#maybe i’ll write my original thing and see where we go from there

[rev-glut]

Holy shit, a poll. Anyways I want to write a fic with a Reader who just adores life and loves love (see tags for more ramblings). However I can’t decide who to write it with. So that’s where you come in.

[tsukumomei]

OKOKOK in my mind in the “puppy love” fic, reader is moving to spain

and then three years later sae comes to spain cause he gets scouted by re al you know the story

and so they meet again ❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹 (they have cute “dates” if you will, where she shows him around spain and what not 🤭)

now idk if you’re taking requests at the moment, or even want to write a part two for this, but i (and many others i feel like) would LOVE to see this!

no force though, if you do wish to write it take your time, and if you don’t it’s all fine too!

much love, xoxo 💋

a/n: This is actually insane because this is EXACTLY what I had in mind for a bonus part! I was originally going to end it when they saw each other again, but I took your request and wrote about their dates too. Enjoy! Mwah! I wouldn’t consider this a part 2, though—if I ever write one, it’ll still be from Rin’s POV. But I’m open to writing more bonus parts for this fic, so feel free to send me an ask! ^^

—RIGHT WHERE WE LEFT OFF

ft. Sae Itoshi

a bonus chapter for Puppy Love

synposis: Sae moves to Madrid after getting scouted by Real, but he has two problems. One—he hates it. The city feels unfamiliar, foreign, nothing like home. Two—he’s determined to forget about you. But the harder he tries, the more his own mind betrays him—because no matter what he does, everything leads him right back to you. wc: 3.1 k

The shuffling in Sae’s carry-on grows more frantic as he impatiently searches for that notebook from you.

It was the first thing he stuffed into his bag.

Flipping through the worn pages, his eyes finally land on the last one—covered in messy scribbles, but the only thing that stands out is a single line written in red ink at the bottom:

"Wait for me. ❤️ Y/N"

Sae presses his thumb against the words, as if touching them could somehow bring back the past. Could somehow make you feel real again.

He leans back into his seat, staring out at the endless stretch of sky beyond the plane window, but it’s not Madrid he’s thinking about. It’s you.

This morning, back at the house, he’d been kicking a soccer ball around the backyard, the steady thud of leather against concrete filling the quiet air. Rin was there too, watching him with a knowing look before finally speaking up.

"Nii-chan, it was just puppy love."

Maybe it was. Maybe Rin was right.

But if it was just puppy love, why is it still lingering?

Why did he still worry—that if you ever came back, that you’d be mad at him for not being there?

It’s been three years.

The chances of seeing you again were close to impossible.

—

Sae steps into his new apartment in Madrid, rolling his suitcase inside as his manager gestures around the space.

“This is your living room,” his manager begins, flipping on the lights. The apartment is modern, minimalistic—exactly what Sae expected. “Kitchen’s over there. Fridge is stocked for now, but you’ll need to do your own groceries after this week.”

Sae nods, setting his bag neatly by the couch.

“The bedroom’s down the hall,” the manager continues, walking ahead. “Bathroom’s connected. There’s a desk if you need to study or review game footage. Wi-Fi’s already set up.”

Sae peeks into the bedroom—plain, clean, nothing extravagant. Just a bed, a nightstand, and a small window overlooking the street below.

“You’re across the hall?” Sae asks as they return to the main area.

“Yeah,” his manager confirms, crossing. “If you need anything, just knock.”

Sae scoffs lightly. “I’ll be fine.”

His manager gives him a once-over, then exhales. “Good. Then I’ll leave you to settle in.”

With that, the manager steps out, leaving Sae alone.

The moment the door clicks shut, Sae gets to work. He unzips his luggage, methodically putting his clothes away, setting his toiletries in the bathroom, and neatly stacking his training gear by the closet. He takes mental notes of what he needs—more food, basic supplies, maybe an extra pillow.

Once everything is in place, he pulls out his phone and dials home.

His mother picks up almost immediately. “Sae?”

“I just landed and got to the apartment,” he informs her, his voice steady. “Everything’s fine.”

“That’s good,” she says warmly. “Have you eaten?”

“I will soon.”

“Don’t just eat whatever’s fastest. Make sure you’re getting proper meals.”

Sae hums in acknowledgment before adding, “Tell Dad I made it safely. And Rin, too.”

“Of course,” his mother says. There’s a brief pause, then a softer, knowing tone in her voice. “It feels real now, doesn’t it?”

Sae leans against the counter, staring at the empty space around him. His new home. His new life.

“Yeah,” he murmurs.

After a few more exchanges, he hangs up, setting his phone aside.

His eyes drift to his carry-on, to the one thing he hadn’t put away yet.

The notebook.

The worn cover, the slightly frayed edges—he traces them with his fingers before flipping it open once again. The pages are filled with your handwriting, messy yet familiar, scrawled with thoughts and doodles from years ago.

It’s ridiculous, really. He hasn’t seen you in three years. He has no idea where you are, if you’re still in the same country, if you even remember him the way he remembers you.

But memories flood in anyway. The afternoons spent at the park, your determined expression when you first crashed his soccer game, the way you always talked too much but somehow, he never minded. The way you scribbled on his arm once with the same red ink you used to write—

"Wait for me. ❤️ y/n"

Sae exhales sharply and shuts the notebook.

Maybe it really was just puppy love.

He stands, grabs his wallet, and heads for the door.

He needs to get out, get familiar with the city. He’s going to live here now, after all.

—

The city is foreign, unfamiliar—Sae hates it.

He was never one for traveling. The only reason he’s here is to play soccer at an international level, but outside of that, it feels suffocating in a way he never expected.

The streets are too loud yet too quiet at the same time. He doesn’t understand the conversations happening around him, the unfamiliar syllables blending into meaningless noise. The people pass by in a blur, all strangers, none of them acknowledging him beyond quick  glances.

It’s not like he’s stupid enough to get scammed—he’s careful, always aware of his surroundings. But that doesn’t change the fact that he doesn’t belong here. It doesn’t change how frustrating it is to have all this free time and nowhere to go, no one to turn to.

The city is alive, buzzing with movement, but it only makes the loneliness feel sharper.

—

Today marks his second week in Madrid.

Sae realizes just how useless he is when it comes to directions.

The sun is already beginning to set, casting a golden glow over Madrid, and he has no idea where he is.

The street signs might as well be in a foreign language—which, technically, they are. He squints at them, but the unfamiliar words blur together, useless in helping him find his way. And as for Spanish? Well, he knows about as much as a toddler forming his first sentence.

Great.

Of course, it’s at a time like this that he remembers you.

Because you were always the human GPS between the two of you, navigating streets like you had a built-in map inside your head. You always knew the right turns to take, the fastest shortcuts.

And right now? Right now, he is the one most in need of that skill.

Rin thinks Sae is perfect, so he probably doesn’t even know about this little flaw of his.

Sae scoffs to himself, shaking his head. It’s ridiculous that, even now, when he’s supposed to be moving on, he still finds himself thinking about you.

He exhales sharply, pushing the thoughts away.

Enough.

With renewed determination, Sae steps onto the crosswalk, telling himself—again—that it’s time to leave his childhood love in the past.

But by the time he reaches the middle, doubt creeps in—just enough for him to hesitate, just enough for him to misstep.

And just enough for him to accidentally bump into someone walking from the opposite direction.

"Perdón," the girl mutters, barely sparing him a glance—until she does.

She stops short, eyes widening in surprise.

"Oh."

Sae blinks.

"It’s you."

For a moment, the city fades into the background. The people rushing past, the hum of conversation, the faint honking of impatient drivers—it all disappears.

You look different now. Your hair is dyed, a little wavier than before. A stylish bag hangs off your shoulder, outfit effortlessly put together in a way that makes you stand out even in the middle of Madrid.

But to him, you’re still the same stubborn girl who once barged into his soccer game with Rin, the one who never asked for permission—just demanded a pass like you belonged there. The one who never looked at him like everyone else did.

Your eyes are the same. That’s what catches him the most. Time has changed a lot of things, but not that. They still hold the same warmth, the same quiet confidence.

Sae wonders if he looks different to you, too. If you notice the way his shoulders have grown broader, the way the exhaustion lingers under his eyes. If you can tell that beneath all the fame and titles, there’s still a part of him that never stopped waiting for you.

Neither of you speak. Just stood there, caught in something neither of you were prepared for.

Sae exhales, then—without thinking—extends his hand toward you

But before you can take it, a sharp whistle cuts through the air.

"¡Oye! Move it!"

The traffic officer’s whistle cuts through the air, snapping both of you out of your daze.

Startled, you both turn at the same time, realizing the light has already turned green—and you’re still standing in the middle of the crosswalk.

Reality has always had a way of interrupting you two, hasn’t it?

Sae clenches his jaw, frustration flickering across his face. Meanwhile, you weren’t handling it any better—because instead of just walking away like a normal person, you were flipping off the traffic officer and hurling a wooden spoon at him.

Where did you even get that? Sae has no idea. And honestly, he’s not sure he wants to.

But then he feels you grab his arm, yanking him across the street as you break into a run—both of you fleeing from the traffic officer, who Sae can only assume is cursing you out in rapid Spanish.

And just like that, his expression softens.

—

“Whew, that was close,” you say between heavy breaths, still catching your breath from all that running.

Sae glances at you, unimpressed. “Maybe if you didn’t throw a spoon at him, we wouldn’t have to run.”

You roll your eyes, waving him off. “Oh, please. That guy already hates me. This isn’t even the first time, you know.”

Sae raises a brow. “Not surprised.”

You nudge him with your elbow. “Hey! Rude.”

He exhales sharply, stuffing his hands into his pockets. “What did you do to piss him off before?”

You smirk, tilting your head playfully. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

Sae gives you a look—unamused but intrigued nonetheless. “I would, actually.”

You grin, pretending to think. “Let’s just say… it involved a churro cart, an old lady, and a very, very unfortunate slip on my part.”

Sae stares at you for a moment before shaking his head. “You’re a menace.” 

You flash him a cheeky smile. “And yet, here you are, running away from traffic officers with me.”

He huffs but doesn’t argue. Because, somehow, you’re right—because he’s relieved that he can finally talk to someone other than his manager, and just as relieved to see that you haven’t changed at all.

Isn’t it ironic? The very day he decides to finally let go of your memory, fate throws you right back into his life.

But something nags at him. You haven’t asked about Madrid, about why he’s here. It’s like you’re not surprised at all, like it’s the most natural thing in the world to bump into him on the street.

Sae narrows his eyes slightly before speaking. “Hey, you’re not gonna ask?”

“Ask what?” you blink at him, confused. Then, as if remembering something, your face lights up. “Oh! Where are my manners?”

Before he can react, you throw yourself at him, wrapping him in a warm embrace.

Sae stiffens, caught completely off guard. But before he can say anything, you sigh dramatically against his shoulder. “I missed you so much! I can’t believe you followed me all the way to Spain. Oh, you really do love me.”

He clicks his tongue, exasperated. You’re being an idiot again—definitely pushing it.

But he doesn’t argue. He doesn’t deny it.

Instead, after a brief hesitation, he exhales and wraps a single arm around you, listening as you ramble on like no time has passed at all.

—

“Maybe I should put a tracker on you.” you tease, walking a step ahead of Sae as you lead him through the narrow streets of Madrid.  

He exhales sharply, shoving his hands into his pockets. “I would’ve figured it out eventually.”  

You throw him a look over your shoulder. “Yeah, sure. After getting lost for another three hours.”  

Sae doesn’t bother denying it. Instead, he follows as you turn into an alleyway, stopping in front of a small, unassuming café tucked between two buildings. 

“This place has the best tostada con tomate in the city,” you say, nodding toward the café. 

“The old man inside—Rafa—he always yells at me for ordering too much, but then he sneaks me an extra pastry for free.”  

As if on cue, the door swings open, and an elderly man steps out. His eyes land on you, and a slow grin spreads across his face. “¡Ah, mira quién es! La niña que me arruina el negocio.” (Ah, look who it is! The girl who’s ruining my business.)  

You laugh, stepping forward to greet him. “Don’t lie, Rafa. You love me.”  

Rafa scoffs but affectionately ruffles your hair before turning to Sae, eyes narrowing in scrutiny. “¿Y este quién es?” (And who’s this?)  

“My amigo,” you reply smoothly, though there’s a glint of mischief in your eyes. “He just moved here, so I’m showing him around.”  

Rafa studies Sae for a moment before nodding in approval. “Bien. Come inside. I’ll make sure he eats something decent.”  

Sae barely has time to protest before you’re dragging him through the door, the scent of warm spices and grilled meat immediately filling the air. The restaurant is small, a little tucked away from the busier streets, but it’s lively, filled with laughter and the soft hum of conversation.

When the food arrives, you dig in without hesitation, taking a bite and immediately letting out a dramatic sigh. “Oh my god,” you moan, clutching your chest like you’ve just ascended to heaven. “This is it. This is what happiness tastes like.”

Sae raises an eyebrow, unimpressed. “You sound ridiculous.”

“You sound jealous,” you retort, shoveling another bite into your mouth. “You haven’t even touched your food.”

Sae watches you for a moment. The way you eat so shamelessly, without a care for how you look, is something he vaguely remembers from when you were kids. Some things never change.

“I’m just letting you be the poison tester,” he mutters, finally picking up his fork.

You roll your eyes. “Please. If Rafa wanted to kill me, he would’ve done it years ago.”

Rafa, passing by, snorts. “She’s not wrong.”

Sae sighs, finally taking a bite. He won’t admit it, but it’s good. Really good.

Just as you’re finishing your plate, you glance at your phone and stand abruptly. “Be right back. Don’t go running off without me.”

Sae only scoffs in response, watching as you disappear towards the bathroom. The moment you’re gone, Rafa leans against the counter, wiping his hands on a towel before turning to Sae with a knowing smirk.

“She talked about you before, you know,” Rafa says casually.

Sae tenses slightly. “Did she?”

Rafa nods, chuckling. “Not by name. Just 'some guy I used to know who’s hopeless with anything besides soccer and even worse with emotions.'”

Sae huffs. “Sounds like something she'd say.”

Rafa shrugs. “Well, if you’re sticking around, you better get used to her dragging you everywhere. She’s got a habit of making lost people feel at home.”

Sae doesn’t respond, just looks at him, expression unreadable. Rafa only chuckles, shaking his head as he wipes down the counter.

A moment later, you return, eyes narrowing the second you spot them. “What’s this?” you ask suspiciously, sliding back into your seat. “What were you two talking about?”

Rafa smirks, tilting his head towards Sae. “Oh, nothing much. Just sharing stories.”

You gasp dramatically, pointing a finger at Sae. “You weren’t talking bad about me, were you?”

Sae finally speaks, deadpan. “Wouldn’t need to. You embarrass yourself enough.”

You scoff, reaching over to steal a piece of food from his plate. “Unbelievable. I leave for one second, and you two become best friends conspiring against me.”

Rafa laughs. “Don’t worry, querida. He’s not that easy to befriend.”

You nod sagely. “That’s true. I had to force him to like me.”

Sae rolls his eyes. That was true for most people, but definitely not for you.

He liked you from the get-go, like there was a gravitational pull towards you that he just couldn't escape from.

The day continues like that.  

You don’t take him to the usual tourist spots—the grand plazas or famous museums. Instead, you show him the Madrid you love.  

A tucked-away bookstore where the owner lets you sit and read for hours without buying anything. A tiny family-run tapas bar where the food is cheap but incredible, and the owners greet you like family. A rooftop spot where you swear the sunset looks better than anywhere else in the city.  

Everywhere you go, you introduce him like he belongs there.  

By the time the sky turns golden, Sae realizes something.  

This isn’t just a city to you. It’s a home.  

And for the first time since moving here, Madrid doesn’t feel so unfamiliar to him anymore.  

Maybe it’s because he’s finally seeing it through your eyes.

And maybe that so-called puppy love Rin kept telling him about is beginning to grow into something more.

a/n: "Puppy Love" is the one and only beloved Sae Itoshi fanfic franchise that will remain untouched by despair. I wholeheartedly believe that at some point during his four years in Spain, Sae had his dreams crushed and utterly heartbroken. But in this au? nah. no angst, no career-crushing disappointments, Just endless, tooth-rotting fluff and relationship bliss. The kind of soft, sweet moments Sae would never admit he enjoys. Because for once, he deserves to have something go perfectly right.

[plat3uau]

I honestly do not know where to begin or how to even write a decent looking introduction, so allow me to just drop this and leave…🤣😭

Okay, but jokes aside, since I’ve been getting really into visual storytelling lately, I just thought “Huh, why not test it out with Jingluo, and capture their dynamic while trying to add a fairytale-like elements to it?”

