#instead i'm going to have to get a frozen drink after work to drink while i work on thumbs

[secretsoftheuniverse1987]

I can never fully immerse myself in one fandom at a time because I cannot read and write fic of the same fandom at the same time. I keep seeing all the RoyJamie Big Bang posts and I am excited to read them all but I know I will not enjoy them while I'm writing thumbs. Instead I am falling deeper into star trek and willing fall into existence by rereading some classic supernatural fics. (It's not working, it's eighty degrees out.)

[ziggyzolch]

Queen Bee-atch Ⅳ (Regina George x Reader)

Warnings: underage drinking, cursing, attempted assault

✮✮✮

Grass tickles your bare feet as you run around the field, picking pretty flowers and humming random tunes. Falling to the ground, you stare up at the sky. You turn your head to the sound of little footsteps approaching. A little kitten appears next to you on the ground and paws at your cheek, pressing harder and harder with each poke. How can something so tiny press so hard? The kitten opens its mouth, but instead of a meow, it lets out a, "Dude, wake up!"

You jump up in your bed, falling off and landing on your ass. Two voices laughing at you catch your attention. You look up and find Janis and Damien laughing their asses off, Cady standing behind them with her hands joined at her front, smiling. "What the hell, guys!" You stand up, rubbing your palm into your eyes, "What're you guys doing here?"

Janis adjusts your blanket as she takes a seat on your bed, "Cady told us what happened, we came to check on you." She says while pulling you down to sit next to her. "It's nothing, seriously." You roll your eyes at her. Cady joins in, "Look, there's a Halloween party tonight, you should come with!" Your groan is interrupted by Damien, "Girl, you look horrible. It'd be good for you to go out and get your mind off of things. If anything happens, me and Janis are waiting for you at her house."

Never in a million years would you be caught dead at a high school house party, but you don't think they're going to take no for an answer. "You need a distraction, some fun! You do know what fun is, right?" You shove her lightly with a smile on your face. Cady celebrates at your reluctant nod, "It'll be so fun!"

✮✮✮

Spoiler alert, it was not fun. The crowding and loud sounds were starting to become overstimulating, and Cady had ditched you to look for Aaron the second you reached. You were clad in a short black dress with fake blood smeared on the bottom half of your face. In the 15 minutes since you reached, you've been pushed, cursed at, and almost thrown up on. You were now leaning against the kitchen counter, nursing your 5th cup of mystery alcohol. There was no way you'd stay sober at a party like this. You thank whatever god is out there that your tolerance was low. The familiar buzz had made itself known 4 drinks ago, and you were now borderline drunk, watching Shane Oman approaching you.

Regina had been watching you take shot after shot from the other side of the room. Her plan was to drag Aaron away from Cady and guilt-trip him into getting back with her, but she couldn't bring herself to take her eyes off of you. The memory of you running out of her room crying was still fresh in her mind. God! Why is she being like this? Who even invited you!? Pushing you to the back of her mind, she stomps towards Aaron, dragging him away with the intention of carrying out her plan, when she notices Oman attempting to get with you.

You were frozen up, your feeble attempts to push him away weren't working. "Come on, you want this. Think of this as your apology for being an ungrateful bitch-" A punch lands on his jaw before he could continue. Using all your strength, you lift your head up and see a familiar senior readjusting his stance. "Thank you, Aaron, I'll take it from here," Regina smiles gratefully at him as he drags a barely conscious Shane out of the party.

Her attempts to wrap your shoulder around her were stopped by you weakly shoving her away. "F-fuck you, b-bitch," You slur out while swaying on your feet. Regina sighs, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Do you have a ride? Do you know how you're getting back home?" You squint your eyes at her, about to reply, when you fall into her arms, mumbling incoherent insults. "That's what I thought." She grunts, placing her hands under your armpits and lifting you upright. "I'm good, I'm good-" Regina's eyes widen as you turn, throw up, then fall to the ground. "Gross, gross, gross, gross..." Regina gags as she picks you up from where you were lying in your own vomit.

"Move!" Regina bumps into Cady on her way to the front door, ignoring her calling after her.

"Hey! What the hell happened?" Cady yells over the loud music.

"Maybe you'd know if you didn't ditch her for a boy!" Regina snaps, adjusting her hold on you.

"Oh fuck you! I saw you about to chat it up with Aaron, and she was fine by herself!"

"No she wasn't! She's like an antisocial puppy, why would she be fine at a party?"

A groan coming from you stops Cady from retorting.

Sighing, she looks at Aaron then back to Regina, "Now's not the time. Please take her back to yours. I'll call her mother and tell her she'll be staying at mine."

As much as Regina wanted to argue that Cady brought you here, so she should be taking care of you, she takes a deep breath and walks away, shoulder bumping Cady for good measure. Being the bigger person really suits her.

✮✮✮

You were being insufferable. Throughout the whole car ride back to her house, you kept making lame angel jokes, which she assumed were meant to be insulting. She was now wrestling you into her bathroom.  Your whine bounces around the bathroom walls as Regina finally manages to place you on the edge of her bathtub. "Sit still and lift your arms up, puppy" Regina doesn't let her eyes linger on your body as she peals your dress off of you. 

After pointing out where the body wash and shampoo was and making sure you were good to wash up on your own, she exits the bathroom and takes out clothes for both of you. She rushes into the bathroom after hearing you call out her name. "I'm done" you say, avoiding eye contact.  The shower had sobered you up enough to feel embarrassed about how you were acting.  She smirks at your sudden shyness.

After handing you a towel and waiting for you to cover up, she leads you to her bed. "I'll be back, okay? Gotta wash your vomit off of me." She laughs at your glare and walks away.

✮✮✮

It's been 10 minutes since you woke up and you haven't moved from your spot, staring at the ceiling, mortified. God! You can't face Regina after yesterday. Sneaking out without letting her know was your only option. You put on the first pair of shoes you find as quietly as possible. 'I should become a spy' You thought immediately before bumping straight into her bedroom door.

 Regina jumps up, now awake, and finds you at her door rubbing your head. The second you notice that she's up, you move to open her door, but are stopped by her hand on your shoulder.

"How are you so fast-"

"You're leaving already?" Regina interrupts.

You roll your eyes, "What do you want, Regina?"

"Seriously? You're being a bitch after I took care of your drunk ass?"

You could feel heat creeping up your neck. "Sorry. Thank you, really, but I have to go."

"No, fuck! Can we please talk?"

You really didn't want to talk about her making fun of your weight after she saw you naked, but you knew she wouldn't stop, so you compromised, "Look, I am really busy this whole weekend. I give you full permission to drag me away if you find me at school, though."

 "Okay." She really wanted to talk to you now, but this was better than nothing. You bid her a goodbye, making sure to avoid her mother on the way out. You truly had no idea why she even cares about your opinion of her, but you figure she felt bad for you after realizing who you were and was trying to make up for it.

Moving to lay back down on her bed, her eyes widen in realization. She never gave you a change of clothes, and you were now unknowingly walking home in booty shorts with 'SLUT' plastered on the back.

✮✮✮

A/N : not proofread, so tired. sorry for any mistakes or awkward wording. thank you for reading!

[ddejavvu]

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE can we get reader being harassed by some guy in an alleyway and hotch is walking by with the team (perhaps going to get drinks after wrapping up a case) AND HE LIKE STEPS IN AND THREATENS THE GUY?? MAYBE EVEN FLASHES HIS BADGE OR SM. Basically I'm thirsty for some protective!hotch <3

You're reminded of how unpredictable life can be when you're yanked backwards unexpectedly, tugged into the darkness of a shadowed alley between two buildings. Five seconds before you'd been thinking about dinner, and now you're not sure you'll live to see another meal.

"Cash," The man grunts, his mouth pressed to your ear as his arm cuts tight around your neck, "I need cash."

"My- my bag," You whimper, frozen stiff in fear and rendered useless, "I- I don't have much, but you- you can take it."

He throws you forwards, ripping your bag off of your shoulder in one fluid motion. He rifles through it while you relearn the art of breathing, but before he can pull your measly collection of bills from the inside pocket of your wallet, there's a gun over your shoulder pointed at his head.

For a moment, you're so dazed that you honestly think you might be holding it. But you don't have a gun, and your wrist doesn't have the dark, wiry hair on it that you see beneath a grey sleeve of whoever's got the weapon.

"Drop the purse, and the knife." A voice booms through the alleyway, deep and firm. If it was directed at you, you'd spook like a horse, and your assailant looks properly terrified.

"It's just a little cash, man," Your attacker tries, "I- I know her! She's my girlfriend."

Your savior knows he's lying before you shake your head vigorously, but you do it anyways, because sitting there and doing nothing feels wrong.

"You've already assaulted someone in front of a federal agent, don't make it worse for yourself by lying about it, too. You're lucky I don't have my cuffs with me or I'd haul you into the back of my SUV and take you down to the station right now. Instead, you're going to drop the purse, and the weapon, and run as fast as you can, because the more time you sit there and let me look at you, the better my chances are of describing you to a sketch artist and placing a warrant out for your arrest."

By the middle of the man's speech, your attacker is trembling just as much as you are. He drops your bag and his knife on command, barely avoiding tripping over the edge of the gutter drain as he flees the scene.

As soon as the gun isn't necessary anymore, the man behind you stashes it in a holster, but you can't see, your back feels permanently adhered to the wall you'd backed up against.

"You're okay," The man assures you, and his voice is much more soothing at a softer tone. He bends to gather your purse, tucking a tube of chapstick back into its confines before holding it out as a peace offering to you.

"He's gone," He promises, ducking down where your eyes are stuck to peer worriedly at you. He has a handsome face, but it's pinched in concern, big brown eyes dripping with care, "And I will put that warrant out for his arrest. Are you alright? Did he hurt you?"

"No," You breathe, still pressed to the wall even as you shake your head, "No, he- Thank you, I- I don't know what I would have done without you."

"I usually show up to these things a little late," He grimaces, dropping your purse back down to his side and holding out an empty hand instead, "Can I help you get where you were going?"

"Home." You mutter, "I was- I was going home. After work."

"I can drive you there, if you'd like." He offers, pleased when you reach out with a shaky hand to take his own, "Or we can walk, whichever you prefer. I just want to make sure nothing else happens."

"Um, I- I can pay for a ride. Here," You take your purse back, tugging a bill out that you're lucky to still possess, "If- it's just down the street, if you really don't mind."

"Keep it," He pushes your hand back towards your purse, "I just stopped a guy from taking your money, I'm not gonna do the same. My car's right outside, okay? Let me help you there. And- uh," He rifles through his jacket, "I wasn't lying about being an agent." He showcases a black-covered badge, Supervisory Special Agent Aaron Hotchner written in bold lettering beneath his name, "You'll be safe with me."

"Okay," You nod, accepting the hand that he holds your arm with to ease you off of the wall and onto your shaky legs, "Uh, thank you, Agent- Hotchner."

"No need." He murmurs, eyes scanning the crowd to make sure there's no sign of your assailant, "Let's just get you home safe, honey."

[pompadourpink]

hi mom! i'm starting uni in september, i'm moving to a new city so i need to start shopping and all, but also my parents didnt really give me advice and im the eldest so im kinda lost, do you have any advice?? XX

Hello darling,

The ABC:

Uni is scary because your free-will goes from 8 to 90 in two months and freedom is intoxicating. Making up for lost chances can lead to bad choices (spending, dating, partying).

If your family failed to parent you, it is now your job. Autonomy is essential. Learn to cook, budget, clean, be clean, save, be a good citizen, make scary phone calls, keep yourself safe, prioritise.

No one will force you to get up and study, or hire you at 21 when competing with a bright 18 year old. Effort will not betray you (being a grown lazy gifted child will).

Have shared hobbies, from movie Sundays with a girlfriend to knitting with your sister. A social life is a happy life.

Trust your body, it knows. Stomach cramps mean we hate him, daydreaming means try, yawning means bed, not coffee.

The home:

Make a cleaning schedule, be open-minded and reasonable, do not do or say anything your landlord wouldn't like (I fully recommend having roommates once for exposure therapy).

If you have a neighbour your age, introduce yourself. Having that phone number will one day mean not having to sleep outside or getting a package stolen. Thank them with food.

Start documenting problems right away (photos, timestamps, screenshots, testimonies) as you may need to take action later. No emotions, you're just "worried about everyone's wellbeing".

Mould, vermine and leaks are enemies. Act yesterday.

Avoid big purchases. You don't know what the future (location, size, taste) looks like. Go secondhand, neutral, practical.

Avoid silly purchases: streaming, takeout, drinks, fast fashion. You will not regret having a downpayment saved in ten years.

If you ever need to do emergency laundry, put a bin or a bucket in the shower, add water and detergent (+ soda crystal for stains or whitening), wait an hour, rinse, wring, hang.

The shopping:

My grandmother has kept her house clean with a broom, bucket, squeegee broom wrapped in a floorcloth and Marseille soap since the 60s. When something doesn't work, look back.

Must-haves: cleaning (see #1 + cloths, soda, lemons, white vinegar, steel wool), hygiene (scraper, net, shower head filtre, first aid), night (good pillow, plugs, mask) supplies, freezer if possible, water filtre, reusable period protection, winter clothes, long chargers, sunscreen, friend living at home who will lend you tools.

