#not every color choice is a wink wink nudge nudge

[pageofheartdj]

OKAY I get that creators can't just put queer in the show so at least they can drop hints and all but PLEASE sometimes people use colors because they LIKE them!

Sometimes purple, blue and pink are just nice combinations and not bi flag!

Can colors exist without flags being dragged into this?!

[jennay]

Don’t Let Go

Request: Can you write something about Noah x reader? They're at a concert, the crowd, but something happens and they're separated, even though he tries to hold her hand or her arm or something?

Noah Master List

No warnings

An: Getting lost in a concert is literally my nightmare.

You’d been waiting for this concert for ages, and it was finally here. You and Noah arrived early, hoping to get as close to the stage as possible.

You were a massive fan of the band, especially the lead singer. You told Noah that you would faint if you met him in person.

He found it hilarious and mocked you about your crush. "You have a thing for lead singers, don't you?" He said with a smirk.

You roll your eyes and say. "Don't worry, I love you the most." You gently kiss his cheek.

As you walked through the gates, you regretted your choice of clothing.

You forgot your bag in the car, meaning you had no sunscreen or sunglasses. You knew you were doomed to get a painful sunburn, but you tried to ignore it.

You told yourself seeing your favorite band live would be worth it.

Noah seemed to read your mind as he pulled his backpack off his shoulder. He rummaged through it and pulled out a can of sunscreen.

“Let me help you." He says, turning you around. He sprayed your shoulders and back with the cool mist, making you shiver slightly.

You smiled and thanked him for being so thoughtful and prepared. He always knew what you needed.

He tapped your shoulder and told you to turn around again. "Close your eyes." He instructed. You did as he said and felt him spray your face and neck with the sunscreen.

You opened your eyes and saw him smiling at you.

He leaned in and kissed your lips, "All set. Stay close soyo don't get kidnapped." He winks and wraps his arm around your waist. "Are you ready?" He asks, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

You nod eagerly and squeeze his hand. You hear the roar of the crowd as you approach the stage.

You saw the band's colorful lights and banners, feeling adrenaline at your core. You lift your hand to show Noah your shaking palm, "I'm so excited!"

He replied with a cheesy grin and a girlish squeal. He was just as thrilled as you were to see the band live.

You had both been fans since their first album, and you had bought the tickets as soon as they went on sale.

You couldn't wait to hear them play their songs, sing along with them, and feel their energy and passion.

You loved their music, lyrics, style, everything about them.

You had stickers on your laptop and t-shirts in your closet. You knew every word to every song and were ready to rock out with them.

You smile at Noah again and whisper in his ear. "This is going to be awesome."

He wrapped his arms around you, drawing you close to his chest. "Please stay close." He pleaded.

He was worried about losing you in the crowd. You were so small and cute, and he loved that about you. But it also made you hard to spot among the sea of people.

He had to keep an eye on you at all times, or else he would panic.

You nodded eagerly, smiling reassuringly.

You felt safe and secure in his embrace. He kissed your hair and whispered in your ear. "I don't want what happened last time to happen again."

You remembered the last concert you went to together when a drunk guy grabbed you and tried to drag you away from Noah.

It had been a scary moment, but Noah had intervened and came close to punching the guy in the face. You hoped nothing like that would happen again.

Standing in bliss, you sang to your favorite song, feeling the rhythm pulse through your veins. You closed your eyes and let the music take over, waving your arms and nodding your head in sync with the beats. You felt a gentle pressure on your back as Noah nudged you forward. You reached back and grabbed his hands, intertwining your fingers and pulling him closer. He followed your lead, keeping a tight grip on you.

During the first three songs, you'd already managed to wander in a completely different direction. He had already lost you a few times when you had slipped through the gaps between people.

He had to push through the crowd to find you, hoping you were safe and sound. He would never forgive himself if anything happened to you.

You must’ve gotten a little too excited because when you whirl around to share your thrill with Noah as they announce the next song, your heart plummets as you realize he's vanished. Strangers squeeze you from all sides, and dread floods you. You feel like a helpless lamb. "Shit," You hiss, standing on your tip toes and trying to scan over some heads and dodge between bodies to search for him.

You yank your cell phone out of your pocket and try to text him, hoping he will see it. Where are you?

You stare down at your phone, hoping for a reply, but his phone is probably buried in his backpack.

You can no longer enjoy the show without the anxiety racing through your body. This is precisely what you didn't want to happen.

You feel a hand roughly grab your arm and jerk you back, making you gasp and try to wrench your arm free. You hated being touched by strangers, and because you were small, it seemed like people liked to mess with you more often than not at these events.

Your eyes finally land on a familiar face; you can see panic in Noah's eyes as he attempts to continue scanning the crowd.

You bolt over quickly, not caring if you have to throw a few elbows to get through the crowd.

You push past the people blocking your way, ignoring their complaints and curses.

You just want to get back to Noah, feel his arms around you, and know you'll be okay.

"Fuck." You say with relief as he wraps you in his arms. "Where were you!?" You ask him, feeling a mix of emotions.

He leans down, yelling over the music, "Looking for you!" He sounds apologetic. “Next time I’m attaching a balloon to you!”

Agiggle falls through your lips as you lace your fingers in his. Your heart slows down, and he places his hands on your hips, looping his fingers through the belt loops of your shorts.

You weren't going anywhere, not this time. You press yourself against him, feeling safe and secure. You can finally relax and listen to the last song of the night.

You look up at him and see his smile. He kisses you softly, reassuring you he's there and not letting go of you ever again.

[thollandsgirl2013]

𝐈𝐜𝐞 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞

Parings → Danny Sullivan x Reader

Warnings → fluff

Summary → You and Danny went on an ice cream date.

The warm sun sets in golden hues as you and Danny stroll down the street, fingers intertwined. It's one of those perfect early evening moments, where the air feels just right, and everything seems to glow a little brighter. You look up at him, the newness of the relationship still sending butterflies through your chest.

"You’re smiling a lot today," he says with a teasing grin, nudging your shoulder gently.

You let out a small laugh, feeling a little shy under his gaze. "Just happy, I guess."

"Well, you should be," he says, swinging your hand playfully. "We're about to get ice cream. Life doesn’t get better than that."

As you approach the small, cozy ice cream parlor, you can smell the sweetness in the air. The colorful display of flavors makes your eyes widen in excitement.

"I can’t decide," you say, staring at the choices. "They all look so good!"

Danny chuckles beside you, leaning down a bit. "You want a taste of each one?"

Before you can answer, he steps up to the counter, already asking for samples. He winks at you when he turns back, holding out a tiny spoonful of your first flavor.

"I can’t believe you're actually doing this," you giggle, taking the spoon from him and tasting it.

"Hey, if you're gonna get ice cream with me, you’re gonna do it right," he says with a playful shrug.

After trying what feels like half the menu, you finally settle on your flavors, laughing the entire time. Danny orders his, and soon you're both sitting outside on a bench, the cool treat melting slowly in your hands.

"You’ve got a little something," he says, pointing to your face.

"Oh no, where?" You immediately wipe at your chin, but he shakes his head, laughing.

"Here, let me." He leans closer, using his thumb to gently wipe away a stray bit of ice cream from the corner of your mouth. His touch lingers for a second, and you feel your cheeks heat up.

"Thanks," you mumble, feeling your heart flutter in your chest.

"You’re cute when you’re flustered," Danny teases, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "It’s one of my favorite things about you."

You playfully roll your eyes, but inside, you're melting just as much as the ice cream. There's something so easy and exciting about being with him — every little moment feels like an adventure.

As the evening goes on, you chat about everything and nothing, laughing between bites of your ice cream. The newness of the relationship fills the air with excitement, each shared smile and touch making your heart race just a little faster.

When the ice cream is finally gone, and the sun is dipping low on the horizon, Danny stands up, offering you his hand again.

"Come on," he says softly, his voice warm and inviting. "Let's go walk in the park."

You take his hand, your heart full and light, knowing this is just the beginning of something wonderful.

─── ༓･*˚⁺‧ ꕥ ༓･*˚⁺‧ ───

[whatisreggieshortfor]

Rivalries Don’t Make Friends

AJ x MC

@perfectlysunny02 i finally did it.

(Before anyone says it- I know AJ plays field hockey. My bestie verified it for me- but I wanted to expand the available choices so she plays ice hockey here.)

AJ knew the trouble of falling for a member of the rival team.

It was not something you should do, a betrayal against the loyalty of your own team if the rivalry between the teams was strong enough.

But there’s a flaw in the design of things like rivalries.

They only work when you can see the other person’s face.

The team had convinced her to go out after a match, just a simple night at the pub after a match as they tossed back a few pints. AJ wasn’t a heavyweight when it came to drinking, but she knew her limits and danced right along them, even as she actually danced along the floor with her teammates. Tai had just finished spinning under his arm when she collided with another body clustered with friends, “Whoa- I’m so sorry!” AJ giggled sheepishly, Tai falling back with the team to watch the scene unfold, “I should know better than to get on the dance floor after a few pints. My feet never cooperate.”

The absolutely gorgeous babe in front her smirked, hands holding AJ’s arms from catching her in the stumble, “Didn’t think anything could knock away your stability- not with the way you move on the ice.”

AJ blinked, surprised even as more giggles escaped, “Are you a Manchester Thunder fan?” Something about the woman’s face was tickling a memory in her hazy mind, like she was familiar.

“You could say I’m more of a Liverpool Blaze fan, myself.”

AJ gasped, “Rooting for the enemy??”

The girl chuckled, shaking her head, “But I am a fan of yours, Jones.”

AJ felt her cheeks flush. Sure, she knew she had fans, but most were men who just liked the sport or the type of women you’d see body checking a stranger over some petty argument. She had never met a fan so… effervescent. So beautiful. “You seem to have me at a disadvantage.” AJ offered instead, watching as amusement danced in her gaze.

“Sunna.” The girl grinned, “My name is Sunna. How bout you let take you for a dance to make up for running into me?” Sunna winked, “I doubt the big man is your boyfriend, I’ve heard it’s bad luck to date within your team.” Hearing a snort, AJ could see one of the women from her group just behind her nudging the couple next to her. Ordinarily she’d wonder what that meant, why she nudged them when she mentioned dating teammates- but AJ was distracted. Sunna’s hands were warm on hers, and the shimmering colors in her hazel eyes had AJ’s tipsy mind locked in a trance. So she let herself be led into a dance, “Yeah, there’s a couple on my team that actually split, but Levi and Lucy are too competitive to let it stop them,” she offered offhandedly, spinning and twirling and holding Sunna as the hours creeped on, before suddenly Tai was making his way over.

“AJ, we’re glad you’re having a good time and all, but Gary is itching to get home before he hurls up his pints and we got practice tomorrow.”

The blonde felt a wave of disappointment, but Sunna gave her a smile, “I hope you’ll let me get your number first. I go back without it, Angie and Miles will never stop prattling on about it.”

So that night, AJ left with her number, and a date on the books. Levi and Lucy wouldn’t stop teasing her about it, jokingly poking fun at how much she would blush any time a text came in. And their teasing got worse as the days went on and more dates were ticked off. A drink, a dinner, a movie, eventually they scheduled for date number five after AJ’s next game. She couldn’t wait, no relationship had ever felt so right. Sunna understood her passion, mirrored her energy- she didn’t believe in soulmates, but if they existed then Sunna was hers.

Sunna had never cared for rivalries, none of her teammates did. Sure, they played their hardest in every game because they could get competitive, but the idea of one specific team being their target to beat in a season never made sense. She had a regularly ongoing competition with Oliver and Talia at practice, they took shots at her goal and she had to block. If they made the shot more times than she saved the block then she had to buy them a pint, and if she blocked more than they made they had to buy one for her. Angie and Jake would laugh at them as they practiced themselves. The other players would often complain to Tom, but even as the owner of the team he let them do as they pleased no matter how much it agitated their coach, Graham didn’t appreciate it but he could admit they were efficient when the time came. But Liverpool Blaze wasn’t known for being just efficient. They were ruthless on the ice. During games it was like they were different people. On the ice none of them batted an eye at bloodshed, their enforcers were brutal and their defense was impossible to get passed. Off the ice Jake was sweet and off writing bad poetry or making sure the team ate well, Oliver could often be found playing with his cat or looking at books from his grandmother in Malaysian culture. Talia was pulling pranks that no one could avoid being the target of, Angie would be making snarky comments and helping Talia. Sunna was never what someone expected when her uniform came off- gone was the laser focus that never let anything stray by her, no grace as she moved. Her teammates called her a bubbly fountain of terrible humor, much like her brother Bruno.

But as much as they gave their all, rivalries weren’t an interest. They played because they loved the sport, winning was a bonus. Every member of the team and staff knew that-

Which is why Tom looking as anxious as he did at the locker room as they dressed was out of the ordinary.

