#matte bat ocs

[mattebat]

Sir... sir that's my emotional support part demon man

[fangirl201sworld]

After more than 50 design attempts, hours of work to find a good color palette, we finally have an official design for Mixcoatl. (Or at least, one of two)

Here is the God of the Hunt. (Feel free to draw him if you want (Also Coatlicue) ❤️

[daystarvoyage]

The Moment, You have been Waiting For The Tie is Nigh, To Unlock the topic with a key Come Sip Some Tea With Me

We discuss the characters in the first Kyoko Cane Crackdown 8-part special of the Owl House series debunking special

make sure you read throughout the video for DISCLAIMER & if you cant handle different opinions Talking to your toxic hardcore fans there is the portal door to the next SS, Idgad

Hope You understand my rant, intake Frustration on what the Owl House could've been and how it would've shaped the animation industry besides its lgbt representation, Thak You Like Comment & SUBSCRIBE

NEW POST

[aztarion]

OC Deep Dive - Soledad

What common/uncommon fear do they have?

(Ignoring the obvious fire and sunlight here)

That she won’t be useful; that she’s been ruined for nothing.

The blood bond.

Diablerie — not as in being diablerized, but the act itself; of being manipulated into/tempted again; of not being able to stop/her bulimia triggering if she’s for whatever reason feeding from another kindred, something she tries very hard not to do.

Aila — that presence when it stirs.

It’s more “fear for”, but Julian, or specifically whatever he’s thinking when his eyes get that focused black gleam. She knows it like some dreaded visual cue: tunnel vision. It used to be cute, watching him prattle while they lay out on the trailer roof on the New Mexico border two hours before sunrise, but they’re not fledglings anymore — there are very real consequences now.

Her voraciousness — in physical and emotional hunger.

Rats.

Do they have any pet peeves?

People that don’t use their turn signal.

When strangers ask about her scar or tattoos right off the bat.

Getting blood on or washing blood out of her clothes — because she customizes everything and really does try to save them.

Minimalism.

Stock cars.

People who talk too fast. When Julian especially starts talking too fast.

When ANYONE adjusts absolutely anything in her car. However she will do just that to yours.

What are three items you can find in their bedroom?

I guess when she’s on the move she will always have:

Topaz and mahogany heirloom rosary

Matte black finish gun kit (+ nighthawk custom)

Emergency blood bag

really quick vibes...

What do they notice first in a person?

Physically, and in rapid succession, their put-togetherness, what they’re wearing, then eyes, then mouth. Appearance might get a second once-over to take everything in, maybe sense the Beast. Body language and demeanor. Power they exude. In some situations with kindred and in more situations with mortals, she might try to gauge how attractive they perceive her to be. Where their eyes fall; how interested and receptive they are. In kind, how open, honest, or easy their behavior is — if there’s a forced sincerity about it. Sol doesn’t have auspex but she is decently intuitive and can be manipulative. She’ll also analyze how they interact with other people — those they know or mutual strangers.

What she notices first after building a rapport with a stranger is loyalty. That’s the moment it sinks in that this is or could potentially be someone reliable or meaningful to her.

On a scale of 1 to 10, how high is their pain tolerance?

Physically: 7. Much tougher than a mortal obviously, and she can definitely take a beating, but she doesn’t have fortitude and can be a bit of a glass cannon in a straight fight against heavy hitters. If her insides are mostly outsides at some point, she will be screaming crying throwing up (literally if her derangement triggers which then probably kicks off a hunger Frenzy).

Mentally: 9 LOL. Sol’s resolve and composure are insanely high and she has such a weak, dissolving and deeply negative sense of self already… it would be difficult for someone to target her in that way and have any luck getting through to really hurt her. Which is a whole other issue 🤦‍♀️

Emotionally (aka if you are Julian, or her brother Tiago, or the presence of Aila; to a lesser extent Elena and Lettow): 4. Huge upset here is what’s most likely to pierce carapace, hit that soft underbelly. Sol definitely has got that desert fruit pulpy, nutty and horrifically messy centre underneath all the disconnect.

Do they go into fight or flight mode when under pressure? (Or freeze or fawn?)

It depends. Sol actually works well under pressure (again as long as it’s not her very specific brand of emotionally taxing trigger).

If she thinks she has a chance at getting through, or has no chance at all in a fight, she will fawn. It’s become insidiously intrinsic: whatever you need, whatever you want, I'll bend to any shape, don’t worry about me.

In an unavoidable outright hostile situation she’ll hold her ground and fight but be dirty about it. The nighthawk is pretty effective on mortals lol. With other kindred or when vastly outnumbered however… she’s not a tank but she’s slippery and her scorpion’s-touch-augmented-protean-claws hit like envenomated machetes. She can draw a whip from her vitae and create ugly little parasitic snakes made from spilled viscera. She will incapacitate, possibly fawn again if something can be worked out (Miss Second Chances To Her Detriment over here), and/then/or shoot to kill. Or die I suppose if she loses.

What animal represents them best?

Scorpions, snakes… specifically the species’ that are shyer, solitary and less aggressive, which in some cases those often have the strongest venom — very fitting for Sol. She can be a handle-carefully-and-don’t-push deal these nights.

It’s more out of symbolism but I really like the idea of the hummingbird for her too, in an “in another life/if things had went differently” kind of way (also the Sierra Vista connection — where she grew up). She was once naturally extroverted, poised, playful, dreamy, brave. Never stubborn or too headstrong, but at least less inclined to do what others wanted of her if she disagreed. Those traits have warped a lot, and she’s since got too-sharp teeth and corpse-skin that really is starting to feel a lot like carapace.

She knows she’s a monster, and she has complex views on that, but at the end of it all cannot detach from her conscience. Guilt eats her alive. I think Sol wants nothing else but to keep from what feels like the inevitable complete unhinging of her jaw.

How would a stranger likely describe them?

Striking, quiet but restless beauty. You guys will have to forgive my art lol. She has soft hispanic/asian features, thick dark wavy hair, deep olive tan skin, long legs. A slow and alluring (but not provocative) way of speaking and moving.

Obnoxious tattoos, dark undereyes, and on closer inspection her gnarly jagged scar can often have a stranger furrowing their brow.

She maintains a poker face, is intentionally unexpressive, but there’s an unconscious sensuality about her.

Sad eyes, like they themselves are trying to tell you something that even she’s not aware of.

Very cautious and conscientious — an intuitive stranger might clock that the fawn fear response has become her natural state of existing.

Do they have any hobbies?

At home base, tuning her ride and probably Julian’s fleet if one is left around. She hates stock. I hc Elena will not let her near the Datsun though, that they share that don’t fucking touch anything in my car rage 😭

She has a pet project of fixing up an old BMW R80 G/S — the motorcycle model her dad drove back in the day. (give me the strength to finish the art i have of this pleaaasee)

She likes to make things out of scrap metal too — welding shit together into little tools, or just because she wanted to see or keep her hands busy. Loves customizing, recycling, retrofitting, renovating and restoring.

Honing her butchered version of blood sorcery. Sol dropped out of school and is not academically inclined, but she is tenacious and open-minded and very much a quick, kinetic learner with a good eye for detail. Julian fills her in on whatever important prep knowledge and research she needs from tomes for bigger rituals, but he is usually the one conducting those — Sol has no grand plans. Otherwise she experiments a lot with minor powers within both the blood sorcery and protean disciplines, and her own weird magic-melee amalgamation of them. Because I have to dual-spec or I'll die!!!!!

finally had time to finish this….thank you so much for the tag @diableriedoll ^^

i’ll tag @devilbrakers @gauntlings @silkenred @kibellah @vesperblood

@ustalav @auspex @eurodyning

@ruvviks @girlnextvore @baelavelaryon @dykeferatu and any oc perverts reading this because my mind goes blank everytime

[sparklyballoonballoon]

The Owl House Post-Finale/Post Watching and Dreaming Roleplay Request

Anyone up for an Owl House roleplay with me? I was hoping for a roleplay that takes place during the timeskip of the show, sometime after the finale.

I also want Palisman to play a big role in the roleplay as well. I love the concept of palismen so much that I was hoping if we RP that we can have it play a bigger role than it did in the canon series.

I also wanna do a thing with King going to Hexside and making friends, falling in love, and even making some enemies in the process. Maybe have him form his own Hexsquad.

Here are the ships I wanna do for this RP (some of the names of the characters of the canon background characters are based off of MoringMarks headcanons):

Luz x Amity 

King x OC

Cat x Sibley (Pufferfish bipedal demon in the abominations track with the sloth Palisman)

Boscha x OC 

Amelia x Lucas (the blond guy with the black beanie in the oracle track uniform who is a part of Boscha’s group in the episode Once Upon a Swap)

Eda x Raine

Jerbo x Edric 

Viney x Emira 

Skara x Fled (The brown bat biped demon who was in the beast keeping hexside uniform who went to grom with Skara)

Gus x Matt

Vee x Masha

Perhaps the two human students who talked to Luz and worked the haunted Hayride with Masha at Thanks to Them, along with Vee and Masha’s friends could also play a role as well.

Anyways, anyone wanna roleplay with me? OCs are allowed BTW. Anyways, lemme know in the comments below if you wanna roleplay with me

[frango-maconheiro]

wow, wow, interaction.

also, there's a stupid meaningless ramble i made out of this incredible petpeeve of mine with EW x reader stuff and it's just down the cut sggkjdfjkk (it's fr just me being extremely salty)

Anyway, hello!

Haha, my curious and lonely ass really thought it was a clever idea to read 'eddsworld x reader' content because it spawned in my timeline.... thinking that maaaybe they actually got good at it and made not too ooc stuff (this is heeeeaavily on matt content)

Now, i am profoundly remorseful of that choice because when i wrote this hours ago woth no wifi, i was arguing with the air.

Like, i won't lie on this. EW x reader.. They have evolved, a loooot since those 2017 fanfics (why were the x yn fics from eddsworld all copy-paste back then???) actually, it really surprised me because i definitely don't have the most cool memories of such fanfics,, Buuuuut, they still have that STUPID FAVORITISM. IT'S SO DAMN APPARENT. YOU THINK WE CAN'T SEE IT???

i get madder from down this line, especially since i was veery hungry when writing this. That's why you should always stay fed, keeps you slightly happier.

nhamnhamnhamm, writes aaall cool stuff for edd, tom 'n tord... maybe with an ooc here and there, but enough to ignore,, but matt? Matt gets so ooc, he can be mistaken for an oc if no name is given.

like,,, did.. did we watch the same dude on screen? i know he was pretty neglected in content, but cmon, what is that?? He's practically a romance repellent with his stupidity (said affectionately)

it's the same 'pipipipopopo just a sweet mama's boy' and 'ooo, he's sooo romantic, look at how much of gentleman he is compared to otheeeers' and 'whaao he so silly ::3 *treats him as if he weren't an adult character' and so much more, all in this weird stereotype

I guess i'm just disappointed,,, all because he just, idk, still feels downright boring compared to how the other 3 are written in these kind of fanfics even thought it's 2024 already and not still 2017-2020 (don't even get me started on the weird fixation on making yn extremely specific which fr also makes me crawl away like a wet cat from EW reader interactive content, they don't even put tags of the gender, aaaaaargh).

y'all definitely have more content of him to write than just the saturation of him painting your nails, or going shopping, or acting like he's the center of the world 24/7, or making him the pure lil' angel, or having his memory issues being downplayed as him acting 'so silly lil' silly', i assure you.

