#like i was reading blue period but like it seemed real good so i put off reading it

[ekanatsume]

Gon watch dungeon meshi tmrw ☝️😩 OH AND READ BLUE PERIOD

[prettylilyanime]

Blooming Hearts ♡ Chapter 05

˚✿˖ Pairing: Bakugou Katsuki x fem reader

˚✿˖ Synopsis: All your life, you’ve had it all—wealth, beauty, and a quirk good enough to secure your spot at UA. But after three years, you still feel more like an outsider than a future hero. Social life? Barely existent. Friends? Who needs them? You’re ready to coast through your final year solo… until fate lands you squarely in the lap of a certain hot-headed blonde—literally.

˚✿˖ tags/warnings: 18+, smut in the later chapters, reader is spoiled, shy reader, they're all third years at UA, Fluff, strangers? to lovers trope, not really strangers, miscommunication, drama, y/n just wants to make friends, reader is canonically pretty, reader is a hero in training, whipped bakugou, she falls first but he falls harder

˚✿˖ Authors note: subtle yn lore gets dropped here…

˚✿˖ Masterlist ♡ Previous ♡ Next

⋆˚✿˖°⋆˚✿˖°⋆˚✿˖°⋆˚✿˖°⋆˚✿˖°⋆˚✿˖°⋆˚✿˖°⋆˚✿˖°⋆˚✿˖°⋆˚✿˖

After Bakugou had been generous enough to help haul in your endless pile of boxes—a consequence of your admittedly irresponsible spending—it seemed he decided to spare you further torment by announcing his departure.

Something about heading to the training arena to "get some real work done."

Not that his presence was bad.

No, it was torturous in the best way possible!

The I-want-him-to-stay-in-my-room-forever-and-keep-calling-me-princess kind of way.

Did that sound crazy?

Even with your ever-growing crush on the blonde, you couldn’t deny the wave of relief that washed over you at his exit.

He’d seen you like this—flustered, fumbling, barely holding yourself together—had even insisted you put on those stupid glasses, and yet…

Somehow, it wasn’t as horrible as you expected.

A warm flutter settled in your chest at the realization. He hadn’t cared about your appearance, hadn’t picked you apart like so many others had. It was a refreshing change from the judgment you’d grown used to.

You never quite understood why people felt so comfortable talking about your looks.

You barely felt comfortable talking to people, period.

And yet, strangers—people who didn’t know a thing about you—felt entitled to comment.

Your figure was amazing. Your hair looked great. What diets had you gone on?

God…

Bakugou didn’t seem to care about any of that.

His focus had been on your vision—or lack thereof. A stupid little thing, but the fact that he didn't seem to care about your looks made your stomach twist in a way you weren’t ready to unpack.

Now, left alone in the quiet of your room, you sat cross-legged on your bed, manicured fingers scrolling through your phone.

Your official account, @OfficiallyFlora, gleamed on the screen. The blue checkmark beside your username felt more like a weight than an accomplishment.

Your profile picture, an overly polished shot of you in your glittering hero costume—stared back at you. The flawless image, taken against a pristine white backdrop, was the product of your mother’s money and marketing efforts.

It was perfect. Too perfect.

Too pretty. Too refined. Too far from the girl sitting here now, sock clad in her bedroom, still reeling from the lingering scent of caramel and smoke that Bakugou had left behind.

Are your teeth really even that white in person?

You don’t know…

Your bio reads: Official Page of Pro-Hero Prospect Flora, making your hearts bloom with every step towards justice!

You sighed, rolling your eyes hard enough to strain something. The bio had been written by your mother’s PR team, dripping with saccharine energy that made you cringe every time you read it.

The rest of your feed wasn’t much better: high-definition shots of battles, cherry blossom-themed merch promotions, and glamorous magazine features.

It was a glossy, manufactured version of you that bore little resemblance to the person staring at the screen, glasses perpetually sliding down her nose.

Growing bored of the staged content, you switched to your private account.

Your followers on this one are, well. Your classmates, surprisingly enough, and one of your mother's pool boys who had asked for your Instagram years ago before you ever even had an official page in hopes of getting to talk to you more?!

You can't help but quirk a brow, you should really get him off your page...

Here, the photos were more personal: snapshots of your travels, close-ups of meals you’d enjoyed, and a random assortment of things that caught your eye.

The likes rarely climb beyond single digits, but it was real and a better representation of yourself than the other page.

A pang of curiosity struck as your fingers moved on autopilot, typing in Bakugou’s name.

His official account, curated by Best Jeanist’s team, popped up first. His posts were as structured as yours—action shots, hero promotions, and carefully orchestrated PR moves.

But unlike how you felt about your feed, his action shots were breathtaking.

One image, in particular, caught your attention: Bakugou holding a tiny kitten that had been stuck in a tree. His sharp features softened as he cradled the fluffy creature, his biceps bulging against his hero suit.

You snorted, amused by the juxtaposition. No matter how intimidating he looked, the sight of him with a kitten was almost too much.

Shaking your head, you scrolled through some of your classmates’ accounts. Their updates showed them at the beach, enjoying pizza nights, and huddled around a glowing campfire.

Seems like without Bakugou around to act as head chef, they had to order takeout instead.

You frowned, an unshakable pit forming in your stomach.

You drop your phone onto the bed and stare up at the ceiling, a quiet sigh escaping your lips. Maybe what you needed was a nice meal—something indulgent to shake off the restless energy.

The thought of heading to the nearest convenience store for another pint of ice cream crosses your mind, the idea warm and tempting. But no.

Not this time.

Instead, maybe you could make an effort. Doll yourself up a bit, put on some makeup, and head out into town. Who needs a big group when you’ve got yourself?

Determined to follow through, you sit up and scan the endless boxes of your new purchases. Finally, you land on a little buttercup-yellow tweed Chanel set, complete with a mini skirt and cropped blazer.

You slip it on, the fabric hugging your figure perfectly and highlighting your silhouette in all the right places.

Hell, for this price point, it better do all of the above!

You turn to your vanity, reaching for your makeup bag. You opt for a soft, casual look—subtle yet radiant, with just enough shimmer to catch the light. Twinkly in all the right places.

To complete the look, you sling a new ivory-colored purse over your shoulder. A cute yellow dandelion charm clipped to the side adds just the right touch of cuteness.

Standing in front of the mirror, you take a moment to admire your reflection. You look polished, confident, like someone ready to take on the evening—even if it’s a solo adventure.

Maybe you’d check out that new sushi spot closer to home!

Yeah, it’s fine that your classmates wouldn’t join you! They'd probably just make you more anxious anyways.

But as you’re heading downstairs and toward the door, you suddenly freeze. A realization dawns on you.

Hajime has the weekend off.

You groan out loud. How are you going to get there? You can’t drive!

Frustration bubbles up, and you slap your forehead. Were you really this helpless? The thought makes you wince, embarrassment creeping in at the edges of your thoughts.

"If I speak, you gonna jump and scream again?" A voice, an irritatingly familiar voice announces his presence.

The familiar gruff voice startles you, and admittedly, you do almost scream. Holding it back though, you whirl around to see Bakugou having just walked out of the elevator behind you.

He seems freshly showered, with his hair still a bit damp, out and pushed back from his handsome face. You could smell him from where you're standing.

Ugh, delicious as usual.

“You did kind of surprise me,” you admit, voice sheepish as your eyes dart away from him.

His eyes roam over your figure quickly, though you don't notice the action over your own mourning of the evening.

“You’re going out?”

The question leaves his mouth before he can stop it, and if he could, he’d smack himself upside the head. Why the hell did he even ask? It’s obvious you are. And more importantly—why is he even starting a conversation in the first place?

Up until literally yesterday, you were just another classmate. Background noise. But these back-to-back interactions are becoming unavoidable, and unfortunately, you’re slipping out of the backdrop and into his world.

You shake your head, lips pulling into a soft, resigned smile. “Well, I was going to, but… I just realized I don’t have any way of getting there.”

“Hah? Can’t take the train?”

Heat blooms across your face, creeping down your neck. “Oh, well… I’ve never taken public transportation.”

There’s a beat of silence—just long enough for you to see the exact moment Bakugou short-circuits.

“Is that some shitty joke?”

You thought your cheeks couldn’t possibly burn hotter, but—oh, look at that! They can!

“I- um, well, no. It’s not.” You swallow, fiddling with the strap of your ivory purse. “Hajime’s driven me everywhere since I was little.”

He blinks, slowly. More in disbelief than anything.

“Hajime?”

You nod. “Yeah, um… my personal driver.”

For a second, you think he might actually roll his eyes. On anyone else, the whole spoiled rich kid routine would piss him off. But with you, it’s different.

Maybe it’s the way you look so flustered, like you’re embarrassed to admit it. Or maybe it’s the way your voice dips, like you’re apologizing for just existing.

Either way, it leaves him feeling something weird—something dangerously close to wanting to help. Again.

Twice in one day. A world record, if he says so himself.

He exhales sharply, dragging a hand through his damp hair. “That’s the dumbest shit I’ve ever heard.”

You wince, shoulders curling inward. “I know! It’s bad, okay? But it’s just how I was raised…”

How you were raised?

Bakugou’s brow lifts slightly. So what, you were raised to be a stay-at-home daughter? Spend money like it’s a full-time job?

He knows about your family. Everyone does.

A mother who inherited an entire hero firm from your grandparents—a dynasty so powerful its stocks and investments practically fuel Japan’s economy. And a father who died in the field before you were even born—a rising star in the hero world, gone far too soon.

Your mother, a young heiress to millions. Your father, a pro hero at the height of his career. Expecting their first child. A baby girl—you.

And then, just like that, it all came crashing down.

A mission gone wrong.

A hero lost.

Your father’s death sent shockwaves through the country, leaving Japan in mourning—not just for the man he was, but for the legend he never got the chance to become.

He doesn’t say anything right away—just stares at you with an unreadable expression that makes your stomach churn.

Then, without warning, he mutters, “Get your stuff. We’re going.”

Your head snaps up. “Wait, what?”

“You heard me.” He’s already pulling on his sneakers, his movements brisk and determined. “No way in hell am I letting you graduate from U.A. without knowing how to take a damn train. That’s pathetic.”

“Bakugou, you really don’t have to—”

“Second time today.” He cuts you off with a sharp look over his shoulder. “It’s already happening. Move it, princess.”

Your mouth opens, ready to argue—but the words die in your throat when you see the set of his jaw, the fire in his gaze. He’s not going to back down.

You’re not sure what’s more overwhelming—the idea of taking your first train ride…

Or the fact that Bakugou Katsuki is the one dragging you along for the ride.

You gulp, hurrying after him as he strides out of the dormitory, his natural pace effortlessly long and brisk. You almost trip trying to keep up, the heels of your boots clicking against the pavement.

God, why does he walk so fast?

“We’ve got a station down the block from the UA gates,” he says, barely glancing at you. “We’ll go to that one.”

You nod, stiff as a board. “Gotcha. So, um… where did you want to go?”

His blonde brow arches, the side of his lip curling like you just said something unbelievably stupid. “What? This isn’t about me. This is about teaching you how to get on a damn train.”

You wince, embarrassed. “Right. That makes sense.”

The two of you walk in relative silence, the crisp evening air settling over you like a thin veil.

The streets leading to the station aren’t crowded, but there are enough people out that you can feel the occasional passing glance—whether they recognize you as a hero-in-training or simply because you look like you don’t belong in a place as mundane as a train station, you’re not sure.

Your perfectly tailored blazer, Italian leather purse, and neatly manicured nails feel almost too polished for the scuffed pavement beneath your feet.

Bakugou, on the other hand, fits in seamlessly.

His hands are shoved in the pockets of his hoodie, his comfy sweatpants loose around his legs and tight at his waist.

He looks completely at ease, like this is just another part of his day—meanwhile, your heartbeat is rattling in your ears at the thought of navigating a train station for the first time.

After a few minutes, you reach the station entrance, the underground stairway yawning open before you. A few commuters shuffle past, swiping their cards at the turnstiles, moving like they’ve done this a million times.

You, however, stay frozen at the top of the stairs.

Bakugou doesn’t notice at first, too busy pulling out his own train pass. But when he looks up and sees you still standing there, brows drawn tight with hesitation, he sighs.

“Seriously?” He tilts his head, exasperation flickering in his red eyes. “It’s just a staircase, princess.”

“I know it’s just a staircase,” you huff, crossing your arms. “I just—” You hesitate, glancing down at the tiled steps leading into the station.

You’ve never been in one of these before, never had to navigate the organized chaos of public transport, never had to think about swiping a train card or picking a route.

A ridiculous thought hits you—you’re not sure what’s more embarrassing: the fact that you don’t know how to take a train… or the fact that Bakugou Katsuki is the one who has to teach you.

You bite your lip, it's silly and you know it. “What if I mess up?”

Bakugou stares at you for a beat, his expression unreadable. Then, without warning, he snorts.

“With that attitude, you’re definitely gonna mess up. Sour face you got going on”

Your jaw drops. “Excuse me?”

His smirk is almost smug. “But that’s the whole damn point. You mess up, you figure it out, and then you won’t be a clueless dumbass next time.”

You scowl. “Your motivational speeches suck.”

