#magnetic hasn't really hit for me yet

[a-moth-to-the-light]

Most-Listened of March 2024

[last month]

This was such an exciting month of releases--Purplekiss, Day6, BLEACHERS?? Chung Ha gave us a couple of songs, Nina Suárez came back out of nowhere, Lucy dropped a single, OLIVIA RODRIGO IS BACK?? I've been super excited for the J-Hope album, too, but I haven't been emotionally ready to check it out, yet, since I want to have the energy to really love it! Not to mention the Seori EP-- PLUS Bol4 and StayC both dropped some covers of huge 2019 k-pop hits.

And that isn't all. The highlights of my month were seeing Bruce Springsteen (only my favorite artist ever.) and Gregory Alan Isakov in concert(s)! So honestly, I'm a little overwhelmed by just how exciting music is right now. (It doesn't help that this month gave me my first album of the year candidate, too!!) This post will be my opportunity to go a little wild, then :)

1. Leopardos -- Ine Güemes

I should not enjoy this listening experience as much as I do. That whistling noise should annoy me by now, after all these listens, right? ... Right? Nope. I love it. This song is so soothing, it's literally the musical equivalent of a deep breath.

2. Appaloosa Bones -- Gregory Alan Isakov

Concert prep + THE sulking song this month. Look, I'm a guy who needs my daily floor time (floor time. perhaps you require it.), and it always involves considerable sulking. (At this rate, you're gonna see a sulking song on this list every single month. It's a tradition now!) I've been losing it about "Was I that gone? / Man, I hope not / Glad you found me when you did" and "The pages slow / in the room I called your name" and "They haven't made no pill / To get us across the winter time" ...

3. All Things End -- Hozier

You know what ended? My eight-week class. *sigh of relief* All things end, truly! Now I just need the reminder that this semester will end, too...

4. Death To My Hometown -- Bruce Springsteen

I'd never heard this one before, but I ASCENDED when I heard it live (the horns section was. fantastic.) and I left it on repeat all month post-concert.

5. The Ledge -- Fleetwood Mac

This song makes me proud of my music taste, honestly--see, I can like weird experimental stuff, too! It sounds wonderfully, comfortingly crowded--like the ambient noise from a nearby café, or like falling asleep with the TV on. I don't know, it's just a feeling I find myself really enjoying. I'm also SO deeply in love with the round-style singing (see: "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" rounds in middle school choir) Fleetwood Mac sometimes does (see: my obsession with "Paper Doll"), and they do it in this song !!

6. I Don't Want to Know -- Fleetwood Mac

I like this one for the same reason I like "Second Hand News"--that cheerful self-deprecation just never fails to draw me in. ("Second Hand News" is still better, though!)

7. Smart -- Le Sserafim

Does anyone NOT like this song? I missed the Eve Psyche hype train last year, so this one's hitting me doubly hard. I think the sweeter tone of "Smart" suits Le Sserafim's vocals much better, and the production is just plain adorable! This has been my go-to song during classes, when I need something to cheer me up without making me too overwhelmed.

8. Luz -- Ine Güemes

That vocal processing is SUCH a standout--so soft and hazy and fluffy, just a fascinating texture when you really focus on it, but endlessly pleasant when you leave it on loop and zone out, too. (Look, I REALLY loved this album this month.)

9. Nota de Voz -- Los Hermanos Laser

Classic indie boy music! I like "Azul Plateado" from this album, too, and I have a feeling the whole album will hit for me during the summer--I tend to like that exhausted-sounding alt-rock stuff a whole lot around July & August :)

10. Light Sprite -- Baby Pantera, Isabella Lovestory

Thanks for the rec, @pocima !!

11. I Am Right On Time -- Bleachers

This is a weirdly muted album for Bleachers (especially on the heels of "Stop Making This Hurt" and "How Dare You Want More" from their last album), and this is the most weirdly muted of them all--I really feel like it should be... more, somehow? But it's still quite a cathartic listening experience, and I keep coming back to it!

12. Really Like You -- Gyubin

I've started giving myself 30 minutes of reading time in the mornings, to help me wake up and not be completely miserable about it, so I've been reading a whole bunch of webtoons. (Hell, maybe I'll read a book one day!) This one's the perfect cutesy webtoon soundtrack, and I think it might be here because I left it on repeat while reading Blooming Season?? (I just finished catching up with Jackson's Diary, and I think I'm gonna start Death of a Pop Star next!) Anyway, Gyubin sounds lovely here, can't wait for a comeback!

13. Self Respect -- Bleachers

The production on this song is just SO exciting overall!! But I'm mostly here for the saxophone. God, it's not even that much of the song but it's gorgeous !!!

14. Nieve Sin Fin -- Ine Güemes

Nice aesthetic piano :)

15. Rush -- Twice

I love how dizzying this song is--it's chaotic and overwhelming in the most wonderful way! I was a little disappointed by it when I first listened to the album, I think because their vocals here are much softer than usual. When I let myself get swept away in the production, though, I totally get the appeal.

Five-Star Songs (& Albums!) This Month

BBB -- Purplekiss (the tiktok-music trend finally got me last year--against my will, admittedly. unfortunately for me, "bbb" is a fantastic example of that easy-listening, viral-tiktok sound from a group i'm already obsessed with, so of course i'm a huge fan. great vocal performances and silky songwriting? yeah, it's great--the muted aesthetic doesn't bug me at all--and i actually kind of love the super-short horn sections in the chorus. they're surprisingly full-sounding!)

Beam Beam -- Jeon Soyeon (i didn't get this one at all when it first came out, but i've warmed up to it over the years--and this month it just HIT. it's the perfect showcase of soyeon's energy, and it's such a rush!!)

Death To My Hometown -- Bruce Springsteen (five stars bc it has the words "robber barons" in it!!)

Girl I've Always Been -- Olivia Rodrigo (i keep underestimating olivia rodrigo's power as a performer. of course she could make this country-sounding track work. of course she could make it my favorite from the album in an instant. who am i to question??)

Hey Joe -- Bleachers (a sing-along for the politically disillusioned. happy 2024, fellow usamericans. well, at least the harmonies here are delightful!)

Jesus is Dead -- Bleachers (i mentioned that this album is unusually muted for bleachers--not dull as in 'boring in terms of production or songwriting', but dull as in dead-eyed and zombie-like. the vocal delivery, especially, is unusually bland and flat. "jesus is dead" is definitely the best use of this half-asleep, grayscale aesthetic on the album--a song as hopeless and monotone as its delivery. it's strange and stylish and messy, too, AND there's also a sax solo ?? and it works great ?? i admire it so so so much--i'm very surprised this didn't make the most-listened list, i've been looping it a whole bunch.)

The Ledge -- Fleetwood Mac

Self Respect -- Bleachers (re: saxophone.)

White Rabbit -- Jefferson Airplane (i don't think it's much of a hot take at all to say this one is fantastic. i heard it for the first time in february, and i've been completely obsessed since!!)

Heráldica -- Saramalacara (okay, i've had like. a week. with this album, but it was love at first listen--and "humo" already had my heart, anyway. the atmospherics are breathtaking, the production crisp and intense, and saramalacara's voice // the vocal production here fits SO well!! there's a song called ".tumblr" that's definitely worth checking out, though i enjoy every song on here !! except "_cuervos". i admire that one but god it disturbs me i never want to hear it again.)

Qué Nos Mantiene Despiertos -- Ine Güemes (first album of the year candidate of 2024 !!! not much of a surprise, i'm sure, given my top 15. more breathtaking atmospherics, but in the exact opposite direction of heráldica! this album is full of really unique textures, but all that chaos doesn't make it any less soothing. each song is distinct, but they all come together into this sweet, fluffy youtube-lofi-mix type of experience--and look, i'm a college student. could i ask for anything more in an album?)

[sweetimpurity]

[❤︎] day 26!! taking a break from our Mig vs Miguel series until the poll is over! wc: 1023 [❤︎]

Ever since he knocked you up, he can’t stay away. It’s like his hands are magnetized to your body, touching you, holding you. You’re only a few months along, not a super big bump yet, but you’re just so adorable he can’t help himself. Rubbing his hands up your sides, squeezing your hips in his fingers. Pregnancy has made you even more soft and squishy. Snuggling with you is even more enjoyable if that’s even possible. You seem to just melt into him, molding to his chest and in his arms. 

And he dotes on you like nothing else. Your back hurts? He’s helping you to lay down or getting your heating pad. You’re hungry? He’s whipping up the most delicious snacks, always following your cravings and knowing exactly what you want. Sometimes you think he can read your mind. You’re tired? He’s laying beside you, running his finger down the bridge of your nose as he holds you, soothing you to sleep. And if you’re horny. He’s on you, making you moan, hitting all the right spots. 

Ever since you entered the second trimester and your libido spiked, it’s like you want his cock all the time and he can’t complain. The first trimester, you were feeling really gross. Not sexy at all. And Miguel resorted to many other methods of intimacy that didn’t rely on the physical. He’d be happy to do whatever you need as long as you’re comfortable. But then one day you told him you needed to be fucked. Best day of his fucking life. 

“Mig, I want you…” 

The words leave your lips and he’s turning from the kitchen counter where he was preparing your usual snack of green apples and pickles. Looking back at you with wide eyes, seeing you stand there like a lost pregnant puppy in the doorway, thinking he must have misheard. Maybe it’s his mind playing tricks. Since he can’t get enough of your body and wants you so bad all the time, especially when you’re swollen with his baby. But he hasn't been able to have you in months. “Y-you’re snack is almost ready, baby…” 

You pout, looking in his eyes. He’s getting hard from the intoxicating mixture of your words and that look on your face. He didn’t misunderstand.“Wait you-”

“No, I wanna have sex, please… I’m not hungry anymore…” You say, scratching the side of your nose and sniffling. The chronic stuffy nose you always seem to have since being pregnant. He doesn’t know what to say. You’re requesting it like it’s the same as the apple slices on the kitchen marble. “Ok…” He hums, his voice a weak vibration. Like he can’t even speak. You’re a vision like this, and he’s at your beck and call, of course.

“Tell me what you want baby…” He breathes out near your ear, spooning you from behind in bed, the afternoon sun shining over the bed and blankets. Lying this way because you’re too tired to be on top and you’re too big for him to be over you. His fingers guiding his hardened dick through your sweet pussy, your slick coating over his tip. He presses kisses to your neck, your cheek, the smell of your skin like a drug. He’s been needy for so long but never said anything for your sake.

“Need you inside, babe…” You huff softly, eyes closed. He practically bursts at your request. It’s not even just that you want to have sex, it’s like your body is telling you, you need to be full of him, that you need him inside you now. And it’s been weeks since he’s touched you like this, weeks since he vowed to himself he’d not ask you for sex, only wait until you came to him so he knew you’d be feeling up for it. Not forcing yourself into discomfort to please him.

“Of course, amor…” He says, his voice a warm whisper against your neck. Reaching his arm in front of you now and rubbing a big hand over your baby bump, your beautiful belly full of his baby girl, the product, evidence of your love and devotion to one another, down to your bundle of aching nerves. Pushing his tip through your folds and slipping inside you, achingly slow, filling you out so nicely as always. Hearing you hum and huff in relief. Finding your clit and rubbing in small controlled circles, trying to ease the stretch and get you wetter for him. “Good, baby?” 

“Mmmmmm…” You hum and moan, bending your back and arching against him, causing him to push further in. Satisfying that ache to be full, your head tilting onto the pillow in relief and his lips soon to follow on your jaw. Drawing his hips back and pumping back in slowly, filling you up even more that time. “Ohh-mgh…” 

Your moans fill his ears, your fingers finding his hair and tangling in the strands. He works up a rhythm, pumping in and out of you. Slow enough to be gentle but fast enough to satisfy you. To bring you closer and closer to climax. Your hormones put that need in you. The need to come and gush, filled with his cock, his seed.

Kissing over your shoulder, his hand goes up over your belly again, up to your full round breasts, a big hand clasping over the mound and applying the slightest of pressure. But you keen in soft protest. “Mmt-that hurts…” You whisper, nose scrunching up slightly. 

“Oh love, I’m sorry…” He hums, realizing, letting the pressure off your swollen sensitive breast and opting to cradle your belly under his arm instead. “‘m sorry mi amor… is that better?” 

“Mhmm” You sigh, soothed with his kisses of apology to your cheek, still buzzing and tingling from having him inside you. The friction, the fullness, it’s all so satisfying. He keeps up the rhythm, out of breath and working to get you there. All for you, only you. 

The squish of his dick through your slick fills the room until you’re grasping his forearm, clenching around him and gushing on his cock. Eyes fluttering and lungs filling with gasps of breath. And when you come down, he’s wrapped around you so smug and warm, holding you like something so rare and precious, irreplaceable. Because you are.

Taglist!! love my sweeties!

@spooky-sculder

@slushycoookie @xxyaoi-nationxx @snails-doodles22 @scaryplanetdestroyer @fate13

@divorcepaperz @yeahnohoneybye @zaunsin @tomalymme @drefear

@mrs-pondwater19 @saintdiior @aphinthestars @hyjionie

@palomanh @maxad99 @muuuwoppppp @reader-1290

@sp0ck136 @lazyninjaphilosopher

@pinkdizzyship @opalwitchart

if you'd like to be added/dropped from the taglist, please comment on my masterlist post. Or else I might not see it! thank you! 🩷

[yeeterthek33per]

Loved and Landed (Steph Catley x Reader)

A/n Requested

-------

Steph lives a busy life.

