#nobody disrespects Ashe on my watch

[artmek]

I dedicate this monster of a unit to everyone who thinks Ashe is bad or not worth investing in

Lethality + High crit wyvern lord is just 👌 peak performance

Bonus to restore my sanity:

[blueeyedgirll]

he'd loooove that - sal fisher x tough f!reader

a/n: for lack of better words when i say tough i mean like …. you defend him from bullying and kind of skip class idk. also we’re pretending ash wasn’t there when travis was harassing sal ok? ok.

this fic includes: fem reader, second person pov, bullying, skipping 10 minutes of class, use of the term “holy roller,” Travis being rude to you (i.e. b word, telling you to fuck off), cussing, vague threats of violence, Larry teasing Sal cause he likes you. read at your own risk yadda yadda yadda

You ignore your teacher’s command for you to return quickly from the bathroom as you walk down the dingy hallway. Of course, you didn’t plan to return to class at all, much less return quickly. Who cares about what happened 100 odd years ago? Whatever.

You continue down the hallway, wondering where you should spend the next 10 minutes before lunch starts, when you see two familiar looking boys down the hall. The one furthest away, Travis, the preacher’s son who gives anyone who isn’t a total holy roller shit, was clearly insulting the one closer to you.

Sal.

The thing about Sal is that the only thing you share is a math class. You don’t share a social circle, or sit at the same lunch table, or even talk outside of that math class. However, this didn’t stop you from noticing that he was very attractive. The electric blue hair, mask, and his unique style was oddly alluring.

As your feet keep moving closer to the two boys, you hear some of what travis is saying.

“Nobody likes a goody-two-shoes, Saaaally Face.”

Without missing a beat, Sal responds.

“Nobody likes a cliché bully, Traaaaavis.”

His appearance aside, Sal’s wit and demeanor was another reason you’d fallen for him. Every time you talked, Sal made you laugh in some way. He’s so funny and nice to talk to, and it outrages you to see someone like Travis being so disrespectful to him.

Before he could say another word, upon closing the distance between you and the boys, you butt in.

“Do you have a problem?” You say, staring Travis in the face and fighting the urge to sneak a glance at Sal.

“This is none of your business, bitch.”

“Don’t call me a bitch. And definitely don’t give Sal any attitude. Don’t you have a class to go to?”

Of course, this made Travis even more upset. Turning fully to you and taking a few steps forward, he raises his voice and exclaims “Go fuck yourself! I’ll do whatever I want.”

Your anger rises with his refusal. Without batting an eye, you decide that you number one, need to get Travis out of here, and number two, need to take this as an opportunity to win Sal over. You take a step forward so that you’re almost toe-to-toe with Travis.

“No the fuck you won’t. Not on my watch. I need you to turn your holy blonde ass around and go back to class before I show you what happens when snotty little pricks like you can’t keep their nasty attitude in their mouths,” you say, jerking closer to Travis with every insult. You pause for a moment, hoping you wouldn’t get the shit beat out of you.

Travis grits his teeth, calls you some very colorful names, and walks off.

Relief floods you as you take your first look at Sal. Shock floods you as you see he was already looking.

“Thank you,” Sal says.

“You’re welcome,” you respond.

“You really didn’t have to do that. I’m tough, I promise.”

“I know, but I can’t stand to see people like Travis being assholes for no reason.”

“I get that. Thank you for standing up for me. Really.”

If you didn’t know any better, you would say that the exposed tips of Sal’s ears looked rather pink.

Before you can respond, the bell rings and Sal’s close friend Larry came running up to him.

“I heard yelling, is-… Oh! Hey, man…”

Larry trailed off when he noticed you. Suddenly, he was staring at you and it made you feel the need to explain yourself.

“I… Just so happened to be walking past and I saw Travis giving Sal shit-“ When you said Sal’s name, Larry looked at Sal and smiled, as if surprised you knew his name, “- So I stepped in, I guess. He’s gone, but I’m sorry for getting all up in your business.”

Larry, after staring at Sal with a less than necessary smirk, responded “No problem, dude. Listen, if you ever want to defend Sal again, I’m sure he’d loooove tha-“ Sal interrupts Larry with a swift elbow in the ribs. He gets the point and stops.

“Thanks. Enjoy your lunch,” Sal says, and Larry follows him as he walks away.

You pretend not to watch them walk down the hall, seeing Larry punch Sal in the arm encouragingly and yell something about protective girls.

[darylscigarettesmoke]

Notes for 2x05

just watched the episode and…. Spoilers/Thoughts below. Beware.

- I just can’t stand how Daryl talks in this season. His tone is always so flat, so casual almost, so nonchalant. Especially with Carol. His voice’s always been soft and warm, now it’s like you can’t get through to him. He talks like nobody’s home. I miss his flagship-show voice. The flagship-show Daryl would never come along and flatout ask if someone has “the hots” for another person. I don’t interpret that as him being “jealous” of Ash, it just striked me as kinda disrespectful He’s icecold.

- Daryl is now canonically shit with a rubik’s cube and honestly I can relate.

- “She loved you. She told me.” With all due respect Laurent, but shut the hell up. Read the room. Daryl’s silence after Laurents babbling is hard to read again. I need subtitles for this man, and this man only. Even though I can’t speak any french word anymore besides the basics, I understand this language better than what is going on with Daryl. He looks guilty in this scene. And broken. But of course he doesn’t answer Laurent. Doesn’t say “me too.” Laurent is sweet and means well, but it’s so frustrating to watch how everyone’s putting a bee into Daryl’s bonnet since season 1 😩

- “I should stay here and you should go back to where you belong. That’s what you always wanted” - yes please. Laurent is happy in France, feels at peace??? Goddamn Daryl can’t catch a break and I am catching feelings again. Laurent the sweet boy just told Daryl off LMAO

- I don’t understand why Laurent/Isabell talk with a british accent I mean I’m german I have no clue about accents but I know a french one when I hear it

- the same old sophia barn flashback scene is getting old and pretentious sorry carol

- “and now you’re replaying every decision, thinking about what you could’ve done differently” aaaaand the old survivor’s guilt is back. We’ve seen that before. “It’s a pretty long list” Daryl says and yes it is - and they put Isabelle on top. Like he doesn’t have so many other death’s weighing heavy on him. My poor baby boy. It’s not your fault.

- Daryl in the night club I am OVULATING again. GODDAMN this man has me wrapped around his thick ass finger goodbye and ofc they’re singing lady marmelade LOL voulez vous coucher avec moi? Non, mais avec Monsieur Daryl

- laurent should find another dad in codron they even speak the same language

- they found daryl’s audio recorder laying around … just like that? Where are we, in a soap opera?

- lousang is just a far cry villain at this point and nobody can convince me otherwise

- Daryl leaves Carol alone a lot in this episode. She feels so unimportant idk

- “Everybody I love is gone, fucking except for you!” Ring a bell? Yeah, they fucking pulled an Ellie from The Last of Us again. I’m so tired. So, so tired.

- Ash calls Carol out and it’s great and he’s so right, Manish acts his soul out

- yup I think Ash is gonna be the next dad for Laurent

anyway heres a pic from my chubby babycat to calm the nerves 🩷

[magistralucis]

Actually I'm not done thinking about this post, thank you @ghostinthegallery for the inspiration. 👀 Motives-wise, Lysikor is the most obscure character in TDK; it's not clear what he wants, other than to steal things and watch Rome burn, and something about him makes the people around him act in unusual ways. It shows most obviously in Oltyx, but also with Unnas and Mentep and all the canopteks he keeps on stealing. I mean, there is no way he ought to have gotten away with the disrespect he showed his world, you know?

Oltyx claims Unnas only spared Lysikor because Unnas was more reasonable at the time (Ruin, Chapter 4). But necron lives are expendable, and many have been killed for doing much less than Lysikor. This dude is ridiculously good at surviving. He repeatedly taps into Oltyx's mind without consent, and those intrusions hardly ever have consequences; he almost fucks up the beginnings of Oltyx's kingship entirely by mentioning The Regicide; of course, he also gets off scot-free at the very end, heavily armed and unafflicted. Why?

My theory is that it has to do with reality. Ithakas is cursed because they tore a hole in reality. In the 9th Edition Codex (pg 11), it's stated that 'the C'tan were bound to reality itself, and so could never be destroyed, only splintered into stunted echoes of their former might' - but they did destroy Llandu'gor, and the Flayer-urge spread from the aftermath, and the Twice-Dead King is about Oltyx's journey to heal what was broken. He has to deny, repair, or move past at least three realities to achieve this ending, and each one is represented by a different character:

Djoseras, for the past reality of Ithakas, when the glory of the dynasty belonged to the stones and not its people. This reality is no longer tenable by the end of Ruin, and Djoseras is killed defending it to the last man.

Mentep, for the present reality of Oltyx, in that he helped cause Ithakas's affliction millions of years ago. Throughout TDK he's trying to atone for what he's done, but the problem with what he's done is that he's made Oltyx paranoid and tyrannical, and his good intentions cannot outmatch the other's violence.

Yenekh (and Zultanekh), for the future reality of the Flayed Ones, the transformative one eventually claimed and shaped by Valgûl's heka. Yenekh gives Oltyx the hope to regrow from the ashes, and Zultanekh validates their new world-order by bearing witness to it. Only after this point are they all somebody, instead of vermin, nobodies, or Nobody (Οὖτις).

Where Lysikor comes in, I think, is the fourth reality: metafiction, the realm outside Oltyx, the Bone Kingdom, or necrons as a concept. Literally the fourth wall. Lysikor knows that he's in a book! His idiosyncrasies make so much more sense if you interpret it as his playing around with tropes. The way he signposts Oltyx's actions with literary devices (e.g. 'the bait's been taken' re: the warboss, describing Oltyx's explanation for Yenekh's exile as a 'story', etc.). How he always manages to steal the exact McGuffin they need. The plan he had to kill Oltyx at the figurative eleventh hour. Of course nothing ever touches him! He literally exists above the narrative!

That too is why he can make nonsense of the order of the world. Lysikor already has his own sense of order, if anything he makes everybody else answer to it. His complete dismissal of heka, Oltyx's and others. The insistence that he be called Duke, which is not an Ithakan title, which he somehow gets people to respect. His cavalier attitude towards stealing as well as giving back. My favourite fourth-wall moment has to be when he answers a question literally nobody asked, the one about the Ithakan serapteks: the last we saw of them was Oltyx witnessing their slow deaths in Chapter 19 of Ruin. So what became of them? Yoinked by Lysikor, of course. 👍

But that's the genius of it. Ithakas has only seven serapteks to spare, and they are the most powerful canopteks there are: 'symbols of dynastic might, reserved for only the most apocalyptic conflicts', as Chapter 11 of Ruin puts it. In a significant sense they are the dynasty. When they pass into Lysikor's possession, it means that he becomes a world unto himself! I think that's why he's as secure with Oltyx as he is: they are supreme leaders, capable of world-shaping heka, just that Lysikor is the only one who knows it for most of TDK. He's forbidden from commanding people, he lives with the figurative animals, as canopteks are ranked slightly above C'tan shards and below all necrons. But what fantastic canopteks! What an army!

Canopteks are often simulacra of beasts pre-biotransference. Lysikor is a simulacrum too, not of beasts but a Synaptic Disintegrator, pointed not at people but into the firmament. He's the perfect deathmark, textually and metatextually, sneakiness and treachery and hyperspace nowhere played dastardly straight. I bet he wasn't even that disappointed Oltyx got away. He analysed Oltyx's character arc carefully and liked what he saw, and it wasn't until Oltyx started bending reality himself that Lysikor was bested. Even that won't be for long. The Twice-Dead King better watch out, eat your heart out, Oltyx, here comes the Twice-Troped Duke 🔫🤪

[g-xix]

sry for this but whats happpened with danny, tennessee, and his ex?? im so lost 😭

RIGHT, SO:

? - 2023 NOV - Danny Aarons has a girlfriend. He mentioned her occasionally on stream, on the Fellas pod, on a Sidecast... A clip on TikTok showed a woman giving him a kiss on stream (presumably before going out or whatevs) which every1 assumed to be his girlfriend... And also showed a lot of hate over, j being overall quite rude to her physically and displaying that the average demographic of the Danny Aarons audience is insecure, adolescent boys with little to know common knowledge of basic decency.

1st - 16th Nov 2023 - Locked In SZN! Sooo locked in is where everything kinda went left... Danny entered into Locked In as a man in a relationship, and made this quite clear to everyone else within the house, telling the girlies (Shannon Langdon, Kaci-Jay, Tennessee Thresh, Ash Holme n Madam Joyce) that he was in a relationship. Despite acknowledging and telling these girls that he was in a relationship however, he still acted debatebly... flirty with some of the other girls, including Kaci Jay and Tennessee, which didn't go amiss by fans as shown my fan edits (1 & 2 for Kaci's example, and 1 Tennessee edit i found)... So in summary, Danny went onto locked in WITH a girlfriend, TOLD everyone that he had a girlfriend, and STILL flirted with other girlies. Naturally, this did make Danny's gf feel uncomfortable and there's screenshots of stories she posted which displays how she felt watching Locked In during November 2023 when she, as his girlfriend, watched him every night just flirt with other girls:

And they're so freaking valid tbh.

Post!Locked In - Gf breaks up with Danny So then yeah, naturally, Danny gets left, having just embarrassed his girlfriend and disrespected his relationship in front of MILLIONS watching Locked In. But for some reason, nobody really seems to empathise with Danny's ex that much, but rather, everyone casts their attention moreso to Tennessee, who gets even more flirty with Danny, now that he's broken up- literally saying she'll shag him.