Also, I genuinely want to become even more expressive through my art, overall… and I guess it’s also an excuse to draw even more stuff related to the two (shhhh, and excuse me for the repetition.😫😫)

Notes on the title (that I think might be needed): I know the matter of language isn’t relevant to the game’s plot at all, but for some reason I’ve developed the headcanon that Luocha is good at picking up languages, as he travels a lot. (I see him just… being very quick at adapting and blending in with the locals’ way of doing things, in that kind of sense. <3)

We don’t really know much about him as for now (still waiting for that lore drop, though!!), but judging from his appearance and aesthetics (so please take this with a grain of salt), he looks like (at least to me) a character from a place based off Europe or the West… So because of that, I had the view that Luocha might have had a harder time actually writing down/learning by heart the Chinese characters (or at least the writing system there) commonly used by the people in the Luofu, when he first set foot there (I mean, I thought of that as it’s a region very much inspired by Chinese culture), since most European languages use the Latin script as for their writing system.

So hopefully this explains why there are two inscriptions: the one on the left side of the canvas is actually written by Luocha, and the other one being the translated version of the title!🥰

(P.S. I tried to translate the title in Chinese to make the Luocha’s writing seem… how to say, more believable? More real? Anyways, I ended up with “我在你身边”, which translates into “I will stand beside you”, so not super faithful to the original title, but I believed that the essence of the general meaning of the original one was still there, so I decided to go along with it.

I’m no native speaker here nor a translator, just a person who studied some Mandarin for a while. T - T❤️)

(P.S.S. I’ll try to keep you updated! My creative process is usually quite slow, so I was thinking that maybe I could share some of the wips with you all. Or you know, just to document some of my thoughts, that kind of stuff. ^_^

Alright!!! I wrote too much, and honestly, BLESS your heart for reading through my stream of consciousness, lmao. But I genuinely appreciate it, I really REALLY mean this.🥺❤️

Thank you so much for taking your time to do so. To whoever reached this point. <3)

[totaly-obsessed]

would you be willing to write either an alessia x reader or a leah x reader who has ADHD? i loved your alexia piece. it made me feel super seen ❤️

Fitting In

Alessia Russo x reader request

-> A struggle day with Alessia - ADHD!Reader

-> @anon Makes me so happy to hear that you felt seen! These are things that actually happen in my day to day life - and adhd presents so different in people, please don't be offended if this doesnt fit you!

➳ Masterlist

•─────⋅☾ ☽⋅─────•

“Baby?” Alessia's shout echoed through your shared home – the blonde had just come home from practice and was excited to spend a nice, relaxing evening with her girlfriend. But just a couple of seconds later she could see that the rest of the day would be a bit more chaotic than she had originally thought.

“Where are you?” Win, the Arsenal dog whined quietly booping her nose on Alessia's shin, trying to get her attention. With a sigh the striker took off the collar, letting the chocolate lab loose – just to see her race to the living room carpet where she dramatically flopped down with a loud huff.

“Bedroom!” Carefully Alessia opened the door, she never quite knew what to expect behind closed doors when it came to you. Maybe you would be dying your hair, trying her clothes on, or simply staring into the abyss. While she had been preparing herself for the worst, seeing you re-arrange furniture wasn’t so bad.

“Hi, Lessi!” The footballer did her best to ignore the heavy desk you were pushing around, instead giving you a kiss, melting at your huge grin and sparkling eyes.

“You’ve been quite busy huh?” You have been. The Wardrobe had been replaced by the bed and the bed with the desk – or at least your girlfriend guessed that you wanted it to go there.

“Help me?” She didn’t need much convincing, but the sheepish smile on your face certainly did the job.

With a gentle push, you were removed from the desk, as Alessia couldn’t watch your struggle any longer. With just a few expert nudges and lifts it was where you wanted it to be, with you directing the blonde.

“Done!” She brushed off her hands as if she were brushing off dirt from hard labor. With a smug smile, she saw you stare, particularly at her arms (still wearing her Arsenal training tank top), before she pulled you into a bruising kiss – large hands resting on your hips, fingers digging into your bum.

“Did you get groceries amore?” Oh right. There had been a reason why you had wandered in here, you originally had planned to get dressed and go shopping but all of a sudden you just felt an incredible urge to re-arrange the furniture. “Sorry, Lessi.”

With a soft chuckle, Alessia kissed your forehead, she knew that you didn’t do it on purpose, you never did. You just were forgetful. “How about we go out to eat?” That was the most brilliant idea you have ever had. Usually, you would order in because Alessia was too tired from training to actually go out – so it was a nice change. “That sounds fantastic baby. But it’s gonna be noisy and busy, you okay with that?” Your excited nodding was enough to melt her heart all over again. Bless you, so excited to go out with your girlfriend.

“I’m gonna have a shower, yeah?” You didn’t really realize what Alessia said until you heard the water running. “No Lessi!” As fast as you could you made your way to the bathroom, your girlfriend still in front of the mirror taking off her makeup. “Can I have it first? I’ll literally be ten minutes!” With one or two bats of your lashes, the blonde agreed, leaving you in the bathroom.

“Hey, google – play shower list! No, play Date playlist!” You had to repeat yourself, your Alexa was too confused with your wishes. The water was still running as you took Alessia's place, looking at yourself in the mirror. “Should I wash my hair? But I washed it yesterday – Shit. I didn’t do that washing did I?” There was no one to answer you, you were talking to yourself. On your way to the laundry room you nearly tripped over Win. “Winnie! You’re here! Oh, I love you so much!”

“Amore?”

No answer.

“Amore?”

With Win in tow, you climbed back up the stairs, already seeing Alessia with a big goofy smile in the bathroom. “Shit. I left the shower on.” The dog excitedly yapped once she saw the familiar blonde, her tail hitting your leg. “Yes, you did.” She wasn’t mad – she was laughing, and she had shut the water off. “Oh my god. I’m so sorry Less. Promise I’ll go now.”

“You haven’t had it yet?” Win was once again whining for attention but stopped once you leaned down to pet her head. “No, I want downstairs and I was doing the washing because I forgot to do it earlier.” By now you had eventually taken off your socks and outer layer, just in your underwear now.

“I just need to get my skincare stuff.” Why it was in the kitchen you didn’t really remember, however halfway down the stairs, you remembered the disgustingly cold showers. “Need the shower to warm up first!” Up you went again.

Now with your skincare, water warming up, the right music, and the laundry on – you were ready to actually get in, until you weren’t. Your sister had sent you a TikTok, which left you to doom scroll for a while before Alessia eventually came back up. “Are you done amore?”

She knew that you hadn’t been in yet, the half-Italian always knew when you were having a hard day, and today was one of them.

“I don’t know if I want to shower yet.” Your girlfriend could see the frustration building up in you, so she pulled you in a hug. “That’s okay baby. Can I go?” The defeated look on your face was all she needed, cooing over your sad little face before shoving you out the door after calling Win to keep you company.

Whilst the footballer was in the shower, you had tasked yourself with picking outfits for the both of you. Picking Alessia’s was easy, not only did she look good in everything, but all her clothes matched, so there was no bad choice.

When the blonde entered the bedroom she couldn’t help but laugh at you standing in front of the full-body mirror, wearing a cropped puffer jacket you had bought last week. Your lips in a pout and cheeks red in frustration – something was wrong.

“You okay baby?”

Boom, tears. Knowing that Alessia knew you and all your little signs meant the world to you. “I hate this jacket.”

“But you just bought it last week, what’s wrong with it?” by now she was standing in front of you, opening it up, closing it again, turning you around to get a better look, trying to figure out what is bothering you. “It’s the sleeves, look.” You thrust your hands out, the sleeves rising up so that your wrists were out.

“Maybe it’s the hood?” Your girlfriend pulled the zipper on the detachable hood, taking it off and abruptly throwing the hood itself on Win’s head. “What do you think? I think you look great!” You had to admit, that it was better, but the sleeve situation was still bothering you. “Nuh-uh. Wanna get rid of it.” With a final nod, Alessia helped you take it off, throwing the jacket on a pile of clothes. “Ella was looking for one of those.” That was that. Ella would get the jacket.

In the end, Alessia chose your outfit, as you were much too busy playing with Win, who was pawing at you when you had flopped down next to her on the carpet.

Whilst you were getting ready Alessia grabbed the rest of your stuff – that you would definitely forget and run back in and out again until you have everything, like your wallet or lip balm.

As soon as you entered the restaurant you regretted it. There was so much going on and such a wave of noise that greeted you that you nearly just walked back out again – but your girlfriend had already picked out a table in a corner.

“Less I don’t know what to get – I’m like overwhelmed by the options.” Somewhere a child started screaming and a hoard of adults kept laughing at it very loudly. “It’s like I can’t read the words that are literally right in front of me."

It started to beep everywhere in the big room. You had picked a popular restaurant in the area that had pagers that vibrated, blinked, and beeped when your food was ready so you could go and get it.

“What do you feel like amore?” You were zoned out, eyes empty staring at the menu, dead to the world around you. Alessia sighed, she knew that this would happen. “How about Pasta?” You nodded, she knew which one you would like.

A couple of minutes later your girlfriend came back, with one of these little devices in her hand, placing it under her thigh on the stool, desperately trying to soften the glaring noise.

Suddenly the lights dimmed and a birthday song was played loudly over the speakers. As well as you could you held your ears closed as most guests started to sing and clap along. Just as the song ended your food was ready and Alessia went to go and get it.

“How was training Less?” She could see your head swiveling around, overwhelmed by the lights, the noise, and the people – nonetheless, she took your bait, explaining what had happened at the Arsenal training center, appreciating that you tried to listen, and even asked questions.

Ten minutes into eating a children's birthday party sat down at the table next to yours, and as cute as the kids were – they were even louder than your thoughts. Screaming over the top of each other, begging for Ice cream for dinner and even yelling at the poor elders on their other side, trying to show them something.

“Amore? Are you overstimulated? Would you like to get this to go, and just go home?”

“Yes please.”

Alessia went up to the register with your plates, while you packed up all your stuff, grabbing your jackets and Alessia’s little bag that really only held her car keys.

In the car, you couldn’t hold it anymore, and the tears just burst out of you in streams that seemed never-ending. “I-I’m sorry Lessi, jus wanted to be like everyone else but I can't even sit in a restaurant.”. Your girlfriend cooed at you, gently stroking your thigh trying to calm you down a little. “We don’t need to be like anybody else. We can just be… Us!”

The rest of the evening was spent cuddled up on the couch with Win occupying one of the ends, stealing a blanket off of you, as Alessia covered you in hers as well. The wood was still warm when you ate it, even after changing out of the uncomfortable outfits and into big shirts and joggers.

“I love you amore. For you – you don’t need to be like anybody else.”

[itsnotgray]

gray’s fic recs

my tagging/recommendation system is a mess beyond the point of fixing, so i made a masterlist. (i’ll slowly be adding fics to this!)

- an asterisk is next to players who play for the ahl team of said nhl team

- if works focused on more than one person, they’re listed under the other people, but only tagged in the first one you see in the list.

- also, apologies if the links don’t work correctly, it is in fact my first time making a masterlist

NHL/AHL

Anaheim Ducks

Jamie Drysdale

hey roomie by @emaanemaa

- trevor and jamie threesome. that's right, that's all it took to get you to go read it.

Trevor Zegras

chameleon by @hischierhaze

- listen- if you're someone who, whether it be consciously or unconsciously, changes themselves and their personality for those around them, or you have a history of it- please read this. I promise you, you won't regret it.

now that we don't talk by @sc0tters

- it's a toxic relationship with trevor, of course I'm gonna eat it up (she might end with trevor... or she might not. you'll never know if you don't read it.)

hey roomie by @ emaanemaa (fic linked above under jamie)

the penalty box series by @starsandhughes

I- if you're not already keeping up with this series... where have you been? every update is laugh out loud hilarious, and leaves you itching for more.

cruel weather- apart of the penalty box series by @starsandhughes

cruel weather gets it's own link because of the amount of emotional damage this inflicted upon me.

Arizona Coyotes

Boston Bruins

Buffalo Sabres

Devon Levi

like it very much by @jackhues

there aren’t many devon fics (which there totally should be), but the way i squealed when i read this one. further affirmed the fact that i think he’d be the best bf.

Calgary Flames

Nikita Zadorov

that scar hurt by the way by @swissboyhisch

- listen…. i’m the farthest thing from a flames fan, and can wholeheartedly admit it was an adorable read.

Carolina Hurricanes

Chicago Blackhawks

Colorado Avalanche

Columbus Blue Jackets

Adam Fantilli

to you, my adamo by @hischierhaze

- it's adam's birthday + his debut, can you blame me for crying?

his return by @hischierhaze

-this made me cry. but in making this, i'm convinced anything kei writes with the fantilli brothers makes me want to cry from either just how sickeningly sweet it is, or of course, sadness.

tiny dancer au by @letsgetrowdy43

god when i say sunny and adam have my heart- i mean it. they’re sososo special to me.

Dallas Stars

Wyatt Johnston

our song by @lovinbarzal

hands down one of my favorite wy jo fics/au’s. it’s wyatt x a barzal sister, a pairing i wouldn’t have thought of, but works so well!

Detroit Red Wings

Edmonton Oilers

Florida Panthers

Matthew Tkachuk

waking up in vegas by @doc-pickles

- matty t x hughes!sister is a dynamic i didn’t know i needed.

Mackie Samoskevich*

perfect girl by @dmercer91

- this had me feeling things like no other... a big hint as to why? she's shared.

Los Angeles Kings

Alex Turcotte*

who does it better? by @harry-hollands

one of the cutest social media au’s in a while (technically has two parts, but they don’t have to be read together)

Minnesota Wild

Montreal Canadiens

Kirby Dach

here with you by @sc0tters

- it's amber's writing + kirby, what's not to love? (if that's not convincing enough, maybe the line, "I will follow you to the ends of the earth," is.)

Nashville Predators

New Jersey Devils

Jack Hughes

timeless by @babydollmarauders

- if I hadn't originally read this in the middle of the grocery store, I can almost guarantee that I would've cried from just how heartwarmingly adorable this is.

out by @babydollmarauders

- equipment manager x jacky boy- aka a trope I never knew I needed, but now crave after reading this.

ballad of a homeschooled girl by @babydollmarauders

- hands down one of the best pics I've probably ever read in terms of conveying emotion. my stomach was in knots the entire time, attesting to just how realistic the writing is.

never grow up by @aliaology

- i'm sorry but you're not human if you don't get even the tiniest bit emotional at any fic with "never grow up" as the song. BUT A FIC WITH THE BROTHERS? this rendered me emotionally unavailable for a solid 20 minutes.

medía management au by @babydollmarauders

the media management au is an ongoing series staring mr jack hughes and his lovely girl, dove! the updates always bring a a smile to my face, and more than likely make me laugh out loud.

4:41 am by @sweetestdesire

listen, as much as i adore brynn’s smut like no other, her fluffy, soft and sweet fics just do something to me. she writes them so detailed, and consistently has me craving for soft moments with a significant other (a significant other i do not have)

John Marino

stay for a while by @sc0tters

- when i talk about made me feel things, i mean it. amber never fails in writing panty-dropping smut, while also having an thought-out plot.

Luke Hughes

welcome back by @leaentries

- this literally made me swoon. a protective lukey- what's not to love?

nobody's love by @eyesthatroll

- my heart was in my throat while reading, and my emotions were all over the place. regardless of how emotional it left me, it was amazing and deserves all the love.

never grow up by @ aliaology (fic linked under jack)

- older hughes sister watches her brothers grow up + never grow up = tears

summer aches by @starry-hughes

- this fic makes me want a luke to take care of me when i get headaches, triggered by heat or not

what’s not to like? by @starry-hughes

- queen ellen and jimmy are a little apprehensive of you…

jack’s best friend by @lvrzegras

okay listen- any of the brothers x their best friends is great, but jack’s best friend x luke… it just hits different, yk?

Nico Hischier

I never could've seen you coming (I think you're everything I could've ever wanted) by @writingonleaves

- this is probably as close to a literary masterpiece as a fanfic posted on tumblr will ever get

will you take a moment? promise me this (that you'll stand by me forever) by @writingonleaves

- listen- it's apart of the universe she began in the fic above. I have the fic linked under nico (because the oc eventually ends up in a relationship with nico, as seen in the part above), but this is sososo found family heavy. if found family is your trope, then this is your fic

New York Islanders

Mat Barzal

it's nice to have a friend by @youunravelme

- put me through the emotional wringer in the best way possible.

winnie martin's favorite person by @ilyasorokinn

- god- i cannot even begin to describe how cute this is. all i can say, is that I need more pictures of barzy with kids... for science of course.

