#like yes i know now at THIS point that i have been playing local shows while black out since my teenage years. do i know now at THIS POINT

[bellwitchfaggot]

Unrepressing a lot of memory from like 2019 realizing the extent to which I have historically humiliated myself by posting local music to tumblr just openly while having active scene enmeshment

[blackknight-kai]

We need an S/O who’s just an enabler for Wukong; like someone who’s totally ride or die.

Oh we’re going to heckle the locals yaoguai? They’re down.

Beat up whoever we please? Yessir.

Be the celestials’ biggest pain in the ass? Hell yea.

[But there’s also that sweet potential angst there, your husband/best friend reincarnates to this totally different guy and you have no clue what to do with yourself.]

Yes, I love this! I’d be that person LOL. Like “oh you wanna go beat the shit out of some people? Cool get after it dude! Fuck ‘em up!”

But for real, I think Wukong having that would be amazing, not for everyone else of course but for him? Great. He’d be living his best life and his ego would be HUUUUUUUGE. This chaotic asshole would love having a partner in crime/someone to support him in his mischievous endeavors.

He’d be so happy too. Coming home after doing whatever it is and excitedly telling you all about it. He’d strut around preening like a peacock. At no point would he ever feel like he was without or that he was lacking in his relationship. If people try to bring him down? Yeah not gonna work because you had his back and he trusts you.

Seeing him so happy and confident would be the highlight of your day. He’s just so LOUD. You could never ignore him. You love your monkey way too much!

So when you see his reincarnation be the total opposite of everything he normally is really screws with your head. Sure he looks like Wukong, fights like him, and is goal oriented like him.

But hes quiet. Genuinely doesnt speak which is a huge contrast to the mouthy Great Sage you knew. Reserved. Hyper Focused. And honestly very closed off.

A bit cold too. You’d been so used to Wukongs warm loving self that this is just…difficult.

Destined One is hard to read. You dont see anything of the Wukong you knew in him for the longest time. It hurts. At first you wonder if you should just….part from him. Go your separate way and let him go on his path. It doesnt sit right with you though to do that. As painful as it is to be near someone who reminds you of the lover you’d lost so long ago. But you are determined to help him and determined to be there for him. Ride or die for life right?

One thing you realize though after spending time with him is that yeah, hes different but also, not that different. He’s still cheeky in his own way and mischievous. Just a bit more subtle about it. Clever. As you get to know him and he learns to trust you he starts showing his true colors. Cracks grins and smirks, the first time you caught his lip twitching you thought you were hallucinating. His tail swishes and flicks with his amusement and you can gauge his mood by how deep the frown on his face or how tense his shoulders and tail are. He plays familiar pranks, sometimes with new twists on them. Being a prankster definitely is in his genetics.

Instead of talking he uses grunts and sounds, you learn what each means over time. His eyes also speak volumes now that you’ve grown to know him. They always reveal his true feelings and damn do they always look at you with that familiar warmth you’d come to associate with Wukong. As he gains more power he also gains confidence. His walk had always shown confidence but now he moves with a surety that starts to match Wukongs. He’s coming into himself and you find yourself becoming just as enamored with him the more you learn about him. The day he gives you a handsome smile is a day you will remember because your heart skipped several beats.

You grow closer with him and realize just how similar he and Wukong are, the difference is that Wukong had many years on this monkey to build himself up. It’s only a matter of time for the Destined One to do the same. He even enjoys being close to you and often finds reasons to be near you/touching you. His tail is wrapped around you sometimes in that familiar way Wukong used to do, it makes your heart full and also ache. Sometimes he just does things, acts certain ways that are so reminiscent of Wukong. While other times he does something completely different and new. It keeps you guessing.

When he speaks for the first time it about knocks you over. His voice is the same……your chest pinches hard both with happiness and sadness because damn did you miss his voice. But also, you’re falling in love with the way HE now talks.

You dont push for more from him, unsure for the first time in your life. Because should you? What if he really IS someone totally different but has similar traits? What if he just needs to grow into ‘Wukong’ more? What if hes the same but doesnt feel the same for you?

So many questions run through your head.

But one thing is certain, be it Wukong or Destined One you will support the ever living shit out of whatever he wants to do. Regardless of where your ‘relationship’ stands because you love ‘them’ equally.

And when he finally regains Wukongs memories?

Well…..I’ll leave that brain nugget up to you reader 😊

[fbfh]

you know what I'm thinking about?? beck oliver. yeah the one from victorious first of all FUCK YOU dan schneider and I'm specifically thinking about this clip from the episode where they try to make a reality show about their high school 0:31

I really hate that beck is one of those characters like lucas friar and tristin dugray where we simply do not get more clarity on them as a person. one of the few times we get to see beck really open up and talk about WHY he's so passionate about acting and it's immediately cut off and overshadowed by how he looks. dare I say he has elle woods syndrome. "beck and jade are toxic" "beck should date cat" "beck and robbie fuck" yeah yeah you know what he REALLY NEEDS????? he needs someone that does not give a single fuck about how he looks. he needs someone who prioritizes HIM instead of his hair. yes he's pretty and he has nice hair but those are all sprinkles. he needs somone who cares about the rest of the cupcake, not just the decorations. I think the reason he thinks he likes angry girls who yell and fight with him all the time is because when he and jade fight she's yelling at him about anything other than his hair. he needs a break from constantly being objectified is my point. you know what would be great?? beck dating a screenwriter. someone who works on the scripts for the hollywood arts shows they put on. someone who hunts him down in the halls looking like they rolled out of a dumpster with sikowitz and reeks of coffee because they've been up for 36 hours to meet their deadline and finish their homework.

you are just that. you do other stuff at hollywood arts too, but there's really not a lot of script writers there, so you've found a way to pretty much corner the market and it looks FANTASTIC on your student transcript, plus you get extra credit for it, which is even better. you're wearing a hoodie that looks like you slept in it for two days (true if you had slept at all) and you're not aware of the two or three empty jet brew cups shoved into your hoodie pocket, plus the extra one you're carrying that you're almost done with.

"Beck!"

you manage to startle him a little which is surprising because he is totally unscareable. he doesn't think you've ever exchanged two words before now, he doesn't even know if he knows your name.

"I need to talk to you," you pant, a little delerious from caffeine and sleep depravation and excitement. "I finished the script for the next play-"

Beck didn't realize that a student was writing any of the shows they put on, he thought they were all lisenced or from local writers.

"It's a dystopian retelling of frankenstein with- with cyberpunk influences," you ramble, "and I need to know if you're okay playing the lead." you pant, still trying to catch your breath and not lose your train of thought.

"some pretty fucked up stuff happens and you'd have to quickly lose your morals and go from morally gray to kind of antagonistic pretty quickly..." you look up at him and hand him a script full of sticky flags. "I wanna make sure there's nothing that'll make you too uncomfortable... like I said it gets pretty fucked up, but I wrote it with you in mind for the doctor, so- just, let me know what you think."

before he can answer, you trudge into the janitor's closet and fall asleep on top of a pile of paper towels.

Beck takes the script home to look over, and he's genuinely surprised for a number of reasons. he expected to be typecast as the love interest yet again, but you want him as the antagonistic lead. it's a really complex role, and has absolutley nothing to do with how he looks. you even left a sticky note in there by accident, and he reads your scribbled handwriting. doc MUST be smwn who fully commits and dgaf if it makes them look bad or silly or unattractive. if they get self consious it ruins the char

underneith are two or three names scribbled out, then his, underlined several times. he is so genuinely shocked by this decision, and absolutely fascenated by your script. he's actually getting really excited to play a role that will challenge him for once.

the next day he meets you with the script tucked under one arm and a coffee in each hand. he hands one to you, and you thank him with a pleasantly surprised smile.

"You seem like you could use it."

"That's putting it mildly..." you mutter in agreement, and he bites back a chuckle when you remove the lid and down half the cup at once. You look at him anxiously after that, and your eyes flit between him and your script. "So... what did you think?"

"I... accept." relief floods through you. "I've already been thinking about my character and going over my lines. But why did you want me for Victor?"

You shrug a little.

"Well, you got the script like, 12 hours ago and you're already developing your portrayal of him, so that's a pretty good reason there," you chuckle, "and I... I hope this doesn't sound mean, but I don't think there are a lot of other people here who could pull off such a complex antagonistic main character."

you state, taking another sip of coffee.

"Everyone here is great, really-" you emphasize, hoping you don't sound like a dick. "I just feel like no one else could really bring the depth to him that you could. He's a horrible person, but I still want the audience to sympathize with him at times, and go wow he's a fucked up asshole at others without making it feel disjointed. I think you're really the only one who has the skills to pull that off."

honestly, if Beck had slightly less self control he would have started wailing and sobbing right then. Instead, he's determined to live up to your expectations and prove to you that your faith in him will pay off. You work pretty closley with production of the show, and with Beck. after closing night, you and Beck are still pretty close, to your pleasant surprise. his friends are a little curious why Beck suddenly is spending all his free time with one of those kids in their class who never talks or says anything, but he seems... happy. he did in fact fall first, and he definitely fell harder. he falls even more when months pass and he realizes you are still too adorably oblivious to realize how he feels.

[sc0tters]

His Girl | Nico Hischier

summary: it’s your one year anniversary when you and Nico are all nervous but for totally different reasons.

song: Paper Rings - Taylor Swift

request: yes/no

warnings: allusions to drinking.

word count: 1.64k

authors note: fluff is officially not my strong suit but I’ve really enjoyed writing these marriage repeated pieces for the celly! This literally aged like wine as I wrote it, started off shit but by the end we got somewhere good.

It was the only time you were grateful to be dragged to a club.

It was a warm summer night in London as your friends had gone for a girls trip. So of course they were all making the most of it.

Somehow on the fourth night your friends hadn’t gotten tired of the partying that they endured every evening as they went out clubbing. You seemed to miss that memo so you were brought along despite the complaints that left your lips. Those all quickly went silent when you locked eyes with him.

Nico much like yourself had been brought along and was now sat at the table as he nursed his drink.

That might neither one of you seemed to leave the others side. You didn’t know who he was until you went to the bar and overheard some fellow American tourists that the Swiss man you had grown so comfortable talking to wasn’t just Nico, he was Nico Hischier of the New Jersey Devils. Now you weren’t a hockey fan despite being from New York, but with your knowledge of both baseball and football you could only assume that it was a hockey team because New Jersey simply didn’t sound like a state that was going to produce a basketball team.

Nico had given you his number before your friends were ready to finally head back to your hotel. That night you turned google into your best friend in an attempt to learn more about the man who was clearly the man of your dreams.

Yes it sounded over reactive but it was the truth. Nico was someone who you truly just gelled with, the conversation rolled on for hours but it only seemed like it was minutes.

Throughout all of your life, you had never met someone who made you smile so much that your cheeks hurt, laughed so much that you didn’t think you could breathe anymore.

Arriving back in New York the pull the hockey player had in your mind hadn’t let up, whilst there were the worries that the number Nico had given you was fake your friends had quickly cleared your mind because “he looked at you like you were the only girl in that bar.”

Nico had gone back to Switzerland as he still had another month before he needed to be in New Jersey. The time difference was what he blamed your lack of communication on, you were going home two days after the night in that bar.

Although he knew it was stupid that didn’t stop him from checking his phone every time he heard a notification come in. That was why when your message finally came in the Devils captain almost fell over his own two feet.

you: hey stranger! next time you’re in New York let me know and I’ll give you the local tour 😉

And that was happened, Nico flew into JFK and found himself stood at your door with a smile on his face and your favourite flowers in hand.

Three months later when he was back but this time for hockey. Or at least that’s what he told himself because when you showed up at the Islanders game in his Jersey.

You pulled Nico into your arms as you congratulated him “you see that goal I scored for you?” He asked as he sent you a grin.

It was a clear shot done in a power play and all Nico could do was skate to the board where you were as he pointed at you.

Twitter was having a field day trying to figure out who you were and what you were to Nico “of course baby,” you nodded as you placed a kiss on his cheek.

You continued to toe the line or flirtation because no matter how much you wanted him, the fear of rejection was like a mental block that you couldn’t get past.

But when Nico hooked his fingers under your chin it caused your knees to almost give out “let me come back to yours?” That phrase had your mind combusting as you felt like you had just exploded into sparkles and confetti.

That night he asked you out.

The first year of your relationship was just as good as you had predicted. You had been given the name of team mom as the younger boys of the team would call Nico late at night just to ask you questions. They ranged with everything from girl advice to how you iron a shirt.

You ironed Jacks shirt for him and that also added to your title, you also had to take him dress shoe shopping but that was something you had been sworn to secrecy about.

It made Nico laugh how most times after games you seemed more proud of the other boys just playing because “their milestones mattered too.”

When the team made the playoffs for a second year in a row was when Nico told you he loved you. It was at the celebratory party when you walked outside for air “schatzi you okay?” Nico called out as he quickly found you where you were.

A smile formed on your lips “I’m perfect,” you spoke softly as your drunk boyfriend placed his hand on your waist.

His dopey grin made you laugh “I love you,” he confessed as he let your body rest against the wall behind you.

You let your fingers massage the nape of his neck “tell me that in the morning,” you reminded him as the liquor in his system was clear “no, no I love you baby.” The hockey player repeated his confession in his efforts to show that he was serious “I love you too,” a giggle left your lips as you kissed him.

A couple of months later and your one year anniversary had finally come around and you were stressed out.

Jack had been enlisted to keep you away from the apartment as Nico had a surprise that he was working.

It made you breathe out a sigh of relief though as you truly had no clue what to get Nico, even on the day of your anniversary you still didn’t know.

If Nico were to go into your closet and look behind your coats he’d find the six gifts you got, not because you wanted to go over board but because you really didn’t have a clue what you get the man who is literally the captain of a hockey team for their anniversary?

Sure Nico was romantic, bring home flowers when you had bad days at work, leaving sticky notes of little messages whenever he went on road trips longer than a week.

There would have been some comfort to you if Jack actually let you know how Nico felt as he ran around New Jersey.

In the last minute he decided that his design of your apartment wasn’t up to a standard that you’d enjoy and that’s what brought him to IKEA as he went to find fairy lights.

When Jack got the green light to bring you back you almost jumped out of the car when it was still moving “don’t me an uncle just yet!” Jack called out as he winded down the passenger window.

You turned around as grinned “no promises!” You shot back as you sent him a salute before you practically ran into the apartment building.

If you weren’t on the penthouse level you would have ran up the stairs, but instead you waited for the elevator.

The walk that was more like a speed walk to your apartment had your palms growing sweaty. You let the door open and your jaw practically dropped as you saw the way the dim fairy lights and candles that lit up your apartment “schatzi in the living room!” Nico called out as he took a last deep breath before he made sure he still had the box.

Tears welled in your eyes as you saw him down on one knee “when I first saw you in that pub I knew you were the woman of my dreams.” The guys that Nico went to England with didn’t let him live it down that his mind had been trapped in the view of you. Every time he zoned out they all knew what or who he was thinking about.

Nico’s speech continued even causing you to laugh at one point “I’ve even grown to not hate your hair in the shower drain.” You let out a snort as you sniffled “you know you miss it when you’re gone.” You shot back as he smiled letting you see a little nod.

The boy pecked your lips as he wiped your cheek stopping the tear from running down any further “you’re my person, my world, my everything.” He announced causing you to let out a little gasp as you placed your hand on your chest “so it only made sense to me that I asked you to marry me.”

You watched as he opened the ring box “I didn’t know what ring to get you,” he explained as he showed you the ring that had a diamond on it “if you don’t like it the jeweller said you could change-”

“Neeks,”

Nico felt like an idiot as his eyes went wide “oh my god you hate it don’t you?” He was quick to shut the box “let me get my keys-”

“Nico,”

The boy didn’t listen though “I’ll take you there and we can get you a new-”

“Nico!”

Your louder voice seemed to work on him “yes?” He cocked his head as he watched you cup his face with your hand.

A smile formed on your lips “could have proposed to me with a ring pop and I would have said yes,” you confessed as you let your thumb rub his face softly as it soothed him.

Nico nodded “so is that a yes?”

“The biggest one you’ll ever hear me say.”

[smolsleepyfox]

Okay so, I attended a VERY local event where Falk was a speaker. By very local I mean there were maybe 20 people in a refurbished bar and he hung out with us after the Q&A.

Things that he mentioned in no particular order:

- PW didn't have a crew on tour until around 2008 and it didn't include a sound tech, that came way later

- they used a refurbished truck they bought in ye olden days and one time Matthew said he smelled fire. They told him it was his croissant. It was not his croissant.

- Falk is the organizer and logistics guy for the tour because (my interpretation) he can't stand not knowing if everything is going okay. Including checking the weather constantly during festival season

- he's also super nervous about his keyboards not arriving when they take a flight. Apparently they have been hidden to prank him before.

- the band knows exactly how to push each other's buttons by now and it is being used lmao

- his favorite video shoot was We don't wanna be no saints because his slimy (his words) character was really fun to play and it was a great location

- the tennis video was just a spur of the moment thing. The biggest issue was actually getting a tennis ball because the location is in the middle of nowhere. Roel had to drive to several stores.

- Yes the staff broke, but they fixed it again lmao.

- Falk has murdered at least four harmoniums by now. Most of them were from eBay. One instrument he actually refurbished himself, he showed us photos it was great.

- Also, the guitars in the Sinners of the Seven Seas video were the original stage guitars. They had to have their entire wiring redone after.

- the water corpse pose in Sinners was something he made up because standing in the water, his legs couldn't move the way he wanted them to for his usual poses. Apparently the entire shoot was very physically demanding.

- rain scenes are fine but My Will Be Done was hard because they used water AND wind, and looking chill while being pelted in the face with artificial rain is rough. Also, there were just literally people standing on the sides throwing leaves into the wind for the scene, which is hilarious to me.

- Falk was HORRIBLY seasick during the filming of Sinners. The ship apparently didn't actually move much but the difference in motion patterns to modern ships and the slanted deck was not fun. He was however very appreciative of the ship itself and the crew that worked it.

- Falk forgot the name of Demons are a girl's best friend during the interview lmao

- when i said i liked his tattoos he got excited to show them and seemed almost annoyed that he started so late in life. He's planning a full sleeve apparently (good for him!)

- I was a bit surprised but even when speaking to people who did use heavy dialect, Falk didn't switch from standard German. Some phrases still slipped out certainly and some pronunciation struggles (ch pronounced as sch are an easy tell) but otherwise nope, nothing. I've heard Attila speak more dialect in BtS videos.

- Falk for his perspective on fandom especially in contrast with Ghost and Sleep Token (I answered an ask about that recently) since I was curious if he had an idea why three bands with similar themes have such a different type of fandom around it. His best guess was that Powerwolf are kind of approachable (case in point that I'm writing this) whereas Sleep Token and Tobias from Ghost are more at a distance.

And lastly, not only did I get a picture, I got the title page of my thesis signed (in green marker because I didn't find anything else at my brother's house). And Falk got a copy of my thesis, since he seemed genuinely happy to read it. I really do hope he likes it!

Overall he was an incredibly down to earth, funny, and kind person even four beers in and very very tired. He said bye to us with a hug as well 🥺

[celiastjamesoscar]

Cinnamon Girl

Pairings: Sam Carpenter x fem!reader

Summary: Getting a dog wasn’t the best idea, but Sam grew to love the fur ball when she found out you were the dog’s vet.

Warnings: light cussing, extremely fluffy, and I think that’s it? Let me know if I missed any!

AN: Came from this request! I had so much fun writing this and I hope you love it!!!

If you guys want to join a Taglist, let me know!

My Masterlist

Word Count: 8.6K

It was supposed to be a quick trip to town; Sam needed some chili powder and beans to finish making her chili, and Tara wanted to tag along. Of course, Tara only wanted to go because she could probably convince Sam to get her something, and that definitely happened; it just wasn’t what Sam expected.

As the two sisters were leaving their local grocery store, there was a piece of paper stuck to the bulletin board, and as soon as Sam read it, she knew it was over for her.

“Oh my god, Sam, look!” Tara exclaimed as she walked to the board and pointed at the paper. On it was a blown-up picture of a mother dog and six puppies next to her, and underneath the photo read the words, ‘Puppies for free. Shar Pei and Malinois mix. Need all six gone, or they go to the pound. Text XXX-XXX-XXXX if you are interested.’

“Sam, we have to get one!” Tara said as she pulled out her phone and texted the number. “Absolutely not,” Sam retorted. She would not have a dog in her household that she would have to take care of inevitably.