Bakugou rolls his eyes before nudging your shoulder—just a small push, barely enough to make you step forward, but it’s enough to shake you out of your own head.

“Come on,” he mutters, starting down the stairs. “I’ll show you how it’s done.”

You inhale sharply and, with no other choice, follow him down.

The air shifts as you descend—cooler, tinged with the metallic scent of rails and the distant hum of an approaching train. Your grip tightens around the strap of your purse, nerves bubbling in your chest.

Why is everything so loud down here?!

Bakugou moves ahead, seamlessly navigating through the turnstiles. He scans his card with an effortless flick of his wrist, stepping through without hesitation.

You, on the other hand, stop in front of the machine, frowning at it like it’s a puzzle you weren’t given the pieces to.

Bakugou turns, watching you expectantly.

“Well?” he drawls.

You glance at the screen, then back at your card. “Do I just… tap it?”

“No, you rub it on the damn thing and hope it opens.”

Your glare is sharp, but you say nothing, instead hesitantly pressing the card against the sensor. The gate beeps, unlocking with a mechanical click.

You blink. That’s it?

“Wow, you did it.” Bakugou’s tone is mockingly slow, like he’s congratulating a toddler for taking their first steps.

You don’t know how, when, or what possesses you with a sudden surge of confidence, but before you can stop yourself, your hand reaches out, shoving his shoulder.

His muscled frame barely budges under your touch, solid beneath the fabric of his hoodie.

“Shut up,” you mutter.

He snorts, a short chuckle slipping out as he steps toward the platform, the train’s arrival chime ringing through the station.

Then, as you approach the edge of the platform, a realization slams into you like a ton of bricks.

“…Wait.” You stop in your tracks, eyes widening. “How do I know which train to take?”

Bakugou exhales so deeply it sounds like his soul is actively trying to escape his body.

“God help me.”

He pinches the bridge of his nose, his jaw tightening as if he’s physically restraining himself from saying something he’ll regret.

For the first time today, you swear he actually looks pained.

Oh lord. Oh good grief. If you were just about anybody else right now, Bakugou wouldn’t just be snapping—he’d be out of here so fast, you’d be left choking on smoke.

The fact that a pro-hero-in-training, someone who’s supposed to be saving lives, has never taken a damn train is the kind of thing that should be illegal.

So why is he still here?

Why hasn’t he turned on his heel, thrown up his hands, and left you to fend for yourself like any rational, self-respecting person would?

He blinks, his gaze lingering on your face, and for a brief moment—so fast you almost miss it—you swear there’s something unreadable flickering behind those sharp red eyes.

Maybe it’s the way your lashes frame your doe-like eyes, dark and long, casting delicate shadows across your cheeks. Curse you and your stupid, stupid eyes. Is this some kind of second quirk? A hypnosis ability?

Or maybe—just maybe—it’s the way you fidget without realizing it.

Your hands twist together, fingers tangling like they’re trying to hold onto something steady.

Absentmindedly, you twirl the diamond-encrusted eternity band on your index finger, turning it over and over in a nervous rhythm. It catches the dim station light, flashing every time you spin it.

Bakugou’s gaze follows the movement, and something about the unconscious gesture makes his scowl deepen.

“…Tch.” He clicks his tongue, shoving his hands into his hoodie pocket. “You really are helpless, huh?”

The words are gruff, edged with frustration, but he still doesn’t walk away.

Instead, he takes a step toward you, nodding toward the digital display overhead. The glowing letters flicker slightly, listing station names, times, and train lines in a way that makes your head spin.

“C’mon, dumbass. I’ll show you how to read the damn schedule before you get yourself lost in the middle of the city.”

Relief washes over you as you quickly follow his lead. “Ah, thank you!”

“Don’t thank me… just pay attention.”

And you do. You pay such good attention that by the time you finally grasp how the whole system works, you’re practically bouncing on your heels in excitement, a bright grin stretching across your face.

You stand on the platform, buzzing with a newfound confidence, while Bakugou—looking as perpetually unimpressed as ever—waits beside you with his hands stuffed into his hoodie pockets.

Then, the distant hum of the train grows louder, and soon enough, the sleek cars pull into the station with a sharp metallic whir.

The doors slide open, and you eagerly step forward, your heeled boots clicking against the platform as you move inside. Bakugou follows closely behind, scanning the interior in one quick glance.

The train is relatively full—enough that only one open seat remains near the doors. Without hesitation, Bakugou nudges you toward it.

“Sit,” he says gruffly, grabbing onto the nearest safety pole as the doors begin to close.

You shake your head, brushing him off. “I’m okay.”

He scoffs, tilting his chin toward your feet. “The train moves fast and isn’t super smooth. I’m sure you don’t wanna go through all that with those on.”

You glance down at your shoes—sleek, heeled boots, stylish but sturdy. Your lips curve into a small smile.

“I’ll have you know my hero costume boots are even higher than these.”

His brow arches slightly, the hint of sarcasm sparking in his eyes. “Yeah? I’m impressed, considering how fast you ran away from me on day one.”

Oh, hell.

Heat creeps up your neck at the reminder, your confidence faltering for a split second. But you recover quickly, squaring your shoulders with a dramatic huff.

“Wow, Bakugou Katsuki, impressed? By little ol’ me?” You place a hand over your heart, feigning exaggerated awe. “It’s an honor.”

He snorts, shaking his head, but there’s something unreadable in the way his gaze lingers on you for just a moment longer.

Then, the train lurches forward.

Despite all your earlier bravado, you do wobble slightly—just enough for Bakugou’s smirk to return in full force.

“…Told you to sit, dumbass.”

But you can’t.

Not because you’re too stubborn. Not because you’re still trying to prove a point.

But because—oh.

A singular, large hand is suddenly tight on your waist, steadying you with an effortless grip.

Oh my.

Who needs a safety rail when Pro Hero Dynamight is holding you like this?!

You internally scream, the realization hitting you all at once. The touch itself isn’t anything crazy—it’s barely even a thing, just a reflex, something automatic, instinctual. Nothing compared to the absolute torture of this morning’s, uh, straddling situation.

And yet, this feels just as bad—if not worse.

Why? Because Bakugou, in all his brash, loud, obnoxious glory, doesn’t even seem to realize he’s still holding onto you.

His grip is firm, warm even through the thick expensive fabric of your clothes, and worst of all? It lingers.

Still there.

Still present.

Still burning through your skin like a brand.

Oh, hell.

⋆˚✿˖°⋆˚✿˖°⋆˚✿˖°⋆˚✿˖°⋆˚✿˖°⋆˚✿˖°⋆˚✿˖°⋆˚✿˖°⋆˚✿˖°⋆˚✿˖

[a-bit-too-much-of-a-zelda-fan]

Guys. Why is there even a debate here. Some of the games were explicitly written to be connected, some of them weren't. Not everything has to fit into one cohesive timeline. As a matter of fact, they can't. Now, there is some more nuance to it. Read below for my explanation (infodump) plus a more nuanced chart.

Red and blue lines are canon within the games' text. Ambiguities are filled in with green. I'll get more into that later. Let's first explain the two completely separate mini timelines.

The Four Swords miniseries stands mostly alone. The Master Sword and the Triforce are present in every other game or (mostly--looking at you, Master Sword in LoZ and AoL) have a good reason not to be, but they are not present at all in these three games. Instead, we have the Four Sword and Light Force. The only wrinkle is that Ganondorf shows up in FSA... so I don't know about that one. I don't think anyone does.

As for BotW and TotK. Oh brother. What do we do with these. Skyward Sword is intended to take place seemingly millennia, or at least several centuries before Ocarina. We see the founding of Hyrule with the first monarch and her chosen knight, the cycle of recurring evil and heroism being established, and the forging of the Master Sword

Wait. What about Rauru and Sonia? I thought they were the first rulers of Hyrule. And if the Zonai were around long before Hyrule, where is any of their presence in Skyward Sword? Huh. Alright. We don't know how much time passed between the first Calamity and the second, but from the past era of TotK to its present, we can account for at least 10,105 years of history. We don't even need to get into how Zora and Rito coexist or anything smaller like that. There's just no fucking way these two games fit with any of the others. Fine, that's fine. Moving on.

There's also a little hiccup around the Oracles. Nintendo seems to go back and force on whether the Oracles feature the same Link as in ALttP and LA, but if they do, it probably makes more sense that Oracles happen before LA (the linked Oracle game ends with Link boarding sailing off on a small ship and LA starts with him on one). So like... I guess they fit there?

Either way, let's take a second to look back at where this idea of a timeline split happened. Remember that WW and TP both clearly take place after OoT. That isn't theorizing, that's in the actual text of each game. The thing is, they're mutually exclusive. TP has Ganondorf being executed, as he would have been after the Hero of Time goes back to his original era and warns Zelda that her plan to get to the Triforce first isn't going to work (which is implied to be what happens at the "The End" screen of OoT). WW has Ganondorf coming back by breaking the seal put on him, and the Hero of Time didn't appear to stop him again (as would happen if Link was sent back in time). Fans started theorizing way back in 2006 that OoT created separate timelines, with WW and TP being mutually exclusive sequels to it as the evidence.

Some fans have asserted that Nintendo just "took" the fan theory. But come on, put everything together here. The texts of OoT, WW, and TP HEAVILY imply the timeline split. The only reason we called it a theory is because the writers didn't literally say "And then the timeline split in two". The texts are pretty clear though. It's the only thing that makes sense. That isn't to say that there needs to be a cohesive timeline, and that the split is the only way to fit it together. No, OoT is connected to both WW and TP no matter what. That was the intent. It's just that the explanation for OoT to have mutually exclusive sequels actually fits neatly into the texts of the games.

And now we come to the tricky part. Put yourself back into the 90s real quick. ALttP seems to have been written as a prequel to Zelda 1, showing Hyrule before its period of decline. Alright, let's just accept that because it may as well be true. The lore at that point was so thin that it made enough sense. I kinda slapped Zelda 1 and 2 at the end there to show it, because we do have a cohesive timeline from ALttP to TFH. That's fine, all well and good.

Likewise, OoT seems to be written as a prequel to ALttP. We see conflict over the Triforce, the origin of Ganon, the seven sages, and an earlier iteration of the Master Sword. Back in 1998, we had no reason to not believe it. These are tenuous connections that are not explicit in the games' text, so I've paired them with green lines to show it.

But wait. ALttP is ALSO mutually exclusive to TP and WW. Oh brother. What do we do about this? Even after figuring out the timeline split in 2006, fans didn't know what the fuck to do with the first four games of this franchise. They could go after TP, but that's even messier than putting them right after OoT. Yuck. This doesn't feel good at all. Oh yeah, and then there's the Four Swords games that don't fit anywhere.

Now you can imagine the position the writers of Hyrule Historia found themselves in when they were tasked with creating an official timeline. Some of the games have certain explicit connections, as detailed in my first chart. But they had to cram everything into one timeline. Well. They knew they had a timeline split in OoT, because that's what the texts of OoT, WW, and TP collectively say. The lore of ALttP also mentions seven sages (or wise men, but let's call them sages), but not a legendary hero. So... if you really stretch your brain out here... it kinda makes sense that there's a timeline where the Hero of Time died fighting Ganon. Maybe. Kinda. Not really, but kinda. And then there's the Four Swords miniseries. Fuck it, throw them in randomly.

The two-way split doesn't disagree with OoT's text at all, which said that Link won. The three-way split does disagree with it by asserting that Link lost. But if we're really trying to fit everything into one timeline, that is the cleanest place to put them. Some people really hate this, but it does seem that those are the same people that demanded that there be an official timeline in the first place. ie the same people who were gonna be pissed off with anything Nintendo gave them that wasn't exactly their own theory being confirmed.

Alright, real talk. The producers of the Zelda series have said time and time again that they think of what would make a fun game then write a story that fits around it. The Wind Waker devs wanted you to sail around the ocean. Then the writers decided "oh, we could put this after Ocarina! After all, weren't they left without a hero? What if Ganon came back with no one to stop him? How would that problem resolve itself? What if the gods just flooded the world?" Then the Twilight Princess devs wanted a spiritual successor to Ocarina, with an epic adventure on horseback across the traditional Zelda kingdom setting. So the writers went "hey, in Ocarina, Link warned Zelda about Ganon, right? What if he was executed then, and then the world was never flooded?"

We have to realize that trying to put games with this design philosophy into a neat little timeline is a futile effort. It's never gonna work because it wasn't designed to. More so than any other storytelling medium, video games take so many approaches to continuity. The Halo games were all meant to be sequential and fit neatly into a strict timeline. Pokemon is all canon within itself but the ties between games are less important than the stories of each game. Mario essentially has no canon except for recurring characters and settings. Zelda is gameplay first, canon second. That's why the two most recent mainline games don't even try to fit in the canon of the previous eighteen. That's just how it works and we're gonna have to accept that.

[deadbydangit]

@vicketch I'm sorry you aren't feeling well, maybe this will help.

Cheering up a depressed Reader

Legion (Julie), Dwight, Kate

Legion (Julie)

Feeling down?

Not for long!

This girl has been there, done that.

When she first entered the realm, she had a period of depression.

But she pulled herself out of it.

And she's going to pull you out of that pit too.

First, she'll want to talk about it.