New York Rangers

Ottawa Senators

Philadelphia Flyers

Pittsburgh Penguins

Sidney Crosby

she was the (red) devil by @crosbyscurls

- hockey meets f1 is already a dream combination… but sid x f1? absolutely amazing

San Jose Sharks

Seattle Kraken

St Louis Blues

Tampa Bay Lightning

Toronto Maple Leafs

Vancouver Canucks

Quinn Hughes

these michigan summers by @lukevangelista

i feel like the only way your not aware this series exists, then your new here. because if you haven’t read this, where have you been? this is for sure one of my top three series’ on tumblr, finished or unfinished. will in fact, forever have my heart. (currently unfinished)

the sun to my moon by @ghostfacd

this fic is part of an au! i highly, highly recommend checking it out- quinny + a grumpyxsunshine trope, what’s not to love?

never grow up by @ aliaology (fic linked under jack's name)

- older hughes sister watches her brothers grow up + never grow up = tears

Vegas Golden Knights

Washington Capitals

Dylan Strome

it's never too late to come back to my side by @lukevangelista (a series)

- one of my recent favorites. particularly geared towards those who think back on old friendships (...and constantly overthink on whether you should reach out. spoilers- it's never too late)

Winnipeg Jets

NCAA

University of Michigan

Luca Fantilli

missing you, quietly by @bitchinbarzal

- emotional torture in the best way possible. i re-read a concerning amount

i lost him by @hischierhaze

- made me cry- but in a good way

baby 101- name reveal by @hischierhaze

- it's dad!luca... yeah that's right, now that you have that cute thought in your head, you kinda have to go and read it

I tell you that I think im falling back in love with you by @writingonleaves

- this fic is sososo special to me for so many reasons- and I think you should totally read this fic to figure them out... just saying

opposites attract au by @dmercer91

this is a link to the head anons for the au- but please go read this sweet au. luca and landen are one of the sweetest pairings.

Nick Moldenhauer

sundays are for textiles by @drewsbuzzcut

- super cute read, and it's apart of an even cuter au

all american lace by @drewsbuzzcut

- also apart of that super cute nick au she has- but this part was not so cutesy (it was at the end). had me on the edge of my seat, and tears building in my eyes. the type of angst you physically feel- but with the type of ending that makes up for it (trust me, it does!)

Mark Estapa

icy roads by @nicohischierz

the simplest explanation i can offer is that this broke my heart- but i loved it anyway!

Boston College

Gabe Perreault

princess!gf x gabe perreault by @yankstrash

- these two are on my mind at least three times a week. i aspire to become amelia- aka find someone who is as down bad for me as gabe is for “his meels”

[in1-nutshell]

Its missing prime Lithia hours soooooo could you maybe write something where she's taken hostage or something? Maybe she has one of the kids with her as well and they both just gotta figure out how to get out meanwhile Ratchet feels he's both ready to shortcircuit and ready to kill literally any bot that comes in his way just to get his child back

I think I'll make a longer version of this in the future. The original stuff was way too long and all over the place.

Hope you enjoy!

Lithia and the kids get kidnapped

SFW, Platonic, Mention of injuries, Hinted Romance, Familial, Cybertonian reader

TFP

It had been a quiet couple of days since the arrival of Smokescreen and Ultra Magnus.

Almost peaceful if you didn’t count the skirmishes the team had every now and then.

Most of the team was out on patrol or on the latest mission.

Meanwhile, Ratchet and Lithia were at the base when they received a call from Bumblebee.

Bumblebee: “Beep bop boop bep bep… (Lithia I need you or Ratchet to go pick up the kids. Looks like a potential fight might happen any second now…)” Lithia: “Got it. Stay safe Bee.” Bumblebee: “Boop bep BEEEEEEPPPP!! (Oh please, I got—SMOKESCREEN WAIT FOR THE SIGNAL!)” CLICK! Lithia laughs quietly to herself before turning to her father. Lithia: “I’ll be back!” Ratchet without looking from his workplace: “Do you need a groundbrigde?” Lithia: “No thank you, I need to stretch my gears anyways.” Ratchet huffs a bit. Ratchet: “And remember to—" Lithia: “—Not get sidetracked. It happened one time.” Ratchet: “One time too many. Now off you go.” Lithia waves goodbye before transforming and driving out of the base.

The pickup was successful.

Sure, there were a few weird looks when the trio climbed inside, but they should just learn to mind their business.

Jack took the front seat while Miko and Raf sat in the back.

She listened to the kids talk about their day and internally smiled at Jack and Miko fighting for the right of the AUX chord.

Everything was okay.

… Then why did she feel like something was going to go terribly wrong.

Lithia moves her rear-view mirrors a bit and spots a groundbrigde opening in the sky. The kids noticed her speeding up. Jack: “Lithia, I know you want to get us back to the base and all, but you’re going 15 over the speed limit.” Predaking emerges out of the portal. The kids are suddenly pulled back by their seatbelts and Lithia speeding faster than they have ever seen her go. Raf: “Lithia?” Miko: “Hey what’s going on?!” Lithia: “We got a certain Predacon right on our tailpipe! Hang on!” The kids grip at the seatbelts. Lithia to her coms: “Ratchet I need a groundbrigde now!” Rachet: “What happened?” Lithia sees Predaking rapidly approaching and swerves around trying to keep him from trying to snatch her up. Lithia: “Ratchet I have an angry Predcon right on my tailpipe that came out of a groundbrigde in the sky! I think this counts for a---GGGAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!!” The Kids: “AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!” Predaking had dived down and snatched Lithia up. The kids narrowly avoid the talons piercing through. Ratchet: “Lithia!? Lithia what happened!?” CLICK! The signal and call had gone offline.

The last thing Ratchet heard was Lithia screaming in agony before the line and her signal went dead.

He swears his old spark stopped at that moment.

Optimus and the others soon get a panicky call from Ratchet about Lithia and the kids getting kidnapped.

Screw the previous mission, there is a new priority now.

Wheeljack and Optimus help Ratchet in trying to find Lithia’s signal.

Optimus was watching Ratchet like a hawk, seeing his servos shaking a bit.

They couldn’t track down the Nemesis straight away, Lithia had said that the Predacon had flown from a groundbrigde.

It didn’t automatically mean that she and the kids would end up on the ship.

Tensions were high in the base.

They did everything they could do, all they could do was wait.

Finally, they received a call from a frantic Raf.

Raf: “Hello!? Hello, is anyone there?!” Bee goes straight for the panel. Bumblebee: “Bop bep!? (Raf! Raf where are you guys! Is everyone okay!?)” Raf: “We are okay, but Lithia is fighting some Cons right now. She needs help!” Ratchet takes the panel: “Keep the line open and we’ll find you.” BANG! Lithia: “IS THAT ALL YOU GOT!?” Raf: “Hurry!”

As soon as the team had the coordinates it was time to move.

The rescue team was made up of Optimus, Ratchet, Bumblebee, and Arcee

They arrived at some rocky terrain littered with unconscious Vehicons.

Lithia, sporting several slash marks and scorch marks, was beating a Con with his own arm.

Those lessons with Arcee seemed to be working a little too well.

Speaking of which, Arcee and Optimus found the kids hiding behind a couple rock formations.

Lithia: “HEEEYAA!” The medic delivered the final punch knocking the Con out. Lithia was venting heavily as she tossed the arm aside. She then notices the team standing there and waves a bit. Lithia: “Hey…” She feels herself starting to fall forward. Ratchet and Bumblebee are the first ones to reach her before she falls to the ground. She doesn’t hear anything else as her vision turned dark. Lithia slowly wakes up to someone’s servo gently cupping the side of her face. Ratchet, in all his tired glory smiles down at her. Lithia: “Dad…” Ratchet: “Your safe now. All of you are safe.” Lithia lifts up her helm a bit to see the kids sleeping in the human area. They were safe. They were safe… She sighs in relief and leans back into her father’s servo. Ratchet: “…You did good Lithia… But don’t you ever do something like that again.” Lithia tries to laugh but winces. It was then she noticed something was wrapped around her servo. Looking down, a resting Bumblebee had his servo intertwined in hers. She ignored her frame heating up at the sight. Lithia: “How long…” Ratchet: “Since you were stable. So, about a couple of hours give or take. Now, rest, doctors’ orders, you can tell us what happened later.” Lithia gave one last smile to her father before slowly closing her optics and giving Bee’s servo a slight squeeze.

[noemilivv]

Heelloooo I am in need of husk fics 😔

Can you write one where the reader is one of the hellborn who happens to be the right hand and daughter figure of Fizz and Ozzie? Like she was sent to handle official business on Pride ring and happens to see this "Redemption" campaign from none other than the Princess of Hell whom she recalled was previously part of your circle when you were both younger.

So, she comes to the hotel unannounced and sees a familiar face (not charlie's) but Husks! As we know, Lust is a ring that legally allows demons to dwell with humans. When the reader was younger like 20s (I'm convinced Charlie and Lucifer are CENTURIES old- like the reader) she went up and met Husk when he was alive had this unfinished business as lovers. She wouldn't dare let him fall to hell and left him with her unanswered origins and surprise surprise Charlie and Lucifer was busy for a talk in his office and Husk was left to deal with the reader- and slowly had a talk over the bar about his runaway 'lover'.

All comes into place as he realizes who he was talking to. (Maybe angst to fluff?)

I'm so sorry if this is so long TT thanks for reading still!

ofcc ! here ya go, friend :)

i did have to take out some of the details becuz there’s a few loopholes so i hope that’s ok!!

Husk x Past Lover!Reader

Warnings: Swearing, not proofread

You were helping set up for a performance for your friend Fizz, as you went to go set up a nearby table, a poster that read ‘Redeem yourself here, at the Hazbin Hotel!’ caught your eye.

You made a mental note to look into that within the next few days.

You looked into it. Maybe this whole redemption thing is worth a shot, it’s better than having to deal with the exterminations every year.

You knocked on the door, and who you knew as Lucifer’s daughter answered moments after, eagerly.

“Hello!” She said with a massive grin on her face, as a shorter woman stood behind her.

“Hi — I saw this,” You started, showing her the poster, “While at work, and it peaked my interest, so I was wondering if I could drop in for awhile?” You asked with a soft smile.

“Ohhmigosh, of course!” She had, stepping aside to let you in.

“Welcome to the Hazbin Hotel! I’m Charlie, by the way — I didn’t catch your name?” She said.

“Oh, it’s (Y/N).” You answered.

“Oh, well nice to meet you, (Y/N)!” She grinned before beginning to introduce you to all the staff.

“This is Angel, and that’s Husk!”

You stopped for a moment. I mean, surely that’s not who you thought it was. You could swear that was your boyfriend from when you were alive.

You and Husk had dated back when you were alive, it didn’t end badly, a sort of ‘right person, wrong time’ deal.

He glanced over at you, squinting to see if it was really you, before going wide-eyed, then he turned back to Angel. Yep, that’s him.

Charlie looked down at her phone before looking at you, “I have some business to attend to with my father, I’ll be back momentarily to show you your room!” She said with a polite smile. “Thank you so much again, I hope you enjoy your stay!” She said before walking away.

You and Husk made eye contact, as he motioned to a secluded section of the hotel, you followed him down the hall.

“Is it really you?” He asked.

“Yeah, it’s me.”

You both mutually leaned in for a semi-awkward hug as friends?? Lovers?? Acquaintances?? Who knows now.

Husk pulled away, a paw still on your shoulder, “Look, I know it’s been a few years since we’ve seen eachother, but maybe it wouldn’t hurt to try again, we can go slow.. I’m in no rush for this shit.” He proposed with a dry chuckle. “How about a drink?”

“Yeah…” You said. “A drink sounds nice.”

[1moreff-creator]

Extra DRDT CH2 Episode 12 Thoughts

Heya! After making my last post where I just live-blogged my immediate reaction to the episode, I had a few more thoughts that I figured I should write down somewhere. They’re all too small for their own posts, but I still think they’re worth sharing.

Spoilers for CH2 EP12

CW: Murder, hanging, suicide.

The Water Thing

This episode brought up two interesting points which had rarely, if ever, been discussed within the fandom: Arei’s body swinging, and her body temperature and its connection to water. And while I’m relatively sure I saw one or two people mention the swinging at some point, the temperature issue is certainly a new one.

The swinging was explained in the trial: Arei’s body was hung shortly before it was found. But J says something interesting; the corpse should have been warm, unless it was drenched in water and dried. Paraphrasing a bit, but you get the point.

However, I actually don’t think this is a big deal, just adds a slight addendum to previous murder theories. We know the killer dumped the fish in the playground to confuse time of death, so I believe the killer likely splashed Arei with the water to cool her down. This is assuming they even thought about the body temperature, but I don’t think this is a large assumption to make.

I have seen people claim that Arei’s hair looks somewhat wet in the BDA, which… maybe? Anyways, this idea would explain that as well.

This might even give us Possible Explanation Number I Lost Count for the damn missing glove. Maybe it got particularly wet and the culprit worried it wouldn’t dry quickly enough? If people discovered a dripping wet bowling glove, the whole “using fish to confuse the time of death” thing would kinda go straight out the window. I have no idea if that makes any amount of sense, I don’t see why the glove would dry any slower than the rest of her clothes, but oh well.

Arturo’s Talent, and his Recap Foil: Levi

(Here’s the link to the original Recap Foil Theory post by gleamingtempest, in case you don’t know what I’m talking about).

Kinda forgot this was a thing when first watching the episode, but now looking back on it, there’s some neat foiling going on. Levi and Arturo’s backstory already were somewhat opposites in some aspects: Arturo got away from home himself while Levi was disowned, though Levi seems to hold a higher degree of respect for his family in comparison to Arturo. Levi is (now confirmed!) a murderer with no remorse, while Arturo accidentally caused Felicity’s death to some extent and clearly feels guilty about it. Etcetera.

Well, we can add a new detail to this foil! Arturo’s been training his talent since he was twelve, while Levi has admitted since introduction that he’s “a novice to fashion.” Neat detail, and certainly adds to this theory.

Terumin VS Xanvid

Thanks to Haru for pointing this out, but Teruko’s “I’ll fix my mistake” echoes Min’s “I’ll fix your mistake” from her Argument Armament. As I mentioned in the linked post, it’s cool that Teruko is taking a sort of Min-like attitude to her mistakes while calling Xander out, while David is taking Xander’s side in the same trial he calls Min pathetic. Foils and all that.

(Doomed Yuri V Doomed Yaoi, fight!)

This makes me hopeful that Min will still have some importance later. But I’m probably just coping.

What Was David Cooking?

I am kinda sick of talking about this man, frankly. I blame the almost three hour video I made on his MV. But oh well, he’ll stop being center focus soon enough. For now, His Deal is still one of the most central aspects of the episodes, so discuss him I will.

There are two big points of contention with what he said this trial. First, what does he remember about Xander? Second, what was he actually trying to do by pretending to be Arei’s murderer?

The first is pretty simple to assume, I think. David remembers whatever Xander did to become the Ultimate Rebel, and respects him as a result. Especially since Xander’s numeral I in LGI, the Footnote 14 code solved by y-prime, is “I have always looked up to you.”

I don’t think David has Hope’s Peak memories, despite his weird wording with “even if you all lost a year of memories.” He specifically says he and Xander had never met in his Prologue introduction, before they had any real reason to believe they’d lost memories. The LGI video also doesn’t add anything, because… well, it’s not a Milgram MV. It doesn’t come from his memories, it exists purely in meta. This is evident from the comments referencing Byakuya, Nagito and Kokichi, characters these people should have no knowledge of as Veronika claims not to remember anything like the DRDT killing game happening before; certain references to conversations and details David shouldn’t be aware of (mainly in numeral placement), etc.

(While I was writing that, the dev seemingly clarified that David does not have Hope’s Peak memories, then deleted the tweet, so. Just in case, there’s the full reasoning)

The second one is trickier. David is following Xander’s ideals, but that’s all we know. We don’t have a concrete idea of what Xander’s ideals really were, and it’s even harder to know what David thinks Xander’s ideals were.

David: I’m sure he had a good reason. I believe that he did. Xander is not the kind of person to do anything for frivolous purposes.

He believes Xander had a good reason for trying to kill Teruko, he says he’s sure of it, but he never implies to know exactly what the reason was. And if he doesn’t know the exact reason, he can’t for sure say what ideal Xander was upholding by doing what he did.

But, he knows what Xander was trying to do; kill everyone. Because if it was just Teruko, he wouldn’t have tried to mislead people with the CD thing. Although, Xander was following that one note that said to “kill Teruko Tawaki,” so it could potentially be targeted.

