#it's not that hard to find it you look for it tho

[peachyparkerr]

spring into summer | art donaldson x female! reader

or loving art even if it hurts <3

based off the song by lizzy mcalpine!

tags: yearning, fluff, angst, no use of y/n, stanford!art to atlanta!art, love "triangle", kissing and stuff, maybe not 100% true to the lyrics might even be out of order, hopefully this is not too long and not too many mistakes lol i dont want to proofread, i made my own challengers timeline because i can, challengers will always be on the mind <3

⋆｡𖦹°⭒˚｡⋆ a/n i hope you enjoy <3 plz be kind to me

Spring into summer, and the winter's gone I try to hold on to it, but the current's too strong Somebody finds me in the state I am Love you like I mean it when I know I can't

it’s a rainy day in late february at stanford. it’s cold, the fog’s coming in thick over the trees, and it’s hard not slip on the ground. all outdoor sports practices have been canceled or moved inside, and it’s probably the worst day to not have an umbrella or a rain jacket. art’s team practice had been canceled but he still wanted to work on his serve so he decided to practice at the indoor courts, he needed to blow off steam after being around patrick and tashi so much these days. their relationship is really weighing art down these days, so getting in the practice instead of taking a break seemed like an obvious time killer, he just hadn’t realized it was pouring this much. there was no way he was going to make it all the way to his dorm without being majorly drenched, so he decides to tackle the rain for the shorter walk between the indoor courts and the library and wait it out there. he’s definitely drenched when he enters the building, and it could be worse so he accepts it. the library’s fairly empty but he can’t quite decide where he wants to sit and if he actually wanted to do any studying at all, and then he sees you.

you, who is sitting cross legged in one of the big window nooks, headphones on with a book and laptop in your lap and in front of you but long forgotten as you watch the rain fall. he's seen you around before, but knows nothing about you, but you've always caught his eye. and seeing you right now watching the rain, in your own little world, is making his heart skip a beat more than it usually does when he sees you. suddenly, however much it sucks for him to always be around his best friend and his best friend's girlfriend that he secretly has been pining for all this time doesn't even matter to him. he doesn't even know your name, not yet at least, but he decides that he needs to. his legs are moving on their own accord as he makes his way to sit opposite of you in the nook.

he doesn't say anything at first, doesn't even ask if it's okay to sit there he just does even tho there are many open spots, and after what feels like forever of just looking at you looking out the window, you finally look his way.

"hi" he manages to speak out, voice just barely over a whisper.

"hi." you say back taking off your headphones. you have a bit of a confused look on your face but otherwise friendly. he'd never even heard your voice before but he thinks it's the most wonderful thing he's ever heard.

"i'm--" he goes to introduce himself nervously, but you interrupt him.

"i know who you are, art." you point out all soft and sweet and now he's embarrassed that he doesn't know who you are.

"you do?" he's flushing and running a hand through his wet hair.

"of course i do. we had a class together last semester and this one. you're also on the tennis team, right?" you laugh and say with ease. he's even more embarrassed now that he hasn't realized that he's had class with you this whole time but doesn't know your name, but the fact you're still giving him the time of day is encouragement enough for him to not run away right now.

he asks for your name and you give it to him with a smile and shake his hand. your hand fits perfectly in his, and he thinks your name is like a melody. the conversation that strikes up between the two of you is casual and easy, and you make him laugh in a way he hasn't in awhile. you tease him for not bringing an umbrella on the rainiest day, and he shakes his wet curls in your face like a dog just so he can hear your laugh again. if he could bottle up the sound and save it forever he would. but you offer to share your umbrella since as it turns out, you don't live that far away from him, and who is he to say no?

you guys huddle under the shared umbrella as you walk through the pouring rain, your hands brushing each other, making him feel all sorts of things. he's been in love with tashi all this time even if she can't be his, but something about your smile and simple kindness has him thinking just maybe he's not doomed at love. maybe he's getting ahead of himself, but as you guys reach his place and he insists on making it up to you for sharing your umbrella, he can't help but think this could be something good. who cares about tashi and patrick anyway?

⋆｡𖦹°⭒˚｡⋆

Hold it against me, cool to the touch Nobody knows what it's like to be us Somebody finds me in the shallow end Love you like I mean it just because I can

it starts slow. art can't quite decipher where his feelings for tashi end and where his growing ones for you begin, but he knows that he's drawn to you in a way he's never experienced before. he needed a distraction but thats not just what you are, what you're becoming to him, he thinks.

so he seeks you out more. finds a way to sit next to you in class. shares his notes with you, not that you need notes from him but he offers anyways. notices when you're feeling tired in class so he suggests getting coffee or a bite to eat after. sometimes you say yes, but other times you say no. you know he spends a lot of time with tashi duncan, star tennis player of the whole university, and sure she's dating his best friend, but you've heard the rumors. art's cute, but you don't want to get caught up in whatever that is.

but art's not just cute, he's sweet and effortlessly charming. he somehow just knows when you don't bring a drink to class and has one for you. he seeks you out in the library even though you know he's not really a scholar, and he offers to share his umbrella when its raining, which he always remembers to carry around now, even if its not raining hard, and even if he knows you have your own.

he's spending more time with you than he is with patrick and tashi. they don't really mind, even if part of them wonders what's going on with him. them not really minding has art feeling weird, because part of him still wants them to care, he wants tashi to care. but the rest of him is just glad that he's getting you to give him a chance. when it comes to you, the rest of the world seems to fade away for him.

before you even realize it, you've started to say yes to him every time he asks you to do something. you don't wait for him to seek you out in the library, you ask him to join you. you "forget" your umbrella just so you guys can share his. he takes the opportunities presented to him to shyly keep an arm around you or hold your hand, and when you don't tell him not to, he's never shy again.

the two of you are dating, even if it's not explicitly said. it's june now, and it seems like everything's really good and he's barely even thinking about tashi anymore. you're a welcome distraction but you're also everything and more to him. he wants to make you his, officially, and he's scared out of his mind to put a label on it but nothing would make him happier.

he plans this nice picnic on a rare sunny day. after indulging in some of your favorite snacks, he's laying on his back on the blanket, a baseball cap you got him on his head blocking the sun from his eyes, and you're on your stomach but resting your head on your hands on his chest, and you guys mindlessly talking about something. the sun's shining down on you so perfectly, the wind in your hair. he has no idea what you're saying at this point because he just can't stop looking at you. you're the most beautiful thing he's ever seen, and he longs to be with you even if you weren't with him. he feels so warm inside and out when he's with you.

he moves hair out of your face and he's interrupting whatever you're saying before he even realizes what he's saying.

"do you want to be my girlfriend?" he asks suddenly, still moving hair behind your ear. this wasn't part of the plan he had in mind today but here goes nothing.

"what?" you question with a confused and disbelieving laugh. he realizes what he's asked but he doesn't take it back, just smiles at you.

"i want to be your boyfriend, so i was just wondering if you'd want to be my girlfriend. like officially." he repeats, a little shy, a little nervous, albeit anticipating what you have to say.

"hmm like officially?" you tease, sitting up a bit, but smiling at him nonetheless.

"yea, like officially." he says simply, sitting up too, and gazing at you with that stupid grin he always has when he thinks knows he's getting what he wants.

you answer him by turning the hat on his head that you got him backwards and kissing him, soft and sweet. it's not the first time, but its definitely better than all the other times. he cups your face and kisses you back slow, happily and deeply. you hold a hand over his, your touch making him melt as usual. maybe everything is going to be fine.

