#maybe this is off base but it's interesting to me

[ravens-bird]

Midnight Warmth – Sylus.

Pairing: Sylus x F!Reader

Tags: Established relationship, starts with Sylus' pov but changes to reader pov, fluff, based on Midnight Warmth Tender Moment, slightly suggestive towards the end, kissing, hickeys/marking. Let me know if I missed any!

wc: 2k.

Note: This has been rotating in my mind for ages 😭 Not really Beta'd 🤚

IT WAS A FRIDAY NIGHT.

The week had stretched on endlessly, time dragging its feet as if conspiring against him, and keeping you from him.

Normally, Sylus had little interest in the passage of time.

To him, it had simply passed then – without notice. Quietly.

His world had been perfect before. Perfectly monotonous? Perhaps. But perfect nonetheless.

Until you crashed into his life like chaotic, explosive sunshine – like a splash of colour onto his otherwise monochrome canvas.

Now? He was perfectly content. Happy. 

With you in his life now, the way time slipped between his fingers felt significant. Alarming.

He had to fight against his draconic instinct to keep you hidden away, like the most precious treasure in his hoard. He managed — barely.

How dare you barge into his life like this? Stealing his peace of mind, his heart, his very soul?

No one dared to steal from him.

(“He's lying,” Luke would whisper conspiratorially to you. “He got his bike stolen once.”

What? 

“And a money tree!” Keiran added helpfully. 

What??

“Caw!” Mephisto agreed.) 

… That said, Friday Nights were sacred to him. 

(He wouldn't be caught dead admitting it, of course. Perhaps he can be coaxed into it, though. Maybe.)

Because Friday Nights often meant you time. 

And that was why, despite the dull movie playing in the background, the warmth of your body wrapped around him combined with the peacefulness of the moment was so precious to him.  

The room was bathed in the warm glow of the ceiling lights, while a comforting scent of cinnamon lingered in the air. With a fuzzy throw blanket wrapped around your shoulders, you nestled against him as you rested your head against his shoulder.

Your legs draped lazily over his lap, while his arm curled securely around you, holding you close. His other rested on your knee, the cool metal of his rings make your skin tingle.

In a haze of drowsiness, you don’t bother paying attention to the TV, instead fixated on the touch of his fingers on your leg as he traced slow, absent-minded circles over your skin.

The sound of his heartbeat – though comforting, chased all remnants of sleep. You sigh, shifting slightly to find a more comfortable position.

Sylus’ fingers flex against your back in response, and a quiet hum rumbles from his chest.

“You’re still awake?” His voice was soft, lazy, laced with affection as he adjusted his hold on you, chuckling when you fidget again. “You’re fussy, kitten.”

The smooth timbre of his voice sends a delicious shiver down your spine, and you nestle closer to him, fingers curling in his shirt.

God, he smelled so good.

“Why did you move closer?” His smirk was evident in his tone, and you didn’t need to look at his face to know he was watching you with that teasing glint in his crimson eyes.

He knew you got clingy when sleepy, and yet he liked to point it out as if it were something new each time.

With a huff, you lightly dig your elbow into his side as he sighs, relenting.

“Okay, okay. You’re spoiled rotten, that’s for sure,” he murmurs, his lips brushing the crown of your head as his arms tightened around you further.

Silence settles again, save for the faint hum of voices and music from the movie playing in the background like white-noise, and you shut your eyes breathing him in. You give in to the drowsiness, letting yourself drift off.

But sleep remained elusive.

The steady thumping of his heart – though usually comforting – sounded like drums in your head until sleep abandoned you. After a few moments of futile attempts, you cracked your eyes open, giving up on sleep.

Tilting your head slightly, your gaze traced the faint crease between his brows, the ghost of a smile on his lips, and the dips and sharp curves of his face. Silver hair falls over his forehead, and you reach up to push it away when he grabs your wrist.

He raises an eyebrow questioningly, and you blurt out the first thing that comes to your mind.

“I have some ideas for what we could do tomorrow,” you say, pulling your wrist from his grasp. He lets you, and you immediately reach up again, to ruffle his hair – messing it up further.

He captures your wrist again, bringing it down to place it over his heart as his eyes flicker down to your lips for a moment, taking in your smile, before looking away.

“I’ll leave the planning to you.” He says after a beat. “I’ll see what you’re planning first, and then decide whether I’ll come.”

You roll your eyes. Liar. You knew he was going to come no matter what, and yet he liked to pretend otherwise.

Still, he remained quiet as you began listing the things you had been wanting to do with him – some were little plans that had lingered in your mind for some time now, and others just some crazy ideas that you know he would grumble about.

His fingers trail up your shin as he listens, fingers grazing the curve of your knee, the slope of your thighs and back, and the warmth of his hands seeping through your clothes chases away the light chill.

“That’s a lot,” he chuckles softly once you finish, mirth dancing in his eyes. “Can you really do all of that in one day?”

You scoff, and pinch his side lightly in response.

His smirk widens. “You just want to spend time with me,” he says more than asks, sounding entirely too pleased with himself. “You’re a sly one, kitten.”

Before you could fire back a retort, he leans down, brushing his lips against your ear.

“But if you get tired and start complaining halfway through…” his breath fans over your ear, heating the skin. “I won’t accept that.”

Your cheeks burn at the insinuation, and you bite your lip as you turned your head, pulling the blanket tighter around you and over your face in a feeble attempt to escape his knowing gaze.

Your thoughts had taken a decidedly… southward turn, and you knew that he had done it on purpose. That sly crow.

He lets out a quiet laugh, shoulders shaking slightly as he tugs on the fuzzy fabric covering you.

“Don’t hide under the blanket, kitten. I remember everything you said.” His voice was warm honey, and you knew that he could have you anywhere – anyway – he wanted you.

And that you would let him.

But he was also being insufferably smug right now. So, you just grumble, keeping your face turned away. “I’m not hiding. I’m just going to sleep.”

“But your eyes are still open. Can you fall asleep like that?”

You stubbornly refuse to respond, a small pout on your lips as you flop your head back against his shoulder. He exhales in mock exasperation, shifting you both so he could rub a large hand down your back – as if you were a tantrum throwing child whom he had to console.

Your lips thin, but you continue to ignore him.

But when his hand slips higher, fingers threading through your hair in slow, soothing strokes, you sigh, melting into his touch.

After a few more moments, you forget all about sulking.

“Can’t you sleep with me?” you mutter against his shirt.

“Do you even know what time it is? For me the day has just begun.”

Despite his words, he doesn’t budge. Eventually, he concedes. “Since you can’t sleep, I’ll tell you a story. Might be a little boring, by the way.”

You listen quietly as he launches into a tale that he claims he heard from an old man. His voice wove a quiet lullaby, painting vivid imagery of an old, towering castle and a young girl who started living in it. His words flow easily, and you try not to interrupt.

Eventually, the conversation shifts towards nocturnal creatures, until eventually – Sylus’s uncanny resemblance to vampires.

“Pale skin, red eyes, very active during the night…” You trail off, grinning mischievously.

“I do sound like one, when you put it that way.” He shakes his head a little. “What else?”

You sit up now, letting the blanket fall away as you squinted at him.

“Sharp teeth, tendency to bite,” you list, as you poke lightly at the corner of his mouth, before adding, “Bullying people.”

He seems amused. “How does a vampire bully someone exactly?” 

You roll your eyes about to retort when he suddenly shifts, pulling you into his lap so you can straddle him, bringing his mouth down to your neck.

“Like this?” He speaks against your throat as your heart flips, hands immediately bracing themselves against the back of the leather couch, though there is no need. Sylus has you firmly in his grasp, and it seems… he won’t be letting go of you anytime soon.

He sniffs your neck lightly, the tip of his nose brushing against sensitive skin as you tense, squirming at the ticklish sensation. “Your scent... I want it.” His voice is low and deep, and his touch is so warm that your mind goes blank of all thoughts except ones of him.

“I’ll just nibble this…” he nips at your throat, and the sharp twinge is instantly met with a warm swipe of his tongue, and your breath hitches. “Is that it?” He asks, still holding you in place. You squirm again, moving your arms to his shoulders, your fingers pressing into his shirt.

He bites again, and you push one hand up to thread your fingers through his silky hair. This time, it stings a lot more – though it has your stomach fluttering.

He leans up to peck your lips softly, before he speaks again. “Answer me.” A small chuckle. “Was I too rough?” Another peck. “Is this what they call bullying?” 

You grip his hair as he dips his head again, kissing the spot he’d bitten. “I didn’t do it on purpose. You’re the one who said I look like a vampire.” 

The space between you crackled with heat as you shifted closer, pressing against him deliberately, feeling the solid warmth of him against you.

“You weren’t rough enough,” you tease.

His crimson eyes darkened as his hands gripped your hips. “Keep doing that,” he warns, “and you’ll be getting punished.”

Your fingers curl around his collar, tugging. “And what would that be?”

His gaze flickers down to the reddening mark he had left on your neck. “Perhaps I’ll just have to mark you,” he muses, thumb brushing over the bruised skin, “like the girl in the movie.”

Before you could fire back, he pressed a quick kiss to your lips. Too quick. Not enough.

You frown frustrated, when his fingers cup your jaw, palm pressing lightly against your throat as he stops you from kissing him.

“Your intention wasn’t to help me sleep, was it?”

“It was,” he replies, though there is no sincerity in his voice. “But now I regret it.” His fingers trailed lower, featherlight. “You’re not sleepy at all. I need to try something else.”

You barely had a moment to react before he effortlessly shifts you off his lap, getting up and scooping you into his arms. You gasp as you wrap your arms around his shoulders.

“We won’t wake up in time to pick strawberries in the morning, will we?” you muse, arching a brow as he carries you to the bedroom.

He smiles, and the tips of his canines gleam like fangs. “The strawberries aren’t ripe yet, he murmurs, setting you down on the bed before he climbs in, the mattress dipping under his weight. “And,” he adds, voice dark with promises, “I still have to show you the rest of the story.”

And show you, he did.

The last thing you hear is, “You’ll get everything you ever ask for. Just be patient.”

masterlist.

[inseobts]

Threaded

trafalgar law x strawhat!reader

all you two do is bickering but maybe that just hide something else

a/n: this is one of the first I’ve written so I’m sorry if it’s not that good

tags: enemies to lovers?

word count: 1.6k

masterlist // ko-fi

The first time you met Trafalgar Law, you wanted to punch him.

You weren’t sure if it was the smug look on his face, the way he stood just a little too tall and confident, or how easily he’d dismissed you during a skirmish between the Heart Pirates and the Strawhats.

“Stay out of my way, Y/N-ya” he’d said coolly, not even sparing you a second glance as he used his Room ability to whisk his crew to safety.

Ever since then, your encounters with him had been a mix of competition and thinly veiled insults. You’d fought alongside and against him during chaotic battles, always at odds but somehow never truly harming each other.

And, annoyingly, the others loved to tease you about it.

“I think Law likes you” Nami said one night on the Sunny, smirking as you glared at her.

“Yeah, right” you scoffed, crossing your arms. “He’s just arrogant and annoying.”

“And yet, every time he shows up, you look very interested” Zoro teased, earning a laugh from the crew.

You rolled your eyes, ignoring their laughter as you stared out at the sea. The truth was, Law was interesting. Infuriating, yes, but undeniably clever and powerful. And every time he faced you in battle, there was a flicker of respect in his eyes that made your heart skip—though you’d die before admitting it.

The next time you crossed paths, it was during an ambush on a Marine base. Both the Strawhats and the Heart Pirates had the same idea: raid the place for supplies and information.

“Of course you’re here” you muttered as Law appeared beside you in the chaos, his Room ability slicing through Marine reinforcements.

“Likewise” he replied, his tone flat.

You rolled your eyes, summoning your energy to blast a group of Marines into the wall.

“Try not to slow me down, Surgeon” you taunted.

Law smirked faintly, his sword flashing as he neutralized another group. “I should say the same to you.”

The two of you moved in sync, your powers complementing his precision as you cleared the room. By the time the dust settled, you were both panting, but victorious.

“You’re not as bad as I thought” you admitted grudgingly, glancing at him.

“Likewise” he said, his tone softer than before.

For a moment, the tension between you shifted into something else—something quieter, almost… tender. But before either of you could speak, a loud crash from outside reminded you that the crews were still fighting.

“Back to work” you said, brushing past him.

After the raid, you didn’t expect to see Law again so soon. But a week later, the Heart Pirates docked near the Sunny, ostensibly to exchange information about the Marines.

“Sure, information” Sanji said annoyed as you watched Law step aboard. “More like an excuse to see Y/N.”

“Shut up” you hissed, your cheeks heating as you crossed your arms.

Law ignored the whispers and teasing from both crews, his gaze sharp as he walked toward you.

“Y/N-ya. Where’s your captain?” he said simply.

“He’s resting” you answer with a cold tone, trying not to question why he asked you out of everyone.

He nods, holding out a piece of parchment.

You raised an eyebrow, taking it. “What’s this?”

“Details about a Marine operation near here,” he replied. “I thought you’d want to know.”

“Why are you helping us?” you asked, narrowing your eyes.

He shrugged. “Your interference benefits me. Simple as that.”

But the faint smile tugging at his lips told a different story, and you couldn’t help but smirk in return.

“You’re lucky I don’t blast you off this ship” you teased, summoning a flicker of energy in your hand.

“And you’re lucky I don’t cut you in half” he replied, though there was no malice in his tone.

The crews watched the exchange with barely concealed glee, their whispers growing louder.

