelped, eyes wide. "I'm scared."

"Why?" Jungkook asked, cupping his jaw, eyes wide as well. Taehyung looked at him closely.

"Because-" Taehyung began, and then gulped. "Because you're so fucking beautiful. I get scared sometimes, that I don't deserve you. But- but I love you so much. I felt so lost when I was 17. I was an asshole, confused, scared. I hadn't been happy s-since my mom..." Taehyung trailed. Jungkook looked at him, his own eyes filling with tears. "But then I... I started being around you? A-and suddenly, I felt... whole again. You were like the- the sunlight in my darkest days." Taehyung whispered. Jungkook smiled a little, tear falling from his eyes.

"I should be a songwriter." Taehyung said. Jungkook giggled. "Y-you really should." Jungkook sniffled.

Taehyung looked at him for a few seconds, looking lost in his eyes. Jungkook blinked. "Babe? A-aren't you gonna propose?"

"Oh shit, I forgot. Fuck! Thank god you reminded me. I would've straight up walked out of here, too. Dumbass." Taehyung muttered. He patted Jungkook's thigh, and Jungkook stood up again, smiling.

Taehyung fixed his posture, and then slowly, but surely, popped the blue box open. Jungkook's eyes grew really big, and a big smile reached his face, pink hue on his cheeks and nose, looking happier than ever. Taehyung smiled as well.

"Jungkook? Baby?" Taehyung asked softly, barely getting the words out. "Will you marry me?"

"Yes!" Jungkook squealed, grinning widely. "Yes! Yes yes yes! I will! Forever! I love you!" Jungkook said, getting down and hugging Taehyung tightly. Taehyung hugged him back, pressing their lips together. Jungkook kissed him lovingly, deep, slow.

Jungkook felt tears rushing down his face and pulled away from the messy kiss, and put his hand forward. Taehyung took the ring and slipped it past Jungkook's fourth finger, smiling a boxy smile that Jungkook adored. Jungkook kissed his lips, and Taehyung wrapped his arms around Jungkook's waist, kissing him back.

Jungkook pulled away. He looked at the ring. "Oh, babe, it's gorgeous. I love it so much." Jungkook said gently. Taehyung smiled. "Really?"

"Yeah. It's beautiful. It must've costed a ton..." Jungkook trailed, gulping.

"Oh, don't worry. Money won't be a problem. I got into the Seoul Korean football team, so, yeah." Taehyung mumbled.

Jungkook looked at the ring, and then at Taehyung. He blinked for a few seconds, and then screamed. "WHAT?!"

Taehyung got startled at his voice and gripped his waist. Jungkook was on his lap. "Sorry for not telling you. I just wanted to keep it a surprise. Isn't it great?"

"TAEHYUNG YOU'RE GOING TO BE SO RICH!" Jungkook said loudly. Taehyung rose his eyebrow. Jungkook sighed. "Your money isn't the only reason I'm marrying you. Your dick's also kinda big."

"Mhm. Kinda?" Taehyung said, wiggling his eyebrow. "You love me, baby."

"I really do." Jungkook said, snuggling to his neck. "And I'm so fucking proud of you, Taehyungie. I knew you'd make it this far. You're amazing. I'll be there every match, wearing your jersey, cheering you on." Jungkook said.

"You always have been." Taehyung said softly, kissing his forehead. "I can't wait."

Jungkook smiled at him, looking up. "Promise you'll only sign my tits after games? No fangirls?"

"I'll try." Taehyung sighed dramatically. Jungkook giggled, hitting his chest. Taehyung smiled fondly, and they kissed again. Jungkook kissed him until they toppled onto the floor, side by side.

"We always end up on the floor." Jungkook said, smiling.

"It's meant to be." Taehyung said cheesily, and Jungkook laughed.

Jungkook grabbed his shirt and kissed his lips, feeling the familiar taste of Taehyung, his first love. Taehyung threw his arm around his waist, kissing the boy again, the sweet taste of his most previous baby, his only love. Forever. They kissed, full of love.

So, so so full of love. And so it would remain, until death does them part.

[bumblesimagines]

Imagine:

Catching Malachai's eye after helping Archie at the diner.

Request: Yes or No

"What the fuck did you do to piss these guys off, Arch?" (Y/N) asked. When he joined the football team, he expected to befriend most of the guys. What he didn't expect was for one of those friendships to lead him onto Pop's rooftop to throw molotovs at gang members.

"This is stupid.." (Y/N) whispered, looking down at the 'Ghoulies'.

"Who's your little friend, Andrews?" The guy in clown makeup asked.

"I should've stayed home." (Y/N) mumbled, lightly his molotov and throwing it down. It made the gang members back up but they stayed.

"Come on, pretty boy, hit me!" The leader yelled, eyes locked on (Y/N).

"If I get murdered by one of these guys, I'm haunting you, Andrews." (Y/N) told Archie, looking over at the police car when they heard sirens. Sheriff Keller cocked his shotgun, shooting a warning shot into the air. The Ghoulies quickly ran off.

"Thanks for the help, (N/N)."

"Yeah, yeah, you owe me."

(Y/N) texted his mom as he walked down the sidewalk. He put his phone in his pocket as he crossed the street. (Y/N) flinched, jumping back when a red car came to a screeching halt in front of him. A guy got out, slamming the door behind him. (Y/N) somewhat recognized his face.

"Not so tough now, huh?" The male sneered, a grin on his face. (Y/N) swallowed thickly. If he made a run for it, this dude would just chase him in his car.

"What do you want?" He asked. This guy seemed to be alone. Football made (Y/N) pretty quick and strong but he was still a high school senior.

"You've got balls helping that little shit the other day." If (Y/N) remembered correctly, his name was Malachai. The Ghoulie stepped closer, arm slithering around his waist. (Y/N) brows furrowed. This was not how you start a fight.

"I like 'em pretty." Malachai mumbled, smirking as he touched (Y/N)'s cheek. Woah, woah.. Was he flirting?

"What?" (Y/N) choked out, confused as hell.

"You're coming with me."

"What? No-" (Y/N) was pulled towards the car. He quickly pushed Malachai back.

"We literally just met, dude!" (Y/N) said, panting lightly. Mostly from surprise. Malachai rolled his eyes.

"Gotta take you on a date n' shit?" Malachai asked, looking like an annoyed child. (Y/N) couldn't even form a straight sentence.

"I- You-.. I threw molotovs at you, dude!" (Y/N) said, backpack strap slipping from his shoulder but he quickly caught it.

"And? The more feisty, the better."

"That sounds so rapey, dude." (Y/N) whispered.

"Name's Malachai, not dude."

"Mine's (Y/N), not pretty boy." (Y/N) replied. Malachai grabbed his backpack from him, entering his car.

"Hey! What the fuck!" (Y/N) huffed.

"Get in or you're not getting this back." Malachai made a point, driving slowly.

"Okay! Okay!" (Y/N) went around, getting in and getting his backpack back. Malachai started driving, at an alarming fast speed. He slowed down upon noticing (Y/N)'s nervousness.

"This could be seen as kidnapping." (Y/N) pointed out.

"You could jump out of the car." Malachai pointed out as well. (Y/N) looked away from him, wondering where the hell they were going.

"You have an ugly car."

"Don't insult her." Malachai scoffed, elbowing him. (Y/N) rolled his eyes, crossing his arms. He started recognizing the road. They were headed towards Sweetwater River. His thoughts were confirmed when Malachai parked infront of said river. (Y/N) got out of the car, leaving his bag in the car. He stuffed his hands into his school jacket, glancing at him.

"So, um... What are we doing here?"

"On a cheap date." Malachai replied, shooting him a grin. (Y/N) chuckled, shaking his head.

"Is this how you treat all the people you bring here?"

"Nah, I just fuck and forget." Oh. Well damn.

"I'm not banging someone outside." (Y/N) said. That was weird. Mother Nature did not need to see that. Malachai looked at him, a small amused smile on his face.

"We're not banging-"

"You brought it up."

"No, I didn't!" (Y/N) agrued, looking away when his face flushed. Malachai snorted, walking towards the river. (Y/N) trailed behind, coming to a stop beside him.

"It's nice out here." Malachai mumbled. A silence came over them, (Y/N) crouching down to inspect some pebbles. Malachai crouched down beside him, watching. (Y/N) scooped some water into his hand, splashing Malachai in the face. Malachai flinched, cringing. He opened his eyes and shot him a look. (Y/N) stood, running back to the car with Malachai hot on his heels. He laughed, running around the car while Malachai stayed on the other side. They played ring around the rosie until Malachai caught (Y/N), making him squeal and laugh.

"You think you funny?" Malachai asked, a smile on his face. (Y/N) giggled, nodding. His giggling slowly stopped, noticing how close their faces were. Malachai leaned in, hand reaching up and gently holding his face as the two kissed. (Y/N) gripped Malachai's unbuttoned shirt, pulling him a bit closer. Maybe dating Malachai wouldn't be so bad.

Gifs aren't mine.

[books-bring-you-to-wonderland]

Moo Rarepair HCs!!