⋆｡𖦹°⭒˚｡⋆

Taking a picture of all the people close to us Head below the surface, almost never certain of the truth (mm) I'm always, forever, runnin' back to you (you, ooh) Runnin' back to you (ooh) Runnin' back to you

you had become a plus one to art's place in his little trio. he had made it a point to include you whenever it felt like it was something he thought would be good. patrick was kind to you and was always willing to spill art's secrets to you. tashi talked to you, was friendly enough, but it's not like you were friends outside of this. you didn't have anything in common outside of your boyfriends. you didn't need her approval, but sometimes it felt like art did. you didn't want to question it, at least not out loud. it was just weird when you would go to his matches and after talking to you he'd ask her what she thought. maybe it's 'cause you're not a tennis player. that had to be the only reason. right?

but he was glad to have you come anyways. when you'd join for hangouts he he always said he played better when you were there. with you, he could hold his head high on and off the court. he wasn't always sure of himself in life or when playing tennis, but if he was almost certain of one thing it was that his heart beat for you. he kissed you like you were the oxygen filling his lungs before every match, always running to wrap you up in his arms as soon as it was over, win or lose. he always assured you you were his good luck charm, his best girl, the most important thing to him besides tennis. and you believed him. even when sometimes it felt weird to take pictures of just him and patrick and tashi when celebrating a win. they were important to him, you understood that, you just wanted to feel important too.

patrick and tashi weren't perfect individuals or a perfect pair but they fit. when he was away you didn't think it was that weird for art and tashi to get lunch just the two of them. art would relay to you that patrick and her sometimes fought, mostly about tennis, but other stupid stuff, and lunch was just a way for him to check in on her for his best friend since he couldn't be around. it was the truth. at least what he believed it was.

but when her injury happened, and patrick and her broke up, patrick's presence in art's life disappeared too. art wouldn't explain so you didn't want to pry more. you and art were still together, but this pit in your stomach started to form the more he was there for her during this tough time. he started being late or missing plans with you because he wanted to help her get back on the court or she didn't want to go to her physical therapy but obviously needed to so he'd take her to make sure she went.

one day, you and him were sat in your room. him on your bed, you leaning against your desk, keeping a distance from him. he wanted to reach out to you and pull you into his arms, make it all go away and show you that you were the one he wanted, but he knew he'd been messing up. you guys were supposed to do stuff today, but that didn't happen because he was with her.

"she had a rough day. i just wanted to be there for her." he said, defending himself after missing yet another hangout with you. he did feel guilty. he loved you. more than he could really put into words, but this felt like something he needed to do for her.

"i get that, i was just really looking forward to our plans. and you didn't call so i was just waiting around." you explained. you weren't mad, just disappointed, again.

"i promise we can go tomorrow. just you and me, i'll make it up to you." he pleaded, standing up and grabbing your hands. "i'm sorry. it won't happen again." he rested his forehead against yours, urging you to look at him. he believed in what he was saying. he knew he was pushing you away unintentionally, and he hated it, he just didn't know how to fix it sometimes. he just hoped it would work itself out and he didn't have to lose you. after all, he always came back to you at the end of the day.

"okay, tomorrow then." you sigh out softly, squeezing your eyes shut and squeezing his hands in yours three times as if to say the three words that seem impossible to say these days. he brings your hands to his mouth to adorn each individual knuckle with a kiss, before he presses a lingering one your forehead and hugs you, trying to make it all better.

and the next day, he follows through with his promise. but something has shifted. you both can't quite put your fingers on it, but it's there hanging over your heads.

he doesn't miss any more hangouts, but the amount of hangouts that get planned decrease. it's clear that tashi's not going to play tennis again. and she probably does need someone to lean on, more than she'd like to admit. sometimes she's seeking him out, but more often than not she doesn't have to because he's going to her anyway. you can't even hate her because it's not even her fault. it's not her fault that your boyfriend would do anything for her, the way he's supposed to do for you. the way he used to.

he loves you, and you love him, but it doesn't mean love is enough. not when this is happening. he'd never break up with you first, so you have to rip off the bandage.

it's february again and its raining out when you meet him outside his room. he doesn't exactly know why you asked to come here, or why you won't come in despite how wet you guys are becoming, but he has a feeling that it's not good.

"it's over, art." you say simply to him. his heart sinks in his chest, and he feels like he's going to throw up.

"why?" he asks, even if he knows the answer. he's getting drenched by the rain, the clothes he's wearing and the hat you got him sitting on his head probably getting ruined, but at least maybe the rain will conceal how he's about to cry.

"I just...can't anymore." you sound defeated and sad. he hates everything about this. he knows he's hurt you, but he doesn't know how to fight for you either.

"i'm sorry." that is all he can say, resisting every urge to pull you close and make this right.

"me too." you sigh out before leaving.

everything about this sucks. he knows a lot of it is his own fault. but he just can't do anything about it. so he goes back inside.

by june, him and tashi are already officially dating. he wishes she was you sometimes, often wonders how you're doing. but he doesn't reach out. he wanted to be the one to tell you that him and tashi were dating, he felt guilty about it and for some reason couldn't stand the idea of letting you find out through the grapevine. but he also knows you probably wouldn't want to hear from him anyway. so he doesn't.

⋆｡𖦹°⭒˚｡⋆

You're always gonna be someone that I want (oh) We have too many years between us If I could jump into the past, I'd only change one thing I'd never hurt you first, I'd never let you leave And now I'm here forever, runnin' back to you Always

two springs and summers had passed since the spring that you broke up with art. yet there's parts of him that are still holding onto the year you spent together, to the first spring he laid eyes on you in the library. him and tashi have been together for almost all this time. she never was able to play tennis again like she used to, but she'd become more than his girlfriend, now she was his coach. she shaped him into the player he needed to be to win the high profile titles he now holds. it wasn't that they weren't happy, the whole tennis community knew them to be a rising power couple, but the dynamic was different than it was with you.

tashi was beautiful, determined, rough around the edges and strategic. everybody knew her and wanted to be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of her light. he'd stood by her in her darkest time and she'd been standing by him at every win. pushing him harder than he'd ever been pushed towards greatness. she knew he needed tennis, especially if he couldn't have you, even if he wouldn't admit it. she wanted the greatness she couldn't have for herself for him and she was grateful to be able to be part of tennis and his life in this way. so sometimes it was easier for her to pretend they could love each other the way they should. the way he loved you and the way she loved tennis and patrick.

which brings him to the atlanta open. spring on this part of the east coast was nice and art was trying to enjoy it even he's still been feeling cold. his grandmother had died a couple months ago, leaving him her engagement ring, telling him to save it for someone special. those two things were weighing on his mind pretty frequently, especially because when you'd heard the news you reached out to him to give your condolences. you didn't have to say anything, but you were always the bigger person. it was one of the few times you and him had spoken over the years since you broke up. every single time fleeting and politer than he knew had earned and god did it make him miss you.

you, him, and tashi weren't at stanford anymore so there was no reason to see each other anymore, but the passing moments of inevitable running into each other on campus were things he looked forward to. but now you're all graduated, he hadn't seen you in person in about two years and ever seeing you again seems like it would never happen. his only choice is to focus on his skill, winning this open and the next, and tashi. he just wasn't sure if tashi was the special person his grandmother was talking about.