“They’re so into each other” Nami said, smirking at Robin.

“Think they know?” she asked.

“Not a chance” Nami replied, laughing softly.

Over the next few weeks, your encounters with Law became more frequent. You worked together to take down Marine operations, often bickering but always falling into a rhythm that felt almost natural.

And slowly, the tension between you began to shift.

It was during a quiet night on the Sunny, after a mission, that you finally confronted the elephant in the room.

“Why do you keep showing up?” you asked, finding him standing alone at the edge of the deck.

He didn’t look at you, his gaze fixed on the horizon. “Maybe I enjoy the challenge.”

“Of working with me or putting up with me?” you asked, crossing your arms.

“Both,” he admitted, a faint smirk on his lips.

You blinked, caught off guard by his honesty. “Wait, are you—”

“Don’t overthink it, Y/N-ya” he said, finally turning to face you. “But for what it’s worth… I don’t hate having you around.”

Your heart skipped a beat, and you fought to keep your expression neutral “Well, that’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.”

“Don’t get used to it” he said, though his tone was more amused than annoyed.

The crews, who had been secretly watching from below deck, erupted into cheers and whistles, ruining the moment.

“JUST KISS ALREADY!” Luffy shouted, earning groans and laughter from everyone else.

You groaned, burying your face in your hands. “They’re never going to let us live this down, are they?”

“No” Law said, his smirk widening.

And as the chaos around you grew, you couldn’t help but laugh, realizing that maybe, just maybe, you didn’t mind being stuck with him.

It happened during one of those rare, quiet nights when the sea was calm, and the crews were resting after yet another skirmish with the Marines. The Heart Pirates and the Strawhats had docked together on a small, remote island to regroup. The two crews were enjoying a bonfire, their laughter echoing through the night, but you found yourself wandering away from the group, your thoughts racing.

As much as you hated to admit it, Law had been on your mind far too often lately. His sharp wit, his calm demeanor, the way his gaze lingered on you during battles—it was maddening.

You sighed, sitting on a rock overlooking the ocean, when you heard footsteps behind you.

“Y/N-ya” Law’s voice called softly.

You didn’t turn around, but the corner of your lips twitched. “Stalking me now, Surgeon?”

“I could say the same about you, wandering off to brood” he replied, stepping beside you.

“Brooding is your thing” you shot back, finally glancing up at him.

He smirked faintly but said nothing, his silver eyes scanning the horizon. For a moment, the two of you sat in silence, the sound of the waves filling the air.

“You’ve been quiet tonight” he said finally, breaking the silence.

“Just thinking,” you admitted, resting your chin on your knees. “About… everything.”

Law raised an eyebrow. “Everything?”

You hesitated, debating whether to speak your mind. But something about the way he was looking at you—calm, patient, as if he already knew what you were going to say—made you want to be honest.

“About you” you said softly, meeting his gaze.

Law’s eyes widened slightly, the smallest crack in his usual composure. “What about me?”

“You’re infuriating,” you began, standing up and pacing in front of him. “You’re always so calm, so smug, like you know everything. And you drive me crazy because you do know everything half the time. And yet… you’re the one person I can’t stop thinking about.”

The words tumbled out before you could stop them, and you froze, suddenly feeling vulnerable.

Law was quiet for a moment, his gaze unreadable. Then he stood, stepping closer to you.

“You drive me crazy too, Y/N-ya,” he said, his voice low. “Your recklessness, your power… the way you always throw yourself into danger without thinking.”

You blinked, caught off guard. “That sounds more like an insult.”

“It’s not,” he said, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. “Because for some reason, I can’t stop thinking about you either.”

Your heart skipped a beat, but before you could reply, a loud crash sounded behind you.

“DAMN IT!”

You whipped around to see the Luffy fall from a nearby tree, covered in leaves, turning to the others who were poorly hidden.

“What the hell?!” you shouted, your face burning.

“We weren’t spying!” Usopp says as the rest of both crews scrambled to hide behind trees and rocks.

“Yeah, totally not spying!” Luffy shouted, laughing loudly.

“Let’s just leave them alone!” Nami groaned, smacking Luffy on the head as the crews retreated, their laughter fading into the distance.

You groaned, covering your face with your hands. “I’m going to kill them.”

Law chuckled softly, his amusement breaking the tension. “They’re persistent, I’ll give them that.”

When you looked up at him, his usual calm had returned, but his silver eyes held a warmth you’d never seen before.

“So… about what you said” you began awkwardly, your cheeks burning.

Law took a step closer, his hand brushing against yours. “If you’re done yelling at the audience…”

You laughed nervously, but the sound faded as he leaned in, his expression serious.

“Can I?” he asked softly, his voice barely above a whisper.

You nodded, your breath hitching as his lips brushed yours. The kiss was soft, slow, and far gentler than you’d expected from someone like him.

When you pulled away, your power energy flickered around you, uncontrollable as your emotions surged.

“Sorry” you muttered, trying to rein it in.

Law smirked, brushing a strand of hair from your face. “It suits you.”

From the distance, you heard muffled cheers and groans, and you couldn’t help but laugh.

“They’re never going to shut up about this” you said, shaking your head.

“Let them talk” Law replied, his voice calm but firm “I don’t care.”

And for the first time, neither did you.

[sandrayln]

The fact that literally the only mention I can find of this horse's sire is via the auction for the horse in question makes me think two things:

Possibly this horse was also renamed/re-registered.

Very likely registered as a foal and no one bothered to update the registration.

That said... it is very faintly technically possible that this could happen. It requires... ah. A chain of things to be true.

Option 1: Sire registration is correct, dam is missing information in the pedigree. If we assume this... then the roan came from the dam's side and likely was very minimal. (I've known a few roans who were so minimal that you had no idea.)

Option 2: Sire registration is wrong, dam is correct (except for Pewter, who must be grey). If the dam and sire are both grey, then both are heterozygous - they have one copy of the grey gene. So there's about a 25% chance of a not-grey foal. Again, the roan is mysterious in origin, but possible.

Option 3: Everybody's working off visual cues and not bothering to genetically test color because it can get expensive, so if the registry doesn't require color testing, ain't nobody testing color. Pewter was grey, but registered as black because she was black as a foal with no grey goggles, and no one updated it. Ditto Pushing Another John. Jones' color was likely updated when he was renamed, and was probably originally listed as black because he would have been a jet-black foal and I'm betting also didn't have goggles. He went up for auction in 2022 as a yearling and could have been black or near-black at that point, and looking at more current photos, he's not speed-running the greying process. If he's changing hands quickly between people who don't know what a greying horse looks like, it could be easy to think the horse is roan.

Option 3 is 100% my bet. Coat color genetics are an interest of mine, but having watched a few FB groups... it's not a thing for a lot of people and Jane Q. Seller is gonna call roan horses grey, grey horses roan, seal brown horses black, sunfaded blacks bay, ask if their chestnut foal could possibly be palomino because the sire's sire or damsire is, and beg to know what color a very clearly bay horse might be in hopes that they have something rare and unique and not the world's muddiest plain bay without even a sock or a star.

This horse is clearly visually grey if you know what to look for; roans have dark heads, and sabinos - also an option for white flecking in TWHs - have the flecking coming up from the bottom. What makes white on the head like that? Grey.

In the end... the way to solve this for sure is genetic testing. The relevant tests I'd run for this horse are like $100-$120 total to get base coat, grey, sabino, and maybe roan (though I'd argue process of elimination - test for grey and sabino, and if neither and lots of white, he's roan). But without the horse... well. I agree with you, OP, but you're never gonna change that seller's mind.

This horse being advertised as a true black roan. I pointed out that he is Grey they said no, he's a unique true black roan. Brother in Christ HIS DAM IS GREY FOR GODS SAKE

[i-dared-myself]

Not so Subtle

Stray Kids x reader

Requested by anonymous: Hii^^ i love reading your works they are just so good♡ and i was wondering, completely up to you if you want to do it, if you could maybe do a skz ninth member reader one where reader is "secretly"  dating felix:))

The hardest part of dating was keeping it a secret. Obviously. As an idol, it was very difficult to have relationships, and anything was done to prevent dating scandals.

Dating a member from your group was even more so hush-hush. It just wasn’t done. 

Which was why you had to keep your relationship with Felix a secret. You both understood what had to be done, and all measures were taken to prevent anyone from discovering your relationship.

Date nights were rushed and hidden. It was less of a date night and more of a let’s hide in your room and hold hands night.

That was as far as you had gotten with him. Holding hands. You hadn’t yet kissed, too scared of someone walking in.

You have been dating Felix for three weeks and haven’t kissed him yet. And it’s not like you can go to anyone for dating advice, because who would you go to? What would even you ask them?

So you sit there on a Saturday night, afraid of asking your own boyfriend to hang out. You know he was sitting in his room alone, based on the picture he had just sent you. 

It was him in his hoodie, making a heart at the camera. You take a photo, mimicking his pose and sending it.

Then you wander down the hallway, knocking on his door. 

He opens it, eyes widening. “Uh- Hey. Seungmin’s out with Jisung. Do you need something?”

You clear your throat awkwardly. “I mean… It would be nice to hang out.”

Felix’s expression shifts to one of understanding, and he opens the door wider for you. You hurry inside and he shuts it quickly behind you.

You grin and hop onto his bed. “What were you doing?”

“Watching a show,” he responds, sitting next to you on the bed. His hands twitch, but he folds them into his lap. “Do you… want to watch it with me?”

You nod eagerly. “Yeah.”

He returns your excitement as he brings his phone out, bringing up the show he had been in the midst of. He explains it to you and you barely listen, more so focused on the joy in his eyes as he describes it.

Felix presses play and leans against the headboard to watch it. You stare at it for a minute before reaching out, entwining your hands together. In your peripheral vision you catch a smile grow on his face.

“Who’s that?” you whisper as a man shows up on screen. 

“That’s the love interest,” Felix softly replies, even though there’s no one else in the room. 

You watch it for another couple of seconds. “He’s not as pretty as you.”

His face flushes before his hand squeezes yours. “You’re prettier.”

You look up at him, mouth going dry. His gaze is hooded, lashes fluttering. 

“Yeah?” You shift closer to him, taking on his freckles. There’s so prominent when you’re this near him.

“So pretty,” Felix murmurs. His head dips down, lips slanting over yours.

It’s everything you’ve dreamed of. Sweet and soft, and just so Felix that it makes your chest hurt. You return it and loop your arms around his neck.

The door bangs open and you fly away from him with a squeak. Felix’s face goes red and he grabs a pillow, smothering you with it for some reason.

“What are you doing?” Jisung stands in the doorway, Seungmin hovering just behind him. Both of their expressions are a mix of surprise and… something else.

“Just… watching a show.” Felix smiles at them, although it comes off as forced.

You let out a muffled scream. He’s still attempting to kill you with the pillow and spots are dancing in your vision.

“Felix!” Seungmin snaps. “She can’t breathe!”

Felix gasps and flings the pillow away. It happens to hit Jisung directly in the face and he dramatically collapses.

“Are you okay?” Felix desperately asks, shaking you by the shoulders.

You force a smile. “Yeah, I’m okay.”

“Good.” Felix lays you down on the bed, stroking your face affectionately. “I- I would hate to hurt you.”

You melt into his touch, leaning into his hand. “You would never.”

Seungmin coughs, breaking the tension. “Uh, Jisung! I hope you’re not hurt!”

You and Felix both jump away from each other, realizing you’re not alone. 

Jisung blinks at Seungmin before his mouth forms an ‘O’ of understanding. You don’t know what passes between them, but Jisung is suddenly groaning.

“Seungmin!” Jisung grabs the other man’s shirt and yanks him close. His fists crinkle the fabric and Seungmin’s face screws up in horror. “I- I’m so glad you were here to save me!”

Seungmin glances at you and Felix, his jaw setting before he reaches down to Jisung’s cheek, cupping it delicately. “I… I’m glad you aren’t hurt.”

Jisung sniffles. “Oh, Seungmin! What would I do without you?”

Seungmin’s lips peel back in disgust before he smoothes his expression out. He looks down at Jisung blandly. “Let’s go and… be alone.”

Felix frowns. “What are you two doing?”

Jisung glances over. “Seungmin’s going to… check me for bruises. You two stay here. We’ll make sure no one bothers you.”

You panic. “Why would we be worried about someone bothering us? There’s nothing happening!”

“Right!” Seungmin hoists Jisung to his feet, forcing him down the hall. “And we’re leaving now!”

Felix shuts his bedroom door and presses his back to it with a relieved sigh. “They didn’t catch on.”

You return to the bed. “Do you think Jisung’s hurt?”

“He’s fine,” Felix assures you. “They were acting weird, though.”

You lace your fingers with his, gently tugging him to the bed. “Yeah, they were. I wonder what that was about.”

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

It’s move night. Everyone is gathering in the living room around the television, and popcorn has been made.

The group chat had even voted on a film earlier, so there was no need for an hour of arguing. The evening will go by pleasantly with no troubles or bumps in the road.

You stand uncertainty. You’re not sure where you should sit. There’s an available space next to Felix on the couch… but would that be too obvious?

“Sit down!” Changbin exclaims. He waves his hands at you. “You’re in the way! I can’t see the tv!”

You scoot to the side, moving to settle in the spot near Jeongin on the floor.

Then you stumble over something, sending you tumbling straight into Felix’s lap. His face lights up a bright red and you scramble to get away, but you get tangled up in the blanket.