Must-not-haves: anything trendy, collections (even books), a pet - don't let Felix keep you back, sleep over and study in Paris!

Have an emergency kit (+ whatever you need) + a smaller version in the car/at the office (with cash).

Fresh fruit, starches, a few types of frozen vegetables, of cans of legumes, of fresh, canned and frozen protein, a treat, something fun once in a while to experiment + a (bi-)monthly outing.

A couple of formal outfits. Large black dress pants, white shirt, dark grey thin jumper, pencil skirt, blazer, large coat, trench coat, loafers, heels, tall boots. Never slouchy or skin tight, plain.

Craigslist, Facebook marketplace, thrift stores. Spend a few hours making a perfect home board on Pinterest instead of listening to TikTok and taking what Ikea gives you.

The social life:

Make one or two real friends and cherish them forever. Support each other, travel, buy a house together, idk.

Don't be afraid to be/do things alone. You shouldn't be afraid of what your head says when it's not distracted.

Don't miss out on huge opportunities for people. Some are around out of necessity and will ghost you after graduation.

Do not try to impress, especially people you don't like and who don't like you. Do not do or say anything cops wouldn't like. Be a homebody who doesn't drink if that's what you want.

Do not try to educate those who will not learn.

Do not befriend someone who lacks confidence as they will make you pay for their jealousy, nor someone who wants a free therapist. Those relationships will be one-sided.

Befriend a couple of older girls. They will see through the lies of the people (men, classmates, employers) trying to fool you.

The love life:

The thirty-two year old man doesn't find you mature, he finds you inexperienced and malleable. Don't try meth thinking you're special enough to not get addicted.

If a date mocks you and you get mad, either that is who he is or he hates you. If you got mad, he is not for you. Your job is not to pretend you don't care so he can have a girlfriend.

Ask yourself if you would tell your best friend, mother, Taylor Swift, that he (hers) didn't mean it like that. If not, take a break from dating and think about why you think you don't deserve respect.

Don't forgive what you don't want to tolerate.

Don't try to force a relationship with someone who made it clear that he is, for whatever reason, not interested. You will be played like a fiddle until he meets someone he wants.

Don't try communicating with someone who is messing with you on purpose. No one ignores you for three days or sleeps with your friend or breaks your favourite necklace after an argument by accident. Also, your husband would never.

The daily life:

Have a clean e-mail address (firstname.lastname) for official biz and a casual one (f.lastna) for everything else, a solid password (Lanadelrey1984#) - change it yearly - and a list of the usernames and passwords you didn't pick.

If you don't trust your parents, block them off your account or open a new one when you turn 18 before they rob you.

Save a year worth of expenses, don't purchase what you couldn't buy twice now, don't replace what still works, give yourself week-long thinking periods before spending.

Get folders for your paperwork and keep them safe + take pictures for an encrypted Drive (beware of iCloud): diplomas, flat, car, big purchases, work, taxes, health, etc.

Print pics and make albums. One day, the app will die.

Mind your health. Exercise weekly (cardio/strength, ex: runs + weighted Pilates), walk, get more water, sleep, and fibre, take vitamin D, mind your eyes/ears/skin/teeth, stretch, leave.

Only invest energy, money, or time into what is worth it. FaceTime before the date. Get secondhand leather boots instead of replacing plastic. Drop the book after 100 bad pages.

Refuse conversations with people whose lives you wouldn't want, who happily overwork for a mediocre wage and don't know how old their children are. The handcuffs are homemade.

The job:

People will not forget how you made them feel and the world is a small place. Colleagues, clients, bosses will gossip: make sure it is for good reason. Dress and look clean, stand straight, be on time, never ever gossip, even when you were wronged.

Understand the power of sobriety. Be known for the success of your last project, not your bright skirts or temper.

Protect future you so you get the promotion/project/raise. No friends, no enemies. Smile, have neutral answers, make them talk, move on, make your IG private, google your name.

Lie. You don't avoid them, you eat lunch with your nana (hi Paula, no, I forgot about the hairdresser's), weren't unemployed, your father was ill, cannot go out, you have a birthday party.

Act boring with the jealous old woman or the obnoxious man. Take the fake compliment for a real one, don't understand the innuendo, have too much work to chat. Bullies get bored.

Instead of clapping back (see #3), be Cinderella, who ignores the insults and turns to Mr. No nonsense, who has been there twenty years, worryingly asking if Ethel is okay, I don't know what to do (no mention of ego, you're just distraught about her).

Sites to look up: Proton (mail, VPN, drive), Notion.

Love,

Mum

(PS - apologies if the she/he thing doesn't match you, this is a flexible plan for all of my children)

[emphasisonthehomo]

Top 5 Tommy Headcanons

Tommy grills. He's not a kitchen man. He likes to be outside, he likes that primal edge of just meat and fire. Buck really balances him out in this aspect. Before Buck, Tommy was a bagged salad or frozen peas kind of guy. Boring and basic. He didn't put too much thought into side dishes, or ways he could elevate his proteins. He'd grill something, slap it on top of some romaine, and call it a day. Now that he's got Buck bumping elbows with him while they cook dinner, he's on cloud nine. Buck can make a regular schmegular salad feel like an entrée. Buck can throw together a side like no one's business. Tommy can and will kill a man to be bossed around his own kitchen as Buck instructs him on how to build a pasta salad.

Tommy has too many hobbies because he's lonely. Dating has had it's ups and downs for him, and because of that he's been feeling adrift. He really wants someone to share his life with, and he tends to keep a busy schedule. He wants to sleep because he's exhausted, without having to stare at the ceiling and feel like he's too alone in his bed. And then suddenly Buck is spending the night. Tommy doesn't wake up alone in the mornings anymore, and it makes him want to slow down and enjoy his day to day, instead of being busy all of the time.

Tommy got into cars in the army, and has had several project cars over the years. He likes to buy something that will take A Lot of work, and then take his time with it. There's something very satisfying about having to hunt high and low for parts, and slowly turn a hunk of metal into a functioning vehicle. He does sell them after the fact, and has managed to make a narrow profit every time. Which is a miracle. Unfortunately it looks like his truck is now his new project car. It's a 2003 Chevy Silverado, and now that it's old enough to drink, he really has to put effort into keeping it running.

Tommy's got terrible and embarrassing music taste. He got deep into nü metal as a tween/teen, and it's stuck with him. Corey Taylor was and is his number one celebrity crush. Shut up. He doesn't go to shows very often anymore. When he does, he will get in the pit, and regret it deeply the next morning. He's pretty sure a wall of death will actually kill him one day.

Tommy is transgender. I'm about 50k into it, with about 30k posted so far.

[mc-lukanette]

Marinette scrolled through her contacts, struggling to keep herself covered by her blanket with one hand whilst using her phone with the other. She kept the hand just barely outside of the blanket, enough for her to see but without sticking it too far out of the cocoon of warmth she'd crafted for herself.

It was freezing, and moving was not an option, As she was sitting on her chaise lounge with her bed's blanket around her, she couldn't go to her computer nor do any of her usual hobbies that involved—well, anything. She could've downloaded a game on her phone to play, but she didn't need to end up becoming addicted. The last thing she wanted was to be featured in an article titled Paris Goes Up in Flames While Ladybug Works On Her Fictional Hamster Restaurant.

She'd just have to call someone. Her contacts were vast with all the people she'd gotten to know or needed to exchange numbers with, but the actual options were limited. There were certain expectations of what kind of call she'd get depending on the person, so instead of the name of the person, she pictured what she expected to get if she called them.

Drama, anxiety, gossip, more anxiety, crafts—ah—!

She stopped on one contact in particular, tipping her head back and letting out a triumphant exhale. It was after sunset, so she knew he wouldn't be working. She could only hope that he didn't mind being called.

Putting the phone to her ear, she waited. The rocking ringtone had her bouncing a bit, but she was careful not to move so much that it undid her cocoon.

Eventually, a click followed and Luka's familiar voice greeted, "Hey, Marinette."

She hummed contentedly, already feeling soothed. "Hi. Sorry if I interrupted anything."

"No. I left my phone on my bed when I went to get a drink," he explained, having already guessed (correctly) that it was the amount of time it took for him to pick up that concerned her. "How are you?"

"Nnngh," she whined at the mention. "Cold. My parents went away for the weekend and I don't want to warm up the whole house just for me." Pouting, she added with spite, "I think the space heater's in their bedroom, but they locked the door before they left."

"Ah." She could practically hear the sympathetic frown. "...You could break in?"

She snorted, knowing exactly what he was referencing, "I'm only an expert in sneaking into TV studios, not breaking into people's bedrooms. Besides, it's too cold to move anyway. Maybe the lock is frozen."

"Can I help?" He sounded genuine in the request despite not being there himself. The question made sense since she'd called: either she needed something from him or just wanted a distraction.

Marinette stalled on answering. Thinking it was one thing, but she feared it might sound embarrassing coming out of her mouth. A friend could say it to another friend without them feeling like it was weird, right?

"Uh, well... you already are?" She curled in further on herself, like a turtle trying to draw into its shell. "I thought it'd help with the cold if I called someone, and you... were the warmest person I could think of...?"

There was a sound on the other line - it could've been a word, could've been a choke, could've meant nothing at all - but then there was only silence. Marinette pulled the phone away to check the call, confirming that it was still going.

Finally, Luka spoke again, "I'll come over."

"W-what?" She put the phone back to her ear. "Right now?"

She could faintly hear footsteps as he replied, "I can help you stay warm."

"Wait—" She cut herself off when she heard a noise as if Luka had hit or stumbled over something, but he didn't make any acknowledgment or yelp over it. "Luka, you can't! It's too cold outside!"

"Maybe," he acknowledged, "but then I'll be at the warmest place I could be."

And then the call cut off, presumably as Luka hung up to leave. Marinette gaped at her phone's screen, then outright dropped her phone into her cocoon and fully submerged herself into it.

He called me warm!

Things had been like that ever since he had confessed to her, or maybe ever since they'd started work on the music video. She wasn't quite sure, but they'd definitely spoken and done more with each other as of late.

Either way, he was coming and she finally had something motivating enough to make her get up, taking the blanket with her.

——

Marinette was sitting at the bottom of the stairs, feeling strange about being close to the bakery without the warmth coming with it, when there was finally a knock at the side door. Her head jerked up, seeing Luka past the glass, and hurried to open the door for him.

A gust of cold wind blew in, sapping the warmth from her and causing her teeth to chatter, but Luka was quick to come in so they could close it as soon as possible.

"It's even colder out there than I thought..." Marinette trailed off, taking Luka in. "...Where's your coat?"

"I c-couldn't find it," he replied, movements notably slower than usual as he pulled at the strap of his duffel bag to bring it in front of him, "b-but I grabbed everything that might help with the cold—"

She reached up, his voice cutting out as she touched his cheek. It was like ice against her fingertips, earning a gasp out of her. "You're freezing!"

He might've said something in defense of himself, but she wasn't listening. She knocked the duffel bag strap from his shoulder, grasped the far edges of her blanket, and immediately went in for a hug.

The cold coming off of Luka bit her in return, but she didn't let go. He'd gone through all the effort to come by and she'd been raised better than to leave a guest to be cold.

Besides, two friends could share a little body heat, and he would've refused if she'd offered the entire blanket since it would've left her cold. In that respect, it was a genius idea that only Ladybug could come up with on the fly.

He was stiff, his heart racing from what she'd assumed was him having run there, but then he hugged her back. She'd been anticipating all of the cold, yet it wasn't all bad. He was still warm in the traditional Luka way.

——

After ensuring that he had recovered enough from the cold and had put his duffel bag back on, Marinette insisted that he share the blanket with her. There was a bit of back and forth over it considering the stairs, but ultimately they squished together and took the top corner on their side to pull towards their chest to keep at least their backs covered. There was no way the blanket would wrap fully around both of them, but they managed.

It probably wasn't doing a very good job of blanketing them, but it was equal and the only thing they could agree on. Surprisingly easily, they also went up the stairs in sync, as if stepping to a beat that only they could hear.

"Marinette," Luka began as they reached the top, looking around curiously, "did your power go out?"

"Hm? No."

While the lights were off and it was after sunset, it was still early enough that the light from the windows still made things visible enough. Besides, she had a plan in mind.

Pushing open the door to reveal the living room and kitchen, Marinette grinned in satisfaction at the feeling it brought her. She'd set up battery-powered candles strategically around the area, explaining as much to him, "Candles feel so much warmer than normal lights. I thought that if we couldn't deal with the real cold, we could deal with the cold in our minds. Atmosphere helps, you know?"

Luka stared - really stared - at their surroundings, taking in the full scope of her efforts. His mouth opened when he met her eyes like he had something to ask her, but stopped short and shook his head instead.

"Luka?"

"It looks great," he praised. "I feel bad that the food I brought doesn't match the tune though."

"Hm?" She glanced at his bag, reminded of what he'd said earlier. "Oh yeah! What'd you bring?"