he had actually been looking for tashi when he headed down to the hotel lobby. he could've sworn he saw her sitting by a window, across from patrick, but not really wanting to deal with that he turns his attention to the fan that's called his name to ask for his autograph. when he turns back she's gone and he decides to get a drink anyway to wash down the long day he's had. he orders and that's when he now spots you on the other end, suitcase in hand and ordering the same drink he knows you always have.

art doesn't even know how long he's been frozen in place, taking you in, until you notice him too. you smile and before either of you notice you're sitting next to each other at the bar. you're the same, but different, better, even, if that was even possible. he's always thought you were perfect. he knew he loved you for all that you were before, but he's sure now more than ever that he's never stopped.

by pure coincidence, you're passing through on a work trip and are being put up by your company in the very same hotel. the more the two of you talk he doesn't think this is coincidence, he's convinced its fate. that the universe wants the two of you to be together. when some hair falls in front of your face as you laugh, a sound he hadn't realized he's missed so much even if it's been on replay in his mind all this time, he instinctually moves it behind your ear. he's barely realized he's done it until you're looking at him all wide eyed and he pulls his hand back. suddenly you're pretending to be tired, telling him it was great to catch up and to give tashi your best, and trying to leave.

his heart drops to his stomach at the possibility of losing you again and before he can convince himself it's a bad idea, he's begging you to meet him here tomorrow after your conference and after his match.

"i don't know...what about tashi?" you voice your concern and he hates that you're hesitating but he understands.

"i have no right to ask you to do anything for me, but i promise that if you meet me tomorrow i'll figure it out. i just can't let you go like this. not again." he's pleading with you, grabbing your hand. your skin is cool to the touch but he's burning up inside at the chance to be with you again.

you don't know if you can trust him, and you're not sure if you can handle being hurt by him again, but you've always had a soft spot for him, so you agree anyway.

his heart's racing as he returns to his own room. seeing you is something straight out of a movie, and he knows he's making no sense but he'd messed up once and he rather take a risk now then hate himself for the rest of his life. when tashi returns with patrick's cologne on her skin and asking if that was me she caught a glimpse of earlier, her and art both know its over. they'll keep it out of the press and if he'll find another coach if that's what he wants. usually they'd fight each other on this but they know they can't go on like this.

the next day he waits anxiously. watching the clock tick away. it's only ten minutes after the time you agreed to meet and he's scared you're not coming. he's bouncing his leg as a coping mechanism until you're walking in. he's nearly falling out of his seat as he stands up to meet you.

"you came." he stammers out taking you in.

"i wasn't sure if i should." you admit quietly.

he nods and momentarily takes off the baseball cap he's wearing to run a hand through his hair nervously. you know it's the one you gave him in college but you don't point it out.

"i get it. but i'm glad you came."

"so...you wanted to talk?' you ask awkwardly, unsure of how to navigate this. he nods again and suggests walking outside.

it's quiet at first, even as your arms brush each other's as you walk. but he stops suddenly, turning towards you, knowing that if he doesn't say anything now he might never.

"i'm sorry. for everything. " he begins to say, you try to interrupt and tell him it's been a long time but he doesn't let you continue, needing to say this. "i need you to know that i regret everything. that it's over with tashi, that it has been long before today. i had this idea that i needed her and i could still have you and i was wrong. i never needed her and i wasted so much time thinking that when the only person who was ever it for me was you. "

art's words are earnest and the tears in his eyes match the ones in yours.

"i don't hold it against you. i just wish you would've fought for me. for us. all i've ever wanted was for you to see yourself the way i did." you sniffle out. art's always had this sincere side to him, but it's been so long since you've seen it that it's just a lot to process.

"i know and i'm sorry. i'm so goddamn sorry that it took me losing you to understand that i've never wanted anything else than to be yours. " he cries, cupping your face, his thumbs wiping the tears there away.

art realized too late that he should've fought for you. you, who was always so patient and kind and accepting of who he was in and out of tennis. you, who was soft and thoughtful in ways he didn't think he deserved and taught him you can want things and get them without being so hard on yourself. he was the one who was lucky to be in your light, and he couldn't even blame you for leaving. he just wished he hadn't pushed you away, that he wasn't simultaneously an ass and a coward for letting you slip through his fingers. but this is him fighting for you now, and he was praying to a god he wasn't sure he always believed in that this was his chance to make it right.

"if you'll have me, i want to fight for you. i'll spend everyday for the rest of my life fighting for you, proving to you that i want you, that...i love you. i can't lose you again." he's still holding your face in his hands, gazing into your eyes and hoping that you can understand just how much regret he's been holding in, that you'll say something that'll make him stop shaking right now.

you bring a hand to move some hair that is stuck to his face from under the brim of his hat. he leans into the touch as you rest your hand on his own cheek, shivering at how it feels after all this time.

"you're always going to be someone that i want." you say softly.

and that's all it takes for him to surge forward and press his lips to yours. from that point on, he never feels cold again. and by next summer, his grandmother's ring is on your finger.

⋆｡𖦹°⭒˚｡⋆

Summer is falling, it's a distant dream If I turn around, you're runnin' back to me

a/n i kinda hate this but i needed to write it! plz be kind! likes and reblogs appreciated!

[artemisiasmuse]

always known | CH.5

PAIRING: rafe cameron x fem! kook reader

CW: 18+ mdni, smut eventually, angst, mean rafe, jealousy, possessive rafe, kook typical classism (not from y/n tho), abusive family dynamics, not really canon/au, swearing, drinking, no coke tho, ward cameron

SUMMARY: rafe’s childhood best friend y/n returns to figure eight by herself and finds rafe hates her for some reason, their friendship has gone down the drain and they can hardly remain cordial, and there’s one thing causing all of it: why can’t rafe just move on?

TROPE: childhood best friends to enemies to lovers

WORD COUNT: 1.8k

MASTERLIST

< previous

you lean against his doorframe, his eyes already on you, as you say, “you’re gonna make me say it first aren’t you?”

“yeah i am.” rafe throws his phone to the side, bouncing off the bed slightly. he doesn’t care, he’s walking towards you. there’s no subtlety in his gaze, he’s drinking in the way you look in his clothes and you almost shiver at the unabashed staring. he lightly pushes the door shut, not that you even notice, your feet move towards him without much thought, his pull is hard to ignore much longer.

“fine, i like you rafe and not as a friend.” you’re nearly chest to chest when you say it, a grin is splitting your face and he doesn’t even know if he can stop smiling in your presence.