What's bothering you?

Is someone bothering you?

"If it is I'll go kick their ass right now."

She won't outright force you to talk, but she'll strongly encourage it.

Want some snacks?

She has lots of snacks.

Cookies were always her go to snack when she was upset.

Just no beer.

Or drugs

Julie knows better than anyone how drinking doesn't help solve the problem.

She and the other Legion have tried to drink and smoke their troubles away.

It does not work.

It makes things worse.

Wanna play a game?

Maybe do a make over?

Prank Frank?

Go for a walk?

Tell stories?

You sure you don't want to prank Frank.

"Trust me. It's really funny. I once replaced his knife with a rubber one and he came back from trials pissed."

And laughing is a good way to feel better.

Sitting around just makes things worse.

She's the type who wants to keep you focused on anything but your depression.

She'll even swallow her pride and tell you about her own experience with it and how she dealt with it.

"I was with the others, we all worked through it together. And you? I'll work through it with you. You won't suffer alone."

Dwight Fairfield

You don't even have to say anything, Dwight can tell.

He's great at reading emotions and detecting small changes in someone's personality.

So, when you don't seem like yourself, he knows.

He's been through depression before.

He knows how much it sucks.

But he won't outright say he knows you're depressed.

He'll lay beside you one day, and just start chatting with you.

"I've been where you are. I felt so useless, I thought everything was just pointless."

He'll pull your head into his lap.

"But then I realized, there are so many more reasons to be happy than there are to be sad. Even here."

And he'll list some.

"Sunshine, flowers, you..."

And he'll look down at you with tears in his eyes.

But he's still smiling.

He hates seeing you so upset.

But him frowning isn't going to make you feel better.

He's no therapist, but he'll listen and give the best advice he can.

Sometimes he'll do something silly or tell a really dumb joke.

But you're laughing and smiling.

He's also very good about keeping track of your health.

Did you drink enough water? Have you eaten? Was it healthy? Too much junk food can make you depressed.

It may seem overbearing, but he really wants you to get better.

You being so sad isn't on his list of things that make him happy.

Kate Denson

"What's got you all blue sugar?"

She'll make sure to ask in private.

She understands if you don't want your troubles going public.

She had enough of that in the real world.

Kate is also very good at sensing emotions.

This girl is almost always rainbows and sunshine.

So it's surprising that even she dealt with depression at a time

"I wasn't doing what I loved to make me happy. So my music wasn't happy. Then no one is happy."

If you want to talk about it, she's all ears.

If not, she's not going to force you.

Instead, she'll change the subject.

Something funny like a story or a joke.

"...And that's how I accidentally made Hannah Montana hate my guts."

And she'll laugh.

And her laughter will make you laugh.

She had written some music when she was in her depressive moments, and she'll offer to sing it to you.

Then she'll sing you her most upbeat happy ones.

It's to show you how strong she bounced back from her sadness.

"Come 'er Darlin'."

She's putting your fingers on her guitar and guiding you to a few strings.

It's her way of saying that you can get over it too.

"And I'll be right 'er with ya' the whole time."

[levbolton]

Blue Period Chapter 64

Scans and Rough Translation

Disclaimer: I DO NOT consent to using this translation for scanlation! I am not fluent in Japanese, I use Google Lens and Deepl/Google Translate to translate this, so sometimes stuff can be faulty or unclear. Besides, Impromptu Scanlations do their best with their scanlations. There's a simulpub, but kodansha decided they should keep it to US only and most of us do not live in US (and those that do don't share the translation bruh)

I am translating it this way because no one keeps up with the story and it feels lonely to be the only one reading it. You can obviously take bits form here to discuss, but do not use it for scanlation without my consent. If I see any I will immediately stop translating and you’ll get back to square 1

Scans are here

Translation 64

P1 : Title

You, send.

The blue continues. (Great start I don’t really know what it is supposed to mean)

君を、送る。

青は続く。

Art reference: Un enterrement à Ornans by Gustave Courbet

P2

Kanie: I'm here to collect all of Machiko Sanada's pieces.

Murai: Ha? What?

Murai: I didn't hear anything about that.

Murai: What? What? has the Kanie Gallery finally started doing things this way?

Kanie: ?

P3

Kanie: Listen... are you available?

Kanie: Well, you seem angry, don't you?

Kanie: You know...

Card: Machiko Sanada exhibition. ~ The genius girl painter who became a real deal/an angel.

Kanie: You can come, but don't get violent.

Kanie: Of course, I've already got permission from all the relatives.

Kanie: No wonder you don't know.

P4

Kanie: You're just friends, aren't you?

Hachiro: When did you decide?

Hachiro: When I talked to Sanada-san's mother last week...

Kanie: Let's see, the day before yesterday, or the day before that?

Kanie: Three years ago... The exhibition she was planning on doing before she died went bye-bye. I was about to give up on it, but...

Kanie: But then Machiko's paintings became a hot topic on SNS.

Phone screen: The artist died when she was 18. God takes geniuses with him.

Sound effect: I see.

P5

“Machiko's paintings...”

"They love her so much..."

Murai: ... What? SNS...

But her mother...

“She wouldn't want it to be like this”

“She wants you to be with someone who cares about you.”

(she probably meant she wanted people to care when she was alive)

P6

Yakumo: You're a miser!

Hachiro: Yakumo!

Yakumo: All he cares about is making money!

Yakumo: Are you happy that Sanada's dead and the sale price went up? Yeah?

Yakumo: Fucking hijacker!

P7

Kanie: After ten years, most of the paintings are worth two or three thousand dollars.

Kanie: Idiot.

Kanie: You guys must think you're doing something great, don't you?

Kanie: When you die, you get a fixed number of works for the rest of your life, so the relative value of your work goes up.

P8

Kanie: There are only a handful of artists like that.

Kanie: In fact, they almost always go down.

Kanie: There are artists who get recognition after they're dead.

Kanie: But there are artists who were very successful during their lifetime, have their prices dropping.

Kanie: Artistic value is determined over a period of 50 years.

Kanie: But 50 years...

Kanie: In other words, it's difficult to find a place that will value your work for 50 years.

Kanie: It takes a lot of space and money to store a painting.

Kanie: Even if it's a good painting for the person who buys it, it doesn't mean that the family who inherits it will share its value.

Words: Trend, Humidity, Sunlight, Location

P9

Kanie: incidentally

Kanie: Machiko Sanada's paintings didn't change in price between her life and death.

Guy in the background: President.

Kanie: It's okay, I've got the permit.

Kanie: Our job is to make the work worth the most and deliver it to the people who cherish it.

 Yakumo.

Kanie: Put your feelings aside.

Kanie: Are you going to turn mellow wine into vinegar?

P10

Yakumo: …

Kanie: good grief

Kanie: Galleries don't bring in any money.

Kanie: Fucking kids.

Momo: We’ll be late

Shall we go?

P11

Hachiro: ... Yes ... Yes ...

Hachiro: No, what mother decides is best.

Sound: Bleep.

P12

Yakumo: Maybe if we were a family (as in married I think?)

Yakumo: I'd have the right to tell him.

Momo: But we're friends.

Yakumo: But... But...

Box1: We're friends.

Box2: I feel so powerless.

P13

Hachiro: I see... Sales...

Hachiro: Yakumo will miss her paintings.

Hachiro: ...but I wonder if it will force him to get back on her feet.

Hachiro: Yakumo didn't even come to Machiko's funeral.

Yotasuke: What?

Hachiro: When someone you love dies, it means that one part of your daily routines disappears...

We're here.

Register: Those who have applied to the AOJ, please fill in this form and proceed.

P14

Yatora: Surprisingly ordinary warehouse...

Hachiro: There are no regulations on the size of the works, so this is probably all that's needed.

Yatora: Wow...

Yatora: I'm getting nervous now.

Hachiro: What's going on now?

Yatora: I've seen other works and I start to feel it...

P15

Yatora: So this is where I'm being delivered.

Yatora: Come to think of it, Hacchan seems to have finished early.

Yatora: What kind of...

Yatora: !

Yatora: An abstract painting? It looks like he put a brush on a cleaning robot and moved it...

But I don't have the image of Hacchan as a painter, so maybe the cleaning robot did it for real...

…!

Yatora: Yakumo-san...

P16-17 double spread

P18

Yatora: That…

Yatora: I knew right away.

P19

Yatora: It is a floral service.

Secretary:  Okay, we'll be judging in a week's time.

Secretary: We'll be streaming it on TUBE, so please do watch it, and we'll be in touch with the winners shortly afterwards.

P20

Hachiro: Uh-oh.

Hachiro: Mr. Kanie cleaned up the whole place...

Yotasuke: He left something...

Momo: It's a postcard for Machiko's exhibition! They're having a reception party.

Yatora: What's that?

Momo: A party for the people involved in the exhibition, right?

Momo-yota-yatora: The date is... One week later!

Hachiro: Mr. Kanie's been preparing for this for a long time.

P21

Hachiro: Well, I'm not keen on it, but I might just turn up.

Momo: It's been four long years. ~~~~~~

Yotasuke: Yaguchi-san?

Yatora: What?

Yatora: Oh...

Yakumo: Aaah! Aaah! Aaah!

Yakumo: Don't look at me. Go do whatever you want.

Yakumo: I'm watching the AOJ's trial feed.

Yakumo: They don't even know what the work is about. It's just a shitty exhibition.

P22

Hachiro: Well, Yakumo's right... Machiko's work is different from the type of artists Kanie Gallery usually deals with.

Hachiro: Maybe the Kanie’ customers won't be interested...

Sign: Kanie Gallery

P23

Yatora: Are there more galleries in Hiroshima?

Hachiro: Oh, no?

Women: I'm from Wakayama, I saw it on social media and thought it was a really nice painting...

Hachiro: I see.

Momo: I saw it on a social media and thought it was a very good picture.

Yakumo(‘s phone): This year's AOJ has started slowly, hasn't it?

Receptionist: Yaguchi Yatora-sama, isn't it?

Receptionist: Please have a drink from over there.

P24

Momo’s dad: Are you sure you didn't want to go with the others?

Momo’s dad: It was Machiko's big day.

Yakumo: You wouldn't want me to get into trouble, would you, kakinokizaka-san?

Momo’s dad: That would be a problem.

Momo’s dad: When he came to collect the paintings the other day, I got a call from Mr. Kanie. but I wondered if he'd already told you guys.

Momo’s dad: Now, this is Kenji Hachiro's work... (I think he rather meant responsibility???)

・・・・・・

P25

Momo’s dad: Hey, Yakumo-kun.

Momo’s dad: A lot has happened since Machiko passed away, hasn't it?

Yakumo: I never thought the three of us would pass the exam together.

Momo’s dad: Me too. I mean, no one thought so.

Yakumo: What's the matter? Are you trying to cheer me up?

Momo’s dad: Yakumo-kun, getting over something isn't a bad thing.

P26

Yakumo: You don't seem to understand, do you?

Momo’s dad: Funerals.

Momo’s dad: Maybe it's the ego of the living, but it's precisely because we humans can share something invisible that we can all interpret death together, accept it or let it go.

P27

Yakumo: In other words?

Momo’s dad: I mean, you know, I was thinking about moving on away.

Yakumo: ...? A postcard?

Postcard: Murai, I'll be waiting.  Sanada Machiko Solo Exhibition

Bubble: A postcard from the exhibition three years ago, which did not take place, addressed to you.

P28-29 double spread

Bubble: I think she wanted you to come and see it.

P30

Box: Amazing...

P31

Box: Egoistic.

Box: A strong picture that leaves no room for others.

Box: It's much stronger than the one I saw in the warehouse.

? - There you go.

P32

Kanie: So Yakumo didn't come after all?

Kanie: How's it going? It's a nice painting, isn't it? Sold out on the first day.

Kanie: Machiko Sanada's paintings only look good in the exhibition space.

Kanie: I understood the meaning of her persistence in the exhibition through this exhibition.

Yatora: I see…

Box: But for all that...

P33

Women: How could someone who paints such good pictures...

Women: She was... She was young, wasn't she?

Women: God is... really...

Dude: Hey!

Dude: Have you been on social networking sites too?

Dude: Sanada and I went to middle school together!

Dude: Sanada was a weird kid, but she was always really good at drawing...

Dude: Here's my graduation album from junior high school...

? - Hey...

P34

Yakumo: I know who you are, too.

Dude: Uh... friend of mine? You're a friend of mine?

Yatora: Mr Yakumo! You came?

Yakumo: Wow, so many people.

Yatora: Sanada-san's painting is amazing.

Yakumo: Hmm...

Yatora: What's going on?

Bubble: It's even better than when I saw it in the warehouse...

P35

Yakumo: It's a terrible exhibition. ~~~~~

Yatora: It's...

Hachiro: Yakumo ....?

Yatora: This is bad! It's a bad sign!

Yakumo: That woman...

P36

Yakumo: She just liked to draw, and it just happened that she drew good pictures.

Yakumo: Only to die at 18.

Yakumo: So what's this, "a genius girl painter who became an angel/real deal"?

Bubble: Who the hell is that?

P37

Kanie: So Yakumo's here...

Kanie: You can go home.

Hachiro: Yakumo.

Hachiro: Let's not... at Machiko's exhibition...