“Why do you hate me?” Tara asked with a slight frown. She knew that if she played this card, Sam would have no option but to tell her yes. Sam stammered over her words but eventually said yes when she realized she couldn’t tell her little sister no. Tara let out a happy squeal as she texted the number, and as they left the shop and got into Sam’s car, she got a response. “They said we could stop by and look at the puppies right now if we wanted. And, of course, we want to,” Tara decided for her and her sister as she told the stranger that she was on her way. “Tara, we cannot just show up at a stranger’s house,” Sam retorted, and Tara scoffed at her words.

“We aren’t going to show up randomly; we’ve been invited. And besides, you’ve talked about getting a guard dog for a while,” Tara explained as she put in the stranger’s address and told Sam how to get there.

With a small huff, Sam listened to her sister’s directions, and the pair arrived at the stranger’s house within ten minutes. Any fear of this being a murderer’s house quickly disappeared as soon as Sam turned down a road near a golf course, and country club homes were lined up on both sides of the street. It was close to Christmas time, and every single house had Christmas lights hung up. And as the two looked at the lights, they both guessed that each house paid more for those lights and decorations than they made in a year combined. ‘It’s just October,’ Sam thought to herself as she gazed at the houses.

“Some of these houses are insane!” Tara exclaimed as her eyes followed a house with a giant statue of Jack Skellington dressed as Santa, and Sam hated to admit it; it was pretty fucking insane.

As the two drove by that house, the most beautiful and captivating woman Sam had ever seen stepped out of the house wearing scrubs, and she looked like she was in a hurry. A weird feeling shot through Sam’s chest as she drove past the beautiful woman getting in her car, and for the first time in her life, Sam wanted to ask for that lady’s number.

With a shake of her head, Sam continued her drive for another minute before she parked outside the designated house. It was one of the more expensive houses in the area, and when Tara texted the stranger about looking at the puppies, a sweet older woman came out of the front door and approached Sam’s car with a beaming smile and warm personality.

The woman introduced herself as Andrea and led the two sisters in her lavish home. “I know it sounds awful, but we must get rid of these little guys. My daughter, Y/N, lives just up the road from me, and the sweet thing is a vet. So I know she would kill me if I let one of these cute babies go to the wrong people. But you two look like lovely people,” Andrea explained as she led the sisters through her house and into the living room, where a small area had been boxed off as the mother and her pups slept together. “How old are they?” Sam asked as she looked at the puppies and felt her heart warm at the sight of the babies and their squished faces.

“Almost eight weeks; Y/N says that’s good for them to stay with their mother for that long,” Andrea replied as she opened the gate and allowed Sam and Tara to walk in. At the sound of footsteps approaching, a couple of the puppies began to stir, and one walked toward Tara and started to rub its face against the girl’s leg. “Hey, little guy,” Tara said as she squatted down and petted the puppy, “Am I allowed to pick it up?”

“Of course! Look at as many as you like; please wash your hands before you pick up the next one. Y/N’s rules,” Andrea said with a smile. Tara picked up the puppy and giggled when the dog licked her face.

The puppy was a brownish color with some shades of black and the softest ears Tara had ever felt. Along with his soft ears, he had the wrinkliest face of a Shar Pei and the stiff body of a Malinois. He had these brown beady eyes that Reminded Sam of Tara, and as she watched her sister play with the dog, she knew the two would be a handful. The dog might not be the best guard dog in the future, but at least he will keep Tara out of Sam’s hair.

After discussing it with Andrea, the two sisters adopted the dog and wrote down the advice of Y/N. “You know, I seriously think you and my daughter would get along perfectly, Sam,” Andrea stated as she walked toward Sam’s car. The mother was carrying a few bags of soft dog food and a more oversized bag for when he gets bigger, recommendations of Y/N, of course. “Oh, yeah? How come?” Sam questioned as she opened Tara’s door; her sister was carrying the puppy that had now fallen asleep in her arms and shut the door.

“I don’t know. Call it a mother’s intuition, but I know you two would get along,” Andrea replied with an all too-knowing smirk that Sam didn’t pick up on. If she played her cards right, she could finally set her daughter up with someone who wasn’t a psychotic woman who tried to murder people on occasion.

Not that your dating history was terrible; you just preferred women who might try and kill you in your sleep.

“What place does she work at? We’ll need to find him a good place,” Sam asked as she opened the back doors. “She works at Ocean Boulevard, just off of Cornelia Street,” Andrea replied as she placed the bags of dog food in the seat, and Sam closed the door.

“I’ll have to give it a try. Thank you,” Sam said with a smile as she said goodbye to Andrea, got in her car, and drove back home with a new addition to the family. As she drove away, Andrea pulled out her phone and called you, too excited to tell you about the new romantic partner she found for you. She might have been an over-the-top mom and was always trying to set you up with women, but she had a good feeling about this young lady.

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

The sound of soft scratching and whimpering woke Sam up from her peaceful slumber. She groaned as she checked the time and cussed as she saw that it was a quarter past 1. “Warner, come on. We have to go to bed,” Sam heard Tara whisper outside the door, but it was too late; Sam was already getting out of bed.

“Hi,” Tara weakly said with an awkward smile as she held the puppy close to her chest. “What are you doing up?” Sam questioned as she looked between her sister and the dog.

“Warner wanted to come and visit you, and he wouldn’t stop crying until he got to see you,” Tara replied as she held the dog toward her sister. Sam winced when he yawned in her face, and the smell of puppy breath invaded her nostrils. “Well, he got to see me. Now tell him to go back to bed,” Sam commanded as she got back in bed, leaving Tara standing in her doorway.

“But he wants to sleep with you,” Tara spoke for the dog as she sat him on Sam’s bed. And sure enough, he walked toward Sam and made himself at home on the woman’s chest.

With a small huff, Sam allowed the dog to sleep on top of her while Tara climbed into her bed. “Not you, too,” Sam groaned, but Tara shushed her and quickly fell asleep.

As the minutes ticked by, thoughts of regret plagued her, but she was glad to see her sister this happy. And who knows, maybe she was about to meet the vet daughter Andrea was talking about.

Almost like a prayer, not even a week after Sam went to bed with the thought of you, she had to take Warner to the vet.

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

When Sam came home from work, she only wanted to relax, drink some wine, and watch a movie or two. But all that came crashing down when she returned to a crying Tara sitting on the floor holding a more than excited Warner. “Oh my god, Sam! Thank god you’re finally home!” Tara exclaimed through tears as Warner wiggled out of her arms and came prancing toward Sam.

“What’s wrong, Tara?” Sam worriedly asked as she dropped her bag and went to Tara’s side. “Warner ate one of my Legos!” Tara shouted as she picked up the dog and placed a loving kiss on his head. Warner then tried to lick Tara and whined when she dodged it. The puppy seemed ignorant to the crying girl who feared for his life, and all he wanted to do was lick Sam and Tara.

“He seems fine,” Sam coldly replied, but when Tara gave her a death glare, Sam stood up and grabbed her back, “Alright, let’s take him to the vet then.”

The car ride to the vet was silent as Tara tried to calm down while Warner happily licked the more petite girl’s hands. It might sound stupid to most, but taking care of Warner meant that Tara could actually care for herself in her own eyes. She believed that if she kept the dog alive and gave him a long and happy life, she could also have that same life.

“I think he’s fine,” Sam stated but quickly regretted her words when Tara smacked her arm, and she swore she heard Warner do his dog version of a laugh. Sam could not wait until they got to the vet just to prove to her sister that the dog was perfectly fine.

And Sam also hoped that you would be there as well. Not that she was particularly interested in meeting Andrea’s daughter, but she wanted to see if you actually lived up to your mother’s kind words about you. And when Sam met you, she knew that Andrea was right, and then some, as the Latina could not pull her eyes away from you.

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

It had been a prolonged day at the clinic today, nothing too crazy except for the occasional ‘help, my dog swallowed a mysterious item.’

“If I had a dollar for every time someone came in here because their dog swallowed something they weren’t supposed to, I would be rich!” Your coworker, Noah, exclaimed. You two have known each other for years, as you went to high school together, and both decided that you two wanted to go to veterinary school together as well. The two of you got along so well because you both never dated in the same pool of people.

“I feel your pain, but the night is still young, and I bet you that we will have another one,” you replied as you rolled over to his desk in your chair. “Are you seriously playing Solitaire right now?”

Noah scuffed at your question as he continued his game on the computer. “Yes, I am, thank you very much. And I am quite good at it; I shall have you know,” he sassed back before turning his attention away from his game and looking at you, “Your mother told me that she had found someone for you. Is it true?”

You sighed as you leaned back in your chair and threw your back. “Dude, you have no idea. She called me as soon as she met this woman. She went on this long-ass tangent about how I seriously need to give this woman a chance because ‘she had the softest brown eyes and held all the warmth I would need,’” you finished with a quote from your mother.

“She sounds like a real charmer,” Noah replied, “But seriously, how much should we trust your mother’s opinion? You remember the last girl she set you up?” At the mention of your last relationship, you shuttered. “Yeah, let’s not bring that up again. And besides, when did this turn into a ‘we’ thing?”

Noah scoffed at your words that cut him deep. “We have a bond, you and I. We shared a room on our trip to Italy because the group wanted to ‘contain the gayness’ so no one would contract it. That’s a bond that doesn’t break!” He exclaimed with a smile. “Being for real, though, You’re my best friend, and I want what’s best for you, even if that means having to butt heads with your mother from time to time.”

I know,” you said with a sigh, “I mean, at least she’s making an effort. Even if she sets me up with crazy ass women.”

“Ain’t that the truth,” Noah joked as he returned to his solitaire game while you stood up. “You know, I kinda want to meet this woman. Just to prove to my mom that all the women she tries to get me with are absolutely insane,” you joked as you grabbed your telescope and put it around your neck while leaving the reception area.

Just when you started to walk into the back room to check on the animals that were staying overnight, the front door opened, and the bell rang. “Your turn to get it,” Noah stated while making no effort to check to see who was at the door.

You huffed at his words while walking toward the front door, and your breath hitched in your throat. Standing before was the most beautiful woman you had ever seen, and she wore a tight, long-sleeve shirt that hugged her muscular arms perfectly. The shirt was also tight on her torso area so that you could see the faintest of an outline of her abs. And those eyes, you swore that they were the softest eyes you had ever seen, big and brown and enticing. All you wanted to do was get lost in them, but your mind was quickly pulled out of the gutter when a more petite woman stepped out from behind the alluring woman while holding a small puppy in her arms.

“My dog swallowed a Lego!” The girl exclaimed while walking closer to you, and you threw an evil glance at Noah when he chuckled at the girl’s statement. “Alright, let’s see what I can do for it. May I?” You politely asked with a smile while holding out your arms. The girl was hesitant initially, but after a slight nudge from the taller woman, she reluctantly handed you the puppy.

“Follow me,” you said while walking down the hallway and opening up a door to a room. You placed the dog on the metal table, and he automatically curled up into a ball and closed his eyes. “I’m going to need you to fill out these papers while I get the ultrasound set up and ready to go,” you stated while putting some paperwork on a clipboard with a pen and handing it to the more petite girl, as she seemed to be the one who cared about the animal the most.

While you got the ultrasound ready, you couldn’t help but feel eyes on you, and when you met them, you gave the taller woman the softest smile, and Sam felt her heart melt. When she first got here, Sam noticed your badge, and her heart did flips when she saw that it said ‘Y/N L/N,’ and Sam prayed that you were the daughter of Andrea.

“Here you go,” Tara said while handing you the clipboard, and you told her thank you as you took it from her. “‘Warner?’ That’s an odd name for a dog,” you stated as you looked over the sheets for the dog.

“Yeah, I named him after my favorite book character,” Tara replied embarrassedly as her eyes looked bashfully at the floor.

“Please tell me you did not name your dog after Aaron Warner,” you deadpanned as you stared at the girl.

A few beats of silence passed before she admitted, “Yes, I did.” You chuckled as you set the clipboard down and turned on the ultrasound machine. “I’m going to ignore what you just said,” you joked with a smile, and Sam had to fight back the feeling of jealousy that stirred in her chest.

“Okay, so I’m going to do an ultrasound on Warner’s stomach to see the location of the Lego, and then, depending on its location, I will be able to tell the best course of action. Is that alright with you?” You asked as you sat in your chair and rolled over the metal table.

“Yeah, that’s fine with me,” Tara replied as she walked over to the table and gently ran a hand down Warner, causing the dog to open his eyes and yawn.

A few minutes passed while you performed the ultrasound, and when you found the object in the puppy’s stomach, you pointed to it on the screen. “You can see the object right here. Now, he will be able to pass it just fine; giving him cooked asparagus will help him have bowel movements, and he should secrete it in a couple of days,” you explained as you turned off the machine and rubbed the dog’s head for good measure.

“Thank you so much,” Tara replied as she picked up the dog. “It’s no problem,” you replied while opening the door and motioning for the sisters to follow you to the front desk.

“Just come back in a week's time for a checkup, and I can do his routine checkup as well,” you stated while filling out a business card with your number and the clinic's address, and you handed it to Sam. When she took the card, her fingers brushed against yours, and you both felt a spark shoot through your fingertips and quickly spread throughout your bodies. Both of your heartbeats quickened and matched in rhythm, both of you too shocked to say anything for a few moments.

‘Umm… How much do I owe you?” Sam eventually asked after she put your card in her wallet. Realizing that you were still at work and needed to take money from this woman, you hated your job at that moment. “You don’t owe me anything,” you offered with a smile as you printed off the receipt for Sam.

A small laugh escaped Sam’s lips as she started to pull out her credit card, but you quickly placed your hand on the woman’s wrist, stopping her movements. “I’m serious; you don’t owe me anything. Consider this pro bono,” you said as you gave Sam’s wrist a gentle squeeze and a loving smile.

The feeling of your hand on her wrist gave Sam wartime she didn’t need, and she felt her heart rip apart when you pulled away after keeping your hand on her for a second too long. “I can’t let you do that,” Sam stated as she shook her head and handed you her card, and you accepted it only to hand it back with a smile. “Consider this a treat, and you can repay me by coming back next week for a check-up,” you reasoned.

A few moments of silence passed as you had a silent battle with Sam, but eventually, she surrendered and put her card away. “Are you sure?” Sam asked one last time; she hated having to be in people’s doubt, as it seemed that they held something over her head. But the thought of being in your doubt didn’t sound bad for some unknown reason.

“Oh yeah, I’m positive,” you responded as you followed the sisters toward the door and held it open for them. She didn’t know why, but Sam wanted to introduce herself to you. It might be because you just waived her undoubtedly costly vet bill or because she found herself attracted to you.

“Well, thank you. Seriously. I don’t know how I could ever repay you,” Sam said while sticking her hand toward you, “I’m Sam, by the way.”

‘You can repay me by letting me take you on a date,’ you helplessly thought but said, “It’s nice to meet you, Sam. I’m Y/N,” while shaking the woman’s hand.

Her rough hands felt heavenly against yours, and you could feel her strength as she tried her best to treat your hand with gentleness, something she wasn’t used to. You found yourself getting lost in her chocolate eyes, and you questioned how thieves bothered with petty art while her eyes existed; they seemed priceless to you.

An awkward throat cleared beside you, and you quickly dropped Sam’s hand while Tara looked between you and her sister. “Well, it was nice meeting you, Dr. Y/N, but me and my sister have to go,” Tara commented with an evil smirk; she could not wait to interrogate her sister about her tense exchange of names with you.

“I’ll see you next week, yeah?” You asked the girls, but in reality, you were only talking to Sam. “Of course,” Sam responded with a smile as her eyes quickly checked you from head to toe before leaving the clinic with her sister.

Once they had left the building, an arm was flung around your neck, and Noah pulled you against his body, “What did I just witness?”

“Nothing, just a friendly exchange,” you replied as you shoved Noah off you and sat at the reception desk. “Bullshit. You never offer free stuff because it will come out of your paycheck. And you and I both know that was over 500 dollars,” Noah retorted while standing over your shoulder.

“I know that.”

“Then why did you do it?”

“Because I felt like it was a nice thing to do.”

“Nuh-uh. You just saw a pretty woman and instantly fell to your knees. You disgust me,” Noah joked with a disgusted face. “Oh, like you haven’t done worse. Remember that Tinder guy? You had made me drive you an hour to where he lived so we could stalk him at work!” You exclaimed as you recalled the memory.

“That wasn’t my fault! I needed to know if I was being catfished! And I was!” Noah defended, but after a few moments, he decided to let it go; he knew he would never win an argument with you.

“Mhm, that’s what I thought,” you smugly said as you began writing down notes on Warner, and once you were done, you checked the time and stood up. “Alright, it's time for me to clock out. I’ll see you later, Noah,” you stated while grabbing your belongings and walking toward the front door.

“I’ll see you,” Noah called out with a wave of his hand while you disappeared outside.

The drive back to your apartment was a quick one and one filled with the thoughts of Sam. You knew it was stupid, but you couldn’t help but feel an undeniable attraction to the woman you had just met. Based on the details your mother had given you about the woman she told you about, you knew that this was the woman she mentioned. Those big, brown eyes and soft smile, you were head over heels for that woman. And unbeknownst to you, she is also head over heels for you as well.

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

“What the fuck was that?” Tara questioned as soon as they got into Sam’s car. “Hmm? I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Sam guiltily replied. She had hoped that her sister wouldn’t have picked up on her unmistakable fascination with you, but Tara knew Sam like the back of her scarred hand.

“Yes, you do. Why did you feel it was necessary to introduce yourself to her? You hate it when people know your name, especially strangers,” Tara challenged. She would get an answer from Sam, whether the woman wanted to admit it or not.

With a small sigh, Sam started the car and drove toward the apartment before answering, “I just felt like it was needed since she paid for the bill. Nothing else.”

“Mhmmmmm,” Tara replied as she studied her sister. She knew Sam was lying, but she wouldn’t press her for more information. Not now, at least.

Sam was grateful that Tara didn’t press on anymore, and she enjoyed the silence as she hoped she would be the one to bring Warner back to the vet. She found comfort in your soft and calloused hands, and for the first time in her life, she wanted to be held by someone. And if you had her without hurting her, you would be the first who ever did.

Sam knew it was crazy to feel this way toward someone she had just met not even an hour ago, but there was an undeniable spark that you both felt when your hands met. And she was pissed that she had to wait a week to see you again.

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

That week was the slowest and most dreadful week of Sam’s life. Work sucked, and she had to work doubles almost daily, but she vowed to repay you for the vet bill. She thought about inviting you over for dinner to repay you, but she figured that you would want actual money instead of a nice, home-cooked meal where the secret ingredient was love and yearning.

Only when it was time to take Warner to the vet did she get out of bed with excitement, threw on a tank top that showed a little bit of her belly, and put on her trusty bomber jacket over it.

“Alright, Tara. I’m taking Warner to the vet,” Sam called out as she picked up the puppy and grabbed his leash. Warner started getting a little bit bigger now, but he was still small enough for Sam to hold him with one arm.

“What? I thought I was taking him?” Tara confusingly asked as she exited her room and frowned when she saw Sam heading toward the door. “And why are you so eager to take him?”

“I’m not; I just want to get this over with. And you can’t take him because you have your English paper due tonight,” Sam reasoned, even though she wanted to take Warner to see you again.

“Are you sure you don’t want to take him because you want to see the pretty vet lady again?” Tara questioned with a playful smirk and thought, ‘Got ya,’ when Sam quickly scoffed and automatically denied the accusation.

“Why would I want this little shit to the vet just to see someone? That’s absurd,” Sam denied as she grabbed her purse backpack, put it on her back, and opened the door. “But I’ll pick you up some food on my way back.”

Tara knew what that translated: don’t tell the twins, and I’ll give you some ‘hush food.’

“Sounds good! Be nice, Sam. And remember: don’t be silly, wrap your Willy,” Tara joked with a smirk while she walked back into her room and shut her door.

“I don’t need to wrap my Willy, do I, Warner?” Sam asked once she left the apartment and rubbed the dog’s chin. Warner responded with a small yelp while licking Sam’s fingers, agreeing with Sam in his way. “Come on, little guy. Let’s get you to the pretty vet lady,” Sam told Warner while walking toward her car.

She opened her door and sat him on the passenger seat, and naturally, he curled up into a ball and went to sleep. It amazed Sam how much the little shit slept; she was positive he slept at least 14 hours a day and was only awake to torment her. But Sam couldn’t say anything to Tara about it, as she believed Warner was the sweetest little guy out there. The two had that in common: both being little guys who were absolute devils when left by themselves. Sam had lost count of how many shoes he had destroyed, and she also lost count of how many fights Tara started with literal children on Roblox. It was safe to say that Sam was constantly busy between the two, and she only wanted to relax with you.

When Sam arrived at the clinic, she put Warner on his leash, held him just for a safe measure, and walked inside. “Hello, Warner is here for his check-up,” Sam said once she reached the reception desk. “Okay, Doctor Y/N is finishing up an orchiectomy, and then she’ll be right out. You two can have a seat right there while you wait,” the receptionist politely stated as she motioned to the waiting area.