“fucking finally.” you hear it half a second before you’re tugged into him fully and his lips are on yours. there’s no doubt in your mind that rafe is the best kisser in the world and rafe thinks he might just die happy at the feeling of your soft lips against his. there’s a small large part of you that thinks he might just be made for you. even the way his tongue tentatively glides over your bottom lip is mind-shattering. you’re moving without much thought because if you think about it too much you might just melt into a puddle. there’s no fireworks like in the movies instead there’s an innate sense that this was almost what was going to happen. you were both fated for this. rafe can’t believe you taste so good, that you’re so pliant and sweet in his hold, even the cute little sounds you make, it’s a million times better than his imagination and those expectations were already through the roof. his heart is beating out of his chest, so rapidly he thinks he should just give it up to you. you pull back to breathe, a small whine of disappointment crawling up his throat, and his hands cup your face, gently framing your cheeks as you look up at him. there’s a salacious string of saliva connecting your lips before it snaps off, rafe mourns it a little. you decide rafe looks the best after he’s kissed you, flushed and breathing heavy with a smile on his swollen lips. your hands find the back of his neck, pulling him back down, this time he’ll let himself taste you properly.

you take your time figuring each other out, kissing until you need to catch your breath and eventually cuddling on his bed. you’re laying quite literally on top of him with your head propped up on his chest so you can take a good look at him. you both abandoned your perception of time until you both got hungry. begrudgingly he tears his eyes away from you and checks the time on his phone, it’s nearly 3pm.

when you both leave you’re unfortunately face to face with sarah in the kitchen who takes one look at your matching swollen lips. and then how his clothes are hanging off you and very astutely says “finally.” she pats rafe on the back in a silent congratulations. all you can do is laugh while rafe rolls his eyes.

“how long did sarah know?” rafe blushes and ignores your gaze, pointedly opening the fridge to look for food

“forever kinda.” he murmurs it and you don’t know if it’s possible but your cheeks might be sore from smiling tomorrow. he grabs the leftover chinese food from yesterday, popping it in the microwave for you both.

“forever?” he hears the excitement in your voice and he knows there’s no point in hiding it now. you felt the same or at least a little bit the same. as much as he recognizes how special kitchens have become for you two, he’d rather not have this particular conversation there. so he ignores you until you’re both back in his room and eating.

“seeing you back made me realize i still hadn’t gotten over you, i hated myself for it, and i knew you didn’t feel the same which only made me angrier. i was the idiot who couldn’t move on.” you blink away his self flagellation, he really had to stop doing that.

“you didn’t know anything then and you still don’t.” you kiss him again. rafe hums at the feeling, warmth spreading this whole body from the small press of your lips to his. you want to tell him everything but your emotions are all over the place, you need to figure them out yourself before you start talking.

“why’d we waste so much time?” rafe pulls you close after you’ve finished eating, you settle against him your back pressed against his chest. in his own way he’s confirming that you’ve felt the same for forever. you have.

“hmm i don’t know i kinda think if it wasn’t now it might not have worked. it would’ve been a disaster in middle school.” there’s no way you would have survived the distance and that fact may have ended your friendship.

“yeah fuck you’re right about that.” he presses a kiss to your head, the smell of your passion fruit shampoo makes him feel giddy. you’ve turned him into a sap in the span of hours. he dreads the moment you’ll have to leave his arms even if it’s hours away, even if it’s just to sleep.

“did you recognize me when you came back?” rafe asked, he’d seen you over the years, sarah showing him pictures that he desperately tried to forget. you kept getting more and more beautiful and he wasn’t there. you turned in his hold, his grip around your waist loosening as you faced him.

“of course, i’d know your face with my eyes closed.” a small finger traced the lines of his eyebrows, his lashes, the curve of his nose. you thought each piece of him was beautiful you felt so grateful for every line, every freckle, every single inch of his face. of him. rafe’s eyes fluttered closed at the gentle brush of your fingers, no one had ever touched him like this.

“i don’t know i thought maybe the hair-“ his voice came out hoarse, the lump in his throat from your adoring gaze was hard to ignore. his eyes met yours, your favorite part of him. your smile widened even more.

“i mean i never thought you’d look so hot with a buzzcut but yeah i knew it was you.” rafe groaned at your words, still adjusting to the way you could render him speechless with a few words. had you always been so flirty? he didn’t care as long as he was the only one on the receiving end. you giggled at his reaction, pleased that you could get him flustered. there was such a pretty pink flush to the tips of his ears.

“you didn’t seem phased.” rafe supposed you were too preoccupied with how mean he was to you then, you had barely reacted to his presence beyond the initial shock.

“im very skilled at talking to you rafe cameron, even now.” he loved how you said his name, the way there’s so much affection even in how you tease him. he wants this day to last forever.

“yeah you are, you’re the only one who knows me,” his arms tighten around you, as if he’s subconsciously trying to keep you closer. you’d never leave him again.

“that’s a shame, you know, you’re my favorite person in the world, other people should see how great you are.” he feels almost lightheaded from you words, you’d echoed the sentiment before. favorite person in the world. that would stick with him. he wouldn’t want for any other title in his entire life.

“they’d never believe you.” he prods your cheek with his finger.

“i managed to convince you, didn't i?”

“a little,” you’re wearing matching smiles, dopey and blissful.

“maybe it’s a good thing though… if more pretty blondes catch on i might just have to keep you to myself.” rafe decides he should make you jealous more often. that might be one of his favorite sides of you.

“you say that like it’s a bad thing.” it’s like he knows the perfect set of words to fluster you.

“how come no guys approach me though?” there’s a fake pout to your lips and rafe rolls his eyes.

“do you really have to ask?” there’s a glint of something dark in his eyes, you feel silly for even wondering. since you’d been friends again it had gotten even worse, topper even hesitated to hug you.

“oh right! well your scary guard dog thing doesn’t work at school.” he huffs a laugh at how you phrase his almost unhealthy protectiveness before catching onto your last few words.

“you really shouldn’t have told me that baby.” his hand slides up and down the length of your thigh, resting on your hip and pulling you closer. your skin’s so soft and his fingers probe the plush of your thighs, unbelieving that he can do this freely. he’d only dreamt of it before. there’s a trail of heat when he touches, it’s a miracle you don’t shudder against him.

“oh fuck” you realize far too late the consequences of your words, but his don’t scare you as much as they should. “that’s okay though, i’ve been rejecting everyone since i came. now when i tell them i have a boyfriend it won’t be a lie!”

“boyfriend huh? i don’t remember asking,” your gaze snaps to his and narrows. there’s no malice to his words. he’s smirking down at you like he can’t help but tease you.

“oh please we’ve been practically married since diapers.”

“i wish that were true. boyfriend seems a little too simple for this.” rafe thinks that being married would be too simple for what you two had. there had to be another word for it.

“yeah you’re right, we’re far past that.” soulmates. no, that wasn’t right either, he didn’t like the notion that some other unknown thing brought you two together. he’d fight anything even if it was the universe to be by your side again and again.

“what’s your ring size?” husband and wife will have to do for now. he holds up your hand to compare it to his, it’s far smaller and his ring looks like it would be too big for even your thumb.

“rafe we’re too young! let me graduate first.” you swat his hand away, flustered by how quickly he’s gone past boyfriend, not that you’re really opposed. you know you should be, it should be too soon even if it doesn’t feel like it.

“did you just say yes?” he presses a kiss to your cheek, nudging you with his nose.

“no i said-“

“i’m taking it as a yes” you groan and squirm in his hold, suddenly feeling to hot in your future fiancée’s arms. he lets you go and you move forward to sit on your knees next to him, facing him fully. rafe’s staring at you like you put the sun in the sky, head lolled to the side lazily, with his gaze dripping with affection.

“okay whatever floats your boat bro.” you grumble like a middle schooler, you’re still hot but you think it’s just because rafe is looking at you like that.