There's her football life. Obviously.

There's her schooling life.

There's the life she lives with her friends and family.

And then there's the life with-

"Steeeeeph, come on, I wanna get there early, I'm not dealing with Katie leaving something for me to find, again."

There's incessant tugging at the sleeve of her red Arsenal hoodie.

Of course, her football life keeps her the most busy.

Especially when she has to drive it to and from home all of the time now that Kyra's living in the house as well.

It had been a hectic process, but the young midfielder had settled in quickly, taking in the familiarity of the Aussie herself and her club teammates' closeness around them.

Quickly becoming a child amongst the older girls on the team, much like a sibling to them, within but a few months.

That being said.

Kyra was a little shit.

And she knew it too.

A demanding one at that.

Hence why Katie had taken to knocking the young brunette down a few pegs.

Her cockiness was starting to show under the protection of the older girls, so the Irish captain had been messing with her enough to take the invincible mindset away from her.

Leaving her ultimately latched onto Steph now.

A lot.

"Seriously, Steph, please, I can't deal with her leaving shaving foam in my boots again."

The older woman raises an eyebrow at the pleading look on Kyra's face.

"You did this to yourself, Ky. Katie's only retaliating because you decided you were king shit enough to put hair dye in her shampoo."

The younger girl whines.

"Don't you think she's retaliated enough? I've had my shoes violated, my shin guards replaced with slightly smaller ones. I mean, the other day, my water bottle was filled with pickle juice. Pickle Juice! For gods sake."

Steph sighs, rolling her eyes slightly, grabbing the last of her stuff to shove into her pack, she gestures to the front door, to which the midfielder eagerly hurries out of and towards the car, waiting impatiently for the defender to unlock it.

"You've seriously gotta apologise to Katie or something. The girl has ten siblings, I can't imagine she hasn't spent her whole life dealing with bratty behaviour from little shits like you."

Kyra scoffs as she hurriedly buckles herself in.

"Rude."

"The truth."

Steph smirks at the small pout that forms on the other girls lips.

"Hurry up and drive."

"So bossy."

-------

As expected, they arrive with hardly any other people around, decidedly much earlier than any of the other girls. Katie wasn't the earliest of player's anyway, so Kyra really shouldn't be worried about her beating them there.

Still, the youngin looks exceptionally nervous as she peaks into the changing room and gingerly makes her way over to her cubby, scanning it with a ridiculous level of detail.

Steph can only shake her head, watching the young girl sheepishly wander around the room, checking for what may well be hidden traps.

Maybe she should talk with Katie about getting her to take it down a notch.

The Irish woman was nothing if not relentless when it came to getting back at someone.

The last thing the team needed was a midfielder with serious trust issues stemming from their infamous yellow card magnet of a winger.

"Ky, relax. She's not even here yet."

"Yeah, but you never know."

"Seriously, it's game day, relax, she won't-"

"Oh, hello, you two. Stephy. Kyra."

The ever so loud and joyful Katie enters the changing room with a bang of the door as it slams open and hits the wall.

Her smirk quirks up a little wider at the sight of the midfielder, who's looking rather sheepishly around her rather than at the Irish woman herself.

"You two extra early today, eh?"

"Ha, something like that."

Steph gives her a look as she nods in Kyra's direction.

"Give the poor girl a break, would ya? I think she's been thoroughly humbled."

Katie snorts in amusement, eyeing her up.

"Eh, she’s fine. I wasn't gonna do anything."

Steph raises a brow at that.

"....Yet."

There it is.

"Of course. Don't mess around too much, though. We still have a game to play, McCabe."

She lets out an unconvincing hum in response, right as some of the other girls start to filter in, Caitlin one of the ones to settle into her cubby beside the defender.

"What's up with the kid?"

Steph snorts.

"Ask your girlfriend. She's been torturing the poor girl."

Caitlin rolls her eyes, turning to Katie, who's now got a cheeky glint in her as she eyes up the younger of the three.

"Katie."

"What? I didn't do any-"

She stops at the look she gets from the Australian, grumbling as she relents and turns back to her cubby.

-------

Kyra's finally able to escape the locker room out of sight of the defender the moment the Irish woman is distracted.

Heading down the hall towards the physio room, she ends up coming face to face with and bumping face first into someone.

She groans when she rubs at her face and her backside from where she landed on it as she stands up again with the help of her assailant.

The person is stood in a royal navy uniform, a patch on her shoulder with three horizontal gold stripes and a small circled loop on the top, hair slicked back and tight into a bun behind her head.

'L/n-Catley' the name badge reads.

Confusion crosses her face which you quickly notice.

"You're Steph's teammate right?"

"Uh yeeaah? Who are you?"

"It's a long story and sorry about the bump there. I uh, I don't know if y'all know yet but I might need your help. The staff were nice enough to let me in but I need an escort here."

"Where are you going?"

"I got told to wait for one of the trainers in the staff room?"

"Can I ask what you're doing?"

"Waiting to see Steph, but don't tell her, it's supposed to be a surprise."

Kyra is extremely sceptical, but she leads you down the hall to where the trainers are situated and one of them recognises you immediately, hugging you and dragging you into the room.

She's even more confused when the staff member is nearly in tears.

Wait.

Navy uniform.

Here to see Steph.

L/n-Catley on the name badge.

There's no way.

"Are you... Are you married to Steph?"

You chuckle softly, rubbing the back of your neck.

"Yes I am. If you can't tell it's been a little while since we've seen each other."

"Yeah, I can tell, her house is far too empty for the size of it."

"Ah, so you're the new roommate. Kyra, right?"

"She's been talking about me?"

You nod.

"We would call every two weeks. When she found out you were moving to Arsenal, I couldn't tell if she was happy or mad because you'd already trashed her white towels."

"Hey! That was not my fault, the wine just fell... on it's own."

There's a sheepish look on her face.

You chuckle softly.

"She'll be fine, the pattern was ugly anyway, we needed new towels... Don't tell her I said that."

Kyra smiles at that.

"It's great to meet you, then... How are we planning this out?"

"I'll have my sister here sneak me somewhere I can wait and surprise her at the end of the game."

She nods.

"Alright, I better get going then before the girls come looking for me for pitch inspection."

You nod back and give her a warm smile.

"Oh, I'm Y/n, by the way, Lieutenant Commander Y/n L/n-Catley."

-------

The roar of the almost entirely red and white crowd as the girls enter the pitch is as usual, deafeningly loud.

Home games are always the most adrenaline instilling games, ones where their fans are always the loudest, chanting and screaming every time one of their own touches the ball.

Steph can still hardly believe it.

The growth in the game. Breaking records every single home match so far.

The FA Cup semi-final was no different it seems.

Her eyes subtly scan the crowd as she jogs out behind the others, shifting from clapping fan to clapping fan. There's an air about the crowd.

A massively high inducing air, one that she can feel in every nerve ending in her body as she practically bounces around the pitch in warmups.

She brushes it off as it being a semi final type of high.

Aston Villa would be a difficult opponent and she assumed that was the reasoning.

-------

It seems she's proven wrong in the first ten minutes.

It doesn't take long for Stina to score, the home crowd immediately losing their minds, and they barely have time to recover just two minutes later when the Swede swoops in for the double.

By the fourty-fifth minute, they know they have the game. Four to nil over the Villans thanks to a Stina hattrick and a goal from Frida. Her heartbeat is thumping in her ears as they approach the final minute.

This is the part they're in the dark. How many minutes left of stoppage? How much longer does she have to defend?

The players are taught not to worry about that. To just play until the whistle blows. And she does.

But she can't help the nagging awaiting of the whistle, wondering when it will go.

The moment it does, there's celebration, relief, and a lot of cheering and screams and congratulation from the air around.

A pair of arms and legs wrap around her from behind as Kyra jumps on her back, the young Australian whooping into her ear.

"Onto the finals, Stephy!"

The defender chuckles and celebrates with the team, the announcer shouting out the home teams win to wind up the crowd once more.

As they do the celebration walk around the pitch, the announcer announces player of the match, and then one more announcement catches her ear.

Her head snaps toward the tunnel the moment she hears it, heart stopping at the words of the female announcer.

"And finally, one last round of applause. Let us congratulate and welcome back someone very special to one of our own. Lieutenant Commander Y/N L/n-Catley returning from fifteen months of duty at sea with the Royal Navy."

And truly, there you are, her wife.

Dressed to the nines in your Black, long sleeved uniform, hands clasped behind you, standing with a wide, almost teary smile as you watch Steph bolt across the pitch towards you, catching her with little effort as she jumps into your arms, knocking the cap off your head with the force.

The rest of the Arsenal girls stand shocked, looking between themselves and their left back at the sudden appearance of a totally new member of the Catley family.

Before they can even try to work out who you might be to Steph, the defender has her lips pressed to yours tightly, tears streaming down your face.

The sensation of finally being able to kiss you, her wife. HER wife, has her trembling against you, her stomach twisting and curling as you hold her tight against you, your own hands shaking as they rest on her back.

It had been the longest stint you'd gone without seeing each other, having been on a cramped ship for the majority of that time.

Even having been used to long times apart, the immense relief of being able to hold your person, your love, YOUR wife, after so long. was like nothing else you'd ever experienced.

And you were glad you had all the time in the world to experience it now.

When Steph's finally able to pull back and look you in the eye, hands holding your face, eyes scanning your features, noting a small scar under your right brow, and then returning to make eye contact again with you, albeit very tearily, much like yourself.

Lifting your own hands, your thumbs swipe away the tears on her cheeks, leaning down once more to kiss her, forehead leaning against hers.

You take in the immensity of the screams of the crowd all of a sudden, especially the crowd around the players' tunnel.

With that, she buries herself back into your hold, her nose buried into the crook of your neck.

Your eyes scan the pitch, watching the applauding or shocked expressions of the players.

You'd already known her teammates didn't know she was married, however their shocked expressions still have you chuckling.

All except Kyra's wide smile as she watches the two of you and you give the girl a wink.

"I can't believe it. You're here."

It's half whimpered into your shoulder, and you just barely hear it over the crowd.

"I'm here. I'm home."

"They finally let you on leave?"

She's using a half joking tone beneath the watery chokes and sobs.

"Better than that, Love."

She pulls away shocked.

"You mean.."

You smile down at her teary eyed.

"I'm home for good, not retired but they're giving me an office in London. Full time hours still but I won't be needed for duty anymore."

She frowns softly after a second.

She knew you'd always hated the idea of an office job.

Catching the look on her face, you knew what she'd be thinking about.

"I don't care where it is, or what I'm doing. I'm just glad I'm home, with you. I've had my fill of travelling and front line work for a lifetime."

Leaning your forehead back against hers, you let the moment sink in.

You'd known it was coming for months now, haven spoken to your superiors, and them letting you know there was a position available remotely, you'd taken it in a heartbeat.

If it meant coming home to your girl, you'd have done anything.

A small throat clearing a couple feet from you, the team had moved to stand around the pair of you, eager to ask questions of the brunette in your arms.

You nudge her softly with a small giggle in her ear.

"Babe, I think they have questions."

"They can wait a little longer."

You don't fight her on it just letting her settle into you again, holding you tightly.

The moment she does let go, she's grabbed by the shoulders and interrogated by the team rather swiftly.

Leah stands arms crossed.

"Now Stephy, when did this occur?"

Steph sheepishly smiles around her at her.

"Alright alright, Gunners, meet my beautiful wife, Y/n. She's been in the navy since she turned eighteen, we met five years ago when she was on leave in Australia. We started dating less than a month later and she left on duty about four months later. We got married after three years, bought a house right before she left a year and a bit ago. We haven't seen each other in person since then. Until now, that is."

And just like that, you're immediately dragged into the group rather swiftly, squished into several hugs.

A firm handshake and then a tight hug from their captain, especially. The Scot making firm well you know how quickly she'd bury you should you hurt their defender, despite the fact you'd known Steph longer and you chuckle, nodding in agreement at the stern look turned cracked smile she lets go.

When you're finally free, Steph takes no time tucking herself under your arm and wrapping hers around you, looking up at you slightly with a proud, elated smile, eyes still slightly teary.

Returning the expression, you press a small kiss to her nose.

"Welcome home, Baby."

You shake your head.

"Congrats on the win, Baby, this is your moment right now. Go celebrate for a bit, we've got all the time in the world now."

She pouts but relents with a small peck and nudge.

"KYRA, YOU KNEW?!"

The shouts of the Irish captain make her jump but chuckle a little as a gloating midfielder teases the rest of the girls.

Yeah. She was in for it.