Yakumo: No, no, no, you can't stand it either, can you, Hacchan?

Yakumo: As soon as she died, they dramatized it.

Yakumo: Her drawings are eloquent, but she was just a quiet person.

Yakumo: I wonder why it's selling so well after all this time.

Yakumo: That's funny.

P38

Yakumo: If you pity her so much, buy her when she's alive!

Yakumo: Then maybe she'd be more...

Yakumo: Whaaaatttt?

Yakumo: Don't touch.../leave me alone

Kanie: You're ruining the mood.

Kanie: Go home.

P39

Talking: Call the police. ....?

Talking: What to do...

Hachiro: Let's go home. Let's go home.

Momo: Hacchan…

Hachiro: We're sorry for the trouble we caused you.

Hachiro: I will tell him to be more careful (something like this)

?- That’s unnecessary…

?- Hachiro-san...

P40

Machiko’s mom: Machiko must have made some good friends.

Bubble: Yes, she did.

P41

ha ha ha (laughing loudly)

Momo: Look! Look at this!

Phone: There was a man who was verbally abusing Machiko Sanada at her exhibition, it was terrible. Arrest him!

Hachiro: Yakumo. He's getting shit on social networking sites.

Yakumo: Hey, stop Ego-surfing!

Yatora: Ah, that middle school classmate...

P42

Momo: I can understand how Yakumo feels! I knew a lot of people who'd never even heard of Machiko.

Hacchan: Even the caption was, "What? Who?" It's a bit overdramatic.

Yakumo: Then, why don't you say so on the spot?

Momo: I'm an adult.

Hachiro: I'm an adult.

Bubble: If I were you, I'd retaliate in a way that wouldn't be noticed.

Yakumo: Oh, shit.

P43

Yakumo: No more paintings by that artist...

Yakumo: I've been drawing ~~~~ for a long, long time...

Yakumo: Every time I draw, every time I aim for something, I can't help thinking of her...

Yakumo: But it was fine...

P44

Yakumo: I've only known her for a few months.

Yakumo: That's fucked up.

Yakumo: I'd rather let my feelings die than be with her.

Yatora: What can you do with a person who draws like that?

Yatora: I’d think they’re too cool.

Yakumo: Ah?!

Yakumo: I think so too!

Yakumo: Right! She's so cool!

P45

Yakumo Oh, well, I'll just watch the rest of the AOJ feed.

Hachiro: Don't drink!

Hachiro: Thank goodness... Yakumo seems to be on the road to recovery.

Yotasuke: Hey...

Yotasuke: Why does he have to get back on his feet?

Yotasuke: .... What? What's wrong with Murai-san?

P46

Yotasuke: It's okay to live with that grief for the rest of your life.

P47

Yakumo: ... What?

Yakumo: I see.

Bubble: I can carry this sadness with me for the rest of my life.

Brush: Sanada

The wounds don't need to heal.

I will not forget you.

End of 64th stroke.

Next time: the results of the AOJ!

24th August 2023

[ferret-milk]

Gang, Im depressed. (A rant/review of the blue period manga or how I am reflecting on emotions and my art)

so I first started reading the blue period manga like when the anime first started airing. And man that was the most depressing stuff I had ever seen. I got to about the beginning of the second year of university before I stopped reading it. And that kinda put me in a slump mentally with art. Yatora represented everything I was at that point in my life.

A high school student just wandering through life with no intended real goals who got an interest in art and decided to pursue that, only to become overwhelmed with everything that comes with it.

I act like I know art but I don’t. I don’t make great or amazing art. Everyone around me seemed to be making art just to make art. But I could only make art for assignments or on assignments. I was actually afraid to draw.

This panel hit me so hard. Everything about it resonated with me. It’s actually really pathetic. Everyone sees me as an artistic creative person when I couldn’t even make art for myself. Yatoras journey after getting into art school was me. Everyone seemed to know what they wanted to do at some capacity. Surrounded by people with years of experience and mountains of motivation. But what was I? Why was I there? Why am I making art?

there are moments in the manga that are very practical. They show the artistic method and all that. They show the practical way about art and the artistic process. The ways that make it look so easy. That you can just make art. That it’s so simple to create something.

And then it’s not that easy.

it really isn’t

And then I get stuck again.

I make one good piece.

And then I don’t make any more art.

Anyone can do what I can.

Maybe.

Actually no.

No they can’t.

And so I stopped reading Blue Period and stopped making art. And then I made art again. And I really liked it. It’s fun. I’m so happy when I make something. When it turns out well or I try something new. It’s exhilarating. For 6 months. 6 months I could make art and be proud of it.

And then I read Blue period again. And all these emotions came flooding back. Everything I made up until that point was worthless garbage. I actually had a panic attack after reading a few chapters. It’s kinda funny in a way. I’m so disturbed by this manga because of how much of it is me. But I have to move on.

I don’t think I’ll ever finish this manga. I don’t think I can. Not if I don’t want to lose an important part of me. So overall its art style and story telling is a 9.7/10. Would recommend for people who only appreciate art.

[foxglove03]

Songs to exist frightfully off of…songs to go through the effort of googling “how to put a song on a loop on Spotify” and fall asleep in an armchair after getting home at 8 am…songs that will most definitely kill your mood or revive and slap the shit out of you..

“Lakes of Canada” by The Innocence Mission or covered by Sufjan Stevens. Honestly, this is a dealer’s choice kinda thing but if you’re inclined to go with Sufjan, give the original a chance because it’s just as good. The song holds a very strange catharsis for me. It always brings me back to this terrible period of rejection several months ago when everything seemed very world-shattering. I think if I hadn’t listened to this song as much as I have I wouldn’t be able to look back at all.

“Famous Blue Raincoat” by Leonard Cohen was my gateway drug. “And what can I tell you, my brother, my killer, what can I possibly say? I guess that I miss you, I guess I forgive you, I’m glad you stood in my way,” is not the line to be left to your own devices to interpret for the first time pissant drunk listening to records.

"Against Pollution" by The Mountain Goats is another song where I just get caught on the execution of one particular line. Just "And a guy came in," absolutely caught me. I have no idea what Mr Darnielle is doing but he's doing it completely right. I personally think the simpler songs instrumentation-wise are the best in TMG's discography.

"Roman Candle" by Elliot Smith is the titular song of his first album. So many songs in there that I wish I listened to years ago. I found out about Elliot when I saw The Scene in The Royal Tennumbaums. Then, I just sleepily waded through his music until I hit this. The song possesses a kind of anger and rawness that belongs to someone with no aim toward mainstream success. It isn't a song written for an audience.

"Sadie" by Joanna Newsom grows on you. I have a bad habit of not being able to read the vibe as far as musical accompaniment goes. I will put on my "The Milk-Eyed Mender" CD while friends are over and trying to sleep in random uncomfortable places. Apparently, this isn't a popular choice. Joanna Newsom's music has a voice that's so rough and fragile, that anyone would love it eventually. May take you a bit...

"Casimir Pulaski Day" by Sufjan Stevens is the most vivid listening experience one could ask for. Talk about sustaining, you know? It's where Sufjan shows his personal interest in the art of the short story. I don't remember when I listened to Illinois for the first time but whenever it was, I should separate my life into before and after. I also feel like I didn't really feel immersed in the album until I rode through Illinois and upstate Wisconsin (an area I feel extremely attached to 3,000 miles away from it) on a bus. The song makes me want to take a cross-country bus. They should make those things cheaper. If you get anything from this list, take a greyhound. They're terribly impractical modes of transportation, more expensive than you'd think, and the best environment for some real artistic contemplation.

[quickdeaths]

@nijimx

It was especially rare for Shinobu to have a day to herself. Between school, training and competitions, and dates, seldom did a weekend come with nothing on the calendar. Still, they supposed they wouldn't complain. Her father was away on business until the following week, and she was on short-term rest orders after suffering a minor shoulder injury in her most recent competition. That there were no dates scheduled was even uncommon than those rarities, but drawing too much attention to it would only bring a stampede of annoyances upon them.

Instead, she found herself in Jinbocho, enjoying - for as much as Shinobu Yaguchi enjoyed anything - the quieter atmosphere in her standard attire of a fashionable suit, some light makeup, and her dangling tassled earrings. For things like mass-market manga or light novels, there were far better places, meaning that the majority of those who frequented the neighborhood were either office workers, or those with general literary interests. It was the case that such people rarely spoke with strangers, which allowed the archer to move between the shops, silently browsing, without being disturbed by idle chatter.

Though not explicitly looking for it, Shinobu discovered quite an interesting find near the back of one of the bookstores, gently pulling it from the shelf and flipping through the pages. "A signed copy of So Lingers The Ocean... How unusual." The author was famously quite reclusive, so a signed copy of any of her work was a rarity, and though the particular book on the shelf was certainly used, the condition wasn't beyond what she could accept. Why someone would have gotten rid of it was more than she could guess at, but Shinobu supposed that someone else's poor judgment was to her own benefit.

Admittedly, she hadn't read the book yet, but it was said to be the author's most highly-regarded work, in a bibliography of highly-regarded works. Shinobu herself had read Blue Thread from the Scarred Mountain, her most recent work. Although romance wasn't a genre of great interest to them, let alone heterosexual romance, they had to admit that it had been quite the surprise, the sort of book that was difficult to put down, and kept one thinking of it long after it was finished. If So Lingers The Ocean was as expertly-written, Shinobu was sure she'd find value in reading it.

Without anything else to purchase at this particular store, Shinobu carefully tucked the book beneath her arm and made her way towards the payment desk, where in front a small line had formed. The clientele was largely as she expected - elderly layabouts who had little else to do on a Sunday afternoon except shamble around, overworked salarymen enjoying a brief reprieve from their meaningless lives, and aging housewives clinging to fantastical stories that could never happen to real people, convinced that their savior would come to add intrigue to their otherwise dull existences any moment now.

Although, the person directly in front of her in line, holding a bag with a number of items inside, was someone she'd never seen around before, though perhaps that spoke to both of their busy schedules. "Ah, Miss Niijima, good afternoon." Although they were in different classes in the same year, it was hard to attend school without being conscious of the student council president. "I hadn't expected to cross paths with anyone from our school today." Indeed, most of them seemed not the type to take much interest in long, literary novels, judging by how much complaining filled each and every literature class period.

Largely unfriendly and with a school reputation as both a cold-hearted person and someone who engaged in a number of fights - albeit, fights that were never started by Shinobu herself - she'd prefer to simply go about her business without acknowledging Miss Niijima. Still, standing so close to a classmate for a period of time in a non-school location imparted a certain social responsibility for conversation that they weren't especially skilled in avoiding. "I've found this bookstore to house a number of interesting and unusual finds - imported works, limited-run curiosities, and things otherwise out of print. Did you happen upon anything that especially caught your eye?" Or had she come all this way simply for light novels and manga volumes? Without seeing what was inside her bag, they couldn't say for sure.

[angkis]

I hope you don't mind, but do you have advices for other artists? I try to draw too, but my drawings never come out looking like the reference, like I'm unable to draw something alike Derek or Stiles, that's frustrating hahahaha

The colouring, the anatomy 😩 you are so fucking amazing!

Thanks for sharing your art pieces with us ❤️

First of all, I'm honored that you ask ME this question, because I'm not very confident (working on it 💫) and it's like a huge compliment that you would even ask.

Llike every other artist, you and me are both gonna be the biggest critics of our own drawings!! I just want you to know that before I say anything else! If you ever feel like you're not getting any better or not fast enough, take a step back and take a look at the bigger picture, go back, look at where you started, it's only a question of time, you're constantly evolving!! <3 Be patient with yourself ~

I'm sure you were thinking of actual advice not the mental part, so I thought of some, but for real, most of what formed my art style (that is constantly changing and is gonna continue to change until I die 👁️👁️) was TIME. I don't always love to draw but when I have these periods of drawing a lot it's always because I'm hyperfixating on something, so finding something you can fall in love with and obsess over is gonna make time absolutely FLY BY.

Don't get discouraged when you're not nailing a character the first time you draw them. I personally only get it somewhat right at like the fifth try (funny enough I'm an impatient person but when I love something I seem to be able to be patient 💀💫) if anything Do it out of spite!!!!!!

Practice is a funny word, I don't like it because it seems like you have to know what you're trying to achieve if that makes sense. Maybe that can hold you back too. Drawing something and failing still counts as practicing. Finishing the best painting of your lifetime counts as practicing. Every time you draw you get better.

Ooooooh an interesting one that I only figured out this year: SPEND (if you can) MORE TIME OUTSIDE AND AROUND PEOPLE because your eyes notice lightings, movements, expressions, COLOURS that you then unconsciously (subconsciously?) keep in your head for later!! And when you are drawing you're gonna UNCONSCIOUSLY use that information??? It's wild (says the person who spent years barely leaving their bedroom) I'm not even exaggerating, my art got out of the blue so much 'better' (different) when I started leaving the house more often. (You might not have this issue tho!! 💫)

Also I started drawing when I was watching a lot of animated movies/shows and it influenced my art so much. When I got hooked on shows with live actors everything changed (again, your brain is putting away so many details for later) I started seeing anatomy more realistically.