“Oops,” Minho drawls, dragging his leg back from where it had tripped you. “Well I guess you’re sitting there now.”

You calm your racing heart and try and slip off his lap, but Hyunjin swoops in.

Hyunjin stretches out on the rest of the couch. When you gawk at him, he lifts his gaze to your face, raising a single eyebrow.

“What?” Hyunjin demands. “I pulled my ankle at training today and need the extra space.”

“Just sit down so we can start the movie!” Jeongin groans. “I’ve been looking forward to this all day!”

You recline, allowing his chest to rest against your back. Your entire body is tense with the anticipation of Chanbin leaping up and announcing that the two of you must be dating if you’re this close.

Chan walks over, adjusting the blanket you’re tucked under. He smiles softly at you and Felix before nodding to Jeongin. “Start the movie.”

Jeongin lets out a little cry of excitement as he presses play.

Felix’s hand works its way to your thigh, resting there. He doesn’t move it, keeping it there as a comforting gesture more than anything.

You take his other hand and position it on your leg. You catch a flicker of a smile grow on his face before he squashes it down.

Jisung sighs and turns around, reaching for the blanket. “I’m cold.”

It whooshes away, exposing Felix’s hands. You feel lightheaded as everyone’s eyes narrow in on them.

“I- W-We can explain!” you stammer as Felix yanks away. “I- We-“

Minho gasps and rolls away from Chan. “Stop touching me! I know your hands are cold in this freezing house, but keep them to yourself!”

Hyunjin clears his throat. “You may hold my hands to keep yours warm. It’s what a friend would do.”

“Thank you, Minho.” Chan reluctantly takes Minho’s hand in his. 

“That’s what we were doing!” Felix yells. He winces before bringing his voice down a level. “I mean, my hands were cold so I was warming them.”

“Ah.” Seungmin nods. “That makes total sense.”

Jeongin sighs. “Can I unpause it yet?”

“Go ahead.” Jisung sheepishly returns the blanket to you and Felix. You fold it over your bodies and snuggle back into your boyfriend.

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

“Okay!” Chan shouts, racing into the kitchen. Everyone else is there, cooking, chatting, or just hanging out. “Who the hell bought a bunch of condoms? Someone forgot to put them away and they ended up in the background for a photo that was posted!”

Everyone stares at him blankly. He stares, gaze intense. His phone is still clutched tightly in his hand and his eyebrows are knitted together.

You feel a drop of sweat roll down your neck.

“Well?” Chan prompts.

Jeongin steps forward, gaze cast downwards shamefully. “I- It was me. I’m sorry.”

“You?” Chan says in surprise. “Really?”

You and Felix exchange confused looks. 

Hyunjin also takes a step to the front. “And me. They’re mine too.”

Seungmin crosses his arms. “Oh, I want to hear this story.”

Hyunjin shoots him a filthy expression. “I don’t think that’s necessary.”

“I disagree,” Changbin interjects. “I think it’s really needed.”

“I uh-“ Jeongin swallows. “I asked him for help on how to open them.”

Chan pinches the bridge of his nose. “You did what?”

“I was always using scissors and would cut a hole in them.” Jeongin’s lips thin grimly. “They’re not very effective that way.”

“Yeah, so I showed him how to open them properly,” Hyunjin says. “So we bought a bunch of them so he could practise.”

Jisung appears as if he’s holding back laughter. Minho also seems to be struggling from beside him.

Chan shifts between legs. “Okay then. Uh, dismissed.”

You and Felix both discretely slip away to panic with each other. It’s a miracle Hyunjin and Jeongin had also owned condoms.

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

The difficult thing about members dating is when everyone else knows. 

They have the decency to pretend that they don’t, though. It’s so hard when you and Felix are so obvious, however.

Chan sighs and rubs at his face. “I can’t do this much longer. When are they going to just come out with it?”

Changbin shrugs. “I have no idea. It feels like it’s been going on forever.”

“I even made up that whole condom story to try and get them to confess,” Chan mournfully confesses. “But nothing.

Seungmin scoffs. “I had to go off to private with Jisung. They probably think we made out or something.”

“I had to get all soft and hold his hand.” Minho points at Chan. “In front of everyone. You don’t have it that bad.”

“I had to take the blow for the condoms!” Hyunjin shrieks. 

Jeongin puffs his chest out. “So did I! I say we just tell them that we know.”

Jisung shakes his head. “No! If they haven’t told us yet, it’s probably for a reason!”

“Like what? They know that we’re not worried about proper image. Besides, we can keep a secret.” Seungmin pulls out his ohone and scrolls mindlessly.

“Guys?” You hover unsurely in the doorway, Felix right behind you. “We have something to tell you.”

“Thank goodness,” Jeongin mutters quietly. Seungmin laughs silently beside him. 

Felix places a reassuring hand on your shoulder, giving you the courage you need.

“We’re dating.” You suck in a breath as you wait for their reactions.

Minho purses his lips. “What? Oh, the scandal,” he drones, voice flat.

Felix weaves his fingers through yours and pulls you flush to his side. “It’s true. We’ve been dating for almost two months now. We’re happy and really like each other.”

Chan stands, expression serious. “We have something to confess too.”

“Yeah?” you anxiously ask.

“We’ve known the whole time,” Chan admits. 

“The entire time,” Hyunjin agrees. “Like, we knew the day that you became a couple. You both had those stupid smiles on your faces.”

You let out a heavy breath. “Okay, great. Good to know.”

Felix furrows his brow. “The whole time, really?”

“Really.” Changbin pats his arm as he walks by, uninterested in the conversation.

Seungmin trails after him, scowling. “Now shut up when you giggle over your shows together. It’s annoying.”

Taglist (Open):

@velvetmoonlght @jinnie-ret @hansmic @imeverycliche

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

curious about your take on riddle's dream. i have seen people en masse claim that riddle yearns to a deliquent/"if he wasn't traumatized, he would be in a pop music club" and... it feels like such a literal interpretation (although there are some who are obv just joking) to the point of misinterpretation? i'm not very invested in riddle's story arc, but to me it read like a pretty clear "what if i was the worst version of myself (which riddle has been raised to see as being disobedient) and i was still loveable".

[You can read my thoughts on the book 7 chapter 12 part 3 update here!]

I think there’s a lot of different ways to interpret the dreams because of how… vaguely they’re written + their length + every player coming into the dreams with their own experiences which inform their POVs. For this reason, I don’t feel comfortable outright stating X or Y interpretation is “wrong”, and nor do I wish to be used as a means to validating one interpretation over the others. All I’m going to do this ask is explain how I personally interpreted Riddle’s dream. That’s all.

I don’t think Riddle wants to be a delinquent; this would be conflating a child’s desires to that of a delinquent. Yes, Riddle was detained be a police officer—but not for any violence or serious criminal actions. He was detained for singing in front of the police station (without a license) and causing a public disturbance (because of his amplifiers). Furthermore, Riddle doesn’t engage in any other criminal behaviors (unless you count not going to school, but a minor isn’t usually held liable for that; the onus is on his parents for not sending him). I think it would be more accurate to say that Riddle’s wishes are very child-like ones. He wants to be able to play with his friends all day, he ignores studying and obeying rules, he can eat tarts and drink sugary tea whenever he wants, he has doting parents that are always emotionally there for him, etc. These are not marks of delinquency, they are the innocent longings of an inner child that never got to be recognized.

While I don’t think it’s a guarantee that Riddle would be in Pop/Light Music Club had he had a more lenient mother, I do think that Riddle would want to explore creative outlets. He is noted as having a very strong imagination, but is limited in his life experiences and struggles to think for himself or to act outside of the concrete, as is defined by rules and laws. If these restraints were loosened up and he had actually been allowed and encouraged to explore other avenues, he might have found an interest in the arts and expressing himself through that. It could be a visual medium, a written medium, a musical medium, whatever.

I think music is what we jump to right away because he has a band in the dream, but I could easily see him dabbling in other areas too. Maybe music was chosen because it’s a group activity, and Riddle longs to be that setting. A happy family, a boy with lots of friends, you name it. You could also argue that Riddle went with music because that’s what he knew from his dorm members. Adeuce are in athletic clubs, which Riddle is sort of rubbish at, and Trey is in Science Club, which of course covers topics Riddle would already be studying irl. Cater’s club is the only one with a significant degree of creativity allowed. Riddle might have based his hobby in the dream off of Cater’s experiences. One telltale detail that supports this theory is that Riddle mentions people keep leaving because the band can’t stick to one genre, which is also true of Cater’s irl Pop/Light Music Club. Another thing to consider is that Riddle is able to conjure the look of delicious cakes and cookies but not replicate the taste because he’s not familiar with it. You could say this is also true of his being in a band. He looks the part, but we never hear him participating in it—perhaps because Riddle could have seen Cater rushing to a club meeting in his outfit, but not have actually heard him play. Therefore, it’s possible that Riddle’s dream is just pulling from his shallow understanding of what “being in a band” is about… the camaraderie of it. This, again, loops us back to Cater’s relationship with his fellow club members. It’s less about the actual playing and more about the vibes and hanging out with one another. Maybe Riddle heard stories from Cater about this and got curious? This same logic applies to other aspects of his dream. He seems to emulate what he has heard from his dorm members in general. Loving parents who are there for him (like Trey), the bout of delinquency (like Deuce), the ability to speak his mind (like Ace). Riddle is wanting to be more like his peers, who were able to have “normal” experiences. To me, it feels like he used his dorm members as templates (which he combined with his own desire to have a fulfilling childhood) because Riddle himself doesn’t have a clear concept of what it means to live freely. After all, he only has like 1-2 months of playing with Trey and Chenya to go off of compared to a few years with his Heartslabyul classmates.

As I said earlier in this post, I don’t think the Riddle we see in the first layer of his dream is meant to be “the worst version of himself” or “Riddle but disobedient”; it reads as more of Riddle indulging in everything he missed out on in his childhood. Sweets, parental love, playing all day with friends, loudly and openly expressing himself through music, exploring creative ventures, making happy memories… I don’t believe these are bad things or borne out of Riddle wanting to be rebellious or disobedient, they’re just consequences of acting like a kid.

I do find it interesting that so many aspects of himself were entirely written over. However, I don’t see it as Riddle thinking he has to be a different person (as in, having a different personality?) in order to be worthy of love. Riddle was definitely still able to make friends as a child even with the quiet personality he had then. It was possible. Nothing in his backstory makes me think Riddle believes he wasn’t deserving of love—but he may think that love has to be earned, that love is conditional. And what is that condition? Following the rules, obeying, performing well in exams. That’s what he was taught would earn him success and his mother’s love and that’s what he enforced in early book 1. I think… Riddle definitely wants to be someone else, but in the sense that he wants to be born into different circumstances. Parents that get along, a dad that has time for him, a mom that dotes on him, no magic, no expectations to shoulder, lax rules, etc. This ties in with Riddle wanting to live the childhood he feels he never had. A childhood where he had no friends, where he studied all the time, where his mother calorie counted for him, where he was not allowed to play video games or watch movies, where he was not allowed to choose his own clothes or career or anything. Several of these sentiments were expressed post-OB.

Now that being said, everything I just discussed covers only the first layer of Riddle’s dream. I see the idea of Riddle thinking he has to be someone else coming through a little stronger in the second layer of his dream. That’s the part where everyone is being chased through the destroyed rose maze. Here, we see a much more extreme and even more domineering Riddle than what we saw in book 1. He lords over his students such that even his versions of Ace and Deuce have fallen into line and mindlessly follow his commands. The mob students are scared of him—and though Riddle is aware of it, he is content. They salute him and praise him for his iron fist. He is the most correct, after all. He is ruling just as his mother would, he is being the person his mother wants him to be.

This is expanded upon further in the third layer of his dream, in which he faces his inner darkness. Riddle confronts the truth: that he is desperate to cling onto the dorm leader seat, because that’s all he has going for him. He has driven away his classmates, who fear him and resent him. There’s his mother, but she has not granted him the affection he craves, and her approval is conditional. He is alone and unloved. This potentially recontexualizes details seen in earlier layers. Why is Riddle in a band? Maybe because he wants to be like Cater, who seems easygoing and approachable. Why does Riddle live many other aspects of his dorm members’ lives? Why do the characters conjured by Riddle’s darkness to fully believe that Cater wants to transfer to Scarabia—a dorm known for having a friendly and relaxed leader? It could suggest an insecurity in Riddle, a worry that he, as he is, is not enough. Not smart enough for his mother’s approval, not kind or cheery or normal enough to make friends. So all he has is his crown, which he reverently claims to. It’s one of the few things he has to call his own, a decision he made for himself and something he earned through his own merit.

But ultimately, I see Riddle’s truest desire as… being his own person, having his own independence and things he chose for himself. Not letting himself be ruled by the shadow of his mother. (His Phantom fittingly seems to dangle him on strings, as if Riddle is its puppet or marionette.) It doesn’t mean complete chaos or anarchy, and it doesn’t mean being like other people. It means defining his own rules for how he should live. Walking forward on his own path. Making his own identity, not tied down to that of his mother. Riddle is so used to being to do what to do or how to be—by his mom, by some arbitrary set of rules. The fact that he confesses to the things he actually wants after his OB… that he wants to stand up to his mother over winter break… that he confronts the dream version of his mom with the declaration that he will open this door with his own hand, that he will walk forward on his own path… I think that says a lot.

…. Weeeeell, like I said at the start, that’s one interpretation 🤷‍♀️ It’s not necessarily “correct”, and it’s liable to change (especially since all of this information is still very fresh; I’m still taking the time to digest it myself). The wibbly wobbly dream magic is open enough to invite all kinds of interpretations, so I encourage you to take this all with a grain of salt and to come to your own conclusions?