When i tell you i got so invested in this useless anger i mean that i got compelled into writing down a bunch of matt x reader to try and give that man a cooler image,,, and i don't even see him that way (nor any of the characters.) , but GOD ARGHHHV I NEED JUSTICE FOR HIM.

i might be just a lil' hot headed while writing this whole stuff, but this bro got stripped out of BOTH his classic and his modern funky personality in 99% of these fanfics and nobody bats an eye, like, ever, unless they're another fan of the character. Free my ginger rat, pleeeeaaaaseee.

I need any weirdo, edgy, funky, unusual, vampire, zombie(heavily on you zombie matt my beloved), slasher, funny, whack matt written content that is not only interactive BUT friendly to all readers...

i don't even care what Matt is written, modern, or classic. Both types have their own weirdo charm, and i am willing to analyze them for a nice oneshot or spitball post.... where you don't get to a restaurant/picnic and receives flowers and it ends like that, without any more depth of such cute cliche fluff it is, and leaving you like you just licked off the scraps of a dessert from a plate given to you, so damn hungry 'n wishing you had eaten an actual dessert instead of whatever that was.

[luvangelbreak]

Deprived | Five

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 Part 14 Part 15 Part 16 Part 17 Part 18 Part 19 Part 20 Part 21 Part 22 Part 23 matthew sturniolo x layla venita (female!oc) summary: everyone knows the story of the bad boy and the good girl but what happens when the school's most popular boy, Matthew Sturniolo, and the girl who notoriously is never there, Layla Venita, cross paths. warnings: swearing, smoking (cigarettes), mentions of drugs (weed) word count: 3.3k a/n: the italics are a flashback to allie and layla in their gym class btw! love you guys <3

pov: layla

I decided to stay home from school for the rest of the week, I just didn't have the energy to endure the looks people would give me. The whispering during my last two subjects after Matt and I came back at lunch was already too much and it was worse in gym when Allie stuck to her word and paired up with me.

She seemed nice, much nicer than Mia was to me. She talked my ear off the whole lesson but I didn't mind because then I didn't have to talk.

"Don't worry about Mia, by the way. She can be really bitchy at times but she just doesn't like change. I promise she is usually a lot nicer," Allie rambled as we walked around the gym as a warm-up, "It was kinda funny though. No one ever really stands up to her when she gets bitchy because everyone's scared that her dad will arrest them."

Oh, I've met her dad.

"Matt also stood up for you after you left. I trust Matt's opinion on people, he's kinda my scapegoat when it comes to talking to people. I told him to start talking to you like three weeks ago so I could ask you to hang out. I just get nervous talking to people I don't know sometimes."

You don't seem nervous now, motor mouth.

"Sorry if I'm rambling a lot. I'm just really glad you decided to pair up with me because I've been paired with Mia for like the past 2 years. It's nice to have a new friend. It's not like I don't like my friends but Mia is my only girl friend and the guys are such guys sometimes it drives me mad. You get your nails done?"

I shook my head no before she continued, "We should go get our nails done sometime. My shout of course, I'm not gonna force you to get your nails done as well as make you pay."

She was a ray of sunshine and I was sure people were confused as someone as sweet as her was talking to someone like me who looked like they had a constant rain cloud over their head. I found myself amused by her rambling and I decided that it wouldn't be the worst thing to talk to her every now and then.

I spent the rest of my week smoking weed when my father wasn't home and drawing on the last few pages of my sketchbook. The time passed quickly considering I slept for most of the days. Suddenly it was Friday afternoon and I heard a knock at my front door.

I paused my music, frowning when I looked at the clock to see it was 3:30. It was far too early for my dad to be home so I grabbed the metal bat that was lying on the bottom of my underwear drawer, sneaking towards the door silently. Another round of light knocks were placed on the door and I crept up to it before looking through the peephole.

My tense shoulders slumped as I looked at two people with the same face and their familiar brown hair. I unlocked the deadbolt on the door as well as the regular lock before I swung the door open.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, leaning my left hand on the handle of the bat now that the other end was placed on the floor.

"Hi to you too," Chris mumbled as he looked side to side, clearly tense to be in South End as Matt smiled at me.

"I figured you would forget about the game. Decided to come earlier in case you were ready which..." he looked down at my outfit which was my small sleep shorts and an old ratty t-shirt, "I don't think you are?"

"You didn't say it was this Friday!" I frowned and Chris looked down at the bat I was leaning on before shaking his head.

"Good thing I came early then," Matt smirked at me and I chewed at my lip. I tapped the bat on the ground as I thought making Chris look at me again.

"Calm down. I'm not gonna use it on you," I deadpanned to Chris and he just shrugged, looking back out at the street. I felt a nervousness in my chest because they were at my house but I knew if they stayed on the porch or in their car, someone would try something. So I reluctantly said, "Come in."

"We can wait in the ca-"

I cut off Matt quickly, "Get inside now." They looked at each other in surprise before shuffling past me and I closed the door behind them before saying, "Do you have anything valuable in your car? Phone, wallet, laptop?"

They both shook their heads and I locked both of the locks on the door before I spun around to face them again.

"Why?" Chris asked and I tilted my head, giving him an unimpressed look.

"I'll just say you're lucky you drive a fucking soccer mom car or it would be broken into within 15 minutes," I answered blandly and they seemed somewhat shocked but didn't talk, "Come on."

I walked down the hall towards my room, slipping inside and they followed shortly behind me.

"We could've waited on the couch," Matt said as I closed the door of my bedroom and raised my eyebrows.

"If my dad came home and you were sitting on the couch, say goodbye to hockey for the rest of your life," I replied dryly and he pursed his lips, "If he comes home, you will just have to go out my window and jump the fence around the side of the house."

"You don't know when he's coming home?" Chris asked as he leaned against the wall beside my mattress and I shook my head. I was suddenly very conscious that I had the two most loved boys in our school standing in my dirty bedroom. I looked around my room, realising that I looked like I lived in a trap house with my mattress on the floor, empty beer bottles in the corner of my room with cigarettes stuck in them and clothes all over the floor.

"Sorry about the mess. No one ever comes over," I mumbled as I moved a couple clothes off of my mattress, "Sit wherever. Just don't look over here because I'm gonna get changed."

I travelled to the corner of my room where my chest of drawers sat and I saw them both turn to face away from me quickly. After placing the bat beside the drawers, I pulled out black baggy jeans, took off my shorts quickly and slid them on. I then took off my old T-shirt and slid on a baby blue hoodie. I didn't bother putting on a shirt since it would be cold at the game and I wouldn't have to take my hoodie off at any point.

"I'm dressed," I let them know as I grabbed my boots off of the floor, sitting down next to my dresser so I could slide them on easily. I looked up to see both of them sitting on my mattress, looking around my room. Their expressions were unreadable as they looked around my room.

"I like your posters," Chris spoke up and I looked to the wall above my mattress where my Bob Marley, Frank Ocean and Kurt Cobain posters were hung.

"Thanks," I answered, a half-hearted smile being sent his way which he reciprocated, "When do we have to leave by?"

"Four," Matt answered and I nodded, checking the time to see it was 3:40. I hopped off of the floor, walked over to my desk and sat down on the old desk chair.

I scribbled some eyeliner on my eyes before smudging it with my finger and then putting mascara on. I grabbed my lip balm, placing it on my lips before I ran a hand through my curly hair. I grabbed the white beanie that was thrown onto the floor, sliding it onto my head. I jumped up from the seat, grabbed my leather jacket that was hanging over the back of the chair and slid it on.

"Do I need to bring anything?" I asked, having no clue what else to bring to a hockey game.

"Just your team spirit," Chris cheered sarcastically and I tilted my head with an amused look on my face.

"I'm not a cheerleader for a reason," I answered and he shrugged, a small smile on his lips.

"Doesn't mean you shouldn't cheer when we win," he retorted and I nodded in agreement.

"I'm good as long as I'm not expected to start screaming 'Go Bats go!' like an idiot," I did a small jump when I said the slogan that I heard all the cheerleaders say proudly and Matt laughed in response as Chris shook his head with a smile.

"You wanna get food on the way?" Matt asked and I shook my head in response.

"I'm good, I just ate," I explained and he nodded, quickly checking his phone.

"We should probably go," he said, turning his phone to me to see that it was 3:55. I couldn't believe another 15 minutes had passed so quickly but I nodded. Making sure I had my phone, cigarettes, lighter and keys in my pocket, I swung the bedroom door open as Matt and Chris followed behind me. I unlocked the front door swinging it open and motioning for Chris and Matt to go outside.

They walked past me and walked to their car as I turned around to lock the door with my keys. After triple-checking the door, I wandered down the driveway to the minivan. I noticed that Matt was always the one to drive and Chris was seated in the passenger seat, phone already plugged into the aux.

I slid the back door open, jumping inside before I closed the door behind me. As I buckled myself in, Matt started the car and Chris played a song by Lil Skies.

"We good?" Matt asked, looking at me in the rearview mirror and I nodded before he spun around to look at me, "I didn't even have to remind you about your seatbelt, so proud."

"Start driving before I change my mind and go back to the comfort of my bed," I smiled slightly and he beamed back at me before he spun around and we took off down the street.

Within 5 minutes, we were in the parking lot and Chris was wriggling his body along to the beat of the next Lil Skies song. I could take a wild guess as to who his favourite artist is.

Matt turned the music down, earning a glare from Chris but he turned around to look at me ignoring his brother for a moment, "You waiting in the car or coming in?"

"I'm gonna have a smoke first then I'll come in," I explained and he nodded before turning off the car.

"You head in. I'll be there in a sec," Matt told Chris who was clicking away on his phone. With a nod, he jumped out of the car and walked around to the back of the car.

"You want me to take your shit inside?" Chris called from the trunk as I turned around to see Chris lugging his huge duffle bag full of hockey shit.

"Nah I got it," Matt called back to him and Chris raised his eyebrows as he leaned into the trunk again.

"Don't start fuckin in the car or I swear to god," he deadpanned before slamming the trunk closed and I saw him start walking towards the building.

"Sorry about him," Matt mumbled apologetically and I shrugged as I turned to face him.

