#it was meant to be a quick list and then i got carried away as usual

[songofwizardry]

things i liked in 2024

for the past few years, i've kept a running list in my notes app of media i really enjoyed over the course of the year, and last year i finally wrote it up properly and put it on tumblr, which was fun! so we're doing that again. with some vague categories, and links where possible, here we go—my 2024 media list:

words (prose, poetry, etc—book links go to storygraph):

non-essential work by Omar Sakr [poetry collection]: i did not read as much poetry as i wanted to this year, but i discovered Omar Sakr online and his work just hit me very hard. my favourite is probably on finding the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in Dante's Inferno.

the gardener's hand series by Felicia Davin [prose, fantasy trilogy]: i read a lot more books this year, and i'm very happy about that! i absolutely adored this series. i started it on a recommendation from a friend (thank you @everyoneinspaceisgay), and not only was it extremely readable, i loved the worldbuilding and the magic in particular, our main characters are so compelling, and it's just a really queer series. not just in the 'oh there's a gay relationship at the centre of this', it is very very queer. loved it. can't believe i haven't heard more about it tbh.

the adventures of amina al-sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty [prose, fantasy]: i knew i was going to love this book, because i adored the daevabad books, but god, this was good. amina is such a good protagonist, there were djinns and magic and high sea hijinks, and while a decent chunk of the reason i loved daevabad was because seeing a fantasy world filled with the islamic mythology and folklore that i grew up with made me really happy and excited, this hit that even more—amina sails the indian ocean, and that's my coastline! i grew up on the Swahili coast, my community's immigration history is shaped by the indian ocean, and i had no idea before i read the book that the indian ocean and its coastlines and trade routes would form such a major part of the story. it was excellent. i got very excited at multiple points. you should read it.

paris daillencourt is about to crumble by Alexis Hall [prose, romance]: my partner is a connoisseur of queer romance. she recommends to me a lot of queer romance, but this one has maybe been my favourite. idk what it was about it—the birmingham references, the joy that was the love interest Tariq, the intense quotability of it all (i have so many screenshots, particularly of quotes from Tanya, who is a secondary school science teacher and who was just extremely relatable to me), the nostalgia it gave me (they're disastrous just-about-twenty-year-old gays and one of them lives in, i quote, 'a house with four other students in birmingham with one bathroom and rising damp', it took me back to 2016 in a very vivid way tbh), it was just great. if you need a gay romance, you should read this one.

honourable mentions go to the two t kingfisher books i read this year (nettle and bone and a house with good bones, both excellent and creepy in a wonderful way) and bury your gays by chuck tingle, which was the perfect thing to read in the depths of summer.

video (ish):

we built a TUBE MAP out of LEGO with working trains! by Geoff Marshall [youtube video]: i don't know how to describe this other than this is a delightful bit of nerdery. so much nerdery. the lego is great, the little trains are incredible, but it's the work that goes into it and the justifications about which lines should be above and below the others that make this video incredible.

bingo - game changer season 6 episode 5 [video, dropout exclusive]: game changer just... keeps doing wild and weird and wonderful things with their format, and i don't know how they keep doing it but they do and i'm having way too much of a good time here. it was really hard to pick one episode from the most recent season to go with. this could easily have been a recommendation for deja vu or beat the buzzer instead. i guess what i'm trying to do is recommend the whole season. anyway, i loved bingo because it did something that got me into game changer to begin with—set up what feels like an innocuous game, so you know there's a twist coming, and slowly, layer by layer, reveal the twist. except this one goes places. it reminded me of some of my game changer favourites (tell us about yourself, lie detector) except boy does it take things to a wholly ridiculous level. sam reich, never stop please.

chris grace: as scarlett johansson [video, dropout exclusive]: (link goes to youtube clip from the show, which is sorta... spoilery?) i don't even know how to describe this. it's a stand-up special about racism, it's about scarlett johansson, it's a one man show, it does some absolutely incredible things with its form and format and works with the medium of dropout presents so well, it made me cry and also left me a little shell-shocked in places, it's funny, it's... look, it's a lot and it's really fucking good. i tried looking for a solid review of it to try and explain what it's like, but i didn't succeed. i think you just gotta watch this one to understand it.

rogue - doctor who season 14 episode 6 [tv show episode] - the most recent season of doctor who has just been... fun, okay. like, i think doctor who is at its best when it is not taking itself too seriously and it's a bit ridiculous and also ridiculously heartfelt. this episode was basically made for me. historical shenanigans! aliens with very specific abilities! d&d references!!! (was not expecting that and got SO excited by it.) the doctor getting overly attached to someone and then losing them promptly! emotional high stakes! banter! a+ work all around. i'm told the bridgerton gays loved it as well (my only reference for this is my partner). it was great. this is what doctor who is about, folks.

the importance of being earnest - national theatre revival [theatre]: ("salmon, this isn't video no matter how far you stretch the definition of video." look, i'm aware. idk where else to put it though, and also, it's going to be in cinemas in february and then it will be video, so i'm just ahead of the times. go with the flow.) i keep saying it feels like i've waited fifteen years to watch this exact production of earnest, and i will keep saying it because it is true. i will write up a better post about it sometime soon (promise), but this was so much fun—it was incredibly camp, it starts off with a drag interlude, it's unabashadely gay and also incredibly pretty (the sets were amazing), and it just felt like a love letter both to the text of the play and to the spirit behind it, yknow? i had an absolutely amazing time watching it, and it's one of my favourite things i've experienced this year. when it's in cinemas, you should watch it if you can.

honourable mentions go to: heartstopper season 3, for pulling absolutely zero punches this season, making me feel extremely nostalgic and a bit old, and for the side-characters of the two gay teachers that i have gotten way too fond of; the good place, which i had obviously watched all of as it aired but that i rewatched with my partner this year, and the ending is still so so so good; and to the nein hells (critical role c3 e111), which was an absolute fucking riot—chaotic and hilarious and still heartfelt, and a very good summation of why i love this ridiculous d&d show.

audio (briefly, because this list has gotten very long and out of hand):

this year i started listening to let's learn everything, which is a truly delightful sci-comm podcast (that i discovered via hearing the cast on Tom Scott's lateral). all their episodes are great commute listens (and remind me to have enthusiasm about science when i am tired which is helpful when my job is... yknow teaching science and being enthusiastic about it), but i particularly enjoyed the episode that has interviews from the Ig Nobel ceremony and the episode about epigenetics and the World Games.

i also kept listening to if books could kill which does a great job of tearing to shreds terrible airport books. i don't have any specific episode recs from this year, but if you've never listened to them before, the episode on the secret is a good place to start!

ok, this has gotten a lot longer than i intended, so i'll stop there. if you've read this far, thanks for coming on this journey with me! i've enjoyed making these lists. 2024 was really wonderful in some ways and... relentless and exhausting and very difficult in other ways. i'm hoping for a bit more time and a bit less exhaustion in 2025, and i'm going to try to keep up my reading, to write a bit more, and to hopefully watch more actual play stuff, because i really didn't watch as much of it as i wanted to this year.

let's see what 2025 brings—new critical role stuff? another season of game changer that will blow my mind again? (definitely.) more doctor who? an alecto the ninth announcement? (if we are very lucky maybe.) we shall see! happy new year, folks!

[purinfelix]

can i request hot cocoa + let you break my heart again + franco colapinto

perhaps the both of them are at some kind of gala/event/party for f1 with a mix of yearning maybe some mutual pining 🙈

one day ⊹ ࣪ ˖ - franco colapinto

w/c: 800 a/n: UGH this idea was just sooo scrumptious i loved writing it sm (and maybe got a bit carried away since this was supposed to be a blurb) BUT thanks bff hope u like <3333

this is part of my 1k event - check out the rules here!!

Stuffy formal events were something you thought you'd escaped by choosing a career in motorsport.

Little did you know, becoming an F1 driver meant signing up for a lifetime of them - a fact you were sourly reminded of when the annual gala rolled around, and despite it being your first, proved awful every step of the way. Somewhere in between the pretentiously tiny portion sizes and long, boring speeches, you found yourself growing more restless, desperate for an escape.

That's how you ended up here - leaving the toilet cubicle that had been your safe haven for the last half an hour, following a less-than-kind text from your pr manager demanding your return. As you washed your hands, your eyes glazed over your reflection in the ornate bathroom mirror. A small smile perked at the side of your mouth, satisfied with the job your stylist had done - even if the outfit she had chosen was suffocatingly tight and only added to your long list of nightly grievances.

Leaving the bathroom, you took in a deep breath, mentally preparing to sit through several more insufferable hours of this event.

"I was wondering where you went," came a voice from the other side of the hall, emerging from the men's bathroom. Looking up you locked onto a pair of green eyes, a coy expression on his face.

"Didn't think you'd notice in between all your flirting, Franco," you spat, though you couldn't stop yourself from offering a sly smile. You feel his eyes run over you, trying to maintain your composure as you feel your cheeks heat up under the weight of his gaze.

"You look good," he lets out, a little softly, almost like a confession. You're tempted to reply back with something snappy, though you stop yourself.

"You too." And you're not lying. In a black suit, cleanly pressed and fitted, he looks almost unrecognisable from the normal race weekend outfit. Though his deep brown curls, which you can tell his stylist has tried their best to tame, still fall carefreely onto his forehead.

He brushes a couple away as he lets out a shy laugh. "Well, it seemed a good time to clean up, hm?"

There's a moment of silence that seems to indicate that the two of you should return back to the event - but you don't. Neither of you move, just standing there looking at each other, almost daring the other to say something else. It's unlike the two of you since usually any space between you is filled with snarky comments and quick insults - the result of being two rookies from opposite teams, fighting to make a name for yourselves.

But sometimes you wish it weren't. Sometimes, in between the snide remarks and menacing stares, you think about how maybe if fate had favoured you just a little more, Franco might've been your teammate. And maybe, just maybe, you might've gotten along.

Though being 'rivals' meant being similar, even if you refused to admit it, and knowing each other deeply - on a level that being friends wouldn't come close to.

He reminds you of this fact when he pipes up again, hands shoved in the pockets of his dress pants. "I really don't want to go back in there," he confesses.

"Me neither," you sigh in agreeance, relieved he feels the same.

"It's just so-"

"Stuffy."

"Yes, exactly!" he replies, a thankful smile on his face, "plus, I feel like this tie is trying to strangle me."

"But I guess we have to go back, my media manager is going to be looking for me."

"Right," he says, looking down, "unless."

You quirk an eyebrow, intrigued at what he's implying. "Surely not."

"What are the chances of us actually being needed tonight, we're two rookies, it's not like they're going to give us any awards."

"You really haven't been listening in those media training lessons of yours, hm?"

"Oh, because you care so much about my image," he laughs, "c'mon let's get out of here, do something else, something that isn't so mind-numbingly boring." As he speaks, he brings a hand to his neck, loosening his tie, and you suck in a sharp breath as you watch him.

"Franco," you say softly, almost begging him not to make you make this decision.

"Fine, if you want to head back in there, be my guest, but I'm going." He turns around, giving you one last look, almost daring you to follow him with one eyebrow raised and the corner of his lips quirked up.

As he does you're struck by the feeling that maybe one day the two of you won't be posed as rivals, that maybe you might truly get along.

That maybe one day he won't have such a strong effect on you, that the way he looks at you won't make your heart flutter and brain stop as much as it does now.

But today isn't that day.

"Franco, wait," you call out, jogging up to him and letting out a defeated sigh, "where should we go?"

"Anywhere you want," he replies, looking at you with a smug yet endeared smile - almost as if he knew you'd join him all along.

taglist: @spreadyourwings-my-smiling-angel @alelo23 @scill-a @multifan-idk @presleycaudle

[jexnkookie]

BTS: In the Secret (Idol! Jungkook x Reader) [Chapter 5]

Summary: Big Hit announces a new season of In the Soop with a twist; one lucky Army is going to join the members for an entire summer of filming, picked by a random poll. You were selected, and ready to have an amazing summer. But what happens when you win something else that's a bit more complicated; the heart of the group's maknae?

Rating: M (18+)

Chapter Warnings: None.

Tag List: @cassies-cookies @hoeinthehouse @jjeonjjk7 @kaitieskidmore97 @laylasbunbunny @leetha43 @rrosiitas @whoa-jo @1-in-abillion 

While you were sleeping, Jungkook did what he did best when he needed to clear his head; he boxed. After slipping on his gloves and getting into position, he let it all out on a punching bag. Again, his thoughts settled on you; how you felt in his arms, how you gazed at his lips like he gazed at yours, giving him a glimmer of hope that just maybe you wanted to kiss him, too. He needed to get you alone again, and away from the cameras. 

It was something he had thought about while working out. All the cameras on the property were filming every move the members made. Of course, that’s what everyone signed up for. No surprise there. But that means everything will be up to view soon, and Jungkook didn’t know what would be aired, and what wouldn’t. Would their short-lived game of truth or dare, where you gave Taehyung a quick kiss, be seen by fans? Or your movie day together? What about him carrying you to bed? He hoped not, knowing how some fans react to just a dating rumor. He didn’t want you to be on the receiving end of one of those storms. Whatever heat he got, he could take it, and would take it, if it meant protecting you. 