So, taking credit for Arei’s murder to try and kill everyone is because Xander tried to do something similar. But the deeper reason he gave, about the nature of the killing game, is it true?

(Apologies in advance for the particularly horrible collage. I am without a reliable computer atm)

David [Annoyed]: Ugh, fucking fine. You want an answer so badly? Any answer?

[Face covered] …

I…

[Sweating] Ah… We’re… in a television show, after all. That’s… what MonoTV said, right?

“Entertainment” is an ongoing show.

If Min successfully got away with the very first murder and escaped while we all died, isn’t that way less interesting for a TV show?

What’s the point of roping 14 other people into one murder, only to kill them all off immediately?

The killer is supposed to fail and get executed. We’re all supposed to catch the killer, again and again, and participate in trial after trail. You’re *supposed* to try to survive.

All of you, who are trying to slice these class trials to continue living on are playing straight into MonoTV’s hands.

[Confident] As if I’ll accept that.

I don’t care how low I’ll sink, or how despicable I’ll have to become. I’ll do anything to carry on Xander’s ideals by ending this killing game, even if it means that I have to dirty my hands.

Oh, this man is lying out his ass.

This is not an answer you hesitate over if it’s true. The words David is saying are neutral; the show is meant for entertainment, and it’s not entertaining if people die early. There’s no controversy there, no reason to be nervous. Especially since Eden’s already come to the same conclusion.

Veronika: You know, Eden once thought of an interesting plan to end the killing game. Based on everything we know, it could theoretically work.

[…]

To make a television show so boring they have no choice but to shut it down.

All we have to do is nothing.

You’re not supposed to be sweating when you’re effectively repeating something Eden said, even if under a different context.

First, David says he’ll give “any answer”, already making anything he says shady. Then, he seems to deliberate on what to say, which is already suspicious.

The most notable thing is that when he starts talking about the TV show, and what it means for it to be entertaining, he still hesitates. If his plan really was to make the TV show boring, once he decides to spill the beans, there’s nothing to hesitate about.

He only regains his confidence at the end, ironically when he’s saying the actually insane stuff. He finally finds the character he was trying to play and actually says something true; he wants to uphold Xander’s ideals and end the killing game. But I really don’t think it’s because he wants to make it boring.

In other words, he’s not lying about wanting to follow Xander and end the killing game, but his explanation about the entertainment has nothing to do with that. It’s way too simple of an explanation for the amount he hesitates. At least, that’s what I think, I may be wrong.

That brings us to the question; if he didn’t take the blame to make the game boring, why did he do it?

Well, currently and without too much confidence, I believe it has to do with Xander’s secondary goal; killing Teruko Tawaki.

One of the most well-accepted theories in the community is that David’s secret, “everything in your life is worth killing over [and] the killing game is all your fault,” isn’t Xander’s, but Teruko’s.

(In fact, side theory: I’m betting (on little evidence) that by the end of the trial, it will be David with his fanboy knowledge to point out that the “survivor’s guilt” secret that Min “received” was actually Xander’s, and reveal by process of elimination (since it’s likely going to be revealed in the trial that Hu has Veronika’s secret and Veronika has Hu’s, assuming those theories are true) that Min has the poison secret. It’s a bit of a wild prediction, but I think it’s a reasonable possibility to how the series would go about confirming the secrets of the dead)

That, combined with the fact that Xander followed a note that told him to kill Teruko, would certainly be enough for David to decide that Teruko’s gotta die. And killing everyone in the class trial is probably the best way to ensure that happens, since David probably doesn’t hunk attacking her directly is a good idea. If Xander, physically the strongest student in the cast, couldn’t get past Teruko’s luck, what the hell is David supposed to do? Especially now that she carries a knife, though I’m not sure David knows that.

It’s not even that out of nowhere; in the LGI video, Teruko’s numeral XIII appears next to a quote regarding the child of Omelas among other things. Very long story (skip to 1:22:22 in this video for the full explanation), but the child of Omelas is someone who must suffer so everyone else can live in a perfect world. It’s possible David thinks of Teruko, for one reason or another, as the Omelas child; she’s gotta die so everyone can be happy. She is someone “deeply unloved” after all.

Now, is this a stretch? Certainly. But I don’t think David’s telling the truth about his motivations, and I think this is one of the more likely options as to what exactly he was cooking here. I’m sure there’s better explanations out there, I just haven’t seen them :v

David VS Whit

I kinda skipped over the “Red Herring pun to David Freakout” line at first, but I think it’s pretty interesting that David gets so mad at Whit’s behavior. They are Recap Foils, so it makes sense they’d have strong emotions towards each other.

In particular, I’d like to point out how David gets mad at Whit for something similar to what he does as a motivational speaker.

I mentioned it in the previously mentioned section of my LGI analysis, but I believe part of the reason David hates Teruko is that he sees himself in her (pessimistic, thinks the world won’t change, etc), and this would be the other side of that. David constantly says things he doesn’t believe to make people happy, and he considers that to be pretty stupid, so it makes sense for him to get frustrated when seeing Whit doing something similar, trying to raise spirits by telling jokes. Looking at Whit is sorta like looking in a mirror, and David hates that. The mirror in LGI is labeled “reflection is due” for a reason.

I’m not fully sure this works 100%, but I think it’s at least worth considering.

Updates on Eden!Culprit Levi!Accomplice

In case you’re new here, here’s a link to my post detailing the Eden!Culprit Levi!Accomplice theory, which I came up with alongside some other theorists, and is what I currently believe the murder to be. My thoughts on possible character motivation and the such have shifted a bit since then, but the important part is the physical evidence. In particular, the combination of Lockdown Logic to determine Eden most likely took the tape from the gym and the Fish Timeline to determine someone else must have helped her get the fish, combined with the overly complicated murder method which I describe in detail, leads me to believe Eden is the blackened, and Levi helped her kill Arei.

I’m not going to talk about other theories, I’ll let the dedicated theorists perfect them with the new evidence in their own time. But, how does this theory change?

On the surface, uh, not much. We haven’t talked method much, after all.

(Side note, I know some people are bothered by how long that’s taking, and while I kinda get it, I’m not bothered by it. We’re in no rush; I prefer it if all the character conflict is addressed at some point, even if it delays talking about the actual method. Better than it going unaddressed, after all)

The only change is adding that they splashed Arei with water to hide her body temperature, but as discussed, that’s a minor change.

The big wrench thrown into this theory is the end, because… I’ll be honest, dear audience, I have no clue what Levi’s cooking here. Like, at all. Zero read on why he’s revealing his secret. I could try to speculate, but I can’t find any fully satisfactory answer even outside the Levi!Accomplice theory. Nothing makes sense to me, so I’ll just wait for the next episode before trying to read into it.

There is one unrelated thing I want to bring up, though, and it’s related to Levi’s possible motivation. I know this is one of the biggest sticking points in the theory (obviously), so I’d like to talk about it.

As a refresher: although alternate ideas have been offered, my current guess is that it has to do with his desire to be a good person, and the fact he considers Eden a good person. Cue the whole “A Good Person” hidden title behind “All That Glitters.”

Levi: Perhaps I messed up yesterday. But I want to move on. I want to keep trying to become ‘a good person,’ like you, Eden.

The idea goes like this. Levi thinks Eden is good, and so he wants to do good by her. Based on the secret quote in the code of his character page, we can tell he prefers to speak through actions. He’s a bold action man, and that can cause him to come off as heartless.

Levi: I always believed that a person is defined by their actions alone. But maybe that’s just a poor excuse for my heartlessness.

My personal theory (again, other Levi motives are possible) assumes that Levi believes someone will win the killing game eventually (and this is an assumption, I won’t deny it), and if only one persona can escape, he’d rather it be Eden than anyone else. Again, “good person.” Levi will die, sure, but unless he becomes a blackened himself, he’s going to die regardless whenever someone gets away with murder.

Now, this isn’t anything drastically different than what I said in the theory post, so why am I bringing it up?

Well, the thing is… Doing something horrible, throwing away your own life and those of most of your peers, all for the sake of the one you’ve deemed to be “a good person”…

Now where have I heard that before?

David: But doing “good” things requires sacrifice. Sometimes that sacrifice is being seen as a good person.

Even if doing something makes you hated, if that action is for a greater good, then it’s an action you have to take.

Xander is a good person. He’s the only good person I’ve ever known. I swear, I’ll follow in his footsteps and—

Huh. Funny how that works.

My point is that not only is “doing good by the only good person here” now a pre-established line of reasoning these characters can have, Levi doing such a thing for Eden would be a very interesting parallel to what David tried to do for Xander.

This isn’t evidence, to be clear. Just because one guy does it, doesn’t mean a completely unrelated dude is gonna do it too. But I’m calling it now as a potentially interesting parallel to explore, either in canon if I’m right or, like, an AU if I’m wrong :v

That said, I will point out that Hu’s capital G Girlboss Moment is directly after this, the one where she chews David out for deciding what’s best for all of them without consultation. And a little bit afterwards, Levi starts acting weird, apologizing for being useless, revealing his secret, etc. These two things could be connected, if Levi is, like, having second thoughts after that.

I could see a world where Levi’s trying to bring the conversation towards the right answer without fully committing to it, only for something or someone to somehow convince him back to accomplice-hood middway through it. I find that immensely unlikely, to be clear, but again, I genuinely have no idea what Levi’s trying to do right now, so.

All in all, a pretty neutral episode for this theory. Next one could completely break it, though, so I’m excited. I might have to come up with new theories! >:D

God I missed DRDT. And the only drawback of coming back is re-opening LGI trauma :D /silly

Anyways, thanks for reading! See you on the flipside!

[karmashameleon]

Incoherents.

Incoherents is a P2U google doc template. The appearance is similar to that of an arcade game, or a VHS tape, or both, or neither. You make it work however you want.

Ever wanted to finally write your game dev original character, or the geek, or the game character itself, or maybe some existing character over there? Well, me too, and now we both ran out of excuses! Seriously, stop making excuses. The design is very human, pretty simple and pretty easy to edit as well. Some things to consider about this template are:

- It’s semi-mobile friendly. You might be asking yourself, why not completely mobile friendly or completely not mobile friendly? Because no one stops me from tagging this one as such. 96,817362% of this doc has been scientifically proven to be able to be edited from the comfort of your phone, whereas the -checks notes- 3.182638% has been done with drawings. That is, the quotes. What could be done about them? You can edit, replace or delete them so they don't stand in your way anymore.

- Feel like moving, editing, duplicating or deleting pages? Hey, once it's yours I have been informed that I’m not legally allowed to stop you from doing so yet. So, you go on and do as you please. Just don't claim it as yours or delete the credits because that’d be so mean.

★ What does it contain? 6 pages, that's right. Not 5, not 7; 6 pages:

1. The introduction. You can only put a quote and the name of the character here. Unless you want to add something else, you do you.

2. Profile, or personality. Here you write the basic details about your character plus the personality. Besides, you can add a pretty picture.

3. Profile 2 or appearance. Feel free to add five more pictures and a description of the appearance. Besides, there's a space for abilities, and some free space to add more abilities, spells, species's details, things the character carries around, etc.

4. Backstory. You will never guess what you can write here.

5. Backstory 2. My wild guess is that you can continue writing whatever you were writing before. Delete or multiply as needed.

6. Extra. Here you’ll find a space for five connections and six free spaces for whatever you may be needing. You add more spaces for connections if you need, or merge the cells and make a space to write things such as an introductory scene. Whatever you want.

Wonder where the name and quotes are from? No? Well, I’ll tell you anyway: “Incoherents” by Közi.

The pixel art is of my doing. I tricked myself out of a hiatus from drawing for that, you see, the brain works in mysterious ways.

Have fun!

[boundbyeclipse]

Hii, I just want to start off by saying that your writing is absolutely amazinggg seriously! And I’ve now seen that you uploaded a prompt list so I was wondering if you could do prompt 5 from angst, and specifically maybe if it would work out Kai saying that to reader because she’s an original vampire? You don’t have to do that of course it’s just an idea and then maybe if it would be possible to combine that with prompt 2 from smut?

Anyway i just want to say again that your writing is amazing anddd im so happy that you write for Kai cause we really need more Kai fanfics out here

hello, darling! ♡ i cannot describe how grateful i am hearing such words, it’s exactly what keeps me going! and yes, we do need more fics with kai on here, i totally agree with you. glad to be one of those who can give people what they want! feel free to request, leave feedback, give ideas or just ask anything in general ♡ + i decided to portray kai simply as a powerful witch in this fic, no bad background, no murders, no sociopathic behavior. will this make any sense? i don’t know. anyways, i hope that you like it ♡

tags : witch!Kai, female!reader, original vampire!reader, Kai with a lingerie kink, a little fight, hickeys, oral sex, make up sex (?), Klaus and Rebekah mentioned

♠️ 5. “Why would I help someone like you?”

⛓️ 2. “I like it when you say my name like that”

“So, what are you here for?” Kai asked as he tilted his head sideways, standing across the room.

“I need your help”

Ever since your brother has gone missing, you have been nothing but desperate to find him. You’ve searched for ways to know where he is, and there was nobody who could help you track him down. Not a single witch wanted any business with the Mikaelsons knowing their past behaviors and stubborness. Every time you pleaded for help, they would turn you down and leave you with no other choice but to keep trying. And as much as you had no good of a relationship with people in Mystic Falls, this was your last chance. Your only hope was no other than Kai Parker.

The man who you once had a romance blooming with.

“Seriously? Why would I help someone like you? You and your family left Mystic Falls without saying goodbye, know how much that hurt me? You left me. I thought we really had something. You Mikaelsons are all about leaving things and people behind just for your own sake”

You shook your head as you took a few steps closer to him, gulping as regret began washing over you.

“It’s just because my family wouldn’t let me. I wanted to, Kai, I really did. But I was forced to leave and I had no time to come and say my goodbyes. And I’m sorry for that, okay? I’m really, really sorry. I know it’s plain stupidity of me to show up like this out of the blue, but I really need you to help me”

“And of all those witches in New Orleans, you chose me? Is it because you wanted to see me again? Or is it because you think that I’ll help you since I’m the only one who cares?”

Tears welled up in your eyes when Kai said the very last sentence. Does he still care? Even after your unnanounced disappearance? Maybe there’s still a little spark in his heart just like there is one in yours. There has to be. It’s in his eyes. You can see it. Yes, you’ve managed to adapt to a new location, new life, but no matter what you did, Kai never left your mind. He was always there.

“Probably both, if I’m honest. Don’t lie to me now, Kai, admit that you actually do still care. Admit that we still have something”

Silence stands in between you both as Kai avoids to give you an answer. It’s almost crystal clear that there are feelings lingering between you both, even after all this time of not seeing each other. The connection, the way your hearts beat in sync, the way you look at one another. It gives it all away. Love has never left your poor souls.

“Fine. What do you want me to do?” he finally breaks the silence, drawing your attention back to him as you were lost in your thoughts.

“It’s my brother. Klaus. I need you to do a locator spell on him. He’s been gone and no one wanted to help me. Someone must’ve taken him and imprisoned him”

Kai walked up to the table and grabbed a map, unfolding it and placing it down. He lit up a few candles and put them on the sides. He shot you a look, from which you understood that he needed a personal item or anything with your brother’s DNA on it.

“Oh, right. Here” you came up to him and handed an old ring of Klaus’s that he used to wear a lot.

“I’m gonna need to draw some blood from you since you two are related. Just a little bit. Shall I?”

You nod and watch as Kai grabs a knife, then taking your hand in his gently. Your eyes meet at that moment, the skinship creating a pretty much awkward atmosphere in the room. Kai clears his throat while you look away for a few seconds, knowing deep inside your heart that you have missed this so much. It was so nice to feel his skin again since the last time you saw him. It brought back many memories and it hurt. You really wanted things to be good again. You wanted Kai back.

He cut your palm and you squeezed it into a fist, allowing drops of blood to drip onto the map below.

“Give me your hand now”

You gave him your other hand to hold as Kai began to chant a spell to find Klaus. The small drops of blood began moving to connect into a big one, leading to the location of your brother.

“He’s in New York” you sighed in relief, letting go of Kai’s hand as he revealed the location. You could only nod before speaking.

“Thank you” a faint whisper could be heard.

As you stood up from your seat ready to leave, you heard a low, full of desperation voice that called out your name. You froze in place, feeling the way every muscle in your body tensed up once your eyes met.

“Wait” he says, voice shaky and husky, eyes glossy and wide open as he stands in front of you, his quickened heartbeat reaching your ears. He was nervous.