Sunna nodded her head to him, dropping the braid she’d been securing and raising an eyebrow as her teammates all watched curiously, “What’s going on, Tommy boy?”

“Nothing.” He said quickly, far too quickly for it to be the truth.

Sunna scoffed a laugh, crossing her arms as she eyed him critically, “You look like you did that time you strapped on skates and Jakey checked you into the glass.”

Tom’s already pale face lost even more color at the mention, hand instinctively shooting up to rub at the shoulder that had taken the brunt of that impact, “Just a… friendly wager. With the owner of the Manchester Thunder.”

“Hamish?” Talia cackled, “You hate that guy! You always say- what is it?”

“That he’s the you that grew up with freedom?” Angie offered, Talia snapping her fingers at the phrase.

Tom gaped, sputtering in response, “I don’t hate him! He’s just rather- he can be chaotic!”

“Weird to bet on the championship,” Oliver offered with a wry grin, “That’s the biggest choking day for players.” Tom squeaked in response.

“What did you bet him exactly?” Jake questioned curiously.

“That we’d be the winner, obviously.”

“Okay…” Oliver nodded, “But what did you actually bet him?”

Tom sighed, adjusting his neck tie- the same tie he wore to every game, “He bet his watch against my tie.”

Sunna snorted, not caring to cover her face as she laughed, “I’m sorry- that watch that you said cost more than my flat? Against your tie? Why your tie?”

“It’s my lucky tie.” He pouted, staring at the monstrosity of color. It had been paired with his actual present as a joke gift- chosen by his players during the holidays one season, Sunna was actually the one that presented the gift to him. It was a mesh of plaid and swirls, nearly every color in the rainbow crammed into it, and it matched almost nothing he wore- but Tom had always cared for it more than anything else he wore, because they had taken the time to get it for him.

Sunna sighed, a smile playing at her lips, “Suppose we need to win then. Gotta save your special tie, don’t we?”

The rest of the team laughed to themselves as they moved about dressing into their pads and jerseys, putting on their gloves and helmets. Tom may have been an odd man to decide to buy an ice hockey team after the life he grew up with, but they were endeared with him all the same.

It didn’t occur to Sunna until her skates hit the ice, face guard firmly in place and helmet strapped and tightened, she was damn near at her place on the goal line before she realized whose team Hamish owned.

Angie howled with laughter when Talia looked Sunna’s way before the ref dropped the puck, “You better not go easy just because your little crush, Kaminski!”

Sunna smirked, whipping her glove off long enough to flip her the bird before the game commenced.

And both teams gave the entire match their all, the only opponents in the league that could keep up with each other. Angie would score, and then a player would manage to slip the puck past Sunna, until the final seconds sat on the clock. Talia had gotten Liverpool up by one as the last ten seconds slowly ticked down, and Sunna recognized the player racing her way.

The words left her lips, puck knocked safely away just as the buzzer rang out, “Thought you had a slicker slap shot than that, Jones.” AJ’s head snapped over as the crowd screamed, Sunna pulling her helmet off to let her braid fall over her shoulder. She was trying to joke, engage in the banter she had grown accustomed to on their dates, but the blonde’s face clouded in anger.

“What?? You’re that Kaminski!?”

Sunna blinked, unaware of the tension that was clearly piled up on AJ’s shoulder, “Uh, well, yeah- is it that important?”

“Is it-“ The cheering crowd could almost overpower her shouting voice if they hadn’t still been so close, AJ’s face was red with rage, “You don’t think it’s important to know you play against me?? Have you just been dating me to get tips to use against us!?”

Sunna’s teammates had been cheering, heading her way to celebrate when they caught wind of AJ’s angry yells. The brunette girl reached out, some mix of confusion and regret in her face, but the blonde slapped her hands away, “AJ-“

“No!” She snapped, “Dating rivals is the forbidden rule! Right up there with a teammate’s ex!” She sped away off the ice before Sunna could respond.

Angie raced over with Jake, but Sunna just shook her head, giving them a glassy eyed smile, “Guess we saved Tommy’s tie, huh?”

“Sun,” Jake started, but she shrugged him off.

“It’s fine, I’m fine,” she laughed with no humor, “Rivalries- they always gotta ruin the great love stories, huh?”

AJ felt like an idiot for not connecting the dots sooner- of course it had to be that Kaminski, what were the chances there was another that understood the intricacies of the sport she’d loved for so long? Levi and Lucy wouldn’t stop giving her shit, making practices in the following days feel like they dragging on even longer. Hamish had always joked with their coach that AJ needed to burn off extra energy, even after practice, but now she just felt tired. Tai was growing more and more worried about her, and Gary was starting to pick it up, too. She didn’t have any excuses to tell them to stop their worry, because truth was she knew it was her fault. Rivalries are supposed to go two ways, but Liverpool had never cared. When the teams would have their tit for tat prank wars, the Blaze only ever responded. They never instigated.

When she had joined the team the feud was at a full blown scale, and she could remember how excited Hamish got when Liverpool was bought by Tom- only to be let down when he made trades. Tom let go of veteran players in Liverpool to trade and draft, until the team was the unstoppable force on the ice they are now. Sunna and Angie and Talia and Jake and Oliver were all recruits he had brought the team. But the new team didn’t care to keep it going, no matter what Manchester did.

So why did AJ let it be such a big deal to her?

Why did Manchester care so much more about this imaginary feud than Liverpool did?

The simple answer was that she didn’t know.

The complicated one involved the mistake she had clearly made.

AJ spent hours, memorizing every piece of information about every member of Sunna’s team. She had never looked into them before, only ever catching their faces on fan posters and things, so she hadn’t made the connection until Sunna had pulled her helmet off at the game. But now the more she learned, the more she realized how wrong she had been. Oliver worked with nursing homes on his time off- Jake offered free meals to the homeless. Angie was a volunteer paramedic with the fire department- Talia wrote music reviews for bands that were just trying to get their start, helping a lot of them get their big break with her name attached to praise about their demos.

And don’t even get AJ started on Sunna. Animal shelters, soup kitchens with Jake, running grief support groups, a professional stand up comedian for a brother. She couldn’t find a single thing she didn’t like.

And she had fucked it up.

Stumbling upon the team at another pub hadn’t been in her plan, but she couldn’t have raced to the table any faster without mowing people down.

But Angie cut in as soon as she opened her mouth, “Sorry, mate. This table is reserved for Liverpool Blaze players, ya know, since you need to be told specifically.”

Ouch, but she deserved that. The one she recognized as Talia shot up from where she’d been making heart eyes at Oliver, eyes narrowing with a blaze when she recognized her, “Oh, the damage in the rink wasn’t enough?”

“Come on, guys,” Oliver intervened, “You know Sunna wouldn’t want you giving her grief over it.”

“Just because Sunna is a pushover when she cares about someone doesn’t mean we are.” Angie shot back.

Oliver putting up his hands in surrender before he looked at AJ, “She’s not here. Probably with Jake again.”

AJ felt her mind swirl with what that could mean, knowing that any of the possibilities were her own fault, “Has she… has she talked about me? At all?”

“Ha,” Talia scoffed, “Wouldn’t shut up about you before. Now she barely says a word. Only Bruno and Jake can get her mouth moving.”

Again, the possibilities swirled at the word choice, but AJ had focus, “I- I need to talk to her. I wanted to apologize- I can’t mess this up again.”

Angie glared at her, “We’ll pass along the message.”

Oliver rolled his eyes, understanding of their anger but annoyed they were ignoring Sunna’s wishes to be civil, “You don’t even have a clue, do you?”

“A-about what?” AJ felt a deep pang of worry that he was about to confirm her worst scenario thoughts.

But he just shook his head with a sigh, “The way she would look at you. I mean, even just a picture of you. She’ll prang on about how moony Talia and I get- but when she looks at you… did you ever feel the way she did?”

AJ wanted to cry.

She had always thought her dates were the problem, that they were the reason a second date never happened. But Sunna had unlocked something of her that she threw away.

Her dates weren’t the problem. She was.

Racing through stoplights, AJ sped to Sunna’s flat- remembering it from their dinner date. Fist slamming into the wood, she was absolutely not prepared for a shirtless man to answer.

“Oh, hello, AJ.”

She blinked, eyes readjusting and focusing on his face. Jake. She felt her shoulders slump, “Hi, uh, sorry for interrupting your date. I’ll just-“

“Date?” He quirked a brow, confusion painting on his face in heavy strokes as he pulled on the shirt he held in his hands that didn’t quite fit him right, “My girlfriend is at temple, what do you-“ His eyes widened, recognition finally flitted through his irises, “Oh! Oh, you want to speak to Sunna? Uh, come in, come in.”

Jake grabbed her hand, pulling her over the threshold before she could stop him, and another male voice caught her attention immediately, “Sunny, mate, these are my best jokes. Something’s gotta make you laugh eventually.”

“Not really,” Sunna’s voice drifted over from the living room, “I’m sorry. I know you guys are trying, I’m just…”

“Bummed? Heartbroken? Too lost in love to cheer up even though your hilarious brother came all the way here?”

“You literally live down the hall, you prat.”

“Semantics.”

“You should shut up. Running your mouth already distracted you enough to spill oil on Jake’s shirt.”

Jake cleared his throat, watching their heads swivel his direction before their eyes landed on AJ, “Sunna has a visitor.”

Bruno narrowed his eyes, but stayed silent as the blonde tentatively waved, “Hi… I wanted to say sorry. I never should’ve blown up on you like that. I spent… a lot of time on our dates talking up the rivalry- why would you want to tell me after that? I didn’t make it easy for you- and- and I don’t actually care, ya know? I don’t care what team you play for because you still play and you love it and you understand why I love it and-“

Sunna clamped a hand over AJ’s mouth, the blonde had been rapidly talking and hadn’t even noticed her approach, but Sunna kept her hand in place, “I’m going to let go, and I need you to tell me the broiler plate reason of why you’re here, okay? I don’t want to get my hopes up.”

Slowly and gently, Sunna peeled her hand from her face, and as soon as it was cleared AJ spoke again, “I want you to give me another chance.” Sunna’s hand finally dropped all the way to her side, vaguely aware that her best mate was forcing her brother out into the hall as her mouth fell open and hope sparkled in her eyes. AJ took hold of her hands, “Please. Give me another chance, I promise I won’t mess this up again.”…”I promise I’ll try not to mess this up again.”

Sunna laughed, how could it have only been a week since AJ heard that sound and yet it still felt like she was coming home to hear it now? “Another chance, then.”

(A few months later, at the banquet to start the following season, AJ and Sunna arrived together. And by the end of the night, Hamish had finally agreed to trade Levi and Lucy away to Jasper- the bottom team in the league- after Lucy had targeted Sunna for ‘accidental collisions’ throughout the night after Levi had tried flirting with her. AJ couldn’t figure out why Lucy was annoyed, Sunna wasn’t her girlfriend, but at least they’d be gone.)

Masterlist

[irregularbillcipher]

i’m gonna write something someday about why bill being someone with a mild irregularity who was “repaired” feels so Correct to me and thematically i have a lot to say, but from a pure lore standpoint a lot of it comes down to the fact that the exwhylia page focuses heavily on two things— the caste system, which obviously impacted bill because triangle, and irregularity

like to make a clear flatland reference, irregularity did NOT have to be mentioned. there are other aspects of flatland’s world building that are technically more important and given more time than irregularity. exwhylia does not mention a strict gender binary or anything to do with lines in general, despite it being one of the most important systems of oppression in the book. i've complained occasionally about people willing to discuss how flatland tackles misogyny, but getting cold feet when discussing how it critiques eugenics, and i stand by the fact that it's frustrating, but the criticism of misogyny is central to a lot of first half of the novel. so if the exwhylia page was just trying to wink-wink-nudge-nudge to the audience that "hey, this is a flatland reference, btw!" and was not trying to specifically connect certain aspects of flatland to bill, then discussing the treatment of lines seems like a pretty clear thing to have added on the page, but it's not there

or hell, color! obviously the restriction of art and color is something that would have impacted bill, but it's also something that would have impacted every flatlander, not just bill. or even going more in depth about the caste systems instead of simplifying it to circles and triangles, if the goal was "flatland reference" and not "things that would have impacted bill." so the choice to leave out less Iconic flatland worldbuilding, like the gender binary and the lack of color, but to include irregularity... it's a deliberate choice, is all i'm saying. when ford goes "here's the class system of this dimension, it includes a high class circle and a lowly triangle... i think bill probably came from a dimension like this. btw they thought i was super irregular, here's what that means-- then i got saved by the oracle and she gave me a ton of info about bill!" it lumps irregularity in with Getting Information About Bill in a way that's interesting! and they could have easily attacked ford for being a being who appeared colorful, or had him encounter a circle who recognized him as something three dimensional, but they chose to bring irregularity up instead

the other main reason is that we know, canonically, that bill's homelife/relationship with his parents was Not Good. but the thing is, that's odd for a flatlander!