Wrote some headcannons for my moo lovin pals, so enjoy! Moocat (Wildcat/Moo) -Every stolen execution in COD is another night spent on the couch. Tyler once spent a week straight on the couch and did not learn his lesson -Brock does not have the heart to tell his boyfriend that his energy drink line tastes like ass, and regularly sneaks redbulls into his office instead -Brock does love the Wildcast though, and while he doesn't feel like he would be interesting on the show, Tyler reassures the man he would love to have him on -Did I mention they're a Thanksgiving couple? Probably go all out each year, spending way too much on a way too big turkey and making more pies than anyone would ever eat -Brock absolutely spoils Kino- he got more Christmas presents than Tyler did, actually, and no, Tyler still isn't over it -They share shirts and hoodies like it's their own clothes- their closet is too jumbled to really even separate their clothes anymore -Tyler loves to be little spoon and gives his boyfriend the puppy dog eyes until he gets his way (and it always works too) -Brock always gets kinda whiny whenever Tyler has to leave for cons and events- he's usually not a complainer, but Brock's a homebody and Tyler leaving makes him kinda anxious. Tyler calls and sends snapchats frequently, and always picks up a gift for his boyfriend on his travels Moosey Mexican (Max/Moo) -They are the couple that has matching ugly christmas sweaters, his and her matching everything; they are corny and cutesy and it is adorable -Max will always shout "Honey, I'm home!" whenever he gets back from the store, and it never fails to put a smile on Brock's face -They're married; little barn wedding in the summer with all their friends and family. They got married at sunset and danced to La Vie En Rose while the frogs and crickets chirped faintly in the background. Now I wanna write their wedding what the fuck -They're the couple that comes over with a lasagna for their neighbors and they buy out all of the girl scouts of their cookies -They grocery shop together, and Max always wanders off because he loves to see the smile bloom on Brock's face when he spots him across the store -Max is the kinda guy to lay down his coat in a puddle for his date to walk over. He did it once with Brock and absolutely ruined his coat -THEY KISS IN THE RAAAAIN THEY KISS IN THE RAIN LIKE ITS A FREAKING ROM-COM -Disneyland vacations once a year; they're big dorks and buy matching mickey ears -Brock collects salt and pepper shakers, and he was kind of embarrased at first but Max thinks its the coolest thing and even built him a display case to show them all off Delimoo (Delirious/Moo) -Punklirious is the only delirious -Brock likes playing with Jon's piercings- and ends up buying him cute earrings whenever he finds them. Jon absolutely adores the little cheeseburger studs Brock bought for him for his birthday -I'm imagining Jon with shaggy black hair, and Brock loves to braid little flowers into it during the summer when their garden is in bloom -Brock did not get Jon onto a normal sleeping schedule- quite the opposite, because Jon has dragged his boyfriend into the depths of insomniatic hell and now they stay up till 4 am watching crappy netflix specials together -Brock is b i  g spoon -Delirious cant cook for shit but he can bake, and loves making Brock pies and cakes and cookies galore. Their friends are all pretty jealous -They sing way too loud in their car when the radio's blaring, and Jon usually forgets the words but he makes up for it in enthusiasm. -Jon loves Halloween for obvious reasons, and usually convinces Brock to do a couple's costume with him (Last year they went as Woody and Buzz, and it was actually pretty cute) -The puns. Jon laughs at every single bad dad joke his boyfriend tells, and Brock might blush at the attention but he's always so happy to know Jon thinks he's funny Septimoo (Jack/Moo) -GIMME SOME PUNK JACK WHO GUYS BY HE/THEY BECAUSE FUCK GENDER -Brock happily painting his boyfriend's nails and doing his eyeliner- Jack still can't get over having stuff near his eyes, so he always asks Brock to do it for him (which he happily does) -Jack will go out without a jacket and they get cold, like an idiot- but Brock is always happy to lend his joyfriend his jacket, even if it is a little big on Sean (Brock has some shoulders, what can you do?) -Brock just likes to lift his partner up- he used to move pianos, he's not afraid of some 5'twink with a bark worse than their bite (and Jack usually shrieks when they realize how far off the ground they are) -They feed each other candy and snacks when they're at the movies and drink a milkshake with 2 straws and it's c u t e  goddamit (the milkshake is strawberry or chocolate) -Jack's not much of a sports guy but he likes to see Brock get so excited over rugby and football, even encourages him to join the neighborhood team (and no, it's not just because Sean wants to see Brock in a uniform and football gear, no sirree) -Sean probably didn't believe Brock when he warned him not to play Maio Kart with Brian, but Sean truly has seen the error of his ways and is never touching his switch again after that -Brock never really liked coffee, but then he got a boyfriend who was addicted to coffee, and now he likes coffee (black, because it's the only way to drink coffee fight me on that) -Jack taking Brock to all the movie premieres he gets to go to, and they're both all snazzed up in nice suits and Brock's suit is a little tight around the shoulders because he's pretty broad, and Jack find themselves looking at their boyfriend's arms instead of the movie -Christmas is their holiday, enough said

[dizzidoom]

So, I’ve been a little obsessed with animal crossing lately. Who hasn’t, lol. But it got me thinking on how the bey characters would play the game. So here’s a stupid list I made. Enjoy~

Takao/Tyson is time skipping so he can get Drago. He’s also arguing with other bladers who do have him and refusing to give him up. Inviting everyone to his island constantly. He abuses the emote wheel. Max hordes the ugly villagers because he loves them and feels bad that people throw them away. His island is very brightly coloured and full of flowers. Rei/Ray’s island is a perfect zen garden. He traded a cat with Kai for Bianca and spoils her. He just needs to find Rolf and he’ll be perfectly happy. Kai’s island is just cats. He may or may not have actually paid real money to get Raymond. He won’t confirm or deny this rumour. Kenny has it all optimised. He has spreadsheets, island maps, the whole lot. He researched well before the game came out and has barely put it down. He’s even made a website to track turnip prices and such. Daichi is slow with the game. Taking his time, enjoying the relaxing nature of it... for like 15 minutes. Then he gets bored and does something else. He also has a Drago, much to Takao’s utter annoyance (and no. He won’t give the villager up) Hiromi/Hilary’s island is almost perfect. Just a little more landscaping by here, little more flowers there. Wait, no. Flowers would be best over here, that house should be down there. No. No, perhaps over here... Hitoshi/Hiro has no idea what the hype is all about but gets excited when he finds fossils. The owl is his favourite character and when he’s invited to people’s islands he goes to their museum first to see what they have. Yuriy/Tala with his village of wolves. Pristine island where everything has its place. Do not question his choices. Boris/Bryan has a messy island and weird blood splatters all over the place. His animals are barely talked too. He only opens his game up when Yuriy tells him to check his turnip prices for him lol Ivan/Ian likes to ruin other people’s island. He’s been banned from Yuriy’s after the axe incident. Sergei/Spencer doesn’t understand what’s going on but the music is nice and relaxing. He still has only one room in his house but he’s getting there slowly.

Rai/Lee gets a little frustrated with the whole ‘take it slow’ aspect of the game. It’s a little too slow at times for him (no-ones told him about time skipping yet). He also doesn’t like any of the lion villagers and wishes they looked as cool as the tiger ones lol Kiki/Kevin. Monkey island basically. He managed to horde as many monkeys and apes as he could because he has a brand he needs to keep up with. Sometimes joins Ivan in trashing people’s island. Stopped when he received a death threat from Yuriy. Mao/Mariah has the other cat island but there are a tiger or lion in the mix. She’s trying to make it look like her home village too. Getting close. Gao/Gary barely plays it. Mostly only when Mao prompts him to visit her island, or if Kiki makes him play. Micheal is a tarantula/scorpion hunting pro. He gears no hissing bug scuttling after him and has yet to be bitten. He also won’t admit it but the duck villagers are his favourite. (And yes, he has apollo. How could he not?) Emily helps Kenny out with his turnip database website. She also loves the alligator villagers and takes any people don’t want. And yes, she refuses to give up Drago to Takao and refuses to listen to the argument that Drago is a dragon, not an alligator. He’s classed as one online and that's good enough for her. Eddy has several scorpion statues around his island. He’s also tried to make the tallest island but found he can only build so high... So it’s a little difficult to get around his island for newcomers. Steve as you can guess, he’s got quite a few bull villagers. He also loves any jock villagers because they remind him of friends from his football team. And also, maybe a little like the All-Stars at times. Rick doesn’t care but it’s the easiest way to get in touch with Max right now. He refuses to let people visit his island coz it’s a mess, yet is too lazy to actually play the game and make it presentable. Ralf/Robert’s village is incredibly tidy. Like, a little too tidy. Trees are all in order. Flowers cornered off behind fences. The villager houses are all in neat rows. Untrustworthy friends are not allowed to visit lest they ruin his work. Johnny doesn’t give a shit but he really, really loves the bug lizard. So he only plays at night to hunt the tarantulas and scorpions so when Flick visits he can make the lizard super happy. He admits this to no-one. Oliver’s Island is a rose paradise. His little villager is dressed up like a chef most of the time. He also really enjoys the design feature. He finds the limitations a little exciting so can spend hours crafting masterpieces in-game. Giancarlo/Enrique likes to show off for his girlfriends and gift them too many bells and nookmile tickets. He does this to Oliver too, of course. He runs around with the mini crown on his head and loves to emote too much in Johnny’s face. Mariam wants shark villagers but understands it can’t happen. A girl can hope though. Instead, she just has them in tanks around her island and refuses to sell any she fishes up. Ozuma doesn’t care too much for the game. He likes the relaxing nature of it but the way the villager's talk can get on his nerves after an hour. Joseph’s villager has big creepy eyes and he likes to try and sneak on other peoples islands when they least expect it and stalk them. Dunga has an island full of ugly apes and he loves it. He traded for them fairly easily, obviously. Reluctantly gave Kai a cat villager for one too. Salima is really into making her house perfect. Each room has a theme and she’s been on twitter for hours chatting to others and visiting them to share DIY recipes or buy from their shop. Kane is oddly lucky at travelling to the rare mystery islands. Most of his bells are from the bell island if he’s honest. Jim charges a lot of bells or nookmile tickets to visit his island and sell turnips. He’s made more money doing that than actually selling his own turnips. Goki is a little too generous at times and always likes to help out other people. As a result, he’s not really managed to upgrade much on his island yet, but he’s getting there. Zeo doesn’t want to talk about Ribbot and Sprocket, and no you can’t have them, they like his island very much thank you. Queen and King cheat together. They go to people’s islands and scam them. Offering items for bells but quickly taking both when the items are dropped. Many of the other bladers now refuse to let them visit. Raul likes the horse villagers best but has only got one. He’s forever on the lookout for them. He is also afraid of the tarantula’s and is constantly being bitten by them. Julia is far more interested in making interesting clothes. She’s made nearly everything she’s owns so her in-game villager can match her all the time.  Mathilda is constantly catching the butterflies. She can’t get the hang of fishing but her insectopedia thingie is full for all the bugs she can get. She adores the Able sisters. Claude spends all his money buying stupid clothes for his villagers to wear. After seeing Giancarlo’s crown though he plans to buy one for each villager. If only he had the savings... Miguel’s island is like a beach resort. He also takes a lot of in-game selfies or stupid screencaps and posts them on twitter. Aaron loves fishing a lot. Like, a lot a lot. He has a room full of each fish he can get so Mathilda can take them one day to fill up her museum since she’s so crap at fishing.  Garland doesn’t care too much about the game. He plays a little each day, does the daily chores he needs to do and then stops. He does love to visit people and interact though. Will spend hours island hopping. Went to Yuriy’s island once and spent ten minutes getting smacked in the face with a net. He never went back. He hopes it was therapeutic for the Russian though. Ming-Ming owns nearly all the clothes. She has her team send screenshots every day of what is in their clothes shops so she can buy anything she doesn’t own yet. She may, or may not be a little obsessed with the animals singing too. Brooklyn refuses to weed and refuses to cut trees. He’ll hit them for wood, but if a tree grows it stays there forever. As you can imagine, it’s like a forest and hard to navigate. Except for Brooklyn. He knows his way. Mystel’s island is full of fruit. Like, it’s just fruit trees because he wants to always have some to give to visitors. There are also many rivers because who doesn’t like using the pole all the time? Moses/Crusher plays with his sister. He’s also currently being guilt-tripped by Takao to give up a Drago. But Drago really likes his island so how can he send the alligator away?