“I admit it. I admit that I still care. And I really was angry that evening when you left, I really was. I tried to move on, had other girls hit on me, but it never worked out. Not in their favor. Because it was you who occupied my mind day and night, I couldn’t let any other woman get to know me because I always held on and waited for you. I was even willing to wait for however long I should. I’m sorry, ____, I shouldn’t have lashed out like that”

You let out a choked sob, running over to Kai and pressing your lips against his, indulging yourself into a passionate kiss. You then pulled away, lips parted as you looked into Kai’s blue eyes, his pupils dilated. The tension was growing with each second that passed.

He did not hesitate and pulled you into another kiss - this time, a deeper, lustful one. His strong hands held your hips firmly, constantly pulling them against his own body, soon finding their way to the back of your thighs. You felt his fingertips digging into your soft skin, leaving you breathless and craving for something more. You pushed him against the wall, ripping his shirt open, buttons flying everywhere on the floor. Kai let out a little moan as your lips kissed on his neck, leaving wet traces on it. He grabbed you by the waist and fumbled with the hem of your shirt, pulling it up to take it off. He attacked your exposed chest with bites, sucking on it lightly as he left marks here and there.

“Kai” you moaned out loud, head thrown back.

“I like it when you say my name like that”

It felt so ecstatic to feel him again. You have almost forgotten how soft his skin was, how much his touch brought you to your knees, how beautiful he sounded whenever you kissed his neck. But tonight, everything came back to you.

Soon you both were left nearly naked, clothes scattered all over the room as you were on top of him in his bed. Your nails left scratches on his stomach as you kissed down his v-line, listening to Kai’s breath hitch in reaction to the sensation. You smirked against his flesh, enjoying the little whimpers of his. Your hands then played with his rock hard length, stroking it agonisingly slowly in order to tease.

Your dominance was short lived as Kai sat up and flipped you around, now hovering above you, his fingers digging under your panties to rub circles on your wet clit.

“Oh my god” you wailed, arching your back and gripping on the mattress.

But then, to your surprise, your phone that you left on the drawer in the room started ringing. It stopped Kai from doing what he was doing, but quickly enough his lips curved into a smirk. He leaves you lying on the bed for a brief moment, grabbing the phone and bringing it to you. The person’s name showed up on the screen and your eyes widened.

“Pick up” he challenges you as he hands you the device, hovering above you and continuing to tease you with his hands.

“Kai-“

“Come on. Pick it up” his eyes darken and you’re left with no other option but to oblige. You grab your phone breathless, watching as Kai lays down and positions himself in between your legs, kissing your pulsating core through the fabric.

You gulp as you swipe right to answer the call.

“Rebekah” you say, trying your best to not sound suspicious. It’s hard to do so once Kai pulls your panties aside and dives in, using his tongue to please you. He licks a stripe up your folds, causing you to bite your lip to suppress the moans that were fighting to slip out.

“Did you find Klaus?”

“Y-yeah, we found him. He’s in New York” you spoke with a pretty shaky voice, fearing that she’s going to catch on and embarrass you right here right now.

“Are you alright? What’s going on?” she asks.

Damn it.

“Yes, I’m okay. Just- Just head there, I’ll join soon”

Rebekah sighed, “Okay. I’ll leave you to your fun then”

You quickly hang up and Kai giggles against your cunt, to which you can only respond with a huff. But your mind is taken back to where it was when Kai sits up and aligns himself with your entrance, his tip brushing against it. You choke on your breath, looking at him with pleading eyes.

“Stop teasing, please”

“I will. Because I cannot hold it any longer either” he groans as he pushes himself into you, making your mouth open wide as you gasp. Kai leans in and kisses you, moving his hips back and forth as he grabbed your hands and placed them above your head, intertwining the fingers. He wasted no time in picking up the pace, the bed now creaking and bodies layered in a coat of sweat.

It did not take long before you both felt your climaxes coming. Kai sat up and pulled you in, now holding your body close to his as you worked your hips back and forth, your faces so close your lips brushed against each other’s. You buried your fingers in his hair, tugging on it lightly while Kai took a good squeeze on your ass.

Both of you had your heads thrown back once you reached your ends, fireworks exploding in your bodies. He held you tightly throughout your orgasm, then planting a kiss on your forehead as loud breaths filled the room.

“I so wish I could stay” you confessed, caressing his cheek as you two now stood near the bedroom door.

“You don’t have to. I’ll come with you”

“What?” your eyes widened, thinking you might’ve misheard him.

“You heard me, angel. Now let’s take a shower and go help Rebekah to get your brother back, alright?”

You nodded, pecking his warm lips as you followed him down the hall to the bathroom.

[jenchan-writingmultis]

HeLLOOO BBG🫴🏻🌹(Sorry if this cringe)

I have a rq about twst, maybe it's a little dark or you're uncomfortable with it, but I'll leave it here in case you like it.

The idea came to my mind about what if yuu died in her(or you can make it gn yuu) original world and revived in twst world That's why the mirror couldn't bring her back to her world... Note:-I have a hc that yuu are not from our world and this explains why she does not recognize Disney villains

Multo (Ghost)

≿━━━━༺❀༻━━━━≾

A/n: hey! So sorry it took me awhile to write this (not awhile this request was last year, i took a LONG time) i hope you don’t mind my obvious crush on Ace that’s why he's getting special treatment. I hope you like it! 

Warning: Slight Cussing/ YOU centered 

Pairing: One sided Ace x Yuu & One sided Malleus x Yuu

Genre: Hurt/Comfort/Hurt ending? 

Word count: 4,945 Masterlist

≿━━━━༺❀༻━━━━≾ “This soul… does not belong to any world.”

The gasps that you heard throughout the room, made you feel an ache inside, what did the mirror mean when they said that? Was it true that you did not belong to any world? 

If so… does that mean you don’t belong to this world? The world that you started calling yours? Are your friends just temporary? Are all of these temporary? 

So many questions yet not one of them has an answer. The more you know of this world the more questions you start to articulate that it’s starting to ruin your day for the past few weeks lately. There lies Grim, your companion who never questioned where you truly came from, you two became friends due to the fact that you both didn’t have anywhere to go back to, that is why you started finding comfort in each other.

You touched the fluff on his head, giving him a rub making him squirm from the unwarranted affection. “Paws off henchman…” he mutters, making you take your hand off. Taking the draped blanket off, you grabbed your phone and went downstairs. You walked outside, opening the door and seeing a familiar face or rather his horns, admiring the gargoyles from outside Ramshackle gates.

“Tsunotaro” You mutter, when Malleus’ attention to the gargoyles went to you, a smile crept to his face. “Human” he greets you, who was walking towards him and opening the gates. “I apologize for intruding”

“No need” you mutter as he goes inside. “You didn’t wake me up, plus you were outside of the property” Malleus looks at your expression, noticing that you got exhaustion written all over your face. “Have you been sleeping well Human?” he asked, touching your cheek, you unconsciously nuzzled into it, making Malleus hand twitch a bit. “I guess” you reply shortly, you stare at the new outside table you bought with your hard-earned money. “Do you wanna stay for a while? Coffee perhaps?” you offered making Malleus nod. “Is there something bothering you?” he has been curious as to what is making you stay up so late wondering of.

“We can talk about it with a cup of coffee” you chirped, making Malleus chuckle at the little happiness that a drink would elicit from you. “Alright, I’ll be waiting for you here then” he states, looking at the simple yet elegant table, he decides to add a bit of touch for it when you go inside to make the said coffee. He added a few things such as linens and a napkin ring. 

When you went back, you were shocked to see the table set up with candles, it almost seemed like you’re in a fancy restaurant date, and unfortunately for you. You got some cheap cups from the store nearby.

“Tsunotaro..” you said sheepishly, placing the drinks down to each side. “You’re making my poor cups look depressing” you tease, making him laugh. “There’s nothing wrong with cute cups, i rather find them endearing” he stares at the cups before grabbing his and taking a drink on it while you go sit down.

“So” he starts, letting the dark coffee subside in his throat. “What has gotten you so weary, Human?” Malleus looks at you with worry, you tap the cup with your fingers timidly. “I don’t know where to start.” you stated honestly, you really didn’t know where to start, after Idia’s overblot, it became apparent to you that you did serve some kind of purpose here, but you’re unsure what reward you would get from facing such dangerous events, especially when you rely on your companions to keep you safe.

Was it even alright to think about such a thing? You’re saving your classmates, and befriending them, even their overblots are a problem to them and you’re the only one to save them, so you didn’t have a choice, but at the same time, was it selfish to think of gaining a reward? 

“Is this about a way to go back home?” the sudden statement jolted you out of your trance, you looked at him, surprised that he even had a clue what you were thinking. “No- well, yes” you sighed in defeat, “After God knows how many overblots came. I’m not even sure if Crowley’s trying his best to even find me a way back home” Malleus’ position changed, his hands placed together as he puts his chin on it, as if he’s urging you to continue.

This helped with unleashing a few bad emotions from your side, making you tell your grievances about how things have been so shit, you did have fun, yes but the fact that Crowley’s little research on how to get you back is not making any progress, or at least you hoped that it was even just a little. 

Malleus kept quiet, just staring at you with a pitied look, it made you stop ranting as you wiped your tears, which you never noticed accumulated. “Tsunotaro,” you mutter, looking down. “Please stop staring at me like that, it makes me feel pathetic” “I apologize I wasn’t looking at you with pity” he backtracks, “I understand your situation, I do have a question” he adds, placing his hands on the table.  You decided to nod, letting him continue.

“Is it possible that you might be” Malleus looked like he was trying to formulate the question in a different way “dead?”

“Dead?”  ≿━━━

After your late-night coffee with Malleus, it made you question if you were deceased in your previous world, he did have a point, it made you upset, making you stand up fast, the chair scraping on the soil. “If I were dead then Crowley should have told me!” you protest, making Malleus panic a bit. “Human, I didn’t mean to make you upset” “Then what were you implying?!” you burst out, you didn’t know what to make of whatever nonsense Malleus was spouting, “It is just a hypothesis, since the mirror did tell you, your soul belong to any world, it would mean that your physical body might be diminished into a state that it became unlivable” he quickly explained, but your emotions were too unstable to put that thought into the table of your multiple hypotheses. 

“Maybe you should go” you mutter, making Malleus frown, he stood up, looking defeated. “We can talk about this in the morning,”  he states. You almost didn’t hear it if it weren’t so silent at night. “I’ll try, I just can’t right now, Malleus” you pinch the bridge of your nose, as Malleus hands over his cup, you grab it, thanking him. The moment he left, you just stood there, in the coldness of the night, staring at the gate where you saw Malleus. 

Now here you are, inside  Ramshackle, cleaning the cups before deciding to go back to bed, or you try to. The coffee and what he told you stays, occupying your mind. 

If it's true, Crowley would have known and told you, then you would have gotten the time to grieve about your lost world, even if you didn’t remember bits of it. But now you’re yearning more to find your homeland again, which you might have lost because you might be dead. 

“Fuck” you place your wrists on your temples, a headache already starting to accumulate all over your head.

The next day, you were awoken by Grim, who whined about how hungry he was. “Hurry up henchman!” he glares at you, pawing your lip which made you kiss his cute paws all over, making him turn flustered and pull his paws away from your violating lips. “What in the world!?” You had a grin as you ruffle his fur. “Alright, I’ll get you some tuna” you stood up, stretching your body, your phone chimed, it was a weekend, so who could be chatting with you aside from your friends?

You opened the message and realized that it was just Ace.

“Hey, wanna go get some ice cream?” he chatted, making you hum in thought, you could use some fresh air, maybe that’ll organize your thoughts. You trusted Ace too, so maybe he can provide insight to your situation even if sometimes he’s at the same brain wavelength as Deuce.

“Grim” you turned to your companion. “Do you wanna go out and eat ice cream with Ace?”

Grim stared at you dumbfoundedly, crossing his fluffy arms, he huffed “No, I don’t wanna go outside you see how hot it is!?” you didn’t realize it was a poor attempt to create a blatant lie on Grim’s side, he didn’t even realize how dense his henchman is. 

“You usually don’t turn down ice cream” You teasingly place the backside of your hand on his forehead, acting like you’re checking on his temperature, making Grim grumble and push your hand away. “Just go with Ace! I don't wanna see his stinky self!” 

“Alright alright” you giggle, of course, before leaving you already prepared Grim’s tuna, and water. “There” you said, giving Grim’s forehead a kiss, which he didn’t mind, he’s a little too busy munching all the food you prepared. 

When you got your outfit ready, you grabbed your usual bag, not really having anything but that, you bid farewell to the ghosts and Grim. 

Ace taps his foot impatiently, waiting for you from outside of the gate, the moment you went out, he looked rather huffy. “There you are, took ya long enough” he grumbled, making you apologize sheepishly. “You chatted so suddenly, i was about to spend my weekends bedrotting” you said as you two started walking out of the school premises. “Too bad I ruined your plans didn't i?” he grins. 

Ace. Maybe one of the guys that actually made you feel at home in this place; he’s been with you throughout the whole overblot fiasco alongside Deuce. He became one of the guys that you’ve started caring about more than the others, the way he was always by your side and alleviating your worries, it was like a walk in the park the way he, deuce and grim always got your back.

“What’s the special occasion anyways?” you glanced at him, impressive, you did know that Vil advocated that Ace had a bit of a fashion taste like him but you didn’t think he’d use that on a random saturday. It was just going out to get some Ice cream and you kind of feel underdressed, only using your uniform from school because there’s barely any casual outfits you can use that you feel comfortable in.

“Oh” Ace goes silent before scratching the back of his head and walking towards ice cream parlor nearby. “It’s weekends!” he chirps, obviously dodging the question with a falsified answer. “And it's summer, who doesn’t want ice cream in this heat” he casually grabbed your hand pulling you towards the shop. 

“What- then what’s with the outfit!?” you questioned again but he was already happily chatting to the vendor about the ice cream, you stared at his hand, giving it a little squeeze, which you noticed ace stiffening a bit, and… his ears turning red?

The moment you got your desired ice cream, You and Ace sat down, where the Rivershore was seen, the sun was all time high and the breeze was warm but not too warm to warrant you to start sweating.

“I heard from Grim that you went outside during midnight and didn’t come back till 3 am?” he broke the comforting silence, as you take a lick on your ice cream you glance back at him. “Well, i couldn’t sleep” you simply stated. “Yeah, that’s obvious with those massive eyebags dude,” he points with the spoon he’s using, worry etched on his face. “What’s wrong? You know you can tell me anything” You think it’s a bit too early to start with the topics that’s bothering you, but with the way Ace was staring you can’t help but sigh. “It’s… about my hometown” you murmur, but at the same time, what hometown? Do you even belong anywhere? Ace noticed that you looked uncomfortable, so he stopped pushing the topic. “You can tell me later” he relaxes on his seat. “Let’s enjoy the scenery for a while”

You nod, as the topic swiftly changes, and you two end up just chit chatting about school, Crowley and the latest gossip in Magicam, how Vil recently got into a relationship with a student within Night Raven College. Ace didn’t just take you to the ice cream shop, there was a nearby film festival where you can watch movies from different countries. As the projector plays the movie continuously, Ace drapes a blanket on the ground. “Whoa” you laugh, “What’s this about? You anticipated we’d watch the movie?”

“No, of course not” he sarcastically replies, grinning at you. “I just so happen to have perfectly good blankets to watch films outside here” that sarcastic comment earned him a punch on the arm, which he yelps and rub the sore spot, pouting a bit. “So violent”

“Why aren’t the others invited then?” you asked, placing the food you two ordered on the draped blanket and sitting on the side while Ace goes to sit on the other.

 “They said they’re busy right now” he simply explains, it was vague. “... okay, i totally believe that” you sneer, crossing your arms as you look up to watch the movie, while you focus on the contents of the movie, Ace takes small glances at you, eating a few berries while doing so.  Your hands close to each other… he really wants to hold your hand.

As the movie progressed, you realized the plot of the story, a magicless human, forced down to face 7 demon brothers who take advantage of the fact that they were forced into a contract by a demon King. It… it was oddly similar to your situation. 

“Hey-”

“Ace” The word slipped from your lips, unbidden, sharp and aching. Pain carved itself into your features before you could hide it, and that was all it took—he went quiet, the rest of his sentence dying in his throat. “Yeah?” he mutters, looking a bit nervous.

“Do you think I can still go back home?” 

That question caught Ace off guard, he honestly thought you got so content staying in Twisted wonderland that he never had the thought of you yearning to go home, at least not yet, but that expression of yours, the way your lips quiver and your eyes looking glassy, have you been feeling homesick?

“I-” he breaks eye contact “Of course, I know you can” “Please look at me when you say that” you held the back of his hand, giving it a squeeze to gain his attention back. “Do you think I’ll go back to my home?” Ace simply stares at you for a few seconds, which broke your heart, your head lowering in defeat, he noticed his hands being drenched by your tears, so he steeled himself, placing his hand on your cheek, wiping your tears away and making you look into his eyes.