flatland society stresses the importance and reverence of the next generation, instead of a societal respect for one's elders, so the idea of bill being mistreated by his parents seems odd. sure, i'm sure they woulda been happier if he was born a square, but if he was a perfectly regular equilateral, he still would have had the potential to marry and have a square for a son. he would still have a role to play and by societal standards in flatland, there would have been an expectation that bill would have been treated well with his parents, so that he could be in the best shape possible to find a gal and marry off and hopefully have a square. if he had a family relationship "worse than stan's," though, well... it would make sense if he was irregular, because the societal expectation to treat him well to ensure the cipher bloodline gets closer to circledom would be moot if he was a failure by the ableist standards of his society. his parents also would have likely been seen as failures, creating resentment from day one, and they likely would have been barred from trying for more children, because, again, eugenics state. so either bill ends his family line, or he at least ends any chance his parents have of finally getting a square son, (because i'm sure if they were still popping out babies they hadn't achieved that yet and likely would not be allowed to have more kids after having an irregular,) and ends up the almost guaranteed least favorite kid if he has any older siblings

obviously i'm not saying that all parents in a society that puts their kids "first" (for class ascension reasons) are actually going to be given a healthy and stable childhood, ofc, but irregular bill gives an explanation as to why he may have had a troubled homelife from the jump

anyway

[infernalodie]

𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐬 𝐋𝐢𝐤𝐞 || 𝐌𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐲 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐳

“𝘐𝘵 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦, 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘸𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯'𝘵 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘤�� 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘰�� 𝘰𝘧 𝘭𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘋𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦, 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦? 𝘍𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦, 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦“

Inspo: Lucky Daye - Feels Like

Pairing: Maddy Perez x Black!Male!reader

Summary: You were a senior at East Highland. Known by everyone for being the quarterback for the football team. But the closest knew you as the guy who couldn’t take his eyes of Maddy Perez. Having pinned over her for a year since you two talked at McKay’s party. From there, a friendship had blossomed. But for New Years, you planned on finally making your move.

(gif used is not mine)

Warning: Fluff

Words 1764

Parties were where Maddy felt the most herself. It tuned her into the atmosphere and the genuine goal everyone had in mind, having fun. Drinking, smoking, dancing, it was all meant to aid towards a memorable night. It was one thing everyone could agree on and attempt to avoid ruining that for anyone.

Maddy was unsure if it was the freedom that a party gave her that allowed her to be so in tune with herself. Able to get lost in the music or the substances that invaded her bloodstream. Clouding her mind into a momentary state of bliss. But if that had been the reason, she was glad for it.

But then again, there was always true one other reason that she loved about parties. And that was you. The boy stood across the party, standing in the kitchen with a red solo cup in hand. Talking to your friends and laughing about something. From where Maddy stood, she could pick a part every detail the light above you presented to her. And long story short, you looked fucking hot.

The beige cargo jacket you wore had a grey sweater underneath. Wrist cuffed with your normal watch and fingers layered with silver and gold rings. Further down you wore black skinny jeans. Then finally, the one part she had loved about your style, were the mid light Jordan 1′s. The cream and black color wave perfectly matching the whole outfit you had made for yourself.

Everything about you reeked rich kids, but that didn’t deter Maddy from being around you as much as possible. Because truthfully, you two were best friends. Hitting it off a year ago when she had still been dating Nate.

“Yo, Y/n.” McKay nudged your arm not so subtly. “11 o’clock. Maddy’s staring.”

With the additional nod in the direction, you turned and found Maddy indeed watching you. Upon your gaze finding hers, a large grin pulled at the corners of her lips. Giving a friendly wave and wink.

Raising your glass in her direction, you smile as she quickly made her way through the bodies of kids, placing your drinking, following her with your eyes. You already knew what to expect, especially with that look in her eyes. The one full mischief and dark tinge that could be mistaken for lust.

As soon as she stood within arm range, you placed your hands on her waist and lifted her onto the counter you leaned against. Slotting your body perfectly between her legs, where she sat above you, grinning widely. Hands reaching up to flow through your hair and tilting her head.

“What’s up, Maddy?” You mused, eyes peering up at her. She glanced down at you before placing her attention back on your hair.

“Just wanted to see my favorite guy,” she shrugged. “Cassie isn’t here yet so I needed someone to talk to.”

A smirk formed on your lips, tilting your head to look up at her. “Oh?” You muttered. “So, I’m your second choice? I’m hurt.”

“Jealous?” She asked, lips curled into a smirk.

“Very.” You smiled, placing both hands on either side of her thighs. Bowing your head slightly to give her better access to toy with your head.

The public PDA of affection that happened between you and Maddy wasn’t anything foreign to anyone. In countless conversations since you two met, either you were standing behind the girl, fixing pieces of her hair or she was fixing your shirt or jacket. Or the fact that the both of you gave each other heart eyes across every room you two stood in.

Everyone knew the fact that both of you had something for the other. But neither would acknowledge it for good reason and that was because of Maddy’s previous relationship with Nate Jacobs.

It wasn’t a secret that most suspected Nate for assaulting Maddy and choking her. With you near the top of popularity, you got to hear all about it. Safe to say that it angered you every time you heard or even thought of the white privilege prick of hurting such a beautiful girl. Or even laying a fucking a hand on her.

So, with that in mind, you had been playing a very patient game with Maddy. Wanting her to feel safe enough around you that she would maybe work up to confess her feelings to you. Because you didn’t care how long you had to wait until that happened. You cared more about how she felt than anything else.

And she had shown her appreciation of that in many cases from hugging your shamelessly around hers or your friends or kissing you on the cheek. Managing to do it every time Nate was near and could see. Which you liked because that action was enough to say, “She’s over you, dude. Keep fucking these other chicks and stay the fuck away from her.”

Music blasted outside the small bubble you and Maddy had created whenever the both of you were close. Worrying about only the conversation the both of you had going on and nothing else mattering. It all became white noise when you talked to Maddy. Her alluring voice and eyes pulling you into the deep end with no hope of rising from the surface. But that was what you liked, so you didn’t mind being short of breath with her around.

“I heard you took his spot for quarterback.” There was no need to mention the boy by name. Precisely for the reason of his name tasting like vodka on the tongue. Burning your throat whenever you uttered that name.

But you smiled. “I did,” you said, pulling your head from her grasp and looking up at her. “Are you proud, Maddy?”

Her lips curled into a grin. “Very.”

There was just a brief few seconds where the both of you stared at one another. But Maddy’s lips stayed in that same grin as her eyebrows slightly tensed closer together in question. “Do you wanna dance?”

It wasn’t a moment later where you had her fingers intertwined with yours. Leading her through the crowd of kids who moved out of your way upon seeing you. A perfect path leading to the center of the living room with the both of you occupying the space with other people dancing and drinking together.

You stood behind Maddy with your chest pressed against her back. Hands resting on her hips as she swayed to the beat. Maddy felt like her entire body was on fire under your touch. It hadn’t changed since the other parties you two attended together. Dancing with one another and doing just a bit more than innocent moves.

A grin on her lips when she slightly grounded her hips against your crotch. It only widened when she heard your amused snicker right beside her ear. You stood over her, watching her movements and becoming entranced by each sway and curve of her body.

Love and lust was blossoming in the air, leaving Maddy choking on your warm breath that had begun to fan her neck. But she didn’t want to focus on the sexual feelings that had started to knot together in her stomach. Instead, she focused on how your touch was soft against her. Fingers slightly tensed, gaining a perfect grip on her. Or focusing on how you kept a smile on your lips despite the obvious intentions she had previously had in mind with her grounding against you.

The relationship you two had was complicated because of this. These not so innocent touches that were smeared in the bright colors of lust. Yet, neither of you were willing to acknowledge that. Maybe it was to build tension. But Maddy wanted so much more with you. She wanted the twist and turns, the dead ends that your guys’ relationship had to be cleared. Opening to a floral open and truthful atmosphere where she could be herself again. Because with how you felt against her, she was becoming clouded in thoughts she knew were making her body sweat.

Maddy turned to you, wrapping her arms around your neck loosely. Biting her bottom lip, holding back a laugh when you started to sway in a methodical way. Stepping side to side with a raised brow, a funny expression forming on your face. She felt a smile break out on her face with a laugh slipping past her lips.

She looked so beautiful. With how the lighting hit her, she glowed brightly in your eyes. Her face, body, and personality glowed vividly in the moment. And in the heat of it, you closed the space between you two and pressed your lips against hers. Your short stubble tickling her delicate face as she moaned into the kiss, hands coming up to cup your face and pull you closer.

Fireworks exploded around the both of you like it was a celebratory moment. Finally being able to feel the other in such intimacy that it felt like a far off dream. But here you two were, kissing like it was the last night on Earth and not giving a single fuck about anything else.

Tongues danced together with hands roaming as freely as they could. Maddy gaining two handfuls off the front of your shirt and tugging your towards her. Chest pressing together with you now having to lean down to keep your lips connected. Your hands wandering from her hips to the swell of her ass. Not giving it a tight squeeze, but enough that it would shock her and leave her moaning. And that was exactly what you earned and you smiled.

Ever since you met Maddy, she had unknowingly been selling dreams to you. Filling your mind with all these hopes and dreams you had no idea could be obtainable. Your sleepless nights being infected with her beaming smile, snarky comments, and her overall being. She was something you wanted. Something you needed have close to you. And the dreams she had sold to you had thankfully come true.

Finally pulling away, you panted, lungs crying for some air. Maddy doing the same as she stared up at you, utter admiration in her eyes. “I love you, Maddy.”

In that moment, you had never seen her lips curl into such a beautiful and big smile. It left you short of breath, pulling back into the depths of her ocean. She drew you closer, lips brushing together. “And I love you, Y/n.”

That had been when you realized one important thing. This is what love feels like.

[liaromancewriter]

Candy Thieves

Premise: One bowl of candy, four children. What could go wrong?

Book: Open Heart (post series) Pairing: Ethan Ramsey x F!MC (Cassie Valentine); feat. OC children Rating/Category: Teen. Fluff. Words: 1,620

A/N: This fic is inspired by an old TikTok ask from @potionsprefect​. Submission for @choices-november2022 Day 4 “Candy”

Anyone watching Noah Hudson Valentine would think the little boy was sitting at the kitchen island engrossed in his coloring book. But he was really watching his Aunt Cassie get all the food ready for their movie night and sleepover party.

It was after Thanksgiving. He and his sisters were spending a few days in Boston while their parents enjoyed “grown-up time.” Noah didn’t mind, though, as Aunt Cassie made the best snacks!

He smiled when she started humming along to a song playing on the speaker as she finished plating the brownies they had baked earlier. He watched his aunt set a platter of Mozza sticks—his favorite—on the counter and cover it. Next, she placed a tray of mini pepperoni pizzas into the oven to bake.

Everything smelled so good, and he couldn’t wait to dig in!

Eloise Ramsey should have been focused on the game of I Spy she was playing with her sister and her cousin Belle. But her eyes were locked on her mother and the bag of Halloween candy in her hand. The same bag she and Sophie weren’t allowed to touch because Daddy said they had eaten too much candy already.

She nudged Sophie and nodded towards the kitchen when her sister shot her an annoyed look at being interrupted. At the sight of candy, Sophie’s eyes and mouth went wide and round. The twins shared a calculating glance and then shook their cousin’s arm.

“Belle, look,” Eloise whispered in her ear.

“Wow,” Belle said, mouth open as she followed her cousin’s gaze. “Is that all for us?”

“I hope so!” Sophie placed her hand on her sister’s arm and added in a hushed voice. “Do you think there are any Sour Patch gummies, Eloise?”

“I hope there are pop rocks,” Eloise said wistfully.

“I like Airheads,” Belle sighed. “Especially the pink ones.”

The game was forgotten as three pairs of eyes stayed glued to the happenings in the kitchen. An idea began to form in Eloise’s mind, and she tugged her sister and cousin close.

Ethan Ramsey softly closed the bedroom door behind him and just stood there with a slightly bewildered expression. Given the number of children currently in residence, the apartment was surprisingly quiet, which was unnerving.

He followed the scents to the kitchen, where he found Noah, head down, silently coloring. At the same time, his wife discarded empty wrappers and cleared the counter. The girls were on the other side of the living room, whispering in each other’s ears.  

“Is there anything healthy on the menu, Rookie?” He teased. “Kale chips might be a good addition, something green.”

Cassie met Ethan’s eyes across the counter and grinned wickedly.

“We have green, babe. See?” She bit into a green gummy worm and shared a laughing look with Noah, who giggled at her exaggerated chomping sounds.

Well used to her ways, Ethan just shook his head in amused exasperation.