Determined not to release the blanket, he fumbled with the bag one-handed until she used her free hand to hold it in place so he could pull the zipper back. Inside was something large and fluffy, as well as two cups of instant noodles, each in different flavors.

Regretfully, he admitted, "We were out of hot chocolate."

"No no, this'll work!" She hovered a hand over the two, but hesitated. "Uh, can I pick either?"

"I picked two in case you didn't like one of them."

"Oh." That reassured her that Luka was happy with either, so she snatched the one she preferred. "We should have an electric kettle somewhere to heat the water."

Which, of course, led to another problem: they'd committed to the blanket by then and thus didn't have both of their hands free to actually work anything. Marinette didn't doubt that she could do it all one-handed in a pinch, but it'd be a pain.

Then, remembering what they'd done with the duffel bag just a moment ago, she glanced at her hand and Luka's, noting amusedly, "We have two hands between the both of us?"

He snorted, raising his free hand to show his approval at the ridiculousness of it all.

——

In the end, they worked together after all. Luka would open the cupboard, Marinette would get the kettle, he would turn on the sink while she held it, and so on. They struggled most getting the protective plastic off of the ramen cups, but it was fun and they managed with their level of teamwork.

She chuckled internally at the situation, imagining telling her partner as Ladybug that he was being replaced. Knowing him, that might be the one time he took something seriously, but it was funny to think about.

They did a little bit of clean-up while waiting for the ramen to be done, then carried both cups - utensils included - up to her room. Marinette had it set up in the same way as the kitchen, so there were more candles placed around to provide the perfect amount of warm lighting.

"Hold on," Luka requested. To Marinette's shock, he let his side of the blanket drop along with his duffel bag, putting his cup of ramen aside so he could slowly coax the large fluffy fabric out with both hands.

It was another blanket. She almost asked him why he hadn't used it before - not that she'd taken any issue with the results - but then the sound of something hitting the floor with a 'clack' got her attention. Searching for the source, she saw a large, unwieldy cable coming out from a spot in the fabric.

Ah. It was an electric blanket.

He laid it down on the floor and went to plug it in while she abandoned their original blanket on her chaise lounge. They both seemed to wordlessly agree that it was a better idea to sit on a harder and flatter surface to ensure that they didn't cause any spills with their cups.

When Luka returned from setting things up, they both sat on the blanket and fashioned the rest to go across as much of their lower body as possible. While it left their upper bodies exposed, they needed more room around their front to eat anyway and the ramen would likely do well enough in warming them.

"How is it?" Marinette asked while gathering up a good bit of her own with her utensil.

He hadn't actually eaten any yet, so she waited for him to take a bite. He chewed the ramen more slowly than expected, but she supposed he wanted to give her a proper answer.

"It's good." He glanced at hers as well. "What about yours?"

She took the bite, having been waiting for him to ask. It tasted good and everything, just as his did, but her takeaway was a pleased, "Warm."

They had a bit of a laugh before focusing on the food again. Marinette figured that she could've pulled out her phone and found something for them to watch while they ate, but it was actually nice just sitting with him and eating together.

While they ate, she found her gaze wandering to his ramen rather than hers, even though the only difference visually was the broth's color. It was strange how she'd been the one who got the first pick of the flavors, yet suddenly his was looking more appealing to her.

She kind of wanted to try it, but wouldn't it be rude to ask? It was only right that she make an offer first so things were fair.

"Luka," she called, preparing another bite of ramen. When he looked over to see what she wanted, she held it out to him. "Want some?"

His gaze went to the bite, then her, then back to the bite again. At first, she thought he might refuse her, but then he leaned in, opening his mouth and claiming what she'd offered him. The content hum that he let out afterward made her skeptical of his earlier implication that he liked both flavors equally.

Licking his lips in satisfaction, he asked in return, "Do you want some too?"

"Mhm~" She leaned in advance, trying to look prepared, not eager.

She didn't often have ramen, but she knew she'd tried the one that he'd had before. They must've changed the recipe too as, when she let him feed it to her, it tasted better than she remembered it being.

As she was chewing to savor it, Luka averted his gaze from her, though not looking at anything in particular. There was clearly something on his mind and she wondered if it had anything to do with what he stopped himself from saying earlier.

"...Marinette," he began slowly, "are you... comfortable with me?"

She tilted her head, having had no idea that had ever been a question for him. "Yeah, of course I am? Aren't you comfortable with me?"

He nodded. "I've always been comfortable with you, but I wouldn't blame you if you felt awkward after what I said at the TV studio."

"At the TV..." She blushed, the memory springing to mind immediately. "That? No, no way, why would I?"

He didn't answer, but she could tell that he didn't have a problem with what they were doing. He was just trying to understand, but understand what? She didn't get it. He'd confessed to her, sure, but they'd grown closer if anything else, so there was nothing to be confused by. She not only was doing everything he was doing on their little hang out in her home, but first, so if anything it was her who you'd think had the...

Marinette froze, even though she hadn't felt cold since Luka had gotten there. To say that a final puzzle piece was put in its rightful place wouldn't be accurate, as it was more like she'd been only playing with one when the entire rest of the puzzle dropped down to complete everything.

She hugged him for warmth for far longer than she should have, she pressed up against him and eagerly shared a blanket, she made sure that they continued sharing the blanket, she fed him and even wanted a bite of his food, and then there was the little detail of setting up candlelight.

Luka had been so befuddled by all of this because he'd confessed and she only got closer to him in response without explicitly telling him why that was. He could make assumptions, certainly, but he never liked to.

She stared down into the broth of her ramen, swirling it around while she gathered her thoughts. At the same time though, if she stayed quiet long enough, then Luka would no doubt change the subject to give her a way out.

She didn't want that.

"Do—" She pressed her lips into a thin line, mulling over the question once more. "...Do you want another taste?"

It sounded like a switch in topic and Luka treated it as one, nodding as if the discussion had never happened. He leaned towards her to prepare for another bite, but she silently set aside her cup of ramen. She took his as well, letting the two cups sit next to each other to leave their hands free.

Without another word, she took his confused face in her hands and kissed him. The salty taste of the ramen still lingered on his lips and hers, but she didn't care. She held him there, only able to hope that the gesture got her whole point across.

Especially because, as soon as she pulled away from his blushing face, she made a break for it. Leaving the electric blanket's warmth behind, she fled to the chaise lounge to her abandoned blanket and dove underneath, surrounding herself with it until it was like she'd made a protective dome around herself.

"I'm sorry!" she let out, even though it would sound slightly muffled to his ears.

There was a shuffling noise, followed by rapid footsteps that indicated Luka's approach. He sounded cautious, wondering aloud, "You're sorry... for kissing me?"

"No." Her answer was immediate. "Just... I-I wasn't used to things like this being like this."

Despite the nonsensical phrasing, he - being the fascinatingly understanding boy he was - somehow made sense of it. "...Being in love?"

"Mm," she hummed affirmatively. The chaise lounge's cushion underneath her shifted from the weight distribution and she knew that Luka must've sat down near her, so it was okay to be quieter as she elaborated, "It's never been comfortable before."

It sounded bizarre even though it'd come from her own mouth, but it was true. She'd done all manner of things for what she'd thought was love, most of them ending in either failure, outright humiliating herself, or both.

Yet, when Luka came along, the word "failure" didn't have a meaning in her relationship with him and she wasn't so anxious as to make a fool out of herself. They had already bonded as friends and he was happy with that - they both were - so where was the risk?

There wasn't any; just two teens who loved each other as both friends and lovers.

"You don't have to apologize," Luka assured. A lightness returning to his voice, he added, "But... I want to give you a taste too."

Marinette's face burned, and not entirely out of embarrassment. She'd come up with that line on the fly and he was actually rolling with it.

Slowly, she reached out for the edge of the blanket closest to Luka, lifting it up just enough to let some light pour in. He slid his hand right in front of the newly-made opening and, feeling prepared, she reached out and covered his hand with hers.

Pushing herself up with her other hand, she sat up and brushed the blanket back so it fell over her shoulders. Luka smiled fondly at her, grabbing at the electric blanket he'd brought with him on his lap so he could move and face her better. She helped him adjust until they were side-by-side against the chaise lounge's backrest, both laying on and being surrounded by the blanket's warmth.

Happy to fulfill his request, she let him caress her cheek and return her earlier kiss, all thoughts of ever having been cold before he arrived long forgotten.

[makeitmingi]

Cause Baby You're My Muse [Chapter 28]

Genre: Romance, Idol!AU, Music, Slight angst

Pairing: Mingi x Reader (y/n)

Characters: Producer!Reader, IdolLyricist!Mingi, IdolProducer!Hongjoong, Idol!Seonghwa, Idol!Yunho, Idol!Wooyoung, Idol!San, Idol!Yeosang, Idol!Jongho, cameo(s) by other celebrities

Summary: You always preferred producing underground, having an unknown face and governed by your own rules. But when you start freelancing for idol groups, you say goodbye to your lone wolf lifestyle as you learn to work with idol producers and lyricists.

Word count: 3.2K

When the solo recordings were done, you called for a break. You wanted to overlay the vocals temporarily for the group vocal parts that were coming up. Also, you needed a breather and the boys looked like they needed it too.

"Rest your eyes for a bit, okay? Stretch your legs and get a drink." Hongjoong patted your head. You hummed, smiling tiredly.

"I'm going out to get a coffee." He informed and left. You stood up and stretched your limbs, yawning as you felt the exhaustion sink into your bones.

"Indigo?" Mingi poked his head. His eyes scanned the room before they settled on you being alone. You smiled softly, feeling better already just from seeing him.

"You've worked hard, baby." Mingi teetered over and wrapped him arms around you in a bear hug. He showered you in kisses.

"You too." The two of you laughed.

"Did I look good when I was rapping?" He asked, a cheeky grin on his face. You scoffed, putting your hands on his chest to push him away with a look.

"Come on, I looked good, right? I could tell from the booth, you had that look on your face like you were falling in love with me again. You can fool the others but you can't fool me." Mingi teased. You cleared your throat, looking away as he exposed you. You didn't think you were so obvious.

"I have work to do." You sat back in your seat, turning back to the computer in front of you.

"You're so fun to tease, baby." Mingi leaned over you and planted a kiss on your cheek. He sat down in Hongjoong's seat next to you.

"Stop~" You whined but still buried your face in his chest in an attempt to hide. Mingi chuckled, stroking the back of your head. You reached up to swat his hand away.

"Don't do that, you're going to make me sleep." You mumbled.

"After this, promise me you'll go home and sleep, okay? Have a big meal and sleep." He said.

"Can you stay with me, please?" You asked. Mingi smiled softly at how affectionate you were being and hummed. You leaned down to lay your head on his lap instead.

"My poor, tired baby." Mingi continued to pat your head.

"YOUR WHAT?!" You and Mingi shot out of your seats. Hongjoong stood there, his eyes wide in shock. You felt your heart pounding on your chest, you couldn't breathe. Time seemed to have just stopped as everyone was frozen. No one dared to speak first.

"Indigo, breathe. You're turning blue." Seonghwa stepped out from behind Hongjoong, heading to you. You hadn't even realised how long you were holding your breath.

"Breathe." He spoke softly as he rubbed your back. Mingi turned to you, concern and worry written all over his face.

"Joong, stop staring like that. You're going to make her have a panic attack." Seonghwa said.

"I'm just shocked." Hongjoong blinked.

"This wasn't how I wanted to tell you. I wanted this to all be over before I told the two of you. I'm sorry." You buried your face in your hands. Hongjoong came to hug you.

"What are you sorry about pabo?" He laughed. Mingi visibly relaxed at how calm Hongjoong and Seonghwa were.

"So yes, Indigo and I are together. We have been for a while now." Mingi wrapped an arm around you, pulling you in against his side.

"That's so sweet. Congrats, you two." Seonghwa smiled. Hongjoong folded his arms, staring Mingi up and down with a small frown. He was like an unhappy father/ older brother now. Of course he knew Mingi well, he just liked playing the role of a protective older brother around you.

"How long were you going to keep this from us?" He raised an eyebrow.

"I was going to tell you after recording. But I wanted you and Hwa to be the first ones to know. Even if you don't want to role of parents, you're still like my older brothers." You said shyly.

"So the others don't know?" Seonghwa asked.

"Yunho knows because he reads Mingi like a book. The others don't know." You shook your head.

"But Wooyoung did think that she was dating you, hyung." Mingi rolled his eyes. Seonghwa's eyes bugged out, pointing to himself in disbelief. You nodded in confirmation.

"So, will you give us your blessing?" You chewed on your bottom lip. Mingi felt you grasp the material of his shirt tightly behind his back. Seonghwa and Hongjoong's approval meant a lot more to you than he realised.

"You don't need our blessing as long as you're happy. If you two make each other happy, that's all we want." Seonghwa smiled.

"I do agree with Seonghwa on this. But as the group leader, I would have to ask if you plan to go to the company with this or even the public." Hongjoong looked conflicted.

"I won't put Indigo in the spotlight by going to the company yet, much less going public. We will tell the rest of the group soon." Mingi spoke first.

"Agreed. I think we should tell them at the end of today." You looked up at Mingi.

"Sure." He smiled softly.