Sam told the lady ‘thank you’ and sat in one of the chairs and Warner in her lap. She’d rather die than let the shit step foot on the ground for even a second, and she was grateful when he went to sleep. Several minutes passed while Sam tried to calm her mysterious nerves, and her phone vibrated, and she scoffed when she read the text message.

Tara: How’s it going with lover girl??

Sammy 👻: Waiting for her to get done chopping the nuts off a dog. Why?

Tara: Ummmm because you seemed way too eager to take Warner to the vet this morning

Sam’s phone vibrated with another message, but she didn’t get to read it when her head instantly shot up when she heard your soft, angelic voice. “Alright, make sure he keeps his cone on and doesn’t do anything too crazy,” you told an old woman who held her dog close to her chest. “Oh, I will, sweetie. Thank you so much,” the old woman replied with a voice that spoke with years of knowledge.

Sam watched as you held the door open for the woman before you turned to Sam, and when your eyes made contact, a giant smile grew on your face. “Where’s the sister?” You asked with a lovesick grin as you walked to Sam and stopped before the sitting woman. “She stayed home. Had a lot of homework to do,” Sam replied as she stood up and held Warner close to her chest. The dog started to wake up, and he whimpered with excitement when he saw you and began to squirm out of Sam’s hold to get to you.

“Hey, little guy,” you said softly as you reached out toward the dog, and Sam eagerly handed him over to you. You gave Warner scratches behind his eye, and he tried to lick your hand in ‘thank you.’ “You can follow me,” you told Sam as you began walking down a hallway and opened a door to an examining room.

Sam sat down in the corner of the room while you sat Warner on the examining table and rolled your chair over to the table. “How has he been since his last visit?” You asked as you put on gloves. “He’s been fine other than being a little shit most of the time,” Sam responded with a slight chuckle as her phone started to blow up with chain messages from Tara.

A small gasp left your lips as you pretended to be shocked, and you tried your best to ignore Sam’s phone. And your heart pinged with jealousy at the thought of someone calling Sam their girlfriend. You covered Warner’s ears and kissed his head, “Don’t listen to her. I bet you’re the sweetest thing ever.” The Latina scoffed at your words, but she enjoyed seeing how Warner loved you and the attention you gave him. She found comfort in that you could display such love for an animal and hoped that one day you could show her the same passion.

“Alright, little guy. Let’s start your exam,” you stated as you gave Warner’s head one final pat before grabbing your stethoscope and putting it in your ears. Sam’s phone continued to receive messages, and you couldn’t take it anymore, and you had to know.

“You got a boyfriend?” You asked while your eyes darted between Sam and her phone, which vibrated with text messages while you held the end of the stethoscope to Warner’s heart.

“Why? You wanna ask me out on a date?” Sam joked with a smile as she tried to hide her nervousness and turned on ‘do not disturb’ on her phone. She had no idea why you would ask her that question unless it pertained to her phone, which was being assaulted with chain messages from Tara.

“Maybe. Do you have a boyfriend?” You questioned with a flirtatious smile as your eyes scanned Sam’s muscular body, and your mind was instantly filled with the thoughts of you and her tangled in bedsheets. You moved the scope to Warner's lungs as you tried to return to reality.

“No,” Sam replied as she raised her eyebrow, trying to see what angle you were playing at.

“You never told me your last name,” you observed while listening to Warner’s breathing with your stethoscope.

“Why do you want to know my last name?” Sam asked with a nervous chuckle, hoping that you didn’t know her name from the Subreddits that accused her of the 2022 Woodsboro murders or that you didn’t read Gale Weathers’ latest book that called her a born killer and mentally unstable.

“Because I want to know what my future last name will be,” you confidently stated with a smirk as your mischievous eyes met Sam’s soft ones. You set down the stethoscope and then placed your hands on Warner’s stomach.

“Moving a bit quick, aren’t we?” The Latina pointed out after a few seconds. Tension filled the air with every second that passed, and even Warner seemed to pick up on it as his small head darted from you to Sam.

“Maybe, but U-Haul lesbians exist for a reason,” you reasoned as you palpitated Warner’s stomach, checking for abdominal pain or masses.

“I guess so. But seriously, why do you want to know?” Sam pressed on, “It’s Carpenter, by the way.”

You already knew her last name was Carpenter from the paperwork she filled out during the first visit; you just wanted to mess with her a little bit. And also find out if she had a boyfriend in the process.

“Because I would like to take you out to lunch sometime,” you said as your eyes refused to meet Sam’s. Any confidence that you had earlier disappeared when you asked the million-dollar question. “Only if you want to go, of course.”

“I would love to go to lunch with you,” Sam replied with a genuine smile, something she wasn’t used to doing. “Sweet! I’ll, um, I’ll give you my number once I finish up with him,” you embarrassingly said as your eyes met with Sam’s, and you smiled when you saw the excitement in hers.

Once you finished Warner's exam, you told Sam that everything was fine and that he should return next year for his next checkup. As you walked Sam out of the clinic, you pulled out a small notepad from your white lab coat and wrote down your number. “You don’t have to call me or anything, but I would like it if you did,” you told Sam with a smile as you ripped out the paper and handed it to her.

Sam gladly accepted the paper and put it in her jeans pocket, “I’ll text you when I get home, Y/N. It was nice to see you.”

“Yeah, likewise,” you responded as you held the front door open for Sam, and she left with Warner climbing over her shoulder and howling at you, telling you that he was going to miss you.

And true to her word, as soon as Sam stepped foot in her apartment, she set Warner down, and he automatically took off to Tara’s room while she texted you.

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

The two of you talked every day, and you started to have lunch with each other every Friday. You two would talk about your week and your plans for the weekend while also talking about your personal lives. You told Sam everything about your childhood, and in turn, she started to open up more around you.

During your fourth lunch together, Sam opened up completely about her past. She was terrified that she would drive you away and ruin any chance at having a romantic relationship with you when she told you about her schizophrenia, past drug addiction, her biological father, and how she was in the most previous Ghostface attacks in Woodsboro.

“I knew about the attacks, Sam,” you told the woman once she finished speaking, and you gently reached your hand across the table and took one of hers in yours. You traced soft patterns on her hand with your thumb, “Thank you for trusting me enough to open up about them.”

Sam was dumbfounded at this news. She could not believe that you knew about the attacks but said nothing. “How come you didn’t say anything?” Sam deadpanned as her walls started to come up again, but she allowed you to still hold her hand and trace patterns on her skin.

“Because I figured it was something you would want to tell me on your own time or never talk about it,” you honestly replied, and Sam found comfort in your words as you continued, “I’m sorry if I upset you from keeping that from you. I didn’t know how you would react if you knew that I already knew about some things in your past.”

A dry chuckle escaped Sam’s lips, “I honestly probably would have ran if you would have told me.”

“Well, I’m glad I didn’t then,” you responded with a small laugh, and Sam gave your hand a gentle squeeze, grateful that you didn’t rush anything with her or try and force her to talk about her past.

Things between the two of you changed after that lunch; you two would FaceTime whenever you couldn’t see each other, and you would talk on the phone every night just before bed. The feelings you bore for Sam grew even deeper the more you spent time talking to the woman, and her feelings did the same.

Whenever the two of you didn’t have to work the next day, you would stay the night at the Carpenter apartment, and you were even invited to their game nights every Friday night. You quickly bonded with Mindy and Tara, and sometimes, when Sam was at work, they would invite you over for their horror movie night. You would engage in debates with her, and after enough conversations, you earned Mindy’s approval to date Sam, even though she would never tell you that.

Tara was a bit harder to win over, but when Warner would fight out of her grasp and make his way to you and how the little shit would lick your face as you laughed uncontrollably, she knew you were the one for her sister.

Sam was still the hardest to win over, ultimately. Yes, you were on her mind every second of every day, and she fantasized about what it would be like to wake up with you in her arms every morning and call you hers, but she was still scared of commitment. Sam wanted to love you; she needed to love you, but she was also terrified that you would hurt her in the end. And that is the reason Sam is in this current situation.

“Trust me, Sam. Women are crazy; just ask your sister. Finding the right woman is like finding a needle in a pile of needles: it’s impossibly stupid. But luckily, I have the woman of my dreams,” Mindy exclaimed with her hands, adding extra emphasis to her words while Tara nodded along. Mindy had forced Sam to sit down in the living room and lecture her on dating women, and she also had gathered the women of the group to talk to Sam and convince her to ask you out, whether Sam wanted to or not.

“Don’t try and flatter me after you called all women crazy,” Anika dryly stated. “Sorry, love. But anyway. Sam, you have found yourself a woman who is that needle in a needle stack, so you better not let her go!” Mindy shouted, and Sam shifted uncomfortably in her seat. She hated being the center of attention, especially during this current conversion. She had been with a few women before, but she had never dated one. And Sam also hated getting advice from one of the children she used to babysit.

“Alright, fine, I’ll ask her on a date,” Sam defeatedly said as she pulled out her phone and opened up her messages with you, “what the fuck are you doing?” Mindy questioned as she took Sam’s phone away from her.

“I was going to ask her on a date, just like you told me to,” Sam retorted as she reached for her phone, but Mindy held it away.

“Nope. You have to do it in person. Like a big girl.”

“That was not in the agreement. I have to ask our Y/N, and you never told me how.”

“Well, new rule: you have to do it in person!” Mindy exclaimed as Sam scoffed at the younger girl. “Mindy, we should let Sam do it however she wants. The point is that Sam will ask Y/N out, not how she will do it,” Tara reasoned. Mindy hated to admit it, but the little shit was right.

“Alright, fine,” Mindy huffed as she handed Sam her phone back, “But you better not fumble.”

“I’ll try not to,” Sam replied as she typed out her message to you, ‘Would you like to go on a date with me sometime?’ And she eagerly waited for a text message back as her nerves started to grow. Sam was on the verge of texting you and apologizing, but she saw that you had already responded.

Dog whisperer: Of course!! I was starting to wonder when you would finally ask me ;)

Sam 😮‍💨: Haha, very funny. Want to grab some dinner and come back to my place to watch a movie later today?

Dog whisperer: You don’t even have to ask! I’m free around 6

Sam 😮‍💨: Sounds good! I’ll pick you up then.

The smile on Sam’s face was comical as she texted back and forth with you while ignoring the insults being thrown at her by Mindy. She didn’t care; as long as she had you, she would deal with everything with a smile.

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

The date was excellent; you two went to a fancy restaurant, and you had to restrain yourself as Sam wore a tight, black dress that hugged her body perfectly and displayed her muscular arms. You two joked back and forth throughout the dinner, and when it was time to leave, you went to Sam’s apartment.

Sam gave you some more comfortable clothes to change into, and she did the same. You held the shirt to your nose and breathed in the comforting smell of Sam before you realized how weird that was and changed into the clothing. When you came out of the bathroom and joined Sam on the couch, the Latina lost her breath when she saw you in her clothing, and she couldn’t help but wish she could see you in her clothes all the time.

You guys watched shitty romcoms well into the night, and at some point, you fell asleep with your head in Sam’s lap. Not wanting to make you uncomfortable, Sam carefully stood up and placed a pillow underneath your head while she went to the loveseat couch and slept.

For numerous weeks, you and Sam would spend a couple of evenings a month doing that, and eventually, you worked up the courage to place a loving kiss on Sam’s check after you dropped her off at her apartment one evening.

By this time, it was well into December, and Sam was falling in love with you. You two didn’t put any labels on your relationship, but you both had feelings for each other even though neither of you said anything.

“Would you want to go ice skating with me later today?” You asked Sam as you were in her kitchen and helping her wash dishes. You had been invited over for dinner with the core four plus Anika, and while the rest of the group was in the living room watching a basketball game, you stayed in the kitchen to help Sam clean up.

“I would love to, but I have to warn you; I haven’t ice skated before,” Sam responded with a small laugh as she dried off a plate.

“That’s alright. That just means we will have more fun,” you stated with a smirk as you pulled out a dish from the sink and began rinsing it off. “Yeah, it will be so much fun when I fall on my face,” the raven-haired woman joked as she walked over to you and grabbed a plate with her left hand. A surge of boldness shot through Sam as she placed her right hand on your lower back and kept it there, silently waiting for you to push her hand off you. But when you turned to look at her with that soft smile only reserved for her and your eyes quickly glanced down at her lips, Sam moved her right hand even more, wrapped it around your hip, and pulled you close to her.

“I would love to go with you,” Sam whispered as she kissed your head. Long forgetting about the dishes, you dried your hands off and gently cupped Sam’s cheeks as your heart began to pick up its pace. You could hear your heartbeat in your ears as you slowly brought Sam’s face close to yours, and you could feel her breathing against your lips.

“May I kiss you?” You asked against Sam’s lips, and when you felt her nod, you slowly leaned, and you could feel the outline of her lips against yours when Mindy came stomping into the kitchen.

“Do not make out in front of my ice cream cake, you disgusting perverts!” Mindy exclaimed as you and Sam pulled apart at lightning speed. Sam awkwardly cleared her throat as she watched Mindy take a fork, shove it into the middle of the cake, pull out a ginormous slice, and put it on a plate before disappearing back into the living room, but not before sending you two a playful wink.

A few beats of silence passed before you cleared your throat, “So, about that ice skating?”

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

On New Year’s Eve night, you took the group to go ice skating at Rockefeller Center. To say that the trip was a disaster would be an understatement. From Tara skating around like Tonya Harding and then purposely tripping small children that got in her way, to Mindy and Chad refusing to leave the guard rails while Anika tried to pry Mindy away from them.

“Come on, Sam. It’s not that bad,” you stated as you pushed off the rails and skated a few paces away from Sam before making your way back to the woman. “Shut the fuck up,” Sam whispered as her legs started to wobble. Ice skating was something she hated, and she hated you for convincing her to do it.

“Sam, I will hold you up the entire time, I promise,” you declared as you stood in front of her and placed your hands on her hips, “Just do one lap with me and we can call it quits.”

“I fucking hate you, you know that?” Sam whispered but she allowed you to guide her away from the rails. “I know you do,” you replied with a gentle smile as you skated backward while facing Sam. You had never skated backward before, but you would do anything for Sam, and your smile grew even larger when the woman placed her hands on your shoulder and pulled herself closer to you.

The first lap went like a breeze, and Sam was starting to get the hang out of it. She even felt confident enough to have you skate beside her and you two held hands as you went around another lap. You were getting ready to ask Sam to be your girlfriend when she hit a small bump on the ice and started to fall.

“I got you,” you stated as you gripped her forearms and pulled her back to her feet and steadied her. When Sam was finally stable on her feet, she felt her heart burst as she looked at your love struck eyes and hearty smile. “Thank you,” was all she managed to mutter before large shouting echoed throughout the area.

“Ten! Nine! Eight!”

You and Sam looked around and you saw that the ball was about to drop, and you pulled Sam closer to you. Sam smiled as she realized that she might have her first New Year’s kiss with someone she wanted forever and she refused to give that opportunity up.

“Am I allowed to kiss you?” Sam asked as she got closer to you. “You don’t have to ask,” you replied while Sam cupped your cheeks and you gripped her waist and pulled her body against yours.

“Three! Two! One!”

When the crowd reached one and the ball dropped, you sealed the New Year with a kiss from your Sammy. And that kiss contained the promise of years to come.

“Alright now. Break it up you two,” Tara joked as she skated over to you and you placed a quick kiss on Sam’s lips before pulling away. “Is everyone ready to go?” You asked with cheeks that were crimson red as Sam dropped her hands from them and you let go of her waist.

“Yeah, I think so,” Tara responded and you left the area with the group. You and Sam allowed the rest to walk a few paces in front of you, giving you two some privacy to talk. “So,” you said while lacing your fingers with Sam’s and pulling her into your side, “Would you like to officially be my girlfriend?”

Sam squeezed your hand three times and kissed your lips before responding, “I’ll be cleaning up bottles with you on New Year’s Day.”

Sam tried to push you out and keep you at arm’s length, but you just found your way back in. There were so many things she wanted to say to you, like that you were the first person to hold her without me, but Sam waited until later that night to show you just how much you meant to her.

[prettypinkporkchop]

Purple Skittles

Summary: Embry is a fuckboy. He imprints on you.

Warnings: language, sexual, drinking

Since Embry has never imprinted, poor guy had to have sex with SOMEONE. He became a local at the bar. He had a few girls that he'd get dirty with. Since he started doing this and playing with feelings, he became grossed out by the thought of love. But one thing about Embry is he's depressed.

Embry sits outside of Sandra's house. She's a random that he's had like three times. She's inside asleep in her bed and naked. Embry takes a swig of the whiskey bottle and stares out into the dark. "Fuck.." He groans and lowers his head.

His phone rings and he grabs it from beside him.

"What, Seth?" He hisses.

"You need to get your ass out here, brother. We've been waiting for you." Seth sighs.

"I'm coming. Just tell Jake and Sam to wait just a moment." He says and hangs up.

He had totally forgotten it was his night to patrol. He hates this life. He hates who he has become.

----

You back up a few steps and try to take a picture of the beach but your back hits someone.

"Ow!" You both say at the same time.

You turn and see a young woman with scars on her face. She smiles and squints at you.

"I'm sorry! I didn't see you there." She says, rubbing the back of her head.

"No, I'm sorry. I just wanted to take pictures for my friends back home." You lifted your phone and smile at her.

"I figured you're new. You're an unfamiliar face." She raises her eyebrows.

"Yeah. I got a job here, and I live out in Forks." You reply.

"I'm Emily Uley." She places her hand on her chest.

"I'm y/n y/l/n. Once again, sorry I ran into you." You say awkwardly.

A man behind her runs up to you two. "Em!" He looks at you. He's shirtless and has a tribal tattoo on his shoulder. He smiles and nods at you. "I'm Sam.''

"Y/n." You smile at him. You put your phone in your back pocket and sigh. "Well, I better get going. It was nice meeting you guys." You say.

You see Sam whisper something to Emily. She smiles and then holds her phone out to you.

"Can I have your number? I'd love to show you around. Plus, a new place requires local friends." She giggles.

You take it from her hands and get a sense of comfort. Comfort knowing that you have someone near you that you know.

----

Emily places the plates down in front of all of the wolves. They are conversing about their days and talking about how boring it is now because of the silent peace after Renesmee.

"Sam, what'd you?" Jared asks.

Sam sucks in a breath. "Well, I went to the beach with Emily. She ran into this woman. She seems sweet. I got a feeling about her." He starts eating.

"A bad feeling?" Quil asks.

"Mm. No." Sam shakes his head and swallows his food. "No, it just felt as if she'll be back.." He chuckles. "I don't know. Ignore me." He starts eating.

----

Emily invited you over to have tea and hang out with a few girls. You're nervous about meeting them but you know it'll be good for you.

You pull up your leather jacket and zip it up halfway. You grab your purse and your keys and head outside. You make sure to lock the door behind you and get into your car.

You follow the GPS and end up at this secluded and adorable house. The door is open but you can't see inside. You park next to a red truck and make your way to the door.

You see four women sitting at a table drinking tea and eating sweets. They're talking and don't notice you at first. You lightly knock on the doorframe.

Emily shoots her head up and smiles. "Y/n! Come! Sit down."

"Yes ma'am!" You reply and sit next to a pale girl. You've never seen anyone so pale before! Like it's ghostly pale.

"Y/n, meet Kim, Rachel, and Renesmee." She points at them and they give small waves.

"It's nice to meet you all." You smile.

"Here, I'll make you a glass." Rachel stands up.

Kim reaches over and pushes the plate of treats closer to you. "Eat up, dear. Emily is constantly cooking and baking. Don't be food shy." She smiles and takes a bite out of a brownie.

The conversations are just about you and all of them. Their stories and life. It's just a get to know you type deal. But after a couple of hours of that, you guys start on other topics. It's stuff you are interested in. You felt at home. Your anxiety has drifted away completely. It's like this is more of a home than your hometown.

"Oop, they're here. Sorry, y/n. I forgot to tell you. It's a bunch of boys, and they're rowdy. Don't worry, harmless and sweet." Emily looks at you with concern.

Your stomach turns with nervousness. Awkward. "Uhm, yes ma'am." You reply.

Renesmee looks at you and touches your wrist. "Hey, don't worry. Everyone here is nothing but love. You fit right in." She softly nudges your shoulder. Then she looks up and stares off into space as if she's seeing something. It doesn't last long, but you notice it and see Emily look at her.

"Who do we have here?!" You hear a random guy ask.

You look up and see too many guys and one woman. All buff and tan with tribal tattoos. You're fascinated by the native traditions.