-------

[becausebuckley]

michelle's buddie fic recs: week 45!

what a week... i'm greatly enjoying all of the post-8x06 buddie fic (many more recs to come!) and took some time to revisit old favourites, which can be found in previous rec lists. enjoy!

this is a mix of fics with all ratings, so some include NSFW content. please take a look at both the ratings and the fic tags before reading! some might also contain spoilers for season 8.

if you come across something you like in this list, remember to show some love to the author by leaving kudos and a comment!

all that we need | not1_2write | 26.4k | M

When Buck buys a Powerball lottery ticket he doesn't think much beyond his need for change to air up his tire. He forgets all about the ticket until word spreads that the winning ticket was sold in LA and hasn't been claimed yet and pretty much dismisses it. After all, there's no way he won the lottery. Turns out no, he really did win the Powerball, to the tune of 295 million dollars and just in time for Christmas. He's going to make sure the 118 has the best Christmas of their lives. And just maybe he'll have a good one too. idk about all of you but i do dream about winning the lottery regularly (way too often for someone who's never bought a ticket, that's for sure). this is such a lovely look at what buck would do with a whole lot of money <3

i take this magnetic force of a man | playinginthunderstorms/@playinginthunderstorms | 9k | M

Turns out, he isn’t actually afraid of commitment. He’s just afraid of committing to the wrong thing, or the wrong person. Ana, obviously, had been a mistake, because he hadn’t been ready, and he’d put other people’s expectations above his own wants and needs. With Marisol, he’s done the same thing. Moved too fast, doing what he thinks is the right thing according to who? His parents? For Chris’s benefit? Again, pushing past his own comfort, discarding any doubt because it doesn’t fit like… Like Buck. blanket rec for one of my favourite authors who has been posting incredible fics lately!! this one in particular is so beautifully written and so romantic and just so very buddie <3

if i need to rearrange my particules i will for you | thelikesofus/@thelikesofus | 7.9k | GA

Eddie catches a cold and Buck takes care of him while having a minor, non-platonic emotional crisis. this is definitely influenced by the fact that i've been ill myself but wow truly nothing hits as hard as buddie taking care of each other when one of them isn't feeling well. the bed sharing in this is so good <3

let me | facewithoutheart/@facewithoutheart | 1.6k | T

Eddie doesn't think he needs romance. Buck, respectfully, disagrees. AKA the fic where Buck picks Eddie up and kisses him breathless against a wall. and buck is so right for doing that!! i love it when buck turns eddie to jello <3 so lovely!

second child, restless child | lesbianrobin/@lesbianrobin | 23k and counting| M

how Evan and Maddie make it out of Pennsylvania, and Buck and Maddie build a family. okay so listen these past few weeks i've been doing this thing where i only rec finished fics, and every time i scroll through my ao3 history for these rec lists, i come across this one and go oh i wish i could rec this already. and then i realised wait it's my rec list i can do whatever i want, and so then i did. anyway, mind the tags for this one, but wow are you in for a treat here! i love the character dynamics (chim is brilliant in this!! and maddie!!) and i'm so so excited to see the rest of this fic unfold <3

said that i was fine, said it from my coffin | justhockey/tumblr | 7.3k | T

And it doesn’t matter that he feels like he’s dying. Like the version of himself that he’s always been is suddenly a stranger to him - just a mask he’d spent his entire life hiding behind, without ever even realising he was wearing it. It doesn’t matter that Eddie is…that he’s gay. Because he knows - as surely as he knows that the sun will rise again tomorrow - that the only person he has ever, and will ever, truly love is Buck. And Buck isn’t his to love. another blanket rec for an author who's been posting incredible fics!! this one in particular has such brilliant eddie characterisation and i just devoured it the second i got that little ao3 email hehe

there's no place like home-spun | icewhisper | 4.1k | GA

Buck has spent most of his life trying to find something to settle fidgeting hands and the restless need for a home. He found the key to the latter when he was thirteen. He finds the former in a cozy home on South Bedford Street with two of his favorite people. (AKA the Buck-crochets fic that literally no one asked for.). this fic makes me want to learn how to crochet. i am the least crafty person ever and i have like minus time but just know that if two weeks from now i'm posting about yarn and crochet hooks and whatnot, it's all thanks to this fic. i love buck who crochets so very much <3

you get your dreams for free | llovely/@butchdiaz| 14.9k | T

five times buck and eddie cuddle drunk and one time they cuddle sober. buddie bed sharing my absolute favourite. i read this late at night curled up under three blankets and it hit just right <3

[broadwaydivastournament]

Movie Musical Divas Tournament: Round 4

Barbra Streisand (1942- ): Yentl in Yentl (1983) | Fanny Brice in Funny Girl (1968) and Funny Lady (1975) | Dolly Levi in Hello, Dolly! (1969) | Daisy Gamble, On A Clear Day You Can See Forever (1970)

"One can hardly say the word diva before someone is screaming for Barbra Streisand. And really, it’s hard to argue with that. She is chock full of magnetism, to the point where you can hardly look away. Even the weakest material feels astounding in her hands- I can say that with confidence, because I’ve watched Funny Lady XD. What more can I say? Babs is Babs." - anonymous

Judy Garland (1922-1969) Esther Smith in Meet Me in St. Louis (1944) | Vicki Lester in A Star is Born (1954) | Hannah Brown in Easter Parade (1948) | Susan Bradley in The Harvey Girls (1946)

"i am sure someone else already submitted her but i had to be sure. the icon the ravishing beauty the scrungly little gal." - anonymous

This is Round 4 of the Movie Musical Divas tournament. Additional polls in this round may be found by searching #mmround4, or by clicking the link below. Add your propaganda and support by reblogging this post.

ADDITIONAL PROPAGANDA AND MEDIA UNDER CUT: ALL POLLS HERE

Barbra Streisand:

"She very good in Funny Girl (which isn’t even that strong a musical) and in Hello Dolly (which IS good but the movie flopped so hard the genre has never been the same). And still! She keeps singing like the queen she is." - anonymous

Photos submitted by: @mygreatadventurehasbegun | Video submitted by: anonymous

Judy Garland:

"I was so surprised to discover that no one has submitted propaganda for Judy Garland yet! Unless the list hasn't been updated, in which case, never mind. But either way, here are some of my favorite Judy moments:

This version of Old Man River hits me square in the feels, holy crapProof that not only was she an unbelievable singer, but she could keep up with both Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire on the dance floor!

She was such an icon and a massive inspiration for me! She definitely deserves to go far in this tournament!!" - @mygreatadventurehasbegun

Photos and video provided by: @mygreatadventurehasbegun

[roll-of-royces]

LaDS Oneshot: Caleb x AFAB MC (unrequited) & Zayne x MC (inferred)

Summary: Caleb attends your birthday party, and symbolically burns his entire world to the ground.

Rating: M for alcoholism, mentions of mental illness, non-consenting kiss, vulgar language, mentions of vomit, mentions of sex

Spoilers: None

Word Count: 2652 words

He knows your apartment is small, Caleb has been there a few times. He was there with a housewarming gift when you first got it. Last year he stayed there for two days on your couch for the holidays, pretending he lived there. And yet, the idea that your birthday party is taking place in someone else's 'art studio', whatever that means, has him irritated before he even arrives. 

But he'll go, because it is you. And when it comes to you he always shows up. 

He made a promise. 

So he parks his bike off the street and follows the sidewalk until he spots a gate tied with little red and white balloons. Caleb takes a slow steadying breath through his nose and reaches for the gate, swinging it open, if it swings too far and smacks into the fence then he doesn't much care. 

He's got his aviation jacket on, the one he never seems to take off, like a second skin. Like a shield. But he did bother to put on a nice shirt instead of a hoodie, and dark wash jeans. The door to the 'studio' is open and as he approaches he can hear the sounds of music and chatter. 

Caleb's a little late, possibly the last one here. He was putting it off all morning. Another quick breath and he's through the door, he glances through the crowd landing on you. 

You're in a new dress, he hasn't seen this one before. It's red, God he loves you in red, short. Short enough he can see the tan of your thighs about halfway up. Tight at the top, thin straps. Your hair is wavy around your shoulders, and he has to force himself to swallow. 

He spreads his arms, pastes on his brightest smile, and hollers, "Happy birthday, pipsqueak! Are you officially an adult yet?"  

You twist, rolling your eyes, before you rush to him. His chest feels light right before you impact and he wraps his arms around you, lifting you bodily off your feet given your smaller size. He knows he clings too tight as he holds you in the air, pressing his face into your hair. 

It's too much, and yet, he doesn't let go until you giggle and try to wiggle free. Caleb is careful with the way he lowers you to the tile, making sure you don't lose your balance on those damn fuck me pumps you've got on. 

He just got here and he already needs a drink. 

"I'm glad you could come." You reach out and bat at his arm, "Even if you're late." 

"We hit delays on the way back." He lies with a smile. Like he hadn't gotten in last night, barely slept, and hovered in his hotel room all day making sure he didn't look like shit before he showed up. 

But you don't pick up on it, you never do, especially not on a day like today when there are far more exciting things going on than his underlying depression. 

You give him another smile, the kind of smile reserved for dismissal, squeeze his arm, and you're gone again, leaving him standing in the middle of the room. Caleb heads for the kitchen, eyeing the selection spread across the island. 

The man behind it, purple looking hair and sharp eyes raises an eyebrow at him. Caleb tries not to grind his teeth, "Nice place." 

It's okay, nothing to write home about really. Wide and open, the kind of spot rich people like him can afford. 

Rafayel grabs a chilled glass and fills it with ice, topping it off with a mix of a few bottles before he slides it toward Caleb. "Thanks." 

And that's that, he goes back to hiding on the outskirts eyes everyone in attendance. It's a larger turnout than he expected, you've been busy while he's been away. That shouldn't come as a surprise you've always been a magnet for people, there's something special about you, and he was the first to see it. 

There's you of course, obviously, it's your birthday but you've also dragged Zayne from the hospital, he's sitting next to some curly-haired boy talking about something. Your hunter partner, Xavier, is sitting on one of the loveseats eyeing you. He recognizes a few other faces, people you've mentioned or taken pictures of and posted. 

Caleb is embarrassed by the amount of lurking he does on your account. Always looking in, never participating. He has no one to blame for that but himself. He sips from his glass and gives the concoction a look of surprise when it slides easily down his throat. 

Painter boy can make a drink, because it's not weak. He feels the burn on the way down, but it lacks that harsh tang of strong liquor. He lifts the glass in the other man's direction and is met with a look that clearly says 'obviously'. 

He throws back the rest and finds that there's already another glass waiting for him. And then another, and another. 

In less than an hour the party is in full swing, you're sitting in the seating area, Zayne next to you, purple-haired boy on the other. All your friends are gathered around telling stories he doesn't entirely understand. Inside jokes that he never got to learn the punchline to. 

Caleb hovers by the window a few feet away, lips numb, looking out one of the large windows. He's distancing again, he should be over there trying to fit into your new group, trying to integrate himself into your life so he doesn't get forgotten, but instead, he hovers. 

He notices Zayne's eyes slide over him, and as always even when they were kids he feels dissected under the doctor's intelligent gaze. Zayne stands, touching your shoulder with a little inside smile that lights a fire in Caleb's stomach. 

Shoulder touches. What's next? The small of your back? Your waist? 

He sips from his glass. 

Zayne wanders over, leaning against the wall next to him, and they look out together. "That's your seventh drink." 

Caleb takes a longer sip just to fuck with him, releasing an excessive 'ah' sound when he's done, "My mom's dead, Zayne, I don't need a new one." 

The doctor sighs but otherwise doesn't remark on that comment, "Come sit with everyone." 

"I'm good." 

"You're self-isolating." Zayne looks at him from the corner of his eye. "Did you just get back from an assignment?" 

Caleb laughs, "Are you experiencing difficulty with reintegration? Do you find yourself thinking of violent scenarios? When you are alone do you consider harming yourself? Please, be less obvious. You're not a field doc anymore." 

"I know you don't want to hear me, but you're showing signs of - " 

He jerks to the side to look at Zayne directly, leaning in with a hiss, "You're not my shrink."

"No. I'm your friend." Caleb wishes Zayne were easy to bend, to push back. But Zayne has never been one to back down, he's got a will like a solid sheet of immovable ice. He doesn't crack under the pressure. 

Most people are intimidated by Caleb, they take one look at that spark of fire in his eyes and they take a step back. Zayne only raises an eyebrow. 

They stare at each other. Caleb drinks what's left in his glass and sets it down on the windowsill. "I'm fine." 

"She's worried about you." 

Caleb blinks hard, closing his eyes for a few seconds before he opens them again. "And when did she tell you that?" 

Oh, purple boy definitely put too much liquor in these drinks, his head swims. Anger curls low in his gut. Zayne is standing too close to him, he feels blocked in even though he's in a huge room. 

"She told me." 

Caleb glances in your direction, you're laughing at something your hunting partner said. Bright teeth and flushed tipsy cheeks. Your dress has ridden up a little too high but no one has mentioned it. Is it too high? Or is it just him? 

"Caleb, have you been seeing things that aren't there?" Zayne's voice has gone soft, the kind of soft one uses when talking to invalids and children. "When was your last mental exam?" 

He snarls, glaring at Zayne. "I'm fucking fine." 

A few of the others glance their way, he was too loud. He feels your eyes find him and he can see it. Fuck, he can see it. The way your face says, 'not again, Caleb is going to embarrass me again'. 

Zayne reaches for his arm and he jerks away heading for the kitchen counter. He doesn't bother to pour it into the glass, he grabs the bottle. 

The doctor follows, people have gone quiet to watch him crash and burn. Caleb brings the bottle to his lips; Zayne reaches for it. Caleb sidesteps and the bottle freezes in his hand, liquor hard stopping as it solidifies to ice. 

"We're worried about you. How about some water?" 

We. What a funny word we. The insinuation behind it given Zayne never used to use the word we before. 

Caleb sets the bottle back to the counter, useless as it is now. His hand burns from the cold. Something ugly finds its way into his chest as the glass hits the stone of the counter. The clink of it might as well be the key in the lock holding back his rage. 

"Are you fucking her?" The moment Caleb says it he knows he's ruining something. He's knocking down a carefully built card tower. 