Between Nov - Jan Hate towards Danny's ex has increased exponentially since Danny's moved on. Often times it's direct hate, simply name calling and physically shaming her, other times it's more... indirect. Like commenting things like Danny moving onto Tennessee is the "rebound of the century" - goofy ahh shi like that, yk.

Jan 2024 - Danny and Ten confirmed dating I made a post with the pics of them together bc tbh i was blown away when i first heard it too. I mean, i just thought Tennessee saying she wanted Danny was one big joke but clearly not!

Hope that's a comprehensive enough timeline of their relationship. Is a little bit biased but i think it get's the point across regardless, and is cited with a myriad of TikTok links. Pls do reply and lmk anything missed &/or any personal thoughts

[wellthebardsdead]

The loved & the forgotten pt13

Part 12 here

———

Vivienne: *seated in the shamans house with the rest of the group as they fuss over him and his injuries* it’s not that bad Taliesin-

Taliesin: There is a HOLE! IN YOUR STOMACH!

Vivienne: there was one in my chest when I fell asleep and now it’s g-hHhone- ow that hurts! *whimpers as Taliesin cleans it so Storn can sew him back up*

Taliesin: Oh gods can you please just stop getting hurt for one day Vivi, you’re going to turn my hair grey!

Vivienne: I think you’d look quite nice with white ha-

Taliesin: Don’t. Even joke about that.

Vivienne: *giggles softly and hisses as Storn starts sewing up his wounds* is… everyone else okay?… I sort of… lost my mind when mora stabbed me I… don’t really remember anything.

Storn: oh yes, everyone’s fine thanks to you my friend. My daughters headed to raven rock to inform them of your victory. I imagine they’re all a bit rattled from those shockwaves you sent out fighting old herma mora. I swear we could feel the earth itself shake in your presence, I’ve never known one of a person who could hold such power.

Vivienne: it’s… not my power… it… was his…

Storn: his? Herma mora?

Vivienne: no… it belonged to Vivec but… even then it wasn’t rightfully his I… I saw him.

Kaidan: *looks up from his food* you… you saw Vivec? In apocryha?

Vivienne: *shakes his head* no I… saw through his eyes, his, memories… he was raised by a blind netchiman. I was raised by a blind fisherman. We both got abandoned as teenagers in some way or another… we both had to sell our bodies for money… but he… got saved by a very handsome mer, he had gold skin, white hair, he said his name was Neht…

Lucien: *suddenly chokes on his wine*

Inigo: *pats his back* you are meant to swallow not breathe it my friend.

Taliesin: *looks to them then back at vivi* what else did you see dear?…

Vivienne: I think he was in love with neht at some point they… they made love but… then I saw him… he… killed him. Vivec he… cut off his face I think?… but then I woke up and I was a baby.

Kaidan: oh aye, I’ve had one of those dreams before. Nothin more weird than seeing your grown self wearing a diaper being-

Taliesin: *glares at him*

Kaidan: oop… I’ll shut up now. *clears his throat* g-go on love.

Vivienne: I’d… just been born… vivec was holding me he… didn’t look well. He looked sick, and tired… so tired… he cut my cord with a knife and put me in a basket on his guar… I watched him collapse and bleed out in the Ashland’s before I woke up in apocrypha… im… sorry I brought miraak back with me… I couldn’t bring myself to kill him.

Taliesin: don’t apologise my love… if you trust he’ll behave himself then we trust you.

Kaidan: aye… but he’s still sleeping outside tonight for the shite he’s out you through.

*meanwhile outside*

Miraak: *seated under one of his dragons shivering* I deserve this.

*Meanwhile in Raven Rock*

Nerevar: *helping the councillor try to calm the towns people as they run about frantically trying to secure their homes and possessions terrified the mountain is going to erupt again thinking the shockwaves came from it* Please people calm yourselves, the mountain is not going to erupt-

Drovas Relvi: It’s because he brought that sharmat here with him! We’re all going to die he’s going to make the mountain erupt again!

Lleril Morvayn: Drovas! Hold your tongue and calm yourself! Lord Dagoth is not responsible for this-

Bralsa Drel: I-it’s not fair! The mines only just opened back up and now I’m going to lose everything again!

Voryn: Nobody is losing anything I assure you we will find the cause of all of thi-

Meden Maren: I-im not listening to the l-likes if you! Y-you’re the reason it blew in the first place-

Adril Arano: ENOUGH!

*silence*

Adril Arano: If I hear another insult towards lord dagoth or disrespect towards the Hortator the mouths responsible will find themselves eating rotten ash yams in a jail cell for the rest of their lives! We do not know what caused this! But we do know it was not the mountain! You are all safe. So please. Just be calm and allow us to handle this.

Frea: *suddenly emerges from the crowd holding a letter from her father and the chief* Greetings of the all father upon you. I am Frea of the Skaal, and I know of what caused these disturbances, but it is not a threat to any of you.

Nerevar: *steps forward and bows his head to her* greetings Frea, you know of what caused these tremors in the earth?

Frea: yes. It was the dragonborn. In his quest to defeat miraak he asked for our help, but we were all tricked by herma mora. The demon tried to kill my father but the dragonborn leapt in the way. His wounds would have killed any ordinary man, but all it did was awaken an inhuman rage within himself and he tore the beast to pieces, quite literally. *suddenly pulls a cloth from her pocket and unwraps it revealing half of one of Hermaeus moras eyes making everyone recoil in disgust*

Nerevar: *looks at it then at the letter as she hands it to him* the dragonborn?…

Frea: Yes. This letter is signed by our chief and my father as witnesses to his battle. He returned at sunrise with miraak as his prisoner, the threat looming over solstheim is now at rest.

Nerevar: *opens the letter and reads it before looking back at Voryn who nods to him* … *looks back at frea* what… is this dragonborns name? If you don’t mind me asking?

Frea: He calls himself Vivienne. But I heard old Herma Mora call him Vivec.

Everyone: *silence* …

Nerevar: *clears his throat and nods* I. Yes… thank you my friend for delivering us this message, um, councillor can you arrange some compensation for her travels?

Lleril Morvayn: I- oh yes of course. *gestures to Frea to follow him and leads her off to the councillors office*

Adril Arano: Well then. If that’s settled. Everyone please return to your dwellings. Everything is alright.

Voryn: *sighs watching the crowd disburse before pulling on his helm once more*

Sen Dres: *walks past him slowly* Tsk Tsk. All this time and all you’ll ever be remembered for is all the death you caused. *waves his hand to him as he walks off towards the temple* oh well.

Voryn: I was hypnotised by the heart of a dead god. You walk as a proud slaver and son to a traitor.

Sen Dres: … *stops in his tracks gritting his teeth, knowing he can’t say what he wants to with nerevar so close by*

Voryn: At least I may take solace in the fact I can rest my head at night and be forgiven still. I was given another chance by the good daedra to redeem myself. How you can sleep at all knowing how many people despise you though… I’ll never know… *glares at him with all 3 eyes glowing red in the fading light of the sunset as dusk finally falls*

Sen Dres: *huffs and storms off to the temple*

Nerevar: *watches him leave before looking up at voryn* we need to make sure we get to him before he does…

Voryn: chances are he’ll be arriving here in a few days, or even tomorrow for all we know… we need to keep our guard up…

Nerevar: …do you… know why he’s been attending the temple so much?…

Voryn: something wretched is afoot…

*meanwhile*

Sen Dres: *storms into the temple* Galdrus! *hurries over to the priest* You were right! He is vivec after all!

Galdrus Hlervu: You see~ my sources are never wrong my lord~

Sen Dres: *sighs* I always knew there was something… Godly about him but I could never put my finger in it…

Galdrus Hlervu: yes, quite. But I have something you’ll be greatly interested in~ I had to steal this from Elder Othreloths study after he locked it away in there. But I’m sure it’ll be of more use to you, especially when it comes to, wooing our ‘god’ to lend us his powers~ *opens a box revealing the ash mask of vivec*

Sen Dres: *has no intention of helping the priest get Vivi or his powers, wanting instead to keep him all to himself and just using Galdrus, unaware he’s being used just as much* gods- *gasps softly and carefully picks it up* oh, it’s him, it’s my vivi…

[asmrtist-brainrot]

Redacted Incorrect Quotes

Here it isss my dudesss

I’ve wanted to do one of these for a while.

~ Dari

Vega: You're staring at me quite a bit, dear warden, are you thinking on what I -

Inchoate: I was looking at your horns.

Vega: O... kay?

Inchoate: And how they look perfect for grabbing onto.

Vega, getting embarrassed: Wha -

Inchoate: While I drown you.

(source: me)

(I did this on Discord but nonetheless)

Angel: Oh fiddlesticks! That really ruffles my feathers!

David, distressed: Please, just say fuck.

(source: tumblr?)

(Also a Discord thing.)

Angel: I can hold the whole world in my hands!

David: No you can't -

Angel, cupping his face: See?

David:

(source: tumblr?)

Darlin', ready to start a fight: Why do you act like that and then you're built like an insecurity?

Milo, literally choking on air: I -

Asher, cry-laughing: Not once - not once have I ever heard something so diSRESPECTFUL -

(source: that.guy.jxden1 & theericklouis on TikTok)

Oliver: Are you in love with Smartass?

Aaron, sweating: ... No.

Oliver: Then why do you write "A+S" everywhere?

Aaron: It stands for assets and stock.

(source: tumblr?)

Asher: Onion rings are vegetable doughnuts.

Baabe, thoroughly used to this: Sure they are, dear.

Asher: Your stomach thinks all potatoes are mashed.

Baabe: Okay

Asher: Lasagna is just spaghetti flavored cake.

Baabe:

Asher, going on: Lobsters are mermaids to scorpions.

Baabe, crying: Ash, please stop -

Angel, fascinated: No, continue, please.

(source: tumblr)

FL: Why are you smiling?

Damien: What? Can't I just be happy?

Lasko: We watched Kody trip and fall in the parking lot.

(source: tumblr?)

Milo: What time is it?

Asher: I dunno, pass me that recorder.

Milo passes it to him

Asher starts playing it

Christian: WHO IS PLAYING THE RECORDER?! IT IS 2AM!!!

Asher: It's 2am.

(source: tumblr)

Asher: Tonight, I'll be making a delicious meal with only one ingredient.

Asher: A phone.

Asher: I'll have a large pizza -

(source: Thomas Sanders)

Kody, getting down on one knee

Gavin: Oh my god, it's finally happening.

Kody, falls over

Gavin: The poison is kicking in.

(source: tumblr)

Bright Eyes: Rules are made to be broken.

Sam: Rules are made to be followed. Nothing is made to be broken.

Vincent: Uh, pinatas

Lovely: Glowsticks.

Darlin': Karate boards.

Frederick: Spaghetti if you have a small pot.

Bright: And rules!

(source: Brooklyn 99)

Bright: Thanks, Dad.

Bright: 

Bright: Why is everyone staring at me?

Frederick: You just called Sam dad.

Bright: What? No, I didn't. I said thanks, man.

Sam: Do you see me as a father figure, Bright?

Bright: No, if anything, I see you as a bother figure, 'cause you're always bothering me.

Vincent: Hey! You show your father some respect!

(source: Brooklyn 99)

Angel: Do you think I could fit fifteen marshmallows in my mouth?

David: You're a hazard to society.

Asher: And a coward. Do twenty.

(source: tumblr?)

Interviewer: Where are you from?

Caelum: Aria!

Interviewer: Which part?

Caelum:

Caelum: My whole body??

(source: tumblr)

Huxley: Why is Lasko crying?

FL: He's drunk.

Gavin: And??

FL: He heard that I was in a relationship.

Damien: ... We are all in a relationship.

FL, sighing: I know.

(source: twitter)

Darlin', kicks door in looking mildly panicked

Sam: What did you do?

Darlin': Nobody died -

Sam: What kind of answer is that?!

(source: tumblr?)

Vincent: Listen

Vincent: I think disrespect is subjective

Vincent: Because if Lovely called me a bitch?

Vincent: My heart would flutter

Vincent: But if another man called me a bitch?

Vincent:

Vincent: I'm going to prison.

(source: ivanantoniochacon on TikTok)

Shortening the Storyline

David: Okay, Angel, with this whole rogue vampire thing. I need you to be more -

David:

Angel:

David, smaller voice: Is that a shotgun?

Angel, cocking it: Yes! :D

(source: me)

Angel vs. Quinn

Quinn: So you're the Alpha Shaw's little -

Quinn:

Angel:

Quinn, smaller voice: Is that a shotgun?

Angel, loading it: Yes! >:D

(source: still me)

[nebulus-frd]

Jealous and protective Rowan and oblivious Aelin in a modern established relationship au

Hi!!!

Thank u so much for the request. I loved your prompt and also love Rowaelin deeply. Hope u enjoy it ♡

If you liked it or not, let me know. Leave a comment, compliments and especially, constructive critics, are always welcomed.

Wanna request your story? Come ⋆⭒ here ⋆⭒, tell me everything. ----------

The beach. The sea. Them.

Synopsis: Modern AU where Rowan and Aelin finally get a deserved vacation. But he isn't enjoying all the attention given to his wife during the first day of it.

Rated: T

Warnings: implied sexual content. If I forgot anything, let me know.

Words: 1700+ (oneshot).

1/1

It was their first time back at the beach after being married.