"This is y/n. I didn't know she'd be here today. But it's good to have you." Familiar Sam smiles at you before walking to Emily.

Kim, Rachel, and Renesmee sit at their seats, but guys walk over to them and kiss their heads and such. You lower your head in awkwardness.

"Don't mind the love birds." Your head shoots up to see a curly haired guy talk to you. "They're just ridiculous." He chuckles.

You smile and nod your head.

"I'm Quil." He points to himself.

"Leah." The woman smiles at you and shakes your hand.

"Embry." You make eye contact with the most beautiful man you've ever seen. Your heart jumps and flips.

"Collin." A young boy coughs and points to himself. Embry looks at him and then to the ground.

"Brady." The youngest one said.

"Seth." This adorable guy with dimples smiles and shakes your hand.

"Well, I'm y/n." You smile.

"Yeah.. we heard." Embry says. He doesn't sound too excited.

"Embry-" Renesmee says, but he storms out.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be a bother." You stutter and stand up grabbing your stuff.

"No! It's not you, no! Come back any time. Embry is just going through stuff." Emily says and stands up to hug you.

----

Embry takes a shot of vodka and looks out in the crowd for one of the three go-to's. They aren't here tonight. Well, in celebration of imprinting, he figures to avoid loving you. He decides to try someone new.

He notices a girl dancing provocatively and stares at her. She puts the tip of her finger in between her teeth and gives a smile.

Ew. Embry doesn't like her. He doesn't like any of them. He just wants to hurt himself. This is his way of doing so.

He stands up from the chair and makes his way over to her. She reeks of alcohol and weed. He grabs onto her waist and pulls her into him.

"Wanna dip?" He whispers in her ear.

"Ayo! Get the fuck away from my girlfriend!" A man yells behind Embry.

Embry swiftly turns, and the man punches him. Damn, it doesn't really hurt, but the dude got some strength on him.

"I didn't know, man." Embry says.

The guy swings again, but Embry dodges.

"Hey! You two! Out now before I call the cops!" The bartender yells.

----

"Thank you." You tip the waitress and then go outside into the parking lot. You fumble for your keys and unlock the car.

You hear someone walking across the road and you quickly get in your car and lock it. Uh uh, it's dark out. You don't play.

You pull out and start to drive. You see who it was, and he's oddly familiar. Oh! Is it Embry? You slow down next to him and roll down your window.

"Hey, need a ride?"

Embry looks at you and stops in his tracks. "No, thank you, though." He starts to walk again.

You slowly move the car keeping up with him. "It's too cold! Come on, get in." You order.

He sighs and then gets in your car. You look over at him and notice some dried blood on his lip. There's no more blood and no wound.

"What happened?" You ask and start driving.

"Bar fight." He keeps his eyes forward.

"Mm, I see." You reply. "Lead the way, sir." You smile.

He scoffs. "To my house?" He asks.

"Yeah. Where else?" You raise an eyebrow.

"Yours." He looks at you.

You feel his eyes on you, but you refuse to look at him. You gulp and grip the steering wheel a bit. "Maybe a date first?" You awkwardly chuckle, trying to lighten the mood.

He bursts into laughter. "You're cute, but I don't date." He leans in closer to you.

"Okay. Got you. So, lead me to your house please?" You ask.

He nods his head. "Go straight until we get to the next stop sign."

It's silent after that. You're nervous, and even though this guy is hotter than hell fire, he's intimidating you. But you understand that he's hurting. It's obvious. Very obvious. You were there before.

"Thanks a lot for driving me home. I apologize for how I was when we first met. I hope you choose to still come around." He says.

"It's no problem, love." You smile.

"I'll give you gas money." He digs through his pocket.

You quickly grab onto his exposed wrist. You're shocked by the warmth and at the feeling in your stomach. "No, sir." You let his wrist go.

He stops moving and then sighs. "Take a right."

----

Embry's feet are bare on the ground. He looks over both packs and listens to his alphas orders.

"New duty. Embry, you are patrolling the east side tomorrow. There's a blood sucker hanging around there. They refused to join the Cullens."

Embry nods and places his hands on his hips.

"That's if Leah and Seth doesn't catch him." Jacob adds.

"It's definitely an army." Leah says.

"How do you know?" Paul asks.

"Charlie has been on a case for a month now. Two brothers went missing while hiking." She replies.

"That changes a lot of things." Jacob says, and him and Sam look at each other.

"Well, finally, some action." Embry shrugs.

"This could get bad, Embry." Jared spits.

Embry growls. "Jared." Embry warns.

"Stop." Sam orders. "Embry, talk to your imprint and get your shit together."

Embry looks at his feet and grumbles. He does not want love. He doesn't know love.

"Well, Emily did invite her to the bonfire tonight." Leah pokes Embrys head.

Embry grabs her finger. "That's fine. But this is about business. What's the plan for these leeches?"

----

You pull into the driveway that you were at once a few days ago. You're nervous as shit but you look forward to hanging out with the girls again. You get out of your car that's parked next to multiple old trucks. You walk over to the loud group of people around a bright fire.

"Hey." You sit beside Emily on a chair.

"Y/n!'' She gets up and hugs you. "Oh, I'm glad you came. Do you want some food?" She let's you go.

"Thanks, Emily! I'll grab some when I get hungry." You smile at her.

You look up and see Embry sitting on a log. He's staring at you. You smile at him. His smile is small, but he acknowledges you.

You look away quickly and try to find someone to talk to. You catch Kim waving you over. You jump up and walk over to her and Jared. "Hey!" You sit next to Kim.

"Hey!" Kim responds. "How are you doing?" She asks.

"I'm well! I got off work before coming here. It was an easy shift." You smile. "What about you?"

"Lord, I'm good. Just been dealing with this dumb ass all day." She giggles and pokes Jared.

"Hey!" He laughs. Then he looks over at Embry.

You look over at him too and see him looking at you still.

"You should go talk to him!" Jared says.

"Why?" You ask.

"He's literally rizzing you up." Jared laughs.

"Oh, uh.. Jared, I think.." Kim points at Embry.

You turn back over there and see a random girl sitting beside him. He wraps his arm around her and whispers in her ear. She starts giggling.

"He's occupied." You smile at Jared and Kim.

"He's gonna piss me off." Jared sighs.

"She's not supposed to be here." Kim whispers.

"Was she not invited?" You ask.

"No." Kim says and watches her.

"Embry Call. What the hell?" Jacob grabs his shirt and pulls him from the log. "You can't invite outsiders!" Jacob yells.

Outsiders? Aren't you one?

"I didn't! She just showed up!" Embry yells back.

"Go home." Jacob points at her.

You look back at Kim and Jared. "Awkward.." You sing.

"Yeah, tell me about it. That girl follows Embry around. I believe he didn't invite her. He's not that stupid." Jared says.

"I'm an outsider." You say.

"Not any more." Kim softly takes your hand.

You smile and see the girl leave Embry runs inside the house.

"I bet he feels awkward. He shouldn't have slept with her. She's crazy." Kim sucks in a breath.

"Are they together?! He told me he doesn't date." You are shocked.

"Nope. Just a fuck buddy. He's got like three?" Kim turns to Jared for confirmation.

"Yup. Boy doesn't think he's capable of love." Jared adds.

This breaks your heart. You know he's hurting, and it's deep. You see him come back outside with a drink and start apologizing to everyone. You try to listen in but his words are quiet.

"Sorry, guys. I didn't mean.... I didn't invite her...."

----

"We must be prepared for what could happen. It's not peaceful all of the time. Get ready. I have a feeling." Billy says.

You look around confused. Why is he speaking as if it's real and right now? Renesmee who's beside you grabs a hold of your hand.

"Alright, children. Go play." Billy ends the story time.

You face Renesmee. "What did he mean by all of that?!" You panic.

"Don't worry, y/n. Don't worry." She takes hold of your face. "Shh."

Your breathing slows down.

"It's just stories, right?"

She clicks her tongue. "I would love to say that. You need to talk to Embry." She says.

"No, I need to go home." You jump up and head to car.

"Hey! Y/n. No, wait up!" You hear Embry behind you.

You stop moving and face the beauty of a man. His eyes are touching yours in a soul way. He has a way of getting you to listen.

"I don't want you to be afraid." He says.

"I am. And why am I here? Outsiders aren't allowed. I now know why. I just moved here. W-what does it got to do with me?" You ask quickly.

He grabs your shoulders and rubs his thumbs up and down. "Hey. You're always protected." He whispers.

"Protected by wolves from vampires?!"

He sighs and looks down. "Renesmee is a half vampire half human." He looks back up. "The Cullens. They're on our side." He adds.

"Jesus, this is crazy." You laugh in a panic.

"You need to know this because you are in this now. I am sorry for dragging you in this. I wish I never even imprinted." He let's you go and shakes his head.

You remembered what imprinting was, and you gasped. "Really Embry?! Me?! I am paired with a fuck boy. Great." You put your hand on your forehead.

"Protector, friend, brother.." He whispers.

"Yeah, as if that's what I'd want after being sucked into you since I met you." You say sarcastically and then cover your mouth.

"Don't get attached like that." He backs away before running back to the crowd.

You breathe rapidly and struggle to open your door and get in the car.

----

"Don't be scared." Jake says to you as you grip Renesmees hand.

Even their house is weird. All glass? Be more private than that!

"Oh, hello!" A woman walks out with her arms open. She embraces you.

You are caught off guard but notice her cold body. You hug her back hoping you don't get ate up.

You hear chuckling behind her, making you look up. "No, we don't kill humans." He says.

The woman pulls away from you. "I'm Esme. The mother of this house." She smirks.

"Edward. Renesmee's father." The guy on the porch says.

"Dad." Jacob jokes.

Edward sighs. "Don't press my buttons, wolfie."

"Come inside!" Esme pulls you in.

You recognize the smell of food cooking. "It smells good!" You smile.

"Thanks! Renesmee and Jake eat here. We don't. But we must for a new guest!"

She leads you into the kitchen where you see the other vampires.

---

Embry ignores Sandra's texts about that night at the bonfire. He's pissed at her and himself. He looks up from his phone and takes a shot.

He smells one of his girls sitting next to him. Emma.

"We getting it tonight, Embry?" She laughs.

Embry looks at her and wants to puke. After he met you, looking at another woman is revolting. It angers him. He wants to push through it. "I haven't seen you in a while." He smiles.

"AH, yeah. My phone broke. I had to work extra hours to get a new one. I've got a new number, too." She explains.

"Nice." Embry replies, not really caring.

A few drinks later, they're both making out in Emma's house. He notices a used condom on the floor. He stops kissing her and looks down at it.

"Fuck me, Embry. Don't worry about it." She grabs his face and kisses him again.

No, he doesn't care. But he's not getting aroused by her like usual. He feels disgusting. She reaches her hand down and gropes him. She pulls away and looks at him confused.

"You're not..?"

Embry sighs and then pushes past her and out of her house. He runs until he reaches the main road of Forks. He can't stop thinking about you. He doesn't know where you live, nor does he have your number.

He kicks a big ass rock on the road across to the other side. "Shit." He hisses.

"What you so mad about?" He hears Leah behind him.

He scoffs. "As if you care."

"Hey, I'm an asshole but you're my brother. If this is about y/n,"

"Don't. Just, please tell me you know where she is." He looks at Leah with sad eyes.

"Last I heard she's with Jacob and Nessie at the Cullen's." She replies.

---

You lay your head on Renesmee's shoulder while you're riding in Jacob's truck. He's dropping you off at your house. You had an amazing time and absolutely love the family. They're weird but super kind. Edward do be annoying with his mind shit though. Jasper... eek.. why he staring like that?

"Alright. Here. What?" He parks the truck.

You look up and see Embry sitting on your porch swing. He awkwardly waves.

"He wants to speak to you alone." Renesmee says.

"Thank you guys for tonight. It was super fun." You say to them.

You exchange goodbyes, and you sit next to Embry on the swing. "Are you okay?" You ask.

"No." He says.

"What happened?"

"You." He smiles.

You look down at your thighs and stay silent.

"Before you came, I wanted an imprint so bad. I never got one. I've never even had a girl genuinely like me. I didn't believe in love. I thought imprinting was just.. a forced bond." He stops.

"Embry.." You sigh.

"I got mad. And the longer I lived as a shifter surrounded by people in love and teenage boys, I began to get bored. I was mad and bored." He continues.

"I'm sorry you were hurting." You look up at him.

"Something happened tonight. But I'm scared to let you in." He looks back at you, his eyebrows furrowed.

"I'm scared, too." You reply. Then you look down and start chuckling. "I can only take one girl down at a time. I'm gonna break my hands being with you."

You both start laughing.

"How about we start slow?" He asks. "If you even want to. Which it's up to you."

You bite your lip in concentration. It doesn't take long for you to respond. "I'm already here, and you're hot, so I guess so." You giggle.

----

Embry throws some skittles in his mouth and looks at you in shock.

"So that's why you moved here?"

You laugh and nod your head. "Yup. Life is.. crazy.'' You reach over and grab a couple skittles.

"Do you like the purple ones?" You ask Embry.

"I'm a wolf. I eat just about anything." He chuckles.

"Yup. Perfect match. We share whatever, and I eat what you're willing to give, and you eat what I don't like." You put them in your mouth.

Embry starts laughing. "Three days in hanging out with me, and you're already wanting a relationship." He smirks.

"Can you blame me?" You pull the blanket on your couch onto your shoulders.

"If I grab a yellow skittle, we should wait. If it's purple, you're mine now." He digs his hand into the big bag of skittles.

Your heart starts pounding. You want it to be purple. Be purple.

He pulls it out and opens his hand.

Purple.

You both look up at each other.

---

You get home from work and kick off your shoes. You sigh deeply and plop onto the couch. You start dozing off when your front door opens. You know it's Embry.

"Baby, up. Want to go to dinner?" He shakes your leg.

"Mhm." You slowly sit up.

"We can wait if you're tired." He says.

"No, I want to go." You persist.

He thinks for a moment and then grabs your hand. He pulls you up.

"Woah, where we going?" You laugh.

"To take a nap." He goes into your bedroom.

It doesn't sound too bad to you. "Let me get comfortable." You say. You stand up and take off your shirt.

Embry coughs and looks down at the ground.

"Is this okay?" You ask.

"Yeah, I'm just.. surprised and I want to be respectful." He blushes.

"I'm yours, aren't I?" You take off your bra and throw on a bigger shirt. "You can look."

He looks up at you. "Yeah, you're mine." He bites his lip.

You take off your pants and then crawl into bed. He sighs to contain himself, and he gets in your blankets. You turn around and he wraps an arm around your waist and pulls you into him.

"Closer." He says.

You lay there for a few minutes before turning around and looking at Embry. You want to kiss him. You touch his chin and run your thumb along his lip.

"You're gonna kill me." He groans and grabs the back of your head and kisses you.

His lips are soft and warm you taste him and his tongue. You're wrapped up in Embry only. You forget about everything else. (Something like this)

He pulls away and lays on his back, breathing out a shaky breath. You look over his face.

"I've never felt..." He begins.

"I get it. Me too." You lean down and start kissing his neck.

He leans his head back, and you crawl on top of him. Now he's hard, and you feel it. You bite softly, and he moans. His hands go lower and and he's about to grab your ass but he grips your waist and pulls you back. "Hey, if you keep going, I'm gonna fuck you. Are we napping and then going out or fucking?" He looks up at you.

You blush and climb off of him. Just wait. Just wait. You should wait? Right?

After the nap, you get ready to go eat at a restaurant Embry takes you to. You two are seated, eating, and having a good time.

"So, Quil absolutely fucked up my shoulder. Not my proudest wolf moment."

You two laugh.

"Embry?"

You both look up and see a girl. You don't know her. He quickly wipes his mouth with a napkin.

"I've been trying to get a hold of you for a week now." She says.

"Uh. And? I'm busy. I actually have someone now." He says looking up at her.

"That sucks!" She says and then looks at you. "Just saying he loves it when a woman can spell words with her hips on him." She smirks.

You start to get angry. Jealousy rises in you. You smile and move your tongue along the inside of your bottom lip. You stand up and swing.

----

You sit there while Carlisle wraps up your hand. Inside the room is Embry, Emily, and Kim.

"Regret sleeping around don't ya?" Kim laughs at Embry.

"I do, but damn wasn't my girl bad ass." Embry smiles.

"No more punching." Carlisle smiles at you.

"You got it doc. Could you do the punching for me? Ya know, with your crazy strength." You giggle.

He starts chuckling. "I would if I could."

----

You two are laid up on the couch and listen to music while talking. Your wrapped up hand is throbbing, but you're able to ignore it because Embry is distracting you.

You take a handful of skittles out of the bag. You have way too many purple ones. "Babe." You say.

He knows and cups his hands out for you to drop the purple ones in his palms.

[brucebocchi]

Spring 2024 anime, Pt. 2: Mixed bags and the gems

hey! i also post this on my ko-fi! this is very much a labor of love, so if you liked what i wrote consider throwing a few bucks my way! also you can find part 1 right here! thanks!

Yes, hello, I'm still here. Between work and AI: The Somnium Files -nirvanA Initiative-, I was struggling to find the time to get this out, but here we are! Now if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna go actually watch some anime again.

As always, the OP for each show is linked in the title. Watch them! There were some damn good ones this season.

Let's-a go:

Mixed Bags

Astro Note

I’m going to kick off this section by first stating that on the whole, I’m much higher on the anime in this section this season than I was last time: Nothing that I watched this season disappointed me nearly as much as Metallic Rouge or The Witch and the Beast, nor bored me to tears like The Unwanted Undead Adventurer. This truly is a collection of mixed bags; anime that I found enjoyable or interesting but still left me wanting in one way or another. “Good But Could Have Been Great” is too unwieldy anyway.

Astro Note was eye-catching from the jump: This is very clearly an homage to Rumiko Takahashi’s beloved romcom Maison Ikkoku, with character designs by Carole & Tuesday’s Eisaku Kubonouchi. The colors are soft and bright, everyone looks unique and has a wide variety of hilarious facial expressions, and the OP is a fun time right out of the gate. You come for the lovely visuals and Takahashi homage, and you stay for, uh, not much else.

Takumi, a down-on-his-luck young chef, answers a job posting at a boarding house that promises its residents breakfast every day. It turns out that Mira, the odd but beautiful new landlady, is a dogshit cook and tried to attract a new one with a plagiarized job posting. Takumi doesn’t really care because she’s, like, really pretty, so he takes the job and moves in. He’s soon beset by a cast of wacky characters that includes an enigmatic unemployed salaryman and his precocious son, an indie idol who looks like a hard-drinking Futaba Sakura in her downtime, a nosy neighbor, and a rich, handsome romantic rival. We’re already approaching Maison Ikkoku territory. 

Shortly after moving in, Takumi believes he overhears Mira saying that she’s a widow, which would firmly plant Astro Note’s flag right in Ikkoku’s turf, but it turns out that Mira is in fact an alien from the planet Wid, meaning she is of the Wido race (this is as good of a localization as you can ask for; in the original Japanese he heard “miboujin,” not knowing that she’s from the planet Mibou). So we’ve got some Urusei Yasura sprinkled in for good measure. Her adorable poodle, voiced by Junichi Suwabe (Sukuna himself!) is from the same planet and helping her find a MacGuffin, hidden by the previous owner, that would help her take over as queen. There’s also some blossoming romance!

The alien stuff made for an interesting wrinkle, and it went a long way toward characterizing Mira as an endearingly odd but curious woman, but it often played out in wacky hijinks caused by alien spies, which felt like a designated make-the-plot-happen button more often than not. It paid off splendidly in the last couple of episodes, and I loved how all of the flashbacks of Mira’s mother looked like grainy Showa-era space operas, but getting there took a lot of “oh no, chase that Thing!” sequences. I found myself tuning out on those until they finally became plot relevant.

The central romance was fine, if a little underbaked, but what kept me watching Astro Note was the smaller moments with the ensemble characters. There were moments with both Wakabayashi the salaryman and his son Ren that slapped the apathy right off my face, and a side plot with Takumi and a person from his past was incredibly sweet. I did also love the massive turn the plot took in the last couple episodes, to the point where I found myself almost wishing that the show up to that point was different.

And that’s Astro Note in a nutshell: A lot of good pieces mixed with some filler, weird pacing, and an overall uneven experience in a nice-looking package. A fun little distraction but nothing entirely memorable. If I can give this show one major positive, it’s that watching it finally convinced me to read Maison Ikkoku, and for that I will forever be grateful. Read Maison Ikkoku.