One last tip before I stop rambling (and make another coffee 💫) Find a pen that WORKS FOR YOU. My stuff would look so much different if I was using different brushes than I use now. Try as much as you want! Do you prefer traditional or digital drawing? Both have cheaper alternatives (I understand this hobby is not a cheap one in general) I have a bunch of tips for Clip Studio Paint for example! Idk, let me know, I would love to show you my favourite settings that actually make my life easier!! ❤️

Sorry if I'm all over the place, I'm not too good with words 👁️👁️ I hope it's not gonna be like 'I really read all that for nothing' for you sgsggshshsgsh in which case I'M SO SORRY SFSGGGSGSGSG and again, thanks for your question!! I wish you luck!! Keep drawing!! You're gonna surprise yourself how far you can go I'm so serious!!!! ❤️❤️❤️

[mjammies]

maxon come back plzzz (the elite)

ch21-24

Ch 21 

-not the king and maxon leaving to go to asia

-maxon must be 5’8 the way they be describing him

-”call ahead and tell them to go easy on us” maxon you gotta be kinding if you think this girl got ties like that

-oop kriss is taking itttttttt 

-i hate america i really do but this kinda behavior with kriss woulda had me tweaking tf out fr

-”you are such an idiot sometimes” gurl arent you tryna win him and you calling him a dummy

-”he noted the homemade bracelet I wore. He studied it, seeming confuse, then kissed my hand tenderly” america better pray that maxon dont know what the guards buttons look like. America really dumb af.

-not anne finding aspen in america room omgg can somebody jump him plzz, where the hell is this rod when you really need it.

-”he was in plain clothes, not his uniform” bro i think aspen was meant to be a 6 cause this level of ignorance is unmatched.

-”maxon is gone. This changes everything.” ummmmm no it does not, goofy 

Ch 22

-atp they shoulda put cameras in all the rooms cause im tired of them sneaking around

-i dont even wanna read this bitch ass chapter 

-”i dont like talking about him anyway” ofc you dont, only cause he tryna take your girl

-”and the injections, too” yall getting fed and bbls??

-my thing is if aspen really wanted to make change wouldnt he let america be a princess since she'll actually speak out about all the nonsense going on. Cause if you take her, maxon is gonna marry someone else and the exact same shit is going to continue to happen.

-”slowly, he lowered me to the mattress of pillows” i want them both to die

-”there was a newfound confidence there, something instilled in him through becoming a two” why not a one, imagine the confidence a one could have 

-”when this was all over, would i be a two or a one?” bro this wack ass caste system. The only reason cass set it up like this was to make it seem like there was a real competition here, but wth kinda comp is it between a prince and a guard, like sir you are THE HELP,

-america is just greedy asf, maybe she needs a poly relationship since she cant chose. 

Ch 23

-”but elise family says they never arrived” oop the prince and king is mia

-not the king saying they there but elise family wth is they at

-not kriss pulling her in the garden to chat about maxon, this finna get juicy

-”i think you and i might be neck and neck at this point” oooppp she saying yall is equally in the running omggg

-”anyway, he loved it. He said no one had given him a present yet”. Damnnnnnn america you really missed the ball on that opportunity

-omggg he done took kriss to his room and not even miss thing has been

-”anyway he started visiting me during pretty much every free moment he had” im gonna be sick

-he aint even try to kiss her yet, good

-”i dont know how you feel, but i love him” damn. Miss home of the brave couldnt even say that and here go kriss confusing easilyyy

-not the rebels demanding they end the selection, yall dont like a little drama lol

CH24

-broo imma need maxon to get back and soon

-”what if maxon was dead?” girl dont act like you care

-oop waitaminute the king and maxon are coming home tonighttttt, thank god

-”kriss left seconds later. Maybe she was making a welcome home card.” lol i sure hope so

-not the maids fightingggg

-are the maids not also a two? See this why this caste system doesnt work 

-oh wait nvm i guess not

-she back to reading gregory’s diary, im not reading all that tho yall be easy

-damn he wrote a lot

-not she tryna look decent for maxon, i know thats right

-awww not him gifting her a blue bracelett, i need someone who will think about me in a whole different country

-”i didnt find anything for anyone else” period

-broo this could all be hers, but she so slowww 

-”im just really confused about you rn.” GIRL hes the one whose been confused about YOU

-”if you ever want to know anything about me… all you need to do is ask.” now THAT is a man

-”i dont know if im ready to do that yet” whats the number to this palace, im calling in a bomb threat myself 

-maxon gone for days, yall thinking he died, he returns, and this is how yall communicate when he gets back palease.

[letmeoutofthebasementt]

can I ask your honest advices on something personal? so I get next to no communication from a now former friend, I had some hunch to ask a reader if said friend dislikes me and the answer came back as yes so I recently googled if ignoring someone or not reaching out to them via texts can count as them being jealous or having some dislike? yet they still send the bday present and xmas card or present as do I but I feel like its a cheap way when I know she practically lives online but I barely here from her so I dont really know what to do? we havent met in years and she makes next to no effort to seem interested in what im doing even if I try to take interest in herself as a friend it feels very one sided even when we used to meet up it would always be about her and never any follow up questions.

I know she has a disablity of some kind however the effort she puts into her other friends is vastly different. if she messages me its once in a blue moon and only to ask if I want to do a quiz, now I stopped checking my online profiles so much because like it seemed she was much more into what she got from others i dont want to feel desperate by constantly trying to fix whatever this "friendship" was supposed to be. do i ask her or do i wonder about it? if she dont tell me how am i gonna know what to do about it because many ppl been like her even when I was in school I was always dealing with ppl who pretended to care when they didnt. I didnt know any better then so it feels like ppl r just only using me if they need me for that certain point otherwise they fuck off and find "better friends" elsewhere like am i that replaceable or weird?

is this petty of me to want to ignore her back or is it mostly her behaviours towards me? the thing is I have dealt with many ppl like her and it doesnt put her in a good light it gives trying to be nice to my face but for all I know she could be chatting shit with someone about me? and shes quite popular online. hence why it feels like im always bottom of her priorities since always having to instigate a conversation felt like conversing with a brick aka it was going nowhere. I know her disability cant prevent her from being a decent person but do I just leave her? yet this whole present giving thing really isnt it for me. its giving oh I will just send her something to make it seem like she cares when she dont message or try to get in touch nor does she want to meet up. all her messages in recent years have been so short almost too blunt

does this sound like jealousy or regular dislike? sorry for rambling again but im so effing tired of these types of ppl who act like they care to have a friendship but then half ass their way out of it, it doesnt help that we moved since long ago so we cant be closer physically as friends. But I feel like my existance bothers her for some unknown reasons. as I told the tarot reader im nothing special heck im not the popular one she is if anything I would guess she was quite popular that she simply didnt need me? You would think if we was real friends she would make a bit more effort cause sometimes theres things I wanna tell her but am like wait she dont care so im not gonna bother cause she want certain replies and comments yaknow?

thanks so so much in advance if you read all of this!!! I love your blog and readings so felt comfortable to ask you for your thoughts hope you dont mind the rant there!

Honestly that’s an awful situation to be in. In my opinion, it’s not necessarily jealousy. She just doesn’t like you, point blank period.

Now, I can admit I’m the type who’s on my phone a lot but can sometimes miss people’s messages, and I’m not good with reaching out first. But that’s not a good behavior. And at least if she liked you she’d be interested when you’re talking, which is something I do. And she’d be there for you. And at least she could come around to responding eventually instead of flat out ignoring you and only contacting you when she needs you.

It seems like to me she’s keeping you around so she can have more people clinging to her and chasing her to fuel her ego. It’s more an ego thing than a genuine like. She does not like you. I’d bet she doesn’t even necessarily tolerate you. But she likes your attention.

She likes the experience of being worshipped and chased. Knowing she doesn’t have to try and you will just chase and follow her to the ends of the earth.

[misqnon]

u gotta try harder /j

I WASNT ON TUMBLR MUCH TIL LIKE.. A YEAR AGO... SO I HAD NO IDEA .... that is extremely funny. thank u

theyre in a 3 way qpr with luffy as the center

THAT ZORO IMAGE IS SO FUNYN AHFHSJD

"i like to imagine he speaks with the emojis like you typed them. (“how are you saying that out loud-”)" NAHDIAHE hes magic thats how

i have a big crush on ace too but TRACE HEATFIST.... something abt him.... idk he just hits the spot for me. i love big brother characters n characters that r good with kids.. ace fills that spot.. and then u add his silly smoothness in the 4kids dub and its like wow. u are Perfect.

STEAL THEM!! i have . a pinterest board of . meme image. silly meme image. (is pinterest something ppl still use... i only started using it a few years ago)

NO A CUP MAKES SO MUCH MORE SENSE... I think u were rightm.

THATS SO FUNNY... see i never thought dragons were real but i DID believe . that unicorns were real for quite a while (i never liked to admit it). honestly i didnt consume much dragon content but i did like to just. think abt them . i had this mobile game i liked playing that was just a choose ur own adventure type story . but ur a dragon. never played spyro (and didnt even know about it til i was like... 12) but it seems rly fun and i would love to play the remaster,, purple dragon ily. i cant believe ur the kind of kid who could beat games... i was so stupid as a kid i didnt even know how to play animal crossing city folk correctly .... YOU ALSO??? FLIGHT RISING???? i joined in uhh 2019? i think? i found out abt it in like 2016 but forgot and then tried to join in 2018 but it wasnt accepting new users.. and then yeah. 2019. so ive been on and off a lot but i LOVE flight rising. i love my dragons. even tho theyre mostly un-gened 1st generation dragons..

sanji is . arguably the most human of all the straw hats.. which is interesting bc he is also the only one who was supposed to be inhuman. ofc i think theyre all very human but sanji has the most moments where i can relate to him. the sanuso fic i was reading yesterday... he was so full of shame... and they wrote him hiding behind his hair.. and i felt so intensely SEEN by that. like oh my god he is ME i do all these things.. i find that my comfort characters are usually... ones who suffer a lot. i love suffering. in media.

SHREK SCREENSHOT..

"I WANT TO PUT THE SANJI FEEDING MICE AND THE CREW IS CONFUSED SCENE IN A FIC SO BAD BUT I HAVE WRITERS BLOCK ATM 😭" i will write it for u

"sanji vs. minnie mouse his hardest battle yet" oh my god........ ur mind...... wow...... genius...... crackship time (have u seen . oh wait ur not into jjk.. ok have u seen frollo x goofy... its insane...)

BEING MAD ABOUT SIMPING FOR SANJI IS SO REAL.. please dont be attractive please stop please... please . IVE SEEN THAT OUTFIT and every time i get ANGRY (not for real but y'know.) because he looks SO GOOD and i dont like to admit that.. i hate to admit that. UR RIGHT that outfit is extremely gay like wtf is going on with that tie???? or whatever it is? around his neck??? this is like gay men wearing scarves

"have u seen that post where its drawings of each of the strawhat “rescue teams” of arlong park, enies lobby, and whole cake?" I SAW THAT A FEW HOURS AGO AHDHSH

"law 1: edgy. flipping u off. deranged. a bit evil looking. kinda hot" i see u...

i love law so much he is so antagonizing and then . the contrast.. when he is stupid or cute. its wonderful.

"HE ALSO LOOKS SO SO PATHETIC 😭 SOPPING WET CAT OF A MAN" i LOVE how pathetic he looks. i like pathetic people so much.. like why are u like that.. making me pity u.. only in media tho never in real life 🙏🙏

ZORO LOOKS LIKE A DOG AHEJDHA WHAT IS THAT

USOPP?? USOPP?????? HES THE MEME IMAGE ...

CHOOPA MY GUY.. he looks so silly as a full deer i wish he did that more often

this is blue period but im running out of funny images i have saved ...

dw abt taking a bit to reply!! i am patient /gen

IM TRYING MY BEST 

sharing my veteran knowledge

3 WAY QPR IS PERFECT 

trace heatfist the magic man. skeazy magician and fuckboy

ace is VERY likeable idk a single person who doesnt like him. even my non one piece friend likes him but i think shes weak to his freckles

i trade memes like pokemon cards. i look forward to this symbiotic relationship

arent unicorns the national animal of scotland…(or ireland maybe…) THAT WOULD MAKE ME THINK THEYRE REAL

I COULD ONLY BEAT SOME GAMES a lot i didnt but usually bc i got out of the rhythm of playing them and left them unfinished. when i was younger i made my older brother play the hard parts for me a lot LMAO. ALSO DO YOU WANT MY FLIGHT RISING DRAGONS. IDK WHAT TO DO WITH THEM ALL MAN I DONT PLAY ANYMORE

i love that sanji is arguably the most emotional of the group (aside from franky or chopper, but for them its just played for laughs) and that overemotional/low self esteem part is exactly what makes him so relatable. i actually really appreciate that oda gave that trait to a male character. sanji cries a lot and is overemotional and kind of hysteric sometimes jdvbvfjdk so im glad they didnt make it like nami or robin who was like that stereotype. GOD I REALLY CONVERTED U TO SANJI TOWN DIDNT I. SORRY WE’RE ALL HERE BECAUSE WE HAVE LOW SELF ESTEEM AND PROJECT ONTO THE WEIRDO

*FROLLO X GOOFY????* 

I HATE ADMITTING THAT I THINK HE’S HOT BC HE DOESNT DESERVE IT. BUT I DO. I THINK SANJI IS HOT. I DO. UNFORTUNATELY. in that maroon wano suit…ODA WHO TOLD YOU TO DO THAT!!!!!!!

and yes law too…listen. i have a big heart, ready to love, [possessed by sanji]

the little scarf/ascot is the gayest part 

“"HE ALSO LOOKS SO SO PATHETIC 😭 SOPPING WET CAT OF A MAN" i LOVE how pathetic he looks. i like pathetic people so much.. like why are u like that.. making me pity u.. only in media tho never in real life 🙏🙏” exactly…PATHETIC FICTIONAL MEN GO HARD

I LOVE THE DOG ZORO SCREENSHOT HE LOOKS LIKE HES GONNA BITE SOMEBODY

AND USOPP KDSJNKJ I USE THAT ONE SO MUCH

i agree i like almost all of chopper’s other forms better than when hes a little baby 😭

IS THAT MAKIMA NSCKJAS???

also u are free to keep sending me e-letters but if you want to just message on discord that is also fine. as i said. message me whenever 🫡

lets see what we have for 2day...