The life of a military couple was hectic, to say the least, but Rowan and Aelin were rather used to the chaos. This explained why Rowan found himself alone in bed on the first morning of their vacation. Although his wife had always been a late riser, he knew better than anyone how hard it was to break their routine and if he himself hadn’t take medicine to fall asleep, he wouldn’t probably have slept at all.

Not bothering to properly dress, Rowan moved to the kitchen only to find it empty. Did she go grocery shop? But to his surprise not only was the fridge completely packed, but three sandwiches also topple each other on a plate next to a note.

Good morning princess, did you sleep well? Not even a true love kiss was able to break from the evil medicine spell. I’m training on the beach. Join me… Or not, if you feel like sleeping throughout the entirety of our vacation.

Love,

Aelin Ashryver Whitethorn Galathynius.

Rowan didn’t even feel the smile that broke through him. God, I love her. Of course, she was training. His wife always called him a workaholic and a military freak, only to always prove herself one. The food was warm enough for her not to have left for too long. And in half an hour Rowan found himself heading to their hotel gym.

Where was Aelin?

He had circulated the gym area twice without success in the mission of joining his wife. Could she be at the beach? It wouldn’t be a surprise. Aelin loves the sea, the sunny weather, and the heat on her skin.

Eight years ago, if someone said to Rowan that there were people who loved those things, he would have straight-out laughed in their faces. He couldn’t anymore. He had learned to appreciate each of these unlike anyone else.

Rowan loved the smile Aelin would have while watching the sea, loved the glow her eyes would reflect under the sun’s light, loved the heat from Aelin’s heart.

His wife had changed each perspective he had in his life.

And while at the beach, once again he asked himself how the hell, he was deserving of the woman he married to?

Aelin was coming out of the sea, dressed in a swimsuit that covered a lot more of what he was used to seeing, looking like the sea god herself had descended in the mortal world to bestow her beauty upon mortals. Thus, Rowan was hindered breathless and as soon as their eyes locked up, he could listen to her thoughts through them.

“Are you delight with the view?”

And the smile that broke in her lips made his knees go weak. She pointed to a small pile of clothes at his right and he could recognize the tennis beside it. As soon as they met Rowan girdled his arm around her hips and kissed her.

“Missed me much?” Aelin asked holding a smirk while still in his arms. Her turquoise eyes nailed on his green-forest ones. The only answer she received was a grunt and a heavy head dropping in her shoulder. “You know you could use words, rather than growling like a beast”, which made Aelin feel the smile coming from her husband, she could picture it too: the perfect set of teeth accompanied by two fangs that were borderline not-human, which had left so many marks on last night's activities, she had almost come to the beach in a diver suit.

“I can’t be bothered. There are a lot of more interesting things to do with my mouth… And my tong…”, Rowan’s impure statement was interrupted by the sound of Aelin’s phone ring, it took a moment for the woman to snap out of the mood her husband had put them in. Poor object, it earned a glare that, if possible, would have transformed it into ashes.

“Oh hi!... Yes, of course, I’m coming… Right, next to the bar… Yes, be there in a few”, she said on the phone friendly. With whom she could have made prior appointments?

“Where are you going?”, Rowan asked confused, involuntarily holding her tighter, Aelin didn’t hide the smile at her husband's unwillingness.

“WE are going to a functional training, apparently the hotel holds them every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday”, she said while putting on a pair of shorts and her tennis, Rowan just nodded in answer.

Once they were in the central area, the closer location between the hotel’s pools and the beach, the equipment could already be seen as well as 10 people roaming around it. Soon enough a man came up to them greeting Aelin, too friendly to Rowan’s likeness, although he could only spot the top of his head.

“Miss Galathnyius, it’s good to have you with us today”, the strange said while avoiding looking at Rowan’s side but he did not miss a beat.

“It’s Mrs.” his accented and low voice seemed to reverberate, earning him an alarmed glance from the instructor, as he had taken from his clothes and name tag.

“Yes, of course. Mr. and Mrs. Galathnyius it’s a pleasure to have both of you here”, the smaller man seemed ready to bolt as he alternated his looks from Rowan’s face tattoo and Aelin’s mirth-filled eyes, she just nodded and that was very well what he did. She knew it wasn’t jealousy from her husband, more like his inability to not correct a mistaken person.

Oh, how wrong she was.

…

Half an hour throughout the class, Rowan was calculating how much trouble would he be if he were to beat three civilians. As the training was open to anyone at the beach, around fifteen more people had come to enjoy the activities. Including a group of four men, who seem too inclined to help Aelin with her training.

Which had made Rowan seeing red since he heard the first suggestion in correcting Aelin’s posture during a core exercise. Whilst his wife seemed completed oblivious as not only agreed to a few suggestions and gave tips of her own. Rowan didn’t mind that both were right.

Nonetheless, at each suggestion made by a stranger, Rowan would casually assert his territory. Moving closer to Aelin, helping her with the weights and holding her during an exercise that required it. Of course, there was the possibility that none of the people participating held any second intentions towards his wife and were only trying to be helpful. He seriously doubted it, even though that was what Aelin seem to think.

Usually, Rowan had never been one to bluntly be jealous and if he found it necessary to discuss attitude with someone, he wouldn’t do it in front of Aelin. But he’d gone apeshit when one of the guys from before made a move to touch her while he went to grab for water. Fuck this. He had been by her side every single moment. What’s with these disrespectful motherfuckers?

The man whose hands extended to help Aelin in moving the piece on her waist only caught a movement in corner of his eyes before a mountain of a man was before him. His eyes caught a glimpse of a wicked tattoo on the man’s face, which had been hidden by the cap he was using.

Rowan’s intimidating demeanor and the fucking gold ring in his and hers left hands were more than enough for assholes to grasp the situation.

She is mine, I’m hers. Fuck off.

Either it was the rings or himself didn’t matter. Apparently, with one look everybody understood his warning.

…

However, nine hours later, he’d been left baffled as his wife complained how, after he glued himself to her side, nobody had talked or interacted with her anymore.

“Well, if you weren’t such a territorial bastard today, we could have made some friends that could introduce us to the town”, she said as they had clearly lost themselves while looking for a Japanese restaurant.

“I beg your pardon?”, Rowan answered seeing red all over again just from remembering the previous event.

“Oh, come on, you thought I did notice? You were just asserting your territory for the heck of it”, she said not bothering with more than an eye roll, still searching the street’s name on their map.

“For the heck of it?”, Rowan was bewildered. Aelin thought he was doing that out of leisure?

“You couldn’t possibly be jealous of those guys from the beach, right?”, she said finally dropping the stupid map that had put them in their current predicament and looking straight into his eyes. Whatever she saw there gave Rowan his favorite smile. “You were….”, she laughed, loud and uncaring. Beautiful. “You are unbelievable”.

Like the viper his wife was, she stealthy approached him in that dark alley. “My cranky husband was jealous of some gym dudes?”, her voice was surrounded by arrogance and seductiveness. Reminding Rowan just who he had married with. The most confident, assertive, dazzling woman he had ever met.

Their eyes were locked on each other as she stalked him like a snake ready to consume her prey. His response to her provocation was nothing more than a grunt. “You know what you should have done?... You could have kissed me right there, ravished me, really… And I would’ve said thank you”.

After many years into their relationship, one would think that Rowan had become numb to Aelin’s advances. However, it was very much the opposite of it. He would be scandalized, shocked… And excited, she burned him with bold words and even bolder actions that made his head spin. His calloused hand didn’t miss one second into holding Aelin’s by her backside and his mouth went to her neck.

“Ditch dinner, Fireheart, I will show you what I would like to have done”, Rowan could feel Aelin’s thundering heartbeat, like his own due to their proximity. It would never lie to him, he affected her just as she did him.

“Oh, why, when you say with such gentleness. I suppose we could make something at home”, she smoothed her hand at Rowan’s ringed finger each word, handing him a bright smile by the end. “I love you”, albeit the sentence was said in a soft tone, it swept bothering feelings between the two, such as sea waves that accompanied their evening.

“To whatever end”, he said holding her left hand and as they walked toward the ocean. Free, unrestricted, and vast. Much like their love.

[a-purple-lizard]

Assassinating Death (Part 1)

Noob Saibot X female slave reader

I’m debating wether so make a 10-15 chapter long fanfiction about this. If anybody would like to see a fanficion with this concept, please tell me!

Noob Saibot, the ruler of destiny rules all of existence, turning the worthy into revenant warriors and enslaving the weak. S/o is one of the ‘weak’ that he enslaved. Determined to put a stop to the cruel tyrant, s/o devises a plan to kill him. After all, why would a god suspect a pitiful slave of treason? (GIF by me! Taken from the MK11 arcade ending)

The rattle of her own chains was all s/o could hear inside the hollow castle walls. The air tasted of ash and death, as it always had. The woman was hastily scrubbing the stone floor, the rough sound falling on deaf ears as s/o remained focused on the man behind her. A tall soulless husk that watched her intently, looking for some opportunity to punish her.

S/o wouldn’t allow it. Not again. She already had exactly thirty two scars on her back from her punishment. The slave attire forced all to wear open back leather tops as a way to easily punish slaves as well as provide warning to others. Her hair was clipped so that it did not go past her neck, leaving her scars for the world to see.

A stone collar was wrapped around her throat, a purple stone in the center of it marked her as an obsidian place slave. Cold metal chains connected her hands, allowing them only about a foot of distance apart.

The obsidian palace was a jagged spire that towered over the smoke clouds. Nobody really knew how far up it went. Well, nobody but noob saibot, keeper of time, ruler of existence and bringer of death. He was the cruel shadow whose fowl touch defiled the world, turning it grey and dead.

It was he who controlled the immortal servants, or “blank souls” as the slaves called them. Blank souls were husk, vessels that carried out the dark lords will. They were each hand chosen by the lord at seemingly random. Nobody was really sure WHY he chose who he chose, but he was always very sure about his choices.

One thing was sure however, once you were chosen, there was no argument or revolt. Your soul belonged to HIM. When somebody was chosen, they disappeared for MONTHES and when they returned, they weren’t the same. Milky eyes, pale skin, no emotional connection to their friends and family.

“You! Girl! Come with me.” A cold voice came from behind her.

Turning around, she was met with a blank soul. He wore red and yellow robes, silver armor plated his legs and arms. A black hood shrouded his upper face, his dead milky eyes seemed to glow in the shadows. An armored mask hid whatever expression he had to offer.

S/o bowed her head, as everyone had to do when a blank soul addressed them. She didn’t waste a second, abandoning her cleaning supplies and wordlessy following the blank soul out of the room, leaving behind the other blank soul who just stood there, waiting for the next slave shift to start.

The slave was led down the hall to the center staircase that traveled from the dungeons below, all the way up to the tip of the tower, the throne room.

S/o had never been past the thirty fourth floor in the hundred story tower. Only blank souls were permitted to travel to the top ten floors. A few slaves were permitted to cleanse the rooms in the top ten floors, but the ones who did never returned. Most assumed that the ruler of time forced them to live up there as well.

Cold obsidian tile made her bare feet ache as they climbed the stairs upwards. S/o didn’t dare gaze at the man beside her. His footsteps were silent, undetectable to the ear as he went.

After about twenty minutes of climbing, the blank soul halted. The symbols carved into a metal plate showed the number ninety nine. “Bow when your god addresses you. To disrespect noob saibot is to willingly submit yourself to the worst punishment imaginable.”

S/o nodded her head in the most boot licking of ways. The blank soul observed her for a second before starting to walk up the stairs again. There it was, floor one hundred.

The icy fear that repeatedly stabbed her with each rapid heartbeat was almost debilitating as she stepped into the open space.

It was a plain room, pillars only decorated with the symbol of the shadow empire, and a single long rug running from the stairs to the… throne.

Dark jagged crystals spurred upwards in such unnatural ways, at the end of the highest tip lay a skull with a single thick strip of gold plating at the top. Sitting on the throne was him.

The god of all. Killer of all. Noob Saibot, ruler of the shadow empire. S/o threw herself to her knees as the blank soul led her to the shadow shrouded emperor. “Slave.” His voice shook her to her very core. “Did it offer any resistance during retrieval, Hanzo?”

“None at all. She is ready to fulfill her duties.” The blank soul, ‘Hanzo’ responded. The king nodded, the light seemed to drain from the air around him. Without another word, hanzo exited the throne room, heading down a dark hallway behind the throne. S/o was now at the mercy of a tyrant god.

The atmosphere thickened, s/o felt her body shake in her submissive form. All four limbs touched the ground, her lips almost kissed the carpet below. She didn’t dare look up.

“Slave, you have been bestowed the greatest honor of personally serving me.” Something in his voice held a sort of… interest? S/o couldn’t detect any facial expressions due to his head being covered in a helmet, as well as a dark vail.

The slave couldn’t find words that she deemed usable in his presence. She was too terrified to even think. “Unless my generosity doesn’t interest you?”

The dark edge to his voice made s/o want to burst out in tears and beg for her life. “N-no! Thank you so much for even considering giving somebody such as myself any thought! I swear, I will not disappoint you, my lord!”

“I know.” He said simply. “Kuai Liang! Escort it to its new quarters and explain its new purpose to its empire.”

A figure was suddenly behind her, s/o was pulled to her feet by her elbow. She was met by a blue clad blank soul. ‘Kuai Liang’ didn’t say a word as he took hold of her chains and led her to the spiral staircase. S/o could feel the lords gaze boring into her back as she left.