Go! Go! Loser Ranger

I keep running notes for everything I’m watching as the season rolls on, and sometimes I’ll indulge in other reviewers’ early takes and jot down some insights that might spark from hearing outside perspectives. During Gigguk’s opening remarks on Go! Go! Loser Ranger in his early Spring season roundup, I made a note that the easiest way to summarize this show for a western audience is “basically The Boys but with the Power Rangers instead of The Seven.” And then he said pretty much the exact same thing five seconds later. I just want the record to show that.

Indeed, this is a sentai series with some spice. 13 years ago, the invading forces of evil were soundly defeated by the Dragon Keepers, a real-life sentai squad. In the present day, the Dragon Keepers now sit atop a massive organization protecting earth, and also dominating the entertainment industry: Every week, they hold an exhibition match against the remaining rank-and-file footsoldiers, skull-faced shapeshifters known as Dusters. In order to keep their lives, the Dusters were forced to give up their freedom and serve as the farcical Putty Patrol for what is ultimately a pro wrestling show. Sick of being a jobber and effectively a slave, one of the Dusters, known simply as Fighter D, decides the best way to destroy the Dragon Keepers and free his brethren is to do so from within: He’ll morph into a human shape, join their Rangers program as a cadet, and personally slay each of the five Keepers.

Fighter D is quickly found out, though. One of the recruiters, the lovely but mercurial Yumeko, isn’t nearly as dumb as he thought, but she fortunately has the same aim and quickly puts him to work trying to steal the Keepers’ insanely powerful weapons, the Divine Artifacts. He’s also found by the Dragon Keepers and manages to escape, though badly wounded. He’s found in a cave by Yumeko’s hanger-on, the upstart Ranger cadet Hibiki, whose family was badly fragmented by an unknown monster. While he still believes in the Keepers and shares their ostensible goal of protecting humanity, he believes that there needs to be major changes and agrees to let D impersonate him to infiltrate the Rangers. He’s soon embroiled in a prolonged examination trial against higher-ranked Rangers that soon turns into a fight to the death, made only more deadly by the inclusion of a female Duster and the same monster that killed Hibiki’s parents and paralyzed his sister.

Yes, that’s a lot, and everything up until that last sentence was just in the first four episodes. I’ve said repeatedly that I’m willing to be patient with introductory seasons for action-oriented shonen series, because those do usually take a minute to start cooking, but the first season of Loser Ranger is bizarrely paced. The first four episodes were an intriguing introduction, but they might have served better as a movie to kick off the season, because the overwhelming majority of the remaining eight episodes were pretty much just a bunch of people fighting in a fucking parking garage. I was under the impression that the first season was going to be 24 or so episodes, for some reason, so I was willing to be patient with it.

Maybe I should've been patient enough to wait until the second season, because I found myself getting whiplash between fascination and utter boredom. I still don’t know if I even like this show. There are so many moving parts, and many of them are fascinating, but to get bombarded with them so early and so often, only to then keep most of them in the background in favor of way too many new characters fighting in, again, a goddamned parking garage, frustrates me in increasing measure the more I write about it. I really wanted to like this show more than I did.

The production values are seemingly all over the place too. The OP is another Tatsuya Kitani banger, the voice cast is deep and talented (especially for the English dub, holy hell), the puppet outros are a hoot, and the animation is mostly fine. I’m rarely one to complain about CGI in anime (the ED for this show is entirely 3DCG and it fucks), but a lot of it in Loser Ranger, especially as an obvious means of cheaping out on having to hand-draw and -animate the Dragon Keepers’ slightly-elaborate costumes, is baffling. You could make a generous case for it representing them as larger-than-life personalities, but in execution it’s just kind of uncanny. The show looks and sounds fine overall, but little things like that just take me out of it.

I’m going to withhold judgment until the second season, but for now I can’t say I’m too impressed by the debut. Maybe just watch the first four episodes and put a pin in it until season 2 drops.

Jellyfish Can’t Swim in the Night

I’m beginning to worry that Metallic Rouge’s catastrophic narrative failure may have permanently made me nervous about any original anime to follow. It’s an unfair comparison to make, especially considering it aired at the same time as the bombastically audacious Bang Brave Bang Bravern, which I consider one of the best of the year so far and even one of the better anime to air so far this decade. At the same time, though, the millisecond I start to suspect that an original anime is losing its footing, as soon as the one synapse fires that tells me that this show may not be able to stick the landing, I start to get cynical. The good news is that Jellyfish Can’t Swim in the Night isn’t even in the same time zone as Rouge’s disappointment. The bad news is that it still never fully lived up to what it could have been.

Right from the jump, this felt like Doga Kobo flexing in between seasons of Oshi no Ko with yet another gorgeous showbiz anime. The debut episode is one of the best I’ve seen in some time; an immaculately animated and brilliantly storyboarded mission statement showcasing the self-doubting illustrator Mahiru and the disgraced ex-idol Kano meeting and finding new inspiration in one another’s work (if you’ve been reading Beat & Motion, this may sound familiar, except they’re both high school girls). It was a masterclass in depicting powerful self-expression and the spark of a truly fateful encounter. What followed was also pretty good, but...

Mahiru and Kano band together (pun intended) to form the multimedia collective JELEE, also enlisting social-outcast musical prodigy (and Kano stan) Mei, and NEET VTuber Kiui along the way. We see a lot of the nitty-gritty of trying to get a new act off the ground, as well as the reality that any new artist or creator nowadays is, ultimately, at the mercy of the internet. It was a treat to watch these four all come together, as was seeing the emotional bonds they forge with one another while also navigating their own personal issues, but it frequently came at the expense of an actual plot. That sort of thing is fine, I do love me some good slice-of-life, but I feel like the show planned on something a bit grander. While we’re focused on so many of these really lovely moments of character growth and interpersonal drama, everything about JELEE’s ascent, y’know, the main plot, just kind of happens, and before you know it everything turns out okay and the season’s over. It really felt like the writers had a big plan but ended up just laying down the tracks while the train was already in motion.

As mentioned, I’m not nearly as down on the anime in the “Mixed Bags” section this season as I was three months ago, but just thinking about how the plot sagged around the middle and rushed towards its ending leaves me frustrated. Unlike JELEE itself, Jellyfish Can’t Swim in the Night feels like less than the sum of its parts. This show feels like an unfinished jigsaw puzzle; what you can make out of the image is gorgeous, yet not only was it never completed, but someone clearly put a few of the pieces together wrong as well. There are plenty of themes in the story and character writing that could have blossomed into something amazing, like impostor syndrome, finding community and identity through fandom, young sapphic love, gender identity, and so many more, and it may have been possible to resolve at least a couple of these in 12 episodes, but Jellyfish seemed either incapable of or uninterested in actually getting there beyond a few vague overtures.

I know I sound harsh here and I didn’t mean for this review to be mostly complaints; I did very much like this show, but I wanted so badly to love it. And it probably isn’t entirely fair of me to grade this show based on what it could have been instead of what it is, but so much was plainly left on the table that I’m not really left with another choice. I still recommend it much more strongly than anything else I've put in the Mixed Bags section so far this year, but be forewarned that you may be let down. This is a pretty goddamn good anime that could’ve been pretty goddamn incredible, but it just couldn’t get there.

Mysterious Disappearances

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I know what I’m about. If a new series rotates around a protagonist who looks like that, I’ll at least give it an episode or two.

Sumireko is a former child-prodigy novelist, now in her late 20s working at a bookstore with the sharp-tongued Ren, as she continues to fail at getting published again. On the eve of her 28th birthday, Sumireko accidentally takes home a book that was droplifted in the store, and shortly after reading it aloud she finds herself reverted into the body of a child. Suddenly struck by inspiration once again, she disappears from work for the next week, furiously typing away at her next novel. Ren manages to find her and tells her that she’s under a curse: The book is an otherworldly object known as a Curiosity, and its power can be deadly to those who use it. Though Sumireko is desperate to hang on to her newly-regained youth, Ren manages to smooth-talk her into changing back and handing over the book. Now aware of an extradimensional threat to daily life, Sumireko teams up with Ren and his little sister Oto to track down and neutralize more Curiosities before they cause widespread havoc.

This series is alright, if questionable in a lot of areas. I recognize that I’m not entirely the target audience; while I love a good supernatural mystery, each of these Curiosities is rooted in East Asian mythology and contemporary urban legends, very few of which I was familiar with going in. To those on that side of the world (or to Westerners with that specific special interest), I’m sure it hits different, but I got lost on a couple of occasions. Mysterious Disappearances also runs into the same pacing issues that I found with The Witch and the Beast last season, where the plot structure is effectively episodic, but each mystery can last a few episodes at a time, so if you’re not particularly invested in the subject at hand, you’re SOL for another week or two.

This show also just plain doesn’t look very good. The animation is nothing impressive and there’s something off-putting about the overall look that I can’t quite put my finger on. It looks retro in ways that probably weren’t intentional, like a 20-year-old digipaint anime that was upscaled from 480p. The audio element is great, at least; the music, sound design, and cast are all fantastic (between her turn as Sumireko in this one and her supporting roles in Reincarnated as the 7th Prince and Kaiju No. 8, Fairouz Ai has put in great work this season), and that’s a good thing because this one isn’t a looker.

If you couldn’t already tell from how the main character looks, Mysterious Disappearances is undoubtedly horny as hell, but often distractingly so. I do have to praise Sumireko’s design to an extent; for a large-chested anime lady, she at least hews closer to how a tall woman with somewhat appropriately large breasts would actually be built and how her clothes would actually fit. She looks like a more realistically-proportioned Nami. There’s no shortage of anime characters with gigantic boobs, but few that make me actually go “oh, this woman definitely has back problems.” There are a lot of slow-tilting shots up female characters’ legs towards their chests to the point where I tuned the dialogue out because I couldn’t believe they just kept on doing it. I skimmed through the manga, and though there is far more semi-gratuitous nudity as compared to the anime, I still somehow found the latter much more distracting with its attempts at fanservice. I also don’t really care for how the “camera” looks at Oto and her middle school classmates either; I found myself just getting nervous whenever a scene focused on them.

For its problems, there’s at least a series of solid emotional cores here. Similar to Sumireko’s desire to regain her youthful creativity, the wielders-slash-victims of these Curiosities are largely vulnerable individuals who are trying to make the best of their lives in spite of past traumas like bullying, neglect, and disability. All serious issues, no doubt, and the story tries to handle them as well as possible, but once you see through the pattern of “awful thing is happening, we get to know the character, then we learn their tragic backstory and there’s a tearful resolution while we move closer to advancing the overall plot,” it can feel a little cloying in the long run. Not that those resolutions can’t be potent; I really liked the endings of the stories of the missing hairdresser and the rogue VTuber, but as a plot formula it can ring hollow.

Mysterious Disappearances is a fine if unspectacular series of supernatural mysteries with an okay overarching plot, and your mileage may vary depending on your existing knowledge of East Asian occult and superstition. It’s also not that fun to actually look at, even if you happen to be into tall redheads with huge racks. Uh, not that I would know.

The Gems

Girls Band Cry

When Bocchi the Rock! made its unexpectedly earth-shattering landfall a couple years ago, it was inundated with a deluge of comparisons to the previous landmark girls-in-a-band anime, K-On!. It felt a bit trite at the time, and feels even more so in retrospect; each show is its own thing and they both stand on their own merits. And now here’s my dumb ass, reviewing a new girls-in-a-band anime, desperately trying not to compare it to Bocchi.

It’s really not a fair comparison either way; the focus being on an all-girls rock band is really the only thing they have in common. Rather than Hitori “Bocchi” Gotoh, a perpetually-anxious recluse looking to join a band so she won’t have to get a real job after high school, we have Nina Iseri, who is… difficult. Nina has just moved to Tokyo after running away from home, but her train arrived too late for her to get her apartment key, and to make matters worse, her phone’s dead. While charging at a local coffee shop, she finds out that Momoka, the now-former frontwoman of her favorite band, is playing on a nearby street. After some ups and downs, they decide to form a band together, and butt heads more than a couple times.

Along the way, they recruit more members, each with their own issues: Subaru, the drummer, is struggling with the expectations placed on her by her grandmother to become an actress, Tomo, the keyboardist, is exacting and a little too opinionated to keep a steady role in a band, and Rupa, the bassist, is a soft-spoken foreigner who remains a cheerful enigma despite losing her parents. And Nina and Momoka are both flat-out stubborn in ways that do not mesh well with one another. There are a lot of yelling matches and many angry tears shed as the band Togenashi Togeari comes together: yes, the “Cry” in the title isn’t just for style points.

I will say that it’s refreshing that Girls Band Cry does not sugarcoat what an absolute pain in the ass Nina can be when she’s dug in: She ran away from home because she’s utterly convinced of her own righteousness, and it’s your damn problem if you think otherwise. She is avoidant and oppositional-defiant, and everyone else just has to deal with it. She may not pick her hills well, but by God will she die on them. Props for having a protagonist this openly messy and unpleasant. Plenty of musicians, or really anyone working in a group for that matter, can be abrasive and stubborn, and TogeToge’s growing pains are a necessary element of their development as a band. 

I know the bar isn’t very high for 3D computer-generated anime when it doesn’t come from Studio Orange, but this is easily one of the best-looking 3DCG anime I’ve ever seen. Between this and Trigun Stampede, I’m blown away at how expressive characters can be in CG, and how they react to what’s around them in real-time more consistently than you’d see in most 2D animation. Speaking of which, Girls Band Cry isn’t entirely in 3D; much of the OP as well as several flashbacks and background characters are hand-drawn, and they look so goddamn good that I’m almost left wondering what could’ve been. Not that I’m disappointed in the slightest; when the 3D animation hits, it REALLY hits in gorgeous synaesthetic waves that so perfectly depict an intersection of sound, light, and emotion. Hell, even the transition cards are huge eye catchers. Not everything looks brilliant all the time; the pets in particular are uncannily low-res and almost look like they got plucked out of KamiKatsu.

Of course, this is a band show, so the audio element has to be on point as well, and I’d say Girls Band Cry is up to snuff. The anime is part of a larger multimedia project, and the entire main cast consists of audition winners performing under mononyms, and they knock it out of the damn park; they’re pretty goddamn great for supposed newcomers. The music is a blast as well, not just in performance scenes but in the background as well. Togenashi Togeari already existed in the zeitgeist as a virtual band before this show went to air, so they already had a small discography out there before the show went to air and I’m looking forward to digging into it.

Infamously, this show isn’t particularly easy to watch. Not in the thematic sense, but literally: You cannot legally watch it in English anywhere in the West. Despite its popularity, Girls Band Cry was never picked up by any Anglosphere-based streaming platforms, for whatever reason, and the only official English subtitles out there are from an Indonesian streamer. So, much like the days of VHS trading and the early internet, we’re forced to rely on community translations. Far be it from me to encourage piracy (lol), but if you can find a good fansub, Girls Band Cry is very much worth your while. Pinkies up, motherfuckers.

Kaiju No. 8

I don’t watch Demon Slayer or My Hero Academia, so this was my designated Shonen Jump action show of the season, and it came with a ton of buzz: The way I see it, if I can pick up a volume of the manga at Target, the inevitable anime adaptation is gonna be a big deal. I’ve not read Kaiju No. 8 yet, but I’d say the anime lives up to a good amount of the hype.

Japan has had to handle a constant threat of kaiju for many decades now, and as a child the way-too-aptly-named Kafka Hibino made a promise to his best friend Mina that they would both grow up to lead the Japan Anti-Kaiju Defense Force in charge of eliminating the threat. A couple decades later, she’s a national hero as a captain in the Force, while Kafka is in the private sector at age 32, cleaning up the enormous corpses and viscera Mina and her division leave behind. He hasn’t given up on his dreams, by any stretch; Kafka has failed every single enlistment application he’s submitted since he came of age, but he just keeps on trying.

Kafka and his work kohai, the upstart JAKDF hopeful Reno, manage to survive a kaiju attack at the end of a shift with minor injuries, but when they’re in the hospital, a potato-sized flying kaiju shoves itself down Kafka’s throat, causing him to transform into a kaiju. Fortunately, he’s able to change back to his human form just in time to pass the first round of Defense Force exams, with Reno warning him not to let anyone in on his secret during practical exams.

Kafka is pathetically weak in his human form and is repeatedly shown up by the daughter of the Defense Force’s director general, the young hotshot Kikoru (Fairouz Ai once again), but he manages to save her life when a training exercise goes haywire and forces him to transform and share his secret with her. Reno and Kikoru get in, no problem, while Kafka manages to squeak in as a cadet. Of course, without exposing his little-big kaiju secret, Kafka can’t do much to help in terms of actual combat, but he does frequently act as an unofficial tactician in directing his squadmates on the battlefield and, in a very smart writing decision, applying his professional knowledge of kaiju anatomy to help them identify and target weaknesses. 

And from there we get a whole lot of early military training and bonding, and not just with Kafka, Reno, Kikoru, and their division’s vice-commander, the giggly Hoshina: There’s also, uh, Man-Bun! And Muscles! And Shark Teeth! And the Token Women! You know, those guys. Yeah, this is ostensibly an ensemble cast, as any good battle shonen should be, but I really didn’t get much from anyone outside the main few characters other than identifying features. I’m sure we’ll get more out of them in subsequent seasons but I have little to work off of right now.

The main three are great, though: Kafka definitely has shonen protag brain even at his age, but he’s still necessary representation for schlubby guys in their 30s who still have hopes and dreams (we exist and our stories matter), and for as serious and focused as Reno likes to think he is, he makes a great tsukkomi whenever Kafka starts acting up. Kikoru is already an icon as well; she’s basically Asuka Langley Sohryu for the zoomer generation. I feel a little weird about the fact that she’s literally half Kafka’s age and still acts kinda tsundere around him, but this is a shonen at the end of the day.

I have some small nagging issues with the story here and there, but nothing that outright ruins the show for me. Like plenty of others, I’m far more fascinated with the ins and outs of how Japanese society adapted to living with kaiju threats outside of just military preparation and response; Kafka’s initial job in kaiju cleanup was actually really neat and I’d have loved it just as much (and possibly more) if the series had just focused on that. I want some damn world building! I also am not crazy about the focus on the Defense Force’s powerscaling in the form of “Unleashed Combat Power,” but I also just plain don’t care about powerscaling to begin with. Wasn’t the entire point of power levels in Dragon Ball Z that it’s pointless to define someone’s fighting spirit by a number? Maybe they drop it later.

This show looks pretty darn good! Production IG clearly put its A-team on this one; the character animation is cartoonishly bouncy and expressive in ways we rarely see outside of Trigger productions, and the big-ass kaiju are all mercifully in outstanding 2D (though I wouldn’t complain about CG; the OP is entirely in 3D and looks exceptional). The silliness of the animation really came through in one of the funniest scenes in any anime I watched this season. Some of the textures can look a little distractingly muddy at times, but hey, these are big ugly monsters we’re looking at. Make those bastards ugly.

On a certain level, I can appreciate the effort put into this show to try to make it a crossover success; the manga is popular and kaiju films remain one of Japan’s greatest cultural exports. Streaming new episodes on the fetid corpse of Twitter was certainly a decision. I can also appreciate wanting to load up the soundtrack with popular Western artists; my problem is that they went with acts I actively avoid like YUNGBLUD (with writing by Imagine Dragons!) and OneRepublic. Suffice to say, I don’t care for the OP and ED on a musical level, but I know that I’m coming at this with a conscious bias. I’m sure they’re hits over in Japan, and for all I know there are music fans over there with the same tastes and disposition as me who think that some Japanese acts I learned about through anime like, say, Bump of Chicken or Queen Bee, are “coworker music” or whatever. I’ll live.

Kaiju No. 8, at the end of the day, is another battle shonen with guns and big monsters, but sometimes that’s all you need. I’ll be coming back for the next season.

Train to the End of the World

Spring 2024 was a banner season for girls anime. From the veteran director/writer duo that gave us cult hits like Squid Girl, Shirobako, and Prison School (and individual credits on a laundry list of classic and cult-favorite anime across the board) comes an original anime that’s not quite Cute Girls Doing Cute Things, nor Cute Girls Doing Amazing Things, but Cute Girls Being Fucking Weirdos in a Weird World.

7G technology has arrived in Japan and immediately wreaked unknowable chaos. Geography, flora, and fauna have all warped beyond recognition, and in the town of Agano, every human above a certain age has become a talking animal. Shizuru, a still-human high school girl, has been looking for her best friend Youka ever since they got in a fight two years ago and the latter ran off, just before the 7G cataclysm. She finds out that Youka has been spotted in Ikebukuro, and with the help of a babbling train conductor who managed to briefly turn lucid, learns to operate a two-car commuter train to get the hell out of dodge. Just before Shizuru leaves, train stocked with Agano’s famous goya melons, she’s joined by her classmates: The soft-spoken Nadeko, the temperamental bookworm Akira, and the rambunctious gyaru Reimi. Youka’s dog, Pochi, also joins for morale purposes. Along the way, they see just how warped Japan has become, with locals in the various towns ranging from mushroom people to zombies to Lilliputians to characters from their favorite anime, and more.