Zayne's face flashes to confusion, and then his expression disappears behind cold neutrality. "I'll get you some water." 

Caleb laughs, harsh and unamused. The room has gone silent except for the faint music from the surround system. He's not sure if he said it loud enough to be heard across the room, if you heard. He doesn't look at you -- can't. 

"Answer me." He follows Zayne ending up on the other side of the counter, running into each other in front of the door to the fridge. Caleb slams his hand to the surface so Zayne can't open it, hissing at him low enough he can guarantee you won't hear, "Are you?" 

Zayne's eyes are sharp. "You're drunk." 

Caleb grins, "I'm off duty, I'm allowed to be drunk." He leans in closer, chest to chest, using his slightly taller height against Zayne, "You are, aren't you. You're fucking giving it to her." 

"You need to listen to me. If you do this, you're going to hurt people, including yourself. Take a walk with me. Get some air." 

It's too kind, and that's what makes him angrier. He doesn't want Zayne's pity, or doctor's fixes. He doesn't want his childhood friend to give him a recommendation to some shrink who's going to dissect why Caleb has emotional detachment issues. He wants a fight.

He should have picked someone other than the unshakable Zayne. 

So he pushes harder, even as Zayne grabs him by the arm when he starts talking, even as he gets half dragged out of the building, "How does she take it? Does she like it rough? Does she beg for it like a good whore?"

There it is, anger. Caleb latches onto that little sign of weakness. "She fucks like a slut, doesn't she? I knew she would. I bet she likes it when you make her cry. I bet she spreads herself out on your dining room table and asks for it like a dirty little tramp." 

Zayne lets him go, "Enough." 

Caleb grins at him, taking on a mock falsetto, "Give it to me, Doc-tor." 

His friend points at him and that is the closest Caleb has felt to a threat from him. And unfortunately, because something in him is broken, it is only an incentive to keep talking. 

"Please, please, please, doc-tor, I need your cock to feel - " 

Zayne shoves him in the direction of the gate, "Go. Cool off." 

"No." Caleb laughs, eyes glancing toward the entrance to the studio. They've amassed a small little audience. You're watching him, all disappointment. Your new friends hover close to be 'comforting'. "No, I think I'll stay." 

"Caleb." Your voice shoots through him like a knife in the eye. "You need help. Let us help you." 

He laughs again this time it's longer, more manic than ever before. Everyone is watching him crash and burn and he doesn't know what to do about it. All he knows is he's angry, so angry and he doesn't know where to put it. 

"You can't help me!" Caleb leans in on himself, feeling a wave of dizziness. "No one can." 

You approach, because you're good like that, soft. The supportive friend, wanting to be supportive. But if you give him that little, 'we're siblings, I'm here for you' speech he's going to throw up. He's going to vomit all this liquor all over your nice new shoes.

When you touch him, hand on his arm, he goes still. Put to pasture by a single touch, he looks down at you and feels his heart fall to his stomach, acid consuming it each second you stand too close. "It's going to be okay. Zayne and I will look into -" 

He doesn't even let her finish he barks a laugh that probably spatters her in spit. Zayne and I. "You want to help me?" He leans in, "You want to help me, sister?" 

You open your mouth to say something, and he sets his whole life on fire when instead of letting you speak he sticks his tongue in your mouth. He wraps his fingers in your hair trapping you from getting away, and he kisses you. He kisses you dirty. 

He leeches affection you don't want to give, because if he's going down swinging he might as well go down with the taste of you mixed with the drink on his tongue. 

Your lips are hard against his, unmoving, as your hands push against his chest trying to shove him off. He moves back, gets one look at your wide pained expression before your palm impacts the side of his face. 

His head jerks to the side, cheek stinging, headache beginning at his temple. And then you just stare at him like you can't wrap your head around what has just happened. Several of your friends are talking all at once, offering comfort, dismay, anger. 

"What is wrong with you?" 

"Caleb." 

"You need to leave."

"Are you okay? He shouldn't have done that." 

"Caleb." 

"You're an asshole."

"Come back inside, he's not coming back in." 

"Caleb!" Zayne says.

He turns to look at him and realizes he's just ruined everything. Zayne knows it too, because there isn't any anger, there should be anger, he just looks sad. When he takes Caleb's arm this time it feels like a parent guiding a child across a busy road. 

He lets himself be led all the way out to the sidewalk. They stand there in silence. 

Zayne sighs, and lets go. "Call my office line if you want to get help. Wait here and I'll get you a driver." 

Office line. Not personal number. 

Caleb just nods, entirely out of energy. The liquor has settled into an upset stomach. Instead of tasting you all he tastes is the acidity of vomit creeping up his throat. 

Zayne walks back into the building and Caleb watches him go, waits until the door closes, and pulls his keys out of his pocket. He walks to his bike and stares at it, "Fuck it." He slides the helmet on, not because he cares about his safety, but because it hides the tear tracks. 

There's no point in waiting for a car, he'll keep going until he hits the airport, then up to Skyhaven. 

He has no plans of coming back down. 

[rosieblogstuff]

This might be too many but, for the MacGyver ask game:

4, 7, 15, 16, & 18?

(:

There's no such thing as too many. 😂 It's just a matter of how long it'll take me to write something for all of them. But here goes:

Do you have any favorite fandom media you’d like to recommend? (Fic, edits, art, etc.)

Hooooo boy, am I ever bad at picking a favorite of anything and sticking with my opinion the next time I come across something shiny. Has anybody not read Turkey Day yet? Everybody's surely read it. If anyone hasn't they should immediately run over to AO3 right now.

How did you discover the show?

It was October 2021 and I was suffering Peak Pandemic Loneliness. Friday night I watched a couple episodes of The Americans because one of my writing forums was having a big plotting discussion about it. I love spy shows generally and I really enjoyed The Americans the first time through but it was just NOT the mood I was in right then, it was too dark and too bleak. So at the end of episode 2 Amazon popped up a list of “also recommends” stuff and there was the MacGyver reboot, first thing on the list. I loved OG MacGyver, watched it after school and in the summers as a kid, there are episodes I managed to see enough at a time when you were stuck watching whatever the TV wanted to show you that I could easily recall major plot points and characters like 30ish years later BUT. I hadn’t seen the reboot because I’d seen friends panning it on Facebook when it came out. (I’m sure I’ve posted Rosie’s Theory of Why Middle Aged White Guys Hated MacGyver 2016 before. But I didn’t realize it at the time.) So I thought to myself, well I’m already in a bad mood and bored, why not watch something crappy that I’ll probably hate? and started up 1x01.

Obviously that did NOT go as anticipated because 1x01 is really a pretty awesome pilot episode and I enjoyed it enough to immediately start up episode 2, and by the end of episode 2 I was in love with the whole thing. Like, obsessively in love with it in a way I rarely get. I stayed up until 2am watching the first 5 eps in a row.

Have you learned any Mac Hacks?

Oh definitely, although I’ll admit my favorite (and most useful) Mac Hack of all time is from MacGyver 1985: the time OG Mac magnetized an iron pole by hitting it in the same way over and over, a trick that can also be used to magnetize a screwdriver. A few months ago I accidentally locked a door at the youth group where I volunteer. No one had a key and we really needed to get back into the room, and I got it open by user-testing an idea I’d come up with for a fanfic. 

What’s your favorite cold open?

Definitely 1x12, the truth serum cold open. The 1x02 North Korea escape is also pretty high on my list of favorites. 

If you could wish an episode tag/missing scene fic into existence, which episode would you choose?

Jack taking Mac to Texas to meet his family. We got a family/backstory episode for Riley, Bozer, even Desi, but we have to headcanon basically everything about Jack’s family.

[devilsmagnet]

┍━☽【❖】☾━┑

big surprise!!! it was not bitch Geist but a different Geist who saw my post!!!

Jin hasn't seen it yet...

He started talking and the two of us hit things off so well so fast, it's so nice... turns out he does sort of remember me which is great!!

And as we talked he made me remember I used to have a Keisuke along with my Jin.

Keisuke being this hero who was broken from an abusive lover who made him start to doubt his whole existence.. not sure if he wanted to ever date, but also wanting to feel safe and be allowed to exist and feel again..

I forgotten all about it, except like I said, when Geist made me remember when I once slept sandwiched between Keisuke and Jin and the two were bickering at each other, one evil, one good, while I just cuddled up and fell fast asleep

Keisuke I hope you can come back into my life again. selfishly because I'm doing the worst right now and could use the two of you once again... Geist said he'd try to help find him and I'm really thankful

this Geist is really nice. We feel like twins sometimes with how we keep responding at the same time about the same thing and work so well together. he's so chill and nice and he doesn't look down at me for being a bit useless beyond basic stuff being I'm just a body that runs on emotion not logic and can't do a lot cause of it

it's nice to not be looked badly and he's wanting to help work with me wiht helping the devil's magnet over all too which is so cool soo good

i'm so happy so lucky

and I'm glad he says I'm not a shitty boy for being emotional and goofy like people used to always tell me. 🥹 I'm glad I'm allowed to be weak and need help

not a lot of emoji this time because i burnt the hands helping Geist cook and it hurt too much going through finding what I wanna use so just the one this time

gotta get a better way to keep all the Keisuke and Geist obvious when we already got two of each and I know at least two more Keisuke and Geist

┕━☽【⏁⋏⟟☍】☾━┙

[eregyrn-falls]

I love all of these observations.

Yeah, I agree with @marypsue - while I think it wasn't foreshadowed super clearly, they sort of put the concept of the "Gravity Falls Natural Law of Weirdness Magnetism" (as Ford calls it in Weird 3) out there in "Dipper and Mabel vs. the Future", at least, and sort of a little earlier too.

Back in ATOTS, when Ford is describing his entire mysterious backstory, he starts off by saying that, wanting to study anomalies, he had plotted reports and sightings out, and found that there was one place with a higher concentration of them than anywhere else: Gravity Falls. (As shown by a bunch of red pins on a map, and Ford circles the densest circle of them. Do not get me started on how that spot on the map isn't a good location for Gravity Falls, let's just move on.)

Now, Ford initially says that he hypothesized that:

It was finally a place where I felt at home, but something nagged at me: where did it all come from? It seemed to me the answer must come from outside of our world, a dimension of weirdness leaking into ours.

And this is a... fib. Because as we know later, it's basically Bill who came to Ford in a dream (after Ford read aloud the summoning spell thing from the cave wall), and suggested building the portal to another dimension of weirdness. And Ford is leaving those details out in his account in ATOTS.

The image that accompanies his narrative in ATOTS is interesting to me, though:

Because while I know it's not *literally* meant this way -- this is actually not a bad representation of the idea that would later be expressed as the "Natural Law of Weirdness Magnetism" -- a big concentration of weirdness/mystery in the center, with everything being pulled towards it (as represented by the arrows).

While I don't think the image was meant to suggest this, you could interpret this as Ford beginning to develop the "Natural Law of Weirdness Magnetism" theory, but this is where he seems to get stuck. (And getting stuck is what makes him want to summon Bill. As stated, Bill is the one who steers Ford towards the idea of building the portal to open a passage between dimensions. I honestly don't think that Ford was thinking along those lines prior to meeting Bill.)

This updated and more explicit version is from "The Last Mabelcorn", when Ford is revealing the Bill connection to Dipper. Here he just says "I had hit a roadblock in my investigation of Gravity Falls". (Unfortunately, he never really explains exactly what that roadblock was.) But that's when he admits that the Portal and going to different dimensions for answers was Bill's suggestion: "When he told me that I could complete my research by building a gateway to other worlds, I trusted him." Bill steers him AWAY from the Weirdness Magnetism theory -- but we don't know that yet, because Ford hasn't really PUT it that way yet.

Finally, in "Dipper and Mabel vs. the Future", when Ford is introducing Dipper to the concept of the giant UFO underneath the town, he says, "Did this craft cause the town's strange properties? Or, did the town's strange properties attract the craft? The answer is still unknown."

So, look at that image just above -- he's drawn the UFO in the upper middle. He discovered it BEFORE he met Bill. And the way he talks about it to Dipper, it sort of suggests that he was still thinking in terms of a hypothesis that something in the area is attracting all the weirdness.

But that line, "did the town's strange properties attract the craft", is the closest we're going to get prior to Ford naming it as "the Natural Law of Weirdness Magnetism" in Weird 3.

It's unfortunate that they chose to DEPICT this in the show as what looks like an actual barrier.

Especially because it confuses viewers, who immediately conceptualize it as a barrier that someone (Ford?) has erected on purpose, at some point -- because it looks just like the barrier against Bill and weirdness created by the unicorn-hair protection spell that Ford did for the Shack.

But I understand this decision, because it would be difficult to depict something like gravitational pull or magnetic pull, both of which are invisible forces. And, mathematically, I guess it's not inaccurate to depict the outer range of such a pull as a notional dome. It's just that in this case, and unlike with the unicorn-hair protection (which IS a barrier), the dome just represents the limit of an invisible force that can't be overcome.

(You could just as easily represent it as a sort of rope connecting the thing to the center of the pulling force, to indicate that it's that center that is exerting the force keeping the thing from going any further. The "dome" is just the representation of a huge number of plotted points at the limit of all of the possible lines from the center, but that wouldn't be an effective visual for the show. Plus, the show needed to indicate that the effects of what Bill had done in creating Weirdmageddon were also being limited. You might be able to show a rope that is anchoring Bill himself, or his Henchmaniacs, to a central source of pulling force; but that's harder to do with things like the color of the sky.)