Kuai Liang led her down the stairs, his rough voice echoed through the quiet environment. “You will be given your own quarters on the ninety first floor. You will wake up everyday at exactly five in the morning, you will clean floors ninety-one through ninety-five. At twelve, you will be permitted to eat.” He explained. “At one, you will resume your cleaning, the ninety sixth floor and the one hundredth floor, as well as every floor in between.”

The two of them stopped at the ninety first floor. It looked to be some sort of dining hall. Blank souls littered the area, some were eating, others simply sat around and… socialized? S/o was dumbfounded, the slaves had always assumed that blank souls were nothing but empty husks yet, here they were, laughing and joking.

She didn’t have time to gawk before she was dragged past the large dining hall to a simply lit hall. There were a multitude of doors lining it, a few were open to reveal blank souls casually in their rooms. S/o and Kuai Liang stopped at the end of the hall.

“This will be your new quarters. Inside you will find everything you will require, as well as your new uniform.” He stated, opening the door.

“A new… uniform?” She asked, confused.

“You are now a personal slave to the king and his warriors, you are expected not to look like a common rat.” He growled. “You are now held to higher standards, failure to complete your duties within the desired time range will result in your immediate termination and replacement.”

She swore she saw his face soften for only a moment when he saw the look of hopeless fear of her face. “As a personal slave you are also entitled to certain privileges. No warrior can take it upon themselves to punish you without express permission from the lord of darkness. No warrior may harass you in any way.” He continued, “after all your daily duties are done, you are free to roam the top ten floors, as long as you do not disturb any warriors.”

He gestured to her room, allowing her to slip past him to inspect it. “You are free to explore for the rest of today. Tomorrow you will be assigned a warrior to make sure that your expectations are met.” Without another word, Kuai Liang was gone.

S/o was left alone. She collapsed into the soft bed, staring up at the ceiling, debating whether to cry or smile. She had been within spitting distance of the man who she despised above all else. The man who had caused so much ruin and heartbreak. The man who she now had the opportunity to kill...

Part 2

[pockcock]

crawlin’ back to you (reiner x reader)

“I tried to move on, but nobody is you.” & “I never should have said that.”

summary: somehow, reiner and you can't get away from each other warnings: smoking, drinking, just very sad reiner, sleepy writer (it is full of mistakes) word count: 1,807

You took a sip of your whisky. This was your third shot this night but you were too sad to get drunk. The burning sensation of whisky was nothing compared to the fire in your heart. I let him hurt me, you thought. I let him and his golden eyes hurt me, use me, and throw me away like a doll. You took another sip. Fuck him. Tears were forming in your eyes. You swallowed hard to ignore them. Fuck him and his golden eyes. Finally, you chugged your drink. Fuck you, Reiner.

As you finished your drink, the bartender came to take your class. “Want the fourth?” he asked. He had been friendly since you sat down and smiling every time he came to pour some drink.

You shrugged. “I won’t say no.”

Pouring into your cup he looked at you with a frisky smile. “You don’t look like a whisky-type girl.”

“Really?” You laughed a little. “What do I look like then?”

“Wine.” He pushed your cup back to you.

You took a cigarette out and lit it. “I used to be a wine girl.” The cigarette was loosely hanging between your lips. “Nowadays I’m y/n.”

Bartender chuckled. “Jean.”

You inhaled the cigarette as he asked. “Who is the guy?”

“Was.” Your words were harsh like the odor of the smoke you just released. “He was my boyfriend.” You took a huge sip off of your drink. “We call it quits.”

“He must’ve been a stupid one since he left a beauty like you.”

You laughed at his compliment. “Thanks. But it was more than just beauty.”

“Tell me,” He said while leaning on the counter. “You’re the only customer for now and I have all the time you need.”

You smiled softly. “It doesn’t have a happy ending.”

Jean smiled wistfully. “Nothing has.”

The smoke of your cigarette was burning your eyes. Or the tears. You couldn’t tell the difference. “He was perfect.” You inhaled slowly. “Everything about him was perfect.” You shook your cigarette in order to get rid of the ashes. “Then, huh. We said things we would never think of.”

You continued. “He had golden eyes. You know, the sunrise has a slightly faded orange color? His eyes were just like that.” A smile formed on your lips. “When he looked, he would see through me. He would see me.” Your hands started shaking as you speak. Ignoring the sensation, you led the cigarette to your lips. “Can you please give me some more?” You asked pointing to your empty glass.

Jean scoffed. “I rather not to, but you need it.”

You continued talking after he poured some more into your glass. “You know, it hurts more since, in thirty-five minutes, it will be my birthday. And I am sure he won’t call or text or whatever.” You smiled. “He usually would insist on being the first one to say ‘happy birthday’ but-”

“Hey,” Jean interrupted. “I need to take care of these two.” You glimpsed right, at where he pointed, two women sat down and they were looking for a bartender. “I will be here as quick as possible.”

“Don’t worry about me,” you said, raising your glass. “I already have a company.”

He stopped right before he went. “Happy early birthday.”

Twenty minutes later you had smoked 2 more and the third one was a fidget around your fingers. You were no longer drinking because whisky was mixed with the smoke and made you feel nauseous so, you left the money under your glass and waited for Jean to come back. The bar was becoming crowded as time went by, he couldn’t stop by. You were fine though, being alone in a crowd wasn’t so bad. You could have a trip down memory lane.

You thought about Reiner.

He must’ve been home now, doing some commander business as he always did. His distraction was his work, you remembered him working until the sunrise when you fight. He would then come to bed around six, pull you to his chest, and bury his face to your neck. A small ‘sorry’ would fall from his lips as he kissed your neck and you would feel his tears on your shoulders. Those days he wouldn’t let you leave him, even for work. Reiner would cry and kiss you until you forgive him.

This time though, he left you alone.

Trying to get away from your thoughts, you lit your cigarette. As you exhaled the leftover smoke in your lungs, you heard a familiar husky voice.

“I told you to quit.”

Your breath was stuck in your throat. Reiner.

He sat right next to you and took the cigarette from your fingers. “I knew I would find you here,” he inhaled the stump. “But I didn’t know I would find you smoking.”

You were trembling. “I…” You couldn’t even look at him. “I was thinking.”

“About?” He drew in again and leave it in between your fingers.

You frowned. “Anything. Everything.” Your shaky hands were trying to find your mouth. “I-I needed a distraction.”

He hummed. You finally found the courage to look at him. He frowned harshly and put his arms on the counter. You were able to see the dark amber color of his eyes from the side, his golds were darker today. You felt the tears forming in your eyes.

“Why did you come?” You asked but regretted it.

He shook his head with an incomprehensible attitude. “I… I don’t know.” He lifted his head and looked at you. “I just wanted to see you.”

A tear betrayed you and left your eye, trailing down your cheek. “Why?” Your voice was low, almost inaudible.

“Y/n...” He brushed the tear with his thumb. “Please-”

“Why?” You pushed his hand away. “After all the things you have said, why?”

“Finally, Y/n!” You heard Jean’s voice. “Sorry for making you wa- hey, uh... You want another?”

“Yes but make it double.”

As he handed the glass he whispered. “Do you want me to stay?” Jean wasn’t stupid after all.

You shook your head and took a big sip. “Thank you, Jean. I got this.”

You turned to see Reiner, his eyes were locked on Jean like a predator. His jaw was clenched and his golden orbs were burning now. When Jean left, he turned around to meet your eyes. “Who the fuck is he?”

“Why do you care?” You chugged your glass. “He is nicer than you.”

You saw him clenching his jaw and fist. His knuckles were turning white. “Can he satisfy you?”

That was it. “Fuck you, Reiner!” You got up from your chair to leave but his firm hands found your wrist. “Let me go!”

“No.” His voice was hoarse. “You are drunk, you can’t go like this.” His lips were so close to your lips, he was afraid that someone might hear you. “Look, I’m sorry. Let me drive you home, then you can scream all you want.”

Home is not home anymore, you thought. “No.” Not without you.

He pleaded one more time. “Please.” His voice sounded hurt. “Please, y/n.”

“Fine.” You freed yourself from his grip. You wanted this shitshow to be over.

After paying for your drinks and saying goodbye to Jean, you were in his car which smelled just like him. You didn’t say anything during the ride, didn’t even look at him. You were angry and sad. Reiner disrespected you and you felt disgusted.

“I’m sorry,” He spoke as he pulled over in front of your house. “It was disrespectful.”

“Glad you realized.” You were ready to get off when he locked the doors. “Hey!” You turned to him yet you never expected what you saw. You couldn’t move. You were angry, yes, but you could never ignore the effect of his eyes on you. You’d know they were looking at you, within you.

“Please, listen to me.” Reiner touched your hand hesitantly. Your eyes found his, they were glistening yet his golden eyes were now looking faded. “I need you to listen.”

When you stayed silent, he continued.

“I tried.” He moved his eyes from you as soon as he started talking, he was looking disgusted. “I tried to move on.” His grip on your hand was getting firmer. “I said to myself ‘she is not the only one’. But I couldn’t…” His eyes, filled with tears and sorrow, finally met yours. “I tried to move on, but nobody is you.”

A tear left your eye, you didn’t even realize it was there before. “Reiner…”

“Let me finish and say what you want, please.” He inhaled. “I hate waking up without you. And it’s not just because I got used to you, no.” He swallowed the lump in his throat. “I can’t sleep knowing the fact that I won’t get to see you in the morning.” His hand left your hand and landed on your cheek. “I-” He was choking due to his tears. “I can’t live without you.”

Your tears were now running onto his hand. “I want to forgive you.” You closed your eyes, pulling yourself away from him. “I really do, but I shouldn’t.”

He was sobbing. “Why?”

“You hurt me.” Your hands were on your chest, your heart was aching. “You burned my heart. You knew what to say, or what not to say, and you hurt me.” A sob escaped your lips. “I shouldn’t forgive you. I cannot forgive you. ”

He took his hands away from you. Please don’t. “I see. I’m sorry.”

You two sat in his car for an uncomfortable amount of time. He then suddenly turned around to get a package from the backseats of his car. “I’m sorry,” he said while placing the box into your hands. “I wanted this to be more special, this is your birthday after all.” He was embarrassed.

“Happy birthday.”

Why are you doing this to me? “Reiner, I-”

He interrupted your words. “You don’t have to say anything.”

Your teary eyes were blocking your vision yet you managed to (somehow) carefully opened the package to reveal a beautiful designer box, you knew the brand. Your shaky hands lifted the lid and there was a beautiful watch with a hand-written note.

time stops when you smile. please smile and let me live in that moment. i love you. -r

“Reiner…”

He took your hand and placed a kiss on it. He was hiding his face so that you couldn’t see his teary eyes. “I wanted to give you something beautiful but I couldn’t.” He rubbed meaningless circles with his thumb and kissed your hand one more time. “I know that you cannot forgive me. But can’t we start over?”

You reached to his chin and lifted his head. You smiled, he smiled. “We can try.”

...

a/n: Hi! This is my first EVER English fic and I am super nervous. It is currently 7:35 AM and I should be sleeping but NOOO. It's probably really bad, but hey! I tried. I also couldn't really finish because I couldn't come up with a good idea. AGAIN! I WROTE THIS AT 7:35 NO SLEEP.

Thanks to @221bshrlocked I found the courage to write some things (I hope you accept AOT fics). HOPE YOU GUYS LIKE IT!

© 2021 sunshinedragonofthewest. All rights reserved. Do not modify, copy, repost my work.

[calpalirwin]

See Through

Summary: Ashton gets in over his head.

A/N: Loosely based on See Through by the Band CAMINO.

Word Count: 1.6k

And away, and away we go!

__

I pushed my way into the studio, and immediately stopped in confusion. At the mixing board sat a woman, her back turned to me, a khaki colored messenger bag on the ground by her feet. “Um, excuse me?” I announced my presence. “But I think you might have the wrong room.

“Oh!” she said, jumping slightly before turning to face me. “You must be the band! Hi, I’m Y/N. Nice to meet you.” She took a few steps towards me, hand extended.

“Ashton,” I introduced myself, shaking her hand.

Y/N nodded knowingly. “So, we’re just waiting on the other three. Cool.” She stole a glance down at her watch. “Cool,” she repeated.

“Yeah… Um… sorry. Who are you?”

“I’m Y/N. You’re Ashton. Try to keep up, hon,” she smiled sweetly at me, and I detected the hint of a drawl in the way she called me “hon.”

I chuckled politely. “No, I’m aware of that. I meant… I was under the impression that it was just going to be me and my mates. So I’m a little confused by your presence.”

“Nobody told you that I’m the producer?”

“Nope, because we’re the producers. And the song writers. And the band. Because it’s our album.”

“Mmm. And how many albums have you produced, Ashton? Without outside help that is. Or, should I say songs, because every album you have you’ve worked with someone besides just your close-knit 4-some.”

“Sorry, I’m not trying to be disrespectful. But it’s not often our team gets shaken up. The people we’ve worked with, we’ve worked with them for years. So I’m trying to play catch up here.”

“No, I’m aware you’re not challenging me purposefully. I know I’m the new guy to figure out. So let’s do a brief overview. I’m Y/N, like I’ve said. I just relocated here to LA from Nashville.”

“And I’m assuming the time you spent in Nashville, you were producing?”

“Yes. I’ve been a producer for about five or six years now.”

“Mhm. And how much of that producing experience was with country artists versus primarily rock artists?”