I think it’s interesting that it’s Riddle’s dream that has resulted in many different interpretations, especially on the English speaking side? I wonder if that’s because the average EN player skews younger, so those fans can relate a lot with the struggle for identity and finding freedom from one’s parents, even if their circumstances aren’t exactly the same as Riddle’s. We project our own experiences and feelings onto Riddle, which informs our interpretation of his dream.

[lovhrin]

𓇻   ॱ˖  FROM ME TO YOU park sunghoon mini smau

──ॱ˖ ❀ If there was one person yn would always remember, it would be park sunghoon, the only boy who was kind to her on her first day of school. to her, that small act of kindness meant everything. to him, it was probably just another ordinary day. or at least, that’s what she thought.

in which the most popular boy in school is tired of hiding his interest in the least popular girl in school.

❀ pairing : popular!sunghoon x quiet!femreader

❀ genre : school!au, friends to lovers, fluff, angst, smau, loosely based on kimi ni todoke

❀ taglist : closed! @tasnemluvs @honestlyatomicpanda @hhyvsstuff @skepvids @who-tf-soddhi @beigerin @tinyteezer @sasfransisco @giraffeass @velv3ts @seiamor @steddie-steddie @blvengene @starry-eyed-bimbo @ilovbeshotaro @river-demon-slayer @thinkinboutbin @starsunoo @nishimurarikisfinestan @i03jae @greentulip @naevis-hung-up @itsactuallylina @academiq @rikidaze @en-dream @rkivesfilm @kittyyy003 @haechology @univershoon @riribelle @jiiyen @elegancefr @daniellesyellowhands @sunooqvrlsx @justsvstuff @xeee334 @jungcatwonie @starbyeol1512 @right-person-wrong-time @kirakun @rairaiblog @miukidoll @unstableqi @wonuziex @yurisblooming @yyawnjun @pluggtalkk @mydearyeseo @yurisblooming @juyeoz

00. no boys allowed

soft, soothing music drifted through the café, wrapping the space in a sense of peace as the girls enjoyed their meal. the atmosphere was nothing short of serene just as expected. yn always had a way of finding the perfect spots, places that felt like a hidden sanctuary away from the world.

"yn, maybe try eating the food instead of just taking pictures of it," yizhuo teased, laughing at the way yn's face instantly turned red.

"sorry, they're just too cute," she said, finally taking a bite of her totoro cream puff and letting out a satisfied hum. "i need a good collage of photos before school starts, my photography teacher wants us to document our spring break and school starts tomorrow.”

"well, that shouldn't have been hard," yunah said, mouth full, completely ignoring yizhuo's scolding look before taking a sip from yn's drink. "you document everything, you probably haven't even realized how many photos you've taken over the brea—oh!" she suddenly cut herself off, a teasing glint in her eyes as she placed a hand over yn's. "speaking of school, have you thought about joining me for sports day?"

yn awkwardly glanced to the side, avoiding yunah's expectant gaze.

"oh, come on! i even got yiz to join my team," yunah pouted, giving yn her best pleading look.

"which is never happening again," yizhuo chimed in, taking a sip of her kiki themed latte. "i'm only going because you promised to buy me ramen for a month."

"come on, yn! i want both of my girls on my team," yunah whined, taking another sip from yn's drink, despite having her own.

"this is really good," she mused, making yn nod in agreement.

"i know, right?"

"but that's beside the point!" yunah quickly refocused, leaning in with wide, pleading eyes. "please?"

yn looked at her friend and sighed. she was never the sports type, she got tired too easily. she was more of an artsy girl, someone who kept to herself. plus, she had only transferred at the start of the year and still didn’t feel completely comfortable. but she couldn't ignore the fact that yunah and yizhuo had been nothing but kind to her since she moved. she felt like she owed them at least a little consideration.

"i'll think about it," she said at last, meeting yunah's hopeful gaze. "for real this time."

“promise?”

“promise.”

a comfortable silence settled between them, the only sounds being the occasional clink of utensils and the soft hum of café chatter. the girls stayed lost in their own worlds, scrolling through their phones and picking at their food, perfectly at ease in each other's company.

that was until yunah looked up, her eyes widening as she stared past yn and yizhuo toward the entrance.

"what the hell are they doing here?" she muttered.

yn and yizhuo turned to look over their shoulders. yizhuo immediately groaned.

"i thought this place was girls only?" she joked, rolling her eyes.

but yn barely heard her. her focus was locked on the boy who walked in last, trailing behind the others.

sunghoon.

last . masterlist . next

──ॱ˖ ❀ finally starting!!

[kamospeach]

if you love me won't you let me know .ᐟ

plot: fratboy!choso who can't help but let his guard fall for you kinda.

content warning: angsty, softdom!choso (ofc), alcohol and drug use, black coded, intoxicated sex, dry humping, piv sex, fingering, handjob, cowgirl, missionary, degradation (reader is called a bitch, slut, and a whore) ;P

peachy's yap: wc 4.4k .ᐟ based off my chats with this c.ai bot and this choso fanart. this is a pt.1 so there WILL be a 2nd part whether you like it or not :3 ! and maybe even a third? pt. 2

"c'mon y/n... you know we're not goin' in without you!" your best friend groaned as she stood with you by the car. you had agreed to drop your best friend and your extra friends off at this week's frat party. you didn't want to go knowing you were in for sweat, weed, and must.

"i'm not goin' in there, it probably stink," you said and your other friend rolled her eyes. really you were avoiding running into any of the frat guys. truth be told you were a sucker for em' and you knew if you went it was all over. and that's how you met him.

your friends promised they'd stay by your side the whole time. so how did you end up sitting on a dingy couch next to choso? who was drinking out of a red solo cup and a blunt perched behind his ear. he looked at you smiling at your awkward smile. you had no idea who this man was other than you'd seen him around campus once or twice.

"here alone?" he asked sitting the cup down on the table and you shake your head. you couldn't deny that he was very very good-looking. his hair in two buns short bangs in his face that he had to keep moving. his natural dark circles around the eyes gave him a tired and nonchalant look.

"nah my friends around here somewhere..." you tell him and he nods fixing his shirt that was practically begging for mercy around his large biceps.

the shirt wasn't long enough for his long torso, so every time he lifted his arms to fix his bangs his happy trail showed. his baggy jeans hung low on his waist displaying a part of his white boxers. he wore white air forces that tied the whole fit together. not only was he attractive, he could dress and that only pulled you in even more.

"you must like bein' alone?" choso questioned removing the blunt from his ear. he lit the blunt letting the smoke fill his lungs and looking you up and down.

"yeah, i was forced to come in here. i'd prefer to be asleep in my bed right now," you chuckled getting more comfortable in your seat. it was going to be a long night, might as well settle in.

"agreed..." he huffed out not only from releasing the smoke but from exhaustion. you raised a brow now interested in this mysterious-looking man.

"so why are you here... go home and sleep." you laughed looking at him as if it was common sense.

"this is my home... plus i’m on cleanin' duty." he smiled and your frown dropped, he... lived here? your eyes ran over him one last time before you noticed the wristband on his wrist. the exact same greek letters printed on the outside of this frat house were on his bracelet.

"you're in this frat?" you asked with a raised brow and he nodded with a laugh.

"that unbelievable?" he asked and you frowned looking him up and down. truthfully you took him for the emo type one of those guys who found frat life corny.

"now that you mention it... not really," you admitted thinking about how he wore the shirt. yes, most of the frat men had no shirts on and were screaming in the backyard of the house. you guessed that he wasn't a frat boy because he was quietly sitting here smoking.

"what's your name?" he asked looking at you with a glance and you smiled.

"y/n? and you're um..." you racked your brain for his name sure you've been told it.

"choso..." he laughs at your thinking face and you nod. "nice to meet you y/n." he smiles.

"nice to meet you too choso," you repeat back just as one of your extra friends flops down next to you sighing. she giggled hitting your leg and getting your attention (you definitely weren't staring at choso who talked to satoru while smoking his blunt). you turned away looking at her, her lip liner and gloss smudged an obvious sign she kissed someone.

"who did you kiss?" you asked furrowing your brows and she giggled. her and your three other friends were off their asses. your best friend seemed drunk too but not insanely drunk.

"m' not tellin' you." she slurred laughing knowing you'd tell her off. judging by her reaction you knew it was her ex and you laughed. ryomen stumbled in pink lip gloss covering his lips.

"you ashamed of me?" he slurred looking down at your friend who just giggled. the second hand embarrassment was kicking in and you grabbed her pulling her up.

"c'mon time to go," you said and all your other friends helped you carry her.

"i can get your number?" choso asked watching you walk away with your friend's arm thrown around your shoulder.

"maybe another time... gotta make sure my girls get home safely." you smile small and walk away carrying your friend who fell limp.

when you went home that night you thought about choso. something about him being in a frat made him even more attractive. after your shower and your night routine, you sat in your bed going to the frat's instagram. just your luck the most recent post was of choso, satoru, and suguru. you clicked on his tag opening up his instagram and your jaw dropped.

although he was a sweet and soft person from what it seemed like his instagram was full of thirst traps. every post except one he had his shirt off, two at the pool, and three dripping in sweat at a party. you were hypnotized by the dragon tattoo that ran down his ribcage and below the band of his sweats.

he had a tattoo on his pecks that moved down to his arm that looked as if his sleeve wasn't completely done. then there was the tattooed stripe across his nose that you didn't completely understand. honestly that added to the appeal it was different and even this far away you were eager to run your fingers over it. he was the exact opposite of what you expected, he was actually slutty and outgoing.

you and your friends sat around a table looking at your phone. they were fangirling over satoru while you couldn't stop staring at choso in every picture. you didn't make it obvious just watching them school and focusing on a specific pigtailed man.

"what're y'all lookin' at?" satoru asked trying to lean over the small huddle y'all had going on. you quickly cut the phone off seeing a lot of the frat here. aside from suguru satoru and choso, there were about 6 other guys.

"none of your business," you said looking away from gojo and diverting your eyes to choso. he stood at the back of the crowd quietly waving you over. you giddily stood up walking over to him enjoying the different style on him.

he wore a black sweatshirt and a beanie his hair was down and some was even in his face. his jeans were baggy with a chain hanging from his belt look. he finished the outfit with black timbs and the same chains from last night.

"hey," you smiled looking up at choso who sent a warm smile back to you. you couldn't get over the sheer beauty of this man.

"hey, what're you up to this weekend?" he asked and your brow raised shrugging. you were curious as to why he was asking. your mind ran through many different scenarios. he could be asking you out or he could be trying to get you in his bed. although both sounded good it didn't mean that's what you wanted from him.

"nothin' what's up?" you asked batting your lashes and looking up at the man who was insanely taller than you. something you weren't able to tell sitting on the couch with him last night.

"we're having an invite-only party. gojo was gonna invite you, but i wanted to personally invite you myself," he smirked down at you and that was the choso from the pictures. it scared you just a little how quickly he flipped from nice to fratboy choso.

"we'll be there." you give him a small smile before heading back to your friends. the fratboy clique made their exit as if they were in a romcom. it was a little corny for you but watching choso leave made a small frown come on your face.

"gojo invited us to the party, we know you don't want to go but can you just drop us off?" your friend asks and you laugh shaking your head.

"no, i'm going this time," you say and the group falls silent looking at you. the party yesterday was only the 5th party you have been to in your whole college experience. in all of your 4 years in college, you had never willingly gone to a party. all 5 you had gone to you were forced to attend by said friends who are shocked by your compliance.

"why?" your best friend asked, eyes squinting and examining your face. your face was hot thankfully your brown skin didn't make it obvious. you didn't want them to think you were only going because of choso. but you couldn't hold in your attraction you just had to tell your friends.

"well you know choso?" you say and they all nod.

"the emo one?" one of your friends frowned up in disgust and you shook your head vigorously.

"i mean emo looking yes, but he's a slut on insta," you say pulling out your phone and showing them his page. they ooo'd and awed at his socials where he obviously had no restraint. "he personally invited me to the party, i can't disappoint my man." you laugh looking down at your nails 'need to get those done' you thought to yourself. meanwhile one of your friends snatched the phone from your best friend and they accidentally clicked on the follow button.

"um, y/n..." she mumbled and your head whipped to look at your phone seeing the once blue bottom now gray saying 'following'. your glare became intense and you looked at your friends who averted your gaze.

"are you guys kiddin' me!" you yelp grabbing the phone to quickly unfollow him only to see a notification pop up saying 'chosoxkamo followed you back'. your friends' jaws were dropped looking up at you and you swallowed your spit hard.

"okay see that went well... no need to get angry." your best friend said as you breathed in and out. "woosah, woosah. see everything's... oh." she trailed off looking at the phone. not only did your friends accidentally follow him, but sometime while passing the phone back and forth they liked a photo of him from 2022... 3 years ago.

"so if i kill you all..." you said and they all jumped up trying to get you to calm down once again.

that day choso liked every one of your posts. even the latest one from 2020 which made you feel even better about the situation. he replied to your close friends story of you standing in your mirror in short shorts and a crop top. even flirted with you telling you that you couldn't even imagine the things he'd do to you.

you thought about it every day even though the conversation lasted all of 10 minutes on the first day he followed you. the week had passed and now you were pregaming. shots after shot and you were so drunk before you could even climb into your best friend's cousin's car.

you giggled waving to your friend to pass her wax pen taking a hit from it. you needed to be intoxicated you needed to be off your ass to even face choso. you had made up in your mind that you were going to give him what he wanted.

of course, you wanted it too, you wanted him to do those unimaginable things to you. you knew you wanted him this whole week so no matter what happened tonight you would have him.

the car stopped and you quickly got out of the car eager to go inside. as you walked in there were at least 60 to 70 people there. nothing compared to the almost 200 the first time you came. you stumbled around until you ran into gojo who you scoffed at.