"It's fine. Wouldn't expect anything less," I told him with an amused smirk making him shake his head, a smile creeping onto his lips, "Are you gonna go inside?"

"I'll wait for you to finish and then I'll show you where to sit inside," he explained and I nodded before hopping out of the car. I closed the door behind me before leaning against the car, pulling out a cigarette and placing it between my lips before lighting it. I heard Matt's door open and close before he rounded the car to get to the trunk.

As I began smoking my cigarette, a car pulled into the space next to Matt's and a few moments passed before Nate and Allie appeared out of the car.

"Hey! Matt told me you were coming," Allie beamed at me and I observed her outfit, feeling strange to see her out of her usual cheer or gym attire. Instead, she had blue jeans, a black puffer jacket with a blue beanie on and black and white vans.

"He failed to mention the game was this Friday," I told her and she rolled her eyes as Nate waved at me. I sent him a wave back with the hand that held my cigarette before I took another puff.

"Is Nick coming?" Nate asked and Matt appeared beside me, duffle bag over his shoulder.

"Nah. He said something about doing homework tonight. Chris is already inside," Matt explained with a shrug as Nate rounded the back of his car and popped the trunk open, grabbing a duffle bag of his own hockey gear.

"You coming in?" Allie asked me and I held the cigarette up.

"When I finish this," I told her, a smile tugging at my lips at her beaming personality.

"See you guys in there!" Nate called as he started walking towards the building with Allie following behind him.

"Is Miss Cheer herself coming?" I asked Matt once Allie and Nate were out of earshot and he shrugged, moving to stand in front of me as he adjusted the bag on his shoulder.

"No clue. She usually shows up late if she comes though," he told me honestly and I nodded, noticing my cigarette almost being done. I quickly finished it before dropping it onto the ground and squishing it underneath my foot. I went to push away from the car but Matt stopped me by saying, "Hold up."

"What?" I asked, confusion written on my face. He held his hand up before he dropped his duffle bag to the ground and squatted down to rummage through one of the smaller pockets.

He pulled out a small pot of black face paint and a brush before standing back up, "Move your hair."

"What are you doing?" I squinted at him as he opened the pot of black face paint and he smiled at me.

"Just trust me," he shrugged and I squinted my eyes at him for a moment before I tucked my hair behind my ears. I tilted my head back as I peered up at him and he dipped the brush into the pot before he started painting my right cheek.

"If you're drawing a dick on my face I'll kill you with my bare hands, Matthew," I mumbled, trying not to move my mouth much as his tongue poked out between his lips in concentration.

"If I was gonna do that..." he trailed off before leaning back with a smile, "I'd use a sharpie."

"What did you do?" I asked and he just shrugged as he closed the pot again, sliding it back into his bag before swinging it over his shoulder again. I slipped my phone out of my pocket, opening the front camera to see he had painted the number 81 on my cheek, "What does this mean?"

"You'll see," he shrugged with a smirk and I frowned as he started to walk backwards before he tilted his head towards the building, "Come on. I gotta warm up."

I pushed away from the car, trailing behind him as we walked towards the entrance. He swung the door open, standing behind it as he let me walk in first. We walked through the front area, some of his teammates being gathered around to grab snacks or energy drinks.

"Matty B!" one of the guys called who I recognised as Daniel and he jogged over to us as Matt paused, dapping him up quickly, "Who's this?"

"Layla, Daniel. Daniel, Layla," Matt introduced us and I just nodded at Daniel, not surprised that he didn't know my name.

"No Mia?" he asked Matt and Matt just shrugged in response.

"She's being weird. I don't know dude," Matt answered before he looked towards the rest of their team, "You guys gotta hurry up. We have 45 to warm up."

"Sir, yes, sir," Daniel sent Matt a salute before he started walking backwards and looked at me, "Nice to meet you, princess."

I sent him another nod before Matt started walking towards the doors of the rink, "Ignore Dan. He'll try to fuck anything with legs."

"Don't worry, Captain. I don't do goalies," I smirked and he chuckled in response, holding the door open to the rink for me to enter first again. I walked in, the cold air hitting my cheeks making me shiver.

"Layla!" I heard Allie's chirpy voice call out from the bleachers and I looked to my left to see her sitting front and centre, I sent her a small wave as I started to walk over to her with Matt following behind me.

"I gotta go get ready but are you good to sit with Allie?" Matt asked me and I turned my head to look at him now that he was on my right and I nodded.

"Yeah. Go make sure your hair is nice before you play," I joked as he rolled his eyes, pushing my shoulder slightly before spinning around to walk backwards while I paused at the steps that led up to where Allie was seated, "Break a leg, pretty boy."

"Thanks, pretty girl," he smirked at me and I bit my lip to hide my smile as he spun back around and walked into the locker room at the end of the rink. I shook my head to get rid of my smile as I walked up a few steps before sitting down next to Allie.

She smirked at me and I gave her a confused expression, "What?"

"Nothing," she hummed, her smirk turning into a smile as she looked out onto the ice. She pulled a packet of Sour Patch Kids out from her small handbag that I hadn't even noticed before she pulled open the packet, "You want one?"

"Sure," I shrugged, picking out a couple before throwing them into my mouth and her actions followed mine.

"So you and Matt..." she trailed off and I looked back at her as she smiled at me.

"Me and Matt?" I questioned, waiting for her to continue.

"You guys are cute," she shrugged, a genuine joy spread across her face and I let my mouth fall open.

"Uh... I don't even know if we're friends let alone anything else," I told her honestly and she rolled her eyes playfully before she hummed.

"Matt doesn't talk to just anyone. If he's asking you to come to his games clearly he wants you around," she told me as if it were obvious and I shrugged as I chewed on my lip. A few players from the other team skated onto the ice with their full gear, doing laps around the ice lazily.

"I don't think Chris and Nick like me though. His brothers' opinions probably mean a lot to him," I answered, looking at the players skating in circles. A couple players from Matt's team slid onto the ice as they started doing the same as the opposition.

"Chris is just focused on other shit. Nick tends to stick to himself a lot so just give them both time," she tried to reassure me and I looked back to her before she continued, "Besides, I like you so they're not getting rid of you that easily while I'm around."

"What about Mia?" I asked, genuinely curious as to how heavily Mia's opinion influenced her friends.

Allie sighed as she looked out at the rink, "Mia will figure it out. I don't know why she's being so weird about it. I think it's because she's protective over us."

"Matt's the one that came to me. I don't know why she was acting like I'm tryna break up your entire friend group," I mumbled as I looked out onto the ice to see a couple more players.

Only then did I realise that number 81 with a small C on the chest of his blue and white jersey was skating around the rink and it was none other than Matthew Sturniolo.

[kiddbegins]

Begin Again • M. Casey

Requested: no Word count: 3.2k warnings: none?

A/n: this was originally something I wrote for an oc x evan Buckley that I never posted so thats why there's like actual names and back story stuff ..

Masterlist

You stood in your bedroom, digging around through your clothes for the right thing to wear. Was this a casual thing? Yes. Did you want to dress super casual? No. Because this was the first time in months that you were allowing yourself to have an ounce of happiness. Allowing yourself to go out there and let someone see the rawest form a girl could have.

The outfit you chose went perfectly with a pair of heels you had bought last year but never worn. Jeremy never let you. Not to a party, not even to a business meeting he had had. So really it was a mystery if they fit. Guess now was a good time to try them on… right?

Hesitantly, you slipped the shoes on, double checking yourself in the full length mirror behind your door. It was good. It was nice, didn’t scream business meeting or ‘hey let's ditch and have sex’, and considering you had work in only a couple hours and this was just coffee and pastries at a cafe, it felt perfect.

Your parents were out, their ritual was to have breakfast out at least twice a week. Today was one of the days so you were alone in your thoughts as you left the house. You plugged your phone into your car to play some music for the drive. Only fifteen minutes.

And those fifteen minutes were full of anxiety. Would Matt like your outfit? Like you on the side of things where you weren’t a firefighter? Your heart was racing but you shook your head. If it didn’t work out like that, you’d be friends. Regardless of status, you’d already interacted enough to stay friends if everything plummeted.

You had to keep reminding yourself that as you parked, all the spaces for the block were taken so you were a bit away when you finally got out. The cafe was around the corner and you fiddled with the hem of your shirt before starting the walk there. 

With every step you went over what you expected to happen. You thought you were a boring, unfunny mess so if anything Matt would probably get out of there earlier than expected, causing you to carry your half of the check and head to work licking your wounds. 

The bell above the door jingled, alerting anyone around of your presence and you spotted your date at a table in the middle of the room. He saw you almost instantly, how could he not? Everytime the bell rang from the front he turned in his seat to see if you were now coming his way. The first 7 times it wasn’t, but it was now.

Instantly, he stood, smiling widely while waving you over. You walked over to him, letting out a light breath before smiling back at him. It was impossible not to. “Hey,” He went in for a hug, wrapping his arms lightly around you before moving to pull the chair out for you. Something you were not used to one bit.

“Hi,” You smiled softly, sitting in the seat and watching as he moved to sit back down. He’d already had a cup of coffee on the table but that was it, it seems he was waiting for you to even have something to nibble on. “How’s your morning been?” You added, a lady coming over to get an order in for the two.

Once she left, Matt shrugged. “Can’t complain. Not gonna lie I was worried you weren’t going to show.” He offered right off the bat, causing Your eyebrows to raise. And here you were thinking that he wasn’t going to be all that excited to see her.

You hid a smile before shaking your head, “I’m not exactly a flaker.” 

“Thank god, imagine how embarrassing that’d be for me.” He joked, taking a sip of his extremely light coffee. 

You noticed the color of it and chuckled lightly. “How much cream is in that cup?”

“Probably about 50% of it.” He laughed and shook his head, “Nah, maybe like 4 of those little cups they give you. She gave me a weird look when I was putting them in too.” He sat back as your coffee was brought out along with two muffins. One chocolate chip, one blueberry. The chocolate one was Matt’s.

You reached over and grabbed three of the equal packets, swirling it into your coffee. “Dark and sweet.” Matt spoke, “Light and bitter, two sides of a coin.” He stated and you nodded. If it were Jeremy he would have rolled his eyes and told you not to waste the sugar in a drink where you can’t even taste it.

The thought of him made you shift in your seat, crossing your ankles loosely. Matt didn’t notice the slight change in demeanor so he leaned forward slightly. “Not to be the person that asks a million questions on a first date but this is a need to know, what music do you listen to? Because I listen to a mix of like rock and pop but I don’t think I can stand someone that listens to hard rap or something. No offense if you do but-”

“Matt,” You cut in with a laugh, shaking your head. “I don’t listen to hard rap. Or country really? Though there are some songs that I could scream at the top of my lungs. Mainly classic rock, my dad was a big metal head in his day and age. And of course hispanic music, being Cuban I couldn’t go any night in the summer without my neighbors blaring the music so loud that I’m positive you could hear it three blocks away.” You tended to ramble when it came to things you liked talking about.