“Don’t let my accent fool you. The Nashville music scene is a lot more than just country twang music these days,” Y/N said with a small laugh. “I’ve worked closely with Dan Swank. Who, if you’re not aware, does a lot of work with All Time Low. And various other artists. But I know you know who All Time Low is because you’ve also worked with them. So, we can continue to do this back and forth where you try to decide if I’m a producer worthy enough of your time. Which is a game I’m used to playing, so I assure you I play it well. Or, you could let me do my job, and my work will speak for itself. Personally, I would opt for the second choice, because things flow a lot more smoothly that way.”

My cheeks warmed in embarrassment. “Sorry… So you’re Y/N and you’re a producer from Nashville who’s relocated to LA. Cool. I’m Ashton. I’m primarily a drummer, who’s also relocated to LA.”

“Nice to meet you, Ashton,” she smiled with a small laugh, accepting my attempt at starting over.

~~~

“So,” I started as we walked out of the studio after the third day with Y/N. “You wanna go grab a coffee, or something?”

She raised an eyebrow, looking me up and down. “With you?”

“Yeah.”

“I don’t drink coffee.”

“Hence the “or something” bit.”

“Okay-”

“Great! I’m parked over here. Or I can send you the address if you’d rather drive yourself.”

She sighed, shaking her head. “Okay,” she tried again. “Look, here’s the thing. I don’t make it a habit to go out with the artists I work with.”

“Saying you don’t make it a habit suggests that you have exceptions.”

“Oh, and let me guess. You think you’re the exception?”

I gave my best flirting laugh and charming look. “Honey,” I drawled out, leaning down slightly to be by her ear. “I’m always the exception.”

She sighed dreamily and I knew I had her. I bit back my smirk as her fingers danced across my bicep and onto my chest. She gave it a small pat. “Oh, Ashton… People don’t tell you ‘no’, do they?”

“As a general rule, no they don’t.” 

“Rules, like habits, have exceptions. And, darlin’, I’m also always the exception.” Then, she was moving away from me, across the parking lot, leaving me standing there, slack-jawed, wondering what the hell had just happened.

~~~

I watched as she paused mid-conversation to pull her phone from her pocket. She gave the contact information the smallest of glances, before slipping her phone back into her pocket, and then her voicemail message was sounding through my phone speaker.

I hit the end call button, pocketing my own phone, and trying to control my scowl. Nothing about this made sense to me. It wasn’t often I had a woman I couldn’t get off my mind who never seemed to spare a second thought about me in return. And it was never with a woman I was forced into close proximity with for an extended amount of time, like working on an album. And I absolutely hated that her attitude towards me only made me want her more. But seven months in, and I was just as lost with her as I had been on day one.

Replaying every interaction only drove me crazier, thinking about things I could have done differently. Thinking about what I would do next if I could get more than two words with her.

I mentally cursed myself as I instinctively sucked in my breath when I saw her walking my way. And I could have screamed at the way her shoulder brushed up against me, not even bothering to give me the slightest indication that she had bumped into me, as she kept walking by. Like she didn’t even see me. And I envied her ability to look right through me, because I knew I’d never be able to do the same when it came to her.

My vision blurred, and I felt my chest grow tight, and despite being outside, I needed to get fresh air. A minute to breathe and recompose myself. A minute I wouldn’t get where I was. So I left. Through the party of people, passed the rows of parked cars out front, mine included.

I kept walking, not sure where I was going, but knowing that each step made it easier to breathe, the cloud in my head thinning out until it was just her name bouncing around.

I slowed, looking around at street signs to orient myself, planning my next move. I didn’t want to go back to the party, but I didn’t want to necessarily go home either. I wanted to see her, and have her see me, too. So, stupidly, I pulled out my phone and tried to call her yet again. “C’mon,” I muttered as the phone started to ring. “Pick up, please. Pick up, pick up, pick u-”

“Hey, Ash. Where’d you disappear off to?”

“I- You answered…”

“Of course I answered.”

“Really?” I asked, unable to keep the bitter edge out of my voice, even if I was flooded with relief that she had answered my call this time. “Cuz you haven’t before.”

“Ash…”

“Save it, please. Whatever excuse you have. I shouldn’t have called. I should’ve learned by now.”

“Learned what by now?”

“That I’m not the exception. That sometimes I lose. That I shouldn’t want the girl who clearly doesn’t want me. Hell, you don’t even acknowledge I exist 90 percent of the time. You’re just not the one I get right, I guess. I was always a slow learner.”

“Okay. You wanna pause the pity party for a second, and listen to me?”

I wanted to say that, despite everything, I’d never pass up a chance to listen to her. What I ended up saying though was, “I’m listening.”

“I notice you, Ash. You make it impossible not to. But, I have a strong tendency to act unfazed as a defensive mechanism. I work in the music scene, Ash, same as you. You know the range of personality issues as well as I do. But the things I do, I do to protect myself. I never meant for those same things to hurt you. Because I know you’re not any of the things I need to protect myself from.”

“Glad we could clear that up…”

“I’m not finished. When I told you when we met that I don’t make it a habit to go out with people I work with, there was a reason for that.”

“Yeah, and I’m assuming that it has to do with things going poorly before, hence the having to make it a habit, and other protective measures.”

“You’re not very good at listening, are you?”

“I told you I was a slow learner.”

She let out a small half-sigh/half-chuckle. “Ashton. The album’s done. It’s out. We don’t work together anymore. Do you see where I’m going with this?”

I broke out in a run back towards the party. Towards her. I hoped I hadn’t wandered off too far, that she'd be around the next corner, waiting for me. “Stay where you are. I’m on my way. I gotta see you.”

“Not if I see you first,” was the reply first ten feet in front of me, then through my phone.

I slowed, a smile breaking out across my face as I found her staring at me, so close I could reach out and touch her, her phone pressed to her ear, a matching smile on her face. I slowed, but I didn’t stop until I closed the distance. And I didn’t care that my heart was about to leap from my chest, or that I couldn’t catch my breath, because I was seeing her, and she was seeing me. And I was ducking my head, and she was stretching up on her tiptoes, her lips meeting mine.

__

Tag List

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[yespleasetommyshelby]

Temporary - Oscar 'Spooky' Diaz Imagine Part Five

Previously...

"Good, you deserve better than that pendejo." He smirked as he lent back against the couch, his eyes meeting mine.

"I know." I smiled, holding eye contact, my heart starting to race as he winked at me before a banging on the door rang throughout the house.

------------

"What, man?" Oscar frowned as he opened the door, one of the cholos from earlier appearing behind it.

"We got uh, we got that thing." He muttered, scratching his head as he looked over to me briefly.

"Take Johnny, I got shit to take care off." Spooky shrugged, closing the door and making his way back over to me without waiting for a reply.

"You know you don't have to babysit me right? If you've got things to do, I'll be okay." I smiled slightly as he dropped back down to his seat besides me.

"Nah, it's all good, nothin' they can't handle." He shrugged before focusing his attention solely on me. "So tell me, what exactly has Ruby told you about me?"

"Other than you being the most feared gang leader in Freeridge? Not so much." I smirked with a laugh as his mouth turned up slightly.

"Most feared huh?" He chuckled as he rubbed his chin briefly before leaning back and stretching his arms across the back of the sofa, his left hand brushing my shoulder slightly.

"Apparently so." I shrugged, watching as he reached onto his shorts pocket and pulled out a pack of cigerettes. "Although so far you're definitely not living up to expectations." I told him with a laugh as he threw an unlit cigerette hitting me square in the forehead.

"He tell you anything else?" He asked, lighting his own cigerette before leaning over and lighting mine, also known as the one he threw at my head.

"Uh, you've been looking after Cesar for a while now, a little about the Santos, and that you've just got out of prison." I trailed off, not sure whether I should have mentioned the last part. I frowned slightly as Oscars eyes drifted to the floor, a deep scowl on his face as my words hit his ears. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean anything by it, if it makes you feel any better there's no judgement on my end." I said softly, catching his attention as he raised his head to look at me. "I didn't know you then, before I mean, I know you now, and that is how I'll judge you." I smiled, a sense of relief washing other me as Oscar chuckled slightly before nodding his head, a slight glimmer in his eyes.

"Oh!" I continued excitedly. "And I'm pretty sure him and Jamal are absolutely terrified of you." I laughed thinking back to earlier. "They almost lost their shit at the school when I called you Oscar rather than Spooky." I smiled, the younger boys terrified faces flashing in my mind briefly.

"Spooky's a different person." Oscar sighed, rubbing his head. "You don't wanna be around me when I'm him." He muttered, stubbing his cigerette out on the ash tray on the table.

(Okay so I completely forgot that they was smoking, bare with me guys!)

"It's okay." I shrugged following his actions. "I'm more than happy to just know Oscar." I said sincerely, smiling to myself as a small smile graced his handsome features.

"Where is she?"

"Where is who?"

"My daughter! Where is she?"

"I don't know who your daughter is señora."

Shouting from outside took our attention away from each other and instead focusing on the voice that was drifting in through the closed door, my confusion dispersing as the voice clicked in familiarity.

"You've gotta be kidding me." I groaned as I rubbed my face before standing up from my spot on the sofa.

"What?" Oscar asked as I made my way to the window, him following suit.

"That's my mother." I muttered, pulling the curtain back slightly so we could both see the older figure stood with her hands on her hips with Diego behind her as she attempted to get my whereabouts out of the cholos in the yard.

I watched in confusion as Oscar chuckled to himself before striding over to the front door and swinging it open, leaning on the doorframe with his arms crossed as all eyes moved to him.

"Can I help you?" Oscar called as he stood watching my mother and Diego with a smirk on his face.

"My daughter, where is she?" I heard my mother's voice as I took another quick look out of the window, Diego's smirk dripping slightly as he looked over at Oscar.

"I dunno señora, I got a lot of hyna's if ya know what I mean." He shrugged slightly, making me laugh quietly. He turned his head to me slightly raising an eyebrow making me smirk and raise my hands in mock surrender.

"Amelia Perez I know you're in there!" My mother shouted as her eyes scanned the windows, only just missing me as I quickly stepped back and out of sight. "You come out here right this second and apologise to your man!" She yelled making me shake my head with a sigh. Always on his side. I thought to myself.

"No disrespect, but I don't see no man over there, that cabrón ain't even a boy, señora." Oscar chuckled causing Diego to look up at him with a scowl on his face.

I sighed as I watched my mothers face twist in further anger, her fists clenched by her sides as if she would actually allow herself to throw a hit. Deciding that enough was enough I sighed and moved to stand beside Oscar in the doorway.

"Finally!" My mother exclaimed dramatically as her eyes landed on me. "Come on, you and Diego need to sort this shit out." She sighed motioning for me to go to her, her eyebrows raisin slightly as I made no attempt to move.

"There's nothing to sort out mami." I shrugged helplessly. "There's only so many times you can convince me to go back to him, I'm done with it." I shrugged again, not knowing how I could make it any clearer for her.

"You need to fight for what you have hija." She said in her 'motherly' voice, the one she would use to discreetly scold me when there was company around as a child. "You two are perfect for each other, you know this!" She smiled as though that one sentence was all it was going to take to change my mind.

"Perfect?" I scoffed. "You mean how he goes out of his way to make me feel worthless? How you both expect me to be the perfect little house wife, waiting at home for him to get back? Perfect as in the way he stops me from seeing friends? I've got nobody left because of him!" I raised my voice in frustration, my fists clenching in anger by my side.

"You have Jess!" She said matter-of-factly, crossing her arms over her chest as she smirked in satisfaction.

"Oh whoopdy-fucking-do mami, one person. One. The same one who's been telling me to leave his sorry ass since day one!" I yelled, pointing over to Diego was looking amused at the situation infront of him. "The same one that noticed the weird thing that's always seemed to be going on between you two!" I added, looking between the two in disgust.

The feeing of a hand on the bottom of my back made me jump slightly, turning to see Oscar looking down at me with a small frown on his face. Sighing I looked over to the cholos who were awkwardly watching, even if I had forgotten they were even there. Taking a deep breath i turned back to face the two unwelcome visitors.

"I'm not gunna be his punching bag anymore." I sighed, the fight leaving me until Diego opened his mouth.

"Just listen to your mother Amelia." He smirked, his arms coming up across his chest so he was in a matching stance with my mother.

"Fuck you." I smirked as his face dropped, a frown taking over his own smirk. "You know what mami, he's all yours." I raised my hands in surrender and stepped back into the Diaz household, stopping just over the threshold as my mother's final attempt reached my ears.

"If you leave now don't even think about coming back to Geny's!" Her shrill voice echaed through the empty house.

Hesitating slightly, I looked back to Oscar, sending him a small smile as I shrugged and walked in.

"Guess were all sorted Señora!" Oscar grinned as he tucked his hands into his front pockets, me watching from my space on the couch. "Now get off my property." He growled, all traces of a smile wiped from his features as he stared down at Diego and my mother.

Without waiting for any type of reply he nodded to his Santos in the yard and walked back inside, closing the door without a second look as he came over and plopped down on the couch besides me.

"I'm sorry." I sighed after a few minutes of nothing but silence, him frowning down at me in confusion. "For, I dunno, everything since I first met you, and especially for bringing my shit to your doorstep." I shrugged looking down as I fiddled with my hands, until another pair covered mine.

"Hey, you ain't gotta apologise, that shits on them, you don't deserve to be treated like that." He said quietly, our eyes locked together as he scooted slightly closer. "You should be treated like a Princesa." He smiled slightly making me giggle.

"Oh yeah? And who's gunna treat me like that?" I whispered, my eyes focused on his and nothing else.