"don't act like that with me... you've been so mean to me bunny." the nickname rolled off his tongue like honey which wasn't a surprise since he always used that same tone to say your name.

"i'm telling you these two have been so mean lately." geto grumbled arms wrapped around your best friend who squealed. they were always the cutest couple ever since your last year of middle school. you four grew up together a group of troublemakers really. even resorting to going to the same college to never break up the friend group.

"well gojo's been a little fuckboy since you guys got in this frat, haven't seen him since," you say arms crossed and he wrapped his arms around your shoulders hugging you tightly.

"no i haven't been a fuckboy i've only been fucking that one girl with the big ass." he smiled and you gasped trying to fight your way out of his grip. "someone's jealous," he whispered and you looked around not knowing who he was talking about.

he grabbed your jaw facing you to look directly at choso who was looking at the both of you. his brows pulled as he watched gojo arm wrap around your waist. he squeezed your cheeks making your lips squish into a pout.

"hey quit." you snap swatting his arm to get him to let go of you. gojo waves at choso and you look at choso giving him a shy wave. he got up from the barstool making his way over as gojo playfully pulled you towards the couch. it almost felt as if choso was chasing you as gojo's hand wrapped around your wrist.

as you got to the couch there was only one seat left. 4 couches and all 4 were full. some people were lapped up and others sat on the floor between other's legs.

gojo pulled up the same girl he spoke about earlier (the one he has been fucking for years and has yet to make it official) slipping under her and kissing her cheek. you felt uncomfortable standing in front of everyone who seemed to be looking at you. you felt someone walk up behind you and you turned seeing choso.

"you comfortable to sit on my lap?" he asked and you nodded shyly as he gripped your waist. your body was pulled into his as he sat you in his lap. you were stiff at first feeling more and more comfortable as his hand massaged your thigh. you sat sideways on his lap engaging in conversation. your friends giving you knowing glances although you looked comfortable.

inside you were a ticking time bomb. you needed choso really bad right now and your lower areas were getting hot. time passed and you were getting hotter and hotter thinking about all the nasty things the two of you could be doing in this position.

"i'm ready to leave..." you mumble to no one in particular. people were leaving and the party was getting drier by the minute. only one of your friends was left and she was waiting for you.

"i can take you home." choso offered and you hummed. you really wish you could leave with him but there was no way in hell you were leaving your girl behind.

"i'm not leaving without my friend," you said shaking your head not even contemplating the idea.

"you live in the same dorm building yeah? i'll take you both if she doesn't mind," he said and you shrugged one thing you noticed about your college self was that you didn't care who you were getting in the car with. if someone had a car and somebody knew them even a little you'd hop in.

you asked your friend if she was ready to leave and if she minded riding with choso. she said she didn't mind so the three of you left out of the frat house. you sat in the passenger of the car he played music so it wouldn't be as awkward.

choso kept trying to touch your thigh but you swatted it away. he was embarrassing you and your friend was in the back. you gave him a stern look that only lasted on your face for a little while as you laughed. he finally stopped trying as you pulled up to your dorm.

your friend left out thanking choso for the ride and you turned to look at him. it was your only chance to ask, not really but you'd never be as bold as you are right now. never again in your life would you have the guts to say what you just did.

"want to stay the night?" you asked his eyes widened at your suggestion not expecting that. he nodded as you both left out of the car and went upstairs to your dorm. luckily you had the dorm to yourself since your cousin was at the frat house with geto.

choso took off his jeans and shirt leaving him only in a wife beater and basketball shorts. you had changed into your pajama set that left little to the imagination. you turned on the tv before setting the remote next to the bed. once again liqour courage clouded your better judgment as you climbed onto the bed straddling his waist.

"you're bold tonight." choso said as you smirked at him. not much else was said as you shrugged slowly leaning into choso. he got the hint and met your lips with his. the kiss was rushed and sloppy your tongues sliding along each other as you kissed nastily.

your hands wrapped around his neck as you played in his hair. his right hand found solace on your ass cheek and his left arm wrapped around your waist. your hips ground into his, your clothed clit rubbing against his clothed dick.

"wanna fuck that pussy so bad," he grunted helping your hips move faster. the friction giving the both of you immense pleasure. "fuck this shit." he huffed lifting you and moving you next to him so he could pull down his shorts and boxers in one go.

you didn't think choso would be big and he wasn't huge. a solid 7 and a half inches but he was so girthy your hands almost didn't fit around him. you jerked him as his hips bucked in your hands. you moved your hands slowly and sensually as choso let out a guttural sound at the feeling.

choso head was leaned back as he looked at you with half-lidded eyes. he watched your legs rub together as you got needier and needier. to quench your thirst he reached out yanking your tiny shorts down and moving your thong to the side.

"wet all for me?" he asked and you nodded whining as his fingers swirled around your clit. you hips rocking against his hand forgetting all about giving him a handjob. "keep going mama you can't be the only one gettin' something here." he tells you and you listen without hesitation going back to stroking him.

he slipped two fingers into your drenched pussy not giving you time to process. he finger fucked you quickly watching your body fall forward at the feeling. you were moaning uncontrollably trying to keep up the pace for choso but you couldn't.

"ch...choso i c...can't." you moaned your words being broken up by your moans and jagged pants.

"can't what?" he asked grabbing your neck and pulling your face closer to his. you were forehead to forehead as your hips rolled against his hands. he pecked your lips looking into your eyes and he smiled at your eyes rolling back in your head. "can't wait for me to stretch that pussy?"

"mmmmmhm." you hummed now riding his fingers and choso laughed at how needy you are.

"you want to ride my cock? huh, you needy bitch?" he said and the dirty talk flying from his mouth only turned you on more. usually, if a man called you a bitch it was wraps but something about it coming from his mouth made it okay. you reached into your nightstand grabbing a condom.

"why do you have that?" he looked at you and you shrugged.

"health center meeting." you smiled sheepishly and choso snorted at your shy smile.

he grabbed your wrist taking the condom from you and tearing it open. he handed it back to you letting you roll it on. you watched how intensely you looked down at what you were doing as if it was an exact science.

"c'mere," he said moving you back to straddling his waist your essence dripping on his lap. choso wasted no time grabbing your hips and sliding you down onto him. the stretch was immaculate as pleasure coursed through your body. his head instinctively thrown back as the warmth and grip overwhelmed him.

"ughh w...wait." you moaned out stopping before he was all the way in. this position already made him feel deep in you but his thickness was overwhelming.

"i'm almost all the way in just let me... fuck." he grunted as you sat all the way down on him. you ground your hips into his enjoying the friction but choso was too eager. he pulled your shirt down and your breast fell out in his face. once you felt ready you planted your feet next to him and began to bounce.

moans and groans flew around the room as the two of you basked in each other. he grabbed one of your breasts taking it into his mouth. tongue swirling around your nipple biting lightly enough to make your body flinch at the pinch.

even though your pace never faltered and choso loved every minute of it. eventually, your legs were getting tired and choso felt like he was getting bitched. he didn't mind not being in control but he was getting tired of it, and fast.

without warning he flipped you too over and your legs wrapped around his waist. his eyebrows knitted together as he felt your cunt clench around him. you unlocked your ankles allowing him to begin his assault on your cervix.

"you like that huh? being fucked like a slut." he groaned as you screamed out pushing his hips. the feeling was too much and you were coming up on your climax quickly. "yeah... you're such whore aren't you?"

"mhmm." you hum not even paying attention to his words. not because you didn't want to but because you were so cock drunk you couldn't even think. your walls were tightening around him the dirty talking making it worse.

choso pounded into you, your twin xl banging against the wall. you knew someone would be complaining in the dorm group chat. but right now you're in bliss loving the way choso was fucking you to your climax.

"shit mama i'm close. you gonna cum with me?" he asked as he quickened his pace knowing you were getting closer and closer.

"fuckk yes yes... wan' cum with you," you babbled as each stroke fucked every thought out of your brain.

"such a good girl... cum with me." you both moaned as you came together. he stilled inside as you tried to catch your breath. he pulled out taking the condom off as you lay there. he got up to throw away the condom and clean you off.

there wasn't much that happened after that honestly. once you both got cleaned up you put your clothing back on. not one word was exchanged after that. the air was thick and it was very awkward.

you started to regret it, you had known him for only a week. how could you. a frat boy at that he'd never take you seriously. but he came back to bed and laid next to you. wrapping his arms around your shoulder and pulling you into his chest. the only thing that was said between the two of you was 'good night'.

the next day when you woke up you expected to be wrapped in choso's arms. only to feel nothing wrapped around you and your bed was empty. no note, no chain left, no text on insta, and no indication that he was ever really here. it was almost as if he was just a figment of your imagination.

you had to go about your day so you got up. got ready for class and made your way to campus. you kept checking your phone hoping for a text from him something to let you know he still fucked with you. but as the day went on you were feeling sick in your stomach. there was no way this was happening.

you sighed as you walked into the library looking for a book you needed for your class. as you were looking for the book you spotted two pigtails knowing who it was.

"choso?" you asked rounding the corner only for him to look up at you. he blinked a couple of times and looked back down at the book he was holding. he walked down another aisle and you followed him there. "what the fuck is your problem?" you asked stressed about the whole situation.

"do i know you?" he asked and your jaw dropped in shock... no way he was acting like that.

"you can't be serious." you laughed looking at him as he still avoided your eye contact. he huffed running his hand down his face.

"you can't take a hint can you?" he shook his head closing the book and finally looking at you. "it was a one-night thing, don't get your feelings wrapped in it."

"you're a bitch, you have to act like a player because this is the first time you got pussy for real," you whisper yelled throwing the book at his chest. walking out of the library... that might have been the cringiest thing you've done. and you cussed yourself in your head, you actually needed that book for class tomorrow.

[writingfics-passingtime]

Looking At Me by Sabrina Carpenter + Loki x reader! If you have an mcu character you’d like better for this then go for it! I’ve just really wanted to prompt you this song for a bit but didn’t know how.

This one-shot is part of JJ’s Mixtape - a mini series based on my followers’ favourite songs and characters. You can read more of them here!

Steal the Show

Song Prompt: Looking at Me - Sabrina Carpenter

Pairing: Loki x female reader

Word Count: ~2560

CW: swearing, innuendo/sexual jokes, threats of violence, objectification of the reader

Minors DNI: this work does not contain smut, but contains a romantic/suggestive relationship between the reader and adult-aged characters. I am not comfortable with engagement from anyone under the age of 18. Thank you for your understanding and respect.

Note: Thanks, anon! This sat, almost complete, in my drafts for well over a month because trying to end this fic felt impossible to get right, but I'm releasing it into the world and making peace with how it turned out. This song was so fun, thank you for sending it in!

The van smelled like stale coffee, ironically cheap deodorant, and your own frustration. The monitors flickered, casting a headache-inducing glow that only added to your mounting irritation.

You adjusted your earpiece as you stared at the ballroom feed, where Sophie Vallienne - the untouchable French billionaire dripping in couture - stood in the middle of her carefully curated world. The black diamond necklace she wore was your team's objective tonight.

Hidden inside that necklace was a microchip containing classified national security data - data she planned to sell to the highest bidder.

Your job? Sit in the van. Watch. Provide tactical support while the rest of the team got their hands dirty.

And dirty meant flirty; getting close enough, for long enough, for the micro jammers in your team's pockets to corrupt the data on the chip.

“Anything?” you asked through gritted teeth, eyeing the live feed where Sam leaned against the bar near Sophie, his boyish smirk in full force.

“She’s not biting,” Sam muttered. “Maybe she doesn't like Americans.”

“Maybe she doesn’t like try-hards,” Bucky’s voice cracked through the comms.

You glanced at another screen - one showing Bucky, all dark stubble and brooding stares, approaching Sophie by the champagne tower, only to get rebuffed embarrassingly fast.

“She’s a stone wall,” Bucky grumbled as he walked away without any successful show of interest. “No interest. Not even a flicker.”

“Perhaps she prefers her suitors with more refinement.” Loki’s voice purred through the line straight into your ear, deep and low, and you instantly bristled.

On the screen, he was moving toward Sophie, a sinuous shark among the crowd. His sharp black suit decorated his frame with tailored perfection, and even through the grainy surveillance feed, you could see the beautiful smirk tugging at his lips as he approached your target. Sophie’s gaze flickered to him, a polite smile gracing her features as he leaned in and-

Bastard! He shut his mic off so the rest of you couldn't hear his line.

For a moment, you thought he might succeed. But then Sophie’s smile faltered, her eyes glazing over with that same disinterest she’d shown Sam and Bucky. She excused herself, slipping away toward the bar without a backward glance.

Loki's voice cracked back to life in your ear. "That... should've worked."

“She’s losing patience,” you murmured, more to yourself than the team. "She's going to get suspicious if you guys keep pushing. Back off for a sec. Let me think." You rubbed at your temple, trying to piece together a Plan B.

“What’s your brilliant idea, Overwatch?” Loki’s voice drawled, a mocking edge to it. “Come now, I can hear the cogs turning.”