Dressed casually in a black shirt and jeans, his hair slightly messy, Cassie thought he looked good enough to eat. Catching his eye, she winked salaciously and licked her lips, enjoying the blush that spread across his cheekbones.

“Amelia is finally asleep,” he said, sputtering and looking around to ensure the children were still occupied.

“Good to know,” Cassie said all too innocently.

He stretched his arms and awkwardly dropped them when he saw her eyes tracking his every movement. “Do you need any help here?”

“No, I’m almost done,” Cassie said. She threw a narrow-eyed look across the room where Eloise, Sophie and Belle were huddled, heads together. “They’re planning something. I can feel it.”

“They’re only four, Cassie,” Ethan scoffed. “Hardly old enough to plan heists.”

“Almost five, and they’re already sneaky,” she countered. “Plus, they’re your daughters, Nighthawk.”

“I seem to recall you and your friends executing a heist or two back in the day,” Ethan grumbled.

“Exactly!” Cassie exclaimed. “Given their genes, I’d be shocked if they don’t grow up as troublemakers.”

She let it go when Ethan shrugged. “Noah, honey, it’s almost time to eat. Why don’t you put away your stuff and wash your hands?”

Unfailingly polite, Noah packed the thick coloring book and box of crayons in his backpack. He jumped off the stool and ran down the hallway to do as she asked.

She finished setting up their meal and turned away to check the pizzas in the oven. 

“Ethan, if you’re free now, can you set up the family room for the movie?”

“Sure,” he said, yanking her back to plant a swift kiss on her lips and pat her butt before heading upstairs.  

The girls took both movie nights and sleepovers very seriously. Lately, they’d started wanting everything just so. Clearly, they’d inherited Cassie’s stubbornness, he thought.

He was adjusting cushions and sleeping bags when he suddenly grinned. The family room was temporarily a kids-free zone since the little humans were preoccupied downstairs. He smirked at the thought of making out with his wife in the relative privacy upstairs while they had the chance.

Before he could talk himself out of it, he leaned over the railing and called down. “Cassie, can you please come up for a moment? I need your help.”

“Coming!” Cassie called back.

She squinted at the children, with Noah now joining the girls. A considering look entered her eyes as she glanced at the food on the counter and then back at her little troublemakers.

“All right, everyone, listen up.” She waited for the children to pay attention before continuing. “I’m heading upstairs to help set up. Candy is for movie night, so no foraging. You have to wait until I’m back.”

She lifted two fingers, pointing at her eyes and then pointed them at her girls. “That goes especially for you two. I might be upstairs, but remember, Mommy has X-ray vision. So, behave.”

Alone, at last, Eloise impatiently waited just in case her parents came back down or checked in by hanging over the railing. They were sneaky like that, she thought.

When it looked like they were safe, she signaled Sophie and Belle. “Operation Candy Grab is a go!”

Sophie quickly rose from the floor to join her sister, but Belle hesitated. “Are you sure about this, Eloise? What if we get into trouble?”

“What’s going on?” Noah asked, startled at the sudden movement.

“We want candy!” Eloise exclaimed.

“And we’re taking it,” Sophie nodded, folding her arms across her front, mimicking her sister’s pose. “Belle, are you in or out?”

Noah stood up too. “We have to wait,” he said hesitantly, his need for candy warring with an emerging sense of responsibility.

He still remembered feeling like he was on cloud nine the first time his dad told him he was a big brother, the eldest. And that he was responsible for his little sisters and cousins when the grown-ups were busy.

“Aunt Cassie said we’re not allowed to eat candy until she says so,” he said, rushing to stand in front of the kitchen island and spreading his arms wide.

“By the time she finds out, it’ll be too late,” Eloise said defiantly, stalking toward him.

“Come on, Belle,” Sophie insisted, recognizing the signs of her cousin almost ready to give in. “I spy Airheads in the bowl. Pink ones, your favorite.”

“Okay!” Belle said eagerly, her tongue salivating at the thought of biting into the strawberry-flavored taffy.

“Belle, you’re the lookout,” Eloise pointed to the staircase.

When Noah tried to stop her, Eloise tilted her head back with a pleading look. “Come on, Noah. Don’t you like candy? I saw Mommy pour Nerds earlier. The orange ones that you like so much….”

Meanwhile, Sophie sneaked up behind Noah and tried to grab some candy, but the counter was too high and the bowl too far. Determined, she looked around for the stepping stool her mommy used when she and Eloise helped her in the kitchen.

She glanced at Belle and got the thumbs-up sign that the coast was still clear while Eloise continued to distract Noah. Sophie spied the stool tucked beside the fridge and dragged it across the floor. The scraping sound was loud, and she watched Noah’s head start to turn.

She quickly hopped on the stool and tugged the bowl towards herself. It was heavy, and her small hands lost their grip. The bowl tipped over on the counter, spilling all the candy before it rolled over the edge with a loud crash.

Eloise and Belle groaned as they heard the heavy steps rushing above their heads.

“What’s going on down there?” Daddy sounded angry, while Mommy’s voice was worried as she called out, “Is everyone okay?”

Sophie felt tears prick her eyes and started wailing when she heard her parents calling as they ran down the stairs. Her crying set off Belle and Eloise. 

Feeling scared as the grown-ups rushed in, Noah covered his ears with his hands against the noise of all three girls bawling. Tears tracked down his cheeks at the thought of getting into trouble.

Cassie stopped as soon as the kitchen came into view. Sophie was sobbing as if she’d lost her best friend. Gummy bears were sticking to her dress and hair, while the rest of the candy was scattered everywhere. The bowl she’d filled earlier was lying on the floor, cracked and split open like a watermelon.

She glanced at a shocked Ethan, who stood beside her and took in the scene. He silently cursed and pinched the bridge of his nose.

Cassie met his pained look and arched her eyebrow. “What were you saying earlier about them being too young to plan heists?”

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

All Fics & Edits: @a-crepusculo​ @annfg8​ @bex-la-get​ @bluebelle08​ @cariantha​ @choicesaddict5​ @coffeeheartaddict2​ @crazy-loca-blog​ @doriopenheart​ @genevievemd​ @headoverheelsforramsey​ @lucy-268​ @jamespotterthefirst​ @jerzwriter​ @mysticalgalaxysstuff​ @openheartforeverinmyheart​ @peonierose​ @takemyopenheart​ @potionsprefect​ @queencarb​ @quixoticdreamer16​ @rookiemartin​ @trappedinfanfiction​ @vi-writes-stuff​ @zahrachoices​

Submissions: @choicesficwriterscreations​ @openheartfanfics​

Ethan & Cassie only: @custaroonie​ @lady-calypso​ @hopelessromantic1352​

[haoreo]

✿ 𝐬𝐢𝐦 𝐣𝐚𝐞𝐲𝐮𝐧 | 𝐥𝐞𝐭'𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐥

content: jake x fem!reader, fluff!!, ft. wonyoung from ive <3

word count: 700+

disclaimer: i'm new to writing fanfics (especially oneshots) so please go easy on me. i mean no harm to any of the members, this is purely fictional. would love to hear your thoughts! :>

✿✿✿✿✿✿✿

they said that your years in high school would be the best years of your life. meeting new people, trying out new hobbies, and making memories, both good and bad, all around campus.

you were one of the few people in your school that thought high school was pretty okay. you were president of the camera club, maintained good grades, and had a great group of friends. your high school life was smooth-sailing, you could say, not until you’ve crossed paths with him.

sim jaeyun. or jake sim, whatever.

jake, the team captain of your school’s soccer team.

jake, the class clown yet somehow still the teacher’s favorite.

jake, the one who’s crush changes almost every other week.

the jake sim, whose next target seems to be you.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*

“you know what, ___, why don’t you just give him a chance?” wonyoung asked out of nowhere during lunch.

“what and get added to his long list of failed commitments? no thanks,” you replied while angrily poking at your food.

wonyoung shrugged at you, “i don’t know, his looks aren’t bad, and he’s popular, funny, " she listed with her fingers, "plus he’s been at it for three months, which is probably the longest he’s gone for a girl.”

you had to admit, wonyoung was right. he has been trying to get your attention for almost three months now. buying you your favorite snacks, offering to bring your things, and sometimes even waiting for you at the school gates when you finish late at the camera club. (you thought that it was sweet, of course, but you would never admit it)

“well it can't mean anything, right? he’s done the same to-“

you were interrupted by a hand placing a carton of chocolate milk in front of you. your favorite.

“hey, sweetheart.” you rolled your eyes at the nickname. but wonyoung just giggled at your frustration.

jake took a seat next to you with his face only inches away from yours, “are you going to my big game tomorrow morning?”

“it's not like i have a choice, do i?” you begrudgingly reply.

being president of the camera club, you were usually assigned the bigger school events, and that includes all of the soccer team’s games. if your pride wasn’t so high, you would admit to actually enjoying jake’s games. cheering on for your school can feel exhilarating and you’re able to do something you’re great at, photography. the candid shots of the crowd and the players had a different charm to them, and it also didn’t help how jake looked great in every single photo you take of him. in fact, it kind of made him your favorite subject. which is something you'd never say out loud.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*

it was the big day, and the game was about to start. your schoolmates occupied the bleachers on one side, adorned with face paint of your school colors and holding different banners and posters of all of the players. you were double-checking your camera and all your extra memory cards and batteries when wonyoung nudged your side.

you looked up to see jake jogging to where you and wonyoung were seated.

“hey, sweetheart! let's make a deal,” he grinned at you, “if we win this game, i get to take you on a date.”

your cheeks warmed at his offer, partly out of embarrassment because he said this out loud, but also because maybe his consistent efforts were finally getting to you.

“and what about if you lose, hm?” you managed to reply with the little confidence you had left.

“well lucky for you, princess, you don’t have to worry about that. i’ll make sure we win,” he said with a wink, “is it a deal?”

“deal.”

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*

your whole school roared in excitement when your school’s team officially won the game. and honestly, you were excited too.

students started to file out of the venue but you stayed behind to pack up your things while also viewing some of the shots you took today, zooming into the ones that featured jake.

speaking of, jake walked up to you after bidding goodbye to his teammates, his sports bag thrown over his shoulder.

this time, you were the first to speak up, “you did well out there, jake.” he blushed at your compliment. he got compliments all the time, but it felt different when it came from you.

"i'm sure you took great photos of me as well?" he raised his eyebrows, teasing you. you simply laughed at him, poking fun at how he had to ruin the moment.

“um, but about that date, how’s next friday?” he asked, suddenly getting serious.

“sure, pick me up at 7, hm?” you moved closer to him, “oh and by the way.”

setting aside your pride for a few seconds, you placed your hand on his chest and planted a kiss on his cheek. “congratulations,” you said quietly with a smile.

jake smiled back, knowing he made the right choice to continue choose you, every single day.

✿✿✿✿✿✿✿

aaaa hope you liked it huhu this was my first oneshot so pretty skerd here

[plush-rabbit]

Aphrodisiac Induced Reader + The Dateables

A/N: I had this thought and i really had to get it out of my head (it was org gonna be just simeon cause,,, i love repressed feelings so much but then i gave it to the rest!!) (all consensual btw!!)

Separated because it was gonna be too long with all of them, the brothers should come out soon

-

A/N: I had this thought and i really had to get it out of my head (it was org gonna be just simeon cause,,, i love repressed feelings so much but then i gave it to the rest!!)

You really should have known better than to take food that was offered by Beel. You know that he has the right intentions in mind- that him sharing food is a miracle of itself and rejecting him would have his brows furrowed and lips pursed into a pout- but he’s also gluttony. He can eat whatever he wants and as much as he wants without so much of a stomach ache. You, on the other hand, cannot. You should have seen this coming when the cupcake you bite into filled your mouth with such an indescribable sweetness that it made your teeth ache, the flavor otherworldly and leaving you hungry for me, taking greedy bites out of the cutely decorated pastry. There was a sharp pang in your stomach, your body on fire and sex dripping with every nudge that your body made.

You couldn’t be alone right now- or maybe you should have been left alone, maybe that would have saved you from humiliation of your dripping arousal that was leaking past your slit. You’re quick to rise, standing on shaky legs, curled over as your cheeks burn, sweat beading against your skin, only worsening the sensitive state that you are in. It’s fast-acting, making your breaths come out in heated gasps, and everything just feels a bit too much, just too good for it to be normal. An aphrodisiac- a strong one that is making you impossibly aroused. You suck in a sharp breath and go to the person who you know will treat you right.

Barbatos:

Barbatos is simply surprised that you chose to go to him in such a needful state. But soon, he realizes how… stressful it is to have you around. Lord Diavolo was kind enough to give him the day off, stating that he’ll be spending it with Lucifer before closing the door with quite an obvious wink. But now, you follow him around, holding his hand, begging for him to do something- to turn back the clock just a few minutes before you had that pastry. You even promised that you wouldn’t get caught but he remains steadfast in his decision, not wanting to risk another repeat of the last mistake.

