#maybe he had a plushie business running as a side gig

[chartzan]

Not art but this is important!

Can I talk for a moment about how zuko had to sit in his room and craft this bs plushie thingie for his appa mission?

This mental image makes me so happy

It's so well made too!!

[dragonpigeons]

Roommates Part 2

Tags/warnings: Deku x Reader, Deku x Self-insert, Slowburn, SFW, Aged-Up Characters, Roommates AU, Pro Hero Deku, Deku thirst. Other characters to be added in future parts including OCs.

Summary: Riida gets an idea over Deku’s eating habits. Also pizza. Word count: 1959

A/N: Thanks to everyone who read Part 1 :) Here’s Part 2, enjoy! Part 3 is out on my Patreon 🎉

====

Your room was your haven to be free to express yourself. And by expressing yourself that really meant expressing your love for Deku in every corner possible. You had a shelf full of his figurines. The walls were covered in his posters. Your bed covers had his face on. Your deku hug pillow took up one half of your bed along with all the chibi Deku cushions and plushies. And, of course, you had a few Deku hoodies, sweaters, scarves and socks in the closet, not to mention all the Deku charms adorning your Deku bag. You even had a pair of Deku undies stuffed in the back of your drawer which your friends jokingly gifted you for your birthday and which you deliberately chose to forget about.

In short, you were a massive fan of the pro hero. Your love for him extended into the online world where you were a top member of his fanclub and often enjoyed seeing any news about him. The fanclub was the reason for your private collection of images and videos of him in your hard drive and phone. You were often teased for your Deku passion but you didn't really care. What you felt for him was simply admiration as a fan.

So then why, for the past few days, have you been so nervous, and why, on this morning, were you hiding around the corner from where Deku was doing his morning workout?

The answer was this - he was topless yet again but this time he was doing handstand press ups. When you came to the doorway, you were met with a full frontal assault of his back, rippling with glorious muscles. It took everything in you not to scream.

So you dove round the corner to gather yourself, feeling like some higher being was testing you. Your entire face was burning, your chest was palpitating. You never thought in a million years that you would become this way around your favourite hero. Sure, you had imagined meeting him at a signing event or something, but those were very casual and very quick to get it done and over with. There wouldn't be time to feel anything other than a short burst of joy at meeting your idol. Not to mention he'd be fully clothed too and not half as hormone-inducing.

You took a few deep breaths to calm yourself down before emerging into the kitchen.

"Hey," Deku's eyes lit up when he noticed you, pausing his workout for a moment, "I put the kettle on just before so it should still be hot."

"Oh, okay. Thanks."

You ate your breakfast in silence purposely avoiding Deku's sweaty physique, lest you risk giving yourself heart palpitations. He was very dedicated to the cause though. You wondered about his morning habits.

"How early do you get up to do your workout?" you decided to ask him.

"Pretty early!" said Deku, perking up at being asked a question by you. "Around 5am? Sometimes 5.30 if I want a bit of a lie in."

You raised your eyebrows. You couldn't help but be impressed. "Do you work out everyday?"

"Yeah. Except Sundays. They're my days off. It's bad to overwork your body. But I like doing them because it clears my mind for the day ahead."

"I see. Being a pro hero must be quite stressful."

"Not more than any other job, I imagine."

You had your doubts that a pro hero went through the same stresses as someone with an office job but you let it slide.

"What made you choose to live here?" you asked.

"Simple, really. One, I like the space where I can do my daily workouts. And two, it's in a secluded location where I can afford to get some privacy.”

You found you agreed with his reasonings. The apartment was very spacious given the okay price of the rent and it was out-of-the-way from more popular areas. You personally liked it because it meant quiet nights and humble surroundings.

“Oh, by the way,” continued Deku, “don't tell anyone I live here. The landlady knows and she's signed a confidentiality contract. So yeah, if you were thinking of bringing a boyfriend over or-- just let me know and I’ll stay out of the way."

"I don't have a boyfriend," you corrected him.

"Really?? But, you're so pretty. I thought you would have one for sure."

You almost spat out your food, suddenly hit by that bombshell out of nowhere. It was fortunate Deku had his back to you. Your face was burning red hot and there was no way you could face him at the moment. You decided to steer the conversation another way, clearing your throat, "Would I need to sign a confidentiality contract too?"

"Huh? Oh, er, maybe. I'll talk to my agent about it."

Deku finished his reps and hit the shower.

And you went to work with your face almost permanently red for the whole day any time you thought about his pretty compliment. And you thought about it pretty often.