For once, his eyes were filled with softness, an unusual look from the man. “Hey, chin up” he mutters, as you sniffle, closing one of your eyes to help him wipe your tears away better. “I’ll make sure we’ll find your home, I know you can go home” he mutters comfortingly

“I’ll make sure you do, who do you take me for?” he jokes lightly, making you laugh despite the sting of your tears.  When you relaxed, you pulled away from him, but when you tried to pull your hand away as well, he kept it firmly held. “Don’t, I rather have you feel my comfort than be 90 feet away from me” he mutters, making you glance at him “Stop acting like we’re not close” he jokes, smiling slightly “like I’m not your best friend”

“You’re silly” you laugh relaxing at his hold, “so, what was that about?” he questioned, going closer to you, you didn't mind though, leaning to his shoulder, you needed the comfort of another, he didn’t mind, letting you rest yourself after the outburst.

Your lips turn into a thin line as you start to explain from the time the mirror first stated that you belonged nowhere, about Crowley's lack of updates on how you’d go home, and the late night talk you had with Malleus, the suspicion that you might have been dead and revived here.

During the whole time, Ace listened, he intertwined his fingers with yours, letting you know that he was still with you even if you talked for hours. 

When you were done, his expression didn’t change, he just looked neutral, he hit your head gently, making you yelp out in surprise. 

“You’ve been feeling this way, and you didn’t think once to tell me, or Deuce?” he looked upset, as you rub your sore spot. “It was just a stupid idea-” “So what? It bothers you right?” he pinches your cheek. “Well! It does but-” “Then if it bothers you, tell us!” he scolds you, making you roll your eyes but the unconscious smile you had betrayed your pouty expression. 

“Alright! Alright!” you gave up, raising both hands defeatedly, “I’m sorry I never told you, that’s my fault” “Damn straight” he goes to grab an orange. “You want?” The random question of an orange caught you off guard, but you said yes anyways. While he’s peeling the orange,  he looks at the ending of the movie, where the human was able to go back to the human world, only to feel empty when the demon brothers weren’t around for them to talk to them.

He wonders if you’d feel the same, once you go back, would you miss him? Miss everyone in this world? finishing the peel, he hands over half of the orange to you. “Just so you know, I’d peel an orange for you” that was random, but you know about the orange theory or whatnot, speaking about if a man would do simple tasks for you.

But isn’t that usually reserved for lovers? 

Nonetheless, you went to eat half of the orange, “what’s this about?” “It means, I’m with you on this one” he murmurs, taking a bite. “Let’s confront Crowley about it, he’s the only one who has answers on your situation, y’know?” 

Ace’s intended purpose for the hangout didn’t go as planned, but that’s alright. He finally found out what’s been conflicting you for months now, what made you gain heavy eyebags, sleepless nights where you lied to them and blamed it on academics. Like hell he’d believe that. 

While he’s fixing up the blanket, with you discarding the trash away, one sudden thought made him freeze.

If you succeeded, does that mean he’ll never be able to see you again? 

He glanced at you going to the trash bin, thinking hard whether the oranges belonged in the yellow bin or the green bin. His heart ached.

The thought rooted itself in his chest, sharp and steady: What if this is it? What if he has to carry the sound of your laugh like a memory that fades over time? What if you go on, and he stays here—hands full of what-could’ve-beens?

He shook his head, his grip on the blanket was awfully tight, shoving it inside his bag, he forced himself to look neutral, or at least happy for you, when you came back.

Even if he doesn’t see you again, as long as he doesn’t see that painful desperation in your face again, he can be at peace. He WILL be at peace with that fact, even if he doesn’t see you again, even if your absence burns through his heart. 

“Ace?” he snapped out of his trance, realizing he’s been staring at you blankly. “Did you finally fall in love with me?” “Wha-!?” The random jab got him more flustered than usual, he shoved a hand to your face pushing you away, making you laugh. “No way! Over my dead body!” “Guess you’ll have to die then!” “You!” 

The day ended quite quickly, being around Ace helped you forget about what's always been sitting on the back of your mind. Now, you two were returning to Night Raven College, just bantering as usual. Yet, the moment you reach Ramshackle, his jokes went quiet when he realized who was sitting down at the table underneath the tree.

You looked over him to see both Crowley and Malleus sitting down having a chat, seemingly waiting for you.  

“Tsunotaro?” you whisper. Ace looked rather tense, “You want me to leave, or?” he suggested, not really knowing what to do in that situation. Was he part of the problem now or is he still in the dark? 

He noticed how conflicted you look, so he decided for himself. “I’ll come support you, whatever Crowley pulls out of his ass as an excuse, we’ll face it together” “Human,” Malleus greets, realizing that Ace came with you. “And Trappola.”

“Sup” he nods at Malleus before looking back at Crowley, who didn’t even say anything, expression kept neutral. “I heard from Malleus, you wanted updates on my search about your hometown.” it wasn’t even a question, it was a statement, you felt a bit bad, not making eye contact with him. “It’s because you haven’t updated me at all.” Malleus tapped his fingers before placing it around the teacup and brings it to his mouth to drink. “It does raise a question,” he mutters, looking at Crowley. “They have been taking care of overblot after overblot.” The tension seemed to arise between Crowley and Malleus, who doesnt back down despite the fact that he’s talking rather coldly to the principal. 

“Yet, you never once gave them pension for it. The funds you give are lacking for a proper renovation of Ramshackle, in which the prefect’s hard-earned money was instead used to properly accommodate them. Such is your… benevolence” 

“So, how does their labour equate to just you simply telling them words of comfort without any proof of advancement to your project? Sir Crowley?” Oof.

Malleus did not hold back, even Ace was sweating with the tension. Crowley hasn’t spoken since that first statement, yet Malleus has already dropped multiple bombs. In which he wasn’t wrong at all, entirely. 

Crowley glances back at you, who stiffened at the stare, before you could utter a word in, Crowley bowed to you. “There’s a reason why I took a while” He crosses his arms, pressing his hand on his chin, his talon like rings glinting underneath the moonlight. “Spit it out already, you’ve done enough damage on their mental health” Ace rolled his eyes, chiming in with a rather unruly mark. “Both of you calm down, I have a good reason” he raises his hands in defeat. 

“How about we go to the mirror once more?” He suggested, which annoyed both Malleus and Ace. “The mirror already stated that they belong nowhere from the start, what else are you looking for?”

“They’ve been here for a while, yes?” You didn’t understand where Crowley was getting to. 

“That means there must be an influence of magic to stain the soul of the prefect.” 

“...what?” So, there you were, with your friends. Ace, Malleus, and Crowley. His theory was your soul was untainted, being cleaned through your journey to their world, meaning that it was removed of any impurities which was your memories, that’s why you do not recall anything. 

Crowley did somewhat try to find book after book of how to send a magicless human back, but alas he didn’t want to tell you because they’re all more of a “theory” rather than a conclusion.

It irritated you.

If he truly was finding a means to the end, why did he not include your involvement in this? Why did he have to leave you in the dark?

So, now there you are, once again, where you first started. You felt bad leaving Grim alone all day, it’s almost 12 am… has he eaten at all? He hates getting hungry.

His paws can’t open tuna on his own, you worry. 

“If this theory is correct, the mirror can point out where you live” Crowley states, backing away from you and ordering the other two to do the same so the mirror doesn’t get confused with who it should be reading.

As the mirror burns green upon your call, it shows a white mask, opening its eyes and saying the usual words you heard during coronation.

“You, whose image the dark mirror did beckon forth.”

Unlike before, the mirror seemed to acknowledge you, finally, you are a soul with a written origin. 

The mirror continues, “Whose soul was severed from its origin—lost to the silence between life and death”

“You are here, yes. But not as you were” 

The place you once belonged to no longer remembers your name.

And the place you now walk…

“It does not know if you are guest or ghost” 

The moment the mirror said that your heart froze, it slowly vanished as you stare into a black mirror, seeing your horrified expression, your knees going weak, making Ace catch you before you fell. “Prefect!” he called out, with you placing your hand on his arm, you give it a squeeze to show that you were okay.

Crowley closed his eyes, leaning on the wall, he sighs, “I had a feeling from the start” 

“From the start?!” you spat out, glaring at him as tears accumulate in your eyes, “What do you even mean Crowley?!” You stood up with the help of Ace, Crowley looked indifferent, he looked cruel.

“You lied to me from the start, and you expect me to forgive you for this?!” “I didn’t” he states, looking away, “I really tried my best to go around, to find clues about your peculiar predicament.” “It wasn’t enough” Malleus finally spoke out  “you blatantly didn’t do enough, while they had to  take care of overblots you knew that even high ranked magicians can’t handle, yet you let a magicless human do your dirty work.” “I never asked them to do such, I’ve only let them take care of  cleaning” Crowley pinches the bridge of his nose, or tries to, with his mask blocking his skin. “Malleus, stand down, I will not be arguing with you” “This is where you use your authority? Crowley that’s low” Ace spats out, “actually the better term is pathetic, you’re pathetic”, Crowley looked at him, rather upset “I don’t wanna hear that from you, Trappola” “Make me!”  He immediately retaliated, and the bantering is making your head hurt. “Enough” you murmur, you felt nauseous, you did have an inkling, but you didn’t expect it to be right.

You wished it wasn’t right. If you went home right now, there is no home you’re going to, but a graveyard… if you’re even buried properly.

Staying here makes you feel like an irrational number, you had no magic, and always being at the protection of your friends, constantly being called magicless, it gets to you when it’s repeated, you don’t like it, even sometimes you notice your friends pitiful stares at you, encouraging you that under their wings, you’ll be safe.

But you don’t want to be safe, you want to be able to defend yourself from magic, but magic is unfair, maybe that’s why Rollo Flamme wanted it gone, it was dangerous, especially under the hands of the wrong person. His whispers to you about his views on magic are slowly being planted in your brain. You’re starting to see reason and you didn’t like it. 

Are you starting to despise the essence of magic itself? It was the reason why you’re still alive, so why despise it? “Hey” Ace gives your shoulders a shake to snap you out of your trance, you look up to his worried expression, “right” you thought to yourself.

“You still have them. "You thought to yourself, but they barely registered.

 Malleus and Crowley’s arguments blurred together—raised, distant, meaningless. 

Your mind shut them out, like a door slammed in a storm. You couldn’t take more. Not now. Not like this.

Your fingers trembled at your sides. "I wanna go home,” you whispered. Ace stopped mid-step from helping you walk away from all of these. “I wanna go home, Ace…” Your voice cracked, soft and uneven, like glass under pressure. You didn’t look at him. You couldn’t. The weight in your chest was too heavy, threatening to spill out if you met his eyes.

What home? Ramshackle? Or the home you never had?

[vodika-vibes]

Hi lovely.

If your requests are still open and you don't mind, could I pretty please request a little pick-me-up drabble?

I've recently had some surgery and am not recovering as fast as the drs expected, and my mental health is kinda in the pits.

I'll happily take anything fluffy but maybe something Halloween or bonfire themed, with Crosshair, Rex, Echo or Fives?

Thank you!

⊂⁠(⁠´⁠･⁠◡⁠･⁠⊂⁠ ⁠)⁠∘⁠˚⁠˳⁠°

Trick-Or-Treat

Summary: When you defected from the Empire, you expected to be hunted down and killed. You didn’t expect Crosshair to defect with you and move into your home. And you didn’t expect an easy friendship to form. And you didn’t expect that friendship to blossom into a romance.

Pairing: TBB Crosshair x F!Reader

Word Count: 1298

Prompt: I went with Halloween, but it's really more of an Autumn vibe

Warnings: Uh...ridiculously fluffy

A/N: So, originally this was going to be Rex, but he's so hard for me to write and I don't know why, so I went with Crosshair instead. Anyway, I hope you recover soon, and I hope this story offers you a little bit of comfort!

Click HERE to be added to my taglist

“How long have we been living here, kitten?” Crosshair asks from where he’s pulling his boots on by the front door.

“Long enough that we’re allowed to vote in local elections,” You reply as you squint at the pamphlet in your hands, “Why? You wanna move?”

He scoffs, “To where?”

You lift your head to look at him, “Don’t your brothers live in a tropical paradise?”

“Yeah, the problem is that my brothers are also there. Kinda removes the paradise part.” Crosshair quips, and then he shoots you a look, “Kitten, where are your glasses?”

“I don’t need those things.”

“Yeah? I’d believe that if you weren’t squinting to see me. Go put them on.”

You roll your eyes but vanish into the next room to grab your glasses. The fact that everything actually is clearer when you’re wearing your glasses will go with you to your grave.

“Anyway,” You say as you step back into the front hallway, “Why were you asking?”

He glances at you, “What do you think about buying some land near the lake and building a house?”

You hum thoughtfully. “I think it sounds interesting. We could use some more space, couldn’t we?” You add with a glance around the front hallway. “Of course, a bigger place means we’ll always be hosting and you hate hosting.”

“I make so many sacrifices for you.”

“Yes, your life is so hard.” You agree solemnly, “How ever will you survive?”

He glances at you, a teasing grin on his lips, “It’s alright. I got a cute little thing on the other side of town—”

You fling a stuffed bear at his face, which he catches effortlessly, “There’s no one cuter than me.” You announce, even as you self-consciously touch the frame of your glasses.

Crosshair straightens and walks over to you. He presses a light kiss against your temple, and then another one against your lips, “You’re right, there isn’t. Sorry, kitten. Didn’t mean to poke.”

“It’s fine.”

“It’s not,” Crosshair lightly squeezes your hip, “I forgot that you don’t like those jokes anymore.”

You shake your head and reach up to press a finger against his lips, “It’s fine. I’m just overly sensitive.” Your smile widens as you trace his lips for a moment, and you giggle when he catches your wrist to press a light kiss against the pad of your fingers.

“You’re allowed to be sensitive.”

Stars, you love him so much.

“If you say so,” You say in a sing-song voice, “Anyway, where are you heading?”

“We need candy and toys for the kids tonight,” Crosshair replies lightly, “Someone,” He continues with a pointed look at you, “Ate all of the candy.”

“Whaaat? Who would do such a thing?” You ask with wide-eyed, and totally fake, innocence.

“Uh-huh, am I supposed to pretend I didn’t see you stealing the candy?” You grin at him innocently, “That’s what I thought. Anyway, I also have something I need to pick up.”

“If you give me a few minutes, I’ll come with you!”

Crosshair lightly taps the tip of your nose, “Not this time, kitten. Didn’t you say something about raking leaves?”

Your lower lip juts out in a pout, “You get to go shopping, and I have to do physical labor?”

“You even went out and bought those silly orange trash bags—”

You gasp dramatically, “They’re not silly!”

“They’re a little silly.” He kisses you quickly, likely to stop an argument before it properly begins, and then tosses your gardening gloves at your face, “I’ll be back later.”

“Yeah, yeah,”

Crosshair glances at you, “Love you.”

A tiny smile lifts your lips, “Love you more.” He tosses a grin in your direction, and then he’s gone. For your part, you heave out a sigh, and pull on your boots, before heading towards the garage.

You might as well do some raking while he’s gone.

Later, much later, after the sun has set and all of the candy and toys have been given out, and there aren’t any more kids wandering the streets looking for candy, you’re curled up on the couch with Crosshair.

“That was a lot of kids,” You murmur as you wrap your hands around your mug, ��I think this is the first year we didn’t have any candy leftover.”

“Lots of people have moved in over the last year,” Crosshair points out tiredly.

“True enough,” You set your mug on the coffee table and shift so that you’re able to lay your head on his shoulder, “Did you manage to finish your errand, earlier?”

“Of course,” Crosshair smoothly shifts so that he’s laying across the couch, tugging and adjusting you as well, until you’re laying on top of him, “I did that first.”

You fold your arms on his chest and rest your chin on your folded arms, “Well?”

“Well, what?”

“What was the errand? I thought, maybe, it was something Halloween-related, but I didn’t see anything unusual.”

“Nosy,” Crosshair chides.

“You knew that about me already,” You counter with a pout.

He chuckles, “Yeah. I did,” He watches you for a moment, and then his hand comes up to press over your eyes, “No peeking, kitten.”

“Aww, come on!” But you don’t even bother trying to move his hand off your face.

You feel him shift under you, and hear him moving around, and then he stops moving, “Are your eyes closed?”

Immediately, you snap your eyes shut, “Yes.”

“Good girl,” He moves his hand off your face and presses his hand against the small of your back. “Alright, open your eyes.”

You do as he asks, and blink, surprised, at the box sitting in his hand, “What’s this?”