There is little that can surprise the butler, but when you push yourself against him, grabbing his hand and placing it flat on your belly, his fingertips above the waistband of your shorts, he can feel his face grow hot. He sputters out for a second before regains his composure, simply pulling his hand away and commenting that he’ll make you something to dim the fire that is your body. But you don’t quit, you push yourself against him, begging for him to help you now, that you’re too hot, that your clothes are melting your skin and your flush against him.

He only has so much willpower when it comes to you. And here you are, pressed against him, begging for him to take care of you, grabbing his hand and placing his index and middle finger in your mouth. He visibly stiffens, and when your mouth closes you hollow your cheeks, the soft, slick insides pressed against his fingers. There’s a crackle of energy around and soon you're gagging on his finger, the manicured nails turning into claws, filling your mouth exponentially, spit sliding between the corners and your eyes pricking with tears.

You are much too needy to stand still, to even rest against him is something that you find difficulty in without resulting in your humping his leg. You beg him, twist your hand in his and remove his glove, holding it tight in your hand and begging for him to touch you- to make the pain between your legs go away and feel good. As quick as a blink of an eye, you’re against the wall, his fingers deep into your mouth, his smile softening for a second. He leans close to your ear, his other hand working on clothes on your back, stripping you with every gagging sound made when he pushes a bit further. His tone is almost dangerous as he tells you that you asked for him to take care of you and that is simply what he’s about to do. He pulls away, his smile still as he leans close to you, his lips ghosting over his knuckles, asking if this is really what you want and if you give him a moment, he’s sure he can make you a tea that can stop your arousal. But when you gag around him, your brows knitting together, looking absolutely like a piece of art with his fingers in your mouth and eyes full of tears, he simply nods.

His mouth is on yours, and he can taste the lingering effects of the aphrodisiac on you- the sweetness, the almost bitter taste that lingers behind, the totality of it all making him feel as if he’s going to go into a craze. You poor thing, no wonder you’ve been so needy. Barbatos holds you up, letting you rut against him, feeling your sex pulse and with a simple slip of his hand, your creaming against yourself and against him, clinging tight to him, calling his name out in such a lewd moan that it pushes away all rational thought and simply release his cock, pearls beading from the slit and you look upon him with doe eyes, kissing him once more as his tail wraps around your torso, the forked end of it teasing at your nipples.

Diavolo:

The Lord of Devildom has always been kind to you, understanding and accommodating to you even when he has always seemed so busy. It would make sense that you would go to Lord Diavolo, who welcomes you with open arms, a gentle hand on your back that makes your knees buckle. He realizes his mistake- his eyes narrowing as he sees your flushed state and it’s a wonder that you’ve even made it to him without a trail of succubi and incubi at your tail. He can smell your heat from miles away. It’s intoxicating, hanging heavy in the air and as sweet as candy itself.

He lays you on the bed and he regrets it all in that very moment. He sees how small you are in his bed, the way that your body curves and how your hands try to find something to grip onto. He has enough restraint to pull himself away from you, taking a step back only to realize that your scent is filling the room, creeping at every crevice and corner, latching onto his clothing. Your hips thrust against the bed and he bites the inside of his cheeks- something bitter and hot filling his mouth. You call his name and he has to remain strong no matter how sweet the sound of it is.

The bed is soundless as he sits beside you and your hands latch onto his jacket, pulling him close to you. He makes a noise of surprise but allows it, watching as you lay yourself on his lap, your back arched over his lap and eyes so hazy and lust-filled that he forgets for a second to avoid touching you. His hand curves and pets the top of your head, smiling when you push yourself against his touch but then you rise and he’s forgotten that you are desperate for the very thing he’s willing to give to you.

You’ve laid him down, sitting above his abdomen, your hand on his chest, as your lower yourself to look him in the eyes. Your fingers squish beneath the thin fabric of his shirt, feeling the soft tissue of the breast and he has to admit that it feels divine. Your breath is a phantom above his lips and his hands move to grab your hips. He should pull away, but he finds that his hands are stuck to you, unable to budge from where they rest. He shouldn't be kissing you, he shouldn’t be ignoring the way that your hips are rotating above his, how you’re whining and mewling at the very action of kissing him. But he does, and he lets you kiss him, lets you weave your hands through his hair and push yourself closer against him until you have to pull away, gasping for breath.

Diavolo has to be careful with you- he treats you like you are made of porcelain, because to him, you are. You are a human, weak and gentle, loving and giving, and he is a demon, a king. He holds you with tender hands, letting his lips burn themselves against your skin, until you’re crying his name, begging for him to just touch you. He’s unable to refuse you, kissing your lips and letting his hand wander to your sex, where with just a simple touch, you release against his hand. He pulls his hand away, kissing your tears and raising his head to glance as his hand that is now coated in thick, shimmering arousal. With a promise to take care of you, he kisses your lips and lets his hand play with your sensitive sex.

Simeon:

Possibly one of the best choices to turn to, Simeon is actually quite happy to know that you chose to spend your sensitive state with him- that you trusted him the most. He’s trying to make it as lovely as possible- as least without actually attending to your needs. He won’t try anything- not that he technically could. But he misjudged the situation. He’s heard of people taking aphrodisiacs but the ones he heard of were made by and for people, not by and for demons. And now as he stares at you, trying so desperately to not slide your hand beneath the waistband of your underwear, he realizes he might have been over his head just a tad bit.

You rest on your knees, your face hidden against the comforter of his bed, lower half raised and legs pinched. Pained whimpers come out muffled, your hands clawing at the comforter, knotting and twisting the fabric in your hands. He can actually see the darkening color of your shorts peek from your crotch. His body suddenly feels hot- whether it’s arousal or embarrassment, he’s not actually sure but he wishes that it were because of the latter.

He turns his gaze away from you, clearing his throat and at that moment he knows he made a mistake. You call his name in a breathy tone that is absolutely sinful. Your arm stretches out, fingers trying to grab at the leg of his white pants. He smiles gently at you, his stomach churning when he catches your gaze- lustful and mouth already open in small moans. He can’t touch you. You know that. He knows that. But you’re in pain and even in your aroused state, you beg for him, you call out and promise that whatever he does, it’s out of good intentions. It’s a lie, of course, but he can hear you slick click against your dripping sex with just the softest of movement. Whatever he does- he can lie that he’s doing it to help you, but he’ll know the truth.

He’s unaware of how and exactly what happened. All he knows is that you’re above him, holding yourself tight to him as your face is hidden in the soft curve of his neck, and he can feel exactly just how hot your body is. Your hips are moving above his, the fabric of his clothes creating a wonderful friction that only makes your pitiful humping quicker and sloppier. You breathe against his neck and he has to dig his hands into the comforter of the mattress to prevent himself from falling to sin. Your sex is bare above him, your body curling tighter onto him, as he can feel an orgasm shake throughout your body.

Simeon whispers a prayer under his breath, closing his eyes and muttering an “Amen” as his arms wrap around your body. You jerk against him, acting as if the simple embrace from him is orgasmic, your thrusts quicker than before, calling his name, repeating it as if it were the only thing on your mind and at this point, he’s sure that it is. He promises to you in a whisper that he won’t go farther than what he’s about to do, pressing a kiss against your head and letting his eyes close. His hips meet yours in a thrust, clothed sex against wet, bare sex, and you moan his name and he can feel tears that burn slide down his neck, your words repeating for him to not stop.

Solomon:

It’s difficult for the sorcerer. He couldn’t even get up from the position if he tried. You're on his lap, legs and arms wrapping around him, and you may think you’re being discreet with your humping disguised as itchiness, Solomon knows better. He’s trying his best to find a spell, to find anything that can cure you of your current ailment. But he’s coming up flat. You’re needy, pinching your leg together and pulling away from where your chin rested on his shoulder to look him in the eye. Your face is flushed, your hair disheveled and for the first time since you’ve entered his room, you’ve stopped your humping.

He’s always had an attraction to you- it went further than just finding you pretty, it passed the need for human contact when you both arrived, it was just him wanting to bask in your warmth, to have you fret over him like he was simply just another person and not a sorcerer who happens to be able to command seventy-two demons. And now, he has you where he has dreamed of countless times, imagined behind closed doors and hand fisted over his cock. He has you with a leaking sex, eyes that are on him and no possible interruptions. His mouth is dry and he is unable to think properly. His hands fall and the book he was keeping afloat falls with a thud to the floor.

The way you call his name, a breathy broken moan when you test your hips against his, your body shuddering and he realizes with disappointment that you had orgasmed already while above him. He had missed it. He bows his head, brows knitted and he can’t think clearly when you’re rutting against him, mumbling apologies beside him, your breath a gentle whisper and then in the same breath you kiss his neck, begging for him to touch you. And as much as he wants to, he can’t. He knows the state you’re in, your mind hazy and thick with everything related to sex, and you aren’t thinking clearly, you’re just thinking of having your sex toyed with. It’s a horrible feeling he’s stuck in.

It doesn’t take much to make him crack. You pull away, when he’s still for far too long, silent even as focused as he was, you could hear the muted moans that he refused to sound out loud. But he's silent now, and when you pull away, he looks crestfallen. You hold his face his your hands, your sex pressed against his, and you can feel his cock poking at the inside of your thigh. You try your chances against, leaning close to him, your mouth on his as you beg for him to touch you, your promises of you wanting this so serious in your voice that makes him willing to kiss your lips, his tongue slipping past and the sound that you make is perverse, loud and running your hands against his body.

Solomon looks at you through heavy lidded eyes, feeling your body rise and fall, your lips on him and his hands are moving, leaving your body burning with just the palm of his hand. Thin, calloused fingers sneak under your shirt and rub against your sensitive nipples, your mouth breaking from him, and your tongue peeks out, swiping at your lips to capture the feeling of his against your one more time. But you’re in pain, more than he is, and he’s pushing you against the bed, kissing your body, hearing you call his name with such want that it makes his cock ache. And then he’s staring at your sex, leaking and throbbing, and his mouth is on you, groaning when your hands knit in his hair and his tongue is swirling around your sex.

[imaslutforremusandsirius]

Mutual longing

It’s 03:43 and I missed writing James, uf i love this one

Warning: 18+

---

Oh, James is a breathtaking sight. With his dark hair and twinkling eyes, his tall toned body and charming smile. His smooth voice and irresistible accent. He is the whole package.

Lost in thought you imagined him fucking you against the wall, his big hand over your mouth to contain your moans as he pounded you aggressively-

„Hey“ Lily chirped, leaning over the table to give you a friendly hug, „Sorry I‘m late, head girl shit.“

You hugged her back, acting as if you didn‘t just imagine getting absolutely railed by the fellow head boy.

„Don‘t worry ‘bout it. Haven‘t been long anyway.“

Lily rolled her eyes and gave you a teasing smile.

„Knowing you, you probably showed up fifteen minutes early to be polite. You can give me shit you know, I deserve it.“

You laughed lightly before you furrowed your brows dramatically and held up a finger much like Professor McGonagall when she lectured the marauders again.

„Lily Evans you little shit. Hopefully you will have a long dreadful nightmare for the shit you put me through!“

Lily smirked at you and nodded, impressed with your choice of words.

„That would be James trying to hug me again, so no thank you.“ She clapped her hands. „Right, lets start.“

You couldn‘t help but think of just how fucking hot it would be to be in James‘ strong arm. Breathless moans and impatient hands tugging down your skirt. His hands all over your body, slowly moving down towards your-

Fuck.

---

Sometime during your meetup Remus appeared and sat down with you. Then came Peter. With him Sirius and of course James.

„I swear Black if you don‘t shut the fuck up“ Lily said forcefully, very close to yelling, „I‘m gonna beat your stupid face with this book!“

Sirius’ wand fell from between his clenched jaw, he was trying to impersonate a growling dog, and he rolled his eyes.

„Calm down, Evans. Besides, Remus would totally not appreciate that, considering my face is number one in his list of“, he cleared his throat theatrically, „Reasons why Sirius Black is the most enchanting being I‘ve ever fucked.“

Remus, already used to Sirius‘ crude remarks, just continued to read his book, his index finger tracing shapes on Sirius‘ palm absentmindedly.

„I agree“ Remus mumbled, missing the way Sirius blushed and melted with his next words, „Sirius is enchanting.“

Sirius, content with the attention he got, leaned his head against his boyfriends shoulder and finally shut his mouth. Lily smiled gratefully at Remus, who send her a wink, the corner of his lips pulling up slightly to show that he had said it on purpose. Not that they needed to know just how accurate Sirius had been with the list.

You threw a glance at James and saw him engrossed with his potions textbook, lips moving silently as he read through the pages. Taking the time to admire him from up close, you watched how his brows would furrow and ease up whenever he worked out a problem, how he would bite his lip in concentration or scratch his nose and push up his glasses when they slipped down his nose.