---

Deku installed a pull-up bar the next morning. He had a black sleeveless top on this time but that did nothing to detract from his bulging arms. Furthermore, he looked good in black. Not that you hadn't seen pictures of him in black before, but combined with pull-ups and it was a knockout sight.

You stuttered as you greeted him good morning.

"Good morning!" Deku greeted back jovially. "What's for breakfast today?"

"Toast. And jam," you replied, deliberately opening your fridge.

"And drink?"

"Just a glass of milk."

"You're always so healthy in your meals," appraised Deku warmly.

"I try," you shrugged, "but sometimes I can't resist a ramen cup or a pizza takeout."

"I get you," said Deku, in a way that was like he was proverbially nodding his head, "nothing like a good pizza to satisfy a craving."

You were spreading jam on your toast when Deku suddenly said, "Hey, I know - let's have pizza tonight!"

"P-pizza?"

"I've been craving it lately and then you happened to mention it. Perfect timing, right? How about it?"

And that was how you ended up sharing two large pizzas with the No.1 Hero several hours later after he got back from work. He even went the extra mile and got dessert and cola too.

You enjoyed your pizza, savouring the taste. Next to you, it seemed Deku was enjoying a whole lot more, cramming it all into his mouth like no tomorrow.

"This is so good," said Deku with his mouth full.

"Mm, yes," you agreed, finishing a slice.

"I haven't eaten since 10."

"Seriously?"

"Yeah," Deku wolfed down two slices in one go. "Was busy with a train incident."

You recalled seeing on the news how a villain group boarded a running freight train, wanting to take the cargo for themselves. Deku managed to stop the group in their tracks with the help of a few pro heroes. The whole thing caused a mess for many passenger trains though and services became delayed. Deku and the other heroes had to sort out the chaos working together with the authorities.

You stared at Deku, asking out of concern, "Do you often skip lunch?"

"I mean, yeah. I'm pretty busy with stuff. It's not just the patrol stuff, there's also all the paperwork and side gigs too. But that's why I like to go all out when it comes to dinner--" He finished his entire 18" diameter pizza by himself in five minutes flat. You watched as he downed a two-litre bottle of cola in one sitting too. A trail escaped from the corner of his mouth and slid down his throat, bobbing over his adam's apple. You quickly turned back to your pizza feeling warm all of a sudden. It was probably the jalapenos, you told yourself.

"Hey, do you mind if I have an extra slice?" Deku eyed your pizza box which was still two-thirds full.

"Sure, have as many as you want. I won't be able to eat all that anyway."

"Really?? Thanks so much!"

Deku gorged himself generously on your leftovers. You had to wonder, if he was skipping meals, was he really holding up the best he can? "It seems bad that you're skipping meals as a pro hero, to be honest," you admitted out loud.

Deku nodded somberly, "I know but I can't turn my back on those who need help to go and fill my stomach.”

You personally disagreed with the pro hero. No job was worth risking your own health, even one as well spotlit as his. You were sure other fans would agree, some even commenting their observations on how Deku was looking on the thinner side lately. A little idea started to form in your head which you would check out the next day.

---

The Deku Fanclub forums were lively as usual this evening with all the banter and discussions surrounding the hero himself. There were some truly diehard fans, bordering on obsessive stalker-ness, who provided endless entertainment and 'exclusive' pictures of the green-haired man out and about. Sometimes they got him on his way to the gym. Sometimes he was caught in action. Sometimes it was a shot focusing heavily on his butt. And that wasn't even the worst of it, but you were there for something else.

You clicked on one thread which caught your eye. It was about Deku's eating habits. Many theorised and agreed that he was eating at least three meals a day and snacking on lots of fruits and protein bars in between. One Deku Diehard (it was its own label for the extremely dedicated Deku fan), however, put together an entire hypothetical itinerary of Deku's schedule for the past several days and proposed that he wasn't getting the recommended three meals a day because there simply wasn't time.

You found a reply to this comment that talked about what Deku should be eating in order to attain, and maintain, his good form. Lots of talk about protein and carbs. A chicken breast here, a salmon fillet there, a scattering of beans throughout, and some tasty meal plans. You bookmarked the meal plans.

That evening you cooked too much for lunch, enough for two people. The next morning you took out the extra portion and sat it on the counter, mentally rehearsing what you were going to say as Deku worked out in front of you. This time he was doing one-armed pull-ups, which wasn’t entirely helping your cause to pass this off casually but you had to remain focused.

"Um, Deku," you uttered nervously. "Last night I made too much food for myself, and I was wondering… W-would you like the extra portion? Not that you have to accept or anything--"

Deku dropped from the bar and said, "Really, you would give me your extra food??"