[bagels-and-seagulls]

Could you maybe write something about jealous hot jock David? I love all of your aus soo much!

jealous…hot jock david??? what an idea oof

bad boy matteo + hot jock david

They ran in different circles. They knew that from the beginning, that their social spheres overlapped in very limited and strange ways, that Matteo knew one of David’s teammates from his old childhood football team that he quit as soon as his mom let him, and that David knew one of Matteo’s friend’s high school infatuations because she was in the same theater production class as him one semester that was wicked with costume design, but besides a couple of people in passing, it was a miracle that David and Matteo even met with how little they seemed to have in common before they ran into each other, how little their worlds seemed to revolve around the same sun, yet still finding a way to find their way towards each other in the dark. 

Now though, now that they lived out of each other’s back pockets and tucked in between the folders in each other’s backpacks, now they shared friends and acquaintances the way they shared their future. They were a part of each other’s lives so fluidly and solidly that they were like salt and pepper, or the sun and the moon, or the ocean and the sand, not alike, not really, but only ever to exist with the other, part of a complimentary set. 

Still though, they ran in different circles. Sometimes, just sometimes, David remembered it like a punch to the gut. 

“David, man, are you even listening?” Jonas asked with a huff. 

David hums. “What? Yes, of course,” he says like he was offended Jonas would even insinuate he wouldn’t. “Your professor was talking about that study.” 

“Yeah, yeah,” Jonas starts and goes back to what he was saying before, like David had proved that he was listening enough when David was no where close to it. He took a sip of his beer, and tried to keep his eyes trained on the spot to the right of Jonas’ eye instead of looking over to where Matto was talking to some guy he had never seen before, but they were laughing like they were old pals, like they had an inside joke that David wouldn’t know about. 

David wasn’t a jealous person. Honest. He was the golden boy, the town wonder, the boy who could do little to no wrong, the type of person who was used to being fawned over, talked about by people with something like nectar stuck in their throats. He was the one people were jealous about. He was the one with the good grades, with the good looks, the good moves on and off the field… the good looking boyfriend. To be quite honest and not the least bit narcissistic, there weren’t very many people in the same league as David, not many people to really get jealous of if he were the jealous type. Which he wasn’t. Because David wasn’t jealous. Not usually. He was used to seeing Matteo lean up against Jonas, and kiss Hanna’s cheek, and dance with Hans, and split a joint with Carlos. He was fine with it. Fine. He didn’t feel anything but the normal amount of affection and second-hand joy he got when he saw that Matteo was feeling happy and open. 

So when something ugly, and bitter, and laced with rot and decay started making its way up David throat, making him feel a little bit cold, and a little bit angry, and a little bit like he wanted to pick a fight, and settled in the hinge of his jaw, he was surprised. To say the least. Pissed off. To say the most. 

He couldn’t pin it down as jealousy at first. Because he wasn’t used to jealousy normally. He thought that maybe someone had something that was a little funny, or a little off, and he was just now catching on, lagging behind the conversation, but no. He was getting it perfectly fine. What was making something a little mean and a little hot bubble up in his stomach was the sight of this boy he had never seen before bumping shoulders with Matteo, his boyfriend, sharing a smile that said there was something there, and lifting up his hand to light a joint that was between Matteo’s lips. 

David wasn’t a jealous person, so when he took a gulp of his drink and walked over to stand in front of Matteo, he was just as shocked to be over there as the pair he was in front of seemed. It almost felt like his legs were moving on their own for a second, and there he was, standing their gaping like a fish out of water, trying to find something to say, anything to make sense of what the hell he thought he was doing right now. 

“David?” Matteo asked with wide eyes and a question between his brows. 

“Hey,” David says, feeling a little bit like he was fizzling out, now that Matteo was looking at him like he was speaking in tongues, but then the boy was knocking shoulders with Matteo and tilting his head towards David like he was asking a question, and that monstrous feeling from before that made him want to come over and- and- Well, he didn’t know. Stake his claim or something. 

The thing was David isn’t usually a jealous person, just like he isn’t used to not being known, especially by the people Matteo runs with. 

“The boys were asking after you,” David says with a tight jaw at the way this guy seemed to be leaning closer and closer to Matteo by the second. 

“I’m sure they can manage a few more minutes,” Matteo said, meeting David’s gaze with something a little angry sinking behind his irises. And that feeling from before, the one that made David want to start a fight, was right there, stinging the back of his neck and demanding that he do something. 

Matteo and David stare at each other for a few more seconds, maybe even a minute or so, but the boy must get tired of the dramatics because he grips at Matteo’s shoulder and says, “Thanks for the hit, man. I gotta go,” and points somewhere behind him before pushing off the wall and peeling away. 

“Wait- Just,” Matteo calls after him, almost going as far as to reach out for his shoulder, and that- that- makes David purse his lips up and take another sip of his beer before he says something as stupid as what he’s thinking. “Fuck,” Matteo mutters and thumps his head against the wall. 

David keeps standing there, feeling a little better now that the boy was gone, but feeling a little bit worse at the same time because now Matteo is turning something mean towards him, and David doesn’t know if he’s ever seen a look like that before, not from Matteo, not to him. “You happy now?” He hisses and pushes past David and makes his way to the door. “Jesus fuck.” 

Matteo stomps out the front, and David follows him, feeling guilty and mad at the same time, feeling like they should exchange some words right now, even if he doesn’t know what kind of words they should be. 

“The fuck was that?” Matteo asks, spinning around once he’s in the nearly empty street, and throws an arm out towards the party they just left, keeping himself a few steps away, though he leans in like he’s thinking about getting in David’s space. 

“You tell me,” David throws back, feeling his heckles raise a little bit at the way Matteo was getting a little loud. “You’re the one that was flirting with him.” 

“Flirting? The fuck?” Matteo repeats like he was shocked to even hear David say something like that, like the idea was outrageous enough, and that makes David hotter, that Matteo wasn’t seeing the same thing he was. “I wasn’t fucking flirting with him. Jesus. I was trying to sell to him. I gotta make a hundred by the end of the week for my fucking rent, and that guy is usually dumb enough to buy.” 

“That makes it okay, then? Hm?” David asks, wanting to get in Matteo’s face, wanting to get louder than what was appropriate for a city street. 

“Makes it okay? I just said I wasn’t flirting with him!” Matteo repeats. 

“That’s interesting because that’s not what it looked like to me, and I’m pretty familiar with how you flirt,” David spits out, holding himself back from saying something a little more biting, trying to keep his anger under a tight enough lid that he doesn’t say something he’s going to regret as it comes out of his mouth. 

“So you’re telling me-” Matteo stops to wipe his face, like what he was thinking was waving around his face and buzzing in his ears, and then looked back up at David with just as much anger as before. “You’re telling me that you were- what? Jealous? And didn’t know how to handle it like a grown up? Jesus Christ, David.” 

“I wasn’t fucking jealous,” David denies immediately. He spits the word out like it was sour on his tongue. “I just don’t like seeing my boyfriend chatting some guy up when I’m in the fucking room.” 

“Oh, fuck off,” Matteo yells. “I wasn’t chatting him up or whatever. Just admit you were jealous!” 

“So what if I was? You’re telling me you wouldn’t do the same?” David challenges, still simmering. 

“No, I wouldn’t. I’ve never fucking pulled that shit on you, have I?” Matteo responds and throws an arm out. 

“What?” David asks after a second of watching Matteo’s breath heave out and cloud in front of them. 

“You think you’re the only one that has gotten jealous before?” Matteo says, still boiling hot, even though David feels like he was just handed a piece of the puzzle he didn’t have before. “Jesus, I don’t pull any of that kind of shit on you,” he reiterates, and now he steps close and into David’s space. He points into David’s sternum. “Could you imagine if I just stormed up when you’re talking to your co-director for the play, and he’s- fucking- touched your arm like a million times already? Or that girl on the girls team that checks you out when you turn away? Or the president of that club you’re in that laughs at everything you fucking say? Or what about-” 

“I get it. I get it. Fuck, I get it, okay?” David interrupts and grips at Matteo’s wrist. 

Matteo tugs his arm away. “Do you?” He asks and seems deflated all of a sudden, like he was drained and exhausted by this. “Do you at all?” 

And David feels it too, tired and wrung out, and this so wasn’t worth an argument over, so wasn’t worth all of this, when it ends with Matteo looking at him hurt and sad, like David wasn’t getting it again. Because David can’t ever seem to get it. Not right at least. Not the first time or the second or the third. 