Hongjoong and Seonghwa looked at the two of you. The way you two looked at each other with such adoration and it was obvious that you both cared for each other, how could they say no?

"We'll keep your secret but you two have to be careful too, alright? I don't want any of you getting hurt." Seonghwa cautioned. Hongjoong nodded in agreement. Mingi let you get a hug from the both of them. A large weight lifted off your shoulders, you were worried that they would not have approved of the relationship.

"Actually, hyung, you almost suspected us together." Mingi chuckled. Hongjoong blinked in confusion.

"I did? When?"

"When you guys were drunk, you tried to push me away, asking me what I was doing to your 'baby sister'." Mingi scoffed. You and Hongjoong had wide eyes at Mingi's words.

"I was drunk! And also, what were you doing, huh?! Enough to make drunk me stop you." Hongjoong turned the question back to him.

"Geez, I was just helping her. You're over reacting." Mingi rolled his eyes.

"So when did you two get together?" Seonghwa asked you with a kind voice, drawing you away from Hongjoong and Mingi bickering. You giggled.

"We were together the day I sent Haneul back. He came to check up on me when I came home. But he asked me to be his girlfriend the day the producers met for the song review." You recounted.

"That's so nice of you, Mingi ah." Seonghwa praised, making Mingi smile proudly. Hongjoong still shot Mingi a wary look. If anything, he was just overly protective of you. He suddenly pulled you to stand up. You were confused but stood up obediently.

"Sit here." Hongjoong sat you down beside him instead of your original spot between Seonghwa and Mingi.

"Hyung~ Don't be like that. You know me! I won't do anything." Mingi whined.

"Don't worry, Mingi's nice to me. He takes care of me and treats me well like you and Seonghwa." You snickered as you patted the back of Hongjoong's hand.

"We're back." The others came in. Jongho handed you a strawberry milk and a cookie.

"Thank you!" You grinned, poking the straw into the top of the carton to drink. Jongho smiled and returned to his seat.

"I've layered the solo recordings we've done and it's coming together really nicely. But for the chorus and the ending, I want some group vocals. We'll go in groups of 4." You instructed.

"Okay, rock, paper, scissors."

"Before you do that, I'm going to have to stop you. I'm trying to balance out the different pitches so we don't risk drowning each other out with an extreme low note with 1 person who is good at high notes. Hongjoong, Yeosang, Jongho, San in one team and Mingi, Seonghwa, Wooyoung and Yunho in one team." You said.

"You can send out a representative to play and see who goes first." You told them. Of course Jongho represented his team. Seonghwa, on the other hand, was pushed forward.

"Oldest vs youngest!" San clapped, making Seonghwa turn to glare at him.

"Everyone test." You spoke into the mic.

"Ah~~~~" Yunho drowned out on the microphone. He and Wooyoung burst out laughing, resulting in you laughing as well. The 4 of them stood around the main microphone.

"Do a test of the first lines. Acapella. Just for me to check the volumes." You said. Mingi counted them in and they did the test.

"Mingi and Wooyoung's voice travels better so the two of you take half a step back. Seonghwa and Yunho need to come in closer a bit." You waved.

"Like this?" Seonghwa asked.

"Perfect. Let's try it with the music. We'll be doing the chorus." You reminded. They all referred to their lyrics sheet, Yunho giving you the 'ok' to play the track. You listened to them record then overlaid the recording on the raw vocals to see if it was cohesive.

"Okay, we're sounding good. Let's do it one more time before we move on." You put the microphone away to play the music again for them to record it.

"We'll move onto the ending portion." It sounded good with the mingling voices.

"Great job. Group 2 will go in now." You announced, taking a sip of your neglected strawberry milk and a bite of your cookie.

"Alright, group 2. We will be doing the same test as we did with group 1." They all put their headphones on with Hongjoong adjusting the volume and counting them in.

"Jongho, stay where you are. San will stay too. Me and Yeosang will move back slightly." Hongjoong was helpful with positioning the members when you played back the test audio for him.

"Chorus." You spoke and played the chorus for them. They started their recording.

"That was amazing!" You complimented. The balance of their different tones and pitches were so good especially with Yeosang's low pitch and Jongho's high pitch.

"Ahem, we're right here, you know?" Wooyoung rolled his eyes from his spot on the couch behind you. You shrugged, ignoring him as you continued with the second group's recording. When they were done, the other 4 from group 1 went to join them in the booth for the group background vocals.

"Sorry about the squeeze, guys. We'll finish this up quickly." You apologised, seeing all 8 of them in the booth, having the stagger themselves since it wasn't a big space.

"Don't worry about it." Hongjoong assured. Despite the space constraints, the boys were all professional, focusing on the recording.

"Nope, the timing is off. I can hear like two people starting a split second later. Again." You said.

"Yah, if I find who is starting late..." Hongjoong jokingly threatened.

You played the music again and they all recorded their voices. You took that recording blip and placed it at the specific part of the song, overlaying it with the other vocals.

"Playback." You told them, letting them listen to the raw vocals together. Of course, there was still some editing to be done.

"Sounds good!" The boys all cheered from inside the booth.

"Great job, everyone." You said into the mic, a smile on their face as you watched them celebrate through the glass. They all bowed their heads and put the headphones down to exit the booth. All 8 of them barged into the studio.

"Good job, Indigo! You did it!" You were lifted by Wooyoung as the others cheered loudly.

"It wasn't all me. You all worked hard too. I can't wait for this track to be done." You giggled, looking at each of them. Yes, there were still parts to record but at least the main portion was done.

"Thank you for being patient with me doing this for the first time." You bowed deeply to all of them, feeling warmth in your chest.

"What are you saying now?" San hugged you.

"You did great. We all knew you could do it. I'm proud of you." Hongjoong smiled softly. The validation for the team producer, Hongjoong, made you melt.

"Let's celebrate with supper. I'm hungry." Yunho declared and the others agreed.

"Supper? Wait, what time is it now?" You were confused. Only then, you checked the time on your phone and realised that it was close to 11pm. Had you really spent more than 12 hours recording with the boys? Time had flown by without you even noticing. Furthermore, all of you skipped dinner.

"Oh no, I didn't even realise that it was so late. And you guys skipped dinner... You should have said something!" You slapped Hongjoong's arm. He glared at you, rubbing his arm.

"Why are you always hitting me?!" He yelled.

"Don't worry, Indigo. It's not your fault, we were all so focused on the recording, we didn't realise how late it was too." Yeosang patted your shoulder.

"We're basically living the life of Indigo now. Working late, skipping meals." Mingi crossed his arms.

"Don't make fun of me!" You whined.

"Okay, okay. Let's go already." Seonghwa began to usher everyone out of the studio. The boys waited for you to save your work and pack up your equipment.

"We'll close up here. Go return your stuff to the studio." Jongho waved you off, helping the others coil the wires. You nodded and went to put back the stuff that you took from your own studio to use during the recording.

"Ready to go?" Wooyoung asked as you emerged from the hallway after locking up your studio.

"Let me help you." Mingi helped you carry your bag, moving your bag from your shoulder to his. The others didn't think much of because one of them would have done the same.

"Actually, there's one more thing. Before we go." You blurted out.

"What is it?" San tilted his head. You moved to stand beside Mingi and lacing your fingers with his. You smiled up at him.

"You and Mingi hyung?!" Jongho connected the dots before you could say anything.

"Yes. Indigo and I have been together for a bit. We thought it would be good to let you guys know." Mingi spoke, all the while smiling down at you. You nodded your head in agreement.

"Sorry, we didn't mean to keep it a secret. There was just a lot going on and our relationship is still rather new. Even if we aren't ready to tell the company and the public yet, we did want you guys to know since you're family. You all mean a lot to Mingi and I." You added with an uncertain smile.

"Are we all hearing this for the first time?" Yeosang asked.

"Nope. I knew, even before they officially started dating. Mingi can't hide anything from me." Yunho raised his hand with a proud smile. Mingi rolled his eyes in response to that

"Hongjoong and I found out earlier today." Seonghwa said. San was the first to come up and hug you.

"Congrats, you two!" He hugged you and Mingi.

"Thank you." You giggled, hugging him back. All this while, Wooyoung was quiet. You moved away from San and approached him. He stared you up and down.

"You lied to me." Wooyoung stated, folding his arms.

"Woo... I'm sorry, I was going to tell you but I didn't know how... And there was a lot going on." You reasoned.

"She didn't lie to you. You asked if she was dating Seonghwa hyung and she said no. That's not a lie." Mingi defended. He was still salty that the smaller male thought you were dating the oldest. The others turned to look at Seonghwa.

"What? It's Wooyoung who jumped to conclusions, nothing to do with me." Seonghwa held his hands up defensively. Mingi knew you felt guilty from Wooyoung's words.

"Come on, she was already stressing so much about telling anyone at all. And she wanted to tell the hyungs first before telling the others. Don't make her feel bad." Mingi nudged Wooyoung's shoulder.

"Mings... Don't say that." You scolded.

"No more hiding secrets from me. Or else I won't forgive you so easily." Wooyoung said.

"Deal!" You grinned, throwing your arms around him to hug him tightly. Wooyoung hummed happily, rocking from side to side as he hugged you tightly.

"Okay, that's enough." Mingi separated the hug, tucking you under his arm. Hongjoong frowned, pulling you away from Mingi.

"Congrats, Indigo. I wish you and Mingi hyung the best." Jongho held his hand out to you to shake. But you burst out laughing, reaching out to hug him instead. He was just so awkwardly cute you couldn't help it. He froze from the sudden contact but softened, patting your back with a small smile.

"Sorry to break the moment but can we continue the congratulations over food? I'm starving." Yeosang said. You nodded with a giggle and all of you squeezed into the lift.

"Does any of the managers know yet?" Yunho asked.

"None of them know. The ones who know about us are in this lift, apart from my mother." Mingi replied.

"You've already met Mingi's mother?" Wooyoung's eyes widened. You hummed, briefly recounting to them the dinner you had with Mingi's mother previously.

"Wow. Sounds like she likes you more than Mingi hyung." San teased. Mingi scoffed but didn't deny it, he knew that his mother absolutely adored you and wanted to have you as her own daughter.

"Come." Seonghwa and Wooyoung both took hold of your hands, leading you to their van. You blinked in confusion.

"But..." Mingi watched helplessly as you got dragged away to the other van. He thought telling the others meant he could openly hug and kiss you. But it seemed to be the wrong assumption because the others seemed to work harder at separating the two of you.

"Let's go, princess." Yunho chuckled, patting his best friend's shoulder before climbing into their van. Mingi sighed but followed, sitting in his designated seat.

"I shouldn't have encouraged her to tell the rest." Mingi sulked. Yunho laughed at his misery.

"Her older brothers are going to be even more protective her than ever now. You're the bad guy." Yunho teasingly reminded.

"I'm not a bad guy! I'm not going to do anything bad to her. She's been fine with me for months. If anything, shouldn't Seonghwa hyung and Hongjoong hyung be protective of me?" Mingi groaned.

"Of course not. They may have known you longer but she's their precious." Jongho snickered.

"Oh, shut up." Mingi growled.

"Mingi's sulking." You giggled softly, looking at the sad faces Mingi was texting you. Wooyoung leaned over your shoulder to read the text, laughing loudly.

"I think he regrets telling us now." Seonghwa said. Even if it was all for fun and jokes, you knew that Mingi didn't regret telling them. He wanted to proudly show off your relationship. You didn't regret it too, in fact you were relieved that they knew now. Plus, they were happy for you and wished you both well.

"Geez, he'll see you again at the restaurant." Wooyoung whispered, looking at the grumbling messages. You all spoke quietly, not wanting the manager to catch on to what you were saying.

"Yes but that doesn't mean we'll let them sit together." Hongjoong smirked.

~

Series Masterlist

[radioisntdead]

Hello......... It is I......... The enjoyer .......... HARVEY X READER FIC PWEAAAAAASE!!!!! As your best friend I need it or I'm going to lose my mind. THANK YOU BOOKIE

Howdy folks! Introducing the infamous Moony! Say hi, I made em' read a couple of my fics during our sleepover and this is the result, not my best work since this is my first time writing for Stardew valley and I cannot write medical stuff, my apologies for any OOC-ness!

Harvey x reader

Warnings: Harvey gets called wife, reckless mining endeavors, reader gets injured, this was supposed to be angst but fluff prevailed, the reader is very Moony coded.

Song used

You arrived in stardew valley with nothing but a couple of bags filled with your belongings and 500g to your name, no one was sure what to expect from you, especially Harvey.

I have a question

You scared him a little at first when you waltzed on into his clinic, eyes bright, cracking jokes and a frozen tear lodged in your arm, it hadn't even been a full week since you arrived!

It might seem strange

You'd pop into the clinic twice a week after that, just to chat with him and bring him a steaming cup of coffee, or something else you thought he'd like.

How are your lungs?

Sometimes you'd be dragged in by Linus, Marlon or by a friend who ventured into the mines to drag your sorry behind out, injured and woozy, still cracking jokes.

Are they in pain?

You'd offer to buy him a drink or dinner when you'd run into him at the Stardrop saloon, dropping a cheesy pickup line or two.