He leapt over to the counter in excitement, picking up the container. "Chicken and potatoes. No wonder it smelt so good in the kitchen last night!" He grinned widely, then with a knowing look, "It's because I said I skipped lunch yesterday, isn't it?"

"Um, well…"

You were seen right through by Deku. You didn’t think he would remember but here he was, smiling at you, eyes crinkling in gratitude. "You didn't have to do that for me. I really appreciate it though. This way I won't skip a meal. I can't let your hard work go to waste so I promise to finish every last bit!"

You gave a shaky smile back, hoping it wouldn’t taste too terrible to him. You were not the greatest cook but you at least wanted to try your best for the hero you admire.

====

A/N: A longer part this time but I hope you enjoyed it! Let me know in the comments your thoughts :D

[suallenparker]

Philinda Fanfic: Behind the Scenes, Chapter 11

RATING: T

SPOILER: This is set in a Universe where Phil quit his Tony Stark babysitting duties after the first gig and returned to active field work. So, basically their backstories stay the same until after the first Iron Man Movie.

SUMMARY: After her former partner Phil Coulson almost got killed in action, the traumatized SHIELD agent Melinda May returns to duty. She and Phil  go undercover as contestants of the celebrated TV show “Forever Love” to catch a stalker and to trip a traitor.

NOTES: See Chapter 1. This took forever because a) Life is still nuts and I’m usually too tired after work to do much of anything and b) this chapter is a monster! Thank you all for your support! I had fun writing this (we’re finally getting to the more juicy bits!)  and I hope you still enjoy it too! Please let me know what you think. :)

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o0o

Chapter 11: One on One in which Diane finally gets her date.

She hadn’t noticed anything. Nothing.

How the hell could she’ve missed the connection between the Rebecca and Anisa?

And why?

Because of Phil Coulson and acting powers and her stupid heart. This was a job and she was better than this.

She should’ve noticed something!

Melinda wiped away some sweat off her forehead with the back of her hand as she ran.

Sure, Phil usually was better at that relationship stuff and he didn’t pick up on it neither, but he hadn’t been living with Anisa for almost two months!

God, this was bad.

Rebecca may not have been the stalker they had been looking for, but she easily could’ve been!

Melinda switched up the gears on the treadmill and speeded up. She would’ve preferred to go on an actual run to work off some energy, but the work out room of the Forever Love mansion.

Next to her, Audrey worked on a cross-trainer.

Lorelei was on a one on one with Eric right now, which hurt, which was stupid and another reason why she needed to step up her game. She needed to be more focused, more observant.

She was here to protect Maggie and these wonderful women, who deserved so much better than this.

Rebecca wasn’t a threat. She was out of the show to keep everything going, but she wasn’t a threat. Which meant the real threat was still out there so she couldn’t allow herself to mindlessly flirt with Coulson.

Just because she had lost her heart didn’t mean she had to lose her brains too.

“Could I talk to you all for a moment?” Anisa asked from the door way.

Melinda almost stumbled on the treadmill. How the hell could she’ve missed Anisa opening the door?

Audrey gracefully stepped off the cross trainer. “Of course!”

Melinda switched off the treadmill and grabbed a towel.

“I just …” Anisa pulled up her shoulders while she hid her hands behind her back.

“I didn’t know Rebecca would do something like that. If I would’ve thought she’d ever be a threat to Eric I would’ve told them about us, I swear!”

Of course everybody had found out once Garrett had escorted Rebecca off the premise two nights ago. Anisa had been hiding ever since. She looked exhausted.

Audrey crossed her arms.

Melinda just waited.

Anisa sighed. “I never wanted any of this to happen … God, you must hate me.”

“We don’t hate you,” Audrey said.

“Why didn’t you say anything sooner?” Melinda asked. Keeping that sort of information a secret was just stupid.

“We broke up so long ago, at first I didn’t even recognize her, with that camera in her face all the time and …” Anisa shrugged. Were there tears welling up in her eyes? “We didn’t end things badly, I have no idea why she’s doing this.”

A tear rolled down Anisa’s cheek. “I’m so so sorry,” she said.

God, this was wrong! Rebecca and Anisa had done nothing except for not revealing their former relationship.

“You couldn’t know this would happen,” Melinda said quickly.

Audrey nodded and rubbed Anisa’s arm.

“I feel so foolish. I should’ve just said something, I should’ve -” She stopped talking when they heart a group of people coming towards them.

That could only mean one thing in this house.

Anisa quickly wiped away her tears, just in time before Peter, Javier and a film crew appeared in the door way.

“There you are, ladies!” Peter said and spread his arms in a grand gesture as he smiled at them. As always, he looked perfect in grey suit and blue shirt. No tie this time.