“‘bro’, you’re fucking in for it now.” he scoffs at you before pulling you back into him by the hips and tickling you until you apologize

a/n: i don’t think i’ll ever be satisfied with this chapter (i’ve rewritten it twice) but that’s okay i guess T^T next chapter will be a lot longer they have a lot to talk through and a lot of catching up ;)) to do

taglist: @clar2aa @ggraycelynn @rafestoothbrush @woweewoowa @mattyskies @always4tuesdayss @ashy-kit @chalahyung01 @rafeysslut @beabogsims @someoneisreading @rlalliehayes @artbymin @pogueprincesa @crvcified-kinx @ltristessedureratoujours @lilithblackkk @pluviophilis @emmiesummers

[mayweneverdie]

Feeling silly, take some fluff

Bath

Titus/Reader

Cw: just fluff really, nonsexual nudity, dialogue heavy (apparently some people don’t like a lot of dialogue), no beta read

Notes: taking a small break from This Is The Last Time so I don’t burn out on the angst. Will work on it soon tho! On an unrelated note expect art soon 😛

—

“Are you sure this is alright?” You ask Titus while grasping your towel. He nods and places one hand on the small of your back and ushers you towards the steaming pool of water. The inside was truly beautiful, truly stuff of dreams and fantasy. Fancy tiles adorn the walls in a sort of mosaic and candles flicker a soft glow.

“Of course, hardly anyone comes here at this time of the day cycle.” He answer simply and stops before the entry, tossing his towel to the side and taking steps down the built in stairs. Despite him seeing you numerous times in the nude, you cling to the towel tighter. Realizing you had yet to join him, he turns to you and chuckles.

“I can promise no one will see you aside from me.” Titus comes closer and offers his hand. After a moment of the idea stewing in your head, you copy his previous actions and toss the towel.

“If anyone does see me…” You sigh.

“They won’t, my heart,” He guides you deeper into the pool, “I’ll make sure of it.”

Soon the pair of you are in the center of the pool with you held up in his arms.

“You spoil me, Demetrian.” You coo and nestle into the crook of his neck. Strong arms tighten around you a smidge.

“I wouldn’t call it spoiling if you deserve it.” He speaks gently before pressing a gentle kiss to the crown of your head.

“Oh, please,” A small chuckle escapes your lips, “Surely you’re more fit to be a bard or poet with such honeyed words.”

Your words earn a small smile from him.

“And you would still love me, wouldn’t you?” The question is accompanied by another small kiss, though now it’s traveled to your cheek.

“Hmm…” With a cheeky grin you pretend to think long and hard, “Would you play the lute?” You ask as you raise your head to look at him.

“If you demanded it,” His voice softens from his usual gruffness, “I’d orchestrate my own band of lute players to please you.” A stray hand glides down.

“Well, lutes are quite dorky, so maybe not-” A startled noise escapes you after being interrupted by a stray pinch to your hip. Your eyes meet his icy blues, a glint of mischief in them.

“What happened?”

“You know what happened.”

“No, I don’t.”

You can’t help but to giggle more and pull back a smidge.

“Then what pinched me?”

“Perhaps a fish.”

“You suppose a fish could live in this hot of water?”

He shrugs, his poker face cracking into a small smile. You take a moment to simply absorb everything. The roughness of his hands on your back and hip, the sight of him smiling just below you, and the water lapping at the both of you was simply divine.

A small hum erupts from you with contentment. Truly a blessing from the emperor.

—

I think this turned out pretty cute, though I feel repetitive using ‘you’, ‘he’, ‘and’, and ‘speak/answer’, so I’m gonna try to find other words to use to not sound like a broken record.

Tag list: @beckyninja @hatsubara-8chan

As always lmk if you want to be added!

[tikosblogg]

Who Am I? Chapter 2

Warnings: smut (not with Noah), the sex is consensual but she’s not really into it. Idk don’t read it if that bothers you.

A/N: sorry it’s short 😭 it’s so hard to find time to write cuz of my job. I hope you still enjoy tho🥲❤️

Not long after the awkward interaction , we walked back out, and watched bad omens take the stage. “I gotta make a call, don’t run off.” Ryan leaned down, leaving a rough kiss to my lips, making me scowl before walking away.

Nothing about ryan was ever gentle. It was so irritating. I found a spot with a clear view of the stage, so I could watch the set. Finally getting to watch them in person was a dream of mine, and I’ll be damned to let anything ruin it.

The bass vibrated through my feet, a primal thrum that resonated with the energy of the crowd. They were owning the stage, having had me as well as the crowd mesmerized. Noah was a force of nature.

He worked the stage, his voice growling with intensity. I stood on the side, nodding along to "Dethrone," softly mouthing the lyrics. I’ve been a fan for years, their music a deep comfort. Especially with my unfortunate shitty upbringing. Ryan, didn’t quite understand my obsession. He hardly likes my own music. 

I started cheering with the rest of the crowd. As they moved on to the their next song. During the intro to "The Grey," Noah’s gaze swept across the stage, landing on me. For a fleeting moment, our eyes locked. And then he smiled, before continuing his strut across the stage.

My stomach twisted. It was just a smile, a simple sign of acknowledgement. But it made me feel strange. I tore my gaze away, my body buzzing, just as Ryan’s hand grabbed mine. “Let’s go,” he growled, his voice low and dangerous.

He didn’t wait for a response, yanking me away and down the narrow hallway. The music faded, replaced by the pounding of my own heart. He steered me towards the bathroom I’d used earlier, the harsh fluorescent light of the hallway doing nothing to soften his expression.

He slammed the door shut, the sound echoing in the small space. He shoved me against the cold, tiled wall, the impact stealing my breath. “What the fuck was that?” he demanded, his eyes blazing. I rolled my eyes, at his rough hostility. Nothing new. “Nothing, what the hell is your problem?” I mumbled, completely exhausted from his constant outbursts.

“Don’t lie to me, Alice,” he sneered. “I saw him looking at you. I saw how close you two were earlier too. What the fuck was that about?” His accusation hung in the air, thick and suffocating. I wanted to explain, to tell him it was nothing, a moment of shared appreciation for the music. But it didn’t matter. It never did. 

He made a disgusted sound, his eyes raking over me with a possessiveness that felt more like ownership. Then, before I could react, he surged forward, his mouth crashing down on mine. There was nothing gentle or loving about it, not like the soft touches I always craved. It was a brutal claiming, a desperate attempt to reassert his control.

His lips were hard, his teeth nipping at me, bruising and demanding. I tasted anger and insecurity. I kissed back anyways, for my sake. I haven’t been touched in months, and I can’t handle his shitty attitude anymore tonight.  

He pulled away yanking me from the wall, and shoving me against the counter. His movements were rough, and my heart began to race.

Without a word, he wasted no time ripping my shorts and fishnets down my thighs. I gasped at the material burning against my skin, but before I could speak, he had already shoved himself deep inside me.

His thrusts were rough and primal, I couldn’t do anything but hold on for dear life. I finally relaxed around him, feeling myself get wetter. I moaned as he filled me up over and over, his dick hitting that perfect spot. His hand reached around, large fingers gripping my throat.

He pulled my head back to look at him through the mirror. “Whose fucking pussy is this?” He growled, his hips slapping against my ass harder. I could feel myself getting closer and closer to the edge, as he squeezed tighter. “Y-yours.” I groaned, as he released my throat. “That’s fucking right. Don’t forget it.”

Just as I was about to tip over the edge, he thrusted into me one last time, before pulling out. “What the fu-“ my words were cut short as he grabbed my hair, forcing me down to my knees. He angled my face up towards him, as he pumped himself a few times releasing on my face.