'Cause mine are aching

Eventually the two of you drew closer, him showing you his plan collection, you freaking him out with Zombie movies or games.

And eventually you purchased a lovely colorful bouquet of flowers from Pierre's and matched right over to the clinic to give them to Harvey, he was ecstatic.

I Think I know why

After that It wasn't uncommon to see him coming out from your farm instead of his clinic, or you waltzing out of said clinic with the confidence only a farmer who's dating the town's only doctor can have.

I kinda like it though

The two of you would have coffee dates, or curl up watching a horror movie that'd scare him or a historical documentary that bore you half to death.

You wanna try?

Not that you minded, you'd scroll on your phone while laid against him since it didn't peak your interest.

Oh, would you be so kind, As to fall in love with me

Who would've thought the Town doctor would've end up with the new farmer?

You see, I'm trying

During the flower dance, he'd dance around with you, admiring how charming you looked in your white dress or blue suit.

I know you know that I like you, but that's not enough

You lit up Harvey's life, gone were the nights he'd be alone eating microwavable meals, instead he was with you, eating something from the saloon, raw vegetables or actually cooked, you nearly burned down the kitchen once.

So if you will, please fall in love

Gone were the days he'd watch historical documentaries alone, you were there with him, with raw vegetables.

I think it's only fair

Harvey did have some concerns about you, with how you had the remarkable ability to end up with bruises or with another crystal imbedded in your arm, that'd he have to take out.

There's gotta be some butterflies somewhere wanna share?

Did not help that he was reminded of your injuries since you put your arm crystals up on a shelf for display.

'Cause I like you but that's not enough

You did get temporarily banned from the mines a couple of times but that didn't stop you, you just switched from the local mines to skull cavern in the desert.

So if you will, Please fall in love with me

Not to mention you were somewhat loose with an axe, sure you hadn't had an incident with them yet but you never know!

He'd hate for you to come into the clinic with an axe in your shoulder or worse!

Let's write a story

He hadn't mentioned it to you but he had nightmares of you coming into the clinic, bloodsoaked, limp and unresponsive.

Be in my book, you've got to join me on my page

You spent a good majority of your time in the mines, so it was a possibility that his nightmares could come true no matter how much you reassured him it wouldn't and that you would be fine.

You practically knew those mines like the back of your hand!

At least take a look

It was a good day, a little rainy but a normal good day nonetheless.

Oh, where are your manners? you need some time?

You waltzed in carrying a thermos of coffee, one singular pickle and a container of espresso cake.

Let's swap chests today,that might help you decide

You called him your wife, dropped off the goods, gave him a smooch on the cheek and then left.

Oh, would you be so kind as to fall in love with me?

He should've asked you to hang around the clinic for a little while, it wasn't like they got patients every single day, and maybe it would've changed the outcome of what transpired that day.

You see, I'm trying, I know you know that I like you

It was the local mines, it wasn't the skull caverns or anything, it was supposed to be a easy day.

You weren't expecting for group of slimes to ambush you at the top of one of the ladders

but that's not enough

You weren't expecting to fall a several levels, a blooming pain spread out throughout your body as you fell onto the cold cave ground.

So if you will, please fall in love

You didn't know how long you were down there.

I think it's only fair

The last thing you could recall was Marlon peaking down and calling out your name.

There's gotta be some butterflies somewhere wanna share?

You were lifted up, put on a stretcher, and taken to the only doctor in town, Harvey.

'Cause I like you but that's not enough

It was like it came straight out of one of his less terrifying nightmares.

So if you will, please fall in love with me

You were limp on the stretcher, thankfully not super bloodied you just had cuts, slight burns and bruises scattered across you, you were semi-conscious but limp nonetheless.

Oh, do me a favour, Can your heart rate rise a little?

You weren't cracking any jokes, no goofy grin, no cheesy pickup lines.

Do me a favour, Can your heart rate rise a little?

You gave a small grin as he ran over to the stretcher.

Do me a favour, Can your heart rate rise a little?

"My wife, Hi!" You sputtered out between labored breathes.

"What happened to you?!" He asked as he rushed over to you.

"You took my breath away." You said with weak finger guns.

Do me a favour

He didn't take your breath away infact, you had a broken rib that was making it hard to breathe.

Along with a sprained arm and other small injuries.

Oh, would you be so kind, as to fall in love with me?

In Harvey's eyes there was so much that could've gone wrong, what if your broken rib had pierced one of your lungs? Or what if you broke your spine or anything else? What if Marlon never went to check up on you? What if he never saw you again? Or what if you died that day? A million unfortunate thoughts flashed through his head.

But thankfully none of them happened.

You see, I'm trying

You were patched up, put on one of the clinic beds and given painkillers to relieve the pain.

I know you know that I like you but that's not enough

And subjected to Harvey scolding you because your injuries could've been so much worse! You got lucky! Not to mention how much he'd be charging you for the medical bill, you don't have health insurance.

So if you will, please fall in love

You were stuck in the clinic, left with a couple of books, sketchbooks and drawing supplies, they kept you entertained for the first few days but you eventually got bored.

I think it's only fair

You yearned to go back into the mines but alas you were still injured and had nearly a month to go before you were healed,

you glanced over at Harvey who was sipping on his tenth cup of coffee that day.

With that you made a decision.

There's gotta be some butterflies somewhere wanna share?

"Hey Harvey? Can you do me a favor?"

"Of course, what is it?" He asked looking in your direction,

"Can you hand me my bag I just remembered something."

"Of course Hun."

Harvey got up and fetched you your bag, handing it to you with a smile.

'Cause I like you but that's not enough

"Thank you! also I have a question," you said as you dug into your bag feeling around for the object you were planning on giving to the object of all your romantic affections.

So if you will, please fall in love

"Of course, what is it?" He asked as a grin spread throughout your face, you held the mermaid pendant in the cup of your hands.

Oh I like you but that's not enough

"Marry me?"

You were causally proposing to Harvey in his clinic while recovering on a hospital bed, truly the most romantic setting.

"I accept! I'll set everything up, We'll have the ceremony once you've fully recovered okay?'' Harvey said with the sweetest smile one could have, he adored you and he couldn't wait to marry you.

Unfortunately for you though, marriage would not stop him from charging you medical bills related to your cave related injuries.

So if you will, please fall in love with me.

Good evening folks! I hope you enjoyed, with this I will be slowly pushing out more Stardew valley content along with my normal hazbin stuff!

As always thank you for tuning in, I hope you have a wonderful rest of your evening!

[jabbage]

I keep seeing a post floating around from an aspec person saying how they'd been made to feel monstrous and broken and wrong.

I went through those feelings in my teens and twenties and had some really dark times. I think that society gives us such limited views of what happiness and success look like, and it can be crushing. If you're someone who knows you're not going to pair off or get married or have kids, it's hard to know what a happy domesticity looks like?

I'm in my early 30s now, and I'm so contented with my life. I thought I'd share a little, in case it gives anyone a bit of hope to see one form a happy life can take which isn't perhaps the mainstream?

I wake up to find my little cat purring on my chest, and I give her a cuddle.

I get dressed in a new suit I've brought. I realised recently that off-the-shelf clothes never fit me right, so I've been saving up money to have them adjusted at a tailor. It fits perfectly now and I feel great in it. It's taken a while, but I feel like I've finally nailed a style for myself.

I walk to work, through the park so I can admire the flowers. This takes longer, but it gives me some exercise and I enjoy having the time to think. I stop off at a shop on the way and get some nice sandwiches, my favourite kind of pastry and a drink. Normally I make a pack lunch, but this is my weekly Tuesday Treat.

I have a morning meeting with some of my coworkers, who I feel value me and my work. Personal organisation in my worklife has been a struggle for me, but recently I realised I'm one of those folks who probably has ADHD and wasn't caught by the system. Just knowing this has given me so many new tools which are designed for the way by brain works, and I feel so much more confidant.

For the rest of the day instead of staying in my office I work on a picnic table in the sunshine, occasionally stopping to watch some skateboarders. At lunchtime I eat the food I bought, and I chec discord and catch up with online shenanigans. I enjoy having friendships I've forged with people across the world. I love to visit people and to travel, and my independent lifestyle gives me chance to do that. I also like having people over to stay. I like to say I'm like Bilbo Baggins, I live along in my little hobbit hole but if you come round I'll cook you an elaborate dinner and put you up for the night.

After work I go on a free guided history walk around my local area, and find out about lots of little historical things of interest I hadn't seen before. I also meet new people. Even if I never see them again, it's nice to have that moment of connection. When I get home, I video call with my parents and we share our news with each other.

I cook a quick dinner - these days I don't put pressure on myself to do anything too elaborate. I figure if frozen chopped onion and ready meals help me to eat moderately well and keep healthy, I'll use them. I have some cream which needs using, so eat it with some absolutely monstrous strawberries.

I check my personal emails with my cat purring away on my lap. I've got a little side gig writing and illustrating. I worry that I'm not very good and It doesn't make me much money and I know I'll never be famous (do I even want to be?!), but I do enjoy it. Sometimes I'm confronted with a pile of rejections which can hurt, but it's all good stuff today: the money from a book I worked on came in. There are some more details about a talk I'm giving at the British Library later this year. My agent is sending some possible opportunities my way.

I still have a few hours before bed, so I work on a creative project for a bit. Not something I'm being paid for today: it's a personal craft project. I realised a while ago I have a bad habit of monetising everything, so now I make sure to set aside time in the week to work on things that will be presents for myself or friends.

And then when it gets to about 11, I snuggle under the covers and read PG Wodehouse. I giggle. A lot.

It's been a hard slog, but I suddenly find that I'm a very happy person. There's no partner-shaped or child-shaped hole in my life. I'm content. Every life has highs and lows of course, some days are better than others. I'm sure I'll have many troubles to face in the future, but I consider my asexuality to be a positive and joyful facet of my life.

[melancholy-of-nadia]

La La Lost You (m) (teaser) | cyj

title: La La Lost You (m) << one-shot prequel to love u lately >> pairing: choi yeonjun x f. reader feat. bits of yoongi x f. reader, namjoon x f. reader, jimin x f. reader rating/genre: m (18+) ; angst , fluff, smut ; fake dating au; post-high school au, lowkey tatbilb au summary: choi yeonjun was simply just your academic rival, competing for honors at graduation during your senior year. however, when one of your (distant) friends' brothers is getting married, your 3 guy best friends all have dates to the event except you. in order not to feel like a loser, you decide to call up the only other tolerable male you know: Yeonjun, to be your fake date. what will happen when a childish fake date scheme actually ends up turning into your first real relationship lasting an entire summer. it may ultimately.. not end well note: i KNOW i have yet to finish Love U Lately, but i wanted to present this prequel idea to you guys!! i know many of y'all may not be a txt moa, but this one shot will definitely add a lot more insight on previous events and character insight to other bts characters in LUL that don't get much of a spotlight note 2: you do not have to read LUL to understand this fic. honestly might be better if you haven't read it! it will heavily focused on the mentioned previous relationship reader had with yeonjun before starting college and well as the perspectives of yoonminjoon and their attitudes towards it as they were still struggling with their romantic feelings for reader warnings: language, sexual innuendo mentions, maybe some smut, underage drinking, yeonjun has a band, soobin appearance, jungkook has a small crush on reader, halsey shows up!, yoonminjoon being jealous and overprotective, typical things that happen in a summer romance, bonfire party, eventual breakup smut warnings: tba drop date: spring 2024 word count: 15k (projected)

"Look, Choi, I need you to-"

"Need me? Sounds kinda erotic." The taller boy chuckles, and your face scowls, turning a heavy shade of red.

"Huh? You're gross! As if I would EVER do anything trashy with you!" You cross your arms, feeling impatient. Jimin should be here any minute from his last class across campus so you can both go home together. This isn't gonna work, and you don't have any more time for this. "You know what, never mind. I don't even know why I bothered to think of asking you. I should've asked Mark instead." You turn around, deciding to walk away from the situation. You'll take the L! You'll go to Seokjin's dumb brother's wedding by yourself like the loser you are while everyone else has dates.

"Hey, wait!" Yeonjun pulls your arm toward him, making you turn back around. "Alright. Fine, princess, I'm listening. What is it?" He looks at you, finally with sincerity in his eyes.

God, I guess if he actually wants to listen, then you'll say it. What could go wrong?

You tiptoe and lean in close to his ear, catching Yeonjun slightly off guard. "Okay. I need you to be my fake date to my friend's brother's wedding."

Yeonjun blinks repeated, processing the request. After realizing he was frozen, he immediately goes back to his usual expression and smirks. "Well, well, well. Looks like someone couldn't resist the charm of Choi Yeonjun after all."

You roll your eyes, "Hell no. Please, I'd rather dance with a cactus."

He raises an eyebrow, "You sure about that? Cacti can be quite prickly, you know."

You huff, "Just shut up and play along. I need you to act like a decent human being for one evening. You owe me anyways., remember?"

Yeonjun smirks again, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Decent human being? That's a stretch," he grins, clearly enjoying this. "But sure, why not? It's not every day someone gets to be in the presence of greatness."

You scoff, shaking your head, "Greatness? Please. Just don't embarrass me, okay?"