Try as I might, a summary does not do Train to the End of the World justice; this show is as offbeat as offbeat gets. It makes no bones about how flat-out weird it wants to get and actively revels in it. It’s not really interested in making the girls into a new generation of moe icons either; they are unabashed weirdos, in the ways that really only high school girls can be, and they handle the bizarre situations foisted upon them in similar fashion. They get into arguments about dumb shit, hurl insults at strangers, and occasionally just talk about poop. The writing in this series is fascinating, and it really shouldn’t come as a surprise coming from someone who also has script-writing credits for classics like Cowboy Bebop and Ranma ½ on her resume. The dialogue is punchy and comes at a breakneck pace in ways that you really only get in original anime like ODDTAXI.

Train to the End of the World is an incredible dichotomy unto itself because it clearly comes from a very literate way of thinking but has a blast being really goddamn stupid sometimes, in the best ways. It draws on a lot of inspirations of the epics of yore, gleefully cites the western literary canon, and ponders the future of the human race, and then has the girls negotiate their release from a Gulliver’s Travels situation by threatening to flood a park with urine. It is at once Homer and Homer Simpson. This show is funny in ways that are hard to articulate; comedy is so intrinsic to the show that it only has so many laugh-out-loud moments, but much more often I found myself shaking my head and remarking “this show is fucking hilarious.”

As a complete story, Train to the End of the World isn’t exactly generation-defining, but that’s perfectly fine. It’s an experience more than anything. It has really nice character moments and some heartwarming stuff in there, but I was mostly there for the weird shit. The ending was just okay, but I didn’t feel any poorer for having seen it; I’ll dive right into the cliche and say that it wasn’t about the destination but rather the journey. I had an absolute blast for the whole ride.

Now that I’ve made you read all of this, I’m going to go ahead and admit that I haven’t seen Squid Girl, Shirobako, or Prison School, but I kind of have to now, because I was bowled over by this show. This series revels in surrealism, so your mileage may vary, but it’s at the very least worth checking out. It may not have a lasting impact outside of some similar cult favoritism, but this was still my personal favorite new anime of the season.

Wind Breaker

A few weeks into the Spring season I felt like I was missing something. I gave Wind Breaker a shot and I realized about halfway into the first episode that what I was missing was just some dope-ass fisticuffs.

Haruka is a bit of a delinquent. His hair and eyes are heterochromic, and because he’s judged so harshly for his looks, he decided to lean into it and become the nogoodnik everyone thinks he is. He’s moved to a new town to join the local high school Furin, where he hears he’ll have to fight his way to the top, but as soon as he arrives in town he sees a young woman being harassed by a group of creeps. He takes them out on his own and in return receives a free lunch from the cafe she runs despite his protestations. After she teases him more than a little (his ass is NOT used to positive attention), the creeps return with more goons in tow, and Haruka is backed up by his new classmates. To his surprise, the locals shower the Furin boys with praise, and he then learns that Furin’s gang, Bofurin, exists solely to protect the town from outside threats. And Haruka thinks that is the coolest shit ever.

From there, Haruka gets to meet more of the Bofurin boys, and because of his standoffish personality, rebuffs their praises from the fight. Again, his ass is NOT used to positive attention. We get to learn the hierarchy of Bofurin, and it’s not exactly as Haruka expected: This is not a might-makes-right dogpile at all; it is a structured organization that protects its own and puts its community first. Soon enough, though, they happen upon one of their middle schoolers being hassled by a neighboring gang, and they organize a tournament on hostile ground to resolve their differences.

I am an absolute goddamn sucker for the “delinquent with a heart of gold” archetype, and Haruka is just a big ol’ tsundere from the opening minutes, so Wind Breaker hit like fucking catnip for me. For a show about gangs of delinquents, this could actually be a good example of positive masculinity if you look at it in a certain light. It’s very heavy-handed with the message that nobody can achieve greatness on their own and that surrounding yourself with the right people can change your life for the better. It’s not a rare theme in Japanese media by any means (it’s a central theme of the Persona series as well as another ultra-popular shonen series I’ve been reading in secret), but I really appreciate it being delivered through the lens of channeling brute strength and fighting prowess specifically to protect the vulnerable.  

At the end of the day, though, it’s really just about guys bein’ dudes.

The production values on this are phenomenal and I have to commend CloverWorks for turning in yet another banger. The cast is deep and plenty talented (there’s a lot of Jujutsu Kaisen in there, and it should surprise nobody that the goofy, silver-haired leader of Bofurin is voiced by Yuichi Nakamura). The animation, shot composition, fight choreography, and lighting effects are all absolutely gorgeous, and it’s clear that they see this as a potential franchise. At least, I would certainly hope so, because what we actually got from the first season left me a little hungry. The tournament arc was juicy, and it went a lot longer toward introducing the ensemble cast than the two other action shows I just talked about, but it lasted about an episode too long for a 13-episode season, and the ending came at an awkward time. I was left wanting, but what I want is a second season, so I guess it did its job.

The issues with pacing and the weirdly-timed ending meant that Wind Breaker was a bit of a fence case for me between this section and the last, but my memories of watching it are almost uniformly positive, so into The Gems it goes. This show rocks. Dudes rock.

[mychlapci]

We need more absolutely deranged merformer aus!

I always sees mers portrayed as “almost as Cybertronians”, in terms of intelligence and acting, but what if yes, mers are indeed smart, but also like, evil little shits… like old folklore fairytales or dolphins. They intelligent but also incredibly aliens and with a totally different cultures, like, they feel love, attraction, know how to use tools, solve riddles and understand basic cybertron… but they also consider cannibalism ok.

They’re also incredibly unpredictable, they might look soft and curious, but in a matter of second they can turn into vicious killing machines that will start eating their prey before they’re drown.

So, Ratchet is somewhat an odd mer, as he’s very easy to handle. He’s kind, curious, and doesn’t show aggressive behaviors. Maybe he used to live in a part od the rust sea where contacts with land mech where at minimum, and he never had bad experiences, or maybe cause he was handled very young, it doesn’t matter. Ratchet is quite the unique specimens and Pharma can’t help himself.

It starts very easy, very innocent, Pharma would test Ratchet, both his intelligence and on a physical level, rewarding him with treats every time he acted right. Soon enough, Ratchet feels comfortable enough to be handled back and forward from his tank to the lab.

Soon, Pharma becomes obsessed with his new pet. It seems like Ratchet would let Pharma do anything to him, accepting even the most painful treatments.

At some point a new mer is introduced into the tank and he and Ratchet are immediately all over each others. If the stats is at first worried to death, they soon realize the two mers are not fighting, but mating. The new mer, someone calls him Drift, for the way he always seems to be Drifting by Ratchet’s side, some others calls him Deadlock, for how vicious he is against the staff’s members, was found hunting close where Ratchet was caught.

Pharma is livid, his Ratchet doesn’t seem interested in their games anymore, only focused on their new guest. But the doctor can’t really say anything about it, as having a living couple in the tank and being able to observe their mating rituals and maybe, even a gestation is something no other lab has been able to do.

Soon enough, Ratchet began showing signs of a possible litter growing inside his belly, and the staff comes out with a plan to release the couple of mer back into their habitats, with a localizer welded on their armor. Pharma is not happy about it, but he’s reassured in the knowledge that he will be able to track Ratchet and takes him back.

The mers are released back into the ocean and quickly disappear in the depth. Pharma keeps track of their location and during off shifts, tries to find them and lure Ratchet out, believing he will be able to attract the mer back.

In reality Ratchet has never been attracted to Pharma. Even among his kind, Ratchet is not a warrior, but a healer. He can defend himself but often prefer to play along, to study his surroundings and buying time for his bigger and way more heavy armored partner, to come to his rescue. Ratchet would often distract their enemies and potential predators, just for Deadlock to lunge in and kill them quickly and efficiently. He acted all sweet and soft with Pharma cause he had to.

But not that Pharma has come in their lair…

auhhh... Forgot about this one.

Ratchet acting docile and soft with Pharma because he's actually scared shitless of his current predicament is so interesting... He knows he can't lash out right now, that he needs to keep his cool and just tough it out until he can figure out a way to solve this. Pharma does not harm him, he's a little condescending, a little presumptuous about the level of Ratchet's intelligence, a bit clingy and overbearing, but he can handle it. Drift finds him quickly enough, and with his personality, most of the facility staff don't really bother messing with Ratchet's tank anymore. Not even Pharma.

Once they're released, Pharma wants his pet mer back. Ratchet was so good, so domesticated, so obedient, he can't be put back in with those savage mers... Pharma would honestly keep him in a tank in his home if he could. He's sure his old buddy Ratchet wouldn't mind :) Of course, he gets quite the surprise when he meets Ratchet back in the wild, his tail fat with pups... The mer is not as responsive as he was before. His wary body language turns aggressive the moment Pharma floats a little too close for comfort. Ratchet and Drift are on top of him in an instant.

And then Pharma gets torn apart and eaten <33 poor guy, but that's what he gets for trying to poach a wild mer!

[dreamyelectronicmusic]

🎄 Hallmark Christmas Movie AU Part 4 - The End 🎄

(part 1) ❄️(part 2) ❄️(part 3)

Boris and Göran were looking forward to teasing Wille about not spending the night in his own bed, but when Wille gets back with red-rimmed eyes, they know this isn’t a time for jokes. Wille doesn’t even want to go see the play in the evening, but eventually they convince him to go since he worked so hard on the flats. Wille thinks it’s probably his last chance to hear Simon sing, so he agrees.

The play is a smashing success. Everyone loves Wille’s work and especially the changes he made. He’s very proud but it’s marred by how sad he is about Simon. He would hate for their last interaction ever to have been a fight, so he finds him after the show.

“I’m really sorry, Simon. I never meant to hurt you.”

“I’m sorry, too. I shouldn’t have snapped.”

“I just want you to know you’re the furthest possible thing from inconsequential. I’ll never forget you.”

Simon watches him with sad eyes. “I hope you have a nice Christmas.”

Wille won’t, but that’s beside the point.

“Thank you, Simon. You too.”

And that’s it. A sad ending to the best days of Wille’s life and it’s all his fault, but what can he do? A car is waiting to take him back to Stockholm. He has to go back to his real life.

Only the staff are there to welcome him when he gets back to the palace. His parents and brother are at some function that Wille was allowed to get out of, but that ends now. Official royal engagements are all his life is going to be. The hope of escape is too distant to be of any comfort. It’s almost worse than before, now that he knows how nice life can be. He can’t sleep, tossing and turning in bed. He thinks of Boris and Göran’s quiet domesticity, his conversations with Boris, the way he feels when he’s painting. And Simon. Simon, Simon, Simon.

He dreams of him, too. When he wakes up, he can’t believe he let his chance at happiness go without a fight. It suddenly seems obvious what he has to do if he ever wants to be happy and that he has to do it now, not at some indeterminate, uncertain point in the future that may never come.

He goes to see his mother.

“Why aren’t you getting ready?” she scolds.

“Because I’m not going,” Wille says firmly. He’s not going to the gala, he’s going back to Bjärstad. He’s finally learned what it feels like to be alive and he’s not letting that feeling go. He’s going to withdraw from royal work and relinquish his titles. Yes, he’s serious, and there’s nothing she can say that could sway him. They can discuss the details after the holidays, but his decision won’t change.

Then he walks out of her rooms, grabs his coat and goes to the garage to get his own car. He doesn’t drive often, not since Erik was in an accident that could have ended very badly, but the Queen could stop the royal drivers from taking him, and more importantly, he doesn’t want to arrive like a prince.

The roads are busy and it’s snowing heavily, so the journey takes twice as long as it normally would. It’s dark by the time he gets to Simon’s house, and Simon isn’t home. He must be at his mother’s place already. Wille doesn’t know where Linda lives and has to ask locals for directions. It’s a full-on snowstorm by then and the streets of Bjärstad haven’t been ploughed, so Wille leaves his car where it is and makes his way to the other side of the town on foot.

Linda’s living room is softly lit and full of Christmas decorations and plates of cookies. Simon and Sara are there, as well as Linda’s new husband and his children and Boris and Göran, who are there for end-of-movie reasons. The atmosphere is warm and cosy. The only one who isn’t joining in the fun is Simon, who’s struggling to take part in the conversation. When the doorbell rings, he welcomes the opportunity to get away for a minute and goes to open the door.

He doesn’t know what he expected, but it definitely wasn’t Wille, shivering and nearly covered in snow.

“What are you doing here?”

“I came back. I changed my mind.”

“What about the gala?”

“I’m not going. I’m not doing any of it anymore, Simon. I’m done. I just told my mum.”

Simon is stunned. “What did she say?”

Wille shrugs. “She’ll come around. I hope. But it doesn’t change anything if she doesn’t. I’m done.”

“Did… did you do it because of me? Because I didn’t mean to ask that of you, I don’t want to be the reason why you –”

But Wille is shaking his head vehemently. “No. I did it for my own sake. You were right. I don’t want to do this to myself anymore. I want to have a life I actually like. And I… I’d like you to be part of it. If you’ll have me.”

Simon’s heart is beating so hard he thinks Wille must be able to hear it. “What the hell do you think?”

Wille honestly has no idea, but he’s saved from any doubts by Simon throwing himself in his arms and crushing their mouths together. They kiss in the swirling snow, relieved and happy and so in love they barely feel the icy wind.

“Why are you letting the cold in?” Sara calls from the doorway. “You can do this inside!”

And so they do.

[starrysan]

nouvelle vague

↳ ᴡᴀᴠᴇ [4]

pairing: korea local!yunho x new to city!reader [smau]

masterlist || prev chap || next chap

a/n: first written chap! oo exciting I'm ngl the title took me like 8 years to pick idek why also sorry I'm scamming you technically no yunho in this chap 💔 written portion is shorter than I wanted it to be but its been a bit since ive written like a full on fic chapter length will lengthen in future chaps :)

3rd person pov

"wait what if I meet him and he's like actually no you suck I don't ever want to hangout with or show you Seoul ever again then what?" y/n asked wooyoung, jongho and chris who were sitting on FaceTime with them.

"why would wooyoung introduce you to someone who wouldn't like you?" chris asks typing at his laptop. "I don't know woo is like evil" y/n replies throwing even more clothes on the bed when they insisted their umpteenth outfit didn't look good.

"also before you say anything, your last 5 outfits were fine" jongho chimes in, looking up from his phone. y/n rolls their eyes. "clearly you weren't looking well enough because this shirt doesn't go with these pants."

"just wear the first outfit" wooyoung says, y/n looking over at the shirt, skirt, and leg warmers they had thrown to the side earlier. "are you sure?" y/n asked, skeptical.

"y/n this is just a hangout, no need to freak out" wooyoung says calmly. "yea.. you're right sorry guys" y/n replies. "you don't have to apologize just.. breathe" wooyoung chuckles.

"ok I'll do the first outfit." they says changing really quick and looking in the mirror. "oh shit woo you're right this outfit is so good." y/n says. "I'm always right" wooyoung nods. "let's not get ahead of ourselves" y/n deadpans. they hear a ding on their phone and see san texted saying he's downstairs.

"oh san's here i've gotta go see you guys later bye love you" y/n says before hanging up, grabbing their bag, and heading downstairs.

"san?" they call out to who they believed was san. he stood right in front of the apartment in a sweater and jeans. "hey! y/n?" san replied. "yes! that's me" y/n says shooting him a smile.

the two walk to the coffee shop. y/n ordering a peppermint mocha and san getting a latte and a cookie. they get their drinks and sit at a table. "so how're you liking seoul so far?" san asks taking a sip of his drink.

"it's fun! definitely a different experience than Australia but it's really fun. I'm glad my boss hasn't been too hard on me yet" they laugh. "how long have you lived here?" y/n asks.

"I lived in namhae for my whole childhood and I moved into seoul about 10 years ago now?" san replies finishing up his drink and y/n nods in response.

"when did you have the misfortune of meeting wooyoung and jongho?" y/n asks jokingly. san laughs before answering, "I had met the two in my senior year of high school. jongho and I had some classes together and wooyoung kind of just appeared out of thin air if I'm being honest." san says. "pfft" y/n replies. "how about you? when did you meet the two" san asked.

"a bit weirdly if I'm being honest. I met wooyoung online we had played video games together so long that we got close afterwards and jongho's actually my older brother chris' friend. he did one semester here for college and met jongho. I'm surprised he doesn't know you actually but, it's a complete coincidence that the two knew each other as well" y/n says. "that's crazy" san chuckles.

they walk around the neighborhood before san speaks up. "have you been to the han river yet?" san asks. "nope I haven't!" y/n says "would you want to go? it's really pretty at night" san asked. "sounds fun! woo was telling me about it I just didn't get a chance to go" y/n says happily.

after about a 20 minute walk the sun had started to set. "oh wow pretty sunset" y/n says, snapping a photo. they finally get to the river, the sun was down at this point so all the street lights illuminated the river very nicely. san had bought an ice cream while they were there and was eating it as they walked.

"oh wow the river is so pretty" y/n says in awe. "right? it's my favorite place to come and just be by myself and think" san replies as they sit by the river.

"that's so thought daughter of you" y/n says to which san laughs in response.

after a bit more time, the two walk back to y/n's apartment. "your house isn't too far away right?" y/n asks as they're about to head back upstairs.

"nope not at all you're actually super close to my place" san says as he says his goodbyes. "ok that's good thanks so much for showing me around!" y/n smiles. "anytime" san replies, before the two bid each other goodbye.

extras:

han river is so so pretty at night omg

y/n avid lover of sunsets l/n

ty for reading!

pls fill out the taglist form if you'd like to be added <3 [taglist form!]

taglist:

@mimikittysblog @hanoishere @katsukis1wife

[bengiyo]

Love Sea Ep 2 Stray Thoughts

Last week, Tongrak, a successful romance author, was sent by his friends to an island to relax and work on his next novel. Unfortunately, Tongrak was a complete asshole about this, and took that out on his host, Mahasamut, who seems fully equipped to deal with a spoiled rich kid from Bangkok. Tongrak apparently needs to have sex to work through the scene he needs to write, and is also clearly interested in Mut. We left at Mut accidentally scaring Rak and trying to take care of him.

Lol, I love them opening up with voiceover reaffirming that Rak wants to fuck Mut. This is not one sided.

As charged as that was, sex on a beach is grimy!

Chapter 2: Echoes Across the Endless Blue

Oh right, Mook has to change a light bulb.

Rak is being so dramatic about a scratch.

"This isn't a bad," and, "Open your mouth," and, "Not your turn," are sending me.

Head on the beach in episode 2? Finally, adult gay representation in BL.

I'm with Mut! I would be annoyed as hell if my partner wanted to stop and immediately begin writing as things were getting good.

Man, this apartment gets used semi regularly now for the shows.

Wow, MAME is giving ass now.

Well, I'll give them points for mentioning the condoms, but docking several for using teeth.

Don't act like you ain't have a great time, Rak. I saw those expressions.

Rak is so consistently rude! He's even rude about the social politics of sex! Mut even offered to help with cleanup.

I wonder how long Vie has been crushing on Mook, because she's clearly enjoying having someone like Mook around.

They made this boy play the exposition gossip two shows in a row.

I do love the way Mut is rolling with Rak's aggressive behavior. If the rich guest is sprung and throwing money you already said he didn't need to throw at you, then by all means.

Well well well. Rak showed some consideration there about how public he's being with Mut. I like knowing that Mut is out and still carries so much respect in his community. But also, you gotta know how much you can get away with and where you can do it.

My man got locals jumping into conversations to gas him up. Respect. It's hard when tourism is a big part of your economy, because the finance class does not share.

A queer man kicked out of the home by his dad who has worked hard to build his place in his community? No choice but to stan.

Oh boy, when the writer is the executive producer and the director, they can include a romance author as a lead character to speak to their detractors.

Yes, please eat before more flies show up.

MAME characters are so interesting in that they'll go out of their way to set two people up, and then be damned sure they explain their baggage to each other.

Why would this man jump into the ocean on his own like that?

Whoa, what about this location triggered all this trauma? Seems like he has a friend who got abandoned with a pregnancy, and that connected to his mom's issues with his dad?

Are we gonna end every episode on the boat after a flash of trauma?

A romance novelist who doesn't believe in love. I am invested.

Those reveals came fast at the end, but at least we're seeing where the transactional presumptions around sexual loyalty may have come from with Rak. I like that Mut takes the money in stride, and was plain about how hard the hustle is for local businesses on this island. I'm also so relieved that we have adult, out characters discussing how public they can afford to be with their flirting. There's too much Thai BL in the bubble right now and failing at it. I'm really enjoying this.