Music was one of those topics. You could go on and on about the classic rock band Queen, or Fleetwood Mac to Celia Cruz. “Yeah? Around my neighborhood if the neighbors could hear your music then you were being an inconvenience.” Matt countered, looking at you with awe. “But I’m glad we got that covered, cause like I said, I’m peculiar about my music choices.”

“I feel like everyone is peculiar in their taste of something. Like for instance if you like mint chocolate chip ice cream I might have to just up and leave this table right now,” Now you were joking to an extent but the taste of that flavor ice cream made you want to gag.

By the look on Matt’s face, he was guilty of your charge, “Okay well this was nice,” you fake got up before shaking your head, “No I’m kidding but don’t ever ask me to have a bite.” 

He held up his right hand and nodded, “Swear.” A solid laugh came out of his mouth, catching you by surprise. Nobody ever thought you were funny. Any joke you tried to do was met with a blank face, maybe a pair of rolled eyes before the conversation continued.  

In response to Matt’s laugh a grin spread on your face, “What’s your favorite band? You said you like classic rock right?” You asked, picking off a piece of your muffin to eat. 

He didn’t answer right away, there was a clear sign of thought on his face. Thinking over his answer. “Hm, I like a lot of them, what a heavy question.” He mumbled with a light smile, looking down at his hands in a bout of concentration.

“Cause like, Queens iconic, so many good songs. But if I’m honest I really like The Animals. They have some really good songs. House of the Rising Sun is a classic.”

“No way, that’s been one of my favorites since I was little. I had a neighbor when I was a kid that only listened to like obscure bands and they were one of them. I have basically all of their albums in some form.” you rushed out excitedly, seeing the smile on Matt’s face widen as you spoke more.

The boy leaned forward happily, “You get it! God I don’t think I’ve ever met someone that actually likes their music or has it anywhere but Spotify.”

You two rambled about classic rock for the next twenty minutes, who the best Beatles member was, which Motley Crue song they listened to most. It was as if you two were catching up after not seeing each other for ages rather than a first date.

“You know,” Matt randomly spoke after a moment of silence for both of them to drink the coffees in front of them. “I never understood the people that call the sun a planet.” He finally took a bite of his muffin and it was giant. The entire top was basically off of it, that's how big of a bite it was.

Your eyebrows raised in surprise as Matt ate it peacefully. “For example, I was out on this call once, and the guy was making a solar system diorama for his kid. But the sun was labeled a planet. Only noticed because he had somehow managed to get a skewer through his cheek, was going to leave that out but felt like you’d ask how I’d notice that little detail. Anyway I tried to correct him but he insisted he was right.”

He rolled his eyes. Finishing the top of his muffin while you were still picking at yours. Though you were a sucker for talking about music or things you were interested in, when it came to stuff you weren't knowledgeable on or didn’t like, you fell quiet. Shy even.

“I love space, I don’t really know much but it’s so beautiful. I’d love to visit like Mars, or maybe one that hasn’t been visited.” You offered, there wasn’t much you knew about space so you just offered up the closest thing that you did. It was beautiful.

He finished off his coffee before looking at her, “Same, but I’m staying away from venus. You know it's the hottest planet in the solar system? You’d think it’s mercury but nope, venus.” Matt spewed off a random fact, catching your attention more than he already did.

You flinched back as your face twisted in confusion, “Oh? Why?” You were interested in what he had to say, maybe it was the idea of still learning new things at 26 or maybe it was his excited expression as he thought over what he was gonna say briefly before talking. Whichever it was, he was ready to offer up any information.

“Mercury has almost no atmosphere, which is what would hold in the heat from the sun. Unlike Venus, which has a suuuuper thick and heavy atmosphere. Have you ever been in a real greenhouse?” Matt was talking with his hands the entire time, and you could pinpoint the excitement down his fingers.

“Uh…” You had to think, Rhode Island didn’t have many areas for stuff like that. “I don’t think I can say I have.” New York didn’t have any either, well, at least not that you knew of.

Matt scooched his seat closer, trying to keep his voice to where only the two of them could hear. “Well, Venus’ atmosphere makes it like a greenhouse, super hot and toxic. I’m talking ‘melt and erode you’ toxic.” He went on for a few minutes about the atmosphere and how Venus didn’t have enough water to bring co2 levels down and there was too much sulfur.

You simply sat with your legs crossed and listened. Hopefully some of the information would stick and you’d be able to tell your parents about the planets and everything else Matt was so happily rambling about.

Both of their drinks were gone by now and same went for their muffins. The last ten minutes had just been pointless conversation about whatever came up as a topic.

 “So why’d you become a firefighter?” You asked, finally landing on the reason the two had even met. And what a terrifying first day it was. Matt’s face twinged down, causing you to lean forward slightly. “Unless you don’t want to talk about it.” You offered.

It was ingrained in your mind to always make sure the other person being talked to was comfortable. “I do, I became a firefighter because I knew that helping people, and having a sort of reason to my life was what I needed.” He offered, his eyes going down to a random stain on the table. A spot of coffee that he had spilt earlier.

“From what I saw at that highrise, you’re doing good.” You offered. It was true, hearing how he (and Kelly) had handled both the girl and the injured man during that earthquake was amazing. 

He slightly nodded, seeming to get into his head for a moment or so, some sort of hidden demon in his mind grabbing a hold while he sat for a nice morning meal. “Anyway, what about you?” He was good at diverting, bringing the conversation to someone other than himself when it came to topics that he didn’t want to talk about.

It was something he had developed the skill for in his earlier 20’s. 

“Oh-, well, when I was younger my mom had really bad chest pains. So bad that she couldn’t even move to call 911. I was like, 12? Had never had something like that happen. She managed to get me to call them and they talked me through everything but being so vulnerable, so… open to the worst possible outcome, made me realize I want to help others the way that person at dispatch helped me.” The wrapped for the muffin was rolled and still being twisted between your fingers as you spoke.

It was hard then, your dad had been just out of town for some lawsuit, and your mom was so scared. Sarah was out with friends and Charlie was just a baby. Matt’s face fell soft, it seemed like a horrifying moment for anyone, especially a preteen. 

“I’m sorry. Did she end up being okay?” He tentatively asked, unsure of what else to really say, parents can be a touchy subject. Trust that he knew. When you nodded he let out a soft sigh of relief.

You placed the wrapper down gently, “Oh, yeah yeah, she made it. Everything was fine. Emphasis on was.” In an attempt to cut herself off from talking you dragged your eyes across the nearly spotless floors of the cafe.

Peaking at the strangers and how happy they seemed to be in their own social bubbles. When your eyes came back to Matt’s he had a look that came off like he wanted to know more, “I say was cause um, she has breast cancer now. Late stages. Don’t know if she’ll be able to get better but I’m okay, please, please, don’t give me that pity look.” It was one you didn’t know well in your own experience but had seen it enough around to point it out.

On Matt it was his eyebrows tugging down along with the corners of his lips. “I’m not trying to, but I just, I am sorry that sucks. A lot. We can change the subject. Like, dream vacation spot?” He threw on a happy aura that slowly but surely dragged you out by the hair.

“Hm, Venice probably. I want to ride on a gondola more than I want anything in this world. Maybe even more than be a firefighter.” You joked softly, earning another soft chuckle from the blonde across from you. 

He nodded, his smile still as bright as the north star, “That’s a solid choice. I have a lot of choices and that’s definitely up there.” Which wasn’t exactly a proper answer to the question but seeing as it was pretty much time for them to head out, you didn’t question it.

Both of your watches beeped: ten past nine. Meaning it was time to go. Matt stood first, tossing both of their trash away. Easily he pushed his chair in and offered his hand out to you for you to take, leading them out of the building.

“This is kind of good, both working the same, or similar in time shifts. Makes hanging out wayy easier.” Matt stated, squinting as you stepped back into the sun, your opposite hand going up to shield your eyes. He was right.

Dating as a first responder was hard. It isn’t easy for people that don’t get it. Same goes for doctors and such. Being with someone that has an odd schedule is difficult to adjust to. But other firefighters or paramedics could make it work.

As you walked down to your car, just chatting, you wanted to tell him a million things. How you felt more accepted in this short date than the entirety of your last relationship. Or that him just getting you was such a refreshing change from Jeremy.

And you almost did.

Almost.

“You know, around this time of year my sister and I would always, always, watch the Halloween Town movies? It was always her favorite.” He broke their silence just a few feet from your car. Bringing the brunette’s attention back to him at that very moment.

She stopped them at the car, him looking it over. 2017 black Elantra. “Those are all really good movies. My favorite is the… third? One? The high school one.” You countered, facing him. 

“Personally I love the original. A true classic.” He offered, leaning against the car like a cool guy in an early 2000’s rom com. “What other movies do you like? Childish or not.” It felt as if he didn’t want this date to end. Not that you did either.

You held onto your purse strap tightly as you thought, “Childish would be Disney’s Hercules. None would be this comedy I saw a few years ago, Without A Paddle. Super funny.”

“Never heard of it.” Matt’s words caused you to gasp. It was an amazing movie.

You shook your head quickly. “What? You have to. It has Matthew Lillard in it and he's amazing. So are the other guys, Dax Shepard and Seth Green.” You listed off, the movie being so ingrained in your mind that you could pretty much quote half of it right in that moment.

Matt shrugged, “I’m sorry,” Quick glance to his watch, “I love this conversation but I have to go… maybe we can watch that together sometime?” He asked, causing you to stop mid sentence, a blush falling over your cheeks.

A second date. So this one went well. You went all out of your usual comfort zone and it went well. “Yeah, yeah we should.” You replied and Matt once again nodded, waving and giving his goodbyes before walking the way you’d come, to find his own truck.

Once he was gone you grinned widely, getting into your car. 

Everything about today was different. The past eight months had been nothing but hell. Love had scorned you more times than you could count, Jeremy worse than others. But Matt felt different. In a world of black cats he was a golden retriever. It was… refreshing? 

That wasn’t exactly the word that you wanted to use but it’s what you felt. Everything felt better. Bigger. Comfier.

So on this beautiful Wednesday morning. you could feel it Beginning Again.

JOIN MATTS TAGLIST HERE!

tags: @winchesterszvonecek, @halsteadbrasil, @wnbweasley, @firetruckstuckley

[whoreforhurtcomfort]

"Coming Home" ~ Josh Washington (Chapter 1)

After what is now known as "The Wendigo Incident" Joshua Washington and Natalie Torres broke up. He disappeared off the face of the Earth, and she married an asshole to regain a sense of security, but now he's back and she's questioning everything

An older!Josh x fem!ex!married!OC story

Note: While this story will contain cheating, I do NOT condone actual IRL cheating.