So he continued thinking; how can he get you away from the other members, and away from the cameras, to have privacy with you? How can he keep this a secret, while still properly confessing? A grin came to his face as he hatched an idea, but he’d need a little time to think through the details. That wouldn’t be now, however, as you walked into the door of the gym. 

“Hey.” You greeted him with a wave. “I’m so sorry I fell asleep. That was so embarrassing, and I feel awful.” 

“Don’t, it’s ok.” He said, his voice going soft once again, as became a habit around you. “You were tired.” 

“And um…thank you, for bringing me to my bedroom.” You blushed, walking closer to him as he had paused his workout. “That was really sweet of you.” 

“Any time.” He smiled.

Figuring out where to move the conversation to, because you didn’t want to stop talking to him, you glanced to his boxing gloves. 

“Y’know, I’ve never boxed before.” You smiled. “It looks fun, though.” 

“I can show you.” He grinned, always ready to play. Jungkook began removing his gloves, before raising his sparkling eyes to yours. “Here, put these on. They’ll probably be too big but it’ll work for now.” 

Standing very close to you, he helped you put them on, as you had never done so before. You felt as though you couldn’t breathe, and like your heart had paused in your chest. How is it even possible for someone be that beautiful? He stood tall over you, and you wanted him to put his arms around you so badly. Little did you know, he wanted to, as well. He focused solely on your gloves, but being so close to you and feeling your eyes on him made him more nervous than he’d care to admit. He wanted to lean down just enough to kiss you, but he knew it wasn’t the right time. 

Not yet. Not in front of the cameras, and not on the property. 

He had an idea, and he wanted to stick to it. 

“Ok!” He smiled. “I’ll show you how to throw a punch, then you’ll hit me.” 

“I don’t wanna hurt you!” You laughed. 

“I really doubt you’re going to hurt me.” He teased, smirking at you. 

“We’ll see. I can be mean!” 

“I seriously doubt that.” Jungkook giggled. “Let’s get it, c’mon!” 

You threw punch after punch, while Jungkook blended teasing words with encouragement. He loved your competitiveness and playfulness, as it matched him so well. He thought to himself, as he was laughing with you, how easy it is just to be with you. Although you were a fan, that’s why you were selected, you treated him like a normal person. Someone to joke with, someone to just hang out with. He felt like he never had to try around you, and he appreciated that you didn’t seem to try hard to impress him, either. Everything just felt so natural. 

“Alright, Kookie, I’m taking you down this round.” You giggled through deep breaths, collecting yourself. 

“Yeah?” He grinned. “You’re confident?” 

“Mhm.” You hummed. “Watch.” 

With that, you went back in with a fierceness, making him smile and coo to himself, watching how you were trying so hard but still couldn’t even knock him back. Moving in closer to him, you both began laughing as it was clear that this was going nowhere for you. Jungkook “fought” back, moving forward towards you, making you back up despite your cute complaints. (“No fair, you’re bigger! I’m punching above my weight!”) Without paying too much attention, caught up in the fun you were having together, you were backed against the wall, trapped by Jungkook. 

“Fine! You win!” You laugh, throwing your head back to the wall. 

Jungkook was somehow even closer than he was before, with your body resting against the wall. While you both caught your breath, grinning over your silliness, Jungkook’s hand instinctively came up to brush strands of hair away from your face as your eyes were gazing into his. 

You stared at each other for what felt like hours, just enjoying being close. The moment felt fragile, as though if either person moved too quickly, it would shatter. 

“Hi.” He whispered, breaking the silence. 

“Hi.” 

“I…” Jungkook started without really understanding what it was he needed to say. “That was fun.” 

“Yeah.” You smiled warmly, biting your lip nervously before adding, “I like hanging out with you.” 

“Yeah?” He grinned. “I like hanging out with you, too.”  

And just like that, it was present again; another fragile moment. Eyes glued to each other, butterflies in his stomach, and a racing heart in your chest. Words that you both weren’t quite sure how to say, or if you should say them, lingering in the air, making the room feel heavy. The  attraction was immediate, but now the spark is glowing, as well. It was something you both knew, but didn’t understand how to approach it. 

“I, uh, think we may need a shower.” Jungkook said softly. “Before Yoongi-hyung finishes dinner.” 

“You’re probably right.” You smiled, sighing internally that the moment couldn’t last. 

“You go first. I’ll clean up here, and meet you later, ok?” 

“Ok.” You replied. You looked over his features one more time before leaving for your guesthouse. 

Jungkook was grinning uncontrollably, feeling electric from the interaction. He knew he couldn’t mess this up with you, but he needed to tell you how he felt. There was something between you two that was almost magnetic, drawing him to you in ways that felt unreal. He understood he needed to act, but it needed to be private and personal, and just right. 

He quickly reached for his phone, and looked for the answer to one question; 

How long until a lake clears after a flood? 

A week passed, and it seemed to fly by. You had discussed your favorite records with Yoongi, painted a bit with Taehyung, beaten Jin at Mario Kart (much to his dismay), and gossiped over drinks with Jimin. The latter of which you increasingly became closer with, thanking multiple glasses of wine and late night conversations for that. 

“Are you single?” Jimin asked. It was 4 a.m., and the cameras were turned off for the night, allowing you to speak more freely. 

“I am.” You responded. “Honestly, I wouldn’t have come if I wasn’t. Spending a summer with 7 men alone… I don’t think a boyfriend would appreciate that, you know? What about you?” 

“That’s true… And, me too.” He said. “The last one, I don’t know… we just didn’t work out.” 

“I’m sorry to hear that.” 

“It’s ok. It’s in the past now.” Jimin smiled kindly. “Can I ask about you?” 

“My last boyfriend?” You rolled your eyes at the memory. “I broke up with him. We just never had any fun together, you know? It grew stale very quickly, like we were stuck in this routine, and he took himself too seriously to try anything new.” 

“He doesn’t sound like your type.”

“Yeah?” You grinned at his response, pouring more wine. “What do you think my type is?” 

“I think you like someone you can have fun with.” He stated, leaning back into the couch, a mischievous look gracing his features as if holding in a secret. “I think you’d like someone who can make you laugh and who will play with you, but he can also be sensitive and take care of you.” 

“You almost sound like you have someone in mind for me.” You giggled. 

“Not really.” Jimin smiled, looking down at his glass. “Just guessing.” 

At the end of the week, Jungkook had come to your bedroom door, knocking to wake you. It was late; late enough where the cameras were turned off and the other members were sleeping. You furrowed your brow wondering who would be coming to get you at this time, and why. 

“Jungkook?” You whispered. “What are you doing?” 

“Y/N, I have a surprise for you,” He whispers, his eyes somehow dazzling in the dark. “Should you choose to accept it.” 

“You make it sound like a video game side quest, Kookie.” You giggle. “I accept. What is it?” 

“Put on some shoes, and come with me.” He responded with a boyish grin. “I have something to show you.” 

You did as you were told, and Jungkook led you though the dark to the ATV on the property. Attached to it, somehow, was a bottle from Yoongi’s whiskey stash and a blanket. You were suddenly thankful for the cover of the night, because you could feel your cheeks blushing as you gathered what he could be up to. 

“Get on, and hold on tight to me, ok?” He explained. “I found something I think you’ll like.” 

After getting onto the back of the ATV, you got comfortable and hugged him tightly from the back. Jungkook smiled at the feeling of your arms, and he hoped it was the first of many times he’d feel you wrapped around him. He took off, checking to make sure the members and the staff weren’t paying attention, and took you down the road. The drive was short, and you wondered what Jungkook could’ve possibly found, as you were in the woods. 

But as he drove up to what seemed to be a perfect, private oasis, your eyes grew wide. Tucked in a cleared spot, there was a lake with the moonlight reflecting off the cool water. It was peaceful and serene, with only the occasional sound of crickets breaking the silence. 

“It’s the lake that the staff members mentioned may flood.” Jungkook explained as he helped you off the ATV. “I wanted to bring you here for a few days, but it needed to clear first.” 

“This is so pretty.” You said.  

“Come on, let’s go sit down.” He said, carrying the blanket and the wine. 

“I feel like a teenager.” You laughed as Jungkook spread the blanket on the ground. “Sneaking out of the house late with a boy, stealing alcohol from the kitchen.” 

“We’re rebels.” Jungkook laughed. You sat next to him, and he popped open the bottle of wine. “Meaning we drink from the bottle, too…and totally not because I forgot to grab glasses.” 

“I love this.” You giggled. “Thank you for bringing me out here. This is nice.” 

“Anytime.” He replied softly. “I’ve been thinking… this could be our place, y’know? If we need to get away from the cameras, from the set, we can just come here.” 

“That sounds amazing.” You said. Jungkook looked over at you, admiring your features and how they glowed in the moonlight. “Oh, look! We can see stars so clearly here.” You laid down on the blanket, and Jungkook followed. 

“I can see… the moon.” Jungkook joked, making you laugh. “I don’t know much about stars.” 

“Tell me your zodiac, and I’ll show you where it is.” You smiled. 

You began pointing out to Jungkook where his corner of the sky was, and where yours was alongside it. While you spoke about stars, Jungkook had some of his own in his eyes, hanging on every word you said. The atmosphere of the lake, the red wine buzz you both felt, and your sweet voice right next to him made him so, unbelievably happy. You spoke about his corner of the sky, but he felt like this little place he found was meant for both of you. Your little corner of the world. 

“Hey.” He whispered, cutting you off softly. 

“Hey.” You whispered back. 

“I…” A brief pause, but unlike that day in the gym, he knew what he needed to say. “I just want to tell you, that I meant what I said. The day I met you, I said you were so pretty. It’s true… I think you’re beautiful.” 

“T-Thank you.” You stuttered, blushing profusely at his gaze and attention.  

“Can…Can I ask you something?”

“Of course.” 

“The day we were watching a movie, and the day we were boxing… I felt something.” Jungkook explained nervously. “I felt a.. I don’t know, a spark or something, if that makes sense. Did you… Do you…” 

“Yeah.” You smiled warmly. “Yeah, I feel it, too.” 

Once again, a fragile moment appearing. The warm, summer air feels heavy once again, and a rush of vulnerability passes through. The quiet part weighs on you both now that it’s been said out loud; he feels something for you, and you feel it to. Not love, not yet. Not enough to dive in head first. But enough to be a promise of something, or the hope of an exciting possibility. 

“Can I kiss you?” Jungkook asked, gazing down at your lips. You nodded your consent, and he slowly brought his hands to your waist, pulling you in closer to cuddle with him on the blanket. He brushed a strand of hair out of your face, just as he had done back at the main house, but the action felt different this time. More real, knowing its intention. 

He smiled, as did you, at the tension of the moment. 

Then, he leans in, eyes closed. You closed yours as well, anticipating the touch. He lingers nearby, nerves taking over, but Jungkook wouldn’t miss his chance. His lips grazed yours, before connecting fully. Your hands came up to touch his chest softly, encouraging him to go just a bit further. So he did, deepening the kiss and savoring how your lips locked with his for the first time. 

After spending some time together, feeling high off of whatever this connection was, you both knew you needed to get back before the members and staff realized you were missing. Jungkook packed up and drove you back, but noticing the time and knowing the cameras hadn’t turned back on quite yet, he took your hand in his to walk you back to your bedroom. 

“Please get some rest, ok?” He whispered, leaning in close again, not able to get enough. “I’m sorry I kept you out so late.” 

“It’s ok.” You smiled, reaching up to wrap your arms around his shoulders. 

“Y/N, listen.” He whispered, his tone more serious as he placed his hands on your hips. “I don’t want either of us to feel pressured by anyone about this… about us. I don’t want anyone jumping to their own conclusions about us before we even know for sure what we are. I just want us to spend time together, y’know? So when the cameras are on, and the members are around, let’s keep it between us.” 

“Ok.” You said, your voice a bit sad. 

“Hey, Y/N, c’mon.” Jungkook cooed, pulling you in close to hold you. “Trust me, I want everyone to know about this, but just not yet. I’m not hiding you, I’m protecting you. I promise. Please, just trust me.” 

He looked down at you, giving you a soft, slow kiss and feeling relieved when he felt your smile. 

“Goodnight.” You whispered, before turning towards the door. 

“Goodnight.” He replied. Jungkook struggled to let you go, wanting to hold you in his arms longer, now that he actually has you. 

You reached for his sweatshirt that night, wearing it to bed like you had done so many nights before. But somehow, it felt softer than ever. 

Next Chapter Coming Soon...Thank you! x

[littlemissmentallyunstable]

title: hannah’s avery

pairing: avery grambs x jameson hawthorne

synopsis: it’s the anniversary of hannah’s death and avery can’t admit to herself that she’s not okay

warnings: mention of death

a/n: I adored writing this!! should I do more avery x jameson?? bc this is my first fic with those two (crazy right??)

tag list: @bewitchingkisses @whatsamongus @wish-i-were-heather @inmyheaddd @never-enough-novels @sweetlikeanangel @midiosaamor @sweetreveriee @emelia07 @f4iry-bell @zaraaaabear @thoughtdaughter3 @benny1989fredd @elysianwayy77 @maybxlle @sheisntyou @anintellectualintellectual @aleatorio1234 @adalia-jaycee @off-to-the-r4ces @lyra-kane @reminiscentreader @lyrakanefanatic @imaseabear @elizaa31 @loveinalocket

Avery Kylie Grambs doesn’t cry. It’s been something I’ve told myself my whole life. I didn’t come crashing down when problems came my way, I braved them and didn’t let them see my pain. I’ve always been a stubborn girl and nothing would stop that.