Yeonjun's grin widens, "No promises, sweetheart. But I'll do my best. After all, I owe you."

"Yeah, yeah. Just be ready to suffer through a night of pretending to like me," you retort with a wry smile.

"Oh, the sacrifices I make for you," he replies, sarcasm dripping from every word.

As you walk away, hoping to meet jimin halfway (where the hell is he?) you can't help but mutter under your breath, "This is gonna be a disaster."

Yeonjun's laughter follows you from a very short distance, "Oh, sweetheart, you have no idea."

➸ let me know what you think OR join the taglist! ➸ love u lately series masterlist

[disneynerdpumpkin]

Look at them <3 LOOK AT THEM

OHMYGOODNESS They're so adorable I can't

~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~

Here are some headcanons I have for the two of them: (also please keep in mind these are my headcanons, pls don't claim them as your own lol ty)

o There's playful bantering and teasing between the two of them. I'm pretty sure Geppetto would play pranks on him sometimes lol (e.g., Pinocchio's short so he would place things on shelves just slightly out of reach to irritate him XD). They'd be so mischievous together. They'd be so chaotic lol.

o They are literally inseparable. Literally best friends <3

o I also think Geppetto would spoil him a lot (like with treats, new toys, cooking his favorite meals, etc.). HE CAN'T HELP IT. Pinocchio is his only child and he wants him to have nice things

o They've only ever argued about something ONCE. That's it. And it was prob just something that worried Geppetto (like maybe Pinocchio came home late and was too caught up with his friends or smth). And then they make up (obviously)

o Pinocchio is baby <3 Literally. He's only been alive for a short while and while he may mentally be a 7-year-old, he still sometimes needs to be taken care of like an infant (occasionally helping being fed, tucked into bed, being held and carried, etc.) And Geppetto doesn't even question it he cuz he loves him sm like ohmygoodness

o Pinocchio's still so sweet and innocent but sometimes he will be mischievous. (not in a bad way, in a good way and he means no harm at all. Like, just cute mischief)

o Also have a headcanon that Pinoke's fav candy is saltwater taffy. When he opened his gifts on his first Christmas morning, he opens a package and there's a huge bag of taffy entirely for him. His eyes get so wide and his jaw drops, he stares at it for a minute, then looks at Geppetto (still frozen with that expression) and tries to give it back to him. and geppetto just bursts into laughter cuz his reaction was priceless

o CUDDLES <3 SNUGGLIES HUGGIES DID I MENTION CUDDLES They're so cute ohmygoodness

o Technically, Geppetto made Pinocchio and he basically already belongs to him. But after he became a real boy, Geppetto officially adopted Pinocchio (which was an uncommon thing to do in 1800's Italy), and got him a birth certificate, etc. Cuz he loves him sm he wants him to really belong to him and have his last name and everything (And Pinocchio's official full name now is Pinocchio Joseph Lorenzini) (Cuz "Geppetto" is the Italian form of "Joseph" so technically Pinocchio has his father's name too)

o Geppetto, when he can, reads stories to Pinocchio before he puts him to bed. And he tells the story really dramatically and really gets into it lol And he gives Pinoke warm milk and honey to drink to help him fall asleep <3 (Like just imagine Geppetto reading him a story by the hearth, Pinocchio drinking his warm milk and his little eyes getting heavy and he's nodding off to sleep. AAAHHHHH SO CUTE I CAN'T EVEN)

o Pinocchio knows the power of his cuteness. He CAN and WILL use the "puppy eyes" tactic. And Geppetto (most often) can't say no.

o Tickle fights and showering Pinocchio with affection is a normal occurence. Like Geppetto loves him so much he will legit pepper kisses all over him (and Pinocchio, as much as he tells him to stop, he doesn't mind it at all)

o They love doing things together like snowballs fights, pillow fights, building forts, going out for gelato, playing in the snow, raking leaves in the fall, etc. They are literally best friends <3 And I'm pretty sure they talk about everything too (Like Pinokes would be working on his homework or smth and then he'd randomly be like, "what if you baked cookies with salt instead of sugar?" And Geppetto would just casually answer like "That would taste terrible. who would do that?!?!")

o Geppetto, after Pinocchio became a real boy, started measuring Pinocchio's height and carving markings in the wall. Every few months or so, he will use his tape measure to measure Pinoke's height, then carve a spot into the wall to mark how tall he's grown. (and then cries when he sees his little boy is growing up so fast)

[ouroboros-hideout]

OC INTERVIEW

Thanks for tagging me @chevvy-yates! 💚

Decided to do this with one of the OCs for my fic I kind of introduced a while ago. Hopefully will give me some motivation to work further on it. Sadly hadn't have the time do draw her yet (sad noises no PC no mods for me). Regular character creation wasn't even close on how I want her to look. So no piccy yet :(

Really like your idea of letting the oc answer some questions directly. Will do that aswell.

Note: Not all answers don't fit 100% anymore cause I developed her further since I did this Interview

NAME?

"Alyona Petrova."

She actually gets kinda mad if people call her by her full name. She has a difficult relationship with her family and wants to leave everything about them in the past. Therefore she chose a short nickname through which she can identify herself better. Besides, in her business it is better not to mention official names and go with an alias.

_____

NICKNAME?

"Aon. I prefer that."

It's pronounced like A-On.

_____

GENDER?

Cis Female

_____

STAR SIGN?

"I won't tell you my birthday. And all of this astro-shit is a waste of time anyway."

Would say she's a Capricorn? Don't know much about astrology tho :/

_____

HEIGHT?

"1,70 m. Pretty average. Like those questions."

Her size and figure allows her to fit into fairly narrow and tight spaces. Unlike many of her workers, mainly large men with big muscles, she has the advantage in the construction and assembly of complex machines.

_____

ORIENTATION?

Hetero

She and Kurt have thing going on no one else knows about. So never ask her about anything pointing in that direction. Since they don't see each other that often in person things can go... out of hand. And she would be embarrassed if someone knew about that since their friendship can be described as very strong, but is also characterized by a lot of teasing and professional distance if you look at it from the outside.

_____

FAVORITE FRUIT?

"Fruits are plants, right. Tobacco is a plant, too. Does that count? Tzz.. I don't know. I like to put frozen berries in my drink sometimes. So berries then."

She has a smoking problem. Not like chain smoking, but on a regular base. Alcohol, on the other hand, is really more for her to enjoy. Frozen fruits in drinks instead of ice cubes is a life hack tho.

_____

FAVORITE SEASON?

"Doesn't really matter, as long it's not too warm. I can't stand a lot of heat. If possible I'll always sent some of my workers for jobs in the warmer regions. Of course only if they are capable of doing the job."

Most of the work is done in her workshop in Russia anyway, but occasionally it is easier or more efficient to work on site with her clients. If possible, she always tries to avoid this.

_____

FAVORITE FLOWER?

"Pfff.. I don't care. Some of them are pretty, sure. But if you want to impress me, give me something usefull and not some plant that'll die within a few days anyway."

_____

FAVORITE SCENT?

"The scent in my workshop. Thick oil, warm metal, rubbery, a hint of CHOOH2, a little dust in the air. The fresh and cold air outside, after a long day of work is really refreshing, but I wouldn't want to miss that smell."

You know that smell when you enter a car workshop? That.

_____

COFFEE OR TEA?

"Coffee. If I want to drink water I prefer it cold. And without taste. Something stronger would be even better."

_____

AVERAGE HOURS OF SLEEP?

"I try to stick to a good routine. 6-7 hours. My people say I'm even more unbearable when I don't get a good night's sleep. And I can't stand a bad mood at work. Please kill me if I have a jetleg. That's the worst."

She's a very disciplined person.

_____

DOG OR CAT PERSON?

"Cats. Dogs are fucking exhausting. They want your attention all the time and can't handle themselves for longer than a few hours. I had a cat at the workshop once. He catched his own food, he got out of my way, came for a pet now and then. His name was Bill."

She always teases Kurt that cats are so much better than dogs.

_____

DREAM TRIP?

"I have been all around the globe and nothing really sparked that much joy yet. But I don't have time for vacation or silly little trips anyway. I like my home. Why go anywhere else."

There are place she hasn't been too obviously but like she said: she rather stays at home if she has some free time and pursues her interests or just rests.

_____

FAVORITE FICTIONAL CHARACTER?

"Beatrix Kiddo. When I was a child my mother moved in with a man she liked. Different story, won't tell that now. I never liked the capital or big cities in general, but there was a little thrift shop at the corner of the house we lived in. The owner, a really old but really sweet man showed me his age old collection of movies. VHS, DVDs, bet no one these days will remember what those are. I came there once a week and we watched a movie togehter after he closed the store. He was such a big nerd. Tarantinos movies where my favorite. Probably not the kind of stories you should show to a child but I loved it. Kiddo is a badass women and I always wanted to become strong and fierce like her."

Who doesn't like Tarantino?

_____

NUMBER OF BLANKETS YOU SLEEP WITH?

"One...? What kind of stupid question is that?"

_____

RANDOM FACT?

Besides forging knives she recently started getting into distilling her own spirits. She came up with a decent gin and will refine the recipe.

_____

No pressure Tags. If you see this and I didn't tag you feel free to do it anyway if you like.

@cybervesna @cyberholic77 @olath124 @dustymagpie @aggravateddurian @theviridianbunny @bumble-v @pacificaisstillpacifica @wanderingaldecaldo @streetkid-named-desire

[thana-topsy]

WIP Wednesday!

Tagged by @mareenavee ! Thank you, dear. And I know you tagged many people I might also tag, so I'll try to pick new people.

Tagging @kookaburra1701 @dirty-bosmer @viss-and-pinegar @moriche @expended-sleeper and @skyhon

---

So, I started in on this wip mostly because it was just a scenario that I wanted to see playing out in my brain. Isn't that how all writing begins? I'm not sure where it will go, if it'll ever be its own story, or anything, really. But I'm borrowing muldezgron's One-Eyed Teldryn from this fic, because he and Elanwe technically, exist in the same universe. On a collaborative technicality. Elanwe is from my fic "Hollow Men". And, of course, my unintentional muse, Kordin belongs to DirtyScrolls, who has so graciously given me their blessing to do whatever I want to him lmao. Wip below the cut, plus some art at the end:

--

“We’ve crossed paths before you know,” Elanwe said without making eye contact. Her gaze remained locked on her half-empty cup of ale. “In Windhelm. The day I–or, at least, I assume that was you. Same armor.”

Teldryn ran his tongue across his teeth then huffed a humorless laugh. “Ah, the mystery of the missing Thalmor prisoner. I was there, yes.” He tilted his head in acknowledgement. “You have quite the memory, sera. My memories from that day are… hazy, at best. Intentionally obscured by my own mind, at worst.” He drummed a finger against his own cup in agitation. “Kordin was… changed after that day. It probably goes unsaid, but he was unused to having his–” The word stuck in his throat, the hand on his knee tightening into an involuntary fist. “–his possessions taken from him.

She seemed to turn pensive, then took a long drink, draining the cup. “Did you know?” she asked sharply. “What he was doing?” 

Teldryn waited for her to meet his eye, then nodded. “I believe you know well by now what his preferred type was.”

“I’m gonna need more booze for this conversation,” she said, the skin around her mouth drawn tight, stretching the scar across her lip until it turned pale and bloodless. 

“That makes two of us,” Teldryn muttered to himself. “Get me one while you’re up. Greef, though. None of that Nordic swill.”  

Elanwe returned with two large bottles of greef, twisting the cork free of one and filling Teldryn’s cup. He offered a soft Dunmeris ‘cheers’ in response before taking a sip, letting the liquid rest against his tongue. He supposed he might as well talk about it. There was no one else to listen, as it stood. No one else who even wanted to, really. 

“I was in his service for three years,” he began. “Of course, if I’d known–” Another humorless laugh. “Well, it’s complicated.”

“Hence your prior hesitance to take on a new long-term patron, I take it.” 

Teldryn just nodded with a tight smile. “And we don’t have to dance around the subject. I know the way you Altmer are. Yes, he had his way. As often as he could. And I let him.”

Elanwe’s grip around her cup tightened. The soft curve of her lips twisted into a snarl, the corners of her eyes wet. “I wish I could kill him again. I wish–” Her jaw worked around the unsaid words.

“Like I said,” Teldryn continued after a beat of silence. “It was complicated.” 

He took a long drink, breathed through his nose, wiped his mouth on his netch leather bracer. Elanwe said nothing, the snarling distaste frozen on her face like a death mask, as if she could transmit the feeling through Teldryn and into the realm of the dead. 

Or wherever Kordin was. Teldryn was relatively sure he was in Coldharbour. 

“It wasn’t all bad, believe it or not,” he said after her prolonged silence showed no signs of ending. “Unlike your friend, I was not a literal prisoner. I had a modicum of–”

“Bullshit,” Elanwe spat. “I don’t want to hear it. So don’t even start.”

Teldryn managed to keep the surprised look from his face, and instead shrugged as casually as he could manage. “I suppose you’re right. There was always a part of me that hoped he’d… come to his senses, maybe. I was always searching for those moments of empathy. Some hint of regret… Anything.” Teldryn sighed and took another drink. “A fool’s hope. Something in that boy was broken long before he found me. But he was the Dragonborn…” Hollowness settled behind Teldryn’s sternum. “And now he’s dead.” 