At any rate, as I said, I understand this artistic decision, so as to make the issue and the stakes very clear to the audience. The trade-off is just this sense of confusion over "is it a barrier, or is it the pull of a magnetic force?"

If the problem Bill faces is what Ford calls "weirdness magnetism", then what's really happening is the town (or its land, since this predates the town) exerting a pull like gravitational force, or like the pull of a magnet. Journal 3 will later explain that the MORE weird something is, the stronger the pull exerted on it -- which is why Bill and his effects are contained.

So that makes it unlike actual gravitational force -- where the strength of the pull can be overcome with a sufficient amount of energy (i.e. escape velocity). With the Natural Law of Weirdness Magnetism, the more energy something exerts, the more strongly it is kept within the confines of the area's "gravitational" field.

I feel pretty sure that the writers were just creating some technobabble for Ford, but the idea that there's an equation that can "collapse the barrier" probably isn't too far off from plausible. I don't know if they came to this conclusion in exactly this way, but, with astronomy and space exploration, you *would* use equations to determine the amount of energy needed to allow something to escape any given thing's gravitational well. I suppose it stands to reason that you could use an equation to determine how to "zero out" or counter-balance the sum of weirdness that is creating the inescapable magnetic pull of the area; or mask it (?). Any of which would be what you'd need to set Bill free of it. Ford is, of course, never going to explain any further how "a simple equation" can do this, or what the equation is measuring, or indicating.

Finally, I also think it's possible (although I'd have to look into more sources to see whether Alex ever said for sure, one way or the other) that they came up with this idea of "the Natural Law of Weirdness Magnetism" when they were developing the actual script and storyboards of Weirdmageddon 3. They may have had a general notion that they needed to explain that Bill and the effects of Weirdmageddon were contained within the town, but only developed the "how" of the way it worked at that time, rather than having developed that concept and term as far ahead as they did other concepts.

So this is why I said at the outset that while it wasn't foreshadowed super clearly, they'd at least sort of gestured at the concept in previous episodes, in the way that Ford talked about the town "attracting" weirdness. But I don't think that anything I've mentioned above were really clues that the audience could have put together beforehand to guess at how Bill's apocalypse would be contained within the town. More importantly, I don't think they were MEANT to be clues, in the way that Alex DID plant clues for other things that came together later.

That's why I'd be so interested to know how they developed these things. We KNOW that Alex purposefully planted a lot of foreshadowing, both of plot developments (the Author reveal and what Stan was doing), and the emotional trajectories that would result in satisfying conclusions for the characters' arcs. But how much of the plot development in the finale was created by all of the writers and boarders looking back at the show, and pulling together some threads of things that they'd put in along the way, not necessarily with a clear idea of their pay-off later?

I don't think that's any less interesting a storytelling mechanism, than the one in which you carefully plan things out from the start and then put in the seeds of what you know will bear fruit later, for the audience to pick up on (or at least absorb). And while a lot of Gravity Falls WAS carefully planned, we've found out since the show's end, in interviews and in things like the DVD commentaries, that more of the show was seat-of-the-pants development than people thought at the time.

(Let me really end by saying that all of these thoughts are not meant to suggest that I thought OP or Marypsue were arguing otherwise! I'm not constructing an argument against anything mentioned above. This is more like a sidebar that I wanted to explore, after the mention of whether the "barrier" was foreshadowed, or not, the way other elements like the Zodiac were.)

Things that make Weirdmageddon a top-tier finale:

Every victory and ally the characters gain is essential to pursuing the next victory.

Dipper needed Wendy to reach the bubble, needed to talk down Gideon to reach Mabel, and needed to reconcile with Mabel to do anything. Then they needed to reach the Shack to get Shacktron, needed Shacktron to reach Ford, needed Ford and all their previous character development to build the Zodiac—oops! not enough character development! REVERSAL! But they still pulled out a win from having all four Pineses in the Fearamid, which wouldn't have been possible except as salvage from their previous victories.

It all builds really nicely—it's easy to get your characters running in circles to fit in enough action and/or screentime (see certain Classic Who serials), but that doesn't happen here.

Personal issues and plot problems were interwoven in a way that genuinely made resolving the former a basic step in resolving the latter.

The big problems at the start of the finale were the rift between Dipper and Mabel, the older, deeper rift between Stan and Ford, and... well, the Rift. And Bill. The finale is able to resolve all of these things together because it is, in fact, crucial that the Pineses all be able to work together; they need each other to defeat Bill. This means that, for instance, Mabel and Dipper's reconciliation is the urgent first step on every level, personal and situational (neither of them will accomplish anything until Mabel's free), and that Stan and Ford's reconciliation is a necessary condition for the last step of beating Bill. It's seamless—no one has to take time out of the plot to talk about their feelings, because the plot can only move if their feelings are being addressed.

Even more, the action works in such a way that Stan and Ford have to show character growth to defeat Bill and the way they defeat Bill then results in healing for both of them (Stan gets to be a hero while Ford gets to let go of his hero complex).

Gave time to addressing the big themes and made them structurally important, too.

This ties in to the point above, but... the fact that Dipper and Mabel's conflict (the manifestation of a much longer-running tension of "is it possible to grow up and still be happy? is it possible to be sure we'll stay in a close and healthy relationship, and not lose each other?") is given its full weight. Dipper and Mabel have the conversation they need to convince themselves, each other, and the audience that this ghost has been expelled from their futures. That's big.

And the themes continue consistently throughout the finale! They answer the questions raised by Stan and Ford's estrangement—first through Dipper and Mabel and then repeatedly through the rest of the cast—with consistent reassurance and hope for the future. It's thematically sound. That's not easy to balance with plot progression in a way that makes sense, but like. The plot can only progress to a happy ending if these themes are tested and found to be true.

Plot development and emotional impacts hinged on information the audience already had.

When the finale revealed new information (the zodiac's function, for instance), it was almost always answering specific questions the show had previously raised for fans (what's that zodiac about??). Not always true—the barrier around the town was not foreshadowed—but a very high percentage of the time.

More, the moments with a big emotional punch hinge on us realizing something at the same time as the characters and sharing their reactions to that thing, rather than reacting to their reactions. That sounds clumsy, but you know what I mean—"Grammar, Stanley." Ford pulling out the memory gun. "Get off me, Waddles!" Ford holding out the picture of the Stan O' War. The finale builds on what we already know so strongly that we can react to good or bad events alongside the characters.

(Well, except for the exact moment revealing the twin switch, I guess. We are not having the same emotional reaction as Bill Cipher there. ;P)

A fully satisfying send-off.

After the plot is resolved, and even after the eucatastrophe moment of Stan getting his memory back, we get to stick around and see for sure that everything's okay. The twins turn thirteen. Stan and Ford plan to go sailing. Soos gets the Mystery Shack. Everyone in Gravity Falls is fine. Everyone gets to say goodbye. We end on repeated reassurances that the thing the story most highlighted as crucial but uncertain will, in fact, happen—that they'll stay a family and they'll all be happy.

I'm not saying every story needs to end with a wrap party, but it was the right move for Gravity Falls, and they nailed it.

[nagito-kissmaeda]

Not sure if this was requested before, but could you possibly do Nagito with a protective/defensive s/o? (normally sweet and mild until they hear someone say something bad about him or he self deprecates himself.)

ミ☆ here you go! It was fun to do a cute little scenario for this. Sorry it isn't super long!

You’re generally a very passive person. Nagito is sure that he can count the times you have raised your voice unprovoked on one hand, but there is of course, one exception and it baffles him every time.

The two of you are walking down the path to the school gate, ready to head home after a long day of classes. It’s cold, winter is almost upon you and even with a long sleeved sweater underneath your uniform blazer you are still shivering. Nagito isn't faring much better, his nose already turning pink from the cold and his hands are tucked deep into the pockets of his pants to keep them from freezing. He makes a disappointed expression when he remembers that you are still stuck wearing a skirt in this cold weather, earlier in the day you had affirmed that your stockings are very well insulated, but he still just wants to make sure you get home as soon as possible.

You look up at him, giving him a shy smile that makes his heart melt, “Would you...want to come inside for a hot chocolate or something when we get to my place? My parents will be home around 5 and they can drive you home if you want…” you avert your eyes, chewing on your lower lip, “To save you the walk home in the cold, you know?”

Nagito’s heart starts racing, this won’t be the first time he has been to your house, but it feels endlessly intimate everytime you ask, “Ah...that does sound nice, but surely you have better things to do than spend more time with-”

“Nope!” You exclaim, spinning around to face him with a brilliant smile, “I can't think of anything better than spending time with you, so you had better not try and weasel your way out of this, mister!”

Luckily the cold has flushed Nagito’s cheeks pink enough that you don't notice him blushing. You do this all the time, usually so passive and calm, almost shy around him. That all changes the second he says something about himself that you disagree with, he doesn't understand why, he is garbage, he’s only speaking the truth.

“O--okay…” He replies, biting down on his lip to hide a smile, “If you’re sure, then yes, I’d love to stop by.”

Your smile is almost blinding, “I was thinking about making brownies! So you can have some of those-- oh, wait, you don't really like sweets do you? Hmm, I could make scones with cheese instead!”

He can't believe that you remembered. His dislike of sweets is something so insignificant, so unimportant, the fact that you took the time to even recall that...he honestly can't believe it. Nagito is just about to say that he is happy to eat anything you bake, because if it is made by you then it must be wonderful, but someone interrupts his train of thought-

Two boys from class 77-A walk past, snickering behind their hands, “Yeah they walk home together every day.” one of them whispers to the other, “I’m surprised that freak hasn't gotten them hit by a truck yet. You know he’s basically a walking disaster magnet, right?”

It hurts, but Nagito is largely used to it. Mostly it just makes him feel even worse for taking up so much of your precious time. With an upset sigh, he turns to ask if you would like him to leave before more people mock you for even being in his presence.

But you are already stomping over to the other boys, a fury in your eyes that Nagito wasn't sure you were even capable of expressing.

“Don’t you dare. Nagito is the most wonderful, thoughtful and loyal friend I have ever had.” You call out, feet planted firmly in the ground as you prepare to give these boys a serious talking to, hands balled into fists and shaking, “I wouldn’t trade him for the world and hearing morons like you make assumptions about him based on absolutely nothing makes me furious”

Nagito’s heart is racing so loudly that he swears the whole world must be able to hear it. Tears springing to his eyes as he listens to you defending him so vehemently, with such passion.

You’re still going, now pointing a finger directly into the face of the boy who had been speaking, “He has dealt with enough difficulty in his life without you assholes coming here and spouting your garbage opinions. Now get out of here before I call Gundham and ask him to sic his bear on you”

The boys raise their hands defensively, clearly not expecting you to actually stand up for someone so pathetic. Nagito can hardly believe it himself, watching in absolute adoration as you walk back over to him, cheeks still red with fury, but eyes calming as soon as they lock onto his face. He wants to kiss you. God, he wants to kiss you.

“Sorry you had to see that, Nagito.” You whisper, tucking a lock of hair behind your ear and averting your eyes, “I don’t like yelling at people but when they say things like that about you I just-“

He can resist anymore. He wraps his arms around your waist and slots his lips firmly against yours. You squeak, freezing in place for just a moment and Nagito panics, ready to pull away and never speak to you again, but then you melt. He feels your body go slack, arms curling up and around his shoulders, leaning forward into his embrace like he is the only thing keeping you standing, soft lips returning the kiss that he started so hastily. Your fingers curl up into his hair and he sobs, he can't believe it, he can’t believe that you are kissing him back.

He only pulls back when he has to breathe, pressing forehead to yours, completely breathless and overjoyed.

You giggle, “That was nice.”

“It...was?” He murmurs, “I mean...of course I enjoyed it, i just can't believe that you-”

You kiss him quickly, cutting him off.

“Nagito. It was amazing.”

[enha-woodzies]

➸ CHAPTER 7 | " A BREW GONE ASKEW "

starring: enhypen ft. i-land daniel

pairing: jungwon x fem!reader x sunghoon

genres: royal au, romance, angst, slowburn, 18th century setting

word count: 1.7k

warnings: mentions of blood, very mild swearing

taglist: @serendipitysung (betareader) @angeljungwon @en-sun @affectionaterainoflove @renkiv @softforjungwoo @jislix @gyeraniee @fluffi @stxrryemxlys @jungwon-luv-bot

[ PREV. CHAPTER ] | [ M. LIST ] | [ NEXT CHAPTER ]

A week has passed since the favored pair passionately promenaded around town. They’ve always looked very fond of each other, and the ton can only imagine the two tying the knot by the end of the year.

Only a week in but Sunghoon was already finding it hard to keep himself away from Y/n’s side. From their long, humorous talks, to past secrecies, bliss, and memories, Sunghoon isn't always a big talker. But when it comes to the young miss, he blurts out almost anything and everything that comes to mind, and the lass would happily enjoy them; so much that she even laughed with a snort once, to which Sunghoon found really adorable and charming.

Sunghoon told her she was magnetic, and the girl helplessly clung herself to the marquess like an ornament.They've shared a lot of stories with each other in the course of a week. And in every topic, Jungwon never ceases to be mentioned. Y/n almost always connects everything with the boy, and Sunghoon can clearly see how Y/n’s got it so bad with Jungwon.

He told himself that he was going to change that.