But sometimes… sometimes Hannah’s Avery cried. The little girl in her mother’s arms when the going got tough. She cried and when she did, she wasn’t weak, she had her mother’s strength to carry her through. My mom’s arms had always been a safe place, she was the only person I could crumble into and fall apart on. She allowed me to be every version of myself. Good or bad.

I hadn’t been Hannah’s Avery since the night my mom died but suddenly I found myself as Hannah’s Avery once again on a dull Monday night. And it was more bittersweet than I ever would’ve thought. I felt a sense of nostalgia, like the girl I used to know was back, the girl I love so dearly that I’d lost. But there were no arms to sob into this time. And what was Hannah’s Avery without Hannah?

I reluctantly pushed myself up off of the bed I’d been curled up on for lord knows how long, in an attempt to pull myself together. I walked the bathroom and splashed my face. The icy cold water hit every cell, sending a jolt of shock through me. I needed to stop this nonsense. I wiped my face and breath, staring at someone unrecognisable in the mirror. Hannah’s Avery was long gone, that little girl had died with her mother. Avery Kylie Grambs seemed to be gone too. So who was she? Reflected in the glass? The girl I was looking at wasn’t any version of myself. She was new.

I turned away, uncomfortable with the change, the newcomer. I walked back the bedroom, looking up at the ceiling. And as pretty as the pattern was on it, I don’t think that was why I was looking up. I slumped down on my bed and ran my fingers through my knotted hair, helplessly tugging out the tangles.

“Heiress?”

There was only one voice like his.

“Yeah?” I replied, with a feigned smile.

“Are you okay?” he asked, approaching closer, faster.

His voice was contorted with concern. Why could he tell I wasn’t okay? How could he tell? No one can ever tell. They aren’t meant to be able to tell. I silently cursed myself for not sticking on my mask well enough tonight, the cracks were beginning to appear and Jameson could see right through them.

“Fine,” I replied, not sounding fine at all.

“What’s wrong?” he was quick to ask.

“Nothing I’m fine,” I said sharply, meeting his eyes. Big mistake.

“You’ve been crying,” he barely whispered, touching my cheek gently.

His touch was so soft I shuddered and pulled away. I couldn’t afford to be vulnerable, I couldn’t afford to be manipulated by my feelings, give in so easily. I was stronger than that.

“I don’t cry,” I snapped, my voice hard, harsh, unfamiliar. I didn’t like the way it sounded, it was so unlike myself, like the girl in the mirror from earlier.

“Oh Heiress,” he said, his voice sweet like honey, “everybody cries.”

I shook my head stubbornly, so paralysed by denial I thought I could still move, “not me.”

“Come here,” he replied, sitting down on our bed and opening his arms.

“No, I’m fine,” I repeated. I could see what he was trying to do. “I don’t need comfort, I’m not upset.”

“I know,” he shrugged, “but just come here.”

I crawled into his open arms and curled up against his chest. I laid there as he traced the features of my face with a tentative fingertip. Some of my previous emotion began to subside and I began to feel better. It would leave, whatever this was. It would be gone in a minute. Or that’s what I thought. I was a naive fool. Within seconds of my optimism the left side of my chest physically ached, pulsations of jagged agony rippled through. I fumbled for the words to explain what I was feeling but my mind drew blank. I physically couldn’t. I looked up at Jameson, our eyes locked together.

“Call it,” I murmured, an unwanted tremor creeping into my voice.

“What?” he asked quietly, stroking my hair.

“Call tahiti,” I whispered, gazing into his large green eyes.

“Heiress,” he said gently, his face mellowing, “I don’t have to do that.”

He was right. He could’ve called tahiti the moment he saw my tear-stained cheeks, or sullen face but he didn’t. He waited. And even thought it was probably killing him, wracking his brain, ripping his heart from inside out, the word never came near to passing his lips.

“I want you to,” I said, sitting up, “I want you to call it.”

“Okay,” he replied slowly, almost hesitantly. Jameson Hawthorne didn’t hesitate. “Tahiti.”

I paused for what felt like hours, the words didn’t want to come out of my mouth. It was like they’d been stuck to the sides on my throat with superglue. I hadn’t ever admitted this pain out loud. I didn’t realise how deep I’d buried it.

“My mom,” I whispered, holding in a sob.

I couldn’t look into his eyes, I knew I wouldn’t be able to hold it together if I did that and I couldn’t afford to fall apart for the second time today. Avery Kylie Grambs doesn’t do that.

“Oh Avery,” Jameson said with softened eyes.

Not Heiress. Avery. The tenderness in his voice melted my heart and all of my insides. And with those two words I knew he immediately understood, I didn’t have to say anymore.

I loved him more than anything on this earth, I wanted him, I needed him. But needing someone and letting yourself needing someone are two very different things. But that day finally chose the latter. I fell into him, collapsing in a heap of loud, ugly sobs. I’d never felt more exposed to my own feelings, so raw with emotion.

“It hurts,” I choked, coughing up the words that I’d buried alive in my weighted heart.

“I know, but I’ve got you okay?” he comforted. I could hear his beating heart against my ear, reminding me of how lucky I was. For him, for all of this, for the life I was living. “And it won’t hurt forever,” he continued.

“What if it does?” I asked, my voice so childlike it ached.

“Then I’ll always be here to hold you,” he whispered, stroking the length of my hair softly, his fingers rhythmically weaving between strands in a calming manor.

And he was. He didn’t let go. His grip never wavered. He just held me, all of me. He held Avery Kylie Grambs, Hannah’s Avery and the Heiress. I hid my face into his chest and shed the remnants of my pain, his scent offered me comfort, his touch was warm and familiar.

“I love you Jamie,” I said into him after a while. It was so quiet I didn’t know it he’d heard me.

“I love you too Heiress,” he replied with a kiss on the top of my head. He’d heard me.

He always hears me.

a/n: thanks for reading!! hopefully I got the dynamic right?? anyways this is in honour of our lovely excerpt yesterday 🤭🤭

ALSO I am very aware that I promise PART 4 of the mysterious blonde would be the next fic up but I had this random idea and I needed to write it!! and the mysterious blonde pt4 is a much longer fic than this one…

[leviscolwill]

moonlight, sunrise

pairing: trent alexander arnold x fem!reader

summary: after trent's first time captaining his boyhood club, you can't help showing him your appreciation [wc: ~700]

contents: tooth rotting fluff, established relationship, captain trent ‼️, food mention, not proofread yet 🏃‍♀️

note: needed to write a little something for my boy <3

now playing: moonlight sunrise by twice (ready to be)

you were absolutely stoked when darwin scored a late goal for your team, winning newcastle 2-1. during all the game, your thoughts went to your boyfriend, who captained his team after van dijk got red carded. you knew how much his boyhood club meant to him and how much he adored it, so being vice captain was a huge honour. after the final whistle, you grabbed your phone to send him a quick text; "congrats on today's win my captain !! can't wait to celebrate with you tonight xx". you knew he wouldn't answer right away so you got up to prepare trent's surprise.

you put on your favourite playlist, and searched for everything you needed to make some pizzas, from the dough to the toppings, you had everything you needed. trent loved your pizzas, you weren't the best cook around but it was the one dish you could never miss.

you tried shaping the dough into little hearts, colouring them with bright red tomato sauce. your addiction to 'good pizza great pizza' helped you create the best pizza with trent's favourite toppings.

while you were finishing the last couple mini pizzas, you felt someone hug you from behind.

"they look so good, you really outdone yourself with these." you heard trent's voice in your ears.

"no ! they were supposed to be a surprise... please pretend you never saw this." you say in a disappointed tone, you must have been too distracted by your music to hear trent coming home.

"alright, alright. can i help you with the last one at least ?"

"of course not, you can't help making your own gift." you refused, but trent wouldn't take no for an answer. he placed the toppings to form a smiley face on the heart pizza. you snapped a quick picture of your masterpiece before putting it in the oven.

your boyfriend set up the table while you lit up some scented candles. these kinds of evenings were your favourites. the evenings when your boyfriend's was just yours, not the media's or the fans'. just trent, just yours.

trent was taken aback when you hugged his back, resting your head on his shoulder.

"you know i'm proud of you, right ? you did great today mister liverpool captain."

"i think you might have mentioned that a couple of times. thank you for believing in me pretty girl." he pressed a kiss on your lips before getting the pizzas out of the oven.

you ate your pizzas in front of a movie trent picked, of course, under the covers you brought to your living room, intently listing to each other's comments as silly as they might have been.

quickly enough, you fell asleep and felt trent's arms carrying you to your shared bedroom.

"where are we going ?" you asked him in a sleepy voice, even though you already knew the answer.

"to bed ratatouille."

"don't compare me to a rat." you huffed in disapproval of his newfound nickname for you.

"you're the rat that makes the best pizzas in the whole world."

you both cuddled up under your covers, and you felt tiredness get the best of you, trent must have felt it as well.

"goodnight, i love you." he said pressing a kiss on your cheek, after turning off the lights.

"i love you too, sleep well my captain."

trent's light strokes on your arm and his slow breathing lulled you to sleep swiftly. these were really your favourite nights, in the company of your favourite boy.

[novaursa]

Can I request a pre-rebellion Ned Stark x Targaryen!reader.

Reader is a skilled swordswoman and essentially sneaks into a tourney (by disguising herself in armour) and she duels against Ned and beats him. Then she reveals herself and he’s just real impressed and becomes smitten.

The duel is similar to this scene from GOT. - https://youtu.be/wE2XFEUXxjk?si=ai7YLWHfo5rFrT_0

Dragonsteel

- Summary: You enlist in the sword tournament under a disguise and steal Ned’s heart.

- Paring: targ!reader/Eddard Stark

- Note: These events happen before Robert's Rebellion.

- Rating: Mild 13+

- Tag(s): @sachaa-ff @alyssa-dayne @oxymakestheworldgoround

The tourney grounds were buzzing with excitement, a sea of colors and banners whipping in the brisk wind, but you were hidden away, slipping into your armor. It was a fine set—plain and nondescript, save for a small pendant around your neck, bearing the image of a three-headed dragon, its wings wrapped protectively around a tiny sword. It was something you’d carried since you were a child, but to everyone else, it was just a trinket. No one would suspect who was beneath the steel and mail.

This was your chance. You’d watched, eyes burning with envy, as knights from all over the realm tested their skill in the lists. Your father, King Aerys, had dismissed your requests to participate with a snarl, your mother with pleading eyes, and Rhaegar, ever the dutiful older brother, had only sighed and shook his head. But there was fire in your blood, a restlessness that couldn’t be quenched with needlework and courtly dances. So, you took matters into your own hands.

The sword felt like an extension of your arm as you stepped into the ring, the weight familiar, comforting. Your first opponent—a burly knight whose house crest you didn’t recognize—grinned down at you, clearly underestimating the slight, armored figure before him. His mistake. You disarmed him in three swift moves, his blade clattering to the ground as he blinked, stunned.

The crowd cheered, more in surprise than in recognition, and you took a deep breath, trying not to let the rush of victory get to your head. There were still more rounds to go.

One by one, you dispatched your opponents. Some were more skilled, some less, but none could match the ferocity of your strikes or the quickness of your feet. You moved like a dancer, weaving and striking with a grace few knights possessed. You caught glimpses of the royal box between bouts, the glint of Rhaegar’s silver hair and the white beard of your father. They were watching, as were countless others, but you doubted they knew it was you beneath the helm.

Finally, your last opponent stepped forward, and your heart did a peculiar flip in your chest. Eddard Stark—Ned, as you’d heard his friends call him—strode into the ring. He was tall and lean, his face serious and composed. You remembered him from the occasional visits to King’s Landing he made with his father, his quiet demeanor and the way he seemed slightly out of place amidst the opulence of the Red Keep. He was different from the other men who vied for your attention, and you found yourself strangely intrigued.

Ned inclined his head in a respectful nod, which you returned before settling into a defensive stance. His grey eyes narrowed, studying your form, and you wondered what he saw—a mysterious knight with no house sigil, or just another challenger to defeat.

The clash was swift and intense. He was cautious, methodical, his strikes precise, each one meant to test your defenses. You parried and dodged, feeling a thrill of excitement course through you. Here was a challenge, a true test of your skill.

But you were no green boy fresh from the training yard. You pressed forward, your sword a blur as you forced him back. His brow furrowed in concentration, but there was something else there too, a glint of admiration, perhaps? Or was it confusion?

You spun, your blade catching his in a perfect arc that sent his sword flying from his grasp. The crowd erupted in cheers, but you barely heard them, your gaze locked on his. Ned Stark, the quiet, solemn lordling of the North, stood disarmed before you, a look of disbelief on his face.

Slowly, you reached up and removed your helm, shaking out your hair as gasps rippled through the audience. The pendant around your neck caught the light, the tiny dragon glinting like fire.

“Seven hells,” Ned muttered, staring at you with wide eyes. You bit back a grin, enjoying his shock far too much.