That man was ridiculously handsome.

“Did we miss something?” Javier asked.  Could you guys go back for -”

That man just pissed Melinda off.

“Nothing happened,” Audrey said quickly. “We just finished our training, right girls?”

Anisa and Melinda nodded sternly. The crew didn’t have to film everything!

“Fantastic, we’ve got a little surprise.” Javier said but he looked at them skeptically. “Could you all maybe freshen up a bit and come to the lounge room in fifteen minutes?” he asked.

An hour later, they were finally ready to start shooting. All of the five women currently not on a date with Eric sat around on one of the big plushy sofas. At least this time they got to wear jeans and t shirts instead of cocktail dresses.

Peter stepped in front of them as the camera behind them probably captured his perfectly lid face right now.

“Ladies,” he said, “you all look fantastic but unfortunately I only bring a letter for one of you.” He made a dramatic pause.

It took Melinda all her self control to keep her from rolling her eyes.

“Diane,” he said. “Tonight I’ve got a special letter for you.”

It felt like her heart stopped! Next to her, Katherine and Audrey gasped when Peter took out a golden envelope from his jacket.

“Oh my god!” Melinda shouldn’t feel as nervously excited about a fake letter from a fake person, but …

She quickly opened the envelope and pulled out a handwritten note from Phil. God, if that note could just be from Phil, she would be happy.

As she read his words, a smile crept on her face.

“What does it say?” Audrey asked.

“Dear Diane, please dance with me into the night. Yours, Eric.” Kind of cheesy. It was ridiculous to get this happy about a date with a fake person. But finally there it was. Diane would get her one on one with Eric.

“That sounds so romantic!” Anisa said.

“There is more.” Peter said.

All the women looked at him. “More?”

Peter smiled. “Eric had a little present delivered to your room, Diane.”

o0o

Phil clenched his hands just to keep them from tapping against the sides of his legs.

He and Hand stood in front of a beautifully renovated hotel from the twenties with stone walls and golden applications around all the wooden doors and window frames.

The sun was still shining as it was early morning, so the crew had forgone to put up candles on the drive way, but the obligatory flower arrangements were still there.

Such a shame to waste flowers like that, but Phil had to admit, everything looked stunning.

Hopefully Melinda would like it.

For some reason he thought it would be a good idea to kick it old school with Melinda so that was why he stood here in a black tux and fancy oxfords in black and white as Hand powdered his shiny forehead.

Melinda'd probably roll her eyes as soon as she would see him. And this.

Because this wasn't really her style. - Which was exactly why he had planned this date for them. A date for Diane and Eric.

If he would ever get the chance to take Melinda somewhere he would choose something low key, maybe a small restaurant or just a walk somewhere and after food off a food truck.

Or he would cook for her at his place. Maybe she would like that.

He swallowed hard.

No, she wouldn't. Because she didn't have feelings for him. Not like that. And he was a fool.

“Breathe,” Hand mumbled, “and keep your hands still. Shaking doesn't look good on camera.”

He glared at her but said nothing.

“Five more minutes,” Maggie yelled.

Five more minutes until Melinda would arrive.

Maggie walked over the drive way and towards them.  “You look great, Eric!” She quickly patted his arm, before she moved on. “Someone move that flower pot to …”

Around them, everybody was moving. The light team was busy setting up extra lamps and those weird white reflectors.  The sound people checked out the sound system and three camera teams set up their equipment. He could see Natasha Romanoff set up a camera right in front of the beautiful hotel doors.

Because of course the black widow knew how to operate a movie camera.

“It’s good that Nat is here,” he said. “It’s good. Another pair of eyes doesn’t hurt.”

“Hm.”

“Think we’ll catch them soon? Did Nat say anything to you?”

“No new intel, sorry.”

So he had to continue with this charade. That meant more overly romantic dates with Melinda May. Kissing Melinda May.

Fantastic.

“You’ve never been this nervous with any of the other women.”

“I know.”

“Know what you’re doing?”

“Just my job. And so is she. I know that.”

A black limousine drove up towards the hotel.

Melinda was here.

He was so screwed.

o0o

She stepped out of the limousine and his heart skipped a beat.

“You look breathtaking,” he said and swallowed, his mouth suddenly dry. “Absolutely beautiful!”

Her hair was pulled up in a loose bun, her eyes looked soft and her lips looked so cherry red, he could only think about tasting her.

“Thank you.” Melinda smiled at him and twirled in her golden ball gown with lacy details around the sweet heart neckline. The full skirt with tiered ruffles swayed as she twirled. “So this is what you’d like to see me in?”