The thing about complimentary sets is that they can never be one and the same. The ocean will never be able to be rough and course like the sand, and the pepper will never be the same flavor as the salt. The sun will never know what it’s like to reflect light instead of give it off, constantly stuck as the shadow of something else, and the moon will never burn from the inside out, not knowing what it’s like to turn off, not even for a moment. 

“Matteo, I-”

“Everything alright?” Someone asks, and David turns towards the door to where Jonas is standing, looking between the two of them with big eyes. 

“Yeah,” Matteo says and fall a little flat. “I was just going home.” 

“Teo,” David says and steps closer. 

“Maybe you should stay at yours tonight,” Matteo suggests, though there was no suggestion in it, and then looks over to Jonas who just ticks his mouth to the side. Matteo turns to walk away, and Jonas follows him, looking over his shoulder to watch David look on in confusion and bafflement. And David is left standing there alone, feeling a little bit hollow and like he’s got something stuck in the back of his throat, watching Matteo walk away, not even looking back. 

David makes it back to his place and through a jilted explanation to Laura about why he was home at all before he caves and sends a voice message to Matteo. “I’m sorry, Teo. I don’t know why I did that, and you’re right. I was acting like a child. And I- I’m just really sorry. I’m not used to this,” he says. 

Matteo opens it right away but doesn’t say anything back, not for at least an hour. And David stares at the chat the entire time, trying to see if it would say if Matteo was typing or not, and holds his breath when it says he is eventually. 

u can come by in the morning, it reads, and David starts planning how he’s going to grovel the whole night. 

part 2

[baroquebucky]

chemistry

part 1

A/N: okay so this is the first real part of my new series :D let me know what you guys think <3 it’s kinda slow but i promise it’ll get better !!!! also i know there’s like not much about the schools programs in the movie but just imagine that they have a vet program lmao thank u :-)

You shuffled around your backpack looking for your dialectical journal, quickly scribbling your name on it and handing it to your AP lang teacher with a smile as she collected them.

“i hope you enjoy midtown tech ms. Parks” she smiled at you and you gave her a soft thank you as the bell rang. You gathered your things and swung your backpack over your shoulder, heading to the area sami had pointed for you to wait for her earlier that morning.

As you looked over the sea of people you saw the unfamiliar yet familiar curly brown hair you had set your eyes on earlier, you glanced at his face and quickly checked him out as he walked through the halls, weaving through the many teens talking and crowding the halls. Before you could fall head over heels for the stranger you saw sami walking quickly your way, eager to see what you had thought so far.

“i mean yeah it’s pretty good so far, nothing much has happened” you smiled biting into your pizza, half paying attention to what your friend was saying and half glancing to see if the curly stranger had A lunch too.

“okay either you’re thinking about something much more important or suddenly you think my analysis of parks and rec is boring” sami spoke, looking at you with such seriousness you let out a small laugh.

“you know i love your episode by episode review sam” you smiled, sipping your water and hoping to avoid the subject of a crush with sami, because once she envisioned a pair of people together, not even the national guard could stop her.

“I know you do, so why weren’t you paying attention to it” she spoke, quirking her eyebrow out as you leaned your head back and groaned at her persistence. “I just saw this cute boy and i just can’t get him off my mind it’s nothing” you shrugged, shoving a spoonful of your fruit cup in your mouth.

“oh my god y/n finally i can get some work done!” She shouted causing you to choke at her sudden outburst. You swapped the fruit quickly and began coughing, immediately downing water and starting to laugh.

“jesus christ sami i almost choked calm down” you laughed as she pulled her phone out and went to Instagram. “What’s his name?” She asked not even looking up at you and you rolled your eyes.

“I don’t know i just saw him for like three seconds before you blocked my view of him” you smirked at her, knowing he dreams of playing matchmaker were gone. “I’ll find him, what kind of hair did he have? What was he wearing?” She asked quickly.

“uh curly hair, brown curly hair and brown eyes, a grey jacket i think” you shrugged finishing your lunch before throwing it away and sitting back down. Sami groaned as you gave her your vague answers. “I’ll find him” she mumbled as you both walked out of the cafeteria.

You looked at your wrinkled paper, searching the halls for your 4th period, art. You found the art room after taking two wrong turns and having to walk the entirety of the second floor because you were too scared to turn around.

“For your first art project of the year i want you guys to draw or paint a place you like, it can be your home, a safe space or just somewhere in the world” the teacher spoke, explaining the project that would ease you into the year.

As the bell rang once more you headed to an outside building for your small animal management class, then you headed back inside for your pre calculus class. You sighed walking through the halls, pulling out your wrinkled schedule once more and walking downstrairs again to look for your AP chemistry class.

You scanned the walls for the matching room number and you were met with your new chemistry teacher as you approached the door.

“hi what’s your name?” She smiled at you holding out a clipboard. “Y/N parks” you smiled at her, fiddling with your lanyard. “Ah yes, go ahead and sit wherever you’d like, i don’t have a seating chart yet” you thanked her and took a seat near the middle of the class.

You watched as more kids pounded into the room, your eyes searching for Sami, you were giddy just thinking about having a class with her. You smiled widely as she walked into the room, taking a seat beside you.

You were so engrossed in your conversation you didn’t see the boy with the brown curls walk in. The teacher closed the door and smiled at the class, welcoming you all and giving you a syllabus. That’s when you saw him.

Four columns over and two seats ahead of you, sat the cute boy with the curly hair you had been thinking of all day. “That’s him!” You whispered to sami as you unsubtly pointed in the boys direction as you took out an empty spiral notebook. “Oh my god that’s peter parker! You have a crush on him?” Sami laughed a little and you blushed.

“I mean look at him he’s so cute! And he must be smart, i mean AP chem isn’t for everyone” you smiled, wanting to get sami off your case. She only shrugged and put the syllabus you handed her into her binder. As the class ended you and sami both walked out, heading to your final class which you had together as well, orchestra.

It didn’t take you long to realize that peter and his friend, Ned, were walking behind you two, talking about something in Star Wars. “sami hes behind us holy shit” you whispered, smiling widely at your friend, following her to the orchestra room.

“Oh yeah i forgot to mention he’s in band!” She scoffed, mumbling under her breath a little. “hey bands not so bad! they’re pretty good and guard is amazing” You huffed, furrowing your eyebrows and pushing your friend slightly.

“look just because you almost did color guard your freshman year doesn’t mean you have to defend marching band” she laughed as you rolled your eyes.

“it’s fun okay!” You defended yourself laughing at her mock annoyance of you.

As you walked down the strairs you noticed how peter and Ned took the elevator down, you shrugged it off and continued your way into the orchestra room. You told the teacher you played bass, she quickly assigned an instrument for school and one to take home and got you the music you were missing.

The final bell of the day rang and you packed your stuff up. Getting ready to call your best friend back home and tell her all that had happened today.

You and sami walked out of school, waving bye to her as she entered her moms car. “You sure you don’t want a ride?” She asked for the fifth time and you laughed.

“Yes I’m sure, I’ll take the train I’ll be fine” you smiled and said goodbye one last time, hopping on the train and quickly finding a seat, texting your best friends back home of today’s events.

-

“Ned she was so pretty! Like oh my god, her hair! and during class she said ‘that’s him!’ Oh my god she’s so cute” peter spoke to his best friend, an extra bounce in his step as they made their way to the train station.

“you know it’s unfair you use your senses to find out who likes you but you call it cheating when i want you to see if the girl from 5th period likes me, or that girl in the tuba section!” Ned scoffed throwing his hands up as peter ugly laughed softly.

“listen dude, i just think i might have a real shot with her, i just have to find a way to talk to her you know?” Peter spoke, hopping on the train with his friend, ending the conversation about girls and starting the one about building the new LEGO set he got over the weekend.

As he got down from the train with Ned it didn’t take him long to spot you, his heart racing a little faster as he saw you talking on the phone, a smile on your face.

“wait Ned shut up!” Peter spoke quickly, rushing to move closer to you. He focused his senses to hear your voice amongst the crowded train station.

“i mean yeah it’s pretty nice here, i have to take the train so that’s pretty fun, also there’s this really cute guy i saw, i have chemistry with him- no dumbass the class” you laughed.

Peters heart rate sped up as he heard you talking, were you talking about him? I mean that one football player was sitting next to him, maybe you were pointing at him. He focused once more to see if maybe, just maybe you would drop another hint.

“- yeah no way bro, i think he does sports” you spoke, going up the stairs. Peters small smile fell from his face and Ned watched intently.

“what did she say?” He quickly asked, peter sighed. “I think she was talking about charles, she said she thought he did sports, we both know I’m not the sport type” peter spoke, clutching the strap of his backpack tightly as the two headed to his apartment.

Ned put his hand reassuringly on peter shoulder, “dont man, I’m sure if it’s meant to be, fate will pull you two together” he smiled and peter looked at him.

“dude that was so wise” he smiled, Ned only winked at him in return, causing both of them to burst out laughing.

-

The next day came quickly for you, and before you knew it you were walking into AP chemistry again, heart racing as you anticipated the new seating chart.

“please for the love of any higher force put me next to the cute peter kid” you whispered, taking the seat you sat in the day before. Sami soon walked in with a smirk on her face, that immediately set off alarms in your mind.

“oh god what did you do” you spoke worried.

“oh no not me, fate” she winked before turning to face the front, peter rushing in as the bell rang and taking a seat.

“okay as you know we will have a seating chart so if you will all please line up,” Ms. Patrick spoke, naming off kids, it wasn’t until 9 kids in that you realized he was going alphabetically.

“Mr. Parker you’ll be behind Jamie” she spoke, peter stumbled as he made his way to the seat and you smiled softly at his awkwardness.

“Ms. Parks you’ll be next to peter” the teacher spoke, continuing to name out the list. You however, cough as you choke on your spit, walking to your seat with a flushed face, not wanting to look at the boy next to you.

You quickly gulped down your water, not wanting attention drawn to yourself, even though yesterday you would’ve pounced on the boy sitting next to you.