Today, it was said they were seen traipsing around the Swan’s Lake一 a cradle for the tons banal scandals. Further ahead, the Queen’s garden can already be seen just by the tip of the tiny greenhouse that’s solely standing amidst the wildflowers. Sunghoon leads the way for the young miss to enter first.

“See that? The garden admires you.” Sunghoon whispers against her ears and send tingles through her entire body.

“This is amazing. I’ve only ever been here once, you know. It’s actually one of my favorite places here in Northumberland.” The young miss exclaims while softly touching the brightly colored flowers in each step she takes.

“Was the first visit special enough to make this one of your adored places?”

“Yeah.. I was with Jungwon.” She mutters the name under her breath with a look of regret.

“What was the reason he brought you here?”

“We were nine. He said he wanted to show me something that only this garden can offer.”

“Let me guess. Was it a ring made of twigs and he played pretend like he was proposing to you?” Y/n chuckles at the marquess. Though she wouldn't admit it, she finds Sunghoon very ideal and gentle.

Could it be that she wishes Jungwon to be more like him? Or is she just telling herself that Sunghoon’s perfect enough to bury down her dying feelings for Jungwon?

“That’s cute but unfortunately, that's not what happened. He showed me the Catalpa tree and gave me its flower. He said it reminds him so much of me and that I should tuck the flower in my favorite book to remind myself that he thinks of me often.”

“Ahh. Quite the romantic our little Jungwon here, eh?”

Y/n looks down to the ground remembering the dead Catalpa flower that was tucked between Jungwon’s Austen book; the book that was now back in the comfort of its owner after she threw it in the Kielder Forest. 

“Once upon a time, yes.”

Sunghoon quickly picked up the mood and snapped it away. Seeing how Jungwon made this hole in her heart annoyed him to the extent he realized he had been living in hypocrisy as well.

He oddly sees himself in Jungwon, although in his case, it was much different. Jungwon never had any rivals when it comes to Y/n’s heart. Whereas with him, he had Niki, who wasn't even a bad guy in a story that Sunghoon tried so hard to own.

“Did you know that there's a poison garden here?” He breaks the silence.

“A what now?”

“A poison garden. The Queen’s very particular with it. Although it's off-limits to everyone except the royal gardener, anyone can still have a peek at it. I bet Jungwon never told you that.”

“He didn't.”

“Of course. Your chap doesn't alway know things, Y/n. You sometimes think so highly of him.”

The young miss kept her mouth shut the whole walk to the poison garden’s entry. They decided to take a brief peek, as per Sunghoon’s wishes, and she went along. It's not an everyday occurrence that you get to see a real and existing poison garden in Northumberland's Alnwick Castle.

“Sunghoon? Until when are we going to keep up with this whole ruse?” She softly whispers.

“Well, Jungwon hasn't told you anything worthy yet, has he?”

“The other day, he uhh… he told me to stop seeing you.”

“Why do you suppose he would say such thing?”

“I don't know. Must be something that happened between you and my brother?” she stopped shortly.

“What happened, Sunghoon? How come they all know about it and act like it was so horrid, yet keep it very subtle?” Sunghoon clicks his tongue and hisses before letting out a deep exhale.

“It's all in the past now. Even Niki. Though, I want to start fresh with him, but he doesn't seem to give me any chance at even trying.”

“What happened?”

“I don't think your brothers would want you to hear it. I respect Jay the most, and I owe Niki a whole lot. Or even if they do, I won't tell you anyway.”

“Was it… that bad?” Sunghoon fakes a chuckle while sitting on the nearby cemented bench. Y/n reaches out to hold his hand and the gent softly grips her fingers while brushing it with his thumb, locking hands with her in the process.

Sunghoon wanted to let everything out. But he fears the young beau would distance herself. If he were to be honest, there's nothing for him from this ruse they plotted. It was just to help the poor miss and satisfy himself with the look of envy upon Jungwon's face. He has nothing against the chap, but he may just simply be a schadenfreude.

The following day, Jungwon received a personal letter from the soon-to-be-duke himself. The moment he read the contents, he hastily dashed from his house and onto his horse, galloping in a speed of light to the Kielder Forest.

It is peak afternoon and the golden sun hit the forest perfectly, making it look like the two men are bathing under the immaculate bliss. Picture perfect as it may look, they didn't meet there to dawdle time away.

“Your Grace.” Jungwon bows to which Sunghoon returns in the aftermath.

“Why did you summon me here?” Jungwon glints at the marquess with a scorn. As much as he wants to showcase his manners, it didn't seem like the time and place to do it.

“Let's cut the formalities from here on out, Jungwon. Who do you think you are to give orders to Y/n? You know, the more you convince her to stop seeing me, the faster she runs to my tail. You're just doing me a favor to be very honest, and I am so pleased for this wonderful opportunity. You don't have the slightest idea of what convenience you are to me right now.” Sunghoon mockingly exclaims with both hands holding together like a child in prayer.

Jungwon aggressively walks towards the marquess and grabs his cravat with both hands. “You pompous blowhard! What are you doing with her?!” Jungwon grunts while shoving Sunghoon against the tree. With a stern look upon his eyes, the marquess suddenly finds the situation very amusing. He smirks and chuckles before pushing Jungwon's hands from the tight grip on his clothing.

“Are you talking about yourself? Take it easy, Yang. I don't think you're hearing yourself right now. Shouldn't I be the one asking you that?” Sunghoon lets out a laugh that makes Jungwon even more furious. It was his plan, after all.

“You haven’t had enough of triggering Niki, and now you're using his sister?! You're a big mess, Sunghoon! Admit it! You couldn't have Yena all to yourself with Niki around, so you're tainting Y/n to get revenge on the both of us?! You’re a lost cause!”

“Am I? A lost cause, eh? You're plainly calling yourself out, don't you think? All these years of having the most beautiful lady in Northumberland at the palm of your hands, yet you're too much of a dimbo to even hold onto her. And besides, it's like hitting two birds with one stone, yeah? You and Niki?”

Sunghoon mockingly laughs at Jungwon's fuming face and before he even realized it, his glorious face landed on the cold ground with an angry clobber from the chap. Jungwon straddles him and continues punching him while sitting on top of the fallen boy.

In a swift response, Sunghoon pulls Jungwon by the collar and pushes him aggressively to the side. While landing several punches on Jungwon's face, the marquess spits out blood in the process.

“Enough!” Sunghoon sternly yells at the former who is now bending over his knees, huffing out exhales with a fast beating heart.

“Stop this stupidity you're doing with Y/n! You're no good for her, Yang, and you know that! Can't you see? You're just wasting her time when she could've been married last season already!”

“Don't fucking tell me what to do, ugly bastard!” Jungwon hisses with gritted teeth, mustering up his anger to give the marquess another blow of his fist.

“Stain my face with more blood, Yang, and you’ll have to kiss your princess goodbye. Mark my words, you will never have Y/n. Not even a useless moment with her.”

“Niki! Niki! Niki!”

Daniel runs inside the Park manor with such haste, unknowingly bumping the mansion’s servants along the way. “Nishimura Riki!” The boy helplessly cries out to the latter, who apparently seems to be very preoccupied in the garden, impulsively firing the target on the branch.

“What?!” Niki yells back.

“I have big news to tell you!”

“If it’s about Sunghoon then shut your mouth ‘cause I have no intentions of hearing it. Sister will get tired of him soon enough, so I’m not worried. I trust Y/n’s wit to deliver her from that traitor.”

“But this is about Y/n and it's something that you should be worried about!” Niki swiftly turns his head to the boy bearing no more second thoughts as he throws away the blunderbuss and rushes to Daniel, “what happened to sister?!”

“She made a deal with the devil himself.”

*send me an ask or a message if you wish to be added on this series' taglist!

ㅡ © ENHA-WOODZIES, 2021

[violetlou2020]

DAY 02 of @flufftober2021

Sneaking Out Together

Title: In this Moment [Chapter 1]

Author: Vividly_Violet

Fandom: Tokyo Revengers | 東京卍リベンジャーズ

Rating: General

Relationship: Mikey | Sano Manjirou/Takemitchy | Hanagaki Takemichi, Mitsuya Takashi & Takemitchy | Hanagaki Takemichi, Hanagaki Takemichi & Toman Gang

Word Count: 1864

Chapter 1

School just ended and Takemichi wanted nothing more than to go home, eat dinner and then pass out on his bed. It's been a tiring week what with the constant chaos his life has turned out since joining Toman and subsequently dating its leader.

Even before he joined the gang he was already a trouble magnet as the rest likes to call him. Attracting unwanted attention especially from other delinquents that has him ending up bruised and hurting, it's made 10x worst with Mikey added in the equation since anyone who has a grudge against Tomans president or wanted to increase their street cred keeps targeting him since word got out of their relationship thanks to said leader blabbering their status to everyone they meet as a form of showing his possessiveness.

He also has a very punchable face as Baji would laughingly put it and Chifuyu couldn't even refute nor defend him from that statement. At least tomorrow was the weekend. The mizo middle all have different plans for tomorrow, Toman doesn't have any scheduled meeting or any upcoming fight, Mikey and his sister along with their Grandfather are suppose to go on a trip today according to Hina who heard it from Emma herself. So no clingy boyfriend trying to monopolize his time. Finally. A weekend all to himself.

Or so he thought.

"What are you all doing here?" he asked flatly at the crowd gathered in front of his house.

"Takemitchy~ why a sleep over of course!" Mikey exclaimed excitedly.

"Sleepover? I didn't hear any of this. Weren't you and your family supposed to be on some trip." the teen exclaimed.

"Bailed on them, why do I have to hang out with them when I can spent my time with you." Takemichi blushed at that but shook his head. No he will not fall for Mikey's cliche yet none the less sweet words.

"But why at my house, no one informed me of any sleep over."

"Huh, didn't Mikey texted you." Draken asked.

"I didn't received any." Draken turned Mikey.

"Oi didn't I tell you to inform Takemitchy." the taller teen smacked their leaders head.

"Ehh I forgot. Uhhg you keep hitting me, that's why I keep forgetting things." Mikey whined.

"You've been hit by a freaking metal pipe before, the hell does my smack have anything to do with you not texting Takemitchy." Draken hissed at the shorter boy.

"It does so!"

"Why you—"

"I guess we couldn't impose on you like this." Mitsuya said side eying their commander and vice commander who were now pulling at each others hair.

"Who cares we're here, might as well get on with it." Baji said pushing himself from the crowd towards the front door before Chifuyu stopped him.

"Baji-san we came here unannounced. That's rude."

"Sorry for the trouble." Mitsuya apologized. Bless the only reasonable man in Toman, Takemichi thought.

"Ahh no no, don't apologize Mitsuya-kun, it's okay. We can uhh have the sleep over." Takemichi quickly said.

"You don't have to—"

"No, no its really okay. You guys are already here. It'll be rude to turn you away plus— wait where are they?"

"Huh? Oh those guys." the pale lavender haired teen sighed and face palmed as he watch his friends make their way into the house without letting its resident welcome them in.

"How'd you open the door!" the awfully blonde haired teen exclaimed.

"I have a copy pf your key!" said Mikey spinning the key on his finger.

"How!?"

After Takemichi successfully convinced Draken to take the key and compromising that he'll be the one holding it, much to Mikey's pouting or threat all of them gathered in the spacious living room.

"So what are we gonna do?"

There was a chorus of "Movies"

"Video Games"

"Board Games"

"Food"

There was a short pause. Everyone looking at each other and before you knew it the gang erupted into a shouting match on what to do first with Mikey loudly whining about being hungry as he threw wrappers on the others head and Baji almost breaking a vase. It continued for a while until Takemichi had enough of it.

"SHUT UP!"

Everyone quieted down, not used to seeing the crybaby loose their temper except for when Mikey and Draken broke some of his stuff but even then the pair couldn't take it seriously because of the dog shit situation.

"But I'm hungry." Mikey whined. Takemichi dragged his hand across his face. He went to the kitchen and came back with a pack of cookies.

"Here. Share." he glared as he handed it out to his boyfriend who reluctantly had the others get one before hoarding the rest to himself and nibbling on the treat.

"I guess that's the extent you're willing to share."

"Why don't we play some video games while others the boardgames before dinner then we can watch a movie after. How does that sound?" Mitsuya, being the only rational person in the group suggested.

"Tch fine." grumbled Baji.

"That sounds okay." Chifuyu said as he swatted his captains hands from taking his cookie. Draken shrugged in acceptance while Mikey gave a thumbs up as he stuffed his face with more cookies.

Takemichi gave Mitsuya a grateful look before showing Chifuyu where the video games and board games were stored.

"Ahh shit. I forgot, I don't have much in the fridge right now. I was planning on doing the groceries tomorrow but I guess I'll have to do it today."

"I'll come along with you. Might as well help out." The second division captain offered.

"Ahh thank you so much Mitsuya-kun! I'll meet you outside then, just let me change out of my uniform."

After Takemichi changed he rushed downstairs and shouted at Draken to keep the damage to his house to a minimum before grabbing Mitsuya's offered helmet and mounting the bike. The pair then drove off to the nearest grocery store.

🔹🔹🔹

After thirty minutes or so the pair returned to a still standing Hanagaki residence much to their relief even thou there were scattered scrabble pieces lying everywhere, Chifuyu sitting on Baji's back as he and Draken Play Mario Cart, the first division captain struggling to remove his vice off him and chess pieces in the fridge when Takemichi went to put away some of the stuff they bought.

"Why are there chess pieces in my fridge?"