I could feel the space between us closing steadily, unsure whether it was me or him leaning in, my eyes trapped in his as he glanced between my own and my lips. The thumping of my heart rushing to my ears, so loud I'm surprised he couldn't hear it himself. The thought of Diego and mother being outside was pushed to the back of my mind, the only thing I could focus on was wanting to know how Oscars lips would feel against mine.

My eyes fluttered shut as his lips touched mine, soft, tender and short lived as the front door flew open making us pull away quickly, I moved away slightly putting slightly more distance between us as Cesar, Ruby and Jamal came in.

"Uh, Lia, why did I just pass your mum storming away with Diego trailing behind like a dog?" Ruby asked as his eyes landed on me before swiftly moving to Oscar besides me. "Also, why are you here?" He asked as his eyes continued to flicker between me and the Santo.

"And what happened to your face?" Jamal asked with wide eyes, as he looked at what was once the red mark under my eye which had now changed to a blue/purple bruise. "Was it that douchebag Diego? Need me to go and sort him out?" He asked looking at me with a hard stare making me laugh.

"Come on Jamal, we all know you couldn't fight your way out of a wet paper bag." I snorted causing the other two younger guys to burst out laughing while Oscar let a small chuckle slip as he got up and made his way over to the kitchen, grabbing a beer and leaning against the counter as he watched the rest of us.

"You know what, I'll leave you to deal with your own issues." He muttered as he dropped down in the available seat besides me.

"My issues are sorted, kinda." I added as my eyes flickered over to Oscar, who smirked as he looked down at his beer.

"What did you do?" Cesar spoke up, looking over at his older brother with a knowing glint in his eyes.

"What? Why you gotta assume it was me?" He asked as he put his beer besides him on the counter and folded his arms over his chest as he looked at the younger Spooky in disbelief.

"I mean, that's what Los Santos are right? They sort issues people have?" Jamal tried to add his point before I elbowed him in the ribs with a 'what the actual fuck' look. "I'm just saying." He shrugged, shrinking back into the couch as I shook my head and looked back over to Oscar.

"Anyway, it wasn't me who basically told my mum and boyfriend to go fuck." Oscar chuckled as his eyes met mine, a blush rising up my chest and neck as he winked at me.

"You did what?" Ruby and Jamal scream in unison while Cesar just laughed and shook his head just as my phone dinged.

"And you guys say I'm the weird one." I muttered as I pulled my phone out of my shorts pocket. "Welp, guess I gotta find somewhere else to stay now." I sighed as I read through.

Mami: I meant what I said, don't come back here until your ready to sort it out.

*Deleted*

Diego: That cholo ain't gunna treat you any better Amelia.

*Deleted*

Geny: I heard what happened with Diego, for the record, you mother is definitely out of order there, you're welcome to come back at any point just let me know. X

Geny: Also, if you see Ruby tell him I need him home to sort out his room for Olivia as you won't be using it. X

"Ruby, your mum wants you to go back and sort your room for Olivia since me and Diego aren't staying there." I told him, smirking as his eyes widened.

"Olivia, Olivia? As in my mums friends, daughter?" He asked slowly as though I was teaching him the basics of rocket science.

"Yeah, that one, he parents are being deported or something, so she's staying with you guys." I said remembering overhearing geny and mum mentioning it at some point.

"Oh my god! How's my hair? How's my breath? How do I look? What about my outfit?" He rambled 100mph as his hands frantically tired to sort his hit and straighten his clothes all at once.

"Who's Olivia?" Cesar asked as he watched the paniced boy in amusement.

"She's like my cousin, well, not actually my cousin, like blood, not like Lia is but a family friend that you'd call cousin, you know, so no inbreeding and that." Ruby muttered on, making me laugh slightly." At his flustered state.

"Rubs, chill, her parents have just been deported, I'm pretty sure a romance would be the last thing on her mind right now." I shrugged, and while I've never actually met Olivia, I know it would the last thing on my mind.

"Hey, you could invite her to the dance!" Jamal exclaimed with a wide grin, as though he had just uncovered the secrets to infinite youth.

Oscar apparently seeing that as his que to leave sighs dramatically as he pushed himself away from the counter. "As much as I love listening to you pendejos bitching about, whatever, I got shit to do." He muttered as he picked up his beer and walked towards the front door putting his brothers shoulder on the way. "Hey Lia." He paused as he opened the door, turning to look at me over his shoulder. "You can stay here." He nodded to me making me frown in confusion.

"What do you me-" I started before I was interrupted.

"You need a place to stay yeah?" He asked, pausing while I nodded in agreement. "You can stay here, take my room, I'll take the couch." He shrugged as though it was no big deal, narrowing his eyes at me as I opened my mouth to reject his offer. "Okay?" He asked, well, more stated.

"Okay." I nodded with a smile and a laugh. "Thank you Oscar." I smiled sincerely, my eyes focused on him as the other people in the room faded into the background.

"De nada princesa." He winked before stepping out into the yard, a chorus of 'spooky!' coming from the Santos as he closed the door behind him.

A cough from beside me brought me back to earth, turning to see three sets of eyes on me, Ruby and Jamal looking as though I'd killed somebody right then and there and Cesar with a knowing smirk on his face.

"What?" I asked innocently.

-------

I know it's terrible, I'm sorry, but I'm determined to finish this, at least so I can have a tiny portion of my brain that is obsessed with OMB back 😩😆

[evienyx]

I, for one, am glad that someone actually noticed that Tommy's character in the SMP is quite absurd in the way he views himself. Actually, if you look Nov 16th video, after Tubbo became the president, Tommy confronted Dream and said to him (in paraphrase), "How does it feel to always be the villain?" Anyways, my actual question is how do you feel and view L'manburg's independence? Why is it shaky? I have my own opinions but I am very eager to get yours. Thank you.

L’Manburg makes me so upset, because I have so much emotional attachment to it and it is one of the worst active systems of government I’ve ever seen.

That’s not what you asked me, though, so I’ll answer your actual question instead of just ranting about how awful the system of government is (seriously, I’m surprised it hasn’t collapsed, yet).

Anyway, yeah, L’Manburg’s independence is incredibly shaky. I would say that this stems from tension from both internal issues and external threats.

Let’s go back to the beginning of the country. I would say that the L’Manburg Revolution and the time from then up until around the announcement of the election would be when L’Manburg was the most stable. Of course, this isn’t saying much, considering the fact that this is right after the country is established, but, despite everything, everyone in the nation was working together. 

Everyone stood behind Wilbur, and respected his authority. He was listened to, and he still listened to other people while still maintaining that authority. While people were still partially riding on the thrill of victory and independence, everyone was also focused on improving L’Manburg and helping it grow. Wilbur, at the time, was diplomatic, and he was a leader that everyone believed in. Part of this was likely because he had been the one to lead them to independence in the first place, but when the Revolution was won, Wilbur was officially declared president without any argument from any of the remaining members of the nation. 

People stood together, and they listened to and respected the leader. Despite the fact that this shook a bit when the election was declared and other political parties began to emerge, up until the election, Wilbur’s authority was still strong and respectable. 

When the election happened and Schlatt won, internal problems in the government itself arose in a way that they never had before, and yet L’Manburg’s independence still wasn’t shaky. Why is this?

Because both sides in this conflict (Manburg and Pogtopia) wanted for the country to stay standing at the end of it. Taking Wilbur out of the equation after his mental break, both Manburg and Pogtopia wanted L’Manburg at the end of it, and both of them had Dream sided with them at one point or another in the conflict. Even more, though, L’Manburg’s independence wasn’t shaky because, through all of it, up until the end, Schlatt kept a firm grip on his power over the people. He may not have been necessarily respected, but he was feared, and that was enough. At the end of the day, people listened to him, and he knew it. 

When Schlatt said that when he goes down, the country goes down with him, he’s right.

On paper, Tubbo being president seems like a great idea.

Theoretically, it should have been. 

Tubbo has always worked to make the country the best it can be. He follows the rules first and puts his own desires second. People tend to like him, and he has good ideas, and he has only the country’s best interests at heart.

After L’Manburg is retaken and blown up, in the aftermath, Tubbo speaks of dreams of a city sitting above the rubble, a country raised from the ashes, better than before. He calls on those who have been disrespected and torn down by previous administrations and raises them to stand with him. He wants their ideas, and opinions, and he makes himself as equal to them in power as soon as he possibly can. 

This is when those little shakes in L’Manburg’s independence begin to become tremors.

Tubbo should have been the best president the country had to date, but he can’t be, because he can’t even be president.

No one respects his authority. People go against what he says when they don’t align with their own interests. One of Tubbo’s main goals, even if it doesn’t seem that way, is to separate himself as much as possible from Schlatt. We see this right from the beginning with how he says everyone gets equal say in what happens. However, because of this, any time Tubbo tries to exercise the presidential power he has, people don’t respect it, and it doesn’t work, because they simply call him ‘the new Schlatt’ and ignore his pleas to just think. 

These internal issues become even more pressing when one considers the external issues. In particular, conflicts with other nations. While L’Manburg is not in conflict with any other nations as a whole, necessarily, they have been at odds with Dream (who, at this point, is a faction all on his own). 

L’Manburg’s independence is shaky because they do not respect their leader in any situation, not even ones of conflict, with great consequences. Ones where it is the president’s job to make a choice.

We see this the most clearly at play would be on the day of December fourth, the Exile of TommyInnit.

Before the Meeting with Dream, Tubbo, Tommy, Quackity, and Fundy all talk about what the plan is. Tommy declares that exiling him gives Dream exactly what he wants (and Tommy’s right, but that’s a whole other thing), and that instead they need to make a stand and fight. Basically, Tommy is saying that they should go to war. Quackity and Fundy agree. Tubbo, though, who is the president, says that he doesn’t like this plan. Dream always has the upperhand. They can’t just fight their way out of this one. 

As we’ve seen for the two weeks up until this point, no one listens to Tubbo. He attempts to be the voice of reason in the conversation where he should be the one leading. He is the president, after all. The lack of respect that everyone present has for Tubbo’s authority is even more apparent if you consider the fact that just two days before the only reason they got into this situation in the first place was because nobody listened to Tubbo.

If we take all relationships, all emotions and connections, out of the equation and look at the choice that Tubbo needs to make logically, the answer of what to do becomes incredibly clear.

Logically, the right choice to make is to exile Tommy.

This is a choice that the leader of a country is being asked to make that either hurts one person or hurts the country as a whole. I have a whole other thing on the motivations and justifications on Tommy’s character that I’m not going to get into at the moment, but, logically, Tubbo made the right choice.

Tubbo had to make a choice between saving his friend who, despite being justified and having his reasons and the like, still did burn the home of the leader of the enemy nation, and saving his country, full of innocent people who have already lost lives, who are just looking to live in peace and safety, from a war that they would not win. As a friend, the choice he made was not the right one, but as a president, it most certainly was. He cannot sacrifice the good of the entire nation, he cannot pull his country into war, all for the sake of one person who did, technically, make a mistake.

Still, though, when Tubbo ultimately makes the choice (which is, in the end, his choice to make, regardless of what anyone else says), Tommy, Quackity, and Fundy argue against it. As Tommy is led away by Dream, Quackity and Fundy scream at Tubbo, tell him he’s acting like Schlatt, and, despite everything they’ve been saying before, do not respect Tubbo’s authority or the fact that this is his choice to make. They only say that, in the end, it is his choice when Tubbo seems to be on their side.

Tubbo, Fundy, and Quackity are, at the moment, the top authorities in L’Manburg. Quackity, though, is also running his own nation, and engaging in possible wars and acts of terrorism, while Fundy is preoccupied with things like visiting Tommy and working through his own issues. Tubbo is trying to lead the nation, but he isn’t able to because nobody respects his power or authority anyway, so he is unable to do anything because he isn’t able to be president.

There is a reason why L’Manburg’s independence is so shaky, and why whenever he felt like it, Dream could take down the nation and reclaim the land for himself, and that is because Tubbo, as president, does not have the respect of the people, no matter how much they may insist that he does. If a war was to happen, the country would collapse very quickly the way it is, because unlike before with the Revolution and the Pogtopia Rebellion, they would not have a leader who everyone respected and listened to. Instead, they’d have Tubbo, a boy who started off his presidency by watching his home be blown sky-high, who has not gained the respect of the people, who people do not listen to or respect the authority of, and, no matter how much it hurts to admit it, L’Manburg, in this case, would fall.

I have so many problems with just the system of government that L’Manburg is founded upon, but that’s not what you asked, so I won’t go into that right now, lmao.

I hope this answered your question without feeling too much like aimless rambling.

...I’m too invested in these block people.

[sincerelyasomebody]

All That Glitters || Jose "Sad Eyes" Guzman

(GIF Credit: @merakiaes)

A/N: Jose will be used in the form of Sad Eyes' name, as far as I know his actual name hasn't been revealed in the show. I tried my best to correct any mistakes I could find. I am not a native Spanish speaker, translations will be at the bottom. If there are any mistakes, please let me know. Thanks! 

Pairing(s): Sad Eyes x Reader ▪︎ OC x Reader (past relationship)

Summary: A family get-together turns into an emotional rollercoaster. 

Warnings: angsty, fluff, language, mentions of cheating, talks of death, unsupportive mother and stepfather

Word Count: 2419

- ♤ - ♡ - ◇ - ♧ -

Nana Helen and Papa Victor were absolutely adored by their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Not only adored but highly respected.

Therefore introducing a significant other to them was a big deal. It was something only done if you saw yourself with that person in the long run. 