Truly handsome. Sex on legs.

Fuck why can‘t he just touch you already.

For someone who flirts on the daily he sure was oblivious to girls who were actually interested in him. And not gay, unlike Lily, who literally had a pin on her bag with the lesbian flag on it.

Might get a pin with “Fuck me James“ printed on it. Maybe then he‘ll know, you thought bitterly.

You had already planned a whole color scheme for the pins when a foot nudged your shin under the table and forced you out of your head.

„Need help“ James whispered and slid his worksheet over to you, „Please?“

Oh hell yes. No need to beg, Potter.

„Sure“ You said, congratulating yourself for sounding confident, „Give me a min.“

Reading through the question your took a moment to think about the answer, scribbling it down yourself instead of telling him. You weren‘t sure how long you could gaze into his eyes and act like you didn‘t have wet dreams about him.

Satisfied you looked back up and noticed him already looking at you, or more specifically your mouth.

A devilish idea crossed your mind. Oh, yes.

Acting as if you were still thinking, you bit your lip softly, tracing your bottom lip with your tongue to leave it glistening pink. James swallowed, hand loosening his tie and he lowered his head with blushing cheeks.

„Here“ You smiled, gently sliding the paper back to him and shivered a little when your fingertips touched.

His fingers had to business being so close to the top of the sheet, considering he was sitting across from you and could have just grabbed the bottom part. Hope flared in your chest when you saw him just as taken aback by the touch and you basked in the radiant grin he shot you from under his mop of hair.

Your stomach swarmed with butterflies and you let out a small breath, thighs clenching.

Oh James.

„I should get going“ You said after a while, not in the mood to study anymore.

James‘ head whipped up and he got up as well, packing his bag in time with you. Your eyes widened in surprise, but you refrained from making your excitement too obvious.

„Yeah me too, I‘m tired. Goodnight.“ James rushed and gently pulled you along by the strap of your bag.

The others just grumbled in response, Sirius fast asleep and drooling while Remus waved his hand dismissively. Lily muttered a quick, „I‘ll join in a few minutes“, which actually translates to hours.

Since the others aren‘t here I could have some alone time with James.

Oh shit, there goes your brain. It was really creative when it came to imagening James‘ moans, considering you never heard them before. Or his dick. Fuck.

You silently made your way upstairs and sadly it was an awkward one. Frankly you blamed James for being so hot that you literally had no clue what to say, not knowing that he thought the exact same thing. Sure he is all for, „Everyone can wear what they bloody want“ and he had proven that point by wearing skirts multiple times, but fuck-

You in that skirt has to be criminal by some kind of law right? Has to be a sin in some kind of religion? And don‘t get him started on your lips-

James shook his head to get rid of the mental images and focused on his breathing. Praying that you wouldn’t see his boner.

Somehow you had made it to the empty common room and turned to each other at the same time to say goodnight. Both of you had not considered the distance between your faces, which proved to be extremely short with your noses bumping painfully.

„I‘m so-“

Your words died down when James kissed you hard, his big hands - oh those big, callous hands you‘ve been dreaming about for weeks finally touching your cheeks to pull you impossibly close.

Stunned by his sudden desire to kiss you, you pulled your head away to look into his face and what you saw made you smash your lips on his and his back against the wall.

His quiet, absolutely submissive noises shot straight into your blood and you press your hips against his to hear more of it. His arms were wrapped around your neck, hands buried in your hair as he opened your legs with his knee to press his thigh between your legs.

The rough fabric of his pants made you shudder and your hands slid down his upper body until you got to his cock. James head sank against the wall with a dirty moan as you put your hand in his pants to touch him. Shit, his skin was so soft and hot and he already has precum on the tip.

James lips met yours sloppily as he pushed you backwards onto the couch and sank down between you legs on the ground, moving your feet to rest on the cushion. He clearly didn‘t have any more patience in him and made quick work of pushing your panties aside to rub his fingers against your soaking entrance.

„Come on, James“ You moaned, bucking against him when he finally pushed two fingers inside.

„Mmm look at you“ James groaned out, leaving kisses along your inner thighs and let out wanton sound when your cunt clenched around him.

You didn‘t care about anything but his fingers fucking you at this point, whining when the cool metal of his ring pressed against your clit. You jerked at the hot sensation of his tongue curling around your clit, greedily sucking your pussy lips into his mouth.

„Oh James!“ You whimpered breathlessly, pulling his face so close that his nose was smushed against your lower belly, feeling the vibrations of every moan he let out shoot directly to your cunt.

Pulling him up by his hair you kissed him again, panting into his open mouth when he kept pistoning his fingers into your cunt.

„Please let me fuck you“ James begged needily, brows pinched in longing to feel you around his throbbing cock, „Please I can‘t wait anymore!“

Instead of answering, you pushed his pants down with your heels and trapped him between your legs. James hissed in relief when he felt some kind of friction on his cock and eased himself inside.

„Oh“ James let out a broken whimper, head thrown back in sheer bliss, „Feel so good.“

You couldn’t answer, way to enamored with the way he stretched you open so deliciously, watching his cock push into your body. Oh fuck, the sight was so dirty and crass and yet you couldn‘t take your eyes off him.

„James“ You gasped with difficulty, „James please ‘m‘gonna cum!“

James bend your legs so they were over his shoulders and pounded you harshly, face screwed up in ecstasy with the way you cried out his name. Your moans cut off only to be replaced by sobs when the tip of his cock hit your g-spot over and over again.

„Yes yes yes“ James chanted, pressing his forehead on yours to stare at your dazed expression, „tell me how you feel!“

Your shook your head quickly, signaling him that you couldn‘t possibly form a coherent sentence, but his persisted.

„Tell me how you feel!“ James hissed, thumb suddenly on your clit and you broke.

„Good good so fucking good“ You cried, latching on his body to encourage him to fuck you harder.

„Prove it“ James moaned brokenly, „Cum for me!“

His other hand wrapped around your delicate throat and squeezed firmly, making you tip over the edge and cry out your release. James‘ orgasm made him tremble so violently that he couldn‘t hold himself up anymore, collapsing on your chest with a deep throaty whimper as he filled your cunt with his hot cum.

„Fuck yes“ James ground out, hips still pushing in and out of you, like he couldn’t bear the thought of stopping. He raised his head to watch you, his pupils still dilated, pink lips quivering with aftershocks.

James looked absolutely wrecked and satisfied. He stared at you as if staring at a goddess, nuzzling close to hear your heartbeat.

„You okay?“ James asked quietly and tucked himself back in to help you clean up.

„Yeah, perfect.“ You grinned, letting him help you up and pull you towards his dorm.

He gave you a playful smile, but you saw the slight nervousness in his eyes.

„Stay?“

God, yes. Finally. Fuck those pins, who needs them.

„Yes.“

[lady-of-lyon]

So, I made one post a while back about how awesomely feminist the show Wild Kratts was, with how its two main female characters were women of color in engineering and deserving roles of power, female villains who weren’t motivated by spite or quest for youth, etc, but today I wanted to talk about something slightly different, that I’ve wanted to cover for a while now, because I also think it’s very good - and that’s how the show portrays masculinity, in a way that’s really positive!

First, we have our two main characters, Chris and Martin Kratt. Keep in mind these two are basically self-inserts - and there are plenty of creators, especially males, who have used self-insert characters in really scummy ways - all I have to say is Powerpuff Girls reboot and you know exactly what I’m talking about. Even if they weren’t literal self-inserts, male characters, superheroes especially, oftentimes serve the male power fantasy, being just the strong, stoic, all-powerful person so many boys are told they’re supposed to be. I could get into a whole discussion about how the male power fantasy is present even when males are not (ever look through a fashion magazine and wonder why there are so few men? Sure, part of it is that the industry thrives off exploiting women’s insecurities, and men aren’t as concerned for their appearance, but another part of it is so that the guy, looking through it, can feel like he has no competition for these women - there’s a reason so many comedians have jokes about fashion magazines being their sexual awakening as kids. It’s really scummy) but that’s not what this is about. So, the bros had every opportunity to do just that - make themselves these traditional heroes who aren’t actually really good role models, like batman or what have you. It’s certainly not uncommon for celebrity cartoons to do stuff like that. But Martin and Chris chose a different approach. They’re pretty strong standouts for positive masculinity. They’re openly affectionate - both with eachother as brothers, and with their friends. They cry, sometimes over little things - most of the time when big superheroes cry, it’s ‘cause they lost the girl they loved or their mentor or something like that, only in the big, most agonizing moments do they shed a tear. But here, Chris or Martin will cry just because they’ve had a bad day, or because they’re overwhelmed and overjoyed that someone named a mantis after them! In a lot of shows or movies when a guy cries over something little, it’s usually played for laughs, or to emasculate him, but here it’s casual without being unreasonable or overdone. The brothers cry just ad much, maybe even more (haven’t gone back and counted or anything) as the girls do. Not to mention, it’s a very nice depiction of a loving, healthy sibling relationship. As the youngest sibling myself, it’s refreshing to see a pair who don’t abuse eachother with noogies or cruel and snarky remarks. When they do fight, it’s never a screaming match, and also because they had a conflict of interest or disagreed over a fact, not because, say, one of them stole the other’s shirt or is neglecting the other’s feelings. Kids, being very impressionable, get exposed to a lot of abusive sibling relationships played as normal in media, and start thinking this is how siblings are and should act. For instance, my sister (who is now my best friend and has gotten over all these bad habits over time) when she was younger watched a lot of Kim Possible, a show that is great, but has a bad family dynamic with Kim and her little siblings. The “tweebs” as she calls them are always irresponsible, destructive, and making Kim annoyed to no end. My older brother was one of the most polite, reserved, kind little kids, but she still treated him like he was a brat and a nuisance, because that’s what shows like Kim Possible taught her little brothers were. Additionally, I was always treated like a spoiled crybaby who just wanted attention and got away with everything - I was not any of those things, ever, but that’s what shows teach you little sisters are. Sure, Wild Kratts has a smidge of that, with Chris seemingly being the stereotype of the know-it-all little sibling, but instead of being constantly looked town upon for being too “perfect” like with Hailey Long in American Dragon, Martin often praises his brother for his abilities. Sure, Martin gets annoyed when Chris tries to correct him on things, like in the episode Wolf Hawks, but everyone else does too, so it feels more like a take-down of mansplaining than a sibling spat.

I talked too in the feminist post about how refreshing it is that Chris and Martin more or less willingly put themselves under the authority of Koki and Aviva, two women of color. I don’t think it’s possible to say any one character is the “leader,” they all work as a evenly balanced team, but it’s safe to say that Koki and Aviva make the more responsible decisions. The bros try to get out of their calls a few times, but the show plays it more like they’re being irresponsible, and less like they’re renegade cool dudes who don’t take nothing from nobody, especially not two girls. They are pretty much always punished via karma for their reckless choices, most especially in To Touch a Hummingbird, where their arrogant attitudes blow up in their faces rather spectacularly. We also never see the narrative most present in sitcoms, where the male leads mess up and go out of their way to cover it up and ultimately gets away with it - after all, you have to root for them, right, because sure they messed up and had no consequences, but aren’t they just so lovable? No, here Martin and Chris always have to fix their wrongdoing, and it’s always deserved when they get comeuppance. Another aspect of the show I like is that, many times, when the bros get captured or are in peril, they are saved by the women - and most refreshing of all, there’s never a moment of “wink wink nudge nudge wow I can’t believe I had to be rescued by a GIRL” or even “wow you saved me you’re pretty good honey guess I shouldn’t have underestimated you, you go girl!” No, when the girls save them, it’s just - you know, relief? Because they were saved? It’s never a scenario played as an exception, or any more dire than when the bros need to rescue eachother. The bros are genuinely happy to have them as teammates. The show even did the standard “boys vs girls” episode in the form of When Fish Fly - but instead of being actually girls vs. boys, it’s engineers vs. adventurers. There’s nothing really gendered about it - the girls happen to be engineers, and the boys happen to be adventurers. And the episode doesn’t end with the boys being “wow gosh darn I shouldn’t have doubted you girls are better at everything,” it’s a mutual agreement that both parties have hard jobs. Basically, the bros are very naturally respectful of women. That plays more into their feminist narrative too, but either way, it’s refreshing.