The reaction from the royal box was immediate. Rhaegar shot to his feet, his expression a mix of horror and incredulity. “What in the name of the gods are you doing?” he shouted, his voice carrying over the stunned silence. “You could have been hurt!”

You shrugged, not bothering to hide the mischievous smile tugging at your lips. “But I wasn’t, dear brother.” You turned back to Ned, who was still gaping at you as if you’d sprouted wings. “Apologies, Lord Stark. I hope I didn’t bruise your pride too much.”

His lips twitched, the beginnings of a smile forming as he dipped his head. “I’ve never been bested by a… princess before.” There was something warm in his gaze now, something that made your stomach flutter. “You fight well.”

You felt a strange heat rise to your cheeks. “Thank you, my lord,” you said, surprised at the sudden shyness in your own voice. This wasn’t how you’d expected this encounter to go. Where was your usual confidence?

The murmurs from the crowd grew louder as people began to piece together what had happened. A princess—no, the king’s daughter—had fought in the lists, had bested some of the finest knights in the realm, and had unseated Eddard Stark. It was scandalous, outrageous, and thoroughly satisfying.

Rhaegar descended from the royal box, his long strides eating up the distance between you. “Father will have your head for this,” he murmured, but there was a glimmer of pride in his eyes, a secret smile that only you could see.

“Let him try,” you retorted, sheathing your sword with a flourish. “But perhaps he should consider that his daughter is not quite as helpless as he thinks.”

Rhaegar shook his head, exasperated, but he placed a gentle hand on your shoulder. “You’re incorrigible,” he sighed, but his voice was soft, fond.

You turned back to Ned, who was still watching you with that same, curious expression. “Well, my lord,” you said, raising an eyebrow. “Will you join me for a walk? Or are you too humiliated to be seen with the likes of me?”

His smile widened then, a rare, genuine smile that softened his features. “I think, Princess, that I’d be honored.” He offered his arm, and you took it, feeling the eyes of the entire court upon you as you walked away from the tourney grounds.

As you left, you caught Rhaegar’s bemused expression, the horrified looks of some of the other lords and ladies, and, from somewhere in the back, the sound of someone bursting into laughter. You couldn’t help but grin. Let them talk. You’d had your victory.

[hardlysticks]

The Sea Breeze Carries Unknown Secrets

Chapter 1

You can’t remember much of last night, you remember waking up and seeing two creatures in the ocean. Clearly it was a dream, being back in this town brought back the ideas of the creatures that your grandfather had warned you about.

Besides that weird dream and the splashes near the rocks, everything had been fairly normal. You spend your days venturing into town and reliving parts of your childhood summers that you could remember; that cute little cafe that always served tasty treats, or maybe the little antique shop where your grandfather had bought you a little model sailboat. It was all surprisingly still here.

It brought you a sense of comfort to see that everything was still the same, which meant that those you had met when you were younger still remembered you.

“Oh darling! It’s been so long since we last saw you!”

An older woman broke you from your thoughts as she brought her hands up to pinch at the apple of your cheeks.

You couldn’t help but smile at the affection and her words, you remember the older woman, she was one who would feed you stories of the sea while always leaving a seat open for you and your grandfather open at her restaurant.

“I know I know, college and my career really kept me away from visiting. But I’ve moved into papa’s old home” you mentioned to her.

You weren’t that young kid who would run around town and listen to whatever story you could get your hands on, you were now in your mid thirties and had stepped your foot into the world of publishing and writing books.

“That’s wonderful! We really have missed seeing you around. Now if you ever need a little something to eat then you know where to find me” she gave you a quick pat on the cheek before she had wandered off back to her restaurant.

As the older woman wandered off you pulled your phone out of your pocket to look at the list you made for yourself, even if you finished unpacking you still had stuff left to do. Such as grocery shopping.

With your phone in hand you made your way to the small market that the town called a grocery store, staring down at your grocery list you meandered down the aisles grabbing the food that would sustain you in your new houses.

The fruit and vegetables always seemed to be more ripe and colorful in the coastal town, you don’t remember seeing such a juicy mango in the city. Staring at the display of vegetables in front of you, it distracts you from the feeling of being watched. Coal brown eyes that followed every little bit of your movement, but staying out of your sight.

Your mind played it off as someone not recognizing you in a town of close knit people, with a shake of your head you moved to wander down the bakery aisle instead.

With your gaze focused on your grocery list you managed to walk into a wall, though when you glanced up from the list you noticed that it was in fact not a wall…. And instead a wall of muscle.

“Oh!- oh I’m so sorry! I really should have focused on where I’m going-“ you stuttered out as you started at the behemoth of a man.

The man, now that you got a better look, was around 6’2 and built like a brick house. A black surgical mask covered the lower half of his face, if you squinted just slightly you could see a display of light freckles that dusted his face, and then there was the dark brown eyes but you could have sworn under the fluorescent light it turned to an amber like color.

“It’s fine” a gruff voice interrupted you from your thoughts, the thick Manchester accent definitely matched this giant of a man. The man held a basket filled with summer vegetables and what seemed like tea boxes.

“Right um… still I should pay better attention” you added, before offering your name towards him. The man raised an eyebrow; staring down at your form before letting out another grunt.

“M’names simon” he replied, a tinge of hesitancy lining his voice, all while his eyes held a sort of amusement. With a smile you gave him a nod and glanced down at your almost full basket, you had gotten what you came here for.

“Well… it’s nice to meet you Simon. But I must be off now. I hope to see you around” you offered him with a smile before heading off to the cashier. The line went by fast and you were able to pay for all the necessities you needed for the next few days.

The walk home was nice, the cool sea breeze cools you down from the summer sun all while letting your hair wisp against your face. It was far better than the smog filled air you had learned to live with in the city.

Town wasn’t all too far from your seaside cottage, a long gravel road welcomed you back to your cottage. Carefully balancing your bags of groceries in your arms you tried to reach back towards your pocket to retrieve your key to open your door. As you stopped at your porch you noticed something blocking your way.

Fish… dead fish

As you took a closer look at the fish you noticed it was a small arrangement of cod and grouper… how the hell did they make their way to your porch from the seaside? With a groan you stepped around them and brought your groceries inside, trying to plan on how to deal with the fish.

Eventually the only thing that came to mind was… throwing the dead fish back in the sea. Your lip curled up in slight disgust as you picked up the dead fish and tossed them back into the sea, mumbling to yourself about how gross that was.

A pair of sapphire eyes watched from past the rocks on the coastline, squinting with confusion as they watched you toss the fish away.

Authors note!- y’all I’m so sorry school kicked my ass with exams but I should now be regularly posting each weekend! And also next chapter reader will do some interacting with someone special 👀

[lurkingshan]

My Love Mix Up Episode 2

I have just finished the episode and I was not pleased, so this is your warning to look away if it's going to hurt your feelings to read a serious critique of this show.

I was trying to give it some space last week, but this is an offensively bad adaptation of a beloved Japanese work. I could not believe my eyes through the final part of this episode, and I was already feeling pretty down on the episode before I even got there. The team at GMMTV has stripped most of the important themes and the unique aspects of these characters away and replaced them with monetized drivel that is basically just a MSP redux in Kieta Hatsukoi drag. Let me make a quick list of the bad changes in this episode:

Rather than accepting Atom volunteering to play the lead role in drag and rallying around him, the class shoots him down and forces Mudmee into the role

Which means not only that Atom does not perform in drag, but also does not spend time properly rehearsing for this role on stage with the rest of the cast (put a pin in that one!)

Atom doesn't struggle much with getting over Mudmee and starts making moon eyes at Kongthap much earlier on--there's no real arc, it just suddenly is happening

Kongthap is somehow comfortable starring as the lead in a musical despite the fact that he is meant to be a socially awkward and quietly intense dude

Oh yeah, they made the play a goddamn musical so they could make a series of MVs within the episode and monetize the OSTs (they were going to make Mudmee, a girl with intense stage fright, sing and dance onstage???)

Atom runs into the play at the last minute (somehow in a costume for a part that didn't exist) and hits all his marks, performing flawlessly in a role he did not properly prepare for instead of comically struggling to carry out a passable performance

Kongthap (who you may recall is supposed to be awkward and uncomfortable with romance and uncertain of his feelings for Atom) smoothly performs a love duet and ballroom dance scene with Atom, rather than awkwardly delivering a few stiff lines

Rather than the whole class teasing Atom about a drag performance in a way that displayed a subtle form of systemic bias, they had three bullies be blatantly homophobic and get singled out as bad apples

These choices are not just bad because they're different, they're bad because they undermine characterization and the internal logic and themes of the story. Some of this just plain doesn't make sense, and I no longer wonder why Fourth and Gemini are struggling in these roles when their characters are not consistently grounded. If they wanted a generic high school show to make more quick money off this cast, I really wish they would have left Kieta Hatsukoi out of it.

[the-guilty-writer]

I second the ask about Hotch's daughter with endometriosis!!! I'd like to see that

I just finished it ♡

Aaron Hotchner x daughter!reader

You truly wondered how women with endometriosis survived periods before thermotherapy products were invented. Hot water bottles and heating pads were a necessity for you during this time of the month. It wasn’t that they made the pain go away - they just made it bearable enough to allow you small bits of time where you could do something more than laying down.

At the moment, a hot water bottle and a maxed out dose of Ibuprofen were holding you together - barely. After twenty minutes at school, you were sent home by your English teacher, who was concerned about your nauseous complexion. Somehow, you'd managed to do some make-up work before taking a long (and much-needed) nap.

With your dad away on a case, the list of chores was longer than normal, but the pain made moving nearly impossible, much less cleaning. Dishes needed to be put away, the kitchen table needed to be cleared, and he laundry hamper was flooded with clothes, but there was no way you could do any of it while your insides felt like they were going to fall out. The only thing you absolutely had to do was pick Jack up from school. Everything else could wait.

All the energy you’d gathered went into the ten minute drive to and from picking up your brother. He requested a snack as soon as you got home, which you somehow managed to make him food without screaming in pain. It took every ounce of energy you had left to sit at the table with your brother as he did his homework.

The pain and fatigue clouded your brain, so much so that you hardly noticed the door to the apartment open.

“Dad!” Jack jumped up his seat and down the hall toward him.

“Hey buddy,” Hotch said. The tone of his voice was a testament to his exhaustion, but a happiness to be home.

“Dad, I made this painting in art class and I really want to show you. It's in my bedroom. Come look!” Jack didn’t give your dad a moment of rest.

“Okay,” he chuckled. “I'll be there in a minute.”

Jack’s feet pounded against the floor, running to his room in anticipation. Your dad’s longer, slower footsteps followed behind. As soon as he appeared in the doorway, you could tell the case has been a hard one. He looked beyond exhausted, horrors still haunting his eyes and crushing his spirit. Not even your little brother's innocent greeting could extinguish what your dad had endured over the past few days.

“Hey, dad,” you greeted him with as much enthusiasm as you could muster up.

“Hi sweetheart.” He planted a quick kiss atop your head before moving to the kitchen. “Where are all the plates?”

A displeasement crossed your dad’s face. You'd meant to empty the dishwasher earlier that day, but the pain body had stopped you.

“Still in the dishwasher,” you said, holding back a wince as your stomach cramped.

“I thought we talked about this.”

“We did, but-”

“You’re almost an adult. I expect you to start showing up like one.” He was calm but stern. Unblinking eyes bore into you. It made you want to cry.

Hotch turned and left the kitchen, his calm footsteps indicating he was going to Jack's room.

Despite the pain radiating through your body, you stood up and carefully made your way to the dishwasher to unload it. As soon as you leaned over to lower the door, a stabbing sensation penetrated your gut. Dizziness washed over your head and blackened your vision. In an instant, you had crumbled to the floor.

You weren't even aware that you'd let out a cry of pain until your dad was kneeling next to you, a gentle hand caressing your face. Through teary, blurry vision, you could just make out the worry in his fearures.

“It hurts,” you choked out.

“I know,” he said gently. “I'm here. I've got you.”

Strong arms lifted you off the kitchen floor, carrying you to the couch. A heating pad was laid across your stomach and a straw was brought up to your lips with the gentle encouragement to drink.

When you managed to open your eyes, Hotch was next to you, a look of concern on his normally serious face.

"Hi, sweetheart." The words were the same as before, but his tone was different.

"Hi," you whispered.

"Here," Hotch brought a hand behind your back and used the other to hand you a bottle of water, "have some water."

You took gentle sips. Your father’s hand still rested on your back, rubbing it soothingly.

"I'm sorry," he said.

"You didn't make me get up." It was true.

"No, but I jumped to conclusions about what you were able to do and it made you feel like you had to do something that caused you pain." Sometimes having a profiler for a dad was a good thing. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay," you said.

Hotch helped you lay down again, covering you with a warm blanket. "Can I get you anything?"

You snuggled into the blanket and adjusted the heating pad to sit in the best place for easing pain. "Just the TV remote."

Your dad smiled - his small but rare smile - before handing you the remote. The rest of the afternoon would be filled with watching bad TV and chick flicks, but he didn't mind. If it made you just a little more comfortable, then it was worth it.

[thelov3lybookworm]

Winter Without You

Summary: Its been fifty years since he left. Being happy no longer feels right, and winter no longer feels like winter without him.