November 2024, ten years after Hannah and Beth Washington’s disappearance. Los Angeles, California

“Almost done!” I call out from the master bathroom. I hear an affirmative response from somewhere on the opposite side of the large modern house. 

Despite knowing exactly what I’d find, I pulled out my phone and opened Instagram. His account sits at the top of my search results, as it always does. I tap on it and am directed to @justjoshin95 and find his page looks exactly the same as it has the last twenty times I’ve checked it this week. No pictures of himself aside from the ones from before February 2014. Just the occasional photo of a landscape, no captions, no locations tagged, and the comments are turned off. 

I give in and let myself tap the most recent photo, from three weeks ago at this point. In the foreground is his strong, veiny hand holding a lit joint. Behind the hand is a view I know very well. He’s at our spot. The place where we confessed our feelings for each other all those years ago, the place we kissed for the first time, and the place where we broke up after “The Wendigo Incident” as my psychiatrist called it. 

I hear heavy footsteps approaching the bathroom and quickly lock my phone, setting it down on the counter. He’s not coming tonight, he never comes to anything. You were lucky to get a “Happy Birthday” text this year. I pick up my makeup brush and put some finishing touches on my look for the evening. I see him in the mirror first, sauntering into the room and placing a kiss on the top of my head. 

“You look beautiful baby, but we’re gonna be late if you don’t hurry up. Okay?” My husband, Gary, whispers. 

“Almost… done!” I announce, setting down the brush and turning to face him. 

In the months following The Wendigo Incident, I ended up spending a lot of time in police stations and courtrooms. Nobody knew who to believe, what to do, who to charge, and what to charge them with. It was a mess. Josh and I had just broken up when I met Gary at the police station. The cops were interrogating me again when he mistakenly walked into the wrong room but defended me anyway. 

Gary was safe. He hadn’t seen what we’d seen, hadn’t been there. He was older, he was smart, he was kind, he was financially stable. I needed something secure, so I clung to him in an act of desperation. He swept me up, put a ring on my finger, and bought us a big house to raise a family in. The fantasy didn’t last forever. We didn’t get pregnant. We argued and he blamed me for our failure. When it turned out he was the infertile one he didn’t apologize, he just threw himself into work so he wouldn’t have to face me and our big, cold, and empty house. But Gary is safe. He provides for me. He stayed around, he stuck with me even after I told him what happened on Blackwood Mountain. 

Gary stayed. 

Josh left. 

The drive to Matt and Jessica’s house isn’t very long. They got a nice place together in the suburbs a couple years ago. Their… situation is unorthodox. A meaningless one-night stand accidentally created two beautiful twin girls. Matt and Jess agreed to do what’s best for the kids and give them as normal of a life as possible. That meant living together and co-parenting… as “friends”. 

Gary finds a spot and parks the car a few houses down along the painted curb. We get out and walk toward the house, I notice the cars that are already parked. I think everyone else is already here. No Josh, like usual. I bat the thought of him away and reach for my husband’s hand. Gary knocks on the door and I take a glance at the new sign planted in the lawn. “Greendale Lion’s: 2023 Regional Champions” it reads. I remember how proud Matt was when his boys finally won last year. He got a job as the head football coach at a local college a few years ago and since then the team has been doing way better. 

Jessica opens the door, waving us inside with a smile while trying to keep the twins in her eyeline. I see them crowded around Mike and Sam while they tell a story, unfortunately, once they hear Jess say my name they lose all focus and come bounding over to me and Gary. I kneel down and sweep both of them in a big hug. 

“Auntie Nat!” They cheer excitedly, a few baby teeth missing in their wide grins. 

“Hey, girls! Looks like you’ve got a visit from the tooth fairy coming up!” I smile back at them. They have Jessica’s eyes. 

“Auntie, we lost our tooths in the same day! Naomi lost hers and I was like screaming about it and then mine fell too!” Lily, the younger twin informs me. 

“What! That’s crazy! You really are twins!” I laugh. 

“Dinner’s ready!” Matt announces, stepping out of the kitchen and pulling off his messy apron. 

“Ooh, we’d better take our seats!” I tell the girls who giggle and run off toward the table. I follow them and take a seat next to Gary who is engaged in some fierce conversation with Emily. 

“I don’t see you taking on much pro-bono work these days Nelson” Emily states in an accusatory tone. 

“Sorry Ms. Davis, but my firm is busy with big clients. I understand that you folk don’t know what that’s like” Gary snickers. 

I hate seeing these two go at it, but at this point I know better than to step in between two lawyers arguing. I turn towards Sam and Mike instead, Mike is fumbling with this napkin. Despite the years of practice some things still trip him up, missing two fingers is more of a pain than most people would expect. Sam gives him a pitiful look and helps him out. 

“How are things at work?” I ask them. 

“The mayor keeps trying to cut our funding. I get we’re a major city, but parks are still a necessity!” Mike answers, getting a little fired up. 

“We’ve been collecting signatures and sending emails, but it’s an uphill battle. I had to stop Mike from bringing Wolfie to a town hall meeting to scare the donors into helping” Sam laughs, a hint of tiredness behind the sound. 

We start eating, everyone passing around big bowls of food and catching up on each other’s lives. Everyone nags Chris and Ashley about setting a date for their wedding, they both insist they’ll get on after a big deadline they coming up at their respective jobs. Chris landed some big tech job none of us fully understand and Ashley writes tastefully trashy romance novels that middle-aged women absolutely adore. Her fanbase is nearly cult-like at this point, always eager for the next book. We settle into a peaceful dinner ambiance, but it doesn’t last forever. 

A sudden, uncertain knock on the front door stops the chatter instantly. Jessica and Matt look at each other confused as if to ask “Are we expecting anyone? Did you order something online?”. Before any of the adults move, Lily and Naomi jump up from their seats and rush towards the front door. Lily stands on her tippy toes and unlocks the front door. 

“Girls! You know better!” Matt gently scolds them while Jessica stands up to take over the situation. 

The girls don’t listen. Naomi grabs Lily and helps pull her and the door open. It’s almost like they practiced this. I hear Chris make a joke about Ocean’s 8 causing a few people to chuckle, but my eyes stay glued to the girls. Their little eyes go wide and their jaws literally drop as they look up at whoever is standing on the porch. 

“Uncle Joshy!” They scream, rushing towards…him. 

The air gets sucked out of the room as he slowly walks into the house, a girl wrapped around each of his legs. He holds two brand new toys, presumably for the girls in one hand, and awkwardly waves towards the table of frozen guests with the other. I start to stand up, but Gary tugs my hand, keeping me down in my seat. 

He’s here.

Joshua Washington is fucking here. He’s grinning and showing the girls the toys he brought for them. Someone whispers the word “bribery”, but I can’t tell who it is because he’s captured all my attention. He always does. His hair is styled in the way it always is, his face is freshly shaven, and he’s got a nice long-sleeved shirt on. Fuck, he looks good. 

Jessica greets him and wrangles the twins while Matt rushes around in a panic, trying to find an extra chair. They didn’t plan for him to be here. They didn’t know. I don’t think anyone did. I certainly didn’t. 

“Joshua, late as usual” Gary chastises him. I kick his leg under the table, but he continues to glare at the new arrival. Josh smiles back, but now you can see the smile doesn’t reach his eyes as he looks at my husband. 

“It’s just Josh” He replies firmly. 

Gary opens his mouth and I kick him again, harder this time. He bites his tongue, but turns to look at me with a look that says, “We’re talking about this when we get home”. Yay. 

I tune most of the dinner conversation for the next hour or so. Trying to not look at him too often, but also not completely avoiding him. He’s looking at me too. I catch his gaze shifting from my eyes to my wedding ring more than a few times. I want to reach out to him, talk to him, but I know better. I’m married and Josh will be gone again after tonight. He always leaves. 

“So what are you doing these days now, man?” Chris asks him, a soft grin on his face. 

“I actually just got a job at Greendale Community College” Josh informs happily. Matt suddenly chokes on his food, awkwardly coughing after clearing it out. 

“Really?” Matt asks an alarmed look in his eyes. 

“Yep! See you at work buddy” Josh laughs. 

“So you’re sticking around this time?” I ask, trying to keep my voice steady while Gary squeezes my hand a little too tight. 

“I got a good job and just put a down payment on a house not too far from here. I’m staying guys, I promise. I’m done running, I’m a grown man and I need to face the music” He promises, looking at each of us. 

“Can you babysit us?!” Naomi asks excitedly. Josh laughs and looks at Jessica. 

“We’ll see about that” He answers. An awkward silence falls over the table for a moment. Despite his promises, it’s clear no one fully believes what he’s saying. 

“Well, I’m happy for you!” Mike smiles, patting Josh’s back roughly. 

“What exactly are you doing at the college?” Gary asks seriously, staring down Josh. 

“I’m teaching a few classes: theatre and film production shit. Teach what you know, right?” Josh laugh weakly, meeting Gary’s hard stare. 

“It’s nice to see you using your powers for good” Ashley chimes in, a genuinely happy look on her face. 

The rest of the evening passes by pretty uneventfully. Dinner turns into dessert. Innocent chit-chat turns into more rowdy conversations and story-swapping. Everyone loosens up a little, but just as like all good things the night must come to an end. It’s past the twins' bedtime and they are getting a bit grouchy so Matt and Jess politely tell us all to leave. 

Everyone stands up and starts giving each other goodbye hugs and well wishes, promising to see each other soon. I make my way around to almost everyone before coming face-to-face with Josh. He starts to walk towards me, but Gary slides in between us and clamps Josh’s hand into a rough handshake. Gary leans in and whispers something into Josh’s ear. 

As soon as the two break apart, Gary steps back, takes my hand firmly, and pulls me out the front door and towards the car. Wordlessly, we climb inside and Gary starts the engine. What the fuck was that? I’m trying to decide what to say when Gary breaks the silence a few minutes into our drive home. 

“You are not to see that man” He orders firmly. I hate when he talks to me like one of his clients. 

“Excuse me? Wanna try that again?” I give him another shot, hoping he’ll realize his mistake and back off. 

“Stay away from him. He’s nothing but trouble, I don’t want near you” Gary doubles down. 

“He’s my friend…” I start to defend, but Gary harshly cuts me off. 

“He is your ex-boyfriend. I don’t need a man like that hanging around my woman. You are not to see him. I am just looking out for you, baby. Do you understand?” Gary asks. 

“I… fine. But, if he meant what he said and he really does clean up his act will you be open to backing off a bit?” I hesitate, not wanting to agree to this, but also knowing that arguing with Gary is always a losing battle. 

“I understand he means a lot to you Natalie, but that is the issue… we will see. Maybe we can work something out in the future” Gary answers, clearly meaning to end the conversation. I just have to avoid him. How hard could that possibly be? We’ve already been apart for the majority of the past nine years, why should this be any different?