Another doomed world without a prophet.

--

And now they're all I can think about... WHOOPS.

[fic-heaven]

Fangs (Gus x reader)

Chapter 2. I bite.

[Masterlist]

Code name: Hound.

Tags: ⚠️mentions of child abuse/ angst/ Poor Gus getting beaten/ corpse appearance/ confrontation/ reader is tired of everyone's bullshit.

- Hound complies on a psych evaluation but it only brings her more headache and heartache as ghosts from the past return to her. Thankfully that motivates her enough to finally spit her anger to the whole team, some are understanding, others are not but there's one particular person that seeks do something to soothe the ache she feels.

The flight home was filled with quiet comments about how the mission went and only when you reached London did you actually begun talking about Duke.

Nik had taken all of you for a second fly on his Heli. You all had taken quite some time reaching England, Nik's old helicopter had to take a stop for him to check on it before going to the base, you all worried about Karl's body condition.

-"So what are we supposed to do now? I mean, the hostage is fucking dead and that stupid guy with an even stupider name is gone. He really is playing hard to get..."

Price sat next to you on the helo after going over to confirm that the SpecGru operators were speaking with Laswell and their team leader. He huffs and goes to lit a cigar before you snatch it and place it between your lips. Price takes another, lits his and with the freshly burning head he leans close to you burning tips without breaking eye contact, you don't waver, just smirk and stretch your muscles letting the nicotine burn down the annoying feeling of defeat, your head shooting back letting the captain eat the view of the expanse of your neck.

-"Didn't you quit smoking?" He grunts.

-"You didn't answer my question. I did but... Fucked missions call for fucked ways to deal with failure." You sighed, your eyes firmly trained on Karl's body covered by a white sheet already turning red with his blood.

-"We didn't fail, Hound. This whole rescue wasn't as pointless as you think. We gathered enough Intel to keep Laswell and the CIA busy for weeks." Price pats your arm comfortingly.

He felt slightly concerned when he saw the way you stared blankly at the body. Eyes dead, full of apathy and lips slightly parted like you were watching a chunk of frozen meat sitting on the freezer. You weren't like this before. You weren't this... Dry and nonchalant.

-"And yet..."

-"And yet people die. We are not invincible and we don't have super powers. Can't be faster than a bullet, stronger than a tank or teleport to places where people need us the most. We can only do so much, and we surely did our best today, Hound."

You take the Captain's hand and he squeezes it immediately. It helps, but at the same time it doesn't. It never is that simple with you...

Why do you have to be so difficult? Why is it so easy for them to move on but you hold onto casualties along other failures the way you do? Maybe that's why you did what you did with Hassan.

Maybe this job is too much for you, slowly eating the little humanity you have left, shaping you into the monster they all want you to be and yet they fear you'll become it... Fucking hypocrites.

"Mother was right." You think to yourself. "I'm too weak."

A dog's love and loyalty is pure, is unconditional, with no trick or pretention behind it. But raise the dog wrongly, teach it to bite, to do bad, and you'll make a beast out of it. But why teach a hound the way of violence if you are so afraid of the repercussions? Of it to bite, of it to draw blood.

Price is right. Even if you go back to the base with a corpse instead of the living hostage you were supposed to rescue, at least you have brought Laswell shit ton of juicy work she was eager to investigate the soon you'll hand her the laptop and the other folders. You imagine her in her office drinking coffee like it's water as she reads the previous information sent from Duke's laptop while waiting for all of you to arrive.

Ghost surprises you sitting on your other side and nodding a small greet. He mirrors your side-eye, tired eyes meeting even more tired ones. He's got something to say, you know the old man too well.

-"They assigned you a new psychologist in the base." He said casually, you scoffed under your mask.

Soap flopped to your feet crossing his legs with a supportive smile, Gaz walked slowly to the group standing next to Johnny but he didn't smile, he looked bored with the topic.

What?

-"What is this? A family intervention?"

They didn't laugh. Your smile falters, your fingers throw away the cigar you were enjoying previously.

-"How many times do I have to tell you, I'm fucking fine?"

This caught Gus' attention from his seat.

Soap interfered trying to calm you from your defensive state.

-"Come on, (y/n)... It's just a psych evaluation, you know we all take 'em from time to time-"

-"If you don't get evaluated I'll send you home."

The Captain's sudden response shocked you. Ghost grew stiff but remained silent, Johnny looked at you with pity but he hoped you'd understand, Gaz on the other hand... He looked angry, but it's hard to decipher why or with who.

Lucky for you, the helicopter landed and you practically jumped from your seat to scape this tense situation but Ghost grabbed you by the hand almost knocking you on your ass.

Price looks at you sternly when you turn to them once more.

Your hand shot to your mask about to throw it and spit out some colorful words but suddenly all of the boys stood up and threw themselves at you quickly, all of them but Ghost who took a step back just as startled as you by their reaction. Out of the three men who quietly scolded you for trying to take the snout-shaped mask off, it was Garrick who made your eyes snap his way.

-"Don't you fucking dare take that off."

You could feel your breath constrict at his hostile tone. You remember Gaz being the closest thing to a brother you ever had since your father took your sibling and left you to rot with your alcoholic mother. But this wasn't the Gaz you knew.

-"Y' heard the captain. You either evaluate or you can start packing your shit and go back to your mother."

It was mentioning her what made you jump to Gaz with a snarl but a pair of arms stopped you caging you against a warm body you did not recognize.

-"LET GO OF ME! LET GO!"

-"Tranquila..." Gus' voice was calm, not harsh, not fearful, not like your team's.

-"See!? This is what I was fucking talking about!-" Gaz snapped.

-"ENOUGH!" Yelled Ghost startling all of you.

-"Kyle, she got what I said." Price scolds, this time more calm and looking at you with guilt. The glare you shot him made John shag on the spot awaiting whatever you wanted to say, but you stayed quiet trying to contain your anger as your body shakes because of the adrenaline. Gus' arms are your anchor right now. The SpecGru operator allowed you some space to readjust your damned mask that acted like a muzzle.

Nikolai warned you all to get out of the helicopter so he could take Karl's body. An obvious excuse to stop the drama before Gus let you go. You turned to him, hostility written all over your eyes, his body heaved just as yours but he didn't reflect your hatred. He didn't react the same way the others did when you turned into a wild thing. The rican calmly got down of the vehicle and offered you his hand, you took it and jumped down with a quick thanks, he hummed in return.

His other two comrades waved him off before trotting inside the base, your team got out of the Helicopter, only Soap stayed behind to aid Nik while Gaz followed the other operators inside fuming in quiet anger, Ghost and Price waited for your answer after sneaking a look to Gus who did not leave your side ignoring their glare. He had no candle on this burial and yet he stayed.

"I'll fucking go. But when I leave the office, it'll be my turn to talk to all of you. There are some things you boys clearly don't see, and I'll take great pleasure on refreshing your dusty brains a bit."

_______

Once you finished your report of the mission you carelessly folded it and walked out of your private quarters, walked to the right leaving the barrack's hall but before you could take the stairs to Price's office you heard something on the other set of stairs that went to the lower floor.

- "-Y'like it huh?"

- "Of course he does! Look at him!"

- "You wanna end up dead? That it? We could make it faster, more merciful... Think 'bout it, Rodriguez."

Rodriguez, Gus?

You leaned back a bit with the folder firmly tucked under your arm. A group of rookies were crowding someone on the wall under the stairs you were supposed to take. Leaning a little further you saw Gus who was smiling and chuckling nervously with his arms tense and hands lifted, an obvious sign of distress trying to calm his fellow battle mates. They all joked and mocked him and he just took it with a smile and a shrug, he didn't seem like the confrontational type. Which surprised you because he was the one who stopped you from beating some sense into Gaz an hour back.

"Venga, maes... I'm doing my job..."

"Your job huh? Come with us to the training field, we wanna see how good you do your job."

"Haha sure, okay, but let me finish my-"

One of those jerks, much smaller than the Rican, shoved him to the wall so hard his head banged painfully against the bricks while the others laughed as he winced.

"You are so funny with your big super Mario moustache and cute accent..." He mocked Gus' frowning face until another lankier guy spoke up.

"You are coming with us now or you'll end up lookin' like a Van Gogh's painting. Just like your Team Leader's son."

You fisted the folder you were holding at the mention of today's casualty. Something in you pushed you to take a step their way until a gigantic shadow towered over them, someone was trying to take their stairs and did not shy away from making presence. You stepped back about to resume your trip to John's office until you heard the new person growl to the other rookies with an all too familiar voice.

"You look like a chunk of fuckable meat. Are you?"

There was an awkward silence until you heard some rushed steps and a grunt followed by more rushed stomping and a dragging sound, the rookies were moving out of the way and taking Gus with them outside. When you looked downwards to their late spot you saw Ghost staring right at you. His eyes were soft but held a seriousness in them that made you scoff and turn back.

"(Y/n)."

Your lieutenant rushed his steps to get to you when you were almost reaching the top of the stairs. You turned to your side mauling at your lower lip.

"You wanna watch Metalocalypse later...?"

Out of all the things you imaged Ghost would say... He said this.

You sighed and smiled huffing a little, you were relieved that he didn't mention a word about what happened on Nik's chopper.

Then you nodded.

"After I hand the report and get evaluated... I'll go to your quarters if I can, if not I'll probably be beating the crap out of the doc and the others."

Ghost hummed pleased with your response and instead of leaving to his quarters like you expected him to do, he followed you upstairs.

You both headed to Price's office where the captain welcomed you warmly with a soft spoken "Well done. Now let's get to the doc's."

Both Ghost and Price accompanied you downstairs. You found Soap already waiting there, leaning on the wall with a troubled look. He gave you a worried glance before he walked to your side, Ghost steps back allowing the Scot some space to comfort you.

You were nervous, they all knew it.

-"Gaz...?" You asked.

-"He's... He'll come for sure. Then we can all talk like ye wanted. I'm sure everything will go alrigh' lass." Soap's comforting voice followed by a soft nuzzle on your masked chin made your anger increase, you moved your head away.

"I promise not to bite the doctor's throat off. Don't you worry." You spoke coldly as soon as your name was announced by the new therapist who was eyeing down some papers he was holding.

"Wait..." His voice wavered. And you stopped mid step when he lowered the files from his face.

A pair of eyes exactly like yours looked up at you in shock. The captain, Ghost and Soap were astonished at the sight.

"Oh you've got t' be fucking kidding me! Who the fuck planned this!? Is this a REAL family intervention now!? CAPTAIN!" You snapped looking at Price but his visible confusion confirmed this was actually a coincidence.

Fuck whoever was up there assigned to write the book of tragedies that composed your life. Fuck whoever planned to put your fucking twin brother who you hadn't seen since you were nine years old as your therapist.

This had to be a sick joke because if it wasn't, you wouldn't be laughing like a mad woman right now as the others stared with no clue on what to do or say.

You laughed because of everyone's faces, you laughed at Price for putting you on this position for thinking you needed professional help without even consulting you first, you laughed because your twin brother looked just like you but with a terrible-looking beard and a psychology degree. You laughed because monsters don't cry.

-"(Y/n)..." Garret sighed when your laughter started dying down and you covered your eyes because your lower mask already hid half your face.

- "I'm sorry gentlemen. This is  unfortunate..."

-"If you ask my unit to leave this hall I'll kill you in your sleep, Garret." Your elder brother by a few minutes, folded his arms looking at you with pity but masking it with a carefully put neutral expression.

How professional Garret Archer was. Oh wait! That's your mother's last name, obviously he kept your father's after they ran off leaving you under the care of an alcoholic, abusive excuse for a mother.

- "Captain Price. As a therapist I cannot treat family members because it would-"

- "You are no family of mine. Now treat me before my captain kicks me out of the force for killing the right man in the wrong way." You spat. Your brother felt the raw pain and resentment bathe your words. His calm voice reached your ears before your Captain's.

- "I understand. I-It'll only be a simple evaluation. And due our history and absence in each other's lives... I believe it could work. Please step inside to get started."

Price took your hand before you stiffly walked in, his eyes were much more regretful than before. He better be sorry.

- "We could wait for a replacement..."

- "No, thank you. Keep in mind that if I don't get evaluated soon I'll lose my job, your words."

Soap stepped up looking even more guilty than Price.

- "Listen, (Y/n). We wanted t' help ya or at least find someone who could. But this guy is your brother..."

Your unit knew your life story very well. After almost ten years knowing you it was natural that you'd eventually open up about your childhood and your reason for going to the military.

Ghost could read your mind like it was his own. He stands in between you and the other two worried and guilt tripped men nodding at the door signaling you to get this over with. You complied but not before spiting out.

- "As i said, I'm not a fan of being jobless. I have a huge passion for earning money by killing bad folk so I'll suck it up. But you better be here to listen to what I have to say when I'm done getting fucking evaluated by my own brother I haven't seen in almost two decades."

It was only fair. It wouldn't take too much time.

They promised to be here and so you went inside puffing up your chest and adverting your eyes from your ever watchful twin brother.