When he was finally finished, he let go of my hair tucking himself back into his pants. He grabbed a few paper towels out of the dispenser before shoving them into my hands. I looked up at him, my eyes filled with anger. It’s not usual for him to get off, and leave me hanging, but this wasn’t for my pleasure, it was a punishment.

He kneeled down so we were face to face before speaking. “Don’t forget your fucking place Alice. I have no problem reminding you.” Our faces were only inches apart. His eyes bore into mine, dark and unyielding.

I was rendered mute by a cocktail of anger and frustration. I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks, the pulse of fury echoing in my ears. How had it come to this? A man I once considered a partner, someone who stood by my side during the highs and lows of my fucked up life, was now threatening me like I was some kind of errant child.

When he stood back up, the air shifted. I watched him walk toward the door. He paused and turned, his gaze lingering on me. “Clean yourself up,” he ordered. “We leave in 20.” And then he was gone.

I stood up on shaky legs pulling my shorts and fishnets back up my thighs.

I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. I looked like a wreck..smudged makeup, sticky face, disheveled hair. Hurt turned to anger as I turned the sink on, letting the water run until it was cold against my skin.

I grabbed some soap, scrubbing at my face, my reflection a blur of black washing away.

My makeup melted down my cheeks. The sound of water splashing filled the silence, but it couldn’t drown out the humiliation that wrapped itself around me like a shroud.

“What are you doing?” I whispered to myself, the echo of my voice bouncing back from the grimy tiles. I had fought so hard to carve out my place in the music scene..hell even in the world itself. This night had been a victory, the crowd was phenomenal, the lights were bright. But here I was, in this wretched bathroom, my feeling of happiness tainted by Ryan’s shitty attitude.

Once I finished washing my face, I reached for more paper towels. I dried my skin, the rough texture of the paper a stark reminder of the harsh reality I was living. My hands trembled slightly as I tossed the damp towels into the trash bin. I took a deep breath, trying to gather the shreds of my shattered confidence.

What was it about Ryan that had enamored me so completely? He was charming, charismatic, a refreshing aura of energy that had swept me off my feet. But all that had morphed into something darker, a controlling asshole that stifled my spirit. Just like my parents.

I just stared at myself. Anger, and exhaustion flickering in my eyes. I wasn’t a victim, not anymore. This is my life. I have fought tooth and nail for every stage I had performed on, every audience that had cheered my name. When will he realize that.

I took one last glance at myself in the mirror, and turned off the sink, and stepped out of the bathroom, my heart pounding in my chest.

The stale cigarette smoke curled around my face, as I watched Jett wrestle our amp into the back of the van. Ben was meticulously coiling cables, his brow furrowed in concentration, while Ryan, ever the asshole, directed their efforts with a clipped tone. The air hung thick with the dust and sweat of the festival. "Need a hand, Alice?" Ben asked, glancing up from his tangled mess of wires.

"Nah, you guys got it," I replied, taking another drag, a smile tugged at my lips. We killed it tonight. We felt like we were finally breaking through, the energy from the crowd was undeniable.

Suddenly a voice cut through the air. 

"Hey!"

I turned, along with the rest of the guys, and saw Noah, walking  towards us. A tall, lanky dude with long hair, trailed behind him. Jolly. They’re a huge, influence to us and our band, and seeing them in the flesh, and actually playing alongside them still gave me a little jolt of excitement.

Noah grinned, and greeted everyone with a friendly nod."I really liked that solo you did." He fist bumped Jett, and gave Ben a nod, "your drum fill was sick. You guys did amazing." Then, his eyes locked on mine.

I smiled, dropping my cigarette and stomping it out. "Thanks, You guys too."

"Appreciate that," Noah grinned. He paused, before looking to jolly, and back to us. "So, look, we're having a little after-party type thing up on the rooftop of our hotel. Just something chill. We wanted to extend the invite." He rattled off the name of some fancy hotel downtown.

My eyes immediately darted to Jett and Ben. Their faces were lit up like Christmas trees. We’d been grinding for years, sleeping in cramped vans, eating gas station food, and dreaming of moments like this of being welcomed into the inner circle. This felt like validation, a sign that we were finally being recognized.

I opened my mouth to accept, already imagining the good time we’d have hanging out with THE Bad Omens, but Ryan's voice, sharp and dismissive, cut me off.

"We're good. We have shit to do tomorrow."

The air instantly thickened. The excited buzz from Jett and Ben evaporated. My own elation fizzled, replaced by a familiar sense of frustration and resentment.

Noah's smile faltered, but he recovered quickly. "No worries, man. Just thought I'd offer. Maybe next time."

He nodded at Ryan, then gave me one last, look before turning away, Jolly shuffling awkwardly behind him.

They disappeared into the throng of leaving festival goers, an uncomfortable silence settled over us.

"Seriously, Ryan?" I turned towards him, my voice tight with annoyance. "What the fuck?"

He turned to me, his expression unreadable. "I’m fucking tired Alice, and I have shit to do other than babysit your drunk ass all night.”

"One drink wouldn't kill us," Jett mumbled, avoiding eye contact.

"Yeah, Ryan. We could have networked," Ben added, equally subdued.

Ryan rounded on them, his voice rising in pitch. "Networked? You think schmoozing or fucking rockstars is going to get us a better record deal?" His eyes cut to me with that last statement, and I couldn’t stop the scoff leaving my lips. He’s fucking mental. 

I stepped forward, my fists clenching. "It's not fucking like that Ryan and you know it! It feels like we're finally being accepted. We busted our asses tonight! We deserve to celebrate! We deserved that moment".

"Yeah well I’m your fucking manager, and what I say goes."

I’d had enough. “And I’m your girlfriend! Do you ever think about what I want?”

"I don’t give a shit Alice! I'm doing what’s best for the band!," Ryan retorted, his voice laced with exasperation. "Do you know what kind of people are at these parties; those guys are bad fucking news, I know it!"

"Doing what’s best? By doing what? Keeping us from having a good time? From making connections? From being treated like real artists instead of nobodies?" I spat, my voice trembling with anger. "You're not doing what’s best for us, Ryan. You're just fucking controlling.”

The stale hotel air hung heavy, thick with the ghost of previous occupants and cheap disinfectant. I tossed my bag onto the ridiculously floral comforter, the zipper screaming in protest as I wrestled out my pajamas. My muscles ached, a delightful reminder of the amazing set we played. 

But now, that high was plummeting, dragged down by the ever present weight of Ryan “forbidding” us from going to the after party Noah had invited us to. With some bullshit excuse. As if being a woman in rock wasn't hard enough, I had to constantly fight to be seen.

I glanced over at him as he heaved his bag onto the bed. He was already heading for the bathroom, the door clicking shut. 

I flopped onto the bed, grabbing my phone and mindlessly scrolling through Instagram. The feed was ablaze with posts from the festival. People were talking about our set, praising my vocals, complimenting Jett’s insane guitar riffs, and even acknowledging Ben’s solid drumming. A warm feeling spread through me, a sense of validation that Ryan rarely offered.

30 minutes later, the bathroom door swung open. My fingers froze on the screen. Ryan stood framed in the doorway, but it wasn't what I was expecting. He was dressed in black jeans and a tailored leather jacket. His hair, usually casually tousled, was meticulously styled. He looked like he was about to step onto a movie set, not into bed for the night. 