[ohmtoff]

Chasers and the Game for My Heart

Nick Sturniolo x Poc!OC Hogwarts AU

Summary: The first time Nick meets Kevin Thomas, the seventh-year Gryffindor chaser, it’s because the boy saves him from a bludger to the face.

Contains: fluff, most probably inaccurate hp stuff, part veela!triplets, slytherin!nick, gryffindor!oc, gryffindor!chris, hufflepuff!matt, hufflepuff!madi

WC: 5053

Disclaimer: i am not a black person. to depict the character i did research by looking at @writingwithcolor and also asked the darling @nickuniversity for help, tysm girl <3 i don’t support jk rowling and her transphobic, anti-semitic, and zionist remarks (and all others i cant remember bc honestly that woman can’t stfu)

a/n: this is for the darling anon who requested poc!oc, so sorry bby that you had to wait long😭 since this is my first time writing a black character, pls don’t hesitate to criticise me if i say anything tone deaf, innacurate, or offensive. im rlly willing to learn <3 okay hope you enjoyyy!!

——————————————————————————

The first time Nick meets Kevin Thomas, the seventh-year Gryffindor chaser, it’s because the boy saves him from a bludger to the face.

Nick is getting some reading done -hiding out- up on the Slytherin quidditch stands after leaving the library, having grown tired of the group of girls that are always trailing after him sighing and batting their eyes at him, an irritating side effect of his veela heritage. He’s deep into his Herbology book making notes, trying desperately to remember the steps and ingredients to make a Strong Invigoration Draught, that he easily ignores the Gryffindor quidditch team starting practice on the pitch. He’s re-reading a passage on Sneezewort when he hears a loud smacking sound and a ‘watch out!’

Nick looks up and freezes as a bludger comes hurling towards him at top speed. He’s always had shit reflexes, a side effect of having the athletic skills of a drowning sloth, so he can’t move or really think. His brain uselessly supplies that getting his nose broken by a stupid ball when he doesn’t even play quidditch is going to suck, and yet he does nothing but close his eyes, hold his breath, and waits for impact.

Seconds pass.

No ball slams onto his face except for the wind that blows his hair out of his face. He opens one fearful eye and instead of seeing a bludger racing towards him, he sees a giant with luminous locs tied into a ponytail on a broom in Gryffindor colors and a wooden club in his hand.

“That was a close one,” the guy says with a wide smile calmly doing small circles on his broom, like Nick’s face wasn’t almost rearranged. Nick watches as one of the boy’s teammates flies by and the guy throws the club back at him.

“You’re not a beater,” Nick blurts out, his heart is still racing, his brain latching onto unimportant nonsense.

“Nope, Chaser,” he gets in answer, the smile on the boy’s face is sunny and happy like Nick has done a neat trick by noticing. “Lucky for you I was quick enough to grab a beater’s bat and get to you, would be a shame to damage a pretty face like yours.”

Nick feels his face turn red in embarrassment and irritation, it wasn’t the first time a boy teased him about his looks. “This pretty face wouldn’t have to worry if your team was better.”

“Ooh,” the boy grins, his amusement evident and annoying Nick even further. “Slytherins and their sarcasm. That wasn’t very nice, Nick.”

The boy lands his broom down to put his feet on the stand in front of Nick, giving the brunette boy a view on how tall he really is.

Nick narrows his eyes at the boy, “You know my name?”

“Male veelas are rare, even if you’re only a quarter veela, you stand out,” he gets in return with a shrug. “I pay attention.”

The guy winks at him and Nick tells himself his heart is beating out of his chest from the near-death experience and not the boy in from of him. He pulls at his green and silver scarf up, hoping it will hide any redness on his cheeks.

Is he flirting with me?

“Oh, and you got the same face as my captain, so I kinda figured.”

“Oh,” okay that makes more sense.

“Nick!” Speaking of said captain, Chris flew quickly towards him and drops onto the stand with a loud thud. “Holy shit, you okay?”

“Maybe train your team better so I wouldn’t almost get my nose beaten in, fucking idiot.”

The brown skinned boy raised his eyebrows, vision darting between the two brothers.

“Why the fuck were you here anyway? Oh look at me, reading a book at the quidditch stands like a goddamn loser,” Chris jabs back with a mocking voice.

“Putting in work as the only one with a brain between the two of us.”

“Ooh!” The boy lets out a surprised noise then cackled, putting a fist up to his mouth to stifle it.

Both Nick and Chris turn towards the laughing boy. “Shut up, Kev,” Chris lets out with a sigh while also chuckling, making the other apologize with a grin.

Chris turns to Nick again, “Be careful next time, I don’t wanna get a howler from mom. Let’s go Kev, practice isn’t over yet.” Nick was baffled and started sputtering because why the fuck should I be the one careful? It’s your team’s fault! while “Kev” groans.

As Chris flies back onto the pitch, Nick glances towards the tall boy and realizes he hasn’t introduced himself. “You know my name but I don’t know yours, I feel at a disadvantage.”

Nick gets that sunny smile again, “Kevin Thomas, seventh year Gryffindor.”

“Well, Kevin Thomas, seventh-year Gryffindor,” Nick says standing up gathering his books, “thanks for the save.”

“No problem, Nick,” Kevin answers as he mounted his broom and flew himself off the ground with practiced ease, his lips quirking upwards. “Like I said, any damage to that face would be a tragedy.”

“Ha, ha, mock the veela,” Nick says dryly. “Funny.”

Kevin gives him another casual shrug. “Who’s joking? Your face is pretty. Trust me I have spent a lot of time staring at it. Veela or not, that’s just a fact. Later, Nick.”

Nick stares after the boy with his mouth slightly parted in shock at the boy’s comment, he feels himself go red, but as he takes the steps down he can’t help the small smile on his face.

***

It seems now that they have introduced themselves, Kevin is everywhere in the castle. Nick’s sitting with Matt and Chris at the Hufflepuff table in the great hall, munching on their breakfast while trying to ignore the stares of girls from every house table when Kevin walks by with a group of Gryffindor seventh-years.

“Morning, Nick,” Kevin says, slowing his stride when he spots Nick. “You look lovely today,” Kevin continues, still walking but body always facing Nick even when his group has already passed by. He makes a self-satisfied smile when Nick chokes on his juice. “Enjoy your breakfast.” He finally notices the two same faces looking at him with confusion, “Chris. Matt.” Both said boys nod at him and voice their own greetings.

Nick watches him stop, swallowing hard when Kevin throws him a wink over his shoulder as he sits at his table. He notices that Kevin lets his locs hang loose today, differing from when he first met him. His locs reach his shoulder with a few strands adorned with gold jewelry. Nick turns back to his brothers red-faced, his stomach doing weird flips and jumping jacks to find them staring at him hard.

“What the hell was that?” Matt asks, the first one to recover while Chris still stares at him wide-eyed. “Why is Kevin Thomas hitting on you?”

“He’s not hitting on me,” Nick argues, sounding weak even to his own ears. Chris snorts causing Nick to make a disgruntled face at him.

“Oh shit, why does Nick look grumpier than usual?” Madi asks as he comes to sit down next to him.

Nick opens his mouth to also argue that comment, but Chris beats him to the punch.

“Kevin Thomas has a crush on Nick,” he blurts out loudly and Nick cringes, stooping down when more than one person around them looks over at them.

“Chris,” he hisses. “Shut up.”

“He said you looked lovely, bro,” Matt adds in and Madi squealed.

“Oh shit, that means my own bro thinks I look lovely, ugh,” Chris pretends to hurl at that.

“Damn, Nick, you pulled Kevin Thomas!” Madi lets out a high pitched squeal again, ducking when Nick half-heartedly tries to slap the back of her head. Nick could hear a couple murmurs and whispers from around the table and he wishes he could jump from the nearest tower.

“Guys, shut the fuck up. We literally just met a few days ago, how can he be into me?” Nick grumbles.

Both Matt and Chris snort in front of him. “You’re acting as if we don’t genetically attract people,” Matt says with a nonchalant tone. Nick ignores the slight pinch on his chest at that remark.

Chris adds, “Yeah, even Madi had a crush on us.”

“That was literally when I was a first year, can you shut up!” The fourth year Hufflepuff whines while the brothers let out a roar of laughter, embarrassed remembering her silly little crush on her best friends years ago. The triplets met Madi as a third year when she was just a first year fresh out of the sorting hat. They were at the great hall chatting when a tiny and meek girl gave them love letters then ran away. The boys at first were apprehensive with her as they were with any girl who throws themselves at them, but after she got closer to them and saw their antics, which sometimes involve burping on her face and throwing food from the dining hall at each other, she knew she just loved them as friends, and the boys did too.

“Wait, you know him?” Nick questions, ignoring the ��duh’ look Madi throws his way. “How? I get that both Chris and Matt know him because they both play Quidditch, but what about you?”

“Everyone knows him, maybe if you join us when we watch Quidditch matches once in a while, you’ll also know that he’s one of the best chasers competing now. He’s super fast,” Madi divulges while taking a bite of the roasted chicken, judging her best friend for being the hermit that he is.

Chris nods, “That’s true, I’m so lucky he’s a Gryffindor.”

“Hufflepuff is still gonna beat your ass though in the next match. With Thomas or not,” Matt says with pride and a smug smile as a beater of the Hufflepuff team, prompting them to argue and yap for the next few minutes which Nick is used to tuning out as one with no interest at all in the sport.

Madi also had no interest in hearing them banter so she turned towards Nick with a smirk, “So, how did you meet him?”

Nick explains to her the bludger incident and Kevin’s comments after he saved him. Madi listens with a concentration she reserves for when they gossip, and everytime he tells her about anything Kevin said to Nick, she’s fully convinced that the tall boy most definitely has a crush on Nick. He doesn’t want to admit it but god did it feed his delusions.

They continued eating and as the minutes tick away, conversations dwindle and students start to filter out, drawn towards their impending classes. Nick remembers that he hasn’t done his Charms homework and lets out a long quiet “Fuck”.

“I’m gonna go, I want to stop by the library before Charms. Bye guys,” Nick walks to leave the great hall, feeling a stare on him that he knows isn’t his brothers’ or any of his admirers’ but a pretty boy with deep dark eyes.

***

A part of him isn’t exactly surprised when he walks out of the library and finds Kevin leaning against a wall across from him. The Gryffindor ditched his robe so he was only wearing his white shirt and grey sweater, highlighting his broad chest.

“Hey Nick,” Kevin greets him again, pushing against the wall to stand up straight to his full height, hands tucked into his pockets.

��Kevin,” Nick acknowledges, grateful he doesn’t stammer even though his heart raced faster than any chaser known at the sight of the boy.