•○●⛦●○•

A/n: As a gift to all my babies, your lil santa got a lil busy eatin cookies, so here is a late solstice present 😉

(Also to make up for the awful Rhysie in remember me)

(this is mostly Y/n missing and wallowing in sadness because she misses rhysand, the end is reunion)

(i also know this is kind of a break up song, but the lyrics fit 🤷🏻‍♀️)

•○🌑○•

Every year right around this time People putting up trees and lights And I been thinking that this don't feel right 'Cause I'm without you

Everywhere Y/n looked, she found people smiling, with and without reason.

And she could not blame them, for it was the season to be happy.

The coming of solstice had everyone excited, making the air and aura lighter and brighter, filling it with loving laughter and chatter.

Y/n almost hated herself for tainting it with the darkness and sadness she had been carrying around lately.

Almost.

Only because there was no place in her heart for any emotion that was not longing for her husband.

'Cause I'm without you If I could make a list, you'd be the first in it If I could make a wish, you'd show in a minute Only if it was that way But there's some things that I can't change

There had been a new tradition going around Velaris.

Parents had begun telling their children about how the mother would grant their wishes and give them all they wished for if they stayed good all year, in hopes to get them to behave, and Y/n could not help but wish it were true.

Wished that the mother really did grant wishes on solstice, if only it meant Y/n could pray for her husband to be returned to her.

Wished that all she had to do was make a list of things she wanted, the first- and only- thing she wanted being Rhysand, and when she woke up in the morning, she'd find that he had returned.

Y/n sighed, continuing to walk towards the town house after a quick run to the market for some ingredients the wraith twins had asked for.

So now This ain't winter without you No more joy, no laughter Wish that I could turn it back around When I'm falling down

Winter had been Y/n's favourite season. Because colder weather meant drinking hot chocolate prepared by her husband.

It meant snuggling up to his warm body, grinning shyly up at him.

It meant watching him laugh whole heartedly, receiving a kiss on the forehead before he went back to his work, now with her stuck to him like a new limb.

It meant being forced to stand still while he wrapped her up in warm coats and scarves whenever they went out, grumbling about the extra layers and receiving a kiss to quiet her down.

It meant extra time in the bed in the morning with her husband because they both were too lazy to get up.

It meant being stuck to him or following him around like a lost duckling because she was just that desperate for warmth and fire never satiated her needs quite like her husband did.

But that was all before he had left.

Now fifty years had passed, and still it never got easier.

Winter just was not the same without him, and it made her wonder how she had ever lived without him before they met.

So how How am I supposed to go without you? Days gone cold so won't you Say that you'll be home for christmas

She yearned for him.

To simply hear his voice again, to stare into those beautiful eyes, she was ready to bargain away her life.

She no longer cared whether she lived or died, and she would have taken her own life a long time ago if it meant she would not have to bear this pain.

Despite trying to end things multiple times, Y/n could never take that final step, because the last thing she wanted to see before she died was not the ceiling or the wall of her bedroom.

It was those violet eyes she wanted to die to.

She did not want the feeling of the cold hard ground or hanging suspended in the air to be the last thing she felt before that sweet reprieve claimed her.

It was the feeling of strong, warm and loving arms wrapped around her body.

She wished he would at least open his mind to her, so she could at the very least ask him if he was eating well. Sleeping well. Drinking enough water.

Y/n wanted to ask him if he was okay.

Wanted to tell him he was strong, that he was stronger than anyone she had ever known, and to never give up.

Alas, all she could do was want and wish.

All she had done in the past half century.

And if I could turn back the time You'd be in my arms again But there's some things that I can't change

Y/n sometimes cursed the mother for not granting her the power to turn back time, for not making any instrument to fast forward in time, just so she could at least have one glimpse of her lover, her husband, and know that he was alright.

She wished she'd been born with the gift to turn back time so she could have him in her arms again.

Hell, she even perused the books in the library of the house of wind in search of any way to turn back time, didn't matter if it was allowed or not. Even if it went against all laws of nature, if it would curse her soul forever to go against the decision of the Mother.

Mother's happiness and blessing be damned, Y/n just wanted to hold and be held by her husband again.

Even if she'd burn in hell for it.

Heavy snow pouring out my window I pray to stars and the angels No, no more lonely nights 

Y/n sat next to the huge window in the darkened room, arms wrapped around her knees as she watched the snow dance in the air before landing softly onto the already blanketed layer on the ground.

She swallowed down the knot in her throat.

Back before Rhys had left and then been unable to return, he would take Y/n out to play.

Just the way him and his brothers would have snowball fights, he would play with Y/n in the snow, as if the two of them were again kids.

Rhys knew all about Y/n's upbringing, and it had never been glitter and sparkles. So whatever chance he got, he tried to get her to experience everything she had missed out on.

This was one of those things.

Now Y/n sat alone, the sounds of her family celebrating in the background, and she prayed again.

Prayed to the stars, the moon, the night sky, the mother, the angels, the devils and forgotten mortal gods.

Prayed to anyone willing to listen, to return her husband.

She had lost all hope, but still, there was nothing else she could do but sit and pray for his health and safety and hope.

Pray to them so there were no more lonely nights she had to go through.

Hope that he would be by her side again.

So I keep wishing and hoping You'd walk through the door Hold me 'cause I know We'll fight through the cold 

She had stopped celebrating solstice or any other event that she had loved before, because what was the point in celebrating life when the one who kept you alive was probably dying off somewhere?

Y/n sucked in a ragged breath, clenching her eyes shut, feeling the fat tears roll down her cheek.

The sound of footsteps echoed outside the door, and her eyes flashed open, and she stared at the door, wishing, hoping, it was him.

Hoping he walked in through the door, gave her his signature charming smile, and then held her as they both fought to get back to their normal lives.

She would give anything for that piece of imagination to become reality.

Y/n sighed and turned back to the window as the footsteps faded away, likely a family member going to bed.

Now tell me how How am I supposed to go without you? Days gone cold so won't you Say that you'll be home for Christmas

Staring at the stars that he probably could not see, she screamed.

After everyone had gone to bed, Y/n had snuck out of the town house and made her way to the tallest peak in Velaris, and then finally, she let loose.

It had become a tradition, a habit, where every solstice night, Y/n would sneak out of home and come to this exact mountain, and scream up at the stars.

Why her? Why him?

She screamed and screamed, asking the mother, and him- not that he could hear- how she was supposed to live without him.

How she was supposed to be happy without him.

And then, after hours of screaming and cursing at the twinkling starry sky, she would collapse, staring up while laying on her back, whispering, pleading, begging, for some sign that he would return.

That he would be home, at the very least, for the next solstice.

So how How am I supposed to go without you? Days gone cold so won't you Say that you'll be home for Christmas

Exhausted, she would fall asleep, only waking once the soft rays of the sun caressed her skin gently, telling her it was time to start the miserable routine she had fallen into all over again.

She would drag herself back home, suppressing the urge to throw herself into the Sidra, and wait for the next solstice to come around so she could again scream and cry at the injustice of it all.

•○🌑○•

The wards felt different today, Y/n could feel it.

They felt stronger, more lively, though they seemed ready to fall.

What was going on, Y/n could not tell, but as she made her way through the winding passages of the moonstone palace, her heart beat louder and faster, and a sense of longing gripped Y/n's body in a vise-like grip.

Her strolling footsteps hurried, and Y/n was running by the time she reached one of the sitting rooms, the door ajar.

Panting, chest heaving, she took that final step, and her world came to a stop.

She smelled him before she heard him, heard him before she saw him, and saw him before she understood fully who she was staring at.

Rhysand.

Her husband.

The male she was in love with, one she had not seen in fifty long years, one she yearned to get a glimpse of each second of every day spent she spent without.

He stood there, his skin pale as he hugged his cousin, crying, whispering, over and over again, where is she?

Where is my wife?

It took only a moment for the siblings to notice the new presence in the room, but to Y/n, it was another fifty years.

Though this wait she did not mind, for what did a moment compare to eighteen thousand, two hundred sixty-two days?

She simply stared at the embracing siblings, a traitorous tear slipping out of her eye the longer she stared.

And then finally, he lifted his eyes, and glossy violet met hers, widening, more tears slipping out as he pulled away from his cousin, his lips parting on an exhale.

Mor turned to look at Y/n, tear tracks staining her own cheeks, and grinned.

Y/n paid no attention to her though, her eyes tracking her husband's body, marking the amount of weight and muscle he had lost, the loss of colour of his skin, the dimmed shine in his once sparkling eyes.

Y/n swallowed. "Mor? Do you mind giving us a moment?"

"But-"

"Please, Mor." Y/n's voice broke, and she cursed herself for it.

Mor nodded, hastily making her way out of the room.

Y/n reached behind herself to grasp the door, shutting it softly, not taking her eyes off of him once.

She had let him out of her sight once, and as punishment, had been able to see him for fifty years. She would not look away again, not while this felt like a cruel dream the mother was showing Y/n, only to take it all away for her to realise she was dreaming.

"Rhysand." She whispered, taking a step foward.

"Y/n." His voice broke on the name, and he swallowed, tears beginning anew.

When she was close enough, she reached her hand out, running her fingers along his cheek, afraid anything other than the ghost of a touch would make him vanish.

His eyes were pleading, filled with silver, and Y/n wanted to do nothing more than throw herself onto him and never let go.

But she couldn't do that.

She first wanted t make sure this was not some mirage, and that he really was here, unhurt and safe, back with her where he belonged.

Slowly, she cupped his cheek, trying her best to stop any tears from flowing.

When she was sure that this was a miracle, not a mirage, Y/n stepped closer, searching his eyes, his face.

She gently grasped his chin, turning his head this way and that, running her hands along his shoulder and arms, searching for something she hoped was not there.

He laughed, the sound a balm to her frayed nerves.

"You've lost weight." Y/n phrased it like a question.

He smiled softly, sadly. "So have you."

She shook her head. "Are you okay?"

His smile widened, and he leaned forward slightly. "Will get there."

Y/n nodded, and then finally, she extended her arms, snaking them gently around his neck, pressing every inch of her body against his, and buried her face in his neck.

His arms wrapped around her back and waist, and instantly, tension bled from both their bodies. She tightened her hold on him, and he returned it tenfold.

Y/n didn't care he was crushing her, all she knew was she was home, finally.

He was back home.

"I missed you, husband."

"I missed you more, my love."

She pulled back her face to search his nearly empty eyes, and gave him the first smile she had smile in the past fifty years. He rested her forehead against hers, his lips tilted up in contentment.

"Welcome home, my love. Welcome home Rhysand."

•○🌑○•

Rhysand Taglist: @kennedy-brooke @hnyclover

General Taglist: @bubybubsters @eos-princess @nightless @harrystylesfan2686 @cassie6392

[ateezreactionsandscenarios]

We should tell him

Pairing: Jeong Yunho x Reader

Genre: Fluff, Smut

CW: Secret relationship, marking, creampie.

Word Count: 1520

Summary: Yunho is your brother Mingi’s best friend, they told each other everything, nothing was a secret between them...well...except your relationship with Yunho.

Part of StayTeez Trope’pril

Prompt List          Series Masterlist         MasterList         Buy me a Coffee

With a hand on the back of your neck, and a hand pinned to your hip, your body comes colliding with the wall. Being flush against it with Yunho in front of you, the heat radiating off his body as his tongue swipes across your bottom lip, pleading for entrance but you can’t help but giggle into the kiss.

“You know, he’ll kill you if he comes home and catches us.”

“Then you’ll have to keep quiet in case he does.” Yunho hums, slipping your shirt over your head, his hands slowly running down your torso, mapping out every curve of your body. Right now he couldn’t give two shits if your brother came home, he’d be able to deal with the consequences but right now he needed to feel every inch of you. Goosebumps erupted all over your skin, the combination of Yunho’s warm touch and the risk of your brother finding out about your secret relationship was thrilling to say the least.

Yunho’s hands run down from your waist, settling at the back of your thighs, lifting you like you weighed nothing, carrying you the few steps to the bed before dropping you onto the mattress. He tears away his own shirt and despite seeing him shirtless many times the sight never fails to take your breath away.

With a smirk plastered on his face, he makes quick work of removing the rest of your clothing, throwing the garments in all directions leaving them scattered around your room before stripping himself.

He takes a moment to marvel at your naked form sprawled out in front of him. Crawling on top of you his eyes pierce yours, lust spilling from them as he thinks over what he'd like to do to you first. But time wasn't on his side, as much as he'd love to keep you under him for as long as possible, he knew he had to make this quick.

His hands lightly trail down your torso and brush along your thigh before his fingers settle on your sensitive nub. You were already soaked and Yunho found himself grinning from the fact he’d got you this worked up even though he barely touched you.

“Yunho.” You whimper, holding onto his wrist. “Please just fuck me.”

“Are you sure you can take it baby?” His tone was teasing but his question was genuine, he didn’t want to go straight in if it meant it would cause you pain or discomfort.

“I’m a big girl, I can take it.” You smirk, wiggling your hips at him slightly. The low groan he let out was almost inaudible, his head dropping back as he tried to compose himself. 

With a sort of needy force, Yunho grabs your ankles, throwing your legs around his waist as he lowers himself down to you, his tip teasing at your entrance. Your needy squirming only made him want to tease you even more, he wanted you to beg and plead for him but the look in your eye already had him on the edge.