Then, we have Jimmy! Jimmy, the lovable gamerboy pizza man. At first glance Jimmy seems like the stereotypical cowardly, pathetic, emasculated loser. He’s frightened of most things, as of yet has no power suit, and he BAKES for crying out loud! But none of these things are framed as terribly bad traits. Sure, we laugh when he screams and runs from an animal, but though it happens over and over, the crew doesn’t get sick of it. They don’t berate him or belittle him because he’s so gosh darn cowardly. There’s a great scene in Rattlesnake Crystal where Jimmy has to deliver something to the bros alone, in the middle of a spooky desert. He is terrified the whole time, sprinting off after he delivers the goods. When Martin and Chris run into him, they don’t laugh at him for being spooked, they just greet and then bid fair well to their friend. To them, this is just Jimmy, and there’s nothing wrong with it. Jimmy isn’t coddled, but he is reassured many times that he’s a valuable member of the team. I love that little message, that you’re just as important of a person even if you can’t do as much or have greater limits. When his friends do try to get him over his fears, it’s not because they have to, that the day will somehow be ruined by Jimmy’s incompetence p, but because they’re his friends, and want him to experience fun and wonderful things that he would otherwise miss out on. But what Jimmy CAN do is just as important! Jimmy is a gamer, which in a lot of shows, is portrayed as a lazy, useless, mindless hobby. But here, because he plays video games, it makes him essential for piloting the ship and teleporting important items. There’s always the joke that video games improves your hand/eye coordination, but recent studies have shown it has much better effects. It can make you much better at keeping track of multiple moving objects and processing technical but variable information- two traits which, fittingly enough, are really really important for air traffic controllers and airplane pilots! He also demonstrates a lot more courage behind the wheel of the Tortuga, which makes sense - in an impersonal setting, he would have more sense of calm and control and courage, because it’s so similar to a video game world. It’s not all too different with how I feel more emboldened to pick fights with people on the internet, but get crazy anxious if a real person so much as looks at me. So Jimmy’s love of video games isn’t because he’s irresponsible, it has real benefits. A quick last point - Jimmy also eats a lot, but they thankfully don’t make him fat or greedy or anything like that. He never takes food from people, he actually bakes, and shares it with others! Having the baker be a boy is a lovely touch.

I might do another post about the toxic masculinity of the two villains, (or four villains, I guess, if I wanna discuss the minions) but I’ve got other work to do, and this post is long enough already, so I’ll get around to it later. I’ll sum it up with this - Wild Kratts is a show that teaches boys it’s not only ok to be kind, but essential. The brothers protect defenseless animals, advocate for things “icky” and “weird,” like bugs or snakes or worms - not because they’re boys, and boys like icky things, but because they genuinely see the beauty in all life, and are encouraging us to slow down and do the same. The Wild Kratts are heroes who save the world not by being the strongest or smartest or coolest, but by looking after those who are exploited and vulnerable, who are essential to the world, even if they can’t always do everything. In Wild Kratts the only weaknesses a man can have isn’t what he can’t do, but what he does do that he shouldn’t have. Sure, it’s a cute show about two funny guys who have cool powers, but it’s also a show about accountability, compassion, respect and trust. The show says “boys will be boys” in all the right ways - Martin is a lovable goof with a heart of gold, but he still has to get his act together when he messes up, and he’s still creative and smart and openly sensitive. Chris is a bit of a know-it-all show-off, but he can also mess up as much as his brother, and is still bold, brave, adventurous, and can put his money where his mouth is. Jimmy is a cowardly, napping, eating machine video-gamer, but he’s still a valued member of the team, has incredible skills and talents, and will always help his friends, even if he is really, really scared. It is so important to have role models like these, in a world dominated by unhealthy machismo. The Wild Kratts are heroes who save the world - both animated, and real.

All they need now is a canon queer character, and I’ll stan them forever! My money’s on Aviva!!

[multi--kpop--fanfics]

(Not) Such A Good Boy

sub!bf!Juyeon x dom!fem!reader (ft. Eric, Kevin and Hyunjae)

genre: smut, slight crack, a bit of fluff towards the end

contains: dom/sub themes, degradation, oral sex (f receiving), marking, biting, spanking, Juyeon is a brat on a choker and a leash, unprotected sex (be safe y’all)

Author’s note: This man right there has been wrecking my existence lately (I blame Kingdom) and this GIF screams sub!Juyeon so yeah, enjoy this filth

“Lee Juyeon, you’ve got to be fucking kidding me”, you scoff under your breath. You have been waiting for the past twenty minutes in the living room, outfit and makeup on point, since you were about to go clubbing with your group of friends. But apparently, your dear boyfriend had lost all sense of time, trying to get ready.

Visibly irritated, you storm to your shared bedroom, your heels angrily clicking on the wooden floor. “Juyeon, I swear to God-” you mutter and stop mid-sentence, only to see your boyfriend leaning on the door, fully dressed and a lop-sided smirk plastered on his handsome face. 

“You called, babe?”, he asks teasingly and before rolling your eyes, you give him an once-over, processing his choice of clothes - a pair of tight black leather pants that were hugging his muscular thighs deliciously, a pair of black combat boots, a cropped black sweater with holes around his clavicles and a black belt-like choker around his neck. He was the epitome of the emo bad boy that all parents hated and all girls craved. 

“Um, what is this?”, you question him with a pointing finger. "That, is my outfit for tonight", Juyeon states, the previous smirk still on his face, "What, you don't like it?". "Isn't it a bit unfair for me to wear not so revealing clothes all while you're dressed as an emo himbo?", you complain and he laughs, "An emo himbo? Wow, you're getting more creative with your descriptions, Y/N. You're right though, it's a sort of questionable outfit". You perk up at his response, hoping he'll change into something more colorful and less hole-adorned, only to be utterly disappointed, as Juyeon reached into the closet only to drape a black leather jacket on top of his broad shoulders. "Now we're good to go", he turns to you and winks with audacity. Brat, you scoff mentally and pick up the keys to unlock the door and finally leave your shared apartment.

"Finally! What the fuck took you so long?!", your friend Eric yells at you, trying to overcome the loud bass of the club speakers. "Your complaints to your friend over there, he was the one who took twenty minutes to get ready", you roll your eyes pointing to Juyeon, who was greeting Hyunjae and Kevin, your other friends. "Yooo, Juyeon, what's up with the collar, bro?", Eric amusingly points out. "It's a choker, you tasteless twat. But what would you know of fashion, since you only know how to wear t-shirts and ripped jeans?", Kevin comments and Juyeon mouths a 'thank you' to him. "Simple is the best, my dear friend. Besides, I've been getting all the girls, unlike you and your snake print jacket", Eric retaliates. "Excuse you, this jacket is a fashion statement!", Kevin bites back, feeling insulted. "Not gonna lie though, it does look like a collar. Will you put him on a leash too, Y/N?", Hyunjae comments in a snarky way, making Eric cringe in disgust. "Hyunjae, please go get some drinks, for God's sake", you reply with a dismissive manner. "Yes ma'am", he rolls his eyes and goes to the bartender.

You turn to Juyeon, who was extremely stiff after Hyunjae's comment. "You okay, baby?", you nudge him softly and he's brought back to reality. "Y-yeah, I'm fine, no worries", Juyeon replies, praying that the loud bass could cover his shaky voice. "Don't listen to Eric and Hyunjae, they have zero fashion sense, bro. I would wear that choker too, looks hella good on you", Kevin adds while pointing to the choker and Juyeon's smile is back on his face, "Thanks, bro, I really appreciate it", he replies with a chirpy tone.

The music suddenly changes into a slower jam and Juyeon smirks devilishly, as he winks at you and walks towards the dance floor. You watched as he starts swaying his hips and shoulders in the most smooth way possible, his half-lidded eyes never leaving yours. Eric and Kevin were whistling and cheering on Juyeon, all while Hyunjae was snorting at their antiques. You were simply lost in the image of your boyfriend dancing like there was no tomorrow. He wasn't just following the rhythm, he was riding it - and boy, was he good at doing so.

In fact, he was so good that he gained the attention of many people in the club. And you were lowkey proud, because that man was yours. However, a certain girl wasn't aware of that - hence why she approached Juyeon and started dancing with him. You were a bit jealous, not gonna lie, but the next moment made your blood fucking boil.

He had the fucking audacity to put his hands on her waist and dance with her - all while looking to you over her shoulder with the most smug expression on his face. That fucker, you mentally curse. This was definitely payback for everything you said before you left the house. You just knew it. You weren't even the jealous or possessive type of girlfriend to begin with.

But you'd be damned if you were to let a random bitch run her hands over your boyfriend.

Hyunjae catches up to your motions and he grabs you by your wrist. "Hyunjae, what the f-" "Shut up and listen to me. Going there and creating a scene will not end up well for you and you will give Juyeon exactly what he wants", he states and his words hit home faster that you expected. "Since when did you become so perceptive?", you raise an eyebrow and he chuckles, "I have my moments too, Y/N". "So, since your brain decided to actually function tonight, do you have any idea?" you ask in defeat and Hyunjae starts pulling you to the dance floor by your hand, leaving Eric and Kevin completely baffled. He then pulls you into his chest and leans in your ear to whisper

"Just dance, Y/N".

A Cheshire cat-like grin spreads on your lips, as you catch up to his ulterior motive and you start dancing with Hyunjae, hoping that Juyeon will notice the two of you. "Don't think too much about it, it will happen naturally", he adds, "You're too stiff, Y/N, just relax and enjoy dancing".

His words actually succeed in making you relax and you sway your hips more comfortably, actually enjoying the slow jams echoing through the club speakers. Under the dim lights, you lock eyes momentarily with Juyeon, who was licking his lips and his gaze was a mix of lust and death glares, the last one directed to Hyunjae. "Told you it would work", he comments, "You owe me this one". "Shut the fuck up, Hyunjae", you spit back and he laughs.

However, his laughter is cut short by a very jealous Juyeon, who has grabbed him by the collar of his shirt. "Next time I see you dance with Y/N, I'll break your fucking kneecaps", he growls and Hyunjae takes a step back, "She's all yours, bro", he raises his hands in defense and returns to the table. Juyeon then turns to you, his blood still boiling with jealousy, as you watch him with a proud smirk.

"You find this funny, huh? Dancing shamelessly with my friend?", he clenches his jaw. You then thread a finger through his choker and pull him close to your face, making Juyeon gasp. "Funny? No honey, I'm fucking fuming right now, because you decided to act like a brat and put your hands on the first bitch that threw herself on you", you retaliate, your chill facade slipping away. A sickly sweet smile adorns Juyeon's face as he watches every single movement of yours. He lowers his head, his lips hanging mere centimeters over yours and he slyly pokes out his tongue to lick your lips, hissing at the wet feeling.

"You're so fucking hot when you're mad, baby".

That was the last straw.

"Get your stuff, we're going home", you announce and he flashes a toothy grin. "Yes ma'am", he replies almost immediately and you return to your friends' table. "Guys, we'll be leaving now, hope you enjoy the rest of the night!" you announce and Eric looks between Juyeon and you. "Do I want to know what's going on?", he questions and Kevin pats him on the back while shaking his head as in 'no'. You both bid farewell to your friends and you walk out of the club, jogging towards your car. Juyeon whips out the cars keys and he opens the door for you, his gentleman-like gesture a complete contrast to his previous bratty behaviour.

The ride back home feels like it lasted for hours, when in reality, it lasted only ten minutes - maybe it's your sheer desire to fuck your handsome boyfriend to oblivion. By the time you entered your shared apartment, your lips were on Juyeon's neck, your hands roaming his toned body and his arms wrapped around your waist.

"You love acting like a bratty slut, don't you?", you sneer at him and he releases a breathy chuckle. "Yeah, and so do you", he whispers and he trails kisses upon your neck and behind your ear, nibbling your earlobe. "Are you going to punish me for being a bratty slut?".

You thought you came right there and then, 'cause fuck, he is so hot like this.

"Is that what you want? Fine then, you'll get the punishment you deserve, slut", you hiss while gripping Juyeon's jaw, your manicured nails raking his porcelain skin, "Don't say I didn't warn you", you whisper into his ear and he releases one of the lewdest sounds you've ever heard in your life. "God, you're a desperate little bitch, aren't you, Lee Juyeon?", you ask while removing the detachable strap of your bag and clasp it on his choker, creating a make-shift leash. "Only for you, baby", he replies with a sultry voice and half-lidded eyes.

You pull him by the make-shift leash, and you push him onto the couch, where you settle yourself on his lap, his hard cock straining his already tight pants. You remove his shirt, exposing his chiseled body. Wasting no time, you attack his collarbones with your lips, trailing red and purple blotches on his soft skin. You bite the juncture of his neck teasingly and he releases breathy moans, making you chuckle. You grind your clothed core on his bulge, and the sweet friction makes Juyeon mewl again. He tries to reach for your crotch with his hand, but you stop him by pulling the leash, making him gasp.

"No sweetheart, no touching tonight", you chastise him, as you pull back to remove your clothes and his pants, leaving the both of you only in your underwear. Juyeon's bulge is even more evident now, the thin material of his boxers having a wet spot, due to his cock leaking pre-cum. The sight in front of you makes your own wetness pool in your panties - your boyfriend on a leash, his perfectly styled hair now disheveled, his upper torso covered in love bites, his muscular thighs fully spread and his cock straining against his boxers.