“Just give me a second to-"

And then you saw it. Sophie’s eyes lingered. Not on Loki, not on Bucky, not on Sam. They followed the sway of a cocktail waitress in a sleek dress, her gaze trailing up her legs and over her shoulders before sliding away.

The realisation hit you like a freight train.

“Oh, fuck me."

“What?” Sam piped up.

"You chuckleheads never stood a chance."

You were already yanking open the disguise kit you kept in the van, grasping for the nanotech bracelet, fingers fumbling to secure it around your wrist.

"What's wrong?"

"Our intel was shit, that's whats-" you finally conquered the clasp, letting out a huff of frustration and relief. "She's into women," you explained.

Why the hell couldn't Natasha be here instead?

“What are you doing?” Bucky demanded over the comms.

"Improvising."

The van’s limited space left you no choice but to strip right there, kicking off your boots and pulling off your practical black pants with a string of curses. The cold air hit your skin as you pulled up the bracelet’s holographic menu, scrolling quickly until you found a floor-length, elegant gown with a thigh-high slit and a neckline that made your stomach twist just looking at it.

The nanotech shimmered across your body, and you felt the dress form around you like a second skin, fitting you in ways you weren’t prepared for. You kept digging through the kit until you found a tube of lipstick perfect for your skin tone, applying it with a deadly hand.

After a few minutes of work, a quick glance in the van’s rearview mirror was enough to make your stomach drop.

You weren’t used to looking so…

Before you could give yourself time to doubt, you grabbed the spare jammer and attached it to a thigh holster, slipping it up the leg not exposed by the dress's slit.

After only a second's hesitation - what the hell am I doing? why do I think I, of all people, would be able to tempt anyone, let alone a beautiful woman like her? - you shoved the van door open, stepping out into the cool night air.

The stilettos pinched, the dress was too exposing, and you felt like you might vomit; never in your career had your armour provided so little protection.

But none of that mattered.

You were the only one here who had a chance at this.

So you threw your shoulders back, and strode toward the entrance of the hotel like you belonged there.

The ballroom swallowed you in a haze of glittering chandeliers and murmured conversations.

Heads actually turned as you walked in, eyes following the sway of your hips, the click of your heels. You ignored them, scanning the room for Sophie, but your eyes landed on him.

He was leaning against a marble column, drink in hand. His ocean eyes snapped to you, and for the first time since you’d met him, the ever-smirking God of Mischief looked utterly at a loss.

His gaze dragged over you, slow and deliberate, and your pulse quickened under the weight of it.

You felt exposed. Vulnerable. And yet, something in the way he stared made you feel like the most dangerous thing in the room.

“Holy shit,” Sam muttered over comms.

“Did anyone else know she could look like that?” Bucky added, his voice incredulous.

You scoffed. "I can hear you, asshole."

Loki’s voice cut through, low and venomous, directed at Barnes and Wilson. “Eyes on the target, not on her.”

His words sent a shiver down your spine, but you didn’t dare look at him again. Instead, you moved toward the bar, your shoulders steady with feigned elegance, every step a performance.

You perched on the edge of a stool, crossing your legs as you gestured to the bartender for a drink, letting your body language shift into something soft and coy.

Sophie didn’t make you wait long. She appeared at your side like a shadow, her smile sharp and satisfied.

“You’re new,” she said. Her French accent curled around the words like smoke.

“I am,” you replied, letting your lips curve into a slow smile. Her eyes dipped to your mouth, lingering. You leaned in, letting your voice drop to a low, teasing murmur. “How sweet of you to notice.”

Her laugh was light, intimate. “How could I not?”

Somewhere across the room, Bucky sidled up to Loki. “Good gods,” he muttered, his voice low enough that it wouldn’t carry over comms.

Loki’s jaw tightened, his eyes fixed on you, gaze sharp enough to cut, hands flexing at his sides. “If a single finger is laid on her... I’ll break every bone in Vallienne's body.”

You leaned against the bar, swirling the last sip of champagne in your glass while Sophie Vallienne’s laugh slithered through your senses. She was so close, impossibly charming, her fingers swirling light patterns along the bar near your hand. You'd been flirting for the better part of ten minutes, and it was progressing. Quickly.

Her touch trailed onto your hand that was resting on the stem of a wine glass.

It sent a shiver up your spine, though you weren’t sure if it was from nerves or sheer absurdity of the situation. You’d never been the centre of such focused attention, let alone from someone as devastatingly beautiful as her.

“Tell me, what brings you here tonight?” Sophie asked, her voice a low, intimate murmur. Her perfectly painted lips curved in a smile that promised danger and delight in equal measure. “What caught your eye?”

“The Rembrandt. It called to me in a way I couldn’t ignore. I’m not usually the type to attend events,” you replied, and it wasn’t a lie. You weren’t used to playing this part, but something about it - about the thrill of being someone else, the control you felt over Sophie’s attention - was exhilarating.

Her eyes roamed over your face, lingering just a little too long on your mouth. “A shame. A woman like you shouldn’t hide.”

Your earpiece crackled, breaking the moment. Sam's voice came over the comms from your spot in the van. “And... done. The chip's fried. Let's move out."

You stiffened, and Sophie’s smile faltered. “Something wrong?”

You set your glass on the bar, shaking your head. “I’m spoken for,” you said, standing. “I shouldn’t have let myself get so… distracted,”

"Distracted, or tempted?"

"Both, if I'm honest." You offered an apologetic smile.

Sophie’s smile returned, sharper this time, but not unkind. “Should you ever find yourself unspoken for…” She stood and whispered some brief instructions on how to contact her, before backing away respectfully, and allowing you your leave.

Her gaze lingered as you stepped away, the heat of her attention following you through the crowd.

You pushed past a sea of glittering dresses and tailored suits, heart pounding in time with the sharp click of your heels on the polished floor. Your confidence waned the closer you got to the exit, the allure of the dress and the night and a beautiful person looking at you like that - all crashing back to reality.

None of it was real.

The cool night air hit you as you stepped outside, and you paused on the grand stone stairs to take a breath.

That was when you saw him again.

Loki was leaning against the railing near the bottom of the staircase, the faint glow of the streetlights catching on the sharp angles of his face. He looked up, and it was his eyes that caught you - they moved over your body, darkening with every inch they traveled.

You fought the instinct to cross your arms, to shield yourself from the way his gaze seemed to strip you bare. “Don’t start,” you said, your voice sharper than you intended as you started down the stairs. “I know what you’re going to say.”

“Do you?” he asked, his lips curving into a knowing smirk. He pushed off the railing, his movements slow, deliberate. "Enlighten me."

You rolled your eyes, the heat rising to your cheeks betraying the nonchalance you were aiming for. “You’re going to tell me I look ridiculous.”

Loki’s smirk widened as you stopped two steps above him, putting you level with his eye-line. “Ridiculous,” he murmured, his voice low and teasing, “is hardly the word I’d choose.”

The way he said it made your stomach flip. You rolled your eyes again, trying to ignore the warmth creeping up your neck. “What word would you use, then? Enlighten me.”

“Dangerous,” he said simply. “In the kind of way that makes men stop thinking with their heads.”

You swallowed, the intensity in his tone catching you off guard. “Ha-ha” you started, trying to deflect with sarcasm, “I'm sure the rest of the team had a good laugh at this, too.”

“Oh, no one was laughing,” Loki replied, his gaze dipping briefly to your lips before snapping back to your eyes. “If I were you, I’d be careful around Barnes. He’s likely still piecing together a coherent thought.”

Your laugh was breathless, unbidden. You looked away. “Bucky wouldn’t look at me like that.”

Loki’s brow arched, his expression almost amused. “Everyone in that room... was looking at you like that."

You dared to glance up, instantly regretting it. His eyes were fixed on you, dark and wanting, but there was something else there, something that made your breath hitch.

"It's fascinating," he cocked in head in thought, "these mortal men are so blinded by their fleeting desires, that they only see beauty when it’s presented just so... gift-wrapped in silk and sequins." His voice dipped, rich and intimate, as he leaned close enough that you could start to feel the heat of him. “I’ve always known what you are.”

“Always known?”

“Always wanted,” he murmured, and the raw, unapologetic hunger in his tone sent a shiver down your spine.

The silence that followed between you was crushing, heavy with everything he wasn’t saying, everything you didn’t know how to respond to. You felt the heat coiling low in your belly. But you weren’t about to let him win this game. Not yet.

You smirked, trying to mask the weakness in your knees. “That’s a nice line, but I’m not in the habit of falling for silver-tongued gods.”

“No,” he agreed with a curious tilt of his head, the other way now. “You’re not in the habit of falling at all, are you?”

You shrugged with one shoulder. “Men talk. Big promises, sweet words. Yet somehow, I’m always the one left unsatisfied.”

Something flickered in his eyes - something dangerous, amused, and wickedly self-assured. “Ah, poor thing,” he drawled, the space between you shrinking with every word. “You’ve been wasting your time on mortal men, with their fumbling hands and unimaginative minds. You don’t have the faintest idea of what it feels like to be truly satisfied, do you?”

Your breath caught as you fought to keep your composure. “Like I said - big talk,” you said, your voice wavering slightly despite your best efforts. “But words are cheap.”

“Words are foreplay,” Loki countered smoothly. “And I never disappoint.”

Your eyes narrowed in challenge. “Do you rehearse this? Or is this just natural-born arrogance?”

His smirk deepened, like he could hear the pulse thrumming in your ears. He didn't answer, letting you seep in the abashment swarming through you.

Eventually, you scoffed, rolling your eyes. "I don't know why I'm entertaining this. You're just flirting for sport."

"You sound disappointed."

"I don't like being played with."

"Oh, you've no idea the ways I could play with you."

Heat and want surged through your body, a shattered, flustered cough escaping you. "You mother fu-"

“Hey,” Sam’s irritated voice interrupted. “Whatever weird, sexually-charged argument you two are having, save it for later. Get in the damn van.”

You stilled as the moment shattered. Gathering yourself before looking over his shoulder to the van. "Let's go then, Trickster. Back to reality.”

“Gladly," he stepped closer, leaning down to whisper low in your ear. "When it comes to you, reality is far more enticing that fantasy or facade... Think about what I said."

He stepped away, hands sliding into his pockets, turning his back and sauntering towards the van with an arrogance that made you want to hurl your shoe at his head.

Think about what I said- who in the hell does he think he is? And what part? He talked a lot of shit. Surely he can't... he can't mean any of it.

But as you followed, dutifully returning to your real life and real job, you stood a little taller, had more surety in your step. And you realised, alarmingly, that this newfound confidence had nothing to do with dress.

Because when you thought about all the things he said, something, deep down, whispered those four little words in his beautiful velvet voice:

Always known. Always wanted.

You were in so much trouble.

[luckyorchid]

Not sure if anyone’s done this yet but like considering the fact that we’ve seen Aventurine’s multitude of outfits- yes, he’s GORGEOUS, but what about the things connected to them?

There’s two things that kinda interest me which is the aven shooter pfp and the one in the concert trailer

like i think it’s be nice to incorporate some of the hobbies or activities that are hinted from these pictures. I found this post back then, I can’t find it anymore (which is making me go insane I SWEAR I wasn’t hallucinating)

but it was like something where Aventurine was put into an interview and they asked for his hobbies and other stuff like skin care routine or his mark

If I remember it correctly, the thing I noted was that he liked to go to hotels and or have shooting practice to relax or wind down, but my first thought was. “Man, it must be lonely.”

He probably learned how to use a gun from Jade (From one of his stories, he and Jade killed a few men, I think to prove he can indeed be ‘Aventurine’?) But I feel like occasionally he just imagines shooting someone’s face to bits 😭

But again, he never says that he does these hobbies with other people, so it’s just him. There’s nothing wrong with wanting your own time of course, but how long has he just been— alone? enjoying the “luxury” by himself? How many years has he been a part of the IPC exactly and just letting his life pass through his eyes with each grand gamble. It’s almost like he’s detached, but he’s still alive, isn’t he?

And then he gets his cat cakes (I’m assuming, very recently?) (I’m sure most people think that it came from Ratio lmao)

So maybe at that point he does go home more often because there’s actually something there waiting for him, wanting to make sure he’s okay. And then maybe at some point he picked up the guitar?

Based off of the concert trailer, I can totally see him owning like that acoustic guitar that can turn electric, and learning some songs and just…relax. It’s a little healthier, he supposes, rather than drinking and gambling in those hotel-casinos.

Yes king get healthy coping mechanisms!!! I need more guitar playing Aventurine like imagine if he can play the sponge bob theme guys…

[ladykatibeth]

It is so interesting to me how little effort Orlok puts into murdering Thomas given his marriage to Ellen is what moves him to interfere more directly with Ellen’s life in the first place.

I know on a doylist level it matches the 1922 version which is based heavily in Dracula (where Dracula just genuinely wants London property to take over England and fucking with the real estate agent is a bonus). But that still leaves watsonian perspective to fill.

Like if he just killed him the marriage contract wouldn’t have been needed. Legally and spiritually speaking (at least in this stories character’s Christian background) it’s fine to get re-married after the death of a spouse. Orlok wasn’t dependent on him being alive to manipulate Ellen because he seems to be surprised, though not concerned, that Thomas survived the wolves.

Maybe he wanted the contract signed to manipulate Ellen with or for gloating reasons, but then immediately after it’s signed he still doesn’t kill him, he’s just like “stay here you can’t travel if you’re sick”and then goes to sleep.