[eeridyllic]

𝐖𝐈𝐍𝐃 𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐄𝐑 𝐁𝐎𝐘𝐅𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐒 𝐀𝐔 | NIREI AKIHIKO x fem! reader

SAKURA HARUKA | SUO HAYATO | KIRYU MITSUKI | UMEMIYA HAJIME | KAJI REN | SUGISHITA KYOTARO | TOMA HIRAGI | JO TOGAME

The first you met, the Furin's first years were gathered at Pothos when their talking was suddenly interrupted by the doorbell ringing, announcing a new arrival.

The weather was specially hot and sunny that day, causing many citizens to enjoy it strolling the streets, or seeking refuge in local restaurants and coffee shops.

Still, Nirei Akihiko never felt so warm before or had ever thought he'd see someone whose beauty was as radiant as the sun itself as your presence made known in that small place.

He had seen a lot of beautiful people before. Heck! All of his friends are good-looking. But you... You were dazzling. And the way the sun's rays complemented your figure was a bit too much for the poor boy's weak heart to bear such beauty.

With a small smile, you recognized the quintet presence and headed behind the kitchen's countertop where you threw yourself into Kotoha's arms.

The boys, watching the scene silently, couldn't help but be curious, and from the expressions on their faces, the shop owner judged that they were waiting for her to introduce you too.

"This is (Y/N). She grew up in the same group home as Umemiya and me," she introduced pointing at you.

(Y/N). even your name were as pretty as you, that was his second thought as he felts his cheeks burning.

You slightly smirked at them and group softly nodded in greetings.

"It's nice to finally meet you guys. I hope we get along from now," you say and send a quick wink to the Nirei.

If he was feeling warm before, now he is certainly in spontaneous combustion.

Cute.

As the days went by, Nirei learned a thing or two about you.

You're a few months older than Kotoha.

You attended an all-girls boarding school on the other side of town and so you weren't able to visit your adopted siblings as much as you wanted. But apparently you had been suspended after causing a disturbance and were currently working as an assistant at Pothos.

You love sweets, but refuse all those made with mango or pineapple.

You had a preference for mini skirts and lip gloss, and Nirei doesn't remember a time when he didn't catch himself staring at your glistening lips.

But the most important of all: for some reason, you had a strange hobby of flirting with him.

He knew that you had had a few boyfriends before, and perhaps getting a reaction out of him was your sadistic way of playing with his heart. However, not only Suo but your own sister advised him not to think like that and that, in fact, this was the only way you knew to show interest.

It took almost a long six weeks for him to take the first step. Or better saying, you pushing him to do it.

"So," you leaned on the counter looking at him intensely, "Are we going to continue playing this cat and mouse game or are you going to ask me out?"

"No! No, I don't mean no. I mean yes. But I wasn't sure if you would say yes, so I never asked. But I really wanted to ask to go out with you but I would also understand if you refused."

You rolled your eyes with a smirk on your face, "Nirei. Shut up. Just make the question."

And then, with sweaty palms, racing heart and red face, the first year said, "(Y/N)-san, would you like to go on a date with me?"

You smile softly.

"I'd love to. I'm free this Saturday. Pick me up at 11, yes?"

The image of a blushing, excited Nirei nodding fervently was a sight you would never be able to forget.

You've had your fair share of dates, but this one sure made you feel like it was your first.

Nirei had been nothing but attentive and understanding of your tastes.

He had chosen to take you to a park where the two of you would have a picnic. He had prepared the snacks and drinks according to your preference and had even prepared some activities like painting and board games, knowing that you liked them.

His anxiety and concern about doing the right things and treating you well was noticible, but somehow, appreciated. Furthermore, his compliments about your appearance despite just a few, were genuine.

You've had your fair share of dates. Fake bad boys, Tokyo guys, volley addictives, but you definitely weren't used to the cute, nice guys. Aah that was certainly a breath of fresh air in your life.

How can you not fall in love with the boy who not so discreetly carries a sketch of you scrawled in graphite in his notebook, huh?

The more time you spent together, the more your heart softened for the boy, and the more your desire to be by his side intensified. Although Nirei never gave you any other signal. Until that moment.

It was your fourth date and you were returning home after a delightful night. Nirei had taken you to a new restaurant that had opened in the neighborhood and wanted to introduce you to its main dishes.

The night was really good and none of you wanted to say goodbye, so to extend that moment, you sat on the sidewalk in front of a convenience store, each with your favorite popsicle flavor.

You weren't quite sure what it was. Maybe it was the cold sweet on your palate, or the delicious meal in your stomach, maybe the warmth spreading in your heart, or even the dim golden light from the street, but Nirei looked beautiful and you wanted nothing more than to kiss him at that moment.

"Can I kiss you?" you ask suddenly, catching you both by surprise.

You could feel the heat rising to your face and the regret rising in your throat. It hadn't crossed your mind that maybe Nirei wasn't ready and that left you with a bad taste in your mouth.

But when the boy nodded slightly yes, you made sure he was okay with it.

Truth be told, he had never wanted to kiss you more than he did in this moment.

And when your cold lips met his, the taste of melon still lingering there, you concluded that there was no other place you wanted to be than where he was.

You are certainly not what people would expect from a couple since your personalities differ very clearly. Your boyfriend had some insecurities, a very soft heart, shy & fearful behaviors, and an irritating bravery that clashed with your boldness and sharp tongue. Nonetheless it's visible in the smallest gestures, in the exchange of looks and in the affection you showed each other that there was no one who completed him so well as you do.

[gunilslaugh]

Best Of The Worst

Han Hyeongjun  Summary: Your bad luck was never ending. After escaping two dangerous situations you now found yourself face to face with villain Han Hyeongjun. (non-idol au) WC:~1.5k Warning:none

part 2 part 3 epilogue!

photo not mine credits to owner.

First it was the queen of the kingdom. She wanted you dead. Why? Because you found that her son, the prince, was illegitimate. He was not of the king’s blood, but rather a blacksmith’s. How you found this information out was because you have the best (worst) timing in the world. As a castle maid you were doing your daily cleaning. Once you finished shining the silverware you headed out to the back to gather the drying laundry from the lines.

“You can’t keep me away from my son forever. I have the right to see him!” A man who you recognized as a local blacksmith yelled.

“You have no right! He is the king’s son and has no clue who you even are!” The queen yelled back. You froze in your tracks briefly before quickly turning around to head back inside. 

“Stop, you there! Tell me where the prince is!” the blacksmith demanded. You immediately knew that you were screwed, but this guy was a mere blacksmith, so you didn’t have to listen to his order. You kept walking, holding onto a mere slimmer of hope that you could get away.

“Halt!” the queen ordered. Now you were definitely screwed. 

“Yes, your royal highness?” You turned around to face the queen. 

“Escort this man off the castle’s grounds and tell the guards to never let him enter again,” she told you while shooting an icy glare at the blacksmith.  

“Understood your highness,” you bowed slightly. “Follow me sir,” you say. 

“You can’t do this! You vile women! He’s my son!” You felt the hole you already found yourself in grow deeper.

“I suggest you follow the maid before I call the guards,” the queen threatened. 

“This isn’t over.” The blacksmith points a finger at the queen. To which the queen scoffs unimpressively. “Also bring me tea once you're done showing him out,” the queen tells you walking back inside.  It felt like she was placing a nail in your coffin. 

“Please follow me sir,” you said hopelessly. 

After telling the guards that the blacksmith was to never set foot on castle grounds again you thought about running away. You knew no good was going to come from bringing the queen her tea, but you figured that running away would be worse, she’d probably send the guards after you. So you made up her tea as slowly as possible and took the long way to the queen’s room. 

Once you arrived at the queen’s room you softly knocked on the door. 

“I have your tea, your highness,” you announced. 

“Enter!” You heard from the other side of the door. You took a deep breath before opening the door and stepping inside of the room. You walked the tea over to the table, setting it down. 

You were about to take your leave when, “Sit,” the queen ordered you. You tentatively looked at the chair. Letting out an inaudible sigh you sit down. “I know you heard,” she states. 

“Heard what your highness?” You played dumb. 

“I get that you’re playing dumb to save your own ass, but it won’t work. I know you know and I can’t have that,” the queen says. 

“I’ll leave the castle, the kingdom even,” you tried. 

“Even outside of the castle, the kingdom, the problem is you can still talk. You’ve been a good maid all these years and I’m grateful for your service, so please understand that I don’t take getting rid of you lightly.” She looked at you with sympathy and your heart sank. 

“Get rid of me?” you asked tentatively. You already knew what she meant though. 

“I’ll have the morticians dress you elegantly as a sort of payment,” the queen smiled at you. 

“Please, your highness. I won’t tell anybody. I swear on my life!” you pleaded.

“I’m sorry I can’t take any chances. Guards!” the queen called. Two guards busted into the room. “Kill this maid, discreetly. Be quick with it. They are just an unfortunate victim,” she tells them. The guards are quick to grab you and drag you away. 

You tried to plead with the guards until your throat went raw. They never listened. They drug you into the back of a wagon where they then shoved and locked you in a wooden crate. No matter how hard you banged, kicked, you were locked in. 

Eventually the sound of the wagon moving stopped and you could now hear the sound of a waterfall. Your stomach drops. They were gonna throw you down the waterfall into the lake below. “They’re just an unfortunate victim.” The queen's words now made sense. They were gonna make it look like you drowned. You felt the wooden crate you were locked in being lifted. You took a breath as if it would matter as you felt yourself being thrown. Then everything went black. 

When you came to you were laying in a cave that was just behind the waterfall. You survived? How could you have possibly survived? 

“You're awake? If you didn’t wake up soon I was gonna have a nice meal for tonight.” You look down at the water that was at the front of the cave. There he was, the siren, that was rumored to live in the lake. Apparently the rumor was true, but why would he save you?

“You saved me?” You sat up. The siren swims closer to you, stopping where the water meets the cave floor. 

“I just pulled you out of the water. You woke up on your own,” he clarified. 

“Well…thanks I guess,” you say. The siren laughed. 

“Aren’t you curious why I pulled you out of the water?” he asked.

“Why?” 

“At first I was gonna have you for dinner, but then I saw that pretty face of yours and I thought I would keep you instead,” he smiled. 

“Keep me?” you questioned. 

“Yes, keep you. You can live here in this cave with me. Your clothes are those of the castle maids. Which means you’re probably very obedient,” He looked at you with hungry eyes. “I haven’t had a companion for a long time.” He started to pull himself out of the water. You think your situation just went from bad to worse. 

“As nice as that sounds. I should get going?” You stood up. 

“Go where? Back to the castle? I saw the castle guards throw you over, so I’m pretty sure you won’t be going back there,” the siren said. 

“I’ll go see my family. I haven’t gotten to see them much since becoming a maid,” you told. 

“Come on, I'm lonely. Stay with me for a few days,” he bargained. 

“And become fish food at the end? No thanks,” you declined. 

“You’re a smart one, but how do you plan on getting out of here? Are you gonna swim? We both know I’ll catch you,” he taunted. 

“Sure you can easily catch me with your swimming skills, but how are your climbing skills?” you challenged. 

“What?” the siren asked. You gestured to the cave behind you. “You won’t be able to find a way out,” he tells you. 

“I’ll find that out myself.” With that you ran deeper into the cave, looking for an exit. 

By the grace of God you did find a way out. It was high and a very precarious climb, but you made it. You escaped the cave. 

“Guess the siren is gonna have to find some new dinner,” a menacing voice states. You sigh. First it was the queen, then it was a siren, now it’s Hyeongjun. Who is known for not being afraid of getting his hands bloody. 

“I give up,” you state, head falling into the palms of your hands. 

“Oh come one. I haven’t even done anything yet,” he says. He crouches down to where you sit on the dirt. 

“What will you do?” you question. 

“Don’t know. I’m not really feeling in a murderous mood, but I don’t feel like letting you walk away so easily either,” he smirks. 

“Don’t play with me. I’m having the worst day,” you complained. 

“Oh you poor thing. How about you tell me about it?” He was clearly being sarcastic. 

“As if you care? I’m leaving,” you state, standing up. 

“I don’t think so. I don’t feel like letting you walk away easily, remember?” He caught your wrist and tilted his head to the side. You sighed. 

“How about I tell you the queen's secret then?” you suggested. 

“The queen's secret?” he asked. 

“Yes, are you interested or not?” You pulled your wrist from his hold and folded your arms. 

“It does pique my interest, but how do I know you just won’t tell me some nonsense like she skips brushing her teeth?” Hyeongjun inquired. 

“How about this? I’ll tell you her secret and if you think it’s not good enough you can kill me or whatever you fancy,” you say. 

“Sounds like you’re making a deal with me,” Hyeonjun said. 

“I am, so deal or no deal?” You stuck out your hand. 

“I love deals.” Hyeongjun firmly shakes your hand. “Now tell me, what’s the queen’s secret?” 

“The prince isn’t of the king’s blood. His real father is a blacksmith,” you spill. A smirk grows across Hyeongjun’s face.

part 2 part 3 epilogue!

Taglist: @purplelady85 @gingerjunhan @chewednails @ezlynkisses @mon2sunjinsuver @mxlly143

[whenlostinthedarkness]

Afterglow: Chapter 2 / Part 1 - In My Way

Leader Singer!Reader x Lead Guitarist!Ellie Williams

Photo by @abbysthighs ; edited by me

Summary: You and the band attend a party after the show, which leaves you social exhausted. Ellie takes note and you both decide to head back to the hotel for some much needed come down time from the surplus of social interaction

Warnings: Social anxiety, Weed smoking, and mentions of reader & Ellie’s past relationship; I believe that is it.

A/N: If you haven't caught on by now, each chapter will be named after a MUNA song that is fitting for the situation. Listen to ' In My Way' here.

Intro | Chapter One |

A soft towel was thrown around your shoulder by Dina as you and the rest of your bandmates exited from the stage, leaving a crowd still screaming as they begged for yet another encore, even though you'd already given them two on top of the one you did every night of every show.

"Well, they were fucking crazy", Jesse laughed while dabbing his forehead with his own towel.

"Seriously! I think that was the highest energy we've gotten from a crowd so far," Ellie said, mirroring Jesse as she too held the towel against her forehead that was dampened with a few locks of hair.

The thundering crowds noises were quickly dissipating the further your band walked into the back stage area, until you all had finally made it to the large, shared dressing room.

"God, it's fucking hot!," you exclaimed while dramatically fanning yourself as you stood in front of a table top revolving fan that was turned up to high.

"Yes, yes you are," Dina teased as she began undoing her button up shirt, joining the rest of the group that had already started undressing out of their sweaty clothes.

In a flirtatious manor, that you both knew held nothing but friendly intentions, you turned around with your hand on your hip.

"Don't tease me D."

"What if I'm not?"

Both of your coquettish expressions caved into humored ones the minute you made eye contact.

"We've already been down that route in college, no need to revisit it," you joked with a pointed finger as you began undoing your top.

"God, don't remind me. It was like fucking my sister-no offense." You nodded in agreement with Dina as you voiced your mutual feelings about the night both of you had drunkenly hooked up after a party in college.

Thankfully, It wasn't a completely bad experience. It was the reason the both of you had become friends after all. What better way to bond than after a hook up that neither of you felt a romantic connection with, yet still enjoyed the others company.

As Ellie began zipping out of her jeans, she couldn't help but listen in on yours and Dina's conversation and reminisce about that night.

You, Ellie, and an apartment that was much too small for the amount of people that were walking in through the back door.

A local college band was playing in a space that no doubt was originally a living room that had been moved around to arrange a space for the band and others to gather around them.

You held on tight to the back of Ellie's-aka your roommate who you had met just a couple days ago- shirt as you allowed her to guide you through the mass amount of bodies that were somehow fit into this space that couldn't have been more than 1,000 square feet.

As college parties go, you and Ellie ended up talking with cheap beers in hand for awhile as you watched the people around you, until you saw Dina walk in. She was clearly the life of the party, which is what caught your attention in the first place…and she wasn't bad looking either.

Ellie remembered you whispering how hot you thought the dark haired girl, who you would come to know as Dina, was. Urgently, Ellie turned her head to look at you with furrowed eyebrows that begged to ask a question.

"Are you gay?"

Present day Ellie laughed quietly in the dressing room as she recalled you saying "do I look like I'm straight?", in a way that was so deeply offended, you would've thought you had been mistaken for the worst possible human being one could imagine.

Suddenly, there was a feeling of fear and hope spun together in a braided ribbon. Because now that she knew you liked girls, that meant that her immediate attraction to you wasn’t something that she could shove off in a corner. No, now her mind would conjure up all these scenarios and universes where it was you and her tangled up in sheets as your bare skin touched her bare skin, all because it was something that was possible.

Sure, it wasn’t definite and, at that time Ellie had no idea that you had felt this immediate attraction to her as well, but now, it was easier for her to picture herself with you because it wasn’t like the crushes Ellie had on straight girls in the past. This time it was real and raw and vulnerable.

"What so funny?"

Ellie hadn't noticed you, snuck up on her as she changed with her back to the rest of the group.

Quickly she peaked over her shoulder as she continued getting undressed.

"Remember when you were offended that I didn't know you were gay?"

A warm, comforting feeling filled you as you thought back to your very first outing with Ellie.

You nodded, "Yeah! I'm still pissed about it."

Ellie chuckled, "You're dumb."

You didn't reply, merely just watched silently as one by one, Ellie's legs slipped out of the denim, leaving her in plain colored boxer briefs and an undone button down shirt while her back was still to you.

You knew better than to allow your eyes and imagination to linger too long-that was dangerous territory; a been there done that type of territory.

The group continued chatting as each of you finished changing into less dampened clothing.

"You guys going to that party tonight?"

At Jesse's words your eyebrow raised in question, until you recalled the big name popstar's birthday gathering you all had been invited to that was happening tonight. Quietly, you sighed as you finished grabbing all of your personal belongings.

"Not sure. You?"

Jesse 'pst' his lips, "Ah c'mon! You have to come. It'll be a nice way to decompress. We haven't had a night off in ages."

You couldn't disagree. It had indeed been a two week spread of shows every single night...maybe a party wouldn't hurt.

But on the other hand, you knew you dreaded any sort of social gathering that was bound to leave you overstimulated and exhausted by the end of the night.

"I don't know.."

"Babe cmon, you deserve it. I deserve it. We all deserve it! Besides, we can ditch if we're too exhausted or if it's lame or something," Dina said as she turned around, joining the rest of you and your bandmates as you all naturally gathered in the center of the changing room.

You wagered your plan of staying in the hotel in stretchy clothes with takeout in hand and a shitty movie on the tv as you snuggled into the fluffy blankets…but the looks you were getting from your bandmates pretty much prepared an answer for you.

"Fineeee," you dragged your words as Dina took the initiative of leaving as she opened the dressing room door.

"Who knows, maybe you'll get laid."

You shook your head, shoving Dina playfully on the shoulder as you followed behind her. "Shut up slut."

Ellie followed behind you, and Jesse behind her as he chuckled at the usual banter between you and Dina that continued for the entirety of the walk to the black vehicle that was ready to take your band to the party.

----

You'd been at the party for only an hour before you felt your threshold being pushed to it's farthest limit.

Dina and Jesse had been loved up on the dance floor, shouting the words of a song that was unfamiliar to you as Jesse had both of his arms around his love.

Ellie had caught your eye as she talked with other people throughout the party, always having some sort of whiskey drink in hand as she fidgeted with the small black straw she was swirling around her drink.

You knew how awful Ellie was in conversation, or rather following along with a conversation. Her thoughts always seemed to take over, making it hard for her to be fixed in on the entirety of a conversation as she, instead, resorted to zoning out or fixating herself on some sort of habit like she was right now.

With your back lent against a crisp white wall, you raised your drink to your mouth as you took a sip while still watching Ellie attempt conversation, until her eyes locked with yours.

She knew this version of you too well. The crowds, the socializing, the various amount of different noises all going on at once, none of it was ever your forte.

You quickly averted your gaze downwards into the honey colored drink in your glass, which made you oblivious to the fact that Ellie had already dismissed herself from her conversation and began making strides towards you.

"Over it already?"

Her familiar tone made your eyes glance upwards briefly before bringing them back down to your drink. You shrugged, "You know how I am at these things."

Ellie indeed knew too well. She also knew how much you resented yourself for not being able to handle a party without feeling like shit before, during, and after.

"Wanna head out? I'm kind of over this too." Ellie said as she mimicked your position of back resting against a wall with nearly empty drink in hand.

Your eyes remained low as you talked. "You don't have to leave because of me."

"I'm not," Ellie assured, "you're the one who can't do social gatherings, I'm the one whose bored of superficial small talk with people that I couldn't give less of a fuck about."