And (Y/N) saw a future with Jose. 

Sure, she had other relationships before he came along but they didn't reach this step. The furthest they ever got was her parents and siblings. So, when her relationship developed a connection she had never experienced, she knew it was only right to introduce him to the people who meant the world to her. 

From her spot in the kitchen, she looked into the living room and smiled as he sat with her nana on the couch. The old woman had pulled out the photo albums, pointing to each picture and telling the story behind it. Her papa in the armchair in the corner beside them.

Her nieces and nephews were spread across the floor in front of the t.v, immersed in the world that was Despicable Me. 

She could hear the laughter of her younger cousins upstairs. Not a doubt in her mind that they were doing Tik Tok videos. Her siblings were probably with them, she concluded, if the sound of a slap and a shout of her brother's name was anything to go by. 

The uncles and a few of her boy cousins were sitting in the backyard, sipping on beers and talking about Mike Tyson coming out of retirement. She was sure Jose would join them after talking with her grandparents. 

Which left her in the kitchen and dining room area with her mother, aunts and girl cousins. 

"You shouldn't have brought him." 

With a heavy sigh, she turned around and faced her mother, "not this again." She walked over to the sink to wash her hands before helping to chop up the vegetables for the salad. "He's my boyfriend."

Pauline looked at her daughter, "he's a gang member, (Y/N)."

She dumped the cut up vegetables into a salad bowl, "Ash, make yourself useful." She held out the bowl and large wooden fork and spoon. The girl in question stood up, with a huff pocketing her phone, and grabbed the outstretched items. 

When (Y/N) introduced Jose to her mother, Frank (she refused to call the man her mother married a month after the death of her father, dad), her brothers Samuel and Anthony, she didn't hide the fact he was a Santo. Although they lived a couple towns over, it wasn't hard to know the gang that ran (protected, she corrected) Freeridge. 

But, she didn't care. 

He was known as Sad Eyes, the feared right-hand man of the gang leader Spooky, in the streets. If there were issues he was sent to deal with them. He was also known as Jose, a momma's boy with a big heart and an appetite to match. He'd go to the ends of the Earth to make sure his family was taken care of. 

(Y/N) accepted both sides of him. 

But, most of all she loved both sides of him. 

Without another word, she walked into the living room and plopped herself next to her man. He pressed a kiss to her forehead and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. 

"Everything okay, mi alma?" 

She nodded, "yeah, don't worry about it." 

Helen beamed at the interaction, "oooh." She looked at her husband, "Vic look at our grandbaby." 

"I see her." He replied with a chuckle, "and she looks as happy as she was when she got that twenty dollars from the tooth fairy. Maybe even happier." 

(Y/N) buried her face into the crook of Jose's neck, causing a round of laughter from the three.

When the call for everybody to come to the dining room, (Y/N) and Jose got up off the couch. Jose helped Helen up, to which she patted his hand as a thank you. Victor waved him off when he tried to offer his hand, choosing to use his walking stick instead. They walked to where the food was, (Y/N) stayed behind to gather the little ones together.

"Lucas and Bryson," she called out to the eight year olds, they were the oldest of the bunch, "go upstairs and tell them it's time to eat." 

They nodded and sprinted to the staircase.

She picked up Melody, the three year old, who had fallen asleep on the ground, told the rest of the kids to get going and switched off the t.v. She followed them and handed Mel off to her dad, her cousin Micah. He thanked her and she walked over to Jose, taking his hand in hers. 

"Thank you all for coming." Helen looked at her family, all managing to squeeze into the dining room and kitchen, "Jose, thank you for being here." 

Jose smiled at her, "thank you for having me." 

(Y/N) couldn't help but grin at him, which got a few teasing words from the cousins. She laughed along with them, just happy that her grandma had accepted him. 

Victor spoke up, "yes, we're thankful for family," his eyes scanned over to Jose, "we're also thankful to have found someone who loves our (Y/N) very much. So, Jose, thank you… you don't know how much it truly means to see her happy." 

He responded with a nod, (Y/N) grinning wider if that was even possible. She was extremely elated, she just received the stamp of approval from her favourite people. 

"Te amo," she whispered. 

He bent down and pecked her lips, "Te amo." 

Victor led the family in prayer, before they dished out their meals. 

Loud chatter between the cousins occurred as they tried to decide what to grab, parents telling their children to get some salad and the grandparents making sure there was enough food for everyone. 

Before (Y/N) could grab herself and Jose a plate, the doorbell rang. 

Pauline rushed towards the front door. (Y/N), just like everybody else, was confused as the entire family had already been accounted for. That didn't stop them from wanting to see who it was though. 

When Pauline stepped back into the view of everyone with her ex boyfriend, Colby, by her side (Y/N) thought she might lose it. 

Thankfully, before she could say anything Samuel spoke up.

"What the fuck?" 

Pauline glared in his direction, "watch your mouth." 

Helen and Victor were confused with his behaviour, because Samuel knew better than to cuss in their home. 

"Samuel, listen to your mother." Helen reprimanded, "you know I don't like cussing." 

"Sorry, nana." He apologised, "but it's fucked up that mum would bring (Y/N)'s ex boyfriend to a family get-together while she's here with her current boyfriend." 

Anthony piped up, "straight up, disrespectful." 

Everyone looked back and forth between (Y/N) and the newcomer. 

(Y/N) glanced over at Jose, noticing his clenched jaw, she rubbed her thumb over his hand and stood on her toes to peck his cheek. 

He knew Pauline didn't like him, but he didn't think she'd pull something like this. Unfortunately for her, he and (Y/N) were solid. 

Colby held his hands up, "I didn't come here to cause any drama." His eyes focused on (Y/N), "I just want to talk to (Y/N)." 

She took a deep breath, "nana and papa, I'm sorry." She looked back at Colby, "fuck no," looking over at her mum, "fuck you," and then at Frank, "and fuck you, too 'cause I know you had something to do with it." tugging on Jose's hand, she moved through the kitchen, "we're leaving."

As they passed through the kitchen, living room and through the front door, (Y/N) ranting along the way.

"What the fuck was she thinking? That Colby would show up and I'd dump you to be with him," she threw her hands in the air, "no fucking way! As soon as I caught him cheating, it was a wrap."

They looked back over at the house, the (L/N) family plus one scrambling out of the door. They stayed on the porch except for Pauline, Frank, Colby, Helen and Victor who marched towards them. They both straightened up, waiting for what was to come. 

"(Y/N) (M/N) (L/N)!" screeched Pauline, "what's wrong with you." 

"Me? What's wrong with you? Why would you bring Colby here? What the fuck was going through your head to make you think that this was a good idea?" 

"He's better than -" 

She shook her head, "He's a fucking piece of shit "

"(Y/N), your mum was just -" 

"Shut up, Frank." She hissed, "nobody asked for your input." 

"Don't talk to him like that." 

"I can talk to him however the fuck I want." 

Pauline growled, "this is ridiculous," she turned to her parents, "he's in a gang! A c-criminal! You do know that right?" 

"Wow, (Y/N)... really?" Colby smirked.

(Y/N) glared at him, "why the fuck are you still here? Seriously, fuck off." 

"I want to -" 

"Yeah, I know what you want but you aren't getting anything from me." She cut him off, "so go away."

When he stepped towards her, Jose immediately jumped in front of her, blocking him from getting closer, "back up." 

Colby laughed, "what? You wanna fight?"

"Back up," he repeated, "last warning." 

Helen and Victor carefully watched the exchange, they already approved of Jose, even before Pauline exclaimed he was in a gang - they already knew. He told them himself and while it did make them uncomfortable, their opinion about him didn't change. If anything, they respected him for coming clean in the first place.

Out of all the grandchildren, (Y/N) spent the most time with them. 

They watched her grow from a curious child to a reserved teenager. She isolated herself when her father died and it worried them to no end. But they allowed her to grieve in whatever way she wanted. And as she grew into the woman she was today, their worries about her finding somebody worthy of her attention had vanished upon meeting Jose.

They couldn't have wished for a better person for their grandbaby to be with.

"Okay, boys that's enough." Victor spoke up, "Colton -"

"Colby." 

" - whatever your name is, move away from my granddaughter or else I'll have to deal with you," he exclaimed. 

Colby moved back to stand with Pauline and Frank, whereas Jose stood beside (Y/N). 

"(Y/N) and Jose, please come back inside." Helen gestured towards the house, "please?"

"It's fine, nana." (Y/N) replied. "We're just gonna head off, I… I'm, uh… I'm sorry for causing -"

She shook her head, "sweetpea, don't apologise." Her eyes wandered over to her daughter, "it's your mother who should be apologising." 

"Did you not hear me when I said she's with a criminal?" exclaimed Pauline. 

"As long as my grandbaby is happy, I'm happy." Helen replied, "well, I better get you both a to-go plate." 

Before (Y/N) could protest, she was walking away with Victor by her side. She laughed when her cousins scrambled over each other to move out of the way. Her laughter was cut short by Frank.

"Are you sure you want to be with Jose? Like, really sure? Have you met his family? Do you see yourself -" 

"Please, shut up." (Y/N) responded, "just shut up." 

"I'm not going to repeat myself, (Y/N)." Pauline threatened. 

She shrugged her shoulders, "then don't." Her eyes narrowed, "I'm sick of your bullshit. Get it through your head and accept that Jose and I are together." 

"Why? When I know you can do better."

(Y/N) scoffed, "really?"

"Yes! I'm your mother which -"

"Which means shit, absolute shit." She responded, "I'm done with you, Pauline. I-I can't keep going back and forth with you."

"What does that mean?" 

"I'm tired of feeling like I'm not good enough." 

"Okay, when have I ever -" 

"When I twisted my ankle in soccer, you told me it was because I wasn't made for it. When I joined the writing club in high school, you told me it was stupid. When I chose to become an elementary school teacher, you told me that I should've become a doctor or a nurse instead." She listed, her jaw clenched, "there's other shit you've done, but I'm too upset to think about them. The main theme of it all is this - nothing I've ever done and probably will do is good enough, in your eyes." 

During this time the grandparents had resurfaced onto the scene. Jose accepted the tupperware with thanks and placed it in the car. He stepped aside and watched the scene unfold. He knew (Y/N)'s relationship with her mother was rocky, so he knew that she needed to get some things off her chest.

Pauline scoffed, "quit being dramatic, (Y/N)." 

She took a deep breath, tears blurring her vision which she rubbed away. "See, that right there is another issue in itself. Whenever I express my feelings, you blow them off! A-and I'm tired of it. I'm tired of your bullshit, it ends now!" 

"Stop the theatrics." 

"I don't want anything to do with you," she affirmed.

(Y/N) walked around her to reach her grandparents but was stopped by Colby, "move of my way." 

"Please, just hear -" 

"My girl says move, you move." Jose asserted, eyes blazing. 

Colby, finally admitting defeat, moved aside.

She kissed both of their cheeks and pulled them into a hug, "thank you for accepting Jose, it means a lot."

"He loves our grandbaby." Helen exclaimed, "a done deal," 

Victor held out his hand to Jose, "you take care of her." 

"With my life," Jose replied, giving him a firm shake.

With a promise to come back and visit, the pair walked back over to the car. Jose held her door open, (Y/N) pecked his cheek and got in. When he reached the drivers' side they buckled up.

But of course, Pauline couldn't let them leave without saying something.

"You're choosing him over this family?" 

"I'm choosing to be happy," (Y/N) corrected, leaning her head out the window, "I love you crazies, I'll keep in touch." 

And with the shouts of goodbyes from her family, Jose pulled onto the open road. 

With a bright smile, Jose's hand in hers and the low hum of the radio, (Y/N) felt at peace.

- ♤ - ♡ - ◇ - ♧ -

Spanish Translation(s):

Mi alma - my soul

Te amo - I love you

[zambie-trashart]

Land of the Free and Home of the Wayne pt 3

Previous chapter

Next chapter

masterlist

Chapter Summary: Chaos.

Marinette woke up to the sound of hair dryers and laughter. she looked around and smiled seeing Chloe and Sabrina blow drying each other. Marinette took a shower the previous night and left her hair down and got dressed in a gray romper with flowers crawling up the sides that she had designed herself.

“Oh. My. God. Mari you have to make me one of those!” Chloe squealed and Sabrina nodded so fast she could have broken her neck.

“I’ll do that when we get home from this nightmare.” As if one cue, there was a knock on the door. Marinette walked over and opened the door and there stood Jon Kent smiling.

“Uh, hi can I chill with you guys for a while?” Jon asked and Chloe ran over and pulled him into their room. Jon sat on the edge of Marinette’s bed looking at the three girls.

“So I don’t mean to be blunt but you gay right?” Chloe asked and Marinette and Sabrina looked over at Chloe in shock that she just put it out there.

“CHLOE!” Marinette shouted at her friend who just stood there waiting for an answer.

“Nah, it’s cool I hoped that people would have gotten the message after my interview but I guess some people are still confused,” Jon said laughing.

“Cool, well I’m Chloe and this is Marinette and Sabrina.” Chloe smiled at Jon. The four walked out of the room and there was a gasp from down the hall. Two girls stood there angry and out for blood marching down the hall at the four who were just standing there talking and laughing. 

“Marinette I can’t believe you! You like Adrien but just to hurt Alya you try to kiss Jon!” Lila yelled and people gathered in the hall. Jon put his hands over his ears, the yelling was too much and it didn’t help that her voice sounded like nails on a chalkboard.