Kevin smiles, falling into step. “Going to Charms?” he asks. Nick nods trying not to read too much into Kevin knowing what his next class is. “I’ll walk you.”

“Don’t you have a class of your own to get to?” Nick can’t help but question, even though he’s secretly thrilled at spending a little more time with the boy.

“I have time,” Kevin answers just as easily.

“Okay.”

They walk silently towards the charms corridor on the second floor with only a few sneaky glances from both of them. As they climb the stairs, a group of fourth year Gryffindor girls walk by, giggling as they spot Nick, making him sigh. Kevin chuckles next to him and Nick shoots him an irritated look that makes him laugh even harder.

“That happens a lot?” Kevin questions moving closer to him as the girls get closer.

“More than I would like,” Nick says, ignoring one of the bolder girls, Emma, who stops on the steps and tries to give him some really awkward bedroom eyes. Nick was never one to hide his judgements so he stares back at her and cringes. Kevin takes a step even closer to him, his hand brushing against Nick’s as he does so. Startled, Nick looks up at him with wide eyes, but Kevin ignores him and instead stares at Emma until she huffs and keeps moving.

Once she’s left, Kevin doesn’t move away but continues to walk with Nick up the stairs, his hand continues to brush Nick’s and he swallows hard when in one brush Kevin hooks his pinky with his.

“There are worse things than being popular with girls,” Kevin comments like he isn’t practically holding Nick’s hand and Nick isn’t screaming in his own head.

“You would know, do you?” Nick teases back, noticing that some of the girls were looking at the taller as well. Kevin laughs at that then made an arrogant shrug.

“It is when you know it’s because of your biology,” Nick answers the previous question and in a bold attempt, moves to intertwine more of their fingers together. He lets out a small puff of breath when Kevin doesn’t pull away and he sneaks a peek at Kevin to find his gentle eyes gazing into his blue ones deeply.

“Besides,” Nick continues to brave. “Girls aren’t really my thing.”

Nick looks down to hide his blush when that gets him another tender smile.

***

Nick isn’t sure how he finds himself a few weeks later back in the library with Kevin sitting across from him.

That’s a lie, Nick and Kevin talk everyday ever since Kevin walked him to his Charms class. Small comments in the great hall turn to full blown conversations with Kevin sitting next to him and his brothers, and the taller boy walking him to class became a routine now with Kevin even holding his books for him. Next thing he knew, studying alone became study dates.

Kevin is working on his Herbology homework while Nick works on Transfiguration. At least he’s trying to work on it, Headmistress McGonagall likes to pop into her old class from time to time and Nick liked to be on his game, but he found that it was kind of difficult when there was a pretty boy in front of him who keeps knocking his feet against his.

The warm library lighting illuminates Kevin’s skin, casting a gentle glow that highlights the intricate gold jewelry intertwined with his locs. Today, his hair is done in a half-up half-down hairstyle with a few strands in the front left untied. His brows are furrowed with concentration and his hands are diligently taking notes, veins popping up more than usual. Nick undeniably loves serious Kevin.

“You’re staring,” Kevin murmurs without looking up from his book, his quill in hand. He looked at Nick from under his eyelashes, his lips quirking upwards. In the gentle flicker of the warm candlelight, Nick can see how those dark eyes ignite, the candle fire dancing on those irises.

You’re playing footsies with me, Nick wants to shoot back, but instead he shifts his foot, letting it slowly trail up Kevin’s leg and it’s Nick’s turn to grin when Kevin’s breath hitches and stares at him in surprise.

Nick gives him a challenging look that says ‘two can play this game’ and Nick watches, his face red as Kevin bites down on his plush lip to control his grin.

“So,” Kevin starts hesitantly and Nick frowns because it’s not a word he’s waiting to hear. He would much rather hear words along the lines of “hide” and “kiss”.

“Yeah?”

“Hogsmeade weekend coming up, are you going?”

Nick can feel a smile tugging at his lips as he watches Kevin fidget with his quill, getting some ink on his fingers. “I was planning on it.”

Kevin licks his lips as he looks at Nick. “Are you planning on going with anyone?”

Nick smirks at that, letting a small chuckle when Kevin narrows his eyes playfully at him. “Usually I would go with my brothers and friends, but Matt and Chris are both going with their housemates and Madi’s going with her boyfriend, soooo I’m all by myself unless somebody comes up and offers to accompany my lonely self.”

He stares back at the other calmly, grinning when Kevin lets out a huff. “You’re teasing me.”

Nick mockingly points at himself. “Me? Never.”

Kevin rolls his eyes but is smiling widely. “I don’t even know why I like you so much, you’re a brat,” Kevin says, the fondness in his voice taking any sting away from the words. Kevin sets aside his book and quill to give all his attention to Nick. “Will you go with me?”

Nick looks at Kevin for another moment, taking in the way Kevin looks at him with a hopeful expression, like the possibility of Nick wanting to spend time with him at Hogsmeade will make his day or more. Suddenly feeling shy, Nick nods.

Kevin rewards him with a beaming grin.

***

“So your mum’s a half-veela, and your dad’s a muggle-born?” Kevin asks as he and Nick walk leisurely through the chilly streets of Hogsmeade, other students walking by, coming in and out of shops. A few nod in their direction and some whisper but luckily none approach either of them, letting Nick enjoy Kevin all to himself.

“Yup. My mom’s from Portugal but she chose to go to Hogwarts instead of Beauxbatons because her family hates the French,” the other chuckles, “and thanks to her, she met this silly irish-italian bloke at school who is my dad.”

“Well, say thanks to your mum and her family for me,” Kevin says and winking. Nick honest to god giggles like a little girl at that.

“What about you? What’s your family like?” Nick asks back as he bumps into Kevin when a group of third years excited to be out of the castle rush past him. Kevin puts his arm around his shoulder, pulling him close to him and away from the crowd, his arm stays on his shoulder once the group has passed and Nick finds himself being bold and snaking his arm around Kevin’s waist. Nick looks up at the taller boy who’s sporting a small shy smile.

Kevin tilts his head, “Way less interesting than yours. Dad’s a half-blood and mum’s a full-blood. Both went to Hogwarts but never met each other here. Both came to London for work where they met then they gave birth to yours truly,” he refers to himself with a curtsy, Nick wonders whether he has ever laughed this much with anyone. “Oh, and my dad fought in the second wizarding war. He was friends with Harry Potter.”

“What?! Enough about me, that fact is already cooler than any of my family lines!” he exclaimed.

“Yeah, my dad’s pretty cool. Always grateful he survived and met my mum. If not, I wouldn’t be here.”

“I’m glad you’re here,” Nick admits, his cheeks tinted pink.

Kevin stops walking, with his arm still around Nick, he leans in, his forehead brushing Nick’s hair. “Me too.”

Nick clears his throat when Kevin pulls away, his face burns more than ever before. “So, where are we going?”

“What are you feeling?”

Nick gives Kevin a teasing look. “Wow, you asked me out and you don’t even have a plan? So much for feeling special.”

“You’re very special,” Kevin answers honestly instead of responding to the teasing and Nick rolls his eyes but can’t stop the wide smile from taking over his face.

“How about Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop?”

Nick makes a face at the suggestion causing Kevin to laugh at him.

“Wow,” Kevin says, still chuckling, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “That’s a no.”

“That place is so tacky.”

Kevin shakes his head, “It’s supposed to be romantic, you don’t want to hold my hand over tea in a place with steamed up windows?”

“I can hold your hand right now,” Nick answers, demonstrating by doing just that. “See?”

Kevin looks down at their joined hands and then back at him, his expression pleasantly surprised.

“Yeah,” he says softly, squeezing Nick’s hand before they start walking again. “How about the Three Broomsticks then we go to Honeydukes?”

Nick nods, “Now you’re talking.”

***

After they got butterbeers at Three Broomsticks and picked up some candy at Honeydukes, Nick and Kevin walk slowly back towards the castle, this time with Nick’s arm curling around Kevin’s bicep.

Nick is sucking on a liquorice wand, while Kevin gambles with his taste buds with a bag of every flavor beans, Nick finds himself watching Kevin, giggling every time he makes a face about a new undesirable flavor.

“What was that one?”

“I think tripe,” Kevin answers wrinkling his nose at the taste playing it up to make Nick laugh again. “How’s yours?”

Nick gives the liquorice wand a lick before sucking on it some more, he smirks around the candy when he sees Kevin’s eyes drift down to his mouth, Nick stops and comes to stand in front of Kevin pulling the candy out of his mouth. “Better than yours, want a taste, get the tripe flavor out of your mouth?”

“Sure,” Kevin answers, reaching for Nick’s candy but Nick pulls it out of reach while stepping closer to the other. Going on his toes, he leans up brushing his lips against Kevin’s, once, twice, three times, his eyes open to watch Kevin’s reaction, taking in the way Kevin’s eyes widen and his breath shortens. Nick starts to pull back down when Kevin is spurted into action, his large hands come up and cradle Nick’s head, his fingers sinking into Nick’s brown hair, his lips slated over Nick’s, making a noise as he chases the sweet taste in Nick’s mouth.

Nick sighs into the kiss, his hands going to Kevin’s sides to steady himself, suddenly feeling lightheaded as Kevin takes his time with the kiss.

When Kevin pulls back, he keeps his forehead pressed against Nick’s, his nose brushing his and he smiles that same beaming smile he gave Nick the first time on the pitch. “You’re right, tastes much better.”

***

Nick is sitting with Matt and Madi again for breakfast, this time at the Gryffindor table which is buzzing with excitement for the upcoming match versus Slytherin. Chris is sitting next to them with the Gryffindor quidditch team, giving a pep talk to motivate the team and discuss strategies.

“I’m kinda offended you never watch my games but you jump to watch the first one now that you have a boyfriend,” Matt says.

Nick lets out a long groan, “Ugh, fine, I’ll watch your matches next time. Don’t expect me to enjoy it though, the supporters are barbaric.”

“You’re going to root for me, right?” Nick hears a familiar voice and turns around in his seat to find Kevin already dressed in his quidditch uniform standing behind him, his expression warm as he looks down at Nick. It’s been over a week since their date and they’ve spent every free moment together and yet Nick can’t believe this boy with his pretty smile and gentleness for him is for Nick to keep.

“Hi, Kevin!” Madi greets him loudly, interrupting Nick and Kevin’s staring. Nick watches as Kevin looks amused at his best friend and greets her back, extending his hellos to Matt who nods at him. Kevin straddles the bench Nick is sitting on, leaning in close to him.

“So,” Kevin starts, his expression teasing. “You are going to root for me, right?”

“Root for you?” Nick repeats in a mocking tone. "Against my own house? I know loyalty isn't the first trait you think of when you hear Slytherin, but I assure you we are, sorry but I'll be rooting for you to fall off your broom."

Kevin makes an exaggerated gasp at that, drawing the attention of a few students. "We’re not gonna be able to make out if I get hurt, you really want that?"