"Mikey was being a brat, he put them there after he lost. Against Baji of all people. Now he's sulking at some corner." Draken explained without taking his eyes of the screen.

"I was not, Baji was cheating!" came Mikeys protest from the corner of the room. He was not sulking there. He just thought that the plant was better company than his friends. Takemichi just laughed nervously at them at least nothing was broken before going back to the kitchen to prepare their dinner. Mitsuya was already there preparing the rice. After he placed it on the rice cooker the two worked together to making karage.

"This is the last batch." Mitsuya said as he placed the floured chickens on the pan.

"Ahh thanks, can you ask the others to prepare the table. I'm also finishing up the side dishes."

"Sure."

It was Chifuyu and Draken who came up to set the table working carefully to not disrupt the two who were finishing up their cooking. Takemichi placed the bowl of Kinpira gobo — a salad made of braised burdock root and carrot — in the middle besides the platter of karage before washing up and removing his apron.

"Dinners ready!" he called out and Mikey and Baji came running to the kitchen.

"Calm down you dogs." Draken scowled, taking his seat besides Mitsuya.

"Ahhh this smells so good."

"Huh, You and Mitsuya sure are housewife material." Baji cackled as he shoved a piece of chicken in his mouth. Takemichi's eye twitched at the comment while Mitsuya remained unfazed.

"Hey if they're gonna be housewives I call dibs on Takemitchy." Mikey declared. Takemichi choked on his rice at the declaration while the others just collectively rolled their eyes.

"You— you can't just say stuff like that!"

After they ate, the group dragged some spare futons from the closet down the hallway and set it in the middle of the livingroom, pushing the couch back to fit it in. They then proceeded to raid Takemichi's room, his parents and even the guests room of its pillows. And dumping it all in the middle to create a small mountain of fluffy pillows which Mikey promptly jumped in to.

The rest of the night was spent on watching movies from horror films to comedy to some action films with a little disturbance along the way with popcorns being thrown and pillows hitting some faces that erupted into a pillow fight. But for the most part, the gang had fun till they all passed out in the living room at around 1 in the morning, Mitsuya being the last to fall asleep had the been the one to turn off the television.

🔹🔹🔹

Takemichi batted at the finger prodding at his cheek. After some time where the prodding hasn't ceased he groggily opened his eyes and was met with deep bottomless dark ones staring at him. He almost shrieked in surprise if it weren't for Mikey covering his mouth.

"Shhh" Mikey shushed and mouthed 'come' before he stood and made his way to the front door. Takemichi carefully extracted himself from Chifuyu's hold, the other teen had rolled to his side and clung to his arms. He placed a pillow in place of himself and chuckled when he heard his partner mumble 'baji' under his breath.

"Why are we sneaking out like this?" he whispered as he put on his shoes.

"No reason~" Mikey smiled as he pulled his boyfriend out the door who was struggling to put on the other pair of his shoes.

"Mi— Mikey-kun!"

"Shhh you might wake up the others. Now get your bike." Takemichi rolled his eyes but nonetheless locked the front door and pulled out his bicycle which Draken had thankfully fixed after breaking it again for who knew how many times already.

They rode is silence enjoying the cold breeze that wafted their face. The street was dead with the occasional business men staggering home, drunk or exhausted or both who knew. After a while Mikey pulled on his shirt and pointed to a konbini.

"Doroyaki, I want some Doroyaki."

"You woke me up for this?" Takemichi said exasperated but still followed his boyfriend inside.

Four packets of Doroyaki later the pair rode off again with no destination in mind just enjoying each other's company. A few minutes later just when he thought worriedly that Mikey has fallen asleep because of the quiet, he felt strong arms wrap around his waist. He almost swerved his bicycle but quickly righted himself.

"Mikey-kun?"

"Hmm can we be like this forever." Mikey sleepily mumbled against his back.

"I don't know about forever but we can stay like this for as long as you want or when my legs gives up peddling."

[queen-haq]

Hiii! So, one of my favorite things to read after you post a chapter is the responses from other readers because 1) I get little hints of what’s to come in future chapters from you and 2) It’s so much fun seeing everyone hate Billy and root for Reader to move on from him! Lol

I don’t think this last chapter insinuated that Reader was considering getting back with Billy already but it did remind us of how arrogant Billy can be and I think that infuriated us lol especially considering all the garbage he’s put Reader through!

I also think that everyone hating Billy as much as we do and wanting Reader to move on and find happiness is just proof that you’re an amazing writer and that you have truly put us in Reader’s shoes! We feel all her pain and sadness so well! I love Billy and ultimately want them to end up together but I do want him to suffer for everything he’s put her through! I want him to cry tears of blood! Lol Also, from this last chapter at the end when she told him that she had no problem shooting him.. I really hope that happens! Lol

Anyhow, I adore this story and look forward to updates every Sunday! You’re an amazing writer and I can’t wait to see where you take this story!

Aw, thank you sweet anon. I love talking about the fic so when I get wonderful messages like yours and feedback it gives me a chance to discuss the events more :)

I completely understand how infuriating Billy's arrogance can be. He was the same way in AWS until he finally realized playing the charm card wasn't going to do shit and he needed to get serious and hold himself accountable when it came to the Reader. AWR Billy hasn't come to that realization yet. He's still being his cocky self, still exploiting his magnetism and swagger. When he realizes that, it'll hit him like a ton of bricks.

I love that you guys love the Reader so much. I ADORE her and it makes my heart soar when you guys want the best for her. I do too. And don't worry, Billy and she are NO WHERE close to reconciliation.

I do want to remind people though, she and Billy are never going to have a healthy, uneventful relationship. It's just not who they are. Even in AWS they would fall under the "toxic" category but it worked for them, they were active participants in it and they frickin loved it.

Reader knows what she wants, she values herself, and she isn't going to settle for someone who doesn't give her what she wants. She was like that in AWS, and even though that had temporarily changed in AWR after the accident, that still remains true. She's slowly loving herself again and relearning to value herself, and if Billy doesn't man up, she will not hesitate to throw him aside *winks*

Thank you so much for the lovely feedback, dear anon. Trust me, this fic has been a joy to write BECAUSE of you guys and I honestly enjoy the process and discussing it with all of you. Thank you :)

[zorkaya-moved]

58 . moving around while kissing , stumbling over things , pushing each other back against the wall / onto the bed . // valentin u CLOWN

@wonderloste

The mind swirls at the clash of hot and cold, bring such emotion that's rarely witnessed between those who hold back. They dance around when they please, creatures of freedom and personal thoughts that are not always known to others. The fire burns her as much as it warms her, the opposite can be said for what she does to him yet in the opposite way. The perfect balance of passion and desire, the balance that cannot be easily disturbed as they seem to fit so perfectly together. As she wears white and gold, he wears black and red so damn well. How sad that currently those colors are what they're trying to tug away once the door closes, she can hear the hair ornament she's been wearing fall somewhere on the floor as their lips stay united, hands roaming up and down each other's bodies to grasp the clothes, tug them, try to take them off. Valentin's eagerness never failed to surprise her, especially after days of being relatively calm while traveling and prioritizing the survival and safety. He did say that what he wishes is for her happiness, but what is happiness in this place? It's such a hard question to answer, there is no place for it in the spur of passion.

Sokolova almost trips on something that's been lying on the floor, but the hand around her waist prevented that quite easily. Chuckles and thanks for keeping her upright are shared, it's fun and she likes this. Romanov's presence has become so natural, she wonders if it's because of how sincere he's appeared to be and how he hasn't tried to kill her. In this lonely world, she is still a human yearning for a warm presence to keep her sane. In this land of insanity, she finds sacred sanity in the one who speaks in opposites, confusing all but not her anymore. It brings the spark into these kisses, these make outs, these touches. It drives her over the edge of control, it’s making her desire rise and she gets drunk on the taste of his lips. Such a quick learner, Zarina notes with delight in her mind. There’s no doubt she feed off others’ desire for her akin to a succubus; she indulges in the other’s wish to have her close and this warmth is what she craves for. Valentin doesn’t hesitate to give her what she wants while still seemingly taking what he wants as well, the mutual exchange is all the better for her business-like mind despite her selfish tendencies. 

She doesn’t expect for the back of her legs to hit the bed. A muffled sounds in the mid of the kiss, the push from the King of Hearts is what changes the standing position, breaking the kiss for a moment as they gaze at each other, panting and gasping for more air. Dark hair tickles her cheek as she stares at his face, the smudges of her red lipstick on his lips making her once again underline how handsome he looks with it. Oh how attracted she feels when he looks at her like this, eyes shining so beautifully akin to rubies and wants to taste his lips once again. His warm lips, his hot touch, his desire that makes her mind go white from pleasure. How does she look to him right now? Zarina wants to drag him down to kiss her once more, her selfishness and her greediness are reflecting in the kisses previously given. This position leaves her fully beneath him, what a change in the game of tag they’ve been playing. with a knee between her legs, hands on both sides of her head to keep himself atop of her. He really is a natural, it’s almost pissing her off if it wasn’t so magnetizing. 

“ Touch me more, Val. We have the whole evening for ourselves, ” her whisper is saccharine sweet as she brings her hands up to cup his face. The golden orbs soften in their look at him, passion flickering within beautifully as she shows with her actions, words, and body how much she wants him. “ Give all of you and I’ll do the same like I always do, ” alluring tone is heard from her once again as she winks at him. He simply needs to kiss her again as she’ll start to mess around with his clothes, letting him touch her all over. 

[renjunthings]

the notebook. seven.

previous. seven. next.

you let out a sigh, slouching back in your seat as you noticed the two you were spying on wasn't even talking, just a small talk then they focused on their work.

jaemin had ordered his usual iced americano with three shots of espresso and your okinawa milktea with 25% sugar level. the two of you were in a booth not far behind miyeon and her partner. it was a good thing miyeon had her back to yours so she wouldn't see the antics you were on to.

"what are you really gaining from this, y/n," jaemin asked from your right side. he had also slouched back to the chair, straw between his teeth, his cup in hand close to his mouth.

you turn to him and gave him a lazy stare and looked away, "drama, a spark, anything. it's so boring already especially when you have no one to pine over."

jaemin went silent at what you said but it goes unnoticed to you. his gaze was now focused on the wood table top, suddenly intrigued by it.

"well, at least the only thing exciting about my life is when i took the notebook. at least there's that for a flare in my life, right?" you let out an empty laugh and shook your head.

things have been mundane ever since you started college and you were tired from the old drama you wish you could get over. how can you move on when the person involved is close to you? it was an unresolved problem that neither of you speak about anymore, not at what happened in high school. things at present are getting a bit the same to the point you couldn't even pinpoint which day is which already.

an hour has passed and nothing has changed from miyeon and the guy he's with. you feel like rotting in your seat, sipping on an empty milktea.

"do you have class later?" jaemin breaks the silence.

you turn to him and furrow your eyebrows, "not until 2pm or something, why?"

"i was hoping we could eat lunch at this diner i saw-"

"oh, my god, jaemin!" you look at him with wide eyes, "you are so smart."

"i am," says jaemin but it came out like a question, puzzled at your response.

"we could invite them for lunch!" you exclaim, face brightening at the idea.

"wait, no, y/n, i was thinking-"

"jaems," you grab his face and pull it closer to you to catch his attention, "don't you think it's time to meet other people?"

the sudden realization that you were so close to each other made you freeze, heart beats picking up pace as your hands start to sweat. you let go instantly, turning away as you run your fingers through your hair. clearing your throat, you tried to ignore how erratic you're feeling.

"i'll pay for our lunch, so—uh, where's the diner?"

jaemin regained himself quicker than you, "i'll drive us there, you should call miyeon to let her know."

you gave a small "okay," as the tension in the air hasn't died down. grabbing your phone, you fingers tapped on the dial icon and clicked on miyeon's caller i.d.

you see miyeon picking up the call, not before she said something to the guy who just nodded his head with a small smile.

"i know you're behind us," says miyeon right away upon accepting the call.

"what? no," you looked at jaemin and he responded with his eyebrows raising.

"stop lying please, renjun saw you staring."

you laugh just as miyeon turns around and gives you the middle finger. in return, you give a flying kiss.

"oh, shut up, you would do the same if i were in your place."

miyeon let out a snort, "yeah, like i'd spy you. you're always with jaemin, in school or not."

you can't help but blush at what she said, but you easily shrug it off, "whatever, i was calling you if you want to join us for lunch. i'm paying and jaemin's driving."

"sure, but just wait 'cause we aren't done yet, 15 minutes more."

"yeah, no. we're going over there," you ended it before miyeon could respond.

you turn to jaemin, who was staring through the window, deep in his thoughts until you break it, "c'mon, jaem."

standing up, you dust off nonexistent dirt off your lap and butt. jaemin handed you your bag and stood up as well. you were about to walk away but then he pulled your arm, making you turn to him.

"what-"

"hold on, there's something on your lip."

one of jaemin's hand holds the side of your neck while the other wiping off the dried milktea on your lip. the distance between you two is short, his facial features clear to your eyes, knocking the air out of your lungs. your heart doesn't fail to pick up pace and your body tense at his touch and the closeness of your faces. jaemin still has his effect on you despite being together everyday and it doesn't help at the fact he wore a leather jacket today, making him extra handsome.

jaemin notices your stiff body and lets go of you instantly. you wonder why today's so awkward and tense, why you suddenly feel these things you felt before. you shook your head internally, it must've been the milktea, it may have caused your heart to palpitate.

you turn on your heel and walked towards miyeon's booth, not bothering to know if jaemin followed you.