My stomach clenched. A cold knot of unease tightened in my chest.

"Where the hell are you going?" The question burst out before I could filter it, laced with a bitterness I couldn't quite suppress.

Ryan rolled his eyes, the dismissive gesture slicing through me more sharply than he probably intended. He patted his pockets, checking for his phone and wallet. "I’m meeting someone important."

The words were like a slap in the face. "You tell us that we can’t go to a small after-party to celebrate our show tonight, but you’re gonna run around town to meet with someone 'important'?" My voice rose with each word, frustration bubbling to the surface.

He sighed, as if I were a particularly annoying child. He turned towards the door, his back to me. "I don’t have to explain anything to you. I know what’s best for us, and that’s that."

“Seriously?" I scoffed, sarcasm dripping from my words. I pushed myself off the bed, my bare feet slapping against the carpet. "Or best for you, Because it sure as hell feels like those are two very different things these days."

The air crackled with tension as he finally turned back to me, stalking towards me until we were almost chest to chest. His eyes were cold, hard chips of ice. "I said I don’t have to explain shit to you. Now go the fuck to bed. I’ll be back in a couple hours."

He stood there, radiating an aura of control and dominance that I hated, that I was starting to resent more with each passing day. The familiar fear pricked at the edges of my anger. I wanted to scream, to lash out, but something held me back. Years of conditioning, of being told to be quiet, to be agreeable, to not make a scene.

I shook my head slowly, disbelief warring with hurt. "Who are you meeting that's so fucking important?" The question hung in the air between us, heavy with unspoken accusations.

His jaw tightened. "I told you. It's none of your business."

Without another word, he turned and walked out, the door slamming shut behind him with a resounding thud.

For a long moment, I just stood there, frozen in place, the silence amplifying the hum of the air conditioner. The anger, simmering beneath the surface for months, finally boiled over.

Fuck that.

I grabbed my phone, my fingers flying across the screen.

Me: get your asses ready. We're going to that after-party. Meet me in the lobby in 20.

I didn't wait for a response. I ripped open my bag again, pulling out a pair of ripped black jeans, a vintage band tee, and my leather jacket. Adrenaline surged through me, washing away the fatigue and replacing it with a fierce sense of defiance.

I stormed into the bathroom, slamming the door behind me. The hot water pounded against my skin, cleansing not just the sweat and grime of the day, but also the lingering feeling of being controlled, of being diminished.

As I dressed, my mind raced. Who was Ryan meeting? I didn’t have the answer, not yet. But I knew one thing for sure: I wasn't going to let him dictate my life anymore. I had a voice, a talent, and the right to make my own choices.

I glanced at myself in the mirror, my reflection staring back with newfound determination. My eyes, usually soft and yielding, were now hard and bright.

This wasn't just about an after-party. It was about taking back control. It was about reclaiming my own power.

I grabbed my phone and headed out, leaving the oppressive atmosphere of the hotel room behind and walked towards the lobby.

Jett and Ben were already waiting, grinning like mischievously.

"Took you long enough," Jett said, slinging an arm around my shoulders. "Ready to party?"

"Born ready," I replied, a smile spreading across my face.

Taglist- @lacy1986 @theanarchymuse95 @lyschko666 @rumoured-whispers @pathion @alwaysfightforwhoyouare @xxkatsatwatwafflexx @chey-h @dontwantthemoney @lilsugacubeot7

[midnightwind]

okay tumblr decided to be Funny with me so I'm coming back to this outside of the tags because apparently I have too many thoughts about the Crows for my own good

so, cracking my knuckles because it's been a hot sec since I've sat down to be insane over the Crows and their politics! (god fuck sorry just looked up the 'cast list' for 8LT again and wdym Dante was Second Talon wtf- that feels wild okay sorry I thought Emil was Second Talon for some reason) ANYWAYS I think it's entirely possible that Caterina did not push on having Houses Balazar and Valisti vacate their spots, I would find it Highly unlikely that a Talon would not have a successor lined up should something happen to them. Caterina cannot be the only Talon thinking about Legacy and What Comes Next and even if there wasn't an obvious heir to the seat in Houses that lost their Talon I think someone would have stepped up, esp with Caterina looming over them being like “figure your shit out we have to save the country.” (internal fighting still very real, but unless a Knife tried to fight for the spot, I doubt they'd change Houses esp since we haven't heard of a Knife taking a seat recently [we don't know if Teia was Cantori before taking her seat or not to my knowledge])

although there is also a real discussion to be had about how much communication can happen between the Talons post invasion... Viago's letter to Rook mentions that writing letters to Minrathous will be almost impossible because of the Antaam (which I take with a grain of salt because why would the Assassin's Guild use mundane mail that has to be screened... and maybe he just means “they're annoyingly apt at spotting our messages so it's not worth it unless it's Important” idk, it would be on brand for him to also be like "and nothing you write is ever very important so fix that or stop trying to write me") but I think the Second and Third seats are at least still within their initial Houses from 8LT just because of the invasion looming. I do think Caterina might have gone scorched earth on House Kortez however (I can't remember if we have a Codex or dialogue citing this, I know we had a few references to fallen Houses but I read 8LT after finding those and don't want to open the game rn lmao) very much “can't know how deep the betrayal goes so burn it all to save us the trouble” you know?

so maybe Viago did become Fourth Talon after 8LT given he solved the murders and ensured Emil was caught, but then Rook happens. Rook ruins an important strike against the invaders and Viago spares them over it. Caterina understands doing anything for your family (and Rook is set up as his family and potentially his successor even!) but that can't be allowed so he has to be punished! But he's a clever Crow and a good Talon and an important piece on the board (esp when it comes to the Crown of Antiva!) so why not just take that promotion away and ensure he does better next time? scare him, ensure the Problem (Rook) is dealt with, and keep that hard worker under your thumb! I don't know if another House stepped up to fill that role or if there just currently isn't a Fourth Talon (Illario did have a full spread when he tried to take over as First Talon but maybe he just had stand ins or supporters mixed in with Teia and Viago, I don't think all the Talons are in Treviso or should all be there or could all be there that fast) I foresee Bolivar getting ousted by his own House upon his return from 8LT honestly so House Nero may still hold the Sixth seat under a new Talon, and well poor Arainai might still be 8th Talon (never rule out Zevran coming back to run chaos) but it's the weakest seat so I doubt Caterina really worried about solving that with the Antaam happening. and so as long as the House still answers and fights for the Talons in Antiva I doubt it matters who's name has the title, anyone in the House could have taken over for Giuli.