“Which little boy doesn’t dream about dating a Disney princess?” He grinned.

She raised a brow. “Well, enjoy it while it lasts because as pretty as it is, I won’t be able to keep this look up on a daily basis.”

“That’s alright.”

“Too generous,” she said dryly and he felt himself blush.

One moment he thought he was doing well flirting with her and the next he just put his foot in his mouth again. “No, I mean I like your dresses and how they show your legs and …”

“So you’re a leg men, hm?”

Oh good, she was just mocking him!

She smiled at him. “If you treat me well, I might just show you a little bit of my ankle before the night is over.”

“Be still, my heart can’t take this!”

She laughed and he just felt happy.

Ten minutes later they walked into the big ball room, her hand resting on his offered arm.

Melinda stopped as soon as they walked through the swing doors. “Oh …”

“You like it?”

“It’s … ” She swallowed and nodded.

The room was big enough to hold two hundred people but now it was empty except for a single table and two chairs. White roses everywhere in the room. Hundreds of them. He knew microphones and cameras were placed in some of them. And of course there was Nat following them with a camera.

The table was set beautifully, too. White porcelain and polished silverware. Crystal glass.

“Not too much?”

“Definitely too much! But I like it.”

“Very good. Because I won’t be able to keep this up on a daily basis either.” He tilted his head and raised a brow. “May I lead you to our table?”

o0o

After dinner, the sun started to set. As two waiters cleaned their table, three violinists showed up in black dresses and started playing music a romantic tune. Lightly treading people in black carried in at least thirty candle holders in various sizes and distributed them around the room.

“You really went all out, didn't you?” Melinda asked.

“Go big or go home.” He stood up and reached out his hand.” Would you like to dance?”

“I'd love to.” She took his hand and he lead her to the middle of the room. - Since they had all this space, why not use it?

They got into position and started to dance. A slow waltz.

This felt familiar. This felt like their early days. He swirled her around and pulled her back against him.

“This is nice,” he said.

“Definitely not our worst date.”

“Worst date?”

“You made me cook!”

He grinned. “And we all survived.”

“You’re not as funny as you think.”

His grin just widened.

“You’re just lucky you’re so handsome.”

Yeah, that was definitely Diane talking, still it made his heart skip another beat.

He saw Nat following them with a camera as he turned them around again. - This was a show. This wasn't real.

He cleared his throat. “So, tell me about yourself.”

“Very smooth.”

“That’s me, smooth and handsome – your words. And humble, of course.”

She snorted. “Of course.”

“But seriously, what brought you here?”

“On the show?”

“Every week that passes and you stay … I can’t believe my luck.”

“Your eyes.” She lifted her chin and looked up to him.

Nothing would be easier to lean down and to kiss her. With Nat's camera on them – and most likely two other hidden cameras – she would kiss him back.

And that was exactly why he didn't do it. He wanted it too much for the wrong reasons.

“I saw your video and you’ve got very kind eyes,” she said quietly. “And the world can be a cruel place … “ She gave a little shrug. “You seemed like someone who worked to make it better.”

Something in her tone made him perk up. By now they were swaying on a spot. He wasn't sure if it qualified as dancing any longer.

“I loved my job. The … the army. I loved to fight. I loved it.”

She pressed her lips together and he just waited.

“I went to some dark places and …”

He rubbed her back and she looked down and over his shoulder. He made sure to move them so that Nat would catch his face instead of hers. He knew what was next. Diane's backstory wasn't pretty and though it was fake, fake Eric knew better than to expose Diane to any obvious camera.

“We were in this village and there was this girl and she …” Melinda pulled in a breath. “She had a bomb. She would’ve … She could’ve hurt so many people.”

The hairs on his neck stood up. This wasn't part of Diane's story.

“We thought the girl was a victim. We were wrong.” Melinda looked at him again. “I didn’t know how else to stop her.”

The girl? Oh my god. Bahrain. She was talking about Bahrain. “You saved them,” he said. “You saved the village.” Weak words. He wished they were alone. He wished he could talk to her as himself.

She looked at him again. The expression in her eyes broke his heart. “I killed a child,” she whispered.

He knew what ever had happened had been bad, after all the girl had died, but this … this was so much worse. No wonder she had quit after that.

He wished he had known. He wished he could've been more useful afterwards.

“Thank you for trusting me with this,” he said and felt stupid.

“Still think you’re lucky I stayed?”

“Very.”

She pressed her lips together, tears welled up in her eyes. When he pulled her closer, she leaned in and rested her cheek against his shoulder.

He held her tight for the longest time.

o0o

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