"hey," you greet with a smile, upon nearing their booth.

you feel jaemin's arm around your shoulder, an act usual to you but it hits different today. you try to act as if it weren't affecting you but it worsened when he spoke, feeling his breath wafting to your neck.

"we'll sit with you guys."

jaemin removes his arm and goes to sit next to the guy, renjun you remember with a wide smile.

"i told you to wait, y/n," you hear miyeon groan, her face flushed, embarrassed by her friends. you say beside miyeon, grabbing her drink and taking a sip despite her protests.

"no, it's okay. we're almost done anyways," renjun grinned at miyeon reassuringly, "then you guys can go."

your eyes meet with jaemin who sat across you. there was a silent conversation between the two of you about who's gonna tell, you see no sign of jaemin making a decision so you hesitantly look at renjun.

"actually, we're thinking of inviting you with us," you smile sheepishly.

renjun looks up from his notebook, eyes wide innocently, "me?"

"yeah, my treat. i'm tired of being always with these two, anyways. it's nice to meet new people," you explain jokingly, you hear a snort and a scoff from miyeon and jaemin to which you choose to ignore.

renjun glances at miyeon for affirmation and then looks back at you, "uh, yeah, sure."

"cool then!" you exclaim, clasping your hands together.

today is gonna be eventful for you, but you didn't know that. yet.

-

a/n: tbh idk where i'm going but let's hope it's good :D also jaemin👀 he plays a major part in the story ;) tell me what you think of this chapter!!!

previous. seven. next.

[in which y/n kept college!hyuck's notebook when he carelessly left it in the study area, things start to revolve around the two like different ends of magnets pulling each other.]

masterlist.

taglist: @ncityy04 @lochnessmaster @ncitydreamies @tzuqui @camomileteasposts @gayjoorene @injunsdimple @moloprint @neohaz @fairy-xiaojun @sweethyunjin17 @jisungievibes @lovelymultiwrites @kimlolita

[honestlyimstilllivinginthe90s]

Impossible | Harrison Osterfield | Part 4

Word Count: 2.2k

Warnings: Swearing (how surprising 😂) Mild spoilers for Acotar and The Hunger Games

"Collingbourn......Collingham.....Collinwood.... Collins!" I muttered as I selected the book that I was looking for. I pulled it off the shelf and turned to sit down to read when I walked straight into a hard chest. His hands grasped my hips, stopping me from falling. I hit the chest repeatedly, my mind panicking at the thought that this person could be the bastard that murdered my mother and that they were going to kill me next.

"Woah, calm down! It's just me, just Harrison."

"You scared the crap out of me!!" I groaned as I shoved Harrison's chest away. He stumbled back slightly, but let go of my hips. I continued my walk, just wanting to read.

"Can we just talk?" He asked. It was impossible to walk away from him, his legs were too long.

"Can I just read?" I asked sarcastically. Truthfully, I was scared. I was scared of falling in love with him. He was an Illyrian warrior, if my father had found out that I was in love with an Illyrian he would have disowned me. Or executed me. But I really wanted to take that risk. Harrison was amazing, I was drawn to him like a magnet to metal and the fact that I couldn't have him, made me want him more.

I sat down at a table at the back of the library, Harrison took a seat across from me. I ignored him and opened my book, and started to read.

"What are you reading?" He asked me after a few minutes. I looked up at him. He was staring at me, those beautiful blue eyes gazing into mine. I almost forgot to answer his question.

"The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. It's a human book, I honestly don't know how it ended up here but it's really good."

He smiled at my response, causing me to blush. I lowered my head, trying to hide the fire in my cheeks.

"What's it about?" I was happy he changed the subject.

"It's about Katniss Everdeen, a young woman from a very poor district who is entered into a reality TV competition called the Hunger Games, where young people are forced to fight to the death."

"Well that sounds........nice." He tried not to make me feel bad. I laughed at his attempt.

"It's not the fighting to the death part I like, it's the progression of Katniss's character. She started out as just a girl from a poor family, having to hunt to keep them alive and she progresses into the Mockingjay, a sign of freedom and a better world. She didn't have any more paths to take so she made herself a new one. I wish I could be like her. I wish I could be free and strong and brave and I wish people would look at me and see me as y/n l/n, a woman of power and freedom and not as the High Lord of the Spring Court's daughter."

I was scared to look at Harrison, scared that he would just pity me or blabber about how that wasn't true and how I was brave and I was strong and how I was free, when they hardly knew me.

"You know I would love to get to know the real you, the woman of power and freedom you." His voice was soft but not demeaning, it was..... comforting. "And I would love to help you become better."

I looked up at him. My heart was pounding out of my chest and I was wishing that he would stop looking at me that way that he was. I just wanted to carry on with my life and he was messing it all up and he hadn't even been here for an hour.

"I could teach you to fight if you would like. It could settle your father's nerves if he knew that his daughter could fend for herself." He offered.

"That sounds great. We can start tomorrow." I nodded.

"I'm actually quite hungry. I'll be in the kitchen if you need me." I stood up, taking the book with me. Harrison stood up too and I shook my head.

"There's no need for you to follow."

"It's my job."

I sighed realising that there was no point in arguing.

"Fine, but can you a least give me some space?"

He hung his head slightly but nodded.

"Go ahead, I'll follow you."

I smiled and walked ahead but before I reached the door Harrison called after me.

"Y/n! I know that you want to forget what happened the other night and considering the circumstances, I understand why but I can't. I don't think that I will ever forget that night. But if you need me as your bodyguard or otherwise, I'll be there."

My heart dropped to feet. My brain screamed at me to turn around, to run into his arms and to feel his lips on mine again. I ignored my thoughts and walked out of the library, my heart aching with every step.

______________________________________________

"You don't think I'm being stupid, do you?" I asked Bella as she was sitting across from me at the kitchen counter. I had told her everything about Harrison, including that he was now my bodyguard and what he said in the library.

"You wanted to find him after the Ball, right?" Bella reached out to grab a chip from my plate.

"Well, yeah but I wanted to find him. The guy that I spent the night with. Not the guy that my father hired to be my bodyguard." I sighed and chomped down on a chip.

"But he's the same guy! You should get to know him better y/n. You can keep lying to yourself but that won't make your heart won't stop fluttering everytime you look into his eyes." I looked into Bella's brown eyes. I knew she was right and I hated it. I continued to eat my chips in silence before the silence became unbearable.

"Father still wants me to marry, you know." I stated. Bella gave me a look of pity before quickly glancing over my shoulder.

"Who's the lucky guy?" I turned to face Harrison, who was leaning up against the door frame.

"She hasn't decided yet." Bella responded as I rolled my eyes and went back to eating my chips.

"You get to decide?" Harrison asked, surprised. I could see, in my peripheral vision, his Illyrian wings loosened slighty as he said it.

"I have one month." I grumbled.

"One month," I heard Harrison push away from the door frame. I didn't know where he was until I felt his breath on my neck. I prayed he couldn't hear my heartbeat but after hearing a slight chuckle leave his mouth, I knew he could. He pressed his lips to my ear and whispered.

"One month should be a breeze for a gorgeous woman like you."

My breath hitched in my throat and I opened my mouth to say something but before I could, Harrison pulled away from me. He reached out and grabbed a chip before winnowing away, leaving an empty feeling in my chest. I released a breath and groaned.

"Well honestly you kind of deserved it. You did do the same thing to him in the library."

"Bella!"

______________________________________________

"How are you and Harrison getting on?" Tom asked as I pulled a lilac dress off the rack. Harrison and I had spent the night together and not in the way I wanted. He slept in the room next to mine, knocking on the door at 7 the following morning to wake me up. I hardly slept that night, the image of my mother's body was branded into my mind's eye.

"I'm surprised that he let me go shopping with you." I put the dress in front of me and looked in the mirror.

Tom chuckled at my response.

"Well I think I'm the only one that he trusts to look out for you." He smirked. "You know he offered to be your bodyguard."

I almost dropped the dress I was holding.

"He what?!" I choked.

"Well, after you left me in the courtyard, I winnowed back to the Night Court. I met with Harrison and I told him about your mother and about you. He really wanted to meet you, you guys have so much in common with each other. While I was there your father sent me a message, saying how he wanted a bodyguard for you and guards for the Court. I told Haz and he said that he could be your bodyguard. I knew that you two would get on great and he's my best friend. Your father was petrified about what happened to your mother, he said that your bodyguard had to be someone I trust. And I trust him more than anyone else. Other than you of course." He winked.

"Well he's good at his job." I mumbled. Tom looked at me curiously. I avoided making eye contact with him, hoping that he would stop talking about Harrison.

"Honestly, I prefer the navy blue dress." Tom handed the dress to me, I smiled in response. I went over to the worker in the boutique and purchased the dress. She placed it in a bag and I walked back over to Tom with the dress. We walked back to the house together, laughing and joking at whatever we saw.

"See!! If you write the word "bed", it looks like a bed!!" I laughed.

"How in the Mother's name did you realise that?" Tom threw his head back chuckling.

"I was just messing around the other day and- OMG!! There's Juliette!!"

"Crap! Hide me!" Tom ran behind me, using me as a shield. I moved out the way of his grasp.

"I'm not going to hide you! Will you just ask her out already?!" I sighed.

"No! I can't just ask her out. What do I say? How did I say it?" Tom turned his back in the direction of Juliette so that he was fully facing me.

"Just come clean and say it!"

"I can't just-" Tom stopped suddenly, "Who's that?" He pointed behind me. I turned around and saw the most beautiful woman I had ever seen.

She was tall and skinny with golden brown skin and dark curly hair. She had beautiful caramel eyes and a warm smile. She walked with a certain confidence that was infectious. She was wearing a long black gown that only complemented her features.

"That's Daya. Her mother owns a jewellery store down the street. I've never talked to her but I see her all the time at the theatre, she's an amazing actress."

"She's the girl." Tom stared at her, amazed.

"You haven't even met her yet! How do you know-" I scoffed.

"No, I don't mean it like that! It's just, this is going to sound crazy but every night keep having the same dream and she, Daya, is always in it. I have to talk to her."

"Well maybe it's-" Tom was already walking over to her before the word "well" left my mouth.

"Hey, we having training in a few minutes, where's Tom?" Haz came up beside me, startling me slightly.

"He's chatting up some woman we just saw." I pointed in the direction of them, Tom seemed so more confident around her than he did with Juliette. Harrison chuckled.

"Of course he is. Wait, I thought he was in love with Juliette, all he does is talk about her all the time." Harrison leaned in closer to me, I ignored the butterflies in my stomach.

"I thought so too." I mumbled.

"We should probably stop staring before it gets weird."

"You're such a loser!" I shoved Harrison's shoulder and grabbed his wrist, tugging him after me back towards the house.

We walked up to the house in silence, both of us aching to say something but neither of us having any idea what to say. As we got to the gate, Harrison spoke.

"Bella's really nice."

"She is. She's the nicest person I know and my only friend in the house, other than Tom."

"She's been really kind to me, everyone else is..." His voice trailed off.

"They're not scared of you. They're threatened of you. Everyone knows how strong the Illyrians are, and most people here have near seen one. They'll get used to you after a while."

"You seem to know what you're talking about."

"They didn't like me either, when I first came."

Harrison looked at me inquisitively, not prying or forcing me to tell him, just curious.

"The High Lord and Lady," My voice shook at the mention of her name, "aren't my biological parents. They raised me practically my entire life but I'm not their biological daughter. I don't know who my biological parents are, nobody has ever told me but when I came here, I was only 4 or 5, nobody here liked or trusted me. They thought I was dangerous. I honestly think they still do." I had never told anyone this, of course Tom and Bella knew I was adopted but I had never told anyone about how I felt feared and disliked by everyone in this Court.

"Well let us be feared together." Harrison grinned at me.

"Together." I smiled back.

We entered the house, Harrison hurried forward to open the door for me. I walked into the entrance hall, Harrison following close behind me.

"I'm going to walk up to my room and get changed. I'll be down in a second." I ran up the stairs and to my bedroom, slowing down when nearing my father's office. He always scolded me for running and making noise outside his office. That's when I heard my father shouting.

"They are going to kill me next because of her!!! My wife wanted to protect her and so did I but she's putting this whole court at risk!"

"But y/n's your only heir." Bella's voice was lower than my father's but loud enough to hear.

"No she's not."

"What?"

"My wife and I have two children. She is not my heir."

"Two? Where is the second? Why have you never mentioned a second?"

"He is here. Has always been here. I never mentioned it because it had not needed to be mentioned. "

"Does he know?"

"No."

"Do you plan to tell him?"

"Eventually."

"Then who is he?"

I knew the answer before he said it. It all made sense now. How our parents' stories were so similar, how my father's hatred of the Illyrians didn't extend to him, how as far as I could remember we had been raised together.

"We talked about this. You have an heir." My mother interrupted, her voice calm and steady. I was surprised that she was standing up for me. She never usually does.

My mother wasn't standing up for me, she was standing up for him. For.......

"My son, y/n's brother and my heir is Tom."

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Oooooo! Cliff hanger ending!!😂 Also I just binge watched all of season one of The Umbrella Academy and it's AMAZING!! ps. I just want Klaus to be happy.

Thank you so much for reading!! I really hope you enjoyed. Feedback is always appreciated and if you want to be added to the taglist, feel free to ask!!!

Taglist: @ignimbritetcax @devildisguiseasangel