[butterflyintochains]

Post Suzuka Surprises

Max has re-asserted himself as the top lion on the grid, quelling any concerns after the fiasco in Melbourne. To add to his victory, there's some great news for the grid's alpha couple once he returns home for the week between Japan and China.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It's stupid, really, it is stupid. Juliette is just fine, there's nothing wrong with her, just some dizziness and nausea, that's all. So, it's stupid that Stefanie sent her home from work when there's nothing wrong with her. Sure, she's feeling dizzy and sick sometimes, it's no big deal, people get ill all the time, especially around this time of year. She gets home from work, and dumps her bag on her armchair. Max should be in the air right now, fresh from his win in Japan, for a short while at home before China and Miami. He'll be home soon enough, Juliette toes her shoes off, and hangs her blazer up. She decides on a whim to check her period tracking app, she was due for one this week, but it never came. So, she grabs her bag again, and puts her shoes back on, and goes down to the pharmacy. She quickly grabs a test, just to be sure she's ticked all the boxes.

Once back home for real, she goes to the bathroom to take it. Equal parts scared and hopeful. Scared in case she's not and she'd be getting their hopes up of starting their family. Hopeful to be giving the only man she's ever loved a baby. And, she also thinks how funny it would be if those late nights between Jeddah and Melbourne actually yielded something. She's wanted this for so long, had so many dreams about this, and it's in touching distance. Her phone timer dings, and she takes her eyes off of the butterfly painting hanging on the bathroom wall. She picks the stick up in quivering fingers, and reads the tiny screen.

Pregnant. Four Weeks.

She's pregnant, four weeks along, she's actually having their baby. Her happy sobs must attract the cats and Luna. All three of their pets look concerned, especially her beloved cavachon. ''I'm okay, little ones, I'm just pregnant.'' That word seems so foreign to her, she's pregnant. She's going to be a maman, and Max is going to be a papa. He gets in tomorrow morning with the trophy, so, she's going to surprise him. She finds an empty bracelet box that's long enough in her desk drawer, and puts the test inside it. She grabs some ribbon from her collection, and ties it all up with a purple and orange bow. The box goes in her nightstand for tomorrow.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Juliette is up early the next morning, and is in the bathroom throwing up last night's dinner, looks like the baby doesn't like something she put in her stir fry, she might need to ask Zhou about the recipe he gave her. She washes up for the day, and gets dressed. She opts for some toast and jam with fresh fruit and tea for breakfast. A pit of nerves in her chest, she's certain Max will be a wonderful papa, but is he ready for that now? Is this a bad time? She places the box on the coffee table, and waits for her husband to get home. Max pulls into the garage, and comes in with the trophy. He's practically glowing with joy at winning the race, if a bit tired. ''Welcome home, amour.''

Max pulls her in for a searing kiss, those never get old, post victory kisses. ''Good to be back, even for just a little while, schatje.'' He holds up the new trophy. ''Like it?''

Juliette smiles, and nods. ''It's impressive, I still prefer the one from last year that lit up. I caught the highlights in bed on sunday morning.'' She says, taking Max's hand. ''That reminds me, come and sit, I have something for you.''

They sit on the couch together, Juliette hands Max the box. He furrows his brows, but opens it. His blue eyes light up, his jaw drops as he takes the test out of the box. ''Julia, is this real? Are you... are we? You're... you're pregnant?''

Juliette nods, drying her eyes, stupid hormones acting up already. ''Yes, Max, I'm pregnant, we're going to be the Verstappens in the winter.'' Max pulls her into his arms, and kisses her everywhere accessible. Twins would be nice, she muses, a little boy with blond hair and hazel eyes, and a little girl with brown hair and blue eyes. ''I love you, Juliette.'' Max says, placing a hand on her still flat belly. Hers joins his. ''I love you, Max.''

Max turns on 'concerned husband mode' as she calls it, and asks her. ''Is there anything you need me to do for you? Anything from the shops you want? How are you feeling?'' Juliette laughs, their hands still layered on her belly. ''Max, calm down first. I'm alright, all I need from you is yourself for a little bit.''

Max kisses her again, reclining them both on the couch. ''Well, there's plenty of that for you, schatje, and you alone.''

The day is spent in a nice sleepy fog, travel and emotion finally catching up with the young couple, eight months to go until there's four of them. Juliette is certain she's giving her husband twins.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A couple of days later, they've told Victoria, who is expecting her own baby still, their niece. Tom, Lio, and Luka are already so excited, as is Victoria herself. Sophie has also been told, and burst into tears at the news of more additions to the family. Today, they're going over to Juliette's maman for lunch with the Leclerc side of the family. They park up at her maman's house, Max asks. ''Should we tell my dad yet?''

Juliette sighs, this has been playing on her mind since Singapore last year. ''When he's willing to apologize for how he's treated you, otherwise, not yet.''

Max nods, and says. ''Fair enough.'' They head inside. Pascale embraces her only daughter and her son-in-law. Greeting them both in french. ''Come through, dears, we're eating outside today.'' She leads them through to the back garden. Lorenzo and Charlotte are setting the table. ''Julia, Max!'' Charlotte comes to hug them, kissing their cheeks. Max says, still holding Juliette's hand. ''Good to see you too, Charlotte.''

Lorenzo asks his little sister. ''Are you going to Shanghai Julia?'' Juliette sits down at the table, suddenly feeling dizzy. ''No, I'm meeting the grid in Miami, I don't think I could handle going to China right now.''

Lorenzo asks, furrowing his brows. ''Oh? Why not?'' Max hints, but doesn't say it yet. ''You'll find out when the rest are here.'' Charles and Alexandra arrive, Charles asking. ''We'll find what out?''

Juliette says, moving a plate of deli ham to the other end of the table, feeling her stomach acting up again. ''Wait until Arthur's here.'' Arthur and Carla arrive with some ice cream. Lunch gets going, it hits Juliette, she's the only woman in her family who will be giving her children a different surname. Pascale asks her daughter. ''So, papillon, what was the news you wanted to share with us?''

Juliette and Max share a look together, almost asking each other who should tell everyone, Max kisses her forehead and says. ''You tell them, I told my side.''

Juliette nods, taking a deep breath. ''Okay, so. Max and I are expecting, I'm pregnant.''

Alexandra is ecstatic for her sister-in-law. ''Really? That's so great, right, Charlie?''

Charles wells up, his little sister and one of his dearest friends are finally, the loves of each other's lives, are becoming parents. ''Felicitations, truly.''

Lorenzo claps Max on the shoulder, and says to him. ''You are going to be such great parents, I'm sure of it.'' Everyone rushes to congratulate them, such a vast contrast to just a few years ago, when they were having to hide their early relationship from her brothers. Now, they can be open and invite the uncles and aunts into this so much more easily.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A few evenings later, to celebrate Max's three race wins so far, Juliette's business doubling profits from last year, and the pregnancy, it's date night. Max is decked out in an all black suit with a dark blue tie, his newly trimmed air styled to perfection, looking like the champion he is. Juliette dressed to the nines in a midnight blue evening gown, matching diamond bracelet, necklace, and earrings, her hair in an updo, and makeup perfect. Ready for dinner and some Swan Lake. They head out to the car, Juliette buckles up, and says. ''You know what's just occurred to me, Max?''

Max starts the car. ''What's that, schatje?'' They get driving to the restaurant, Juliette says. ''The lucky orange dress I made for Zandvoort in 2021 won't fit me this year, so I can't wear it.'' Max takes her hand, assuring her. ''You can always make a new one, love, and I'll still love that new one.''

They arrive at the restaurant, and are escorted to their table. The waiter says. ''Anything to drink, Mr and Mrs Verstappen?'' Max politely says. ''Just some pineapple juice, I'm driving and my wife can't drink right now.''

The waiter nods, understanding, and says. ''Very well, I'll be right back with your menus.'' They get their drinks, and order their meals. Steak, fries, and salad for Max. Fish, fries, and salad for Juliette. ''Thank you.'' Juliette says. They eat their dinner, Max says to his wife, who he is in awe of tonight. ''Wonder what us from Spain 2016 would be thinking right now, married and making a family.''

Juliette laughs, this isn't the first time he's brought this up, and it won't be the last. ''I think my sixteen year old self would think this was impossible. What about eighteen year old Max?'' Max smiles, sipping his drink. ''I don't think he'd say 'no' that's for sure.''

They order cheesecake for dessert with some tea. Max pays for dinner, and they get going to the ballet. ''I've never seen Swan Lake before.'' Max says as they take their seats.

Juliette says, holding his hand, trying to ignore the eyes on them both. ''I have, maman would take me to see the ballet while papa was away with the boys.''

The performance gets underway, the lights go off. The dancers are all so elegant, and playing their roles to perfection. The performance goes for over an hour, ending with Odette's emotional final dance after her battle against Odile. The crowd applauds the beautiful performance. As the couple go back to their car, Max says, eyes misty. ''Why did Odette have to die, though? She'd just gotten the prince!'' He opens Juliette's door for her.

Juliette laughs as she buckles up. ''I've wondered that myself, amour. It's just how Tchaikovsky wrote it, I suppose.''

Max joins her in the car, he hates death in any stories. ''It's not fair, though.''

Juliette carefully leans over to kiss his cheek. ''Wait until we see The Nutcracker, darling.'' Max gets them going home, and says to his wife. ''I don't think I'm ready for that if Swan Lake got me going.''

They get home, and get ready for bed. Juliette sneaks a glance at herself in the mirror now that she's in her nightdress. No real bump yet, but that's okay. She gets into bed with Max and their pets, and rests her head. ''Tonight was just lovely, schatje.'' Max presses a kiss to her lips. Juliette smiles, fatigue catching up to her. ''Yeah, I love having nights to ourselves, without the others tagging along.'' After some talking, they both fall asleep.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A couple of days before Max leaves for China, they go to the hospital for Juliette's first doctor's appointment. She's five weeks along now, and still not showing much of anything. She's apparently in fantastic shape, everything is progressing as it should be. The scan is great, her blood work comes back clean. In all, Juliette Verstappen is given a clean bill of health, and told to keep taking her vitamins. After her appointment, they go for a walk along the sea front, it's a warm day, but there's a decent breeze coming in from the sea. They sit on a bench, and go over their handouts, telling Julia what she can and can't do, and informing them of how things are going to progress over the next thirty five weeks. ''It's all very complex, isn't it?'' Max says.

Juliette laughs. ''Says Mr Formula 1.'' Max laughs too, she's got him there, she says. ''At least we know things now, I'm just wondering when my clothes will stop fitting.''

Max reads a booklet. ''Says here that it'll be the second trimester, so, like, summer, I think? You'll need to stop flying late second or early third.''

Juliette checks the race calendar on her phone. ''Merde, that means no Monza or Baku. Zandvoort will be my last race.'' Max wraps an arm around his wife's shoulders, and kisses her temple. ''I'll make it count for you, I promise.''

Juliette says, emotional over this, stupid hormones. ''But, I could miss you winning the championship, Max! I haven't missed that yet, and now I will.''

Max assures her, kissing her forehead. ''We can cross that bridge when we get there, love. Like we always have.'' Juliette rests her head on his shoulder, still not entirely happy with the situation. ''Okay, still sucks, though.''

They sit on the bench, watching the boats, listening to the city passing them by for a while.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Max's leaving day arrives, Juliette drives him down to the heliport so he can get to Nice for his flight. She's always wished Monaco had some kind of airport, but there's just not enough space. So, the heliport will have to suffice. They catch up with Charles. Juliette hugs both her brother and husband, her favourite people on earth. ''Both of you, race hard, do as well as you can, enjoy the weekend.'' She says to them both.

Charles kisses her cheek, and says. ''We will, promise, papillon. Take care of yourself while we're gone. Je t'aime.'' Juliette nods, and promises him. ''I will, je t'aime aussi, Charlie.''

Max pulls her close, and kisses her. ''Ik houd van je, liefje. And, I love our little family as well.'' He places a hand on her belly. Juliette says, smiling. ''Ik houd van je, lieverd. I'll see you in Miami.'' Her Dutch is a work in progress, but she has the best teacher possible.