I think bare minimum that Teia should have been promoted to Sixth Talon tho she was core to finding Emil as the killer and it's esp weird considering Caterina very openly favors her. maybe they thought bumping Teia to Sixth but leaving Viago as Fifth would be too confusing? but only people who read 8LT would even find it odd (and even then, would we??) but maybe they had the seats already decided for Veilguard before Tevinter Nights was finished and things stayed the same between...

anyways, the whole of Antiva is primed for a Huge wave of reform at end of the events of Veilguard, esp if Rook is played as a Crow. the heroes of the world (this time) are all decently high ranked or highly respected assassins within the order and one of them even has ties to the crown! I think, if we had gotten to see a little further, glimpsed the road Antiva is on with ousting the Antaam, there would be a decent chance of the Crows becoming proper god damned heroes of legends to the country and Viago making a real move to take the crown from his father (with full backing from at least 2 Houses if not most of the order) and who even knows if having a full 8 Talons would even be needed then? the entire order of Crows could be going through some insane changes at the end of all this

also one other thing that was bothering me. even if we chuck it up to teia's influence and viago being super generous by not overtaking 2nd and 3rd talon (house balazar and valisti) after what happen in eight little talons, house kortez is pretty much done and gone. it makes no sense that a cuchillo house is jumping immediately to the vacated 4th talon position, viago should be a 4th talon now and teia 6th. the setup where they remained at their previous positions would only make sense if they for some reason kept 4th talon vacated, but that makes no sense, it's been years. i think it's just a slipup and by all means viago should be 4th and teia 6th at least. i would even expect more changes in the hierarchy, but on the other hand maybe caterina penalized infighting somehow now that they should be focusing on the antaam.

[sun-turner]

It's those screwballs again

[methoughtsphantom]

Jason “my family doesn’t know im alive” Todd and Danny “my family doesn’t know I’m dead” Fenton going alongside each of their plans my beloved. like Danny will absolutely go head-to-head with all of Gotham to support his new best friend on all his crime lord endeavors while he drags Jason to also attend collage with him. They are roommates and there never seems to a mention of family from either side. It’s an unspoken understanding they have. They met because Crime alley as a ghost lair thrummed with so much loneliness, it was at first the perfect place for Danny to hide his ecto signature in. But then he saw the dumbass whose lair it was lean his motorcycle just a tad too much when making a sharp turn to an alley, he sweeped the floor through a lifted chain link that passed his body but not his helmet. Yep that’s right the red thing got stuck. Danny who at the moment happened to be watching through his window snorted. Much to his horror because if not a ghost that dude could’ve gotten his head flung off.

Still, the scene was ridiculous.

On a whim he irrationally sees the police closing in on the guy and panicked at the thought of the guy using intangibility to free himself so Danny phased them both through his apartment wall and left the guy sprawled in his couch. Jason didn’t freak out but that’s normal when one’s got a concussion, one the guy immediately denied having as Danny laid out the medical supplies. The idiot proceeded to almost flatten four steps to the door with his stubbornness. He also said “I’m asexual” in the most deadpan voice as Danny dropped him back in the couch.

Danny sighed. Clearly though, he’d done so too early in the night because the guy kept trying to go, kept trying to knock Danny out, kept trying to slash him with knifes Danny didn’t know he had stashed. He’d only disarmed the guy from his guns. The visible ones apparently, cause at one point the guy did take out a gun and shoot until the ammo ran out and then teetered the thing like it was an art prop and hit his moon lamp.

Danny "yeah you aren’t officially my friend until you’ve tried to kill me" fenton my guys.

Anyways both keep having the same argument over if Danny technically kidnapped Jason or not. Danny holds the fact that the police at least didn’t see the guy make the ridicule. Jason argued that happened cause he was sporting a concussion. Danny argued he got that after.

Jason at first thinks the guy's a meta, but no. Danny introduces himself, sheepily now that he recognizes this is who the lair he invaded is from. He bandages him and tries to cook for him. If Danny didn’t have ice powers he most certainly would’ve burned the apartment. Jason then proceeds to kick him out of his own kitchen and make them both enchiladas. It’s the most normal both had in a while with another person and the air seems oddly settled. From then on, Jason constantly invited himself over, under the pretense that this was his territory and therefore he could drop in unannounced. Danny who has actual powers says he only allows this because Jason cooks very well.

Danny stays away from the crime fighting business unless his buddy is in deep shit he can’t get himself out. Also it’s Danny’s turn to cover for his vigilante friend which Sam and Tucker give him so much shit for. (but also advice)

And they were roommates. (omg) Danny effectively derails Jason’s big comeback plans by casually dropping ghost lore every two days. Like,

Jason, talking about how he doesn’t want Bats snooping on his territory:

Danny: Just don’t let them in

Jason: ??

Danny: yeah!! Hasn’t Batman died and got revived??? You can totally kick out death touched people you don’t want entering on your lair.

Jason: …I can?

Danny: Yep dude, your lair’s supposed to feel safe.

Jason: wait does that mean I can kick you out?

Danny: First this is my apartment. Second, im dead, not dead touched. Third, it’s too late to get rid of me. bitch.

Anyways Jason is super excited. You mean to tell him he can actually deny people over to his territory haunt?? (Yes it’s only to people who have died and came back but still!! The sample size is exactly the type of people he doesn’t want to see—!)

Joker my beloathed can’t step foot in Crime Alley.

(Jason’d feel a lot safer if the clown was dead but the possibility of his murderer turning into a ghost and their little loophole not applying on the clown is too scary to contemplate.)

Anyways, Jason loves experimenting with the power. It can go from simply making people shudder and not want to enter crime Alley to straight up not letting them enter like there’s an invisible wall blocking the way.

Jason because he’s hurt that Bruce never even patrols Crime Alley and also because he’s petty put B under the category of “invisible wall” blacklist. His reasoning is that the man doesn’t even attempt to enter Crime Alley. To him it’s surely just a place shadowed in tragedy. (anyways that’s it’s the place he met Jason)

Ironically, Jason totally forgets that Batman does venture into Crime Alley one day in the whole year. The day he met Jason.

Okay. He didn’t forget at first. The first year Jason remembers cause it was only a few months till then but then the next— Jason forgets that today’s the anniversary of the day’s Bruce’s parents died. He forgets to allow B in when he feels a slight tug and dismiss the feeling that prompts Bruce to investigate because he literally can’t enter Crime Alley. He starts the trialsTM, he scouts on the very edge and sees people the whole day enter and get out and cross with no problem but Bruce can’t.

It’s literally just Bruce.

Time to call Constantine, i guess.

[geolato]

a year and a bit too late maybe, but here you go, have a nun and a demon boy

please don't repost these anywhere thank youu

Extra!

(edit: idk wtf happened with this gif why is tumblr blurring her!!! let her shine in all her pixelated glory!!! istg)

[sophtzs2]

#07 time travel! I wasn't sure if time travel literally meant them traveling through time or just them in other time periods, but since I love period pieces, I did one of my favorite dynamics...princess and knight! (I got the idea from @/morifinwess on Twitter) :33 (couldn't find the original artist of the ref img :/ if anyone recognizes it, feel free to tell)

[oriixxc]

heatstroke

[ricky-mortis]

Hatchetfield @femslashfortnight Day 2: Retro

[the-woman-upstairs]

Lassen shoots his shot right out there in front of the entire crew and Freddie’s only response is “Hmmmmm….try harder :) :) :)”

[luck-of-the-drawings]

"I think this is the most inhuman; and human, that I've ever felt.." MUCH CAN HAPPEN IN A YEAR. IN FIVE YEARS. A DECADE. imagine how much can happen in a century. just ONE (1). How will you grow? what phases do you find? even in 5 years, you will find patterns.

[yardsards]

im like the lorax when it comes to women's body hair. we should let it grow.

[angelkissedface]

'...so if you don't hear from me, i just want you to know that it's because i never loved you.'

[plushie-lovey]

FINALLY!! At long last, I've gotten my hands on a Pumpkin Kitty, after a whole year of wanting and waiting.

Her name is Latte! (Short for Miss Pumpkin Spice Latte) You can also call her Miss Spice!