“Who’s Al...” Jon was interrupted by Alfred coughing at the end of the hall.

“Breakfast is served for anyone who would like to eat instead of watch all of this fake drama between two students about a boy who would never kiss a girl even if his life depended on it, correct Master Jonathan?” Alfred asked and Jon just laughed watching as all of the students left except for Chloe and Marinette.

“That was badass.” Damian came up the stairs and ran over to Jon.

“Did she touch you anywhere?” Damian asked and Dick ran up behind.

“Show me where she touched on the touch bear.” Dick held out a bear and Jason walked up and looked at the two girls and sighed.

“What the fuck Richard,” Jason asked pulling his brother away.

“Nobody touched me Dick, I’m fine,” Jon said trying to get over his giggles.

“So what happened?” Damian asked.

“Sausage hair doesn’t seem to get that I’m gay and tried to make everyone think that Marinette and I were getting it on in a room with two other people, she has power over her class cause they believed her,” Jon looked at the two for conformation and they nodded.

“She lies about everything, she lied about knowing you guys and even dating Damian,” Marinette told the two who looked at each other plotting. Mar’i ran down the hall and Jon and climbed up on his back.

“Come on Jon! We’re going to get some breakfast!” Mar’i yelled and Jon nodded to Chloe to tell her to follow.

“We’re going to stop that girl from spreading anymore lies, trust me,” Damian said and Marinette smiled at him her eyes sparkling. Damian felt lost in those deep blues. She held out her hand.

“Shake on it?” she asked and he took her hand and he felt his face getting hotter by the second.

Jon carried Mar’i in and looked at the thirteen students eating breakfast happily and saw Tim in the corner drinking coffee carefully this time and Mar’i bounded over to him like a puppy and sat on his lap talking to him. No one seemed to care that Tim and Mar’i were there but when Jon looked up the girl’s friend from earlier stood in front of him. 

“Hi, I’m Alya, do you wanna sit with me?” she asked looking slightly up at him (he wasn’t that tall, he was like 5′4ish in the comics when he’s like 10 he’s 4′6 sooooooooo) Jon just walked away and sat next to the blonde from the previous night who said that he was interested in Jon and his friend started talking to Jon and the other who’s name was Adrien.

Marinette walked in  and someone threw a biscuit at her and everyone laughed when she tripped over it. “Oh no Marinette you’re such a clutz,” Lila said laughing and everyone else joined in.

Jon got up from his seat and helped her up. “Are you ok?” he asked and Marinette started to wonder how many girls have gotten lost in his eyes only to find out later that he didn’t like girls at all.

“She’s such a bully and now she’s got Jon under her spell,” Lila cried. “I was going to try to help you Alya but it seems like Marinette is making him go against his better judgement.” Lila hid her face in her elbow. Jon just rolled his eyes sighing. Jon left Marinette at the door winking at her.

“Alya was it?” Jon asked and the girl in question nodded as he smiled at her. “Well you might wanna do your research next time to see if the guy you like actually likes girls. I’m so gay that I puke glitter and shit rainbows, I just act all “adorable” as most girls say cause I grew up in Kansas darling,” Jon said putting emphasis on “darling” making most girls swoon but then think better. Jason stood up at the end of the table and pointed to Jon.

“Watch your fucking mouth at Alfred’s table! Our Lord and savior shall not be disrespected like that!” Jason yelled and Bruce and Damian walked in and stared at everyone.

“Alright kids, if you haven’t changed yet then please do that now, and we’ll be heading off to Wayne Enterprises shortly,” Bruce said and some of the kids got up and Bruce pinned a piece of paper to the wall.

Week One: Tour WE Tour Batman Museum Walk around City Free day Tour Metropolis Get Fitted for Gala Free day

Week Two: Back to Metropolis Walk around Gotham Get second half of class fitted Free day Guests arrive Show students how to prepare for gala Wayne Gala students invited

“This will be the plan for the next two weeks, if there are any questions about this city or our sister city please feel free to bring them to my attention the day before we go there.” Bruce walked out of the room to finish getting dressed and when he came back down the stairs, all of the students were ready and they piled into the limos.

This was going to be a long two weeks.

JPS:  @wannajointhecrabcult @loveswifi @ash-amg @thatonecroc @mochegato @mochinek0 @toodaloo-kangaroo @liquid-luck-00 @ive-tumbled-down-a-rabbit-hole

Tag list: @abrx2002 @finallyaniguana @danielslilangel @chocolateherringtacofan @animegirlweeb @fleur-de-jasmin-fdj @pawsitivelymiraculous @justcourttee @ayamestudios @greenteacz@thornalchemist23 @vixen-uchiha @readeracctagmepls @tomanyfandomsinmymind @t1dwarrior-of-earth@michaelshadow7779 @i-is-mysterious 

[dibidibifiction]

A Hundred-dollar Bill: PART 4

Warning: foul language, fluff Word count: 1.9k

Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction made for personal entertainment of readers. The writer does not ever intend to offend her readers nor does she aim to spread false information about anyone as to pay any disrespect to the real-life persons whom the characters are based on. She also does not claim ownership to any of the images that are being used.

masterlist PART 3

I gently pull away from Taemin’s cuddle to get up. He immediately rolls his whole body the other way, finding Kibum who is spooning Minho on the other side. Once again, I stare at all my best friends. This time they’re sleeping so soundly and this, for me, is enough to provide me comfort. However, I somehow feel sorry for getting them into this mess. 

I adjust this one blanket for them to squeeze in.

I grab Minho’s cigarette pack and head to the roof of the building to wait for the sun to rise.

Once I’m sat on the dirty, dusty cement, I light a cigarette to my satisfaction.

I think of my parents. I don’t really believe in life after death but I genuinely hope they’re happy and together wherever they may be. I wish there was a way to let them know how much I miss them. Also, I really hope they don’t see how I’m doing right now because my dad would for sure beat me up.

“Hey, can I get a hit of that?” I hear someone say after a couple of minutes of my alone time.

I turn my head to look behind me. It’s Taemin. “Oh, hey.”

“That ‘hey’ doesn’t sound like you’re happy to see me,” he giggles. He takes the cigarette from my lips and then to his.

“A singer isn’t supposed to smoke, right?”

“Who says I’m a singer?”

I stare at him in confusion after I light myself another stick. “Spill it.”

“Nobody knows this. Well, except for Kibum Hyung since he’s all for social media and happened to find the article. Thanks for looking it up by the way,” he jokes. “About a month ago,” he starts. “Euisoo Hyung handed me the news that he handled my situation and proved to the media and to everybody that the rumors about me are wrong. I don’t know how he did it, I didn’t ask, but I’m just grateful. Not to mention relieved. He said that I can get back to work as soon as I’m ready. And I asked him to give me some time to think about it.”

“What? Taemin, what’s there to think about? This is your dream.”

“It was. I already lived it for six years and I couldn’t feel more honored and fortunate, but…” He hesitates. 

“But what?”

He sighs. “I have a new dream. I realized that living a lowkey life made me happier, less pressured, especially with the person I love. I decided to go back to the original plan, which is to become a dancer. Not exactly a singer,” he says, tipping the cigarette butt out of his hands.

I watch his eyes twinkle under the upcoming sunrise sky. There is not a drop of doubt that he’s really sure about this. I always wondered how hard it was for him to recover from all the hate, and his fans cancelling on him. He didn’t really open up this deeply. Now, here he is, rising from the ashes. 

“Last night, when I went out while Kibum Hyung rested, I talked to Euisoo Hyung again.”

“Really? And?”

“He told me that I’m going to have a meeting with the board of the directors about my choreography and songwriting career. Turns out there still is a reputation to ruin I just realized. So…”

“So what happened last night can’t happen again,” I finish his thought.

“Well, not everything that happened. There are some moments I want to make happen again.” He gives off a grin, trying not to giggle at his own flirty information. 

“Wait, let’s get back to that part where you mentioned somebody you love. What’s that about exactly?” I join his kidding around.

Now he can’t hold his laugh.

We stare at each other for a while as the laughter fades. Slowly, he begins to lean into me to gently put his lips onto mine. Then carefully slides his tongue against mine as they start to dance together.

It feels different this time. It’s more tender and more passionate. It’s less wild but more gentle. Less lustful but more pleasant. Less exciting but more caring. 

He pulls away. “Look, I know we’ve never talked about this. Us. I never brought it up because I want everything to stay the same and I don’t want to fuck it up.”

“Yeah, I know, me too. I like the way we are.” I smile brightly at him, involuntarily. I take a deep breath as I’ve decided to say what I’m about to say. “I love you though.”

Tears form in his eyes like they wanted to say the same thing to me. I watch them close as he starts kissing me again.

The sun has come up which marks the end of everything reckless and rebellious and the beginning of something prudent and responsible.

. . .

We wouldn’t see one another for months after that day. We lived separately for a bit to focus on our own lives, to be better. 

But we did hang out from time to time, just not as often as we did before. Lucky for us, we had each other—we still do—to realize that it’s never too late to start over. It’s from each other where we learned that each of us is like a hundred-dollar bill. No matter how much we’re folded, crumpled, and stepped on, we never lost our value. 

We never experienced what it was like to be living free as youngsters because our lives fucked us up so early. That’s also why we lived it in our late twenties. Although one certain thing we know is that we have no regrets, especially after we found each other.

It is now six years later and so much has changed. Our individual lives have never been better, and we’ve never been happier. 

Taemin is now a well-known, well-esteemed singer turned choreographer and songwriter, working with famous pop groups and soloists. He would make a comeback once in a while as a singer but it doesn’t become his priority. 

Four years ago, just a year after his career peak, Taemin showed Kibum’s secret sketched designs to a famous designer he worked with for some time for his comeback.

Long story short, Kibum finished fashion school where he was sponsored by that same designer, who also became his mentor. Later on, his social media following started growing and he would be interviewed and be featured by different magazine and publishing companies. He would work on his own clothing line little by little in collaboration with various famous fashion icons. 

Minho served the military for two years after he ran away from his father, who patched things up with him recently. After his military service, he reunited with his former soccer coach in college and they trained day and night without taking any breaks at all. I would cook and prepare us a picnic, then the rest of us would visit him in the field. He would soon make the national team. And after being reserved in the bleachers for so long, just months ago, he was responsible for their team’s rare championship and is awarded as the Most Valuable Player this season. Now, Minho becomes one of the famous successful football players who peaked in their thirties. 

. . .

As I’m tidying up for closing, I hear the bell ring as somebody enters my bakeshop. I turn around to see Taemin, who instantly puts a smile on my face.

“Hey, you,” he greets with a warm hug.

“Hi,” I say before placing a sweet kiss on his lips. “I’m almost ready. Hold on a second.”

After I check all the lights in the back rooms and am about to walk out the front door, all ready to go, I catch Taemin lost in thought. He admires the place, then looks at me. Staring at me with twinkle in his eyes. 

“What wrong?” I ask.

“Nothing,” he shakes his head and loses eye contact. “I’m just so proud of you,” he says, trying not to smile so widely.

This was the same café where Kibum and I first had lunch. This was the place where our friendship grew. This was where the rest of our lives began. When I found out that they were selling it a year ago, I had no second thoughts and did everything to get it. And now, here we are.

“Yeah, well,” I grab both of his hands and sigh in serenity and bliss. “I am proud of us.”

He looks at the ground, cringing all of a sudden.

I wrap my hands around his neck to draw him closer, and kiss him tenderly, catching his tongue on mine.

He hums in pleasure. “Do we still have time?”

I pull away, laughing at him. “No, we don’t.”

He sulks and shows a childish sad face.

“Come on. We’re late to meet the guys.”

After a half an hour drive, we arrive at Kibum’s newly renovated, newly furnished house. Now’s only the first time we’re all visiting because he wanted it to be a surprise. When I finally recognized the place, it made me almost cry. Even though he changed almost all its features, it still brought back the memories we shared out here. It’s the place where we broke in six years ago, almost getting caught by the police.

While Taemin goes in through the front door to deliver the cake I baked and the champagne we brought, my impulse orders me to head to the backyard where the swimming pool was located.

I catch Minho out on the patio, grilling meat and sausages. I spy the rest of the area, and my sight lands on the swimming pool. Turns out it’s the only feature that hasn’t changed. Although, it’s way cleaner and way more gorgeous.

I can’t help but let the tears fall.

Minho finally sees me when he takes a sip of his beer. “Y/n, hey, you’re here!” He was about to welcome me with open arms but then he notices that I’m crying. “What’s wrong?” 

My voice breaks. “I know it’s silly, but it’s just we had such memories here, and now we’re—” I can’t go on. I’m already weeping.

“Come here,” he hugs me anyway and places a peck on my forehead.

“Minho, what’s going on out there?” Kibum finally appears, Taemin following behind him holding four glasses in between his fingers and the bottle of champagne in his other hand.. 

“Nothing!” I say, holding back tears even though there’s no point.

“Oh, honey.” Kibum reaches out and wraps his arms around me. Taemin and Minho are behind me embracing each others’ hellos too.

So we have dinner at Kibum’s patio. Later on in the night, we all jump into the very swimming pool that I never thought I would see again. Back then, I thought I’d have to cherish every moment because I might not be able to live it again. But that moment happens again right now. And it will keep on happening.

We bond all night like we always have. Minho’s competitive rock-paper-scissors, Taemin’s harsh tickling, and Kibum’s savage comments. Although this time, we’re not fucked up adults anymore. 

Once again, I propose a toast. “To fucking friendship.”

“To fucking friendship!”