They board their helicopter, Juliette watches them take off, and heads home. She'll see them in Miami. Juliette heads to work, ready to get back on with her work at Vita Luxuria. She gets in, and ditches her bag at her desk. Stefanie asks her. ''Are you feeling better, Julia?'' Juliette smiles, and says to her best friend. ''Yeah, yeah I am.''

Daphne asks, looking up from a project she is working on. ''What was the problem, Julia?''

Juliette happily announces to her friends. ''I'm pregnant.'' She's mobbed in hugs before they open up for business.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

That night, she dreams of their family. They're at the sea front, having a picnic. Luna is chasing the swans, Jimmy and Sassy are curled up taking in the sun. Max is plating up lunch, Juliette is drawing in her sketchbook. In two little carseats, are their two perfect babies. Their son and daughter.

Juliette wakes up from the dream, it's still dark out, so she rolls over and falls back to sleep. Thirty five weeks, so little time, but it feels like eternity.

[call-memissbrightside]

maybe its because im on my period, but all i can think about is how Bakugou is apprehensive on letting people know he has a girlfriend.

Like everyone knows him as an asshole, when he's loud and obnoxious, he gets hated on time and time again.

But you see through his tough guy act, and you're not offended nor put off when he cusses because all you can think is 'this guy needs a hug.'

And he fucks up. He fucks up so bad as a boyfriend sometimes. He's not use to having to be patient, he blows up when he doesn't mean to and finds himself holding his breath, hoping that you don't up and leave him behind when you get fed up. Because people leave him, they can't handle him. They label him as trouble and not worth the time, and he tries to act tough but it hurts. And he doesn't want to hurt with you, he wants to be real for once but it's scary and he's glad you're so patient.

He tries to be kind, where he gets you the Lego flowers and carefully puts it together so it doesn't shatter. He tries to write you poetry because you seemed to like it but it reads something like this:

roses are red,

violets are blue,

fuck this shit,

why can't I just say i love you?

It's the thought that counts, and you show him it's okay to take a deep breath and just talk. You let him talk and talk for hours about whatever he wants, you listen and weigh in and argue and laugh and he thinks 'finally, someone gets me.'

But he doesn't want people to know about you.

Not because he's embarrassed, but because people don't get him. They see him as this rage monster, someone incapable of love, and deep down, he's worries you'll listen to them when they warn you to run away while you still have the chance.

He hasn't been good all his life, he's been a bully and said some horrible things to his friends. He knows karma is a bitch, and he knows that someone like him doesn't deserve someone like you.

But you show him that you love him, and he doesn't want to jinx it, but he feels so lucky to have you, to hold you, to love you and he prays that he's able to show you that he's worthy of love, that he's someone worthy

[majesty-madness]

A Past Encounter - Bucky Barnes x reader (nsfw)

Summary: Being in a relationship with Bucky, Y/N prided herself on knowing him quite well but when she’s accidentally teleported back to 1940, Y/N discovers that there is a whole other Bucky that she has yet to meet. The sweet flirt that had everything going for him before his unfortunate capture by HYDRA.

Word Count: 3600+

Warnings: flirty 40's!Bucky, small 40's!Steve, slight angst, nothing else really (I mean it's a little sad)

a/n: I started a new job and I haven't had the time to write much before hand so I hope at least one person will enjoy this. Also I'm posting this at like 11:30 at night so I'll repost it tomorrow.

Series Masterlist

Main Masterlist

Chapter Three

First thing her ears pick up on are the sounds of cars driving on the street with the occasional honking. 

Despite the aching thrumming over her body, Y/N managed to open her eyes to take in the slightly darkened room. 

She kept still as she took in the environment around her; at first the familiar edge of panic shot up her spine causing her to whip up in the bed she occupied. However, the longer she stared out into the room, the more it sank in. 

The small bedroom complete with a bed fitted with olden sheets and a comforter, a modest dresser sitting against a wall covered in chipped paint and scrapped wooden panels acting as the floor. 

It wasn’t a dream, everything that happened last night was real. 

She was in Brooklyn, New York, in the 40’s. 

Once the memories rushed back to her, Y/N took a deep breath, fingers carding through her hair while her arms rested on top of her thighs. 

Then she wondered what time it was so she moved her eyes about the room, subconsciously looking for a digital clock and forgetting she wouldn’t find one. Though she found a small analogous clock sitting on the nightstand that read, 8:30am. 

She hummed, knowing that it was about the same time she got up every morning. 

Nice to know that even in traveling through time, she kept to a schedule. 

Figuring she should get up, Y/N pushed the comforter from her legs and bundled them up at the end of the bed. Then quietly, she stood up from the warm mattress and tip toed over to the wooden bedroom door. Her fingers reached forward, taking the cool metal of the doorknob into her grip, the cold almost stinging the surface of her skin as she turned it. A clicking sound resonated into the room and she pushed the door open. 

Y/N peaked out into the living room, seeing that Bucky and Steve were already up and running for the day. 

Jeez. It seemed that even in the 40’s, Bucky and Steve were early risers too. 

Before stepping out, Y/N listened in on their soft voices talking to each other. 

“You think she’ll be okay? She seemed out of it.” Steve asked, as he poured himself a glass of orange juice. 

Bucky, taking a sip from his coffee mug, shrugged then swallowed the contents. “I’m not sure, but she seemed alright for the most part. Besides, she doesn’t have anywhere else to go; it wouldn’t do us any harm giving her a chance to get back on her feet.”

Steve nodded in agreement. 

The said woman smiled tenderly, mostly to herself, at Bucky’s words. They didn’t know each other all that well at this time, and yet Bucky was putting her needs before his own. 

That was a rare gift to find in any time period. 

Finally, she stepped out from Bucky’s room, quietly making her way to the side of the dining table. 

At first, the boys didn’t notice her presence, however, once Y/N just a few feet from the table,  Bucky straightened himself up. 

“Hey, good morning.” He greeted boyishly. 

Steve whipped himself around to see Y/N standing there. “Good morning.”

She shyly smiled, head dipping down a couple of times. “Good morning, you two.”

“Did you sleep well?” Bucky asked, setting his cup onto the table; deep blue eyes never straying from Y/N’s delicate figure covered in nothing but his baggy white shirt. 

“Yeah I did. You were right, it did get chilly in there last night.” She joked light heartedly, trying to keep the situation less odd. 

“Were you able to stay warm at least?”

Y/N nodded. “Thank you, I really appreciate it.” 

“No problem, and if there’s anything else you need, just let us know.” Bucky said, seemingly distracted by Y/N’s morning beauty. 

Steve looked between the two adults then let out a cough causing Bucky to shake out of his thoughts. “So Y/N, do you want some breakfast?” 

Her eyes snapped to Steve who stood from the tablwe. “Oh yeah, that’d be great. Thank you.”

He politely smiled at her, proceeding to pull out one of the dining chairs for her. She walked over and sat on the wooden material of the chair; it wasn’t exactly comfortable but she wouldn’t be sitting at the dinner table for a long time. 

“What would you like?” Steve asked Y/N who had spaced out for a moment. 

“What do you two have to eat?” She asked as she looked between the two men. 

Bucky strolled into the compact kitchen searching for food. “We have - let me see - we got eggs, bread, oatmeal, cereal and….I think that’s all we got.” 

“How about uh…oatmeal?” Y/N answered though it sounded more like a question. 

Bucky scoffed with a grin. “Oatmeal? Unsure are we?” 

Y/N laughed. “No, I mean oatmeal please.” 

Then the dark haired man pulled out a sealed small packet of, what Y/N assumed was the breakfast food itself. He rummaged through the shared kitchen, eyes dancing over the different metal pans inside to find the one he needed. 

As he began to prepare the simple meal for Y/N, she pulled her attention to Steve who had sat back down diagonal from her. “Did you sleep okay?” 

There it was again, the look of startled surprise appearing across Steve’s face upon hearing her question. 

She wondered, was it really so odd for someone other than Bucky to be concerned for him?

Nonetheless, he answered. “Oh yeah, I slept fine. Thanks for asking.”

“What about you, Bucky?” Y/N tested out the name, feeling a bit awkward for saying it despite having said it many times. 

From what she could tell, it didn’t bother him as he stood over the stove waiting for the water to heat up, rubbing the back of his neck uncomfortably. 

“Uh…well I slept about as well as one could on that rickety sofa.” He admitted, a small groan falling from his lips as he set his hand down to his side. 

A pout formed on her lips. “I’m sorry to hear that, hopefully I won’t be taking up your bed for too long.” 

“It's really not a big deal. Besides I'm the one that offered, didn't I?” 

Y/N tilted her head to the side, “Well technically, you both offered your beds.” 

The boys laughed at her witty comment, easing some of the tension in Y/N’s shoulders. 

“That’s true, but still…” Bucky snickered, pouring the oatmeal packet into a bowl and then mixing it with hot water. “I wouldn’t worry your pretty little head about our sleeping arrangement.”

He picked up the bowl from the counter and brought it to the table, placing it carefully in front of Y/N. 

“We said we’d help you out until you got back on your feet, and we meant it.” He added while taking his place at the table, across from her. 

She smiled gratefully at him, and spared Steve that look as well. “And I am grateful for that.” 

Bucky gave a slight nod, taking a sip of his coffee. And in the corner of her eye, Y/N saw Steve take a drink of his orange juice at the same time. 

Y/N gripped a hold of the spoon already buried by the thick oatmeal and took a bite. The moment it hit her tongue, it burned and in a panic she quickly swallowed to make it go away; feeling the uncomfortable sensation of it traveling down her throat into her stomach. 

Should’ve blown on it first. She scolded herself in more ways than one. 

She managed to keep her distress on the downlow as neither one of the boys reacted to her searing her tongue off. Honestly, it was better that way, she already felt awkward around them. 

Deciding to take another bite, Y/N first blew on the food before swallowing it, much happier that it didn’t burn her that time. 

“Speaking of getting you back on your feet, do you have any other belongings with you that we might be able to pick up?” Bucky asked, thumbling the handle of his cup. 

Y/N thought on it, gaze dancing about over the surface of the table. “Um…no, no there isn’t. Like I said before, that purse was all I had.” 

“Well that means we’ll have to go out today and replace what got stolen.”

She quirked a brow up at the implication. “You don’t mean you’re going to replace it?”

“Well yeah..” He stated matter of factly, with a little hesitation.

“I can’t ask you to do that.” Y/N objected, her breakfast nearly forgotten. “That would be so expensive.”

Steve leaned forward, clearing his throat as he began to voice his thoughts. “But we can’t leave you with nothing to call your own.” 

“The question of money isn’t a serious concern either; both of us have steady jobs so getting you something like clothes won’t be a problem.” Bucky added to further support Steve’s point. 

Y/N listened to the two, becoming more and more conflicted because one, she wasn’t even from this time period so it would be pointless for her to buy things when she would ultimately leave, but she wasn’t even sure that she could leave or if she could when she’d be able to leave and if she was going to stay, she did need regular household items to live in this time. 

Either way, she needed at least the bare minimum for a person to live semi-conveniently. 

“I would feel guilty if you spent money on me; I’m not from around here.” Y/N still tried to reason with them, but they weren’t having it. 

“It doesn’t matter if you’re from around here or not. You’re here now with us, and life can be difficult on your own so let us two gents help a pretty lady in trouble huh?” He teased confidently.

Again, the familiar heat rose to her cheeks and her heart skipped a beat in her chest. She was not used to this type of flirting from him. Back home, Bucky was much more subtle with his flirting; his self consciousness made him hesitant in any kind of romantic relationship. Therefore, to know that he was flirting in the first place, one would have to look under the surface to see what his intentions were. 

To have Bucky, in a time she knew nothing about, being much more obvious in his intent was a shock to be sure. 

Regardless, she shyly moved her head down to her breakfast. “O-okay…”

Once they had all finished with breakfast, Steve cleaned up the table and kitchen while Bucky searched through his closet for his smallest clothes for Y/N to wear, at least until they got to the clothing store a couple of blocks down the street. 

He had handed her another white button up shirt, and a pair of brown high-waisted jeans with a belt. They were the smallest he could find, but they all soon realized that wasn’t going to work because as soon as she stepped out of the bathroom, the pants would not stay up properly. 

Y/N had pulled the belt over the very last notch and it still wasn’t tight enough around her waist. 

Bucky stood still, thumb resting under his chin as he contemplated what to do next. Then Steve made the suggestion that maybe a pair of his pants could fit, so he grabbed a pair and waited for Y/N to change again. 

When she stepped out they saw immediately that with the coupling of Bucky’s belt, the pants did indeed fit around her waist so right after that, they left for the clothes shop down the road. 

Though the clothes fit, it was clear they weren’t her’s, if the slighted stares of people walking by her on the sidewalk was any indication. Luckily, Y/N didn’t care what others thought about her clothes, she’d be wearing a different pair here before too long anyhow. 

The three of them mostly kept quiet until they came into view of the shop Bucky had mentioned earlier that morning. Bucky pointed it out, and they jogged across the street to meet at the front door. 

Steve stepped forward to open the door first, letting Y/N and Bucky step through before he did.