“are- are you okay?” He whispered, causing your face to turn a deeper red.

“me? Yeah I’m fine I’m really good why?” You spoke quickly, fiddling with your pencil as the teacher gave instructions on how to set the notebook up.

“you just look really nervous, don’t worry, i don’t bite” he smiled at you and you felt your heart skip a beat, Jesus his smile is so cute.

You returned his smile and quickly looked down at your notebook, cutting the small slips of paper and gluing then into the first page.

“okay write your names on the front of the notebook and then I’ll hand out your homework” the teacher spoke, handing out sharpies.

You looked at peter, seeing how his brow furrowed just a bit when he was taking notes. He glanced up and you quickly looked forward, heart racing at the thought of him knowing you snuck glances at him.

“y/n?” He asked and you looked at him quickly, face slightly red, scared he had caught you staring. “the sharpie” he spoke and you laughed, facepalming yourself mentally.

“oh yeah- uh thanks” you spoke clearing your throat, then you realized, your front cover is black.

“where the hell do i write my name” you whispered, looking to see if there was another colored sharpie.

“you can- you could write it on the inside” peter spoke, leaning over to flip your notebook cover. He smiled brightly at you and you returned it.

“oh yeah, duh, you’re smart” you smiled, chuckling softly as you write your name before handing the sharpie to the girl infront of you.

Peter watched as you wrote your name down, falling in love with the way you wrote your name, how would it look if you wrote his name down? He smiled at the way you looked taking notes, thinking the way you bit your bottom lip slightly made you look cute.

Peter blushed when he felt your eyes on him, he knew exactly how fast your heart rate became when he looked up and you thought he had caught you. Technically, he knew so you were caught, but you didn’t know that, and the way you smiled at him when he wasn’t looking made him swear he wouldn’t let you know he knew.

Suddenly, AP chemistry became your favorite class, and not because of the subject.

Peter realized that AP chemistry was all he looked forward to, because the pretty girl somehow ended up next to him. And then he smiled at himself as he swung through the streets of Queens, maybe it was fate.

part 2

[racingtoaredlight]

RTARL’s 2020 NFL Season Week 6 Extravapalooza

This week’s slate of early games....is not good. If ever there were a day to forgo NFL football and attend to some neglected tasks around the house, catch up on some paperwork for the office, or even spend some time with family, today is that day. OR maybe just drink more than usual to make the football appear more attractive than it is. Both paths are healthy and good.

My picks are in BOLD, and the lines come to us courtesy of our friends at Vegas Insider. I use the “VI Consensus” line, which is the line that occurs most frequently across Vegas Insider’s list of sportsbooks. Your sportsbook of choice may offer a different number, and if you’d like my opinion on said number A) you are insane, and B) leave a comment below and I’ll try to answer at some point before things kickoff today. 

EARLY GAMES

Houston Texans at Tennessee Titans (-3.5)

Like everyone else, I was GREATLY amused by Derrick Henry leaving a chalk outline of Josh Norman on the field via stiffarm in the Titans’ win over Buffalo on Tuesday. That said, Derrick Henry isn’t having a great season thus far. He’s averaging a career-low 3.7 yards per carry (down from 5.1 last year and 4.9 the year prior). His drop in efficiency has been masked by an increase in attempts (25 per game this year, 20 per game last year). His longest run so far this season is a measly 16 yards. Is he already wearing down? Is this just small sample noise? I dunno, but I don’t feel super great about his prospects today despite the great matchup, considering that he just had 20 touches against the Bills on Tuesday night.

Cincinnati Bengals at Indianapolis Colts (-7.5)

I really don’t have much to say about this game. I’m rooting for Joe Burrow like always, but this Indy defense is nasty and he’s still a rookie. Could be a rough one for him, but don’t worry I still think he’s the coolest and wish more than anything that he’d start smoking cigarettes on the sideline.

Atlanta Falcons at Minnesota Vikings (-4)

We’re long past the point where I need to accept that my faith in the Falcons was misguided, and yet here I am, picking them to cover once more. Gotta capitalize on that dead Dan Quinn bounce, baby! At least this time they’re squaring off against another squad of top-shelf bed-shitters in the Minnesota Vikings. Each of these teams have already sustained multiple heartbreaking losses already this season, with the Vikings somehow picking up two one-point Ls in their last three games. I’m genuinely impressed by the ability of these franchises to rip the hearts out of their own fanbases. Even when they blow games in ways they’ve blown them many times before, they still somehow manage to make it feel fresh. That’s not easy.

Denver Broncos at New England Patriots (-8)

As of now it looks like Denver QB Drew Lock will be back for this game, which is nice. He’s going to be without RB Melvin Gordon and TE Noah Fant, which isn’t so nice. After what felt like an eternity, but was really only one game, New England is getting QB Cam Newton back after his asymptomatic bout with COVID-19. Hallelujah!

Honestly, I don’t have a clue what to expect in this game. The Broncos haven’t played since October 1st, and the Patriots have had their facilities closed multiple times over the last couple of weeks, so practice has been sparse. I’m gonna go ahead and assume this one will be kind of ugly for both teams and I’m tempted to take the eight points. That said, I think Denver is really going to struggle to score, so fuck it I’ll make the homer pick.

Washington Football Team at New York Giants (-2.5)

Baltimore Ravens (-9.5) at Philadelphia Eagles

Eagles QB Carson Wentz is a broken man, his offensive line is in shambles, his favorite target (TE Zach Ertz) is either completely washed or isn’t trying due to contractual unhappiness, his #1 WR today is a 2019 6th round pick named Travis Fulghum, and he gets to face a Ravens D that ranks in the top 5 in EPA (Expected Points Added) against both the pass and the run and that blitzes at the second highest rate in the league. He’s gonna have a bad time. Luckily, fans will be allowed inside Philadelphia’s stadium for the first time this season, so he’ll at least have kind words of support from the stands to keep him going.

Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers (-3.5)

This is a tough matchup for Browns QB Baker Mayfield. He’s struggled with accuracy all season, and I can’t imagine having injured ribs is going to help him zip the ball where he wants to, especially after he gets hit a few times by the very good Pittsburgh pass-rushers. My #1 hope for this game is a bench-clearing brawl, preferably after Myles Garrett levels Ben Roethlisberger and then taunts the hell out of him.

Chicago Bears at Carolina Panthers (-1)

It’s time for me to admit that I was wrong in my belittling of Panthers QB Teddy Bridgewater and the rest of the Carolina offense. They’ve been sharp as hell, and there’s been hardly any drop-off at all going from injured All-Pro RB Christian McCaffery to journeyman backup Mike Davis. Add WR Robby Anderson to the growing list of players who have IMMEDIATELY flourished after escaping the vortex of incompetence constantly swirling around incredible dipshit Adam Gase.

Detroit Lions (-3) at Jacksonville Jaguars

BIG CAT BATTLE! In a fight between Lions and Jaguars, it really comes down to terrain. Lions are bigger and stronger, and if this confrontation were out in the grasslands they’d have a decided edge. However, this contest takes place on the turf of the Jaguars, where they’ll be able to use their agility and climbing skills to their advantage.

LATE GAMES

New York Jets at Miami Dolphins (-9.5)

I’d like to think a thorough ass-kicking by Miami here would rid the Jets players of Adam Gase once and for all, but expecting a logical move from an unqualified failson is probably unwise. I’m enjoying what the Dolphins are putting together under Brian Flores, the first good Bill Belichick disciple. 

Green Bay Packers (-1) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

Most of the focus on this game has been on the QB matchup, which is understandable. The fact that each of these guys is welcoming back an All-Pro WR (Davante Adams for GB, Chris Godwin for TB) does make it extra spicy. But, I think the deciding factor here is gonna be defense. This is bad for the Packers, because outside of DB Jaire Alexander, theirs has sucked so far. Meanwhile, the Bucs come in at #2 overall on Football Outsiders Defensive Efficiency Rankings, where they’re equally effective against the run or the pass.  

SNF: Los Angeles Rams (-3) at San Francisco 49ers

Niners QB Jimmy Garoppolo looked horrific last week in his return from an ankle injury. He was clearly not close to 100%, and despite positive practice reports this week on his injury status I can’t buy in until I actually see him able to step into his throws. I was actually surprised to see the O/U on this one at 51.5, as it feels like a low-scoring game to me, a man who definitely knows what he’s talking about.

MNF (Early): Kansas City Chiefs (-4.5) at Buffalo Bills

I’m furious with Kansas City for bringing in RB Le’Veon Bell to siphon touches away from my beloved Clyde Edwards-Helaire. IT’S NOT HIS FAULT THE O-LINE CAN’T RUN BLOCK WORTH A DAMN! Anyway, due to COVID-19 protocols, Bell won’t be suiting up for this one, so here’s to CEH ending his time as the primary back in a blaze of statistical glory. These teams are each coming off of bad losses, so I expect them to come out guns-a-blazin’. The Bills are fun as hell, but I can’t take them in a shootout against K.C. just yet.

MNF (Late): Arizona Cardinals (-1) at Dallas Cowboys

Dak Prescott’s gruesome injury was a huge bummer, even if you’re like most right-thinking people and viscerally dislike the Cowboys. I hope he recovers and eventually ends up with the huge pile of cash he was headed for prior to his lower leg turning into a Rice Krispies Treat. As far as backup QBs go, Andy Dalton isn’t terrible, but you know what is? The Dallas defense. I don’t think they can make enough stops to keep the Cowboys in this one, even if the offense still looks decent.

Last Week’s Record: 7-6

Season Record: 37-31-4

[classic80sand90smovieloves2]

Meeting and Dating Jerry Renault

(Not my gif)(Requested by several anonymous asks)

- Following the idea that Trinity isn’t an all boys school: you meet Jerry in school or rather your way home from school.

- He was in a few of your classes but you hadn’t really spoken to him as he seemed far more concerned with his own thoughts then anything or anyone else. But as you took you seat you couldn’t help but notice how charming he had looked in his own shy boyish way.