“You’re forgetting I’m a veela, I can kiss anyone.”

"None as good as me though," Kevin replies with a grin of his own, hands reaching and body leaning forward to grab a muffin.

Nick takes advantage of how close it puts Kevin to him that he leans in and presses a soft kiss against Kevin’s jaw. He smiles against the skin as Kevin brings his arm around Nick, pulling him close. He kisses him again, this time at the corner of Kevin’s mouth, enjoying the way it makes Kevin smile.

“Good luck,” he whispers against Kevin’s lips.

“Thanks, baby,” Kevin whispers, giving him a soft lingering kiss before he stands up and walks away.

Nick watches as he walks over to his teammates who are waiting for him, some hooting and hollering while Chris cringes. When he turns around he finds more than one person staring his way, but he doesn’t mind, he’s gotten used to the stares for a long time. Instead he looks back to Matt and Madi, rolling his eyes at the amused smiles they are giving him.

“You two are sickening,” Matt teases while Madi is silently screaming into the air.

***

They head for the pitch each going for their respective stands, by the time Nick has taken a seat, the teams are already on their brooms circling the pitch waiting for the whistle to be blown. As soon its blows there is loud cheering in the stands as Slytherin grabs the quaffle first, followed by hissing and booing when Kevin manages to recover the ball and heads for the hoops, the booing in the Slytherin stands gets louder as he scores, but Nick allows himself a smile at Kevin’s skill.

The game continues, each team evenly matched and always within a couple of points from each other, Nick can see the seekers searching for the golden snitch hoping to win and end the game for their team. Nick is more than ready for the game to finish. He loves his house and is proud to be Slytherin but he knows how aggressive they are about winning and now that they have realized just how good Kevin is at scoring, he’s become their focus, more than once a Slytherin player has tried to throw him off his broom and if the game drags any longer he has a feeling they are going to get their way.

Nick isn’t done thinking that when a Slytherin beater hits a bludger straight for Kevin, Nick watches in horror as Kevin who hasn’t noticed the ball headed for him gets slammed from behind.

“Kevin!” he yells, his scream drowned out from the cheers in the stands. He gasps, watching helplessly as the hit causes Kevin to slip off his broom. His heart beats loudly as Kevin manages to hold on at the last second, one hand gripping his broom as he dangles in the air. Kevin’s teammates rush to help, forming a line of defense to allow Kevin to get back on his broom. Nick holds his breath the seconds it takes Kevin to get seated again, letting it out once he’s back on safely. He watches as Chris talks to Kevin and whatever is said Kevin answers with a sharp nod, his face determined. Nick’s nerves are on edge for the rest of the game and when the Gryffindor’s seeker captures the snitch he isn’t disappointed about his team’s loss, he’s just happy that it’s over. The wide smile on Kevin’s face that he can see even from the stands doesn’t hurt either.

***

Nick is waiting outside the Gryffindor’s locker room, ignoring the looks more than one Gryffindor sends his way as they wait to celebrate with their team. A cheer goes up when the team walks out and Nick presses himself against the wall to avoid the surge, he waits but doesn’t have to wait long. Kevin spots him over the crowd and heads for him, nodding and smiling absently as his housemates congratulate him. He comes to stand in front of Nick with a smile on his face and Nick studies him, his handsome face, his kind eyes, he stands tall and beautiful.

Nick pushes himself off the wall and wraps his arms around him, his nose pressed into the crook of Kevin’s neck, he sighs as he’s enveloped in Kevin’s warmth when he returns the hug. He presses himself even closer, still letting out another happy sound that Kevin answers with a small chuckle as he runs his hands up and down Nick’s back.

“You scared the fuck out of me,” he murmurs.

“Your housemate’s fault.”

Nick pulls back to look up at Kevin’s face. “I’m hexing the fuck out of them, my brothers will help me.”

Kevin lets out an infectious laugh, his eyes sparkling with amusement. “My hero.”

“Damn straight,” Nick answers, grinning. “You’re alright, though?”

“Yeah,” Kevin answers softly. “There’s going to be a hell of a bruise on my back, but other than that I’m fine.”

“Good,” Nick lets out a relieved sigh, lifting his head in a silent request he smiles when Kevin gives him a soft kiss. “I should probably let you go, I’m sure you want to celebrate with your team.”

Kevin shakes his head, holding onto Nick. “Nope, I want to celebrate with my pretty boyfriend. What do you say we sneak into the kitchen for something sweet and then we find a quiet corner in this big castle to make out in?”

Nick grins, a laugh bubbling out of him, feeling happier than he’s ever felt. “That sounds like a plan.”

[localgardenweed]

I made a Eddsworld x Sonic AU a few months ago back in like January during the Sonic brainrot peak and like finally getting around to sharing some of the art and minor lore.

These are the designs for the main gang!! This was gonna be a full poster and i have lineart done but i kinda gave up on it. They all still do their usual shenanigans het into wacky shit but now they get to destroy Mobius with pride. Also occasional vigilantes but usual when shit is going wrong but Sonic and friends are on their own misadventure

Edd is a grizzly bear, Matt a vampire bat, Tom a porcupine and Tord a red fox

I also did the neighbors for good measure! Eduardo is a pitbull, Mark a peacock, Jon a opossum, and Todd a wolf. They just bother the main gang and get into their own shit, also maybe Jon dies idk yet still cant decide

And also Pat and Paul. I have them working as GUN agents since i thought they’d like that life. Pat is a falcon and Paul a ram. I also realized that Pat is the only one here atm thats colored in oopsies

I will definitely post more about these suckers and also the OC’s me and friends put into this AU. No one is safe rn NO ONEEE

[mattebat]

What a man what a mighty good man

[fangirl201sworld]

Theories II (Death Is Beautiful)

Act II begins, and Chapter 16 is already being written, but curiosity is killing me, I want to hear your theories.

No matter how crazy you might get, I'll listen to you.

(ESTO SE VA A DESCONTROLAR)

[alsocam]

Welcome to my blog!

YouTube channel:

I don’t do commissions… And if you see anything depressive or suicidal on my blog, don’t blame me, blame my parents for traumatising me.

But what I will allow is:

Art requests (using the ask box)

Art trades

Art/animation collabs (DM me :3 I’M TALKING TO YOU MUTUALS)

Ship art (SFW)

Anything SFW (slightly suggestive is fine)

Silly shitposts and silly insults, ect.

But what gets me to block you include:

NSFW art requests (weirdo)

Bullying >:(

Hate on AmorAltra (YES, I SUPPORT HIM.)

Showing me any image or drawing of a plastic red bat. I was abused with one.

Basically use your brain

My sona ref sheet

These outfits are based on irl clothes that I have, and I wear that hoodie on a daily basis-

My OC ref sheet

I’m the owner of an Eddsworld AU!!! Nobody knows about it, but I’m proud of owning an AU :)

Eddsworld School Bus Graveyard AU (EwSbgAU)

Cam = Tyler

Edd = Taylor

Esther (@asimpleddhead‘s OC) = Ashlyn

Tord = Aiden

Tom = Ben

Matt = Logan

And yes, they are all still 15-16 years old.

[tsukikitty]

My OC, Dia, has nicknames for the 2P!NA brothers, Ally-pally and Matt-Patt. The boys were annoyed by it first, but soon accepted it.

Only she can call them by those names though. Anyone else who tries will get a nailed bat/hockey stick to the face.

[sparklyballoonballoon]

Owl House Roleplay Request

Let’s use both OCs and CCs for the roleplay 

Ships, yeah, I’m okay with having romance

In the roleplay as well since I have some

Ideas of ships in mind. 

Luz x Amity 

King x OC

Cat x Pufferfish bipedal demon in the abominations track with the sloth Palisman 

Boscha x OC 

Amelia x Lucas (the blond guy with the black beanie in the oracle track uniform who is a part of Boscha’s group in the episode Once Upon a Swap)

Eda x Raine

Jerbo x Edric 

Viney x Emira 

Bo x Skara 

Gus x Matt

(Au, Hunter attends Hexside 

Lumity is not together yet. That will happen in the rp 

Flapjack is already dead and Waffles will eventually be introduced in the rp 

Vee and Camila on the isles 

King starting Hexside eventually 

One of Boschas posse members, the healing girl, Cat having a character arc. I wanna give her a tragic backstory since he’s a background character and I can be able to have freedom 

I wanna rp Luz, Hooty, King, Principal Bump, Edric, Gus, Viney, Bo, Gavin, Angmar, Amelia, Cat, Vee

Perhaps neutral, maybe a mix of angst and some fluff

And plenty of comedy and funny dialogue 

I also wanna try to make this as literate as possible 

Also I want to have Luz finish her high school stuff  at Hexside and not go back to her old school 

I had this idea for a plot. I wanted to have Del perhaps organize a big project to lower the age limit on Palisman at Hexside to maybe a minimum grade of 4th with some exceptions depending and perhaps have another Palisman receiving day. King and rest of his classmates and other students without palismen yet can get theirs 

Like Del can host one with the collaboration of Eda, Gwen, the Bat Queen and Principal Bump. And maybe have Hunter and possibly anyone else once we get to that will be volunteers or something

And the adoption is is open to grades 4-12.

The 4 and 5th graders and all the middle schoolers can get theirs. And to be high schoolers who didn’t get theirs yet can finally get one

Maybe that’s when Hunter finally gets Waffles or something. Though does Waffle already exist or will you introduce her later in the RP?

Also does Matt have a palismen already or will his palisman be introduced in the rp? Also have you heard of Matt’s headcanoned palisman Garth?

(I wanna do a plot or some sort of Darius plot with him, Eberwolf, Steve, and Raine and potentially others working on a murder mystery in the RP as well and perhaps have some sort of trial

I want Cat (the healing girl with the glasses who’s in Boscha’s friend group) to have younger twin siblings who’s around Kings age. Their mother is framed and accused for a crime that she didn’t commit and the three are framed and accused as accomplices

This is related to something called the Dynasty Wars

The wealthy families of the boiling isles compete against each other of who makes the most contributions to the Day of Unity and who gets the biggest rewards from Belos. This causes them to get drastic measures to get on top

It’s a tactic that Belos created and used in order to make his job easier and have less witches to eliminate because witches will be eliminating each other through their feuds

I also wanna have boss fights at Hexside. Like similar to Labyrinth runners but with Luz and other characters included

I want to have all of Hexaide and their parents to fight off against each covenhead and their army of covenscouts to fight them off to keep them from getting branded 

One day they’ll take on Adrian, another day Terra, then Mason, Hettie, Vitimir, Osran…and keep taking them on until all the covenheads are defeated and then there’s this final one with Kikimora and all the covenheads along with the biggest covenscout army yet

if you wanna roleplay with me, lemme know in the comments below or just PM me