“Generally, when one receives a present, they open it to find out what’s inside,” Crosshair replies with a roll of his eyes, though his hand slips under the hem of your shirt to rub small circles against your lower back.

“I know that,” You sit up so you’re straddling his hips and take the small box, “I’m just surprised you got me something, it’s not my name day.”

“Do I need a reason to buy you something?”

“Mm…guess not.” You open the box and freeze when you see a small velvet box inside the white box.

Carefully you pull the velvet box out and set the white box to the side then you slowly run your fingers over the soft material.

Crosshair’s gaze is soft as he watches you, “Are you going to open it or just admire the box?” Even his voice is soft as if he doesn’t want to break whatever spell has fallen over the living room.

You shoot him a look but don’t answer him. Instead, you open the box and your breath catches in your throat.

You thought, maybe, he bought you earrings.

But this…this is a ring. A thin band with a dark red gemstone surrounded by, what looks like, diamonds. It’s beautiful.

“...Cross, this is—”

“I love you.” His voice is soft, “I want a life with you, more than what we already have. I might not be able to make you rich, but I promise that we will be happy. So happy.”

Your eyes are burning with tears, you never dreamed that he would propose to you. You’ve never been so glad to be wrong in your life.

“Yes,” You slide the ring on your finger, and it’s a perfect fit.

“Yes?”

“I’ll marry you, I’ll do whatever so long as we can stay together.”

Crosshair grins and pulls you back down so he’s able to claim your lips with his, “So,” He murmurs, “A good treat then?”

Finally, happy tears leak from your eyes, “So much better than candy,” You agree with a laugh as you cradle his face between your hands.

@imabeautifulbutterfly

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@mira-loves-star-wars

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@etod

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@kiss-anon

@continous-mistakes

@yoitsjay

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@silly-starfish

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@maniacalbooper

[misskattylashes]

Okay, I’m going to do it. I have been holding back and just telling my closest fandom friends my crazy theory, but what the hell. Most of you think I’m batshit anyway.

Here we go.....

What if we have been on the receiving end of a long played out psyop and Louise has been a way to make the public want Milex?

Okay, hear me out...

It’s 2017/8 Alex has abandoned Miles after EYCTE. He has gone to France to write and record TBHC, having realised their little TLSP bubble could never last (see Star Treatment). Without Alex, Miles is a little lost and lonely in LA. His reputation is also at rock bottom after the journalist incident. Miles decides he wants to move back to England, and Alex decides he wants to move back to, as we know they can never be more than a few minutes away from each other

Taylor either wouldn’t or couldn’t leave LA, so she and Alex break up. But they need a new girlfriend to keep up the straight image (especially with the new badly-received album and a world tour about to begin). On the original version of OPP as seen on the AM in Mexico video, over the turtle segment Alex sings ‘One More Year I’ll Call It Quits’ maybe the plan was to give it all up,but he had signed a contract to do another album and tour after TBHC, and with Miles’ reputation so bad, if they were together then they would both be cancelled.

So a European girlfriend is found and this is where the subterfuge begins. We start with old Instagram posts with tags like #alexturnerwillyoumarryme, then we get professionally shot videos of her backstage at AM’s concert (all the time Alex is ‘still with’ Taylor) so as soon as they launch, the first image of Louise the public get is a negative one, as a fangirl who has set out to get Alex, not caring if he cheats in his current girlfriend.

Before I list the reasons why I think she is fake, can I say this idea he has stayed with her as punishment for cheating on Taylor is absolutely ridiculous. Men who are serial cheats aren’t known for wearing hairshirts. Especially when you’re a handsome, wealthy rock star who could easily get another girlfriend.

So, the idea is, Louise is the most unpleasant person who makes Alex miserable, and if most people are honest, they want Alex to be happy..

So, let’s look at the evidence..(where there is a * it means there is a Miles counterside)

Louise doesn’t work. She claims to be a feminist, but her job seems to be being Alex’s girlfriend.

She openly copies selfies posed by previous girlfriends, making her look like she has no personality of her own

She boasts in her IG posts ie the ‘we just fucked’ pic and the panties on the piano.

She claims to be a musician but we rarely see her writing or recording anythjng.*

She writes embarrassing things about itAlex on social media (beautiful dick).*

Openly takes a neutral stance on Palestine.

Claims to wear vintage clothes but they rarely are*

When Alex was ill after the third London show, it is publicised that he leaves the Emirates with his parents, no sign of Louise. She’s too busy taking pics in the hotel with Matt and Amanda

Meanwhile Miles has worked hard on his public image. He has shown he is a hard worker. He rarely mentions Alex on social media and when asked about him in interviews, whilst admitting they are good friends, is insistent they are not working together. Which is good because he has always been accused of riding on Alex’s fame.

He frequently gives updates when he his writing and recording, treating us to little snippets, something Louise never does.

Is it a coincidence that holiday gate is the same as the week One Man Band’s release. Alex looking miserable with Louise Vs Miles being charming and hard working.

Not long after Louise starts going on about her fake vintage, Miles posts a whole real of him going proper vintage shopping so he looks authentic.

Even in Dublin there is no duet with Alex. Miles not using Alex’s,fame,but also those who monitor social media can see how hungry they are for Milex interaction.

The river Mersey comment – another way of guaging public opinion. Finally the legion of doom 😍😍 comment on the NY recent. The fandom went crazy at Milex acknowledgement.

Alex....

His face..Alex is a pro. He has had twenty years of faking smiles after arguments with the other Monkeys, girlfriends, even Miles. He could fake a smile with Louise if we wanted to when they call their friends at Backgrid to take pap pictures. But instead he chooses to look like someone either on the verge of tears or else being held hostage. And in the latest set of pics, Louise looks the same.

The Taylor tattoo....it looks like he thinks so little of her he has kept that tattoo.

‘I don’t wanna be hers, I wanna be yours’ quite often at gigs where Louise is in attendance.

Not one song on the car written about her.

And now of course with the tour over, a lot of people return to watching TLSP videos. Happy, muscly, healthy looking Alex having fun with Miles as opposed to skinny, miserable Alex trapped with Louise.

Apart from Louise’s most ardent fans, most people want to see him away from her and would be overjoyed at a TLSP reunion, and for us Milexers, a declaration of their love.

So, has this been a long game? A way of making the people think they want Milex? I told you it was crazy, but just remember the world of public relations is completely underhand and insane.

[fandomsandflyingstingrays]

@fantasybookgeek09 this was such a fun prompt, thank you!! I've never written a modern au before so I hope it came out okay!

“Since we only have five days left until the holidays, I’m going to go easy on you guys this week. You’ll be doing some fun group work— but it still counts towards your final grade, so don’t slack off.”

Rayla slumped in her chair, not quite sure if it was out of relief or disappointment. She was thrilled not to be getting a third essay to work on over the Christmas “break”, but group projects could be… unpredictable. 

“I’ll be assigning you into pairs—" the typical wave of groans erupted from the student body— “to write and illustrate a short original story based on the themes we’ve been discussing in class. You can divide up the work however you see fit, but you have to contribute at least something to the writing and the art.”

Okay. Rayla could work with that. The short story she’d done in her freshman year had won an award, and she was certain her recent work was even better. And as for the art? Well, she could do some stylized swirls or something. Crossing her fingers under her desk, she prayed to be paired with someone better at drawing than she was. 

“…Ram, you’ll be working with Andromeda, and Rayla, you’ll be working with Callum.”

Rayla bit her tongue to keep from groaning out loud. She just had to make that wish, hadn’t she? 

Callum was a good artist, but that was about all he was good at. She’d been sitting two desks down from him all semester, and not a single class had gone by where he hadn’t been doodling instead of listening. She might as well kiss her grade goodbye. 

The bell rang, the more fortunate students around Rayla gathering into pairs to discuss their plans and get their project rubrics on the way out. But Callum just stowed his sketchbook in his bag, picked up his pens, dropped his pens, and scrambled to stow them, avoiding Rayla’s eyes all the while. She didn’t move, crossing her arms and staring him down. He wasn’t getting off that easily. 

Finally, he looked up at her. Or, slightly to the left of her. Rayla would take it.

“I want to figure out the plot of my— our story before we start working on it tomorrow. Are you free this afternoon?”

Callum nodded, a single, sharp jerk of his chin. “You could come over to my house?”

Well, that was easier than anticipated. Rayla had expected to cut through three excuses at least before he realized he couldn’t worm his way out of it. “Sounds like a plan.”

…

Another infuriating thing about Callum was that Rayla hadn’t needed to ask for his address, or even for directions to his house. Everyone knew where he lived, because it was an enormous mansion roughly the size of seven of Rayla’s houses put together, pretentiously seated on the hill over Katolis, visible from anywhere in town. And it only got more ostentatious up close. 

Pulling into the driveway— and circling around the fountain in the middle of it— Runaan let out a low whistle. “If they ask you to stay for dinner, make sure you smuggle out some of the cutlery. It could probably keep us in food for a year.”

Rayla laughed. “There isn’t enough money in the world to get me to stay for dinner. Nice try, though.”

Runaan smirked in return, clapping Rayla’s shoulder as she slid out of the car.

Rayla was fully expecting a butler to answer the door, so it came as a shock when it swung open to reveal Callum’s ten-year-old brother bouncing on the balls of his feet. 

“Hi, Rayla!”

“Hey, Ezran. How’ve you been?”

“Good!”

She smiled, relaxing slightly as Ezran waved her into the house with a flourish. They’d been on speaking terms ever since Rayla had pelted some kids with snowballs for teasing Ezran about talking to birds, and he was a sweet kid. A bit strange, but then, so was Rayla, in her own way. 

“Rayla! You made it!”

Rayla followed Callum’s voice to find him standing at the top of a real, actual marble staircase, framed by railings of golden filigree. Maybe she should try to make off with some cutlery.

“It was pretty hard to miss,” she said drily.

Callum flushed, but Ezran just laughed. 

Recovering, Callum managed to lead Rayla into a “living room” roughly the size of Katolis High’s gymnasium. At least it gave them plenty of room to spread out.

“All right,” Rayla said, pulling out the planning sheet they’d been given. “I already plotted out the storyline, so I just need you to tell me which sentence you want to write and what you want me to do for the illustrations.”

“Which sentence I want to write?”

Rayla glanced up at him, surprised by the offense in his tone. “Well, yeah. I want this to be good. I have a grade-point average to keep up, and—"

“And you think I’m a bad writer?”

“Writing well requires practice, Callum, and I’ve never seen you so much as take notes. You’ve always got your nose in that sketchbook. You’ve got it with you now!”

To prove her point, she snatched it up from the cushions between them. Callum yelped, reaching out for it.

“This thing must have hundreds of pages, and I’d bet you’ve done half of them in class.”

“Don’t!” 

Callum lunged for it, Rayla pulled back, and the sketchbook clattered to the floor to reveal…

Drawing after drawing of her.

Rayla froze. Callum buried his face in his hands.

“So you must think I’m pretty creepy.”

Rayla wasn’t sure what to think. She reached out and picked up the sketchbook again, and this time, Callum didn’t stop her. 

The sketches were… incredible. They looked like her— all the things she liked about herself, and all her imperfections. He’d captured the way she tugged at her braid when she was nervous, the way she tilted back in her chair when she was bored. She could tell when many of the sketches were done by her expression alone: focused eyes the day before their first exam, a wrinkled nose the day Soren had come into their classroom to dribble a basketball around the desks for no apparent reason, a drawn mouth the day her parents had been deployed. 

“Why?” Rayla asked quietly, tearing her gaze from the drawings to meet Callum’s eyes.

His face was red as fire, but his voice was steady. “I’ve always liked people-watching. You can learn so much about them by how they dress, how they sit, what their expressions are. There are whole stories there, if you look for them. Ever since you stood up for Ezran, I… I’ve wanted to know what your story is. You’re so smart, and confident in a way I don’t understand at all, and you’re… good. I wanted to know what makes you that way. But… I didn’t think you’d tell me.”

Blood was rushing to Rayla’s cheeks now, her throat clogging with an unexpected shame. All this time, Callum had been looking at her. Had really seen her, in a way no one else at school seemed to. And she’d taken a few glances at him, built him a false image, and never thought to question it. 

Rayla forced herself to look back up at him. “Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For… seeing the best in me, I guess? For wanting to get to know me, even though I’ve been such a jerk. I’m sorry I said you weren’t a storyteller.”

Callum laughed. “You were right, actually. I really am a bad writer. I mean— except for poetry, I think? But no one’s ever read those, so who knows?”

“I didn’t say writer, I said storyteller.”

Callum’s eyes widened, and then he smiled. It was the first true grin Rayla had ever seen him make, and it transformed his whole face, making dimples appear in his cheeks and his green eyes gleam. Rayla’s breath hitched in her chest. 

“So… does this mean I can write more than a sentence?” he asked.

“You know what? I’d bet we can fit some poetry in here for you to write. But first, I want your opinion on the plot. You might have some ideas I didn’t think of.”

“Oh— wow. Thank you.”

Callum reached for their planning sheet, but Rayla placed her hand over his. The contact sent a jolt through her fingers, and she quickly withdrew them.

“Before that, though, I think it’s past time I asked about you.”

“About me?”

Another spike of shame shot through Rayla at the confusion in his voice, but she smiled through it, settling close enough to him on the couch for their shoulders to touch.

“Why don’t you tell me a story?”

[moonstruckme]

Hi my love!! I just reread your bodyguard tasm!peter parker blurb and it was so cute 😭I loved the original premise where peters spider senses got distracted because of her!! You wrote it so beautifully.

I'd love to request a part two (If you're open to that?) where he's guarding her again and we see their relationship develop a little more??

i read your requests rules and couldn't find anything about you not writing part twos, but feel free to ignore if you'd rather not! lots of love <3 <3

Hi sweetheart, thank you thank you!!

bodyguard!(tasm)Peter Parker x fem!reader ♡ 1.1k words

Peter’s staying on the ground for your sake, but he doesn’t love it. 

You’re relaxed as can be, lounging on your bed while he paces your unfairly giant room from end to end. This, he thinks, is why people hate politicians. You’ve got an ensuite bathroom the size of his apartment, and on the taxpayer’s dime. He gets it now. If you and your dad were living in a shoebox like every other self-respecting New Yorker, maybe the guy wouldn’t get so many death threats. 

“You don’t have to be all vigilant,” you say. “My dad’s not here. So long as I don’t get actually kidnapped or killed while you’re here, sitting down isn’t going to affect your performance evaluation.” 

Peter looks at you. “I’m getting a performance evaluation?” 

Your smile is lopsided and goofy. It’s humiliating how much it affects him. “No. Who would he send it to? Your employer?” 

“Oh.” He feels stupid. “Good point.” 

“Come here,” you laugh. “I got us coffee.” 

He goes to sit on your bed, mostly because he’ll do anything you ask him to. After spending a few hours hugging you on a roof, Peter’s found that he actually likes you. You’re not snooty or spoiled like he might have expected, friendly to him even though he’s technically working for you. You seem oddly down-to-earth for someone with your upbringing, funny and smart. (Smarter than him, maybe. You turn him into a blundering idiot every time he sees you, though, so it’s hard to say.) You’re surprisingly fun to be around. 

You lean over, grabbing two disposable coffee cups from your nightstand. “Do you want peppermint or caramel?” 

“Which one do you want?” 

“No way. You’re my guest, you get first pick.” 

Peter’s here on a job, but he likes your version of the story better. That you’d think of him as your guest, someone invited in whom you want to please, makes an affectionate warmth unfurl in his gut. 

“You should probably have the one you want, because the other one’s going to get cold,” he says, an apology in his tone. Your brows wrinkle. “I can’t really drink through the mask…” 

“Oh.” You close your eyes, expression clearing. “God, I’m so sorry. I didn’t even think about that.” 

“Don’t worry about it.” Peter’s smiling under the mask. He wonders if you can hear it in his voice. “Enjoy yours. I’ll live vicariously.” 

“You couldn’t just lift it up enough to drink?” 

“Uh, no. The whole secret identity thing is…kind of important to the job.” 

You smile guiltily, lifting one of the cups to your lips. “Fair enough.” 

You’re silent for a minute, watching him as you sip at your coffee. Once again, making it nearly impossible for Peter to do what he’s being paid to do. He should be keeping his senses alert, watching the windows, surveilling the perimeter or whatever. Not looking into your clever, narrowed eyes and thinking about how your whole room smells like you. 

“Okay,” you say, still scrutinizing him like you’re trying to count the threads in his suit, “now I’m dying to know what’s under the mask.” 

Peter sits very still. He’s had people—fans and foes alike—try to tear it off him before, but he doesn’t think you’re like that. 