"Baby, fuck, please do something", he pleads with bleary eyes. "Lie down for me", you order and he's laid flat on his back with one swift motion, his desperation showing. You remove your underwear and place your naked pussy right in front of his face. He reaches for your thighs with his arms, but you slap them away. "I said, no touching", you say sternly, "But-", "You should have thought twice before touching that bitch with your hands. Now, be a good boy and use your pretty mouth", you demand.

Juyeon pushes his wet tongue into your heat without second thought and he's lapping up your juices like a starved man. You can't help but moan with satisfaction, having him under your control like that gave you a huge adrenaline rush. You raked your nails from his torso to the hem of his boxers, the sensation making him moan and momentarily halt his actions. You slap his left thigh to alert him and his cock twitches, the vibrations of his moans coursing through your body as well. Juyeon now flattens his tongue against your folds with a faster tempo.

"You like it when I spank you, huh? Naughty boy", you smirk and land another slap, this time on his right thigh. Juyeon retaliates by sucking on your clit harshly, making you yelp from pleasure and you feel him smirk against your pussy. You find the leash and tug it, pulling Juyeon's face even closer to your core. "Behave, or you'll sleep without cumming tonight", you warn him and he whines, but resumes his efforts nonetheless. "Good boy, k-keep it u-up", you stutter as you feel your high approach with each passing second. His tongue is alternating between circling your clit and pumping in and out of your hole, the squelching sounds creating a pornographic scene.

You scream as you cum on Juyeon's face, your whole body shaking, as he helps you ride out your orgasm with kitten licks. You pull yourself together and turn around to face him, as he nastily licks his lips to taste your essence. "Sweet like fucking candy", he comments, "Want a taste, baby?". You pull him by the leash and crash your lips on his, tasting yourself, as your tongues dance crazily in a battle of dominance. "You're still acting like a brat, but since you did as I said, maybe you deserve to cum after all", you state and bend down to remove his boxers and free his painfully hard erection.

"Y/N, stop fucking teasing already!", Juyeon whines again and you slap his thigh again, "Where did your manners go, baby?".

"Please, Y/N..."

"Please what?"

"Please use my cock to cum"

"Fuck, such a good boy", you moan and spear yourself onto his hard cock, the sudden stretch tipping between pain and pleasure. You give yourself almost no time to adjust and you start riding Juyeon like a mad woman. He pistons his hips in unison, pounding into you with a speed neither of your brains are able to register. You put your hands on his broad chest for support and he holds your hips with his hands so tight you might get bruises the next day. Neither of you are able to contain your obscene moans nor form coherent sentences, way too lost in pleasure and lust.

"Fuck, Juyeon, you're such a good boy, so good for me", "Only for you Y/N, shit- only yours", he groans and his hips start to falter, signaling his upcoming orgasm. "I-I'm close again, nngh..", you mewl as you feel your insides clench around his cock like a vice. "M-Me too, Y/N please let me cum, let me f-fill you up baby", "Oh God, yes, fill me with your cum, babe", you moan loudly.

Juyeon moans with you as he stills himself, his cock twitching uncontrollably and flooding your cunt with his hot cum, painting your insides white. You collapse on top of him, panting heavily, the both of you sweating and spent, laughing breathlessly. You muster all the strength you have left in you to remove the choker from Juyeon's neck.

"Oof, thank you baby", he nods, rubbing his neck softly. You swipe a few dark strands of his forehead. You notice the marks on his neck the choker left and you can't help but feel a little regretful. "Did I hurt you?", you ask sheepishly and Juyeon smiles softly and presses a kiss on your nose. "No baby, you were perfect. We should do this more often, actually. You look hella sexy when you take control", he teases and you playfully smack his chest.

"So you intend to dance with random girls in clubs?", you ask and Juyeon smirks,

"No, but I intend to be not such a good boy for you".

[st0nesnglitter]

Spoil you

James and Sirius spoils you and Remus

Poly relationship :)

Couple of mentions of sex n sexy stuff :)

—————

”Come ooon, pretty please” Sirius whined and gave you, literal, puppy-eyes.

Remus sighed and shook his head again. James and Sirius had been begging the two of you for the last ten minutes to spoil you. They thought that your academic skills, along with some others, deserved a treat and didn’t expect this much resistance.

”Just wanna treat you right” James muttered against Remus’ shoulder and Remus shot him a grin.

”Thought you treated me very right last night” he teased and James rolled his eyes.

”Can you two just let some very handsome gentlemen buy some things?” Sirius moaned and threw his arms up desperately ”let us be selfish”.

You scoffed and Remus’ thick brows knitted together.

”How is it selfish to buy us stuff?” He asked and Sirius lips formed an evil smirk.

”Cause we can buy any outfit we want and out of courtersy you’ll have to wear it” he placed a kiss against Remus blushy cheeks as he stood up and walked over to the phone.

”I will call and make a reservation at your favorite restaurant tonight, and then Jamesie and I will treat you for an outfit of your choice and an outfit of our choice” Sirius said matter of factly before leaving to book a table. You sighed and turned to James.

”I am not happy about this” you muttered and crossed your arms.

”I’ll make it up to you, don’t you worry sweetheart” James said with a carefree smile as he walked out to Sirius.

”I don’t like them” Remus pouted and you nodded in agreement.

After an hour of getting ready, and some convincing, you were strolling down the streets of muggle London. Since people still weren’t used to seeing four people in a relation like yours you had split up to look like two couples. Sirius had tried to argue that it didn’t mean shit what other people thought and that you should walk around, but Remus specifically did not like the stares and Sirius did not push him on that.

So you walked with James hand in yours with Sirius and Remus behind you. As you walked by a store with fancy suits Remus stopped as he looked at a deep red pinstriped suit.

”You like that one Remmy?” Sirius asked with a smile ”lets go in for a fitting” he nudged Remus to the entrance.

You and James sat down on the seemingly expensive, velvet couch as Remus stood awkwardly by the changing boot waiting for the employee and Sirius to return with the suit in the right size. The suit was gorgeous and you couldn’t wait to see Remus is something a little more dressed up than his sweaters, even though you loved them. When he walked out James sucked in a breath and Sirius chuckled.

”Holy shit Moony, you look like a million bucks” a wink was sent toward James before Sirius attention was brought back to Remus. He stepped in front of the mirror and admired the clothing that adorned him.

”It’s really nice...” Remus trailed off and you sensed that he would turn the sentence into something more negative ”but also really expensive” he looked over at James with guilty eyes.

”’S fine Rem, every dime is worth it see you look that dashing”.

The employee made a few adjustments in the waist and over the shoulders and then Sirius walked up and payed.

”Thank you Si” Remus mumbled with a shy smile and a blush over his cheeks.

”You look so incredibly adorable right now” Sirius smiled and smeared a kiss against his cheek.

James nudged you with his hips as you started walking around again.

”Your turn darling, what do you want?”

”Maybe that dress you’ve been eyeing” Sirius chipped in ”the black one, with embroidery”.

You bit your lip at the temptation, but still wanted to hold your ground about not letting them get you stuff. Remus ears perked at the mentioning of the dress.

”I, uh, wouldn’t mind seeing you in that dress” he said and James chuckled.

”See, do it for Rem”.

Your head came down in a nod and James face lit up.

”Atta girl”.

As you inspected the reflection of you in the dress you felt slighlty nervous to walk out to show the boys. Once they saw you in it you’d have a hard time to say no, since Remus had switched side last minute.

”C’mon puppy, wanna see you” Sirius called and you pulled the curtain to the side and stepped out.

Three fully grown men looked at you with wide eyes, looking like Remus did his first time in Honeyduke’s and he saw the displays of chocolate. You felt shy under their gazes and looked down at the skirt of the dress.

”I do like it” you said under your breath and James stood up and walked over to the register to pay. You walked out a little giddier than you’d like to admit with the bag in your hand.

”And to think that we needed to convince you to do this” Sirius said cockily behind you but you just ignored him.

James looked down on his watch to make sure that you still had time for him and Sirius picking out what they’d like for you to wear and get back to the apartment to change. His mind was still used to make timeplans from his Captain days and headboy duties.

The next person to stop by the entrance of a store was Sirius. His eyes lit up at the mannequins outfits and walked right in. You looked back and sighed.

”Oh no”.

Everywhere you looked there was heaps of lace, satin and even some latex, some pieces not being more than what looked like a single thread. Sirius walked around nonchalantly and flipped some of the garments, not quite finding a favorite.

”Prongs help me out will ya? What do you think about her in a maid dress?” He asked, as casual as if he talked about the weather.

”What about Remmy in a maid dress” James whispered and Sirius shivered at the thought.

”You have a very powerful mind Potter, ask if they have it in his size”.

James dashed away to talk to the girl behind the counter whilst Sirius kept browsing. His eyes landed on a lacy bodysuit and he couldn’t tear his eyes away.

”Remus, darling, what do you think of this?” He asked as he picked it off the rack.

”It’s very nice” Remus said with more confidence than you would’ve imagined and you tried to look over his shoulder to see what they wanted to put you in.

The bodysuit had an intricate pattern of flowers and you saw how the cups were made for accentuate the chest. It was almost corset-like and you knew that the boys would either keep you in it forever or rip it off of you the second you put it on. Sirius gave the black one he was holding to Remus and picked up a lavender one, then a red. The boys favorite colors on lingerie.

”Well I think it is decided” Sirius annonunced as he saw the color leave Remus’ face as he saw the lavender one ”we will be getting these”.

”No Sirius, wait, you said one outfit of your choice not three!” You exclaimed.

”Well you are in a relationship with three people so I think it’s only fair that we all get our favorite color, don’t you think?”

You huffed and Sirius walked to James to pay for the four garments whilst you and Remus waited.

It was about to be a long night..

[junosartsthetic]

Nostalgia.

Fandom: Attack on Titan

Pairing: ModernAu!Erwin Smith x female!reader

Word Count: 1876

Warning(s): Mentions of virginity loss, mild language

(Taken from my Quotev)

--

Photos scattered across the wood floor. The fan spun lazily in the spring air. Through the window, a breeze fluttered in. A cardboard box sat in the center of the photo collection, on it written ‘ERWIN’ in large scrawl. 

Hands delicately flipped through the photos, brushing at the figures within them. You remembered these moments fondly. 

A certain camera strip caught your eye, and you grasped at it from its location in the corner of the box. 

The edges were worn. ‘XOXO’ was written at the bottom of the four images.

You glanced at the large stone building in front of you, unsurprised at his choice of a first-date location. Though he was barely 18, Erwin acted so mature and refined. The local history museum fit his character perfectly. 

You glanced about, searching for the tall blond. Spotting the familiar gelled hair, you strolled over to where he was reading a paper on a stone bench. 

He looked up and his face glowed a faint red at the sight of you.

You wore a yellow sun dress with a jean jacket, though the weather was warm. The highlighter dusted on your cheeks shone in the midday sun, and he took a breath. 

“You ready to go in?” you prompted, giggling at his frozen posture. 

He regained movement, standing up and holding out an arm for you to take. “I’ve been here a lot, so I can give you a tour. Just let me know if it gets boring.”

You nudged him with your shoulder. “Oh, nothing you could say would bore me, Erwin. You’re too fascinating of a person.”

He cleared his throat, cheeks glistening pink. Rather than responding, he gave a swift nod, smiling gently. “Shall we, then?”

You winked. “Lead the way.”

He guided you inside, stopping at every exhibit to describe it to you. Each sentence enraptured you. The way he spoke so passionately, so confidently, like he was on a podium delivering a battle plan and not with you discussing an old plane engine. 

His eyes lit up when he talked. His hair became breeze-blown by the air conditioning. 

A bashful smile graced your lips the longer you two wandered. You held onto his arm like you’d known him forever, as though you two were soulmates.

When you spotted a photo booth near the gift shop, you knew you had to capture this moment. You had a feeling this first date was going places, and you knew you had to look back on it when it did. 

For the first photo, you two smiled awkwardly, sitting on opposite edges of the photo booth. By the third, you two had migrated and were laughing together, you grabbing onto his arm.

When the notification flashed for the fourth one, you glanced to your side, noticing his gleeful expression. His eyes were shut, his mouth open in a laugh at something you’d said. 

Quickly, you placed a light kiss on his cheek and the camera flashed.

His cheeks were red and his eyes were halfway open, shock just beginning to appear on his face. You were turned to the side and the lip gloss you wore could be seen glistening on his cheek as you started to pull away. 

You let out a lighthearted sigh. You remember how bashful the two of you got afterwards.

You set the picture aside, glancing back into the box. 

An old polaroid caught your eye, and you pulled it out, examining it. It was a rather blurry and too bright picture of a homemade cake. A giant red ‘X’ ran across the word ‘virgin’ and behind the cake sat the pair of you. Your arms were across your face