- From the minute you saw him you thought he was cute. Because of this you spent most of the classes you had with him taking glances at his distracted face and trying your best to pay attention to your teachers.

- At the end of class you had passed him while walking through the door to leave. That’s when he finally noticed you and his breath was taken away. He just stared after you wide eyed and flushed feeling like time had just stopped.

- He asked around the school for your name (Which basically consisted of a few guys he was friendly with) but had no luck in finding out anything about his new mystery dream girl. He was a bit frustrated; he had started his quest after first period and had now gone the whole day with no answer. And on top of that he would have to wait until he saw you again in class the next day. 

- He was leaning against his locker when you passed him on your way out the school’s entrance. He watched in awe as you walked past feeling absolutely blessed that you two happened to cross paths again before he would have to wait a day to see you.

- You had just sat down on the bus stop bench and were rummaging through your bag when you noticed someone standing on the either side of the bench. You sneaked a glance at them only to find that it was Jerry and that his eyes were trained on you.

- He would glance away like he was trying to think of something and would then turn back to you, part his lips like he was about to speak before ultimately closing his mouth and repeating this cycle. You kind of found it cute.

“Uh hi... Jerry, right?” You decided to put him out of his misery. “Aren’t you in my first period class?”

“Oh...uh yeah, yeah I am.”

“Catching the bus too?” He nods. “Why don’t you take a seat?”

- You talked to him for a while as you waited for your bus and when it arrived the two of you sat next to each other. When you had to get off for your stop the both of you couldn’t help but be disappointed but once you were gone Jerry couldn’t wipe the smile off of his face because the two of you had actually talked.

- This would go on for a few weeks before the two of you would have your first kiss. You had been sitting on the bus stop bench with him like always when you brought up the chocolate sale or more so his refusal to participate. You told him how you were worried about him taking this too far and getting too mixed up in the vigils as well as him potentially getting in trouble with the school.

- While you were talking he sort of stared at you, his lips quirking into a small soft smile before he had leaned in and kissed you effectively stopping your speech. When he pulled away he connected your foreheads and told you not to worry. You let out a breathy chuckle before you pulled his face to yours and kissed him again.

- Even though the two of you had just kissed; twice, he was still nervous and awkward when asking you to be his girlfriend. But of course you agreed and the two of you walked around town stepping into various shops instead of getting on your bus. The two of you would consider this stroll through the town your “first date”.

- Jerry is slightly tough starved so any affection you give him makes his day.

- He loves when you play with or fix his hair. He closes his eyes and leans into your touch whenever you do.

- His hugs are always tight like he’s afraid you’ll disappear if he doesn’t hold on or like you’re the only thing that’s keeping him grounded.

- He actually really likes when you kiss his neck and likes to do the same to you. He loves hearing your breath hitch when he moves from your lips to your sweetspot.

- Definitely no hickeys. He doesn’t like how they look on you and he definitely doesn’t want anyone in his catholic school seeing any on either of you especially the teachers.

- Going to his football games and cheering him on. He loves seeing you in the crowds and can’t help but smile when he hears your voice whenever he makes a pass or a score.

- He sometimes gets you to play it with him; usually just throwing the ball to each other. He lets you wear his jersey whenever you agree to play.

- He loves watching you; doesn’t matter what you’re doing as long as he gets to see your beautiful face.

- He’ll usually smile and compliment you whenever you catch him watching.

“God you’re beautiful.”

- Sweet slow kisses that make your heart flutter.

- He always walks you home and sits next to you on the bus. He doesn’t like the thought of you walking or sitting alone even though you’ve been doing it practically your whole life.

- He likes to hold hands whenever he’s walking you home.

- Most of your “dates” are at his house usually sitting together on his bed and talking or sitting on the couch and watching television.

- He actually loves trying new things and going on adventures with you even though it rarely happens since your town isn’t the most exciting. He’s always itching to do something adrenaline inducing.

- It’s so refreshing to him to be able to talk to you. He doesn’t have many friends that he talks to and his dad hardly has anything to say so when he can actually have a full on conversation with someone (especially someone who he loves) it feels like he’s been energized.

- Gossip with him; tell him the good, the bad, the ugly; he wants to know and he’s listening to every word you say.

- You always try to comfort him when he needs it. Whether it be because of school or family issues; you just want to let him know you’re there for him.

- He’s sort of scared to fall asleep next to you because he doesn’t want to wake up from a nightmare about his mother or something like it and have to explain himself.

- Once he opens up to you about all that’s happened he has no problem having you sleep over, taking naps or cuddling together.

- Speaking of cuddling; he is definitely the little spoon but more often then not he’s laying his head on your chest with your arms wrapped around him.

- You always steal his sweaters when you go over to his place. School uniforms are uncomfortable as hell and you definitely don’t want to wear them when you’re cuddling.

- You almost feel proud when he makes an innuendo or dirty joke about you and your uniform (more specifically the mandatory skirt).

- Wandering around town together to try and get away from everything.

- Late night phone calls to each other.

- Pecks on the cheek and forehead.

- Doing your homework together while listening to the radio; sometimes the both of you will quietly sing along.

- He likes putting his hand in your back pockets or front pockets when he’s behind you. He’ll lean his head on your shoulder and slide his hand in your front pockets pulling you back into his chest.

- He loves seeing you try new things with your hair, makeup, or clothes. He thinks it’s really cool to see you change different aspects of your appearance and diverge from the ordinary.

- He prefers innocent pda; he’d much rather keep what you do together private so the most you’ll get is a peck on the lips and his arms wrapped around you.

- If you’re slightly hidden or in an area that isn’t crowded he wouldn’t mind giving you an actual kiss. He actually likes the idea of kissing you in public but most of the time he imagines it more then he actually goes through with it.

- Teasing each other. He always gets this cute little smirk on his face when the both of you do.

“Oh really?”

“Yeah really.”

- He’s really soft with you; he’s had his moment of being rough and tough and he can officially say he’s done with being that person. He hated the feeling of standing in that ring and being delicate with you makes him feel much better about it.

- Occasionally he’ll have this sudden urge to just kiss you hard and passionately. It’s usually after he’s gotten frustrated or angry; he’ll just pull you in and take your breath away.

- You honestly wear the pants in the relationship. He pretty much follows whatever you tell him to do and let’s you lead whenever you two are doing something unless it’s his idea.

- He likes running his hands down your body both innocently and not so innocently. Just caressing your skin nice and slow as the two of you lay together, exploring every inch of you.

- You definitely teach each other a lot of things and take a lot of each other’s firsts.

- You patch him up after the fight and any bully situations. He’s always really thankful for you in these moments.

- You definitely glare at everyone when they ignore him at school and the both of you rant about brother Leon together.

- Archie has definitely flirted with you or sent someone to flirt with you to try and piss him off. It usually only works when it’s Archie even though he knows he’s just doing it to annoy him.

- When it’s someone other then Archie he gets more upset then angry and jealous. He trusts you wholeheartedly but he’ll compare himself to the guy and wonder if you’d like him better.

- It doesn’t take much to make him forget about the whole ordeal especially if you blow the guy off right away.

- You really never fight. Neither of you ever really have a reason to and if you do it’s easily resolved to the point where you can’t even call it an argument.

- You’re a pretty perfect couple. You rarely have problems and you’re always happy together. It’s obvious to everyone that the two of you are gonna last.

- He waits a while before he says his first “I love you”. He doesn’t exactly know when he’s supposed to say it so he just waits until he thinks it’s the perfect moment. The moment he says it makes up for all the time spent waiting; you can’t even really complain.

- He tells you about his mother later in the relationship. Of course you kind of know what happened but he actually gives you the details and how it affected him and his dad.

- He’ll sometimes say things like “she would have really liked you” when you ask about his mother or something about her comes up in conversation. It never fails to make your heart ache in a flattered/touched way.

- He definitely thinks about marrying you or at least your future together. He knows he’s too young to be thinking about that kind of stuff but everytime he looks at you smiling at him or feeling your hands on him he just can’t help it.

[surveys-at-your-service]

Survey #274

“now i can hear the marching feet / they’re moving into the street”