______

Imagine the horrors a Sargeant like you had witnessed for your brain to react the way it did when you had Hassan at your mercy. For you to act like a caged animal instead of a composed, disciplined soldier.

"Unbalanced, feral, inhumane." Those are the adjectives your unit and other people you associated yourself with used to describe your behavior in battle and sometimes in the comfort of your own base.

Garret tended to study the background of people he'd treat before the first session. He was attentive to every detail. For him, even the fact that some patient's pet goldfish died during their childhood was very important to the moral growth and could perhaps affect other aspects of said patient's life. He didn't get to fully enjoy his entire childhood and adulthood with you, his beloved little sister who at  time he would have given anything just to make you smile.

His father... Your father, abandoned you to your luck with the abusive woman who birthed you.

Garret would constantly ask your father why. He'll simply say "Because you were product of your mother's infidelity." The twins she birthed, you and him, were from another man none of you even knew.

"Then why, father?" Garret would ask "Why did you take me? Why not (y/n)? Why not both or why none at all?"

He never got an answer from him. With time he learned to keep quiet about the matter and eventually he moved on, studying psychology to understand people like your father and your mother. To treat anyone as to prevent them from becoming emotionally unstable husks like your parents who passed their personal demons to their children, without ever trying to change their ways and soon enough creating new issued people with more hate and pain to torment the future generations with.

He sees you now, and Garret is split in two again. He sees his sister's body littered in scars you vaguely explained were product of your mother's so called love and your dangerous work. He sees you say it with so much nonchalance he realizes it's not forced. You are used to it, to pain, to people in your life marking you emotionally and physically and he believes the diagnostic he'll end up giving you will be long and colorful, he even readies a few markets of different colors to help you understand what each diagnosis means. Until the evaluation is done and he is slightly taken aback.

You self-analyze almost daily.

You exercise regularly as a way to maintain focused and not lose shape also to keep your mind busy.

You are already aware of the points he gives you on your conduct and can distinct what's morally correct than what is not.

You are SANE.

But why would a person like you who had gone through so much behave the way you did when all of you had cornered Hassan?

Perhaps the situation proved to be too much and your mind collapsed, but you knew what you were doing, you knew it was terrible, macabre even.

"I bite." That's the excuse you gave him, and for a moment Garret saw your father in you. You only showed him a small fraction of the huge iceberg within the depths of your mind. And even if he wants to know more, to be unprofessional and involve himself in your life again to keep his little sister in check and protect you from yourself, he has to restrain himself. And so Garret hands you the piece of paper you had been eagerly waiting for, you snatched it from his hand with vigour, got up, politely thanked him and closed the door behind you before your twin had the chance to offer you his contact.

When you spotted your whole team sitting on the lined chairs on the wall of the long hall, they snapped their heads your way, including Gaz his eyes wide and expectant, thankfully they lacked the hostility he had during your last interaction. The paper you were holding was shoved to Price's face.

They all read it quietly while you crossed your arms.

"How'd it go?" Ghost asked copying your stance.

"Fucking peachy." You chirped.

Your eyes went to Price who got up still reading your twin's observations.

"Now it's your turn to listen to what I have to say."

Gaz nods once with a "Go on." It rubbed you the wrong way, fueling the fire within you. Soap called Price's attention patting his shoulder blade. Now all of them were giving you their full attention. Showtime.

"In all the years I spent working alongside you I've seen so many things that paled in comparison from what I did to Hassan. I'm aware of how I've been handling my work, how bloody and messy missions had turned."

Price tried to comment but you shut him up pretty quick pointing a finger his way.

"I've seen YOU, Johnathan Price, open a man's cranium with a crowbar like it was a coconut. I've seen sweet Johnny strangle a man with so much force his neck snapped to later claim unnecessary violence wasn't his jam. I've seen Ghost throw acid to a woman's mouth we were meant to interrogate in Brazil because she wouldn't speak. And yet YOU, GARRICK, SIT THERE LOOKING AT ME LIKE I'M THE WORSE HUMAN BEING YOU HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED." Your booming yell reached the men like a thunder, even Ghost had to look away.

Gaz's mouth opens and closes like a fish, his surprise making you remember that he was never present in those many horrific times you had mentioned. He started activity working with all of you when 141 was formed, young Garrick had barely worked a mission or two with the other men, he didn't know them like you did only getting to see a little but of their true violent nature. Poor young man.

"The day you have to commit an atrocious act in the name of self-defense and defy what you consider right I will be there watching, Gaz. Perhaps then you'll understand how fucking insulting it is to be wearing a facemask because your team wants to keep everyone safe from you and hide your identity." Your voice wavers a bit, Ghost tries to comfort you but you move away. The desperation, betrayal and frustration clear on your next words:

"You are all just like my bio family, but Price, YOU are the worst. You made me think that I was understood, that I was safe, never alone-"

"You are not alone (y/n)." Price quickly said standing up, his normally stoic face was filled with grief.

"SHUT YOUR FUCKING HOLE! YOU ARE ALL LIARS! Stop pretending you are not embarrassed of me when you are even worse than I am. I don't need none of you, I don't need no one but myself."

You did not leave room for them to speak when you turned around and left ignoring their weak calls until Price decided it was best to give you space.

"I'll prove it to you."

______

You went out to the training field overlooking at the rookies from a ramp near an emergency exit from the main building, your boot quickly tapping down the floor, you needed a cig.

"Jesus Christ." You said under your breath but it was loud enough for the man before you to huff out a laugh.

-"Miss Hound."

-"Rodriguez. The fuck happened to you?"

Gustavo's face was littered in small cuts, his lower lip was busted, his huge moustache did a poor job hiding the damage, his arms looked bruised as well with multiple patches of red as if someone had punched and kicked him, in no time they'll catch a purplish color for sure, his white tank top had big, brown stains from being shoved to the dirt and held some specks of blood here and there. Poor man was a total mess.

The rican looked hesitant, surprisingly he found himself doubting whether to snitch on his bullies or not. So he opted to shrug it off joining your perched form up the ramp limping until he got close enough you could smell the sweat and blood from him.

-"Just uh... Well, the greetings I got for joining this new base were a little... Rough, I suppose."

-"Is that how you call getting beaten up? A greeting?" Perhaps it came a little rougher than you intended but the other operator chuckled.

-"That's the army right? Where I come from It was way worse, trust me."

-"Did you even fight back?" You said tilting back a bit to better face him.

-"Nah..."

You couldn't help but gasp out a small surprised chuckle. What a weird man. But he didn't seem like a bad person either, he took the beating like a champ and didn't even say who gave the punches.

You two spent some time alone then, quietly commenting on how terrible the new groups of rookies have been behaving and how shameful it was that you had to trust your lives on assholes like these. Gus didn't complain much, he did agree on mostly everything you said and shared a story or two about how cruel the men at his first base were.

"What a shit day we both had, huh?" You sigh, Gus grunts a "Si..." As he leaned on the wall to your left, your bodies almost touched, yet you did not complain or move away.

-"Miss Hound." He calls out.

-"Rodriguez." You reply again like the time you saw him limping to your resting place.

-"Might I offer you a plan to make this day less shitty?" That perked your interest.

-"Wanna kill the rookies and my team? Cuz' that'd make my Friday less shitty."

Gus laughed wholeheartedly and you smiled charmed by the bubbly sound of his laughter.

-"No! Actually I was thinking... I have a tradition with Reyes and Nova. Every time we come from a hard mission we try and find someplace to break things and blow off some steam." Gus explains and you crock your brow tempting him to explain further. "There's a place conventionally close to your base in which you rent one of the rooms and-"

-"You trainna' fuck with me?"

Gus straightened his back startled by this accusation as he shook his head and hands denying your inquiry.

-"ABSOLUTELY NOT! I mean- no, no. I wouldn't mind at all, though. But it's not that. Listen to me!"

He was so adorable getting frustrated and embarrassed you couldn't help but laugh at his stance.

-"We rent a room and they give us some tools to break things! Like old TV's or windows even! It's very satisfying..."

You have never heard of such a place and right now you could use some destruction.

-"How much does that even cost?"

-"Free. I'll invite ya! Well, you could help me patch my wounds as payment, I'll take a quick shower and we'll head there as soon as I'm done. What do you say?"

You look back to his golden eyes and find nothing but adoration and eagerness. You two needed this. It's clear you are not the only one having a rough day, the bags under his eyes spoke volumes of how tired he must felt for having to deal with his Team Leader's distress and the sudden beating for a greeting.

"I'll patch you up real quick but only after you shower, pretty boy."

[past-j]

And finally I will say that even after eating out multiple meals and drinking a metric ton of alcohol this weekend, I somehow still stayed below the weight loss goal that I met last week, and was actually at a lower weight than before the weekend. I was expecting to be above the goal weight after this weekend. Also i say "somehow" but tbh I know exactly how I did it.

- i bought a bunch of fruit to share with friends in the car on the way to party. Felt healthy but idk if it contributed directly to these goals

- when we were in a hurry and my bf got mcdonalds, i went to the cafe next door and got a healthier sandwich and some fruit

- i got full at a restaurant and took leftovers home to eat for dinner the next day instead of trying to keep eating

- i didnt get the munchies and binge on snacks

- i got a 6 inch sandwich instead of a footlong for lunch yesterday

- and i stayed active and busy by having fun!

My point is that its so fun to fully live my life and continue to lose weight through consistently listening to my body, staying active, and making the healthiER choice (when I want to 🤪)

I'm getting back to scheduled programming today though. I just got groceries to prep stew for the week + some healthy frozen options + my fav protein drinks as a treat (chai protein from Trader Joes). Going for a nice long walk after work, cooking the stew, then doing stretching & strengthening exercises while watching something on my tv. Its a very chill soft life approach but still, i'm disciplined about taking care of myself.

I'm actually having a very enjoyable weight loss journey now that my relationship with food is solid. I truly believe that this is the time it sticks. I can have fun and enjoy life WHILE being intentional about food and losing weight! And that might just be the key to all of this.

[shifty-fics]

Here's a little bit of scrapped writing that was originally going to be in Chapter 3

This scene was supposed to take place after Francis, Steven, and Angus bumped into MC in front of their hideout

It was scrapped because it felt a little too side tracked and I couldn't find a way to make it flow naturally out of the bar and to the street. I'm a little disappointed it never made the final draft but that's okay, I was never good at writing idle chatter anyway

I think I'll still consider it canon to the story in my heart though

♡

Francis found himself spending the evening at the local tiki pub after being invited by Angus Ciprianni and Steven Rudboys while running errands that afternoon. He figured it wouldn’t be a bad idea to relax a bit before getting back to work. His boss agreed to ease up on the hours and let someone else cover for David, so he would actually be able to spend time at home after work during the week instead of heading straight to bed every night. It was about time, his apartment was in a rather neglected state and it would be great to have time to cook a real dinner instead of late night frozen meals.

He made sure not to drink too much as he sat with the two. Steven and Angus, as talkative as they were, were carrying on their own conversation, and Francis was content idly listening to the two while losing himself in thought.

“Earth to Francis.” His attention was brought back by Steven. “You’ve been dead quiet this whole time, what’s new with you lately?”

“Oh me, nothing at all. Work’s been exhausting as usual, though I got my boss to agree to cut some hours. I was so tired one night I thought I saw our doorman’s eyes glowing.” Francis answered.

“That’s great to hear! Maybe you’ll be able to stop by and play some cards now. My dad always invites Angus and the Peachmans over every once in a while, and you’ve always been out too late.” The pilot said with a smile. “I wonder if the doorman would like to join, what was their name again?”

“Y/n.” Angus answered.

“Yeah. They don’t talk much, I was thinking a friendly game of cards could bring them right out of their shell.”

“Hmmmm maybe. Don’t get your hopes up.” Francis said, his mind wandering back to the door being slammed in his face. “I don’t think they’ll be up for it if I’m there at least.”

“Is this about that commotion from last night?” Angus asked.

“What commotion?” Steven asked.

“Oh, he chased the doorman to their apartment trying to get them to talk about something I assume happened that night. They weren’t in the mood but our stubborn ‘ol pal Francis just kept asking.” The businessman explained. “What was that about by the way?” The milkman let out a heavy sigh.

“I got attacked on my route last night. They dealt with the doppelganger, but they were very adamant about letting me take them to the hospital or the DDD headquarters. Said they could take care of themselves, and when I insisted on giving them a ride they just bolted and vanished.” He recalled.

“I didn’t know our doorman could take down doppels like that! I feel even safer having them at the door now.” Steven interjected.

“I’ve known for a while. They’ve told me about their DDD training.” Angus replied. “Continue, Francis.”

“Right, that wasn’t the only thing. They told me they would go to the DDD headquarters, so I went after I left the hospital to see if they were there. When I was told they weren’t I waited for them, and they never showed up. After that I waited for them at the apartment and that’s when the whole ‘commotion’ started.”

“That is pretty weird, and also explains what happened earlier. Maybe they’re a lot more or a hermit than I thought?” Steven said.

“Maybe.” Francis stood up.

“Leaving already?” Angus asked.

“Hmmm, just thought of something I should probably take care of-