At her words, you chuckled, your neck now raising as your tipsy squinted eyes finally made contact with Ellie.

"Promise it's not because you feel sorry for me?"

Ellie's face lit up with a familiar, warm grin as she held up her pinky to swear her promise was true. "Promise."

You wore a lazy, but genuine smile as you extended your own pinky and gently hooked it around Ellie's. "Let's get the fuck out of here then."

---

The drive back to the hotel was silent except for the easy listening radio the Uber drive had been playing in the vehicle. You were thankful they were playing music that was appropriate for the 3am hour that it was. The last thing you needed was heavy bass to fuel your already slightly aching head.

Both you and Ellie made your way into the hotel once the uber had reached your home for the night. Thankfully, your manager had taken care of check in so your room key was already tucked inside the palm of your hand, leaving the only thing to do was slide your key through the appropriate suite numbers door so you could fall face first into a fluffy, white bed.

Your mind pulsed with the room number as you got closer. '208, 2010, 2011, 2012."

A literal weight seemed to fall off of your body when you mentally read the 4 digit number.

"This is me. What room did you get?"

'Fuck', Ellie thought as she did a double take on the room number that was written on her key card and the room number engraved in a gold plaque on the door you were both stopped in front of.

"Me too. Guess we’re rooming together."

Ellie didn't mean for her words to come out with a grimace expression, but you understood why the second she said it.

Annalise. You'd told her once about not wanting to room with Ellie due to your past with her and it was never a forgotten thing..I guess not until now.

It wasn't that you didn't want to hang out with Ellie. Ellie was your best friend first, ex girlfriend second. Despite the past the both of you shared, you always made it your mission to never let it interfere with one of the strongest friendships you've ever had with a person.

Not rooming together was more of a...preventative measure. You and Ellie had dated for a couple years, obviously you also slept together during that time. Keeping separate sleeping arrangements was just a way to keep certain situations less likely to happen.

Without either of you making eye contact, you slid the card in, then out of the slot in the door as a light flashed green, signaling the release of the lock.

You could feel the very dim way your hands shook as you grasped the metal knob in hand, allowing you and Ellie entry into the spacious suite that, thankfully, had two queen sized beds in it. You couldn’t imagine what would happen if the hotel somehow made a mistake and gave you a suite with a single bed; at least one thing was on yours and Ellie’s side. Though it didn’t make the situation at hand any better.

The tension was thick like a humid august day in Florida.

You and Ellie had taken to silence as you both worked on unpacking the few essentials you had on your person - thank god your team had already managed to put both yours and Ellie's luggages by each of your bedside, leaving not too much work to be done tonight unpacking wise.

Once your shoes had been tucked away in the small closet, your phone charger plugged in with your phone attached to it, and your pajama's in hand, you set off for the bathroom in the still silent hotel room.

A quick shower paired with freely brushed teeth, a clean face, and much more stretchy clothing had you feeling almost fully recovered post show and post social gathering.

As you walked out of the bathroom, you couldn't help but follow the trail of clothing that was sprawled sloppily on the floor and on top of the bed that was Ellie's for tonight.

It was like a mouse hunt as you followed along the fabric and items Ellie had no doubt shoveled out of her bag instead of putting them away neatly - typical for Ellie. She was never the cleanliest of the band members.

The humored smile remained on your face as you walked from the area in the suite that contained the beds, over to the small hallway that led to the living room area.

Ellie was sprawled along the couch with nothing but a table side lamp on as her eyes were glued to her phone while her finger moved along the screen.

Thankfully she hadn't caught wind of your entrance or else she would've seen the way you ran your eyes up from her sock clade feet all the way up to the athletic shorts and hoodie that was branded with your bands logo. She only looked up when you sunk down on the opposite side of the couch she was on.

Startled, Ellie looked up at you, looking as if she had forgotten you were even here, and for a minute she honestly did. Ellies eyes had been zoned in on the text exchange between her and her girlfriend, Cat, since the moment she flopped herself onto the couch in a living room that wasn't hers- this was somewhat of a routine she had subconsciously started doing ever since the tour began.

Your eyes naturally followed along to Ellies screen as curiosity got the best of you, but when you saw the name and photo labeled at the very top of the text exchange, you felt that same god damn feeling. That drop, that warmth, that surge of an energy that was anything but positive.

It was as if Ellie could read your mind as she followed your eye line and quickly locked her phone before setting it on the arm rest of her side of the couch.

Clearing your throat, you tried your best at creating a diversion.

"I see you're still messy as ever." Your eyes remained low as you fiddled with the hem of your sweats that sat on top of your ankle bone.

Ellie smiled, mimicking your lack of contact gaze as her vision zoned out on the grey colored couch cushion.

Her mind began to dump through memories upon memories; when you and Ellie were roommates, you were always complaining about her side of the room, which quickly morphed into the entirety of the room as the floor was filled with various clothes, personal items, etc.

You only genuinely got upset about it once- finals week, freshmen year. You were stressed, Ellie was stressed, thus ensued the first of many fights that the both of you would have over petty things.

But the both of you were grown now and surely you could have a conversation over something like that.

"Shit, I'm sorry." Ellie made the move to get up from the couch until you spoke with a waving hand.

"I'm fucking with you El. You're good," you said with a calmed smile and warm tone.

"You sure? Cause I can-"

You were nodding quickly, having to fight back a large grin and laugh at how quick Ellie was willing to get up and tidy the space. You couldn't help but interrupt her quick thoughts that you could tell were piling up a mile high in her mind.

"Ellie."

At the sound of her name, Ellie felt her thoughts fall from their whirlwind as she instead focused her attention on one thing at a time and that one thing was you.

"You're good, I promise."

It was crazy how, just at the confirmation of your words, Ellie was able to calm herself down. There weren't many people in the world who could fully put her mind at ease and allow it to stop the overthinking, but you always could. You held a sense of magic over her.

"Wanna watch a movie or something?"

Though Ellie hadn't agreed yet, the remote control was already tucked in your hand as your thumb pressed down on the appropriate buttons. As if you already knew what a routine of assisting Ellie from an anxiety come down was like, which you did.

"Yeah that sounds good." Ellie's words were straight laced as she recognized her pulse for the first time and just how rapidly it was beating.

"Do you mind if I smoke? I usually do it after shows, but since we don't room together I wasn't sure-"

"Yeah your good." You interrupted, making Ellie let out a breathy laugh as she walked over to her bag that sat on top of her bed.

"What?" You asked with confusion.

"You've interrupted me like five times already." Ellie's tone was anything but malicious which assured you that she wasn't upset with your bad habit, but that didn't make you feel any less ashamed either.

"I'm soooorry," you dragged out, the sound of rummaging in the background as Ellie grabbed her trusty tin box that contained a single pre roll and her lighter.

"You know I'm fucking with you." Ellie made her way back to the living room area as she scouted out a source for proper ventilation to ensure the smell of the potent greenery wouldn't cloud up the room or the entire floor.

Thankfully the suite was equipped with massive windows that looked as if they were from the 1920’s. Adorned with different variations of swirls and florals that made the layer of cream colored paint anything but some plain colored windowsill.

Using two of her hands, Ellie grasped the bottom of the window and pulled it upwards as far as the rusted parts would allow. As if out of some sort of rom com, Ellie took a seat on the windowsill as she flicked the lighter with her thumb until it lit a small flame.

At the noise of the lighter, you turned your attention to Ellie just as the flame caught the tip of her joint- a line of smoke streamed from the now charred stuffed rolling paper. You watched Ellie’s chest as she deeply inhaled with her eyes closed, the end of the 'j' searing red as she did so, and held the smoke in her mouth for a few seconds before releasing the breath she was purposefully holding.

Even though Ellie was used to the weed, she never failed to let out a string of coughs after a deep inhale. After her second cough, you turned your body fully around to find Ellie with her mouth tucked into the crevice of her elbow as her body tried to rid itself of the irritant in her throat.

“Water?”, you questioned, to which Ellie nodded as she continued to blow out on last cough until you were standing in front of her with your steel water bottle in hand.

The way Ellie’s mouth wrapped around the tip of the bottle made your pupils dilate as you watched her gulp down several sips of water. She muttered a “Thanks” while handing the water bottle back to you while you scolded your mind for reminiscing on exactly what Ellie’s mouth could do in certain situations.

Once her throat had been cleared enough times for the saliva in her throat to break up, she leant her back against the window frame again, relaxing as the high in her mind began to build.

“Wanna hit?”, Ellie said with hooded eyes as she looked up at your standing form.

The fact that you had to stop and ponder your answer made you cringe. You were a far off version of who you once were only a year ago. Now, you got up early in the morning and did yoga just after you made yourself a hot cup of decaf coffee because, for some god awful reason, you needed a change and that change happened to be weening yourself off of caffeine.

It was funny how well you were convincing yourself and others that you were better and striding along nicely on the path of self love and content while being by yourself. What others didn't know is that you had never felt more lonely in your life. Even after Ellie and your's breakup nearly 4 years ago, you had never felt this bottomless pit that you only had to deal with once off that stage.

Maybe thats why you felt so addicted to performing. Maybe thats why you were the only one who didn’t complain when you saw how many shoes you would be putting on this tour. It took your mind off of reality..it was your drug.

"Sure," you answered Ellie as she reached her nearly limp hand out to you with a relaxed grin on her face.

The moment the joint was held between your pointer finger & thumb, it felt instinctual, despite a year or so without the substance.

As the smoke sucked down your throat, you could already feel your head beginning to float.

"Nice, right?"

You nodded, as you passed the joint back to Ellie just before taking a sip out of your water bottle that moments ago had been pressed against Ellie's mouth. You could still taste the vague cherry chapstick flavor of her lip balm. “I haven't smoked in fucking ages."

Ellie nodded as she took another big hit that made her shoulders slump even more against the window as she delved into a state of relaxation. "This shit is the only thing that calms me down after shows now."

"Seriously?"

With a nod, Ellie's eyes scanned you as if she were searching. For what? You didn't know and neither did she, but yet she allowed her eyes to linger until she landed on your arm. "How's the tattoo healing?"

Your eyes pulled down to your arm, but not without feeling a lag in motion due to the weed in your system. The amount of at ease you felt was something you hadn't felt in years. You couldn't help but question why the fuck you stopped smoking in the first place, until you came back to that self love journey, bullshit, blah, blah, blah.

"Tattoo is good. The shading on it is soo beautiful”, you dragged along your words more than usual as you prepared for your last statement that would inevitably bring her up. "Your girl is good."

At the mention of her girlfriend, Ellie felt comfort in her smile. "Yeah, she's great”, she answered honestly.

You knew her words held double meanings-yes, Ellie's girlfriend was a great tattoo artists, but you knew her and Ellie were good for each other, at least from your view it seemed that way.

"You seeing anyone lately?"

The hairs on your arms began to raise at Ellie's question. It seemed that anytime relationships or partners, whether romantic or sexual, were brought up..it always felt awkward to you. But maybe that was because you were just being you, and Ellie was matured past the college relationship you and her shared.

Not that you weren't stuck on the relationship itself entirely. You were more so stuck on the feeling of being loved like that and loving that person in return just as much. You craved it, yet no one ever scratched that itch for you after Ellie.

"Nah..I'm good," you lied through your teeth, but Ellie saw right through your faux satisfaction.

"C'mon, it's been, what? A couples years since your last relationship?"

Ellie hadn't intentionally meant to strike that nerve when the words left her lips, yet she could tell she managed to do just that according to the look on your face.

"Fuck, 'm sorry. Didn't mean to bring that up..I forgot that your last relationship was us."

You felt the urge to spit in Ellie's face out of pure spite that was bubbling inside you even though you knew she meant zero malice with her words. Deep breaths consumed your chest as you repeated a mantra to yourself: You were the one who had the problem. Not her. You were the one who had the problem. Not her.

"Yeah...it's been awhile," You chose to ignore the subject as best you could, yet it felt so damn difficult when your last relationship was sitting right in front of you, looking beautiful as a joint hung from her lips.

Ellie breathed the smoke through her gritted teeth before snubbing the end of the joint on the brick that sat on the outside walls of the hotel just outside of the open window she was relaxed against.

"So you really don't want to see any one?"

"Can we talk about something else," you huffed out with aggravation, taking Ellie by surprise, making her eyes fill with sorrow.

"Sorry."

"Don't be...", you trailed off for a moment as you took another drink out of your water simply just to give yourself something to do that wasn't sitting in silence. "I'm just sick of people asking me about it,” you shrugged. “Sorry to get pissy with you."

Ellie nodded her head as silence built between the both of you.

The longer you both sat in silence, the higher and higher Ellie felt as her eyes began to alter her perception, her brain began to cloud her judgement, and her filter on her words grew thinner and thinner.

"Do you ever think about us?”, Ellie said with a head tilted backwards and her eyes staring up at the ceiling.

Meanwhile, your lips hesitated as they forgot how to move in time with your tongue. You were finding speaking to me exceptionally difficult when it was a question like that from a person who used to be your everything.

—-

Part 2 coming soon

[igotanidea]

Bodies : Hotch x reader (part 2 to cold weather)

previous part

You would think that the end of the year would be a nice, peaceful time filled with joy and reflection about the passing year, and probably somewhere in the world it was like that. However, when you are a DA in one of the busiest cities in America, you can only quote some comic heroes while saying: the crime never sleeps.

To put it bluntly, Christmas and New Year’s Eve were nothing less, but a perfect opportunity for both petty criminals and organized crime groups to commit atrocities. Theft and assaults were – well – as tragic as it may sound – normal - but in the crowd of people at the city events there were always a risk of something bigger and worse.

Killing.

Shooting

Bombing.

You live and you learn.

And Y/N had seen enough of it, both in her career and in her private live to behave cautiously even though it was not her job to secure the place or make sure everyone was safe. But hey, here comes a surprise – being DA is not only about inspecting dead bodies and prosecuting killers.

For her – it was about people and serving justice.

Truly. Not only in theory.

And given her experience she knew something big was coming making her dread.

***

“JJ. I’m being serious.” She was sitting in her office, talking through the phone with her friend from the BAU, who also happened to be the only person who could get the whole team of agents to come. “this whole situation is serious. I can’t let it accure.”

“I can only do as much as present it at the briefing.” JJ responded though it was clear in her voice that she was struggling between her professionalism and sympathy for the young DA.

“Right. Sorry.” Y/N pinched the bridge of her nose swirling in the chair nervously while looking at the street below her. Full of police officers, CSIs, reporters and very characteristic yellow tape. “Didn’t mean to be demanding. I’m just – “ the words barely got through her throat but Y/N was pretty sure if there was anyone trustable in the whole wide world it was definitely JJ “ I’m kind of desperate. This is way beyond my pay grade.”

“I promise I’ll do my best Y/N, but it’s not my call.”

“Yeah, I know….”

Oh yes, she did.

There was too much to risk and Y/N could not sit in her chair doing nothing. If the mountain won't come to Muhammad, then Muhammad must go to the mountain. 

***

“Y/N!”

“Get out of my way Morgan I’m here on business.”

“Oh wow! Slow down Katrina.” Morgan chuckled and  Y/N raised an eyebrow at him “The hurricane.”

“I understood the reference.”

“What’s with the stormy attitude then?”

“Where is he?” she swiftly avoided the answer getting straight to her point.

“Can’t you at least say hello first?”

“Hello Morgan. Now where is he?”

“Who?”

“Stop playing with me.” She warned throwing daggers at him. It was the first time anyone at the BAU saw her act like a force of nature and even Emily couldn’t hide the amused smirk of approval. Y/N was finally showing her true side as driven and strong DA and not the withdrawn public prosecutor’s trainee they met her as. And it was both admirable and terrifying, especially to Reid who was so taken aback that his mouth hung open for a moment. The girl  woman, who saved him from drowning some time ago was a lioness and after the initial shock, he was the one to point her to the direction were the reason of her visit has been currently sojourning.

***

“The local authorities-“

“For god’s sake Hotch I am the local authority!”

“The mayor-“

“The mayor is a knucklehead who can’t speak publicly without having the speech written by ghostwriter. He has no idea what’s happening in his own backyard. And frankly I don’t think he cares.”

“You’re forgetting yourself.” Deep, calm and cold voice of the BAU chief was an evident contrast to his smirk and watchful eyes. Y/N was definitely a view when she walked into his office with a face expression so stern it could match his own.

“Oh I am?” she spun around, loosening the collar of her shirt, since the situation was making her blood boil. A little gesture that did not slip by the agent, even if he didn’t let it show at all.  “Okay then. I’ll calm down and resort to your way of understanding.”

“Which is?”

“Logic, obviously. You have no imagination whatsoever. Everything must always make sense to you and form a perfect whole. Let me present it to you then.”

“Please.” Hotch responded, still calm and collected pointing the chair to her. “You know the rules.” He added when she finally took the place instead of walking around his office like a caged animal.

“I got a killer on the loose.”

“Yes. Like many other states and cities.”

“A very specific kind of killer.”

“You’re wasting my time.”

“And mine apparently.” She muttered

“If you excuse me I got-“

“No.”

“Sorry?”

“I won’t excuse you. I’m here for something and believe me I won’t leave until I get what I want.”

“You’re being-“

“Unreasonable? Crazy?” she leaned slightly forward, almost leaning on his desk “Go ahead. Think what you want, I’d rather consider myself driven and concerned about my people. It’s part of my job to make sure no more families cries at night because some psycho is on a killing rampage. And you’re the fucking BAU supposed to –“

“I know my duties.” Hotch cut her off getting a bit agitated by her behavior.

“Do you now?”

“Leave L/N.”

“Nah, don’t think so.”

“You have no authority here.”

The sudden slap of a paper file on his desk didn’t make as much dramatic effect as she expected, but got his attention regardless.

“Come on Hotch. Don’t be shy, open it.”

 The ruffling of the pages was the only answer she got as Hotch’s eyes were moving though the file and the photos attached, scanning through every detail and blood mark on the bodies of the killed. Every line, every cut and wound inflicted on the flesh had a meaning. They both could sense in their bones even if didn’t make any sense at the point.  

“Bet they didn’t show you that, did they?” she whispered taking in his seemingly unfazed expression.

“This is-“

“Yeah, I know.“ she bit her lip hard enough to make it turn red from the pressure.

“Try to not bleed on my papers L/N.” his eyes flickered to her mouth for a split second.

“Look Hotch, I know we have our differences, many differences, but please.” She noticed, but decided to drop it due to the more urgent matter than his gaze and the sudden wave of heat. “Please work with me on this.”

She sighed hating the fact she was forced to plead with him. But it was all for the greater good and if that was what it took to ensure safety and peace in town – so be it.

“Why?” his dark eyes landed on her, piercing right through and it made her shiver in the same way she did when he grabbed her hand at the lake when they were working together before Christmas.

God, she hated her feelings. It was job, for crying out loud, and she didn’t need any exposure. Aaron could read her like a magazine, and it was very uncomfortable, to think he knew her better then she knew herself, while hiding his own motivations and emotions at the same time. Treating her like a mouse he could play with.  

“What do you mean why? Why do I want you to come?”

“Why are you pleading with me? You’re proud. You’re hot tempered. You do what you believe is right even if it violates someone else’s rules and patterns of behaviors.”

“And procedures.” She smirked

“Yes.” He nodded “So why?”

“You really want me to say it, don’t you? Some ego-feeding agent Hotchner?”

He looked at her in predatory, warning way even if his whole posture was revealing he was the lion falling for a lamb.

“Fine. Fine! You’re my last hope. I need you.”

Hotch’s face expression didn’t change even in the slightest when he stood up and opened the door motioning her to walk out.

“Aaron I –“

“Y/N.” He shook his head and waited patiently till she finally moved from the chair, defeated.

So she fought and lost and now the stupid mayor, who was only caring about the pretenses and appearances would be on top.

Over her dead body. She would catch that killer freak herself even if it meant –

“We’re going to Washington.“

Wait, what?

Hotch’s voice got through to her brain, but his words made no sense to her.

Did he just say -?

She frowned and looked at him in a bit of confusion.

“why does your action and your words never match?”

“Better get yourself on the plane L/N.”

“Since when do you take additional passengers?”

“Since I need to keep an eye on a rowdy DA, who wants to pursue a dangerous criminal on her own.”

“I did not-“

“You did.” He muttered handing her the coat in a very telling gesture

Um. Thank you?

“Are you concerned about my safety or something now?”

“You’re reckless and tend to put yourself in danger. I’m always concerned about your safety. Who would be my partner in investigating the bodies if something happened to you?”

Sure.

It was all about the bodies.

Not necessarily the dead ones though.

And very natural human instincts, even if forced to stay in hiding.

@somest1 @taygrls