What color was the last swimsuit you wore? I only have a black one. Is your dream job attainable? I mean define “dream job.” I’d ideally be a meerkat biologist if I was willing to live in Africa and could handle even mild heat, but I can’t/won’t do either of those, so it’s not obtainable to me. I’d also love to be a paleontologist if I could travel and handle heat once more, but again, I can’t. My only *attainable* dream job is being a photographer, which I am aiming for. I’d LIKE to focus on nature/wildlife photography, but that’s unlikely to be able to support me, so. Do you have to go to school or work tomorrow? N/A Have you slept for longer than usual today? Yes, but only because of my nightmares. I tend to take at least two (though sometimes one) hour-long naps during the day because if I wake up once during the night, as I usually do, I’m fucked because I’m very likely to have an intense nightmare. It seems like the medicine I’m on wears off with consciousness, I guess. I only allow myself to sleep an hour at daytime because my mother has noticed if I have a nightmare, it’s usually no earlier than one hour into sleep. Even then I still have them occasionally. Have you ever taken classes for a musical instrument? Recorder in elementary school was necessary for whatever stupid reason, and then I played the flute for years. Out of school, I took guitar lessons for a while. I got semi-decent (at best I could do the intro to “Crazy Train” at normal speed, I think), but it didn’t last because it was annoying/time-consuming to build up the calluses that make playing painless, I was really bad at overthinking where my fingers were, and I just wasn’t invested quite enough. I’ll tell you, it gave me mad respect for guitarists, that shit isn’t easy by any means. Have you ever been on vacation with someone other than your family? Yes, though it was brief. I was a kid (okay, pre-teen, w/e) still in my separation anxiety from Mom phase and it was literally because of me we had to go home. I still feel shitty about it, though no one seemed upset at me. How old do you think you’ll be when you move out on your own? Who the fuck even knows anymore. Do you have a job? If so, where do you work? If not, do you want one? No; N/A; yes ultimately but no at the current moment because I have to keep watch over Mom. If you wear make-up, which brand of foundation/powder do you use? N/A Would you call yourself a “people” person? Nope. What is one change you need to make in your life this month? Just one??? What’s been tugging on your heart lately? My PTSD plus self-image has been very, very bad. What is the last thing you did that made you feel guilty? Mom had to clean up my cat’s projectile vomit even though she’s supposed to stay away from this kinda stuff through chemo. I literally cannot fucking touch vomit, never mind what came out of him that night. I felt like absolute fucking shit and I still do because WOW I’m a great adult right!! Do you have any physical traits that are bothering you lately? Like, everything. What kind of dog is your favorite? I’m biased to beagles. What was the last thing you received in the mail? A book. What is the last thing you wrote? Like, physically? My signature at the doctor’s office. Do you still care about the person you first kissed? Way fucking more than I should. Do you require a lot of private time? Definitely more than most people. Do you have any songs currently stuck in your head? I haven’t listened to it in forever for ~reasons~, yet “The Mortician’s Daughter” is stuck in my head badly and really needs to fuck off. What was the last song you downloaded? I dunno, I went on a download binge a while back. Have you ever read a really funny book? I remember at least one. “Bite Me” by IDR-Who. Some vampire satire. Have you ever done something humiliating while drunk? Never reached the point of being drunk. How would you react if your celebrity crush came to your door? fuckin YIKES I am NOT attractive rn go away Has your mom/dad ever walked in on you kissing or anything more with someone? HAHA my mom has always had the decency to knock, not so much his mom a;lwkejrewoei but the answer’s still no. What electronics are in your room? (DVD player, CD player, etc) This laptop, my phone, a Nintendo DS, my iPod… Do you have a box anywhere with special items you'll to keep forever in it? Yes, actually. Grew up calling them “treasure boxes.” Do you have any pictures of yourself on your bedroom walls? Lol no, I’d definitely prefer to not see myself as much as I can. That sounds melodramatic, but I’m being serious. It either depresses me or makes me angry. Does your dad collect anything? The Cleveland Browns’ football team stuff, for one. Maybe Carolina Hurricane stuff, too? Idk. I don’t live with him and don’t go in his “man cave” at his house often ha ha. What's better, a desktop or laptop? Explain. A laptop. Portable; that’s all the explanation ya really need. Do your parents still hide chocolate eggs around on Easter for you? Nah. What do you typically do on Easter Day? We go to my sister’s house to watch the kids do their egg hunting and open their gifts, then we usually go to Ashley’s in-laws’ for dinner. Is there anyone you literally need to exist? Apparently not. Thought so. Never let yourself into that state of mind. What would you prefer to get from a guy/girl: flowers, a hand-written poem, a picture he drew of you or a nice night out? Oh, a hand-written poem would wreck me, yeesh. Or a drawing. But any would be very sweet. Do you remember why you made the last mistake you did? I don’t know the most recent mistake, but probably because I’m just in general a terrified person who second-guesses or overanalyzes everything. Did you check how many calories the last thing you ate had? Yes. I’m back on my calorie-counting obsession again. Are your nails long or short? Short, always. I can’t keep them long. What is your favorite kind of cookie? Just the ordinary chocolate chip is fine. What was the last compliment you received? I don’t know. Who will be the next person you kiss? I normally delete this question because the answer should be so obvious, but I feel like just pointing it out that no one fucking knows who they’re gonna kiss next. It’s a dangerous mindset. Don’t make assumptions about what you’ll have even tomorrow. Have you ever made your own icon? Yeah, on many sites. They’re just about always just edits, though, not truly original work. What color is your computer mouse? It’s black. Have you ever been sung to on your birthday in a restaurant? Yes. Do you like black olives? I don’t like olives period. Do you actually think there will be a zombie apocolypse? Personally, no. I do think it’s scientifically possible, we already see this in insects, but I just don’t imagine it happening to humans before we’re our own downfall. Do you like the person you’ve become over the past years? Fuck no. Have you ever gone to church just to get a significant other? … No…? Have you ever punched a wall out of complete anger? No, that shit is terrifying. Are you really ticklish? YES don’t fucking touch me. How do you decide what you're going to eat each day? I just follow what I’m craving that day. How are you similar to your siblings? Different? Compared to Ashley and Nicole at least, I can’t think of any real similarities off the top of my head. They’re intelligent, motivated, outgoing, successful, yada yada, then there’s me. What's your favorite type of non-fiction literature? Autobiographies by people I’m actually interested in. Do you believe in souls? Soulmates? Souls, absolutely. Soulmates, no. It’s fairytale ideation to think your soul has a perfect match with another, hate to break it to ya. Favorite soundtrack? BITCH don’t make me choose between Shadow of the Colossus and Silent Hill 2. Fucking masterpieces. Pianos or guitars? *shrugs* Depends on the music and my mood. Did an animal ever bite you? Never seriously. How many languages do you speak? Only English fluently. I’m poor at German by now. Wiggly worms or bumble bees? Worms gross me out, bees are Good Boys. Religion? I don’t really identify with any. I just believe there’s some form of ultimate intelligence and essences beyond just the body, and that’s all I even pretend to know. Fog, thunder, or rain? Fog gives me that Silent Hill Vibe *Italian kiss* What regret keeps coming back to haunt you daily? The way I treated Jason after the breakup. If you could cure yourself of one allergy, what would it be? Damn pollen. Do you know anyone else with your name? Yeah. What would you be most afraid of happening if you were to visit Africa? Viruses or botflies. Where are you tempted to move to sometimes? I very legitimately want to live in Canada by now, but I won’t because I’m not moving that far from family. Who seems like they have the perfect life? I try not to make that assumption of anyone. Do you ever take pictures of negative moments? Does taking pictures of roadkill count???? lmao probably Do you think it would be a good idea to post photos of negative moments as well as positive? Well… I guess it depends. Like ngl, the pictures some people share of them having panic attacks to just show how fucking real they are definitely touch you, as do those depicting poverty, etc., BUT I really do think there are limits and also differences in motivations. What time zone are you in? EST. Would you ever post a picture of yourself crying on social media? Wow, speaking of. No. ^Why or why not? I am an UGLY cry-er, my man. But I also just don’t want people to see that, and it’s definitely not on my mind to take a picture during a breakdown. What was the last thing you cried about? My life. Have you ever held a newborn baby? Yes. Do you know anyone who has twins? Yes. Where do you buy calendars from? I don’t. Do you shop at the dollar store often? Not *often*, but we’ll stop by for a snack or something sometimes. Are you following in the career path of any family members? No. Do you feel you missed out on a lot as a kid? I guess in some ways. Who was that best friend you ever had? Sara. What color is your laptop? Black. What are five careers you think you’d be good at? My work history has shown I can’t do shit right. Are you thriving in your life right now? lmao no one is in 2020. Who do you have moral support from? My family, doctor, and a few friends. Who encourages you to go after your dreams? The same as above. Do you have people in your family who want you dead? Wow, I hope not. Do you have a walk-in closet? No, but my room at the new house will. :’) Not that I need one, it’s just pretty cool. How do you feel about people like Elon Musk, Bill Gates, and Jeff Bezos having so much power and control in the world? Do you believe that any one person should have so much power? Let’s be real, in our current world, money is power, and no one should have that much control of the world, especially if your intentions are bad. NOW I don’t know jack shit about any of those are far as morals go, but just saying. It’s dangerous. Has your anxiety alone ever prevented you from doing something you wanted to do? This is ACTUALLY the story of my fucking life. Do you enjoy reading stories and novels that are heavily stylistic, poetic, or unconventional or do you prefer your prose to follow a familiar grammatical structure? Okay, I LOVE those, like Johnny Got His Gun and The Handmaid’s Tale that’s kinda like, run-on writing. Just letting a train of thought go. Those are two of the most powerful books I’ve ever read and they’re both written in a unique fashion. Have you ever fallen for any sort of Internet-based hoax? (e.g., fake celeb death, satire news article…) I’m sure at some point, especially as a kid. Do you tend to read reviews before you watch a movie or read a book? What do you hope to get out of doing so? NO. I don’t wanna have any precognition. When you go to a concert, how far must you travel for the most usual venues you visit? Most are on the other end of the state, and NC is long, so. We’re lucky if they come to Raleigh. Do you rent movies frequently? I never do, really. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Take pictures or swim. What’s your favorite meal to cook? I don’t cook. What movie has been taken WAY too far, as far as sequels go? Oh, I’m sure there are some, but none immediately come to mind. I’m not that into movies. Do you refuse to eat certain foods because of what they look like? Yes. I am VERY poor at getting past how a food looks. What are you listening to? NSP’s cover of “Don’t Fear The Reaper.” It’s fuckin gorgeous. How much homework do you have tonight? N/A Are you wearing any bracelets? Yes; one that Sara got me as well as an ovarian cancer awareness one. What's physically wrong with you right now? JINKIES I just feel really lethargic like always. Do you take any medications daily? Ha ha thanks for actually reminding me I need to now. When was the last time you moved to a new house? Two years ago, and now we’ll be moving to a much better place by the end of this month/early September, finally. When it comes to relationships, are you the jealous type? Nah. Which gift cards do you have in your wallet? Idk actually. It’s not like I use it a lot. Can you remember the last time you felt ill? What was wrong with you? A few nights ago. I was extremely hot, dizzy, and pretty nauseated. I was fine, though. If you wear make-up, do you take it with you, to reapply throughout the day? Does your make-up stay for a long time after you first apply it, or do you find that you need to reapply often? Are you wearing any make-up atm? I pretty much never wear makeup so have never really had a reason to reapply it. I’m definitely not wearing any now. Does your kitchen have a theme? No. Do you like ice cream sandwiches? GIRL yes. Do you prefer earbuds or headphones? Earbuds. They’re more comfortable imo but more importantly block out exterior noise very well. Are you a fan of any independent films? ngl, I don’t know exactly what that is and I don’t feel like looking it up. Could you possibly write a successful novel? I very genuinely think some of the RP stories I’ve taken part in are novel-worthy, yes. I wanted to make them books when I was younger, but now I no longer do mainly because there are areas that are just way too fucking dark that I don’t wanna put out there but play massive parts in the stories, so like… Do you regularly watch the news? I never do. Facebook is my “news” source lmao. Who was the last person you video-chatted with? I don’t remember for sure, maybe some doctor? What do you want the theme of your wedding to be? I don’t really think about this, seeing as my mind has changed enough, and it also depends on what my partner wants, too. Have you ever been caught passing a note in class? Noooo, I absolutely hated passing notes because I was genuinely a good student. I only did so very, very rarely if another friend started it. Have you ever had dandruff? I have dandruff AND a dry scalp. It’s a wonderful mix. Have you ever gone through a phase of crushing on EVERYONE? Definitely not. Do you have any clothes with spikes/studs on them? I have a spiked choker, and I might still have gloves with studs? Can you remember what you last clapped for? My mom’s birthday! :’) Have you ever given a pet to someone else? Yes, with cats; we had to do that quite often when I was a kid because we had so many cats, none which we could afford to fix. Then we’ve done it with two dogs we just couldn’t handle. Oh yeah, I gave my iguana away too because he was too high maintenance for me, but also because he DESPERATELY needed a much bigger terrarium, which we couldn’t afford. I absolutely could not watch him in that tiny tank. I miss him a LOT, but he went to a wonderful home! The lady who adopted him sent me pictures upon pictures months after taking him in. Do you know anyone named Walter? No. What's your least favorite ice-cream flavor? Strawberry is fucking disgusting. And that’s coming from someone whose favorite fruit is strawberries. What's your least favorite song by your favorite artist? I’m not sure. There’s a handful that just don’t grab my attention that I don’t even remember them. What was the last good news you heard? I can FINALLY talk to my psychiatrist tomorrow. Who’s your favorite singer of all time? Probably Freddie Mercury. What airline do you fly most? Idk, I don’t really pay attention. I haven’t flown very often though anyway. Do you have a dog that is destructive? I don’t have a dog. What’s one TV series you’ve seen every episode of? Meerkat Manor is the most obvious, ha ha. Maaaaany times. Assuming you have Facebook, who last left you a wallpost? Probably my friend Sammi. Assuming you have hair, how are you wearing it today? It’s too short for me to “wear” it any particular way. It’s just… there lmao. Assuming you're not homeless, what kind of living arrangements do you have? I live with my mom in a house she’s renting. Have you or have you ever considered messing around with the same sex? I’m bisexual so you can guess I’m not opposed to it. Are you particular about any brands of food you will or will not eat? Are there any restaurants you refuse to go to? Brands, no. I don’t eat Chick-fil-a because they’re run by fucking homophobic bigots that monetarily support conversion therapy and other anti-LGBT projects. I’m not giving you any fucking money. What was the most current dream you can remember about? Do you generally dream every night, or hardly at all? It was actually last night, when I dreamed about accidentally running into Jason where I last knew he worked, and he was really hostile. If I don’t take my medicine, I always have nightmares when I sleep.