He sank into you slowly and carefully, easing you into the stretch that had already rendered you breathless. He kissed you through it and lightly ran his hands along your waist soothing you. A shaky moan fell from his lips as he bottomed out, staying still for a while to let you adjust.

You took full advantage of his stillness, latching your lips to his neck, kissing and sucking on the sensitive skin. You could feel his muscles tense above you, his hands gripping your waist and his eyes fluttering closed as he tilts his head a little to give you more room and a harmony of sighs and moans fill your ears the more you worked him up.

Waiting became too much for him at this point. He could feel how tight your walls were around him and it was driving him to the point of insanity. He started to slowly thrust into you but the friction of that alone had his mind spiralling, the much needed feeling of pleasure got to his head.

“Shit, I’m sorry baby at this rate I’m not gonna last to long, I’ll make it up to you though...promise.” He says shooting you a wink before the ruthless thrusts began. 

If Mingi was to get home at that moment he’d know instantly what was going on in your bedroom, the way the bed was creaking, your desperate moans that you tried to hide and the loud sound of skin slapping skin as Yunho fucked you into next week would have painted him a very detailed picture. 

Your nails were digging into any part of Yunho’s flesh you could grab onto and his hands gripped your thighs brusingly as he used them to keep his balance. Your release hit you suddenly and like a ton of bricks, your back arching off the bed and your shaky legs tightening around his waist.

His moans matched yours as your walls tightened around him, taking his pleasure to a whole new height. His pace got sloppy as his own high got closer and with a final harsh thrust and a long low moan, Yunho flopped on top of you, his hips only slightly moving as he rode out his high. 

You both had a short moment enjoying your post sex cuddles, your fingers running through his slightly damp hair and his arms wrapped around your waist as he buries his face in your chest.

“We’d better get cleaned up, I don’t think he’s home yet.” Yunho mumbles into your chest and sighing before reluctantly getting off you.

 He was right, Mingi wasn’t home yet and that gave you both a chance to get cleaned up and dressed like nothing happened. With everything around you looking normal you both took your seats on either end of the couch. When Mingi walked through the front door you and Yunho were met with his confused face.

“Yunho, what are you doing here?” 

“He turned up around 10 minutes ago looking for you, I invited him in since I knew you weren’t going to be too long.” You smile, internally high fiving yourself for thinking up an excuse that quick. Mingi nods, oblivious to why Yunho was really there and took a seat between the tow of you. 

For a while Mingi and Yunho talked like they usually do, about anything and everything, while you sat quietly scrolling on your phone listening in to their conversation here and there, but there was one part that got your attention a little too much.

“Bro, are those hickeys?” Mingi asks pointing to the dark purple blotches you’d left on Yunho not even an hour ago. Your eyes widen to the size of saucers, your heart hammering in your chest so hard you could hear it. Your pleading eyes find Yunho’s calm ones and you wonder how the hell he could stay so calm after being asked a question like that.

“Oh, yeah, I met a girl last night and one thing led to another and..” He shrugged gathering Mingi could put the pieces of the puzzle together himself and in typical bro manner Mingi gave Yunho a congratulatory high five.

“Is she hot, I need to know the details.” Yunho shot you a sneaky look over Mingi’s shoulder. He couldn’t deny his best friend the dirty details of his escapades.

“She’s very hot, a real freak too.” He smirks, his eyes not leaving you. You were sweating at this point, Yunho was playing a dangerous game and even though Mingi wasn’t that sharpest you were sure he’d be able to crack something like this. 

Yunho continued to give Mingi the dirty details, practically reliving what happened an hour ago and the many times you’d slept together before. You were now hiding behind your phone trying to hide the blush that started to creep onto your face.

“Damn, y/n you hearing this?” Mingi asks amazed over his best friend’s colourful sex life.

“Yeah, she sounds like a hoot.” You reply as nonchalantly as you could.

“Oh trust me, she is.” Yunho smirks, his eyes burning into your own.

“Well I need a drink after all that, you guys want one?” Mingi asks you both before getting up. You both take up his offer and watch as he walks off into the kitchen. You take this opportunity to slide over to Yunho.

“When do we tell him?” You ask, your voice barely a whisper not wanting to risk Mingi even catching a whiff of what you were saying.

“Don’t you worry about it baby, I got this all under control, but I’m afraid we may need to wait a little longer to tell him we’re together, especially now that I’ve just spilled every detail of our sex life to him.” He giggles sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck.

“You’re on thin ice for that Yunho.” You lightly threaten, trying to look pissed but failing miserably since his smile melts you every time.

“Well I guess I have two things to make up for now don’t I?”

Tag List:  @stardragongalaxy​​​ @kpopjust4u​​ @whatudowhennooneseesyou​​ @8tinytings​​   @jenotation​​ @grim-adventures58​​ @owjohny​​   @ker1   @tinkerbell460​​   @haylstoney   @scuzmunkie​​   @halesandy​​ @multihunbun​​   @kodzukein​​   @maskedmochii​​  @queenwiinks​​ @hellomingi   @woosannie  

[icallhimjoey]

In 120 Hours

♥ ♥  Joseph Quinn x Fem!Reader

Summary: You work as a temp and are offered a very exclusive interview for a very exclusive job. You see, someone needs a personal assistant for a very eventful week, and you happen to be the perfect fit.

CW / disclaimer: 18+, language, drinking, rpf, fem!reader

Author’s note: part three! quick thanks to choke-me-joey and flouraie for the stellar help I asked for and very quickly received! you're brilliant, amazing amazing, big thanks!!

Wordcount: 3.2K

part one - part two - part three - part four - part five

You learned the hard way that Joe slept with his TV on. Volume set to the number high, what ever the fuck that was - it was loud.

The sound coming from upstairs only stopped when you went for a morning shower, and you thought to yourself, actually, Joe, you better keep that fucking TV on, because this is the perfect fucking time to watch TV now that people in your house are awake.

Getting yourself a good pair of earplugs was going to go onto your to do list of that day.

In the shower you had flashbacks to the night before. Of how Joe seemed to always either be holding two drinks, double fisting it, or none at all, both hands then hidden in his pockets instead. Of how he fiddled with one of his rings with the thumb of his same hand over dinner, making you realise you'd been doing the same thing with yours. Of how he’d spoken to important important people, just for a second, said hi, shook hands, exchanged pleasantries and then immediately went to find you again to stand next to. Of how he'd introduced you to every single person that stopped to talk to him, and he would just give them your name. No occupation. Just, your name, no further information.

You would see their confused faces, and wouldn't hesitate to explain that you worked for Joe. All of them would relax instantly when they learnt you weren't important. There was no need to impress you, and so, full attention would return to Joe as they talked about the film they just saw, all the people it involved, and then about all the things they knew about Joe. People just kept telling Joe things about himself, and it was odd, but Joe acted like they were totally normal conversations to have with random people he'd just met.

You didn’t understand what it meant when they told you, "Joe tends to wander", because every time you stepped away from him, even just to give him some space, he’d search for you. The first time it happened, you were sure it was just to check if you were all right, but then it kept happening. Even when you went to the toilets, you found Joe right outside the doors with an air of soft cluelessness about him as you stepped back out.

But then someone would come up to him, and it’d vanish in an instant.

People loved Joe.

They had good reason to. You understood. Seeing up close how Joe made the most intense eye contact with every single person he spoke to, really listened to them, tuned in properly, you got to see how all of them fell in love with him. Men, women - just fucking everyone.

Made you realise that the spell you were under was a universal one. Good. So it wasn't really your fault. It was all blood on his hands, not yours. And it seemed like Joe didn't even notice his effect on others. He carried a charming obliviousness that only heightened it all. Either that, or he really was that good of an actor.

You mingled a little yourself, found some other personal assistants and after talking about the celebrities you all belonged to – just vague descriptions, everyone was tied back by extensive NDAs, which was fine, you wouldn't know half of the important people anyway – you found there was literally nothing else you had in common with them. They were all nineteen year-olds, dressed to the nines like they were celebrities themselves, all eager to be influencers with perfect insta themes. And you were just a temp, chasing money and if you were lucky, a good time alongside that.

You were lucky. So far everything about this job had been pinch-me moments stacked upon each other and it was already getting hard to reach.

You had two sips of a drink until you saw how Joe was necking his, then decided, maybe it was best if you stayed completely sober. You spent the rest of the evening declining drinks from Joe until you started feeling rude for it.

"Are you having fun?" Joe asked when he started getting tipsy.

"Are you?" you spoke around a laugh.

"I am!"

"Then so am I."

You’d lost count on how many times you’d told your driver sorry after he’d waited outside a random pub for over an hour because Joe had found a couple people that wanted to keep the party going. Cut to two hours later, and Joe was asking people for a lighter with a cigarette hanging from his lips, knowing full well he had one in his own pocket. Joe was drunk, and it was a bit silly how you ended up having to push Joe into the car, onto the backseat, your hands with their fingers spread wide on his butt cheeks because, "Move over Joe, I have to fit in there too."

Joe’d slept the whole drive home.

Joe's day didn't need to start until noon, which is when you'd be picked up to go to a New Upcoming Talent panel that Joe got to speak at. This granted you time to get some things done whilst he slept upstairs still.

You got breakfast. Accepted the Tesco delivery and organized the fridge. Screenshot a lot more furniture for Joe to look at later. Laid out a bunch of sharpies beside a stack of the Eddie photographs - on the kitchen counter, because Joe didn't have a table - because there were five thousand of them, and they all needed to be signed as soon as possible.

And you kind of wished you could sneak into his room to get your hands on those messy suitcases, sort those out, but you weren't that insane. Not yet, anyway.

Joe's schedule said wake-up call at 9:30, and so at 9:30, you called up the stairs,

"Coffee?"

And got a groggy, muffled "Please," in return.

"Knock, knock," you said, not even knocking, but Joe's bedroom door was already open and he was still in bed and maybe that was why you'd been able to hear his TV all night. "Good morning,"

"Morning," Joe forewent the good. He was hungover.

He was lying on his stomach, his duvet only half covering him, and he pushed himself up onto his elbows, half hugging his pillow as he watched you place down a coffee on his bedside table.

"What's your favourite colour?"

You just stood beside his bed, and it took Joe a second to fully grasp what you'd just asked him. He looked up at you with squinty eyes, one of them practically closed still.

"What?"

"Your favourite colour,"

"It's," Joe let himself fall back into his pillow. Curls everywhere. "It's too early for that shit, which fourteen-year-old wants to know?"

"This one." you said, pointing a quick finger at your own face. Joe didn't see. "For your house, I'm getting you furniture. What colour won't you get sick off being around all the time?"

"Lime green," Joe spoke into his pillow.

"Fuck off,"

Joe grinned, eyes still closed. Then he took a deep breath, inhaling the scent of coffee and remembering it was right there within arm's reach.

"I don't know, do whatever," he propped himself up again, now reaching for his coffee and going in for a sip.

"Careful," you warned, because you really would do whatever.

"All right, give me a second," Joe said, "Let me finish this and have a shower first,"

"Yes, of course!" you said, instantly aware that it was weird that you were in Joe's bedroom, staring at his bare back, shoulder muscles working and on full display, and you started making your way back to the door.

"Breakfast is waiting in the guest room,"

"The guest room?" Joe looked back over his shoulder, face scrunched up in confusion and you guessed in pain from his hangover.

"It's the only room that has actual seating,"

And so half an hour later, you were sat opposite Joe in the room you'd tried your best to sleep in hour earlier, with the bed made to look like you'd never even touched it. At home you never made your bed, but, knowing Joe was going to be sat eating breakfast in this room made you tidy yourself into non-existence.

After Joe asked four times if you had also made yourself a coffee, and if you really had already eaten, he tucked in and you used the moment to show him pictures.

Joe liked everything, which didn't help. So you made him choose between some, and got a sense of what he liked.

"Are you sure that I'm really allowed to just... get you things? Furnishing a house isn't exactly cheap, you know?"

Joe chewed, swallowed a bite, said, "Yea, you've got a card, right?" and went in for another.

You'd been given a credit card to use for whatever Joe wanted and slash or needed. It was one of the fancy ones: shiny, black, didn't even have a name on.

"If you don't give me a budget, I'll max it out,"

"Go for it, enjoy yourself,"

Fuck. Joe was already sexy enough as it was. He didn't need to be telling you things like that, Jesus Christ.

"Can't make it any worse than it is now,"

And you disagreed, but you didn't say anything. Instead you went over the schedule for the day.

Panel. Two film screenings. Industry Happy Hour. Those were the big things. Tomorrow there was an early morning photoshoot, so maybe, let's not do pubs after until late again, you said, and Joe just smiled, said, "There's always pubs after," but you'd given him a face, as the hypercompetent personal assistant that you were, and then he'd just nodded.

That afternoon you were sat in an audience, down near the front, but all the way on the side, and Joe was up on a stage with several other people - none of whom you knew - and it was all questions about being new on the scene. Upcoming talent. What is it like to step foot into this industry? As if Joe didn't already have years of work under his belt. But fine, it was whatever.

The room was packed full of people, and you weren't sure you were really allowed to be there, hogging a seat, but Joe had insisted.