He can control Thomas’s actions to make him unlock a door but simply plucks the pick axe he tried to kill him with out of his hands like you would a kid holding a knife, and then lets him make a run for it. He drains his blood but not to the point he’s so debilitated he can’t jump into a creek (or even to the point where he’s dead!!! It’d be so easy!!!) he leaves him to the pissed off wolves and assumes that killed him but doesn’t check for sure.

Also all this occurs after Orlok is figured out, so like what was his plan if Thomas didn’t interrupt his slumber? Keep him in his evil castle as a midnight snack forever? Let him head back home after marrying his wife?

Then we see that Orlok generally rips people’s throat out to drink their blood instead or gives them literal plague instead of the chest method he does for exactly two people, his supernatural covenant obsession, and Thomas (for some reason??? I get he’s cute but isn’t that the guy who you see as the mistress???). Also given this development it would have been really easy to kill him the entire time and Orlok just chooses not to.

Then he’s surprised to discover he’s alive but won’t let Knock try to kill him or bring him to Orlok to kill him. He does threaten his life to get to Ellen but that’s like the first time in this movie direct murder is on the table.

Anyway this is one of the weirdest responses to a perceived love rivalry in film history. I need to shake him around in a jar.

[padawansuggest]

The hottest take I have: I think all black tea species (like earl grey vs English breakfast vs Darjeeling) all taste the same but with various different strengths.

I also think all coffee tastes the same but you can burn it or have stale stuff or once more, the strengths thing. I guess you can have stale or burnt tea too. Oversteeping is an issue that makes it bitter but 100% doesn’t matter to me cause I think it all tastes the same there too lmao.

My point is, you might like coffee plain. I don’t. I can drink it with milk, no sugar cause I’m allergic, and French vanilla syrup. But Christ almighty I only have one way I like it and it gets boring after 10 days in a row.

But the real reason I love tea and I think saying you hate tea does the whole thing a disservice? Is because I can have 7 cups of tea a day and never have the same one.

English black mixed with rose petals.

Ginger peach mixed with anything from black to white.

Herbal vanilla with chamomile.

Green. I can’t have that actually lmao it hurts my stomach so beware maybe you’ve only had tea you’re allergic to so far.

Chai. Or even DIRTY chai, meaning with a shot of espresso in it.

Vanilla rooibos which is naturally caffeine free.

Dark cocoa powder on Yerba mate tea.

That is seven right there just based off the 50 or so tea boxes and tins sitting around me while I made a teapot. You could do mint. You could do dandelion, which helps digestion. You can do 5 bags of Lipton iced tea in a pitcher for your own at home iced tea, sweetened to your liking even. You can have milk, sugar, honey, or even mix in juice in cold tea (or hot tea, but I’ve never had juice mixed with hot tea, sounds interesting).

I just think y’all who say tea is gross don’t realize that tea is basically everything that coffee isn’t, and sometimes it includes a bit of coffee too. Or you can drink it plain. Or you can have it doctored to hell.

I just think some of you are thinking of exactly one type of tea (black isn’t the only tea, there is white and green and rooibos and herbal there is so much) and hated it and so you called off the whole show.

This is becoming my ‘Mandalorians do drink tea wtf do you think Shig is and there is no culture ever that doesn’t drink tea get over it’ argument all over again lmao. Tea is godly. So is coffee tho. Neither is better. Hot liquid is the real winner. Soup supremacy.

[qoldenskies]

same anon!! i feel validated so yes to everything you said. it was “Taking Care of your Brothers: A Two-part guide by Mikey and Donnie” by Calliopes_Anon that really made me change my perspective on how these two might act, particularly the mikey chapter simply because we get to see him look out for donnie as much as don looks out for him

and i think the fact there even was a mikey pov, much less one as thoughtful and detailed as that one is, helped a lot. because like. i can’t think of another fic envisioning this pre-movie state with a mike that isn’t constantly scared. kinda eye-opening for me lol

and yeah i do like the sorta ‘i don’t know if it can be fixed’ vs ‘i don’t know how it can be fixed’ mindsets from them and gosh i wish they didn’t take such a backseat during the movie bc i would’ve loved to see them have more of a reaction to the other two than just mild concern. i’d like to explore a version of the movie where they are frustrated, dare i say resentful, with their older brothers because ‘yeah raph can argue how much leo’s new attitude and its consequences are affecting the team. but does raph even understand that extent?’ it’d prob be a whole movie rewrite due to the fact it’s so raph and leo heavy, but isn’t that the beauty of fanfic

oh and yes to your point about donnie’s neurodivergence bc as sweet as it is to see him in fics gifting mikey his own noise blocking headphones, mikey would probably yell at them to shut up for five seconds before putting dons on his head for him

would love to see that pre-movie fic of yours one day!!

yeah with the neurodivergence thing i do genuinely feel like it would go the other way around cause like ,,, donnie is SO jumpy in canon. unexpected loud noise will even make him fall over sometimes, which means he's particularly sound-sensitive. and as a person with a trait exactly like that, i cannot handle shouting. at all. even when i expect it, it completely throws me off my game and scares the shit out of me. like i usually write it so donnie already struggles to handle getting yelled at, but i could see being in the proximity of it freaking him out too.

i do think that'd be one of those things that would piss off mikey in particular because as much as they make fun of each other and get fed up with each other, it's such an obvious and easy boundary to respect in his eyes. mikey can definitely handle yelling, even if it upsets him to see them arguing, but he would hate it because donnie very much cannot. he'd probably at least snap at them to stop or go do it elsewhere lmao

and resentment towards something like this kind of depends on just how bad raph and leo's dynamic actually was, because while its pretty heavily implied they've been arguing like this kind of continuously (especially based on their talk before they go on that mission that has them lose the key), raph's "i have to look out for you or you could all end up dead" talk feels like something that's ,,, new? considering how leo reacts to it initially before pretending to brush it off. maybe leo just normally derails the conversation faster, or normally they dont have arguments like this in private lmao

definitely what fic's for ,,,, raph and leo kind of going back to the dynamic they had in bug busters (but reversed, and likely more intense) while donnie and mikey kind of pair off together is a really interesting thing to play around with, especially with how they naturally they just go and stick close to each other in the movie (easy way to connect that to them gravitating towards each other with everything going on), ive just never really seen it in the exact Flavor that id want to see so maybe ill check out the fic you recc'd ,,, gotta expand my tastes fr

[lady-dragon-rider]

Born Bathed in Fire

AegonII x Noble! Reader

Dragon!Hybrid!Targaryen Au

Aegon finally meets someone who can retains his interest AKA Sunfyre finds a something someone worth hoarding (reader) and has 10 days to give Aegon a crash course in Dragonkin wooing

///

Reader stumbles upon a flirty dragon (and his awkward human)

Containing: horny dragon hormones (Aegon and Sunfyre), a confused Aegon follows his boi (sunfyre’s) lead, misunderstandings lead to crisis and then love, slight crack

Featuring: aemond eats popcorn as he watches his fav drama (aegon doing wild, dramtic and random shit), aegon thinks he is dying

Bold is text spoke in High Varlyrian.

A/n: May make more parts

---

(Aegons POV - 3rd person)

Aegon never liked these parties. Sure he enjoyed the drinking, and the food, even the mingling with cute noblewomen. It was the events that his mother the Queen held in order to find a wife that he didnt enjoy. The normal party atmosphere he liked now being suffocated by the heavy sense of duty.

“At least try to look like your enjoying yourself” His mother mutters bitterly “this entire affair is being held for you and your siblings”

“So you can cart us off to make whatever alliance suits the crown rather than for our happiness. I know what you think of me mother… what this court thinks of me… its all a farce”

“Aegon!” She gasps, she tugs the drink out of his had and places it on the table behind her. You are going to stop this mopping this instant. You will go dance with some refined ladies of high standing and then, should you like any we shall set something up"

Aegon can feel a low rumble in the back of his hand that makes his posture tighen and his fists clench. Not how that works.

“That not how this works…” he grumbles

“Oh?” Alicent replies incredulously “how so? I am your mother and i am the queen. I can very easily make that decision for you.”

“I am a dragon mother. How i feels things is different because its not just me feeling… You wouldnt understand.” He huffs. Yes! Tell her. Choice is OURS. Ours alone.

“Whatever the case is, it changes little. You are a prince of the realm, the eldest of your siblings and you are in need of a wife. You will either choose from the eligible women here or i shall do it for you by weeks end.” She lectures “dont choose now to be stubborn and dig your heels in. Now go do as i say”

“But i just said-”

“Now, Aegon”

Aegon can feel another growl form at the base of his chest. Both his and Sunfyre’s irritation palpable. Before he can stop it though it bubbles to the surface. The deep baritone loud enough that anyone nearby could sure hear. Alicent’s expression drops to shock (and then maybe mild fear) before morphing back into her natural state of judgy irritation. “And you will keep that infernal growling to a minimum. You do NOT growl at your mother.” She saunters off without a backward glance.

Doesnt understand the dragon way… Our mate, our choice. Burn all others. Only the best.

He huffs again, heat rising as he stomps out of the hall, needing some fresh air. He rests his hands, now talons, on the cool stone. “She is my mother… she might not understand us but she is doing what is best for the realm.” He whispers

I do whats best. For us. Not realm. The realm can burn.

Aegon couldnt tell if some of those sentiments are his or Sunfyre’s. It had always confused him, how… connected this other being was to him. He had desperately tried to listen to the dragonkeepers lessons, but they would just drone on for so long he couldnt help falling asleep.

Then something strange happens. He catches a scent. An intoxicating scent. A cool thing he had noticed after becoming a dragonkin, was that his senses had begun to sharpen. Sight, hearing and smell being the most obvious. Taking in another deep inhale he catches it again. It sends something dark and primal to all the primal parts of him, so strong that he has to hold his talons back from griping the railing hard enough to crack the stone.

Yes… this. We must find. Find it. NOW.

And like that he is on the move. Aegon doesnt fully feel in control even when he can feel his legs moving, like Sunfyre himself has taken the wheel in his mind and drives him toward wherever they intend to go. A sense of urgency fills him (wether his or Sunfyre’s he isnt sure.) Sniffing the air again the smell is stronger now.

Here. Its here. The scent of our mate. Must make ours.

He looks around desperately. Trying to find what it is that has worked up his dragon-self so much that his heart feels its on the verge of bursting. Then he makes eye contact with them. Aegon feels all air leave his lungs and his heart slow.

In the light of moon they were almost iridescent, like the moon itself had wrapped a cloak of light to protect and preserve your beauty.

Yes. This will do. Our beauty. Our teasure.

Unfamiliar words fill he head. he had never been good at High Valyrian so he deduced Sunfyre was making some possessive remarks.

“Oh! My prince, im so sorry i didnt notice you there… i was just… getting some air, a little too much dancing” they laugh awkwardly. Aegon can feel his heart do flips at the sound of your voice. And suddenly all thought and any words he was going to say leave him as his mouth goes dry.

“I… uh, of course not. No apologies needed… i too found myself in need of the same thing” he stumbles. He awkwardly wanders over to the railing. He ensures he is at a distance that is close enough to show interest, but far enough to give you the grace to leave (though he REALLY hopes that doesnt happen)

“If im honest my prince-”

“Aegon.” He insists “Aegon is fine”

“-Aegon… if i am honest, i have never really been much for things like this” they sigh. Despite their supposed melancholy at having to attend aegon couldnt help but feel a chill down his spine when they said his name. They exhchanged more small talk before they inevitably began to leave and call it a night.

“Before you go.” He says. The ethereal being (whom he now knew went by (Name)) stops and turns to him. Again, for what felt like the hundredth time that night his mind went blank and no noise formed in his throat “I-”

“Yes my prince? Is something the matter you look a little feverish” they close the distance and talons begin to emerge again as his palms begin to sweat.

“Well… i just wanted to say-” he repeats, throat tight and body hot.

Youre doing it wrong. Let me.

“The next time an event comes… seek me out and allow me the honor of being the first dance. I would make sure you wouldnt be bored. Though if you prefer, we could have alone time like this again instead.” Aegon speaks lowly, his face leaning into their neck to inhale their smell. A clawed hand now resting on their hip, digging in just enough to feel the his nails gently pierce through the fabric.

But as the words fall from his mouth, they dont feel like it is truly him saying them. Sure, these are things he FEELS, but their is a rumble in the back of his throat that feels foreign.

He feels the need to bite back at his dragon-self for taking over so forcefully, as they are usually agreed in most things but he stops when he smells the results of meddling.

It is a subtle change, but one he (thanks to his sharp senses) can pick up on immediately. The scent in the air becomes almost sweeter now. His ears pick up the quickening of (Name)’s heartbeat as they raise their head to meet their eyes.

“I would like that a lot my prince” (Name) smile shyly. A flicker of pride bubbles forth, all thought of scolding Sunfyre for meddling gone.

“I thought i said to call me Aegon?” He smirks.

“Apologies. Old habits im afraid. I really should retire for the evening now, though i have a feeling we shall see each other in court tomorrow.” (Name) leaves properly this time. The only evidence of their existence the faint smell of them lingering in the air.

See. That is how you do it. A confident smug voice hums.

“Shut up Sunfyre”

---

The next morning, Aegon bursts forth into the drawing room. His hair a mess with heavy bags sitting under his wild, mildly bloodshot eyes. “I THINK IM DYING!” He wails flinging himself onto ab available chaise.

“And yet your well enough to cause a scene like this in the early hours of the morning” Aemond grunts, flipping through the pages of his book. Unbothered, but interest peaked, Aemond turns to his brother.