[deviant3lover]

Hopeless Garou is my fave Garou. Imagine Badd (or whoever you ship him with) flirt with him, but with terrible cheesy line. Other people around will be like rolling their eyes or pitying them internally 'coz nobody will fall for such a trick these days, ESPECIALLY NOT the ex Hero Hunter himself. But then Garou is totally flustered and people just go "WTF?!".

Continuation from previous ask. Sorry had to make it two parts. Alternate scenario where Garou is still totally flustered but try to flirt back with even more terrible line. If he manage to make a sentence that is.HAHA YESSS. I LOVE IT WHEN PEOPLE DESCRIBE GOOD VISUALS. THIS IS GREAT, ANON!!

And don’t be sorry! I have the bad habit of sending long, long asks myself. Just see some of the old asks I sent to Raya and you’ll see. Especially the soulmate one. Whew. Sorry about that, @rayadraws!

Thanks for waiting for this one to be answered, Anon! I worked a little too hard on it, and I’m not sure if I’m all too happy with how the fic turned out, but here you go!

(Putting this under Read More because again, I have the tendency to go on a tangent lmao-)

Garou can recover from basic corny pick up lines with relative ease once he gets used to them. But it’s the real intimate AND corny ones that get him to be the flustered wolfboy that ties his tongue together, his wittiness coming to a halt.

“I’m fighting the urge to make you the happiest man on earth tonight.”

The low, breathy, intimate lilt to their voice as they say that to him? Whispering it into his ear to make sure nobody knows what they’re saying? To make sure that their words are meant for him and no one else? That they mean it, and that this isn’t a prank?

Imagine that when they’re in private. Garou would try and bark out a laugh and taunting remark to cover up how flustered he is. But if they kept going, kept smooth talking him, tell him how much they loved him…

God knows how red Garou’s face would be. That bravado would slowly break apart until you have Garou hesitantly, but not unwillingly, be quietly more submissive. You order him to cuddle you? He’ll let out a half hearted huff, eyebrows furrowed down, eyes not looking at you, and nuzzles into your hand. Praise normally feeds into his ego, but heartfelt whispers about how sweet he is, how handsome he is, how he’s such a good boy?

Garou pretends that they’re cheesy lines that makes him groan in exasperation and tells them to stop, just like any other guy who hates corny stuff. But only part of it is true. One of the reasons he hated them was because they reminded him how alone and alienated he was from the status quo- he never particularly wanted a relationship himself, but with the way that the people around him kept cooing over their loved ones, a part of him knew that he was never particularly liked enough to have a sweetheart if he wanted a relationship. It’s just one of those things that made him bitter about what the popular can have but the hated cannot.

He’s witty enough to respond to cheesy lines over time, but the ones that really get him are intimate ones whispered only to him. Those ones aren’t challenges or playful teasing, but ones that cherish him.

Garou can act like the tough guy all he wants, but he’ll turn away so they don’t see his face. Way too embarrassing. ;3

(Audio CD’s are his guilty pleasure huehuehue-)

“Hey baby, I lost my number, can I get yours?”

Garou freezes, whirls around and sees a cute teen around his age asking for his number. Garou has a bit of a blush on his face, but it’s only a bit. Hell, no one hit on him before, so that must mean the lovesick sap meant that for someone else.

Garou turns around and keeps walking, scoffing to himself. Probably for one of the people in front of him.

“You don’t want my number, hero hunter?”

Garou chokes on his words and turns around again, the same guy/girl looking at him with a bit of a mischievous glint in their eyes, laced with a bit of confusion at him leaving.

Garou furrows his brow and slowly walks over to them, the visual not unlike a wary stray dog coming over to greet a human offering food.He stops right in front of them, glowering. “Look, you. I don’t know who put you up to this, but you’re messing with the wrong guy. Do you know who I am, dumbass?”

The offender just smiles, and takes a step forward. Garou’s glare intensified as a result of him not wanting to take a step back in response, but he’d be lying if he said he wasn’t a little wary of the look that they’re giving him. Scowls, glares, empty looks hiding disgust or rage, fear stricken eyes, he’s seen them all in his hero hunting career.

There’s no trace of it here. He can’t bargain to get them to leave him alone when they aren’t afraid of him or when they don’t want to capture him for some sweet, sweet cash.

He’s out of his element, but he’s survived worse, didn’t he? He can take out a squad of heroes while severely injured- he sure as hell can adapt and learn from a new threat.

The teen laces their hands together behind their back, and Garou’s eyes flick to them. Their clothing didn’t exactly have any pockets, and on this warm day, the material was pretty thin. The weapon they’d be hiding would be thin and all too easy to block or dodge. If they knew who he was, odds are that it’s going to be poisoned. Something powerful enough to kill him.

But they didn’t pull out a weapon. Nothing up their sleeves or from their pants.Their hands just laced together and their posture relaxed into a more coy demeanor. Garou’s eyes flicked back to their face, and holy-

“Everyone knows your name, Garou. But I want to be the only one who knows how you scream mine in bed.”

“WHA-“

Garou hisses in shocked mortification and bolts from them for a good foot or two. They were in a public space god damn it! There were only a few people around, but even they were starting to stare and whisper to each other. That little outburst got him more than a gasp from their ‘audience.’

Wait a fucking second.

Garou’s shock twisted into a hatred. No wonder they were acting so cutesy.“Real fucking classy, amateur. You think you’d have the balls and the wits to humiliate me in front of your fans?”

The teen’s eyebrows shot up to their forehead. Suddenly, the recognition sets in as they look to their sides, a few housewives whispering to each other in their doorways, quickly looking away when they catch them.

But none of it registers to Garou. The hatred- the self hatred- boils under his skin and wrenches his heart as an ugly feeling washes over him.

—

Memories of being torn down and humiliated as a kid- a girl who was the leader of her group laughing after revealing that her confession was a lie, her friends capturing it all on video. Memories of angry tears running down his face when they mock him for being such a sissy for blushing and smiling the way he did, and giving a heartfelt thanks for the beautiful bouquet of flowers she gave him.

The same one that was snatched from him and given to her boyfriend, who walked into the room upon her giving the cue. Taller, older, and playing for the school’s football team. A smug smile was the last thing Garou saw from her before a swift punch to his face from her boyfriend knocked his gaze to the floor, the aching, bruising feeling, the iron taste on his tongue, the loose tooth waggling from its place- it was all too much. He ran away from the little birthday ‘party’ he was invited to, the video and its views online acting as her sick present.

He didn’t bother coming to school that day. Tacchan would’ve seen it too.

—

But the H.A. was after his ass, and they’d do anything to pin any blame on his name for any sort of crime- misdemeanor or not.

He spat at the person’s feet and stalked away into the crowd, not noticing the apology on the tip of their tongue, the sorry look on their face, as he bit out some sweet, parting words:

“Piss off.”

——

Oh god, I really went into a tangent there didn’t I? And on an unhappy ending at that! I could’ve kept on going, but then I would have never finished it. ^^;; Anyway, hope you enjoyed~ :3