"No, you can go sit, she can go sit, right? Yea, go sit, somewhere on the side, it's fine,"

And so you'd gone to sit and listen, but not before Joe had asked if you had any chewing gum, which, of course you did. Best PA ever, remember?

You got to observe. Joe seemed nervous. You only saw because you weren't following at all what they were talking about - you were just watching Joe, and every time Joe got to answer a question, he'd look just past the moderator and looked directly at you as he answered.

You noticed you started giving encouraging little nods, like Joe was an anxious kid who was about to ask a stranger a question for the first time. You hoped it didn't come off condescending, but it honestly felt like he needed secret little signs of encouragement from you, so you gave them. You were glad Joe got to hold a microphone, because you knew that giving his hands a job meant he wouldn't be constantly fiddling. Like you were.

Later that day, with several pieces of furniture ordered, you were adding delivery times into Joe's schedule, tapping away on your phone as Joe networked, when suddenly a hand moved hair that was hanging down your face behind your ear.

No! Too soft! Too tender! Too close!

"Let's go, we're going for a drink."

"You've got a 6AM wake up call," you warned, not even looking up from your phone as your face burned up, because, what the fuck?! How were you ever going to make eye contact with him again and be normal about it? You already barely were normal about anything to begin with!

"Just one drink!" Joe practically begged, as if you were his mother and you got to tell him when to go home. Did you get to tell him when to go home? You weren't his manager. You basically kind of just had to get him from A to B, right?

"7AM photoshoot, one that'll have your face in," you looked up now, just your eyes, and then Joe flashed you that smile again. That fucking smile.

"All right," you sighed, caving far too easily. "But just one!"

"Just one, I promise. We'll make it a good one."

And then of course, it wasn't just one, obviously it wasn't, because Joe found out that a big director was at the same place you'd just walked into and with a little Dutch courage, he went to sit down next to him and they got to talk film. Joe did better one on one, two beers in front of him, in a familiar place he probably had been going to for years. He seemed relaxed, wasn't going through his drinks at lightning speed, and so you sat at the bar, drank a Sprite, kindly didn't talk to any of the guys that tried to talk to you, and stared at your notes app, the empty page staring right back at you.

What the fuck do people even say when they win awards besides thank you?

You stared at your phone, tried some things, but deleted all of it every single time, until suddenly a hand reached over and a finger typed, hi. You recognised the hand. Of course, you recognised the hand. Had you seen his hands? You'd recognise his hands.

"I'm going for a smoke, can we leave in 10?" you saw the guy he'd been speaking to - Steve Jobs kind of looking dude - step out and join the other smokers outside the pub on the pavement.

"Car's already waiting, so whenever you're ready,"

Joe raised his eyebrows, nodded like he was impressed with you. Except you hadn't really done anything, had you? You had just let the driver know where you were. Was Joe even aware that the car was always waiting for him?

You watched Joe smoke from your barstool where you finished your drink when suddenly, your phone rang.

Joe's management.

"Hello,"

"Why aren't you at home?" someone accused, and you recognised the voice. This was one of the guys that interviewed you.

Um, cool way to say hello, asshole, you thought.

"Because Joe is networking," you adopted the same accusatory tone. They'd been very clear on the networking, had said Joe had to do a lot of it. So surely, this was good. You were doing a good thing.

"Industry Happy Hour ended over an hour ago," he sighed in frustration. "Did we not tell you Joe wanders?"

"Joe's not wandering! I'm looking at him right now! He's talking to-"

"Oh my God, he took you wandering with him?"

You frowned in confusion. Did wandering mean going for unplanned drinks? If that was the case, you wandered in your free time a lot.

"He took her with him," you heard him say to someone else. "That's why- Jesus, okay," back to you now, "He's not answering his phone, please tell him to answer his phone, and get him back home as quick as you can, he's got a-"

"6AM wake up call, I know,"

You didn't appreciate this check-up that was really doing its very best to make you feel inadequate and bad at your job. What were they expecting of you? You had reminded Joe of his early morning start the next day, but he had wanted to go for a drink anyway. So what?

You got a few more questions about expenses made that day, and you explained that Joe asked you to buy some things for the house. You weren't going to tell him that technically, you'd asked Joe if you could decorate literally the whole thing, and he'd given the go ahead without much further thought. What was the use of giving this guy more reasons to yell at you?

"All right, just making sure. I'm sorry, I guess we just assumed someone would be home to sign for some scripts we sent over."

And that was that.

Joe knocked on the window, caught your attention and nodded his head for the two of you to leave.

In the car on the way back, you asked Joe to check his phone, and he groaned when he did. Eight missed calls and three messages asking him where he was and why he wasn't answering.

"I'll call him back tomorrow,"

"No need, he just needed me to tell you to answer next time,"

Joe chuckled, got rid of all the notifications and then put his phone away. You stared out of the window at London passing you by, until you felt Joe's eyes on you. When you turned to look, he smiled politely.

"Did you have fun?" he asked, just like he had the night before.

Did you have fun sitting around, waiting for Joe to finish watching films? How were you going to break the news to him delicately?

"Um... did you?" you asked diplomatically, and it made Joe huff out a laugh through his nostrils.

Actually, you did have fun. Buying a lot of things with money that wasn't your own was a different kind of thrilling. Retail therapy with a different kind of guilt attached. Fun though, still. Definitely fun. You were about to tell Joe, but he beat you when he asked,

"Not that into the attention you got, then?"

You frowned quizzically. When had you gotten attention?

"Oh, come on, I saw at least six guys come up to you tonight, giving it their best shot," Joe revealed and you scoffed loudly. Cool, cool, cool. No, it was fine to learn that Joe had been looking at you for prolonged periods sat on a barstool all night. Definitely, so fine.

"Yea, all right," you instinctively brought fingers to your ring, and you reached for the wrong finger first, before finding it on your other hand and you saw Joe look.

"They did!" Joe argued.

"Stop," you shoved his arm, gave him a look, and you both laughed before you turned back to look out the window, and for a little while it was silent. You liked London at night better than during the day, you thought. Less people. Streetlights on, all of them reflected on the wet streets. Not necessarily quieter in some places, but still nicer, anyway.

"No, it's good," Joe then said. "Don't want you getting distracted when you're supposed to be mine for the week."

And when you looked, he was staring out of the window too, and you couldn't read his face and fucking hell, Joe, what the fuck were you doing?!

---

The Taglisted: 

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[thebluestbluewords]

I’m still thinking about the machete

For reference, this is a machete. (Pic taken from the Woodland Tools Heavy Duty Machete listing). As someone who used to sell knives as my Actual Job, a machete is pretty big! It’s not impossible to hide, but it’s big. It could probably fit in a thigh holster if you’re tall, which Jay…..isn’t, or in a back holster if you’re average height. So the machete is probably in a back holster of some sort, likely worn under his vest. They were usually sold with a holster/case of some sort, often with a space to thread it on a belt, which would work if he doesn’t care about concealing it.

This is an axe. (Photo taken from an amazon listing for throwing axes. We’re assuming it’s meant as a weapon here). It’s about as long as the machete, but weighted pretty differently. When I sold knives, axes often came in a plastic clamshell, while most of the machetes we sold came in a decently nice holster. Not that you can’t make or buy an axe holster, it’s just not something I saw as often. Typically, folks aren’t carrying around an axe for bushwhacking the way you might carry a machete. They’re not necessarily un-portable, but it’s a little less easy to whip out a concealed axe.

As a third reference, I’ve taken the liberty of copying this photo of “life size Jay Descendants cardboard stand-up” and marking where I think he could fit a concealed weapon. Not necessarily a machete/axe sized weapon, but a knife or bug spray can of Decent Size. Thinking palm sized or bigger.

We’ve got:

Two obvious vest pockets. Probably pretty small, but could fit a folding knife or a small bug spray.

Vest collar. The big fold feels like a prime location for a hidden pocket. He could fit a large knife in here, or maybe a Nintendo DS.

Hat. An obvious choice for the bug spray can. Keep those bugs away and any other secret stolen objects safe. We know he’s put things in here before because we literally see him doing it in the first movie.

a quick honorable mention for my back holster idea. I think this has the highest axe/machete potential. I think he could do it.

two standard pants pockets. We don’t know the size of the second one (covered by his vest….waist….thing) but knowing boy’s pants, they’re probably pretty big. He might be able to fix a machete in there. If he’s got a smaller axe (maybe a throwing axe?) he could definitely fit that in a standard pants pocket.

Thigh pockets? Access to a secret thigh holster where he can fit more knives? This seems like a good, likely option for bigger knives. Maybe not a full sized standard machete, because Jay is truly Not That Tall, but like, a big two handed knife? Sure.

Knee??? Pockets???? I understand that these zippers are probably there to indicate that he can zip his pants off into shorts, but in my heart he’s got little tiny pockets at his knees. These are too small to fit a machete. These are only large enough to fit isle snacks, which are small and sad because the children are starving.

okay, I know I said I’m done with the knee pocket thing, but why is there a little piece of knee armor on the right side? I can only assume it’s there to disguise a hidden pocket for thievery.

Boots. Shove some knives in the sides of those boots like we shoved our phones into our ugg boots back in 2010. Jay’s got some pretty chunky boots here, he could fit at least one knife in each, maybe two if he packs them right.

This has been hidden weapon time with blue! I still think a machete is WAY too big to hide anywhere but a back holster, but I support all of Jay’s hidden weapons and I’m mentally adding an axe to his pants in every scene now.

[xstarlightxstarbrightx]

Lumi headcanons

i have dragged myself outta the hell that's been my weekend and have FINALLY cobbled together all of my thoughts abt Lumine,,, it's a lot so bear w/ me bc i love her so so so much. the big list of h/c's: - extroverted lumi,,, - tired older sister / mom of Paimon. Paimon may know more about Teyvat than Lumine does, but Lumine's the one who takes care of Paimon and guides her through the harder things in life; definitely gives the vibes of Paimon being a kid sister and Lumine being very protective of her. somewhat mother but also not??? definitely the adult between the two smh - incredibly smart. very perceptive with a lotta intuition. i mean, you need to be able to be quick on the draw if you're going to be traveling nonstop, y'know?? - paragon Lumi is my roman empire.

- frugal as SHIT, penny pincher extraordinaire. Paimon has yet to find all the emergency funds, and Lumine is adamant on KEEPING it that way. - abandonment issues. listen,,, listen she's got em, we all know she does, and i feel like she gets very attached to people but doesn't really let them know. - stemming from abandonment issues, I feel like she's got this issue of putting the weight of the world on her shoulders? like she cannot let herself feel negative emotions and bottles up a lot of the bad shit she deals with. her belief is that if she's not being a positive force, she's failing everyone around her and they'll one day leave her behind. - adding onto that bit, it definitely shows through the fact that she's not quick to actually anger. like her anger is VERY VERY rare, and usually she's very relaxed and tries to work through things as calmly as possible. - despite lumi being slow to anger, she's def violent in a mischievous gremlin way. definitely gives the vibe of 'u called me short, i am consuming ur knee caps'. But this is more of a bit and something to do as an intimidation tactic for ppl who don't know her, and it feels very accurate tbh - Lumi is bilingual, nothing more needs to be said. - she has scars. like a few of em, too. Mostly from her adventures in Teyvat, since she's less durable than she's used to being??? She has some scars from her fight against Dvalin, a scar or two from fighting Childe, a LOT of scars from Inazuma, as well as scars from using the elements!! - on the topic of scars, i DO believe she has scars from losing her wings in the fight with the Unknown God. and like, this hurts her. she feels such intense guilt over what happened and how she failed to protect her brother. she would gladly boast to you about any of her scars, but if you mention the ones on her back, she gets,,, quiet,,,, - i have done a deep dive dissection of the differences between the twin's elemental animations, and one day i will post that i swear; but for now all imma say is that Lumi struggles w/ Geo element the most. - fear of failure! i mentioned it before, but I personally feel like this has such a huge affect on her? - speaking of fears; CLAUSTROPHOBIA! listen, lumi definitely feels like she'd be claustrophobic, can't handle tight spaces. she also is terrified of the Abyss specifically, but tight spaces? unable to move? feeling trapped???? yeah, she's got that besties. - she feels like such a mom sometimes i s2g. like some of these characters feels like characters she would call her kids teasingly. personally believe Bennett called her "mom" once and he hasn't been able to live it down since b/c she refuses to answer to anything else from him now. - protective Lumi is my favorite, nothing more to add. - Lumine is very dancer-like in a lot of her animations, so me personally i think she would be a good dancer ong. - GOD tiered Cook, she's so fuckin good at that shit, like girl can crack just about any damn recipe she gets.

OKAY,,, I THINK,,,,,,,,,,,, I THINK I GOT THEM ALL DOWN,,,,,,,,,,

this went way longer than i meant, the brain worms ate through my skull and i got very carried away. but also it feels good to have the general gist of it all down,,, my beloved lumine i adore u so so much,,,,

anyway these were my h/c's for Lumi, i'll work on Kaeya next i think b/c i have Many Thoughts (tm) on him. :)c

[sl-newsie]

American Woman (Thomas Shelby x American OC) Ch. 12: Congratulations and Conflicts

“Morning, Verena,” Ada announces as she joins me in the kitchen. “Sleep well?”