“How do you figure you are ‘dying’ brother?” He asks

Aegon then begins a tirade about his meeting (Name), Sunfyre’s reaction and how because of it it all he had no rest afterwards. He spared no details, much to Aemond dismay as his older brother even went into detail about nightly routines he did NOT need to hear.

“They are perfect.” He sighs “But i have no clue why im acting like this?! I have slept with my share if women but it has never felt like this before! Surely this is the beginning of the end Aemond”

“We have rarely ever been sick a day in our lives. You arent dying. You, or rather, Sunfyre, has merely found someone to be mate-bound to” Aemond explains straightforwardly

“What? Mate-bound? Whatever are you on about?” Aegon turns around to face his brother.

“He truly is hopeless” Aemond mutters ���You have my sympathies Sunfyre… you will have your work cut out for you if you want them.”

Sunfyre makes a huff from the back of aegons mind (not that aemond would be able to hear). He feels humself grow a little hot. “Dont have conversations like im not here!” He shouts “you know my Valyrian isnt good. And i dont appreciate you speaking about me like that because even i can tell you were bad mouthing me just now.”

“I was just giving your dragon-self some encouragement. Thats all.” Aemond reassures. Though the glint in his eye made Aegon think different. “In any case, from what ive heard, (Name) will only be staying in court for the duration of their fathers business. And by my count that he is here for a little over a week. And rumours already spread about a potential betrothal” he muses

“What?!?!”

Must go now. We must woo them before they leave. Before someone else take what is ours.

At this news Aegon completely forgets his previous theatrics, more interested in falling out of the chaise and stumbling out the door with renewed vigor. Feet eager to find you. Aemond watches with amusement, he had completely made up the rumour of a betrothal, mainly so he could watch his elder brother squirm, even just a little.

“This is going to fun to watch.” He thinks out loud, pages of his book still turning. Sat in perfect silence a hefty rumble bubbles from his chest

Amusing indeed Vaghar agrees

---

Taglist:

 @lchufflepuffcorn

[drabbletron]

Domesticity and Other Distractions: Hound x Reader fic (PART 3)

|| Another short one, but the next part will be longer and focus on how friendship turned into romantic inclinations for reader and Hound. I really do love that mech lol ||

p fluffy under the cut

mentions of a sucky ex

“Looks cozy,” Hound takes a moment to step inside where the carpet sinks beneath him. It’s like walking around in a meadow after a fresh rain and the earth is soft and malleable. He moves through the space and inspects every inch he can and just finds more and more things that fit your personality. The little trinkets that line your bookshelf, the wall art and posters, the color of the curtains and the things that hang from the ceiling. All of it is so undeniably you and he can’t get enough of this place, so alien and yet so like his own space. A thought flashes in his processor: would a house with you look like this too? How would your stuff and his stuff look sitting on the shelf side-by-side? Would fresh flowers be something you’d be interested in keeping in the kitchen or in the living room? Well damn, maybe he should just ask you to move in? You’d never have to clean up after others, you’d have more space for all your stuff, and the two of you could spend so much more time together!

But he couldn’t ask that of you. The two of you have only really been serious for a couple months now and have barely graduated past kissing and hugging, and even all of that is so sparse with him being a scout. Plus, it’d be much too dangerous for you to just waltz around the base where any bot could accidentally squish you. Maybe he’s crazy for wanting that with you, at least so early on. Best let you take care of the pacing. Whatever you decide is fine with him as long as you’re together.

Hound turns back to you and sees you folding down the bedding and fluffing the squishy pillows at the top. He knows that being in this holomatter body isn’t the most ideal, and it can be a bit tedious to pilot, but he’s thankful for the ability since it’s likely his actual body, even with mass displacement, would crush the little berth you sleep in. He makes his way over and helps himself to climbing into it with you, careful to get rid of the boots on his avatar. When he first laid with you on the couch you made mention that putting feet coverings on furniture was frowned upon and even seen as disrespectful to some. Since then, he does his best to make sure to keep his off of anything even remotely furniture like, especially the soft kind.

As he lays beside you a sense of peace washes over him, and the moment is only enhanced when you cuddle up next to his side in the crook of his arm. You drape a hand over his chest and a leg over his hip to snuggle deeper into the blankets.

You can’t remember the last time you’ve laid with someone like this. Your last relationship wasn’t much of a cuddler and seemed to always have “something come up” when you’d brought up the idea of staying over.

They hardly seemed to give you the time of day when it was something you wanted, but when they wanted something, it was all sorts of important. It never mattered if you were busy or your plans conflicted with theirs, if they wanted something they did their best to get it. Guilt tripping was their favorite thing to do, almost a second hobby to them, and ‘If you love me’ was a popular staple in their vocabulary. You never told Hound about them. It would be too upsetting for you to talk about anyway, and you doubt he’d want to hear about why you were so hesitant to let him in when you two first started this relationship.

You’d known Hound for a good year and a half before either of you made any sort of movement towards the romantic, and that first moment you realized he cared like that terrified you.

[the-stove-is-divorced]

YES! LOVE ranting furiously about a show. Like it pisses me off so much. I can't get enough of it. Everyone should watch.

That's such an interesting point, too, because yeah, that's the entire premise of the idea, no? At least the start? Evil Superman, with bootleg copies of agencies and Leagues and heroes, outright banking on audiences' general knowledge of these to skip out on some important groundwork, world-building wise to me, but don't really take advantage? Like why really explore Evil Superman, son of colonizers, and bootleg Justice League? Even just for comedy purposes, like why not? I haven't seen that video in a while to bring up any specifics (+ I am a diehard Batman fan than Superman) but truly!

Man, you make me wanna rewatch Justice League for those team dynamics and YEAH, stuff like Martians being shapeshifters! That's fun and so COOL! I also just plainly love their dynamics and interactions. Watching some snippets and clips myself, it tickles me how much of Batman's standoffish-ness could be used for Nolan, if they wanted to show team dynamics. I want it so bad. Off topic somewhat, but went down a youtube clip rabbithole and ended up seeing one of my favorite action sequences for animated movies, Madagasar 3's driving scene, and MAN, I wish we got like a fun fight or action scene for Invincible as well. Well aware there's a big diff of genre, general tone, but ONE TT or GoG scene that play off powers and personalities in a fun way would be everything to me. Internally sobbing I'm not an experienced storyboarder/animator to storyboard it myself.

Lazy shipping will forever be the bane of my existence, because I don't care so violently but it'll refuse to be ignored, and LIE to my face about how much these characters MUST be in horribly love, while having the audacity to be boring. Literally get this off my screen. Please go on your gift of jewelry rant by the way, I've already expressed the "get OTHER characters to lazily comment about how these two characters are LOVEBIRDS!" makes me consider abandoning humanity for the woods. JUST WRITE THEM LIKING EACH OTHER. GENUINELY. HAVE A CONNECTION. and for the love of all things entertaining, don't make it BORINGGGGG. But seriously, the fact Mark can't get a DAMN BREATHER, like is Eve a rebound like??? And the refusal to explore their potential and bond makes my ass itch. Like, ethics!!! Superheroism!! Shitty family!!! CHICAGO! Literally the fact they're not in groups like YOU said!

Just have them fly together tbh, like easy short hand of longing looks and excitement together is flying together. Showing off tricks and eventually talking or something.

Mark outright not improving drives me utterly insane. We OPEN with him improving and then nerf him immediately. Throwing my TV. TRULY I DID NOT UNDERSTAND WHY EITHER DIDN'T GO FOR THE OTHER HEROES from the START. Eve, you are an experienced hero, unlike Mark, who JUST got SOME training that's clearly strength based, not strategic. Literally just elevating the danger/situation and using characters' flaws could have been so beautiful but NOOOO. Like, have Mark struggle focusing on both protecting AND fighting, (lethal enough to kill the monster, but careful a giant monster doesn't fall on top of the trapped heros for example), or flinging a monster into the ground / getting smacked and the ceiling collapses faster. Now, Eve's gotta deal with a crumbling ceiling AND rescuing them, maybe she's even rusty working with a team! Heck, have Eve direct Mark to rescue instead of fighting, and he struggles not stepping into the fight, or gets distracted by approaching monsters?

ALSO HECK? JUST USE ANOTHER VILLAIN? You're telling me the original GoG didn't have some seriously menacing, intelligent, heavy hitting supervillains who wants to eliminate the newly weak GoG??? The one that even said they're BAD at teamwork?? How has the dismantling of the GoG not created a whole power scramble of villains trying to prove themselves by taking out the NEW GoG???

Also FOR REAL. CAN DEBBIE BE A WHOLE PERSON PLEASE? Like, how is part of the Super Hero Family Drama: The Show, and we don't even know her HOBBIES? WHO IS THIS WOMAN????? How are we on s3 and I still don't know. Utterly insane. Slow the fuck down, I don't care about some stupid mummy curse of the last episode of s2, a weird alternate Eve demanding her teenage crush to confess to her after he thought he was gonna die in a desert, or the Lizard League, but I DO care about who these characters ARE so I can feel more about the stakes!

Invincible (barely resisting to bash my head into the wall in rage) & Invincible (giggling, kicking my feet, gasping in delight) can function in the same breath istg.

That's exactly why I want Cecil as a mentor so fucking badly 'cause it's like quasi Dad/mentor would sacrifice this mf in a heartbeat, like immediately interesting. Plus the dread of a another inevitable betrayal would be chef's kiss! Plus I'm surprised he hasn't tried it like??? This mf never tried the whole "catch more honey with vinegar" approach? Mark's a kid with too much on his shoulders, he is outrageously In-Need-Of-A-Mentor-Shaped. I mean, we're dealing with Viltrumites and potential Omni-Man Junior, I'd want that kid to trust me, believe me, so I'd know if something's off. Keep your potential emotional unstable nuke closer rather than farther and far less irritable, perhaps? Attempting to slowly chip away at a oneshot as we speak tbh. But again, no GDA counselor/therapists to be snitches? Where's the paranoia, invasive plans, here?

No fr, like ???? She has unexplained beef with him and never tells Mark to avoid him, or even a classic "I told you so"???? Like, another setup and we just??? Don't do anything? You already think he's a liar??? Gimme Debbie eyeing the babysitter, trying to check for microphones/cameras more often or something. Do something with this, I BEG.

Also hitting that on the nail here, I was writing a WIP and Mark kills a guy and I'm just kinda scrambling cause on one hand Cecil doesn't want Mark TOO cool with killing he's uncontrollable, but also this is good if Cecil wants Mark to kill people. And I'm just staring at my screen like ?????? Like give me mentor Cecil so I know how he would act for fanfic, for it for me specifically.

Aso insane over the fact Mark's moment of paralleling his Dad doesn't go farther enough for me, like this is the moment for shit to go crazy and it's GOOD enough for me to feel insane but lacking enough for my insanity to triple of what could have been??? I am this close to adding another WIP of just fun what-ifs/scene rewrites for my own sanity! Like, why not have Mark slamming his fist into the ground while he's got the shriek in his ears? Slamming his head in agony just to make it stop? Or even clawing towards Cecil, on the ground, eyes burning with hatred from the pain? I would fucking love a moment of Mark trying (but still failing) to walk, crawl, move, while in pain to ADD to the scene, even if he just stumbled back down and writhed on the floor.

While I'm not too familiar with the DCU- your batfam meta posts are intiguing- so in transfering some of the broader strokes from them- I think you tackling a 'Mark isn't Nolan's biological son' fic would be fascinating. Sort of a step to the side of the 'what if Mark never got his powers' fic that sometimes pop up in the fandom

OOOOOO chewing on this currently, hm, the much a distinct flavor of exactly what you’re talking about, but the potential for more family drama depending on WHO knows. Does Mark know?? Is he waiting every day only to be crushed? Does he confused non-Debbie features with Nolan’s? I suppose I’m not the most enthusiastic about non-power AUs, but I think there’s something very fun to explore about Mark having to settle with, if he knows all his life, he will never have powers? I think the trajectory of his dreams will obviously shift, I can see him still having that distinct fatherly idolization, but perhaps embraces being useful to the GDA? Cecil’s number one intern—only intern—curtesy of nepotism, ha! There is something tickling me about Mark taking the Robin Route/Role for the Teen Team in terms of having no powers, just insane skills, BUT there’s something way more delicious about intern Mark when s1e01 happens and Mark tries snooping around to find out the truth about what happened to his Dad.

I wonder if, with Mark having a whole another father, if they’re more or less distant relationship, depending on WHEN Nolan entered Mark’s life? Like if Debbie met Nolan later for this, or just for fun, they dated once, separated (Mark being born during then), then they happened to stumble into each others lives again and Mark’s already been born, anywhere from tween to teenager so there’s a gap in how close they are. I feel like one important aspect of the whole Family Drama is how close they’re supposed to be, a functional, loving family turned upside down? So I wonder what more distance does. I wonder how Nolan copes when his family is entirely human and he can’t project onto Mark.

I love thinking about these, omg.

[redjennies]

something something the Beau 🤝 Ashton comparison of the death drive masked as self-sacrifice kicking in due to finally achieving personal success and a growing sense of belonging but the contrast of how that presents along the class divide. Beau, raised in an upper middle class yet personally hostile home environment, wanting walk away from everything and retreat back into the warmth of being a failure who nobody cares about in one grand gesture to trade her life for another's, vs Ashton, abandoned by both family and society, wanting to transform themself into something that can do what they believe they can't because he believes he has real no future and this grand gesture is all he will ever be worth.