The first thing Y/N noticed was the counter with a lone bell sitting on top of it and nobody occupying the space behind it though that quickly changed as Bucky casually strolled up to the counter and tapped the bell, causing a ringing sound to echo through the small inside. 

An older woman, probably about fifty years old, walked out with a pair of black glasses attached to a thin chain around her neck, and a maroon colored dress. Once her eyes set upon Bucky’s figure, she smiled brightly. 

“Hello, dear, it’s been so long since I’ve seen you!” 

He smiled back at her in return. “I’ve been busy with work.” 

The woman then playfully slapped his arm. “Don’t give me that, James. You said the same thing when you were in school.” 

That caused Bucky to laugh while the woman looked at Steve. “Hello, Steve, dear. How are you feeling?” 

He gave a nod and a much more relaxed smile. “I’m feeling alright.” 

“You staying out of trouble?” She asked inquisitively while raising a brow at him. 

He laughed then too, bashfully, almost like she had caught him red handed. “Mostly.” 

“Oh my word, boy! You’ll worry me and James to an early grave!” She let out a laugh of her own that time then her attention was pulled to the unfamiliar young woman standing between them. “And who is this young lady?”

“This is a new friend of mine, Y/N. She, unfortunately, had her stuff stolen and is in the market for some new clothes.” Bucky explained, pivoting himself to look back at the young woman. 

The older woman walked around the counter to shake Y/N’s hand which Y/N politely reciprocated. “I’m so sorry to hear that dear. I’m Irene, nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you too, Ma’am.” 

“Don’t you worry, now. We’ll find you something real nice, something that..” She took a small step back to eye the baggy clothes she wore, her smile falling and expression utterly perplexed. “...will suit you much better.” 

Y/N watched Bucky cough awkwardly while Steve avoided Irene’s gaze all together. 

“Seriously, boys, you couldn’t have found something better for the poor thing to wear? Shame on you.”

Y/N might have laughed if she hadn’t felt embarrassed that she let Bucky and Steve let her wear their clothes. 

So much for not caring what others thought. 

Irene then gently grabbed Y/N by the shoulders, beginning to lead her further into the store. “Now let’s pick a nice dress for you.” 

“Dress?” Y/N questioned, abruptly stopping in the middle of the store. 

“Of course a dress, deary! What else would you expect to wear?” The older woman gawked at her. 

Y/N eyes fluttered down to what she was already wearing, briefly gesturing to it. “These?” 

Irene shook her head. “Don’t you think that sends the wrong message dear? Wearing two different men’s clothes?” 

“How could you tell they were from two different men?” Y/N asked, surprised. 

The older woman turned over her shoulder for a moment, staring at Bucky and Steve as they avoided looking at her sight directly, awkwardly busying themselves with anything other than the woman herself. 

She sighed. “Honey, I’ve been doing this for a long time, I think I can tell when the clothes don’t match.” 

“Oh..” Y/N mumbled. 

“Now let’s stop wasting time and get you something pretty to wear!” She insisted, beginning to lead her towards the back of the shop again. 

In the span of thirty minutes, Irene has picked three different outfits for Y/N to try on, and each seemed to fit her personality perfectly while also being shockingly comfortable. 

The first outfit had been a green shirt waist dress with white flowers decorating the fabric; next there was the tan lined skirt and a white blouse, and lastly, a pale blue peplum top dress with a gray cardigan and a pair of black flats with a thin strap going over the foot. 

The pale blue dress had really caught Y/N’s eye, urgently pointing to it as soon as she’d seen it hanging on one of the many racks in the store. Irene seemed to agree that it was the perfect dress since she exclaimed the word beautiful once she’d stepped out of the changing room. 

Y/N took a moment to admire herself in the mirror, liking the way that the dress wrapped around her curves in a classy sort of way. She thought she looked attractive with the combination of being polite, best of both worlds. 

Although there was something oddly familiar about this shopping trip. Y/N couldn’t place it. 

“I have to say, you are a natural at picking out clothes, Ma’am.” Y/N complimented, continuing to look in the mirror. 

“Please call me Irene.” The woman waved at hand at the formality. “Besides I should be good at this, considering I’ve been doing this for twenty years.” 

Y/N grinned at the woman’s carefree attitude then let the older woman guide her back to the front of the store where Bucky and Steve had been waiting patiently. 

Upon catching Y/N in that pale blue dress, Bucky nearly jumped up from the chair he’d been sitting in, eyes growing wide with awe. 

“Wow, you look…” He paused for a brief second to swallow hard. “..beautiful.” 

Then it hit her. 

She had stepped out of the changing room inside one of the various clothing stores inside the mall, watching as Bucky’s eyes grew wide and stood straight up when his blue eyes settled on the dress she was wearing. 

“Wow, you look…beautiful.” 

Y/N couldn’t help the giddy grin and an excited laugh that left her. “You think so?”

He nodded, completely stunned. “Yeah, I mean, god, you’re perfect.” 

“Aww, Bucky.” She stepped forward, resting her hands on his shoulders and pecked his lips. “You are the sweetest, you know that?”

Bucky raised his metal arm to the small of her back with a smile that could light up the world. “Only for you, Doll.” 

Suddenly, she felt like she didn’t know how to breathe as that one memory knocked the air right from her lungs. 

In the short span of less than a day, somehow she’d forgotten the reason she was here, the whole point to why she had to be getting new clothes in the first place. 

She didn’t belong here, but the memory and what was happening now started to merge together in a way that made her want to drag him into her arms and never let go; kiss him until they both had troubling breathing. 

Unfortunately, he didn’t know anything of what they shared together, what they had. 

He didn’t know her. 

Fighting back the suffocating ache in her chest, Y/N tried to convincingly show she was flattered by his compliment. “Thank you, Bucky.” 

“No problem.” Bucky shyly nodded, beginning to fidget in his spot. He didn’t have to fidget for long as Irene called for his attention. 

“Now, James, normally I would charge you the usual rate, but seeing as how she had her stuff stolen, I’ll take fifty-percent off.” Irene explained, writing down something on a sheet of paper. 

“Well that’s awfully kind of you, Irene.” 

The woman huffed. “Don’t get smart with me, Buchanan or I will charge you in full.” 

Bucky raised his hands in mock surrender. “Alright, alright. I’ll stop.” 

Irene wrote a couple more things down, then turned a clipboard towards the tall brunette. “Sign here, and here and I’ll get these wrapped up for you, Honey.” She said to Y/N, already pulling on a roll of brown paper and wrapping the outfits she picked out. 

It took another few minutes eventually though, they bid the older woman farewell, not before she playfully scolded Bucky to ‘take care of her.’ 

Being out with a pair of clothes that fit the times actually made Y/N feel a little more at ease. Now there wouldn’t be any more random strangers staring at her like she was an eyesore. 

To be fair, it did nothing to release the painful ache in her heart. 

Her thoughts ran rampant on all the small things that her and Bucky had done together back in her modern time. Happiness was the usual feeling that accompanied it but today, sadness tugged at her instead. 

The screwed up thing was that she was with Bucky right now, but she couldn’t be with him like that. It felt like in some way, the world was teasing her. In reality, the notion of going home was futile because she had no clue if it was possible to get back home and if it wasn’t then what would she do?

Would she live out the rest of her days in time that she had no business being in? Live her entire life in love with a man she could never touch or hold? 

She knew she’d never be able to live a life that way. 

But how were things going to go from here on out? What were they going to look like? She wondered. 

Y/N didn’t know it, nor could she, but right now in a time far away, a single man was wondering the exact same thing.

[m7nson]

Pop ❥ Eddie Munson

˙❥˙ working meant getting money, you didn't know D&D nerds came with it too

A/n : I wrote female reader with glasses I'm sorry! Btw most of my works are gn! So if you want to go check them out :D and all of my works are poc friendly!!

🂱 masterlist - part 1

At first, working here at comic pop seemed like a good idea. Twenty-five precent worker discount, and of course the pay check, even tho you spend it as soon as you got it with new comics.

But it's always empty, you get about ten costumers if you're lucky. You do have your usual three nerds from time to time; Henderson, Sinclair, and Wheeler. You only knew them because you see them in the halls. And when they introduced themselves to get your discount.

But it's always empty, you get about ten costumers if you're lucky. You do have your usual three nerds from time to time; Henderson, Sinclair, and Wheeler. You only knew them because you see them in the halls. And when they introduced themselves to get your discount.

Today was like any regular old day, got about four new costumer and only two of them actually bought something. Something positive about this job tho is that you can play any music you want as long as it's not too loud and you bring your own record or cassette tape.

As of today you brought your new tears for fears tape. So now here you are at the counter reading a comic that you had bought earlier today. Maybe you should have listened to Robin and work at Family Video with her and Steve. But it's a lot closer to home while family videos is a five minute drive. Which doesn't seem bad.. except for the fact that you don't have a car.

You heard the bell from the door and the autumn breeze, deciding on not looking up knowing it's probably one of your regulars. And it was, well one of them was. You noticed a recognizable blue and white hat, but you didn't recognize the long brown curly hair next to him.

Looking up to see who it is, and it was the infamous Dustin Henderson. But the other two nerds weren't with him. And you recognize that battle jacket vest from anywhere.

Eddie Munson,

he sits behind you in Ms. O'Donnell's. It's only your favorite class because you love writing, but also because it's your last period of the day.

You've never seen him in here before, you didn't even know he read comics. But actually looking at him, he looks like he's here against his own will. They were in the D&D corner where they have dices, comics, and player handbook. You rarely ever see anyone look in that corner except for those three.

"See, I told you they had die's here!" Dustin said looking to see if they had blue and white ones. "Yeah, yeah.." he said folding his arm and looking around.

And then he saw you in the corner with your eyes out of your comic when you realized he cought you; you slower picked up the comic to cover your eyes. She was the real reason why he came to this shop, she's the reason he agreed to drive Dustin here. He never truly understand why he's infatuated by her, he just is.

Like if she's a bright glistening diamond in his cave. Or he's just an idiot and just likes her a lot but didn't realize it. "Bingo." Dustin mumbled under his breath finding the dice in the very back of the stand. He turned to look at Eddie and groaned "dude, just go talk to her! She may look... Actually she doesn't look intimidating at all.." you look like a nerd in general. Comic in your hands and your glasses didn't help.

He bit down his lip trying not to smile at his comment. He cleared his throat shrugging of the nervous feeling he has in his stomach. "Are you ready or what?" He said to the curly haired boy who was glancing inside of a D&D comic. "Yeah, yeah.. I'm coming." He said grabbing the cylinder plastic, with his dice inside and the two comic's in the other hand.

"Your not buying anything?" He asked the brunet. He shook his head, "I have better things to spend my money on." He said putting his arm around his shoulder, so he can put his head in a headlock anytime. You know just Incase if he embarrasses him, just to be cautious!

"Hi Y/nn!" Dustin said sweetly. You sighed already knowing he's gonna ask for your discount "Hi Henderson." You said bluntly, that made Eddie heart skip a beat, he's never heard you so blunt only soft spoken. And he's happy he got to see this side of you. You started scanning his things. He groaned "please let me use your discount!" You gave him a look.

"If I let you use it, your gonna tell the other two nerds. And then with your big mouth my boss will know about it!" You told him as you grabbed a brown paper bag. "I won't tell anyone I promise." He put one of his hands up "scouts honor."

You hummed "let me think about it.. mmmm, no." You told him "it'll be sixteen dollars, I got rid of fifty cents just for you." You said giving a sarcastic smile. As he gave you a confused look "sixteen dollars for two comic books and die's!?"

You nodded "Your die's are ten dollars," he sighed and smiled at Eddie who's arm is still around him. "Hey Eddiee.. can I borrow six dollars!" You chuckled and looked at him.

His face was pink as it was but you looking at him made him turn red. He took his arm off of the boy and looked through his pockets and took out his wallet.

"Oh no it's fine-" you said not wanting the metalhead to go through the trouble. "No, no.. here" he gave you a ten dollar bill. But Dustin mouth went wide "he doesn't have to pay but I do!?" That made you flustered. "I just didn't want him to pay for you that all!" You said in defense.

"Here it's ok, I don't want you to get in trouble with your boss.." he mumbled handing you the ten dollar bill, as you take it. You gave Dustin the bag and got Eddie his change. 'say something, say something, say something-'

"Four dollars is your change." You said giving him the money and the receipt. He took the money and have Dustin the receipt. "I'll see you in O'Donnell's class on Monday?" He asked looking up at you.

You nodded, "I think I should be asking you that." He smiled looking down folding his hands "I'll be there."

While Dustin was just watching the scene in disgust "You guys are weird.." He said walking out of the store, little did Eddie know is that he has his keys.

"Did you start the essay?" You nodded as he leaned on the counter. "Yea I have half of it done already!" His eyes widen a bit "wow you must be really smart then?" You laughed "no I just like to get things done.. did you start it?" He sighed "the first sentence yeah."

You laughed "I can help you if you want-" you got interrupted by a loud honk. "Oh god." Eddie said seeing Dustin in the driver's seat. "You better go before he tries to drive-"

He nodded "I'll see you soon!" He said hurrying out to his car. You watch him pick Dustin up from the seat and saw that Eddie was yelling at Dustin while he was laughing.

"Oh god, what did I get myself into.."