The memory of talking with Thomas last night replays in my mind yet again. Ever since I woke up I can’t stop thinking about it for some odd reason.

“As good as I can, I suppose. How are you feeling?” I gesture to her stomach.

Ada bites her lip as she spreads mustard on a bagel. “Um, alright I guess. I just- I never expected to be pregnant. I kept hoping it would pass but when the doctor confirmed it my whole life changed. One moment I’m my own self without any burdens and the next I’m carrying Freddie’s child.”

Freddie. That must be her lover. With a little luck he’ll keep his love for Ada and stand by her through this journey.

“I don’t have any experience of what you’re going through Ada, but it’s completely natural to fear the unknown.”

Ada squeezes her eyes shut and plays with the hand towel. “It’s not just that. It’s what people are going to say that I’m afraid of. That’s why I’m hiding it.”

Something about the way she says that makes my stomach churn. She couldn’t- Could she? Polly might have mentioned it to her…

“God have mercy.” I look up at her with petrified eyes. “You’re going to kill it, aren’t you?”

Ada’s face hardens. “It’s not your decision.”

“I know. But I’m still a Christian. It doesn’t mean my morals are turned off just so I can agree with you.” I take a deep breath. Not everyone sees what they’ve been blessed with right away. Ada’s right. In this harsh society rumors of her pregnancy will spread like wildfire. 

“I won’t fight you, Ada.” She continues to avoid my gaze. “I still disagree, but letting that tear apart an acquaintanceship with you isn’t worth it.”

The Shelby woman turns and squeezes my shoulder. “That’s all I’ll ever ask for.” Before I know it she pulls me into a hug. “It’s not easy being one of the only two women around here. Thanks for getting lost, Verena.”

I playfully scoff at her dark joke. “I never meant to get stuck here, Ada. I’m in your debt, remember?”

“Oh please!” Ada huffs and goes on to eat the disgusting bagel. “You’ve practically got everyone wrapped around your little finger.”

She wanders off to her room before I can ask further. She’s joking, right? There’s no way I’ve done that much here-

“What’s in the books for today?”

Except that.

“Morning, Finn. Don’t you want a day off? We’ve been doing lectures for the past week!”

The young Shelby slouches and grabs an apple. “What else can I do? If Aunt Polly sees me lounging about she’ll make me do chores.”

Realization hits me in the head and I smirk. “Ah, I see. You use me to cheat out of chores. Well Finn, sometimes the simplest tasks can teach us hidden lessons.” What else can… Ah-ha! “Finn, I do have something for you to do.” He immediately looks up. “I need you to complete what’s on this list in the next hour.”

I hand Finn a scrap piece of paper and he scrunches his face as he reads it. “These are chores.”

“Exactly. When you’re done we can discuss what you learn.”

“I don’t get it-”

“Chop chop!” 

I clap my hands and shoo him off. When he’s out I slump against the wall and sigh. Maybe now I can have some quiet time- Nope. The always-revolving door opens yet again and I hear heavy footsteps slump into the kitchen. I don’t even need to look up to know it’s Thomas. He sits down at the table and makes quick work to pour himself a glass of Irish whiskey.

“You’re in a bad mood,” I observe.

Thomas sees me slouched on the floor and grunts. “Monaghan Boy lost.”

“And you think drowning yourself in alcohol will fix that? What about the new horse?”

“Had to kill him. He was cursed.”

My jaw drops. “You- You killed…? God, all you Shelbys ever do is kill! You surround yourself with death and then wonder why you’re so unhappy!”

Bam!

Thomas bangs a fist on the table. “I don’t need this bloody argument, Steenstra!” 

He stands up and heads back to the door, slamming it shut. I think that’s the first time Thomas has ever yelled at me. And it’s kind of scary. I make a mental note never to get on his bad side and get up to walk down the hall to Ada’s room. I knock twice but there’s no answer. Either she’s ignoring me, she’s sleeping, or she snuck out the window. More than likely it’s the last scenario. 

“Done!” Finn sprints into the room waving the list like he just won a war. “All done!”

His bright smile almost makes me forget Thomas’ outburst. “Good job, Finn.”

“What’s wrong?”

Smile, Verena. You can’t just blurt out that his brother yelled at you. He does that to everyone. Why should you be any different?

“Too much thinking, Finn.” I shake the dark thoughts away. “Did you learn anything?”

Finn lets out an exasperated groan. “What can I learn from sweeping? Or beating the rug?”

“You took thirty minutes, half the time I gave you. And now that you have some extra time we can do a quick lesson.”

A few seconds go by and then Finn slowly gets a cheeky smirk on his face. “I see what you did there.”

“See? The lesson was time management!” I laugh and pull out my bookbag. “Now what’s today’s topic going to be?”

The rest of the day goes on much more smoothly. Yes I’m still dreading my next run-in with Thomas but I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it. Right now I’m prepping an afternoon snack-

“I’m back,” Polly calls as she comes through the front door.

“Do you know where Ada is? She’s not in her room.”

Polly sets her bag down and grabs an apple. “She’s gone. Off to marry Freddie.”

So she’s keeping the baby! I’m so glad to hear it! Call it womanly instinct, but the death of a child can be much more traumatic and emotional compared to an adult because a child hasn’t gotten to live out their life yet. I haven’t gone through parenthood yet but I deeply sympathize with parents who have lost a child. Having a child is the greatest blessing in life and to have that taken away is devastating.

As for Ada running off, I can’t say I’m surprised. That sounds like something she’d do. 

“If you can, please pass on my congratulations to them,” I say with a wide smile. “Does Thomas know?”

“No.” Polly holds up a hand. “I’ll tell him so you won’t get the full blast of his tantrum.”

I bite my lip and avoid her gaze by busying myself with wiping down the counter. “Bit late for that, I’m afraid. He lashed out this morning and left, no doubt to go get drunk somewhere.”

Just then the door opens again and John walks in with a fit of tipsy laughter.

“Afternoon, ladies! How goes it?”

“Cut the chatter, John. Where’s Tommy?” Polly asks.

“Ath the Garrison. You should've seen the look on Tom’s face! A love-struck sucker if I ever saw one.”

Polly scoffs. “For who?”

“That barmaid, Grace. It’d be nice if at least one Shelby could keep a steady family,” John says as he takes a drink from the whiskey bottle on the table.

Polly huffs and walks down the hall to her room, leaving me flabbergasted to John’s words.

“None of you are married?” My jaw drops.

John takes another drink. “Arthur always puts business first. Tommy’s never even heard of love. Finn’s too young. And I’m a widower.”

Interesting. For all the glamor and excitement the Shelbys flaunt they’ve never settled for a simple family life.

“I’m so sorry. What was her name?”

“Martha,” John sighs. “She gave me 4 beautiful kids.”

I grab the cookie jar and plop down next to him. John immediately reaches for a biscuit.

“I can tell you really love your kids, John.”

“I do. Just wish I could find them a suitable mother,” John slurs. “If it’s any comfort, if you didn’t already love Tommy I’d take you.”

Obviously his drunk words hold little meaning. John’s looking for anyone and I just happen to be the woman sitting next to him. Yet somehow his words leave me questioning just how deep my feelings for Thomas go.

“I don’t love him. At least, not in the way people might expect me to. He’s a good friend. I love all you Shelbys. But thank you, John. I know that means a lot.”

“No problem love…” John murmurs as he drifts off with his head on the table.

Once again another Shelby brother has left me deep in thought about what my purpose here is. The Lord works in mysterious ways, as Polly would say. Whatever’s in store for me, I know it’s going to be a wild ride if it’s anything like the past few weeks.

[gay-dorito-dust]

Fuck dude, I relate to the deadweight reader sm. Pls tag me when pt 8 is out

Here we are at last! The first part to the two parter finale! Thank you for supporting this series that came from a silly little idea and thank you all for seeing it get this far!

Again the stupid fucking ‘readmore’ isn’t going to be added as I don’t want half of the fic to be erased for no reason. Be it’s the new updates fault. 🤷‍♀️

“Where are we?” Keyleth asked, feeling a tad disheartened by the dead flowerbeds, dry grass the crunched like bones under foot and the decaying trees and polluted swamp that stretched out before them. “Shademurk Bog.” Their horned travel guide informed before pointing at the tree that sat at the heart of the bog. “And your friend is trapped inside there with Saurdon.” He adds.

“How are we meant to get inside? Blow it up?” Vex asked, hands on her hips and her brow cocked upwards. “That’s the idea.” The horned male says as though it’s obvious enough, “it’s an tree after all, a dead one, but a tree none the less.” The group shared looks between each other before arming themselves as they delved across the black goo swamp whisky also making sure to keep a clear mind as to not submit to Saurdon’s temptations. They were here for one reason and one reason that ever truly mattered to them; vestige or no vestige, you’ve became the treasure that they horde.

Now that someone has taken that treasure and they weren’t happy. They were furious. “Don’t worry y/n.” Vax said the closer they got to the tree that supposedly has you trapped. “We’re coming, just hang on tight.”

‘Lost, ostracised, alienated, overshadowed by your peers.’ Suardon listed off as he crept towards your still standing figure, your blacked out eyes stuck themselves to him and every action he did and yet you couldn’t find the power within to reach for your weapon and tear this twat a new arsehole. You were stun locked. Your free will to do anything was taken away, forcing you into obeisance.

‘You desire companionship that won’t treat you like a second thought or someone who is only there to be used and then quickly discarded until your services were called upon again, like a servant. You want to be treated more then just deadweight.’ He continues, stepping into your personal space now as his decrepit hand cusps your jaw as though he were handling porcelain.

‘You’re lonely y/n.” he utters in a hushed whispered as his face draw nearer and nearer to the point you could feel his breath brush against your skin, which made you feel more then repulsed then you were when you couldn’t do shit to stop this weirdo from touching your jaw. ‘I can fix that…for a price.’ Saurdon drawled, stepping just another step closer to you as you internally groaned. ‘If only you give me your heart.’

“Don’t listen to him sweetheart!” Vex’s voice cried from below, catching yours and Saurdon’s attention. “His words are void, empty promises that of which hide his true intentions!” Percy adds on.“We’re sorry! We’re so fixing sorry y/n. For everything!” Keyleth cries when she saw that the black in your eyes hadn’t disappeared after hearing Percy and Vex. “For the way we’ve ignored you, disregarded you, shunned you, distanced ourselves from you, all of that and so much more!”

Vax stepped in next to her when he saw that she was becoming too emotional to carry on her speech and seeing as he was the one to remain by your side since the tomb, he could only hope that his voice could reach you. He couldn’t loose you, not this time. Not here. “We know better now then to act as though we’ve never wronged you, that’s unfair for you and the shit we’ve put you through!” He exclaims, “we promise to do better by you because in all honesty, we’re jealous of you y/n. Vox machina would be nothing without you, we would be nothing without you! Yes we were dickheads for not talking to you about this but please…come home.”

The black in your eyes disappeared and you were quick to draw your weapon and turn on Saurdon, who was furious that his plan was ruined and used his power to send you over the edge and into solid ground, knocking your weapon from your hand as he began attacking your friends. “Fucker needs to takes rejection in a more healthier manner good god.” You groaned as you got back up to your feet, picking up your weapon as Vax came to your aid, tossing your arm over his shoulder. “Forgive us yet?” He asked.

“Not the time nor the place to ask but since your dying to know,” you told him as you set your sights on Saurdon’s back, “the jury is still out.” You concluded as you brought yourself back into the heat of battle with a fire under your arse when you saw that Percy was being overwhelmed by Suardon’s plants. Slicing and dicing through them with ease as you watched them fall pathetically.

“Thanks.” Percy said.

“No problem. Also, tree fucker has the vestige.” You replied with a smile before leaving him with that information to aid Keyleth and Vex who were more then happy to see you. “Y/n!” Keyleth shouted, setting some of Suardon’s offence aflame. “Keyleth.” You greeted, “where’s Vex?” “Fighting Saurdon.” She informed you, pointing in the way she last saw vex. You patted her on the shoulder and were about to leave to help aid Vex when the Druid stopped you. “Be careful.” She warned. “Aren’t I always?” You replied before slipping off.

By the time you caught up with Vex and Saurdon, things were looking bleak. Vex lost her bow and was hanging over the edge with Saurdon towering over her, aiming the vestige at her, reading himself in taking the killing blow. “Hey tree dick!” You shouted, catching his attention as he hissed in anger. “Step the fuck away from my friend.” Utilising the enhanced speed gifted to you by the armour, you sent yourself and Saurdon over the edge and to the ground below; allowing Vex to pull herself up over the edge. “Y/n!” She cried, “catch!” Vex then threw down the golden arrowhead Percy made her and you only looked up at her incredulously.

“The fuck am I supposed to do with this?!” You asked her and she face palmed before gesturing to Saurdon who was slowing getting back up to his feet, “stab him you dumbass! Stab him in the heart!” You quickly dashed to Saurdon, knocking back flat on his arse again, wrestling him into submission as you lifted the golden arrow head overhead and brought it down into his heart; killing him and earning your party another vestige which you the quickly gave to Vex.

You all emerged from the tree only to find a golden portal awaiting you. “This must be our ticket home.” You said and with no argument to be heard from the rest of the party, you all left the fey realm united.