“I mean, obviously you’re tall,” you lean back on the bed, mouth pursed in contemplation, “so you’re not, like, twelve. You sound about my age…” 

“I what?” 

“Your voice.” 

“What—” He clears his throat. Tries to sound more generationally ambiguous. “What would make you think that?” 

You crack another one of those sweet, silly smiles. “Well, you’re not going to fool me now,” you say. “I’ve heard you talk. You can’t be more than thirty. Plus, when you got here, you said ‘yo’.” 

Peter really needs to stop saying that. He doesn’t even know when he started. 

“You’ve got stitches all over your suit…” you go on. “What neighborhood are you from again?” 

“I’m not telling you that,” he laughs. 

“Oh, come on.” You scooch a little on the bed, tucking one leg under you to face him more fully. Your eyes pierce his like knives. Very pretty knives. “There’s almost ten million people in New York. You really think I’m going to track you down?” 

“Your dad is the mayor…” 

“Stop.” You give his shoulder a playful shove. Peter’s mask feels suddenly warm. “Those surveillance rumors weren’t true, the tabloids made that up to mess with his re-election campaign.”

“Okay, okay. I’m from Queens.” 

You lean back on your hands, and he can’t decide if the way you’re looking at him is analyzing or flirting. “Interesting,” you say slowly. “So you’re, like, a real man of the people. Not the Bruce Wayne type.” 

“Hey,” he teases, “Bruce Wayne could’ve lived in Queens. It’s nice.” 

“But Bruce Wayne wouldn’t have to sew his own suits,” you point out. 

Peter tilts his head, blows a breath out the side of his mouth. You’ve got him there. 

“And you’re tall, clearly pretty strong, you seem smart…” You nod, seeming to have come to a decision. “I think you’re handsome under there.” 

A laugh startles out of him. He hopes it sounds casual, like it came from someone cool, whose heart isn’t galloping in his chest. Peter really shouldn’t care if you think he has the potential to be handsome under his mask. It’s not like you’ll ever find out. Still, it feels weirdly nice. 

He makes his voice light and playful. “Well, it’s good to have your approval. Now we can pretend that I’m almost in your league.” 

For the first time since he’s gotten here, you look genuinely caught offguard. “Me?” 

“Yeah, you.” Peter grins. It feels good to have flustered you. He’s missed doing that. “Who else?” 

You look away from him as you laugh, shaking your head. “I don’t know if you’ve noticed,” you say, “but you’re a superhero. You’re not the one who should be worried about leagues.” 

You’re cute. Peter makes a bold move, scooting an inch closer to you, into your space. He’s glad you can’t see that under the mask, his face is just as flushed as yours. “I’m not a superhero,” he says, keeping his voice light as meringue. “I’m just your friendly neighborhood Spiderman.” 

You roll your eyes. “Humble, too. Points in your favor.” 

A laugh rumbles through his chest. Someday, he’s gonna have to get Peter Parker in your orbit somehow. He wants to meet you—more than that, he wants you to meet him. He’s not sure how long he can wait. 

He decides to let you off the hook. Slightly. He reaches across you, taking the unused cup from your nightstand. “Thanks for this,” he says. “Once you don’t need me here anymore, I’m gonna take it home and heat it back up.” He grins even though you can’t see it. “Maybe I’ll swing by and return the favor sometime.”

[humbledragon669]

Lockdown Episode Write Up P2 – dialogue

Introduction

I don’t think there’s much linking the dialogue with the images (apart from the cake sequence), so I’ve broken this write-up down into tableaus and dialogue, because there are just as many Easter eggs (maybe more) to be had from the tableaus as there are from the script. This part of the write-up will address just the dialogue, with the tableaus addressed in a separate write-up. Right, housekeeping done, let’s get stuck in shall we?

Dialogue

So Crowley picks up on the second ring, sounding very irritated. Considering he’s about to tell Aziraphale how bored he is, you’d think he might actually be relieved about the prospect of somebody calling him. And poor Aziraphale; the brusque greeting clearly puts him off, presumably because he was hoping for a more enthusiastic response, particularly given that Crowley openly tells the angel he knows that it was him calling in the first place.

AZIRAPHALE: Uh… Hello. It’s me! CROWLEY: I know it’s you, Aziraphale.

My thoughts about this exchange? I strongly suspect Aziraphale is the only one that ever calls Crowley. Not only that, I think he’s probably calling the demon multiple times a day at this point. I mean, think about it – neither of them work for their respective agencies anymore. For the first time in 6000 years they can be open about their friendship, no more hiding. And for the first time in those 6000 years something other than Heaven or Hell is making it impossible for them to see each other. I know, they really could have formed a “bubble”, or just ignored the rules completely, given their otherworldly status, but they didn’t because don’t forget – this is a PSA film at heart. Everybody had to STAY AT HOME. Besides, it makes it so much more angsty if they can’t be within physical proximity to one another during this time.

AZIRAPHALE: Just calling to see how you were doing in Lockdown.

Aziraphale actually says makes it sound like this is either the first time the angel has spoken to Crowley during Lockdown (which had been going on for almost two months by the time this minisode was released), or that they don’t speak very often. Personally, I don’t buy this, not least because the demon openly says he’s incredibly bored. And what does Crowley like to do best when he’s bored? Hang out with Aziraphale. Be his personal nuisance.

CROWLEY: I’ve decided that if I can’t think of anything to do within the next two days, I’m going to have a nap and I’ll set the alarm clock for June.

I *think* this is the first time we have confirmation that he does sleep, at least as far as the show is concerned (I’m not counting cut/missing bits from the Script Book, or from the original book). There’s also proof here that he’s actually an optimist, despite his efforts to convince the world at large otherwise – he’s convinced that everything will be back to normal by June. Interestingly, the UK’s really strict national regulations had actually been eased by the time the minisode was released, allowing those who could not work from home to return to work (yeah, we didn’t really know what that meant either, considering those of us who were classed as key workers never stopped going to the workplace), but June was still a very optimistic estimate – whilst restrictions were eased as we went into July, local governments were given the authority to impose local lockdowns where necessary. And boy, did they.

AZIRAPHALE: Oughtn’t you to be out and about doing things?

It's interesting to hear Aziraphale actually encouraging Crowley to be more demon-like. And he doesn’t just encourage, he gives him very appropriate suggestions for things he could be doing to fulfil his demonly duties. To my mind, it suggests his preference for Crowley in a demonic state. Or it could be an opportunity to emphasise the STAY AT HOME message, seeing as (for once) Crowley seems keen to stick to the rules. Take your pick. I know which one I prefer. Either way, there are two pieces of information here that I find noteworthy – firstly, confirmation that Crowley can’t get sick because he’s a demon. I think it’s interesting what human weaknesses the angel and demon are susceptible to, and which not. Alcohol, for instance, albeit in larger quantities than a human could imbibe, has the same effect on their human bodies as it does to humans. Illness and disease on the other hand, it would seem not. Laudanum, as we see in series 2, has an entirely different effect on Crowley than it would do to an ordinary human, but Hastur informs us that ordinary fire would easily discorporate a demon. Makes me wonder if the effect that a Heavenly or Hellish being has on its hosting body is one to do with constitution – where the body has an increased resistance to toxic substances but is unaffected in its ability to deal with trauma.

The second piece of information in this little plea from Aziraphale is that he says Crowley still has a job to do. Which, given the outcome of season 1, he doesn’t. I don’t think it was made blatantly obvious that neither of them report to their respective agencies anymore, so perhaps this is just a slip of the pen, so to speak. It might have been a bit more difficult to slip in this blatant reminder to people that leaving home was a BAD thing to do and that staying at home was the GOOD thing to do otherwise, and this little speech is very clear about listing certain things that were being actively discouraged at the time.

CROWLEY: I could do that. I mean I could… but if I did then… well…people might follow my bad example and get ill. Or even die.

Crowley’s response is… less than enthusiastic. It’s funny to hear him say that people might follow his bad example – surely that’s exactly what he’s been contracted to do for thousands of years? But again, I am forgetting – the whole point of this piece of media is to remind them why we should all just STAY AT HOME. So, with that reminder, let’s look a little more about Crowley’s actual feelings on the subject, shall we?

CROWLEY: I know I ought to be making people’s lives even worse but everyone’s so miserable cooped up right now anyway I just… don’t have the heart for it.

And therein lies the problem for Crowley and his existence as a demon – he actually doesn’t like to make people miserable. He loves to cause mischief and make trouble, but not with the sole intention to bring misery into people’s lives. Ultimately, he’s just too soft at heart to be a very good demon, which David himself has described beautifully.

AZIRAPHALE: I’m not miserable. CROWLEY: Really?

I really love this little exchange. Crowley sounds genuinely shocked that Aziraphale is so certain in his proclamation that he’s not miserable. And it’s hardly surprising really – I strongly suspect the reason that Crowley is feeling so down in the dumps is because he’s not getting a regular fix of his angel, so it stands to reason that he would expect Aziraphale to feel the same way. He’s probably had a little bit of his heart broken to hear that his angel is seemingly coping without him so well. It’s a good thing we go on to hear that basically the reason why Aziraphale is so happy at this time is because he’s not getting any customers in with the threat of trying to buy one of his books, although the angel’s speech does present the writer with another opportunity to remind us of our obligations at the time – social distancing and STAYING AT HOME.

You have to be paying attention, but Crowley doesn’t seem too pleased with the idea that Aziraphale might have needed rescuing from some errant youths that he wasn’t able to help with; there’s a quiet groan from him when he hears the retelling of the story. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t think there was some sort of double entendre going on here with Aziraphale’s tease of there being “a few young lads” who “broke in through the back”, so that groan could actually be one of relief rather than frustration. What is interesting is that Crowley openly mocks the only potential rescue scenarios that Aziraphale would have had available to him – he’s obviously smarting that he didn’t get to be the white knight for once.

CROWLEY: Did you smite them with your wrath?

I’d be very interested to know if the script had been finished and handed to David and Michael at this time, because that particular line feels like a very obvious reference to the smited/smote/smitten exchange. And if the reference is a genuine one, my double entendre idea doesn’t seem so outrageous, given Crowley’s tone – could he be a little bit jealous?

What now follows is the only time that the images in the minisode link directly with the dialogue going on at the time, and they’re all to do with cake. Trigger warning, what follows is a lot of pictures of cake. If, like me, you are inclined to go out and buy cake as soon as you see a picture of one, I would suggest you look away now.

What I love about Crowley’s reception of the knowledge that Aziraphale sent the little vandals away with cake is that he uses the same expression that Anathema uses when she asks about the name of Newt’s car.

CROWLEY: I’m going to regret asking…

His tone shows just what he thinks of the angel’s method for rescuing himself. And if you consider Aziraphale’s tale to be a truthful account of what took place, it does seem odd - that somebody could just have a little chat with some wannabe robbers to change their minds, and then send them away with some excess cake. There is however a missing scene in the Script Book where several thugs enter the bookshop and start to make a mess in an attempt to get Aziraphale to sell the land the shop sits on. In a somewhat “miraculous” turn of events (see what I did there?), they change their mind, clear up the mess they made, and leave without a fuss. I suspect the same sort of turn of events occurred to the lads that turned up to steal the cash box.

AZIRAPHALE: It turns out I have a whole cookbook section here in the bookshop.

I love this idea, that the bookshop is so sprawling and diverse that even Aziraphale doesn’t know what it contains, despite the fact that he must have stocked it in the first place. And I love it because that’s the how every second-hand bookshop feels to me. I’ve spent my fair share of time in Hay-on-Wye and its multitude of bookshops, and I genuinely feel like I could get lost in some of them. There are another couple of lines from Aziraphale that suggests that he does not think it possible to eat anything unless it comes from an eatery.

AZIRAPHALE: Well all the restaurants and cafes are closed […] and I got peckish.

Because he couldn’t just go to the supermarket and buy some cake, could he? Like the rest of us were doing (and were allowed to do). He even goes on to say that he had to miracle the cherries in for one of his creations – quite why it was only the cherries he miracled in I don’t know, I mean he must have gotten the rest of the ingredients from somewhere. Which leads me on to another question – where is the kitchen in the bookshop? There must be some facilities somewhere, otherwise he couldn’t make all of those delightful looking goodies. He’s got to have a kettle or a stove for boiling water/milk at the very least for making his cocoa, so where is all that stuff?

Aziraphale then goes on to reel off a list of cakes that he’s made (another nod to the domestic activities that were going on up and down the country – for those not based in the UK, you might not know that during Lockdown it was virtually impossible to get hold of flour or eggs, largely owing to the huge increase in home baking people did), which includes angel’s food cake (you could argue that all of the cakes he makes is angel’s food cake, hahah. Hah. I’ll get my coat). I don’t know whether it’s interesting, whether it’s an oversight, or whether it’s deliberate, but there’s no devil’s food cake on the list that he gives. I’ve made and eaten devil’s food cake before. It’s awesome. I don’t think that he wouldn’t have made this particular recipe because of its lack of deliciousness. I actually wonder whether its absence is an indicator of Crowley’s eating preferences (and as a reminder, I’m someone who is of the mind that he doesn’t enjoy eating – more on this shortly).

 AZIRAPHALE: And then, once I’ve baked them, I have to eat them all myself.

This line makes me properly snort with laughter, because he simultaneously manages to make it sounds like eating all the cake is something he definitely doesn’t want to do whilst also expressing sorrow that he has no-one around to eat them in front of with. The idea that this angel would ever not want to eat food is laughable. Crowley takes the bait on the sub-text though, employing some his tried and tested temptation techniques to try to get what he wants.

CROWLEY: I could hunker down at your place. Slither over and watch you eat cake. I could bring a bottle of- a case of something… drinkable?

This is my favourite line of the whole thing. The throwaway reference to his serpent form is delightful, and who’s to say he wouldn’t transform for his trip over to Soho to avoid being stopped by humans? There’s  the idea that he would very much like to get drunk with Aziraphale again, and this time without an impending Armageddon to spoil the mood, and with the knowledge that he wouldn’t be going home at the end of their binge. But most of all there’s that line about the cake. He doesn’t say he can help Aziraphale eat the cake – he says he can come and watch the angel eat it. Which would not only go some way to confirming my suspicions that he doesn’t like to eat but would also help to cement the popular theory that watching Aziraphale eat is a pleasurable experience for him. The whole line is said with such longing too, it’s impossible not to hear it.

AZIRAPHALE: I’m afraid that would be breaking all the rules.

If you listen carefully to Aziraphale’s rejection of Crowley’s (quite frankly, adorable) suggestion, you can hear another little bit of the demon’s heart breaking with disappointment. I suppose he probably shouldn’t be surprised that his request of Aziraphale to go against protocol wouldn’t have gone down well and besides we were all supposed to STAY AT HOME, remember? What sort of a PSA film would this be if people just went around to other people’s houses for some flirting nookie company when there was a Lockdown in place?

AZIRAPHALE: I’ll see you when this is over.

So of course, Aziraphale says no thank you very much (quite a lot of Tory party members could have learned a lot from the angel’s morals, and none of them are half as likeable as he is), but how incredibly sad does he sound at the prospect of not knowing when he and Crowley will see each other again? Crowley might have quietly voiced his disappointment multiple times during the conversation, but Aziraphale’s own disappointment here is stated loud and clear.

Crowley’s upset can be heard again after this very final sounding line from his angel (and this time it breaks my own heart a little bit) but he rallies well, changing his planned nap end time to July, rather than June as declared earlier. It’s a pretty perfect way to get out of missing someone, isn’t it? Just go to sleep until you can see them again; I’m sure there are a lot of people that would definitely be on board with that approach. He doesn’t leave any further room for discussion either:

CROWLEY: Good night, angel.

It’s very definite – conversation over, nothing more to say. My thoughts are that he’s just too depressed to carry on talking on the phone to the one person he would much rather be spending time with in person, and now that he’s found a quick and painless solution to the problem (a nap), he just wants to get on with it. Charmingly though, this parting line sounds nothing like the dismissal it seems like it is when you see it written down. The delivery of this line conveys the familiarity and comfort that exists between the two of them, and actually makes it sound like this is a regular conversation that they have, despite the dialogue suggesting otherwise. As it turned out, July wasn’t really long enough to get completely clear of the restrictions that would see our heroes united freely, but who can blame him for being optimistic? And at least if he’s asleep, he’s definitely STAYING AT HOME.

Well I think that’s the lot for this write up. So much for this being such a short episode that it wouldn’t need a lot of time devoted to it. It was a fun little thing; in truth I think it serves more as a PSA that as an additional source of storyline/character development but that hasn’t dampened my enjoyment of it. Time to move on to season 2 now (which I am both excited and a little bit nervous about – there is so much to say!), so for the meantime, questions, comments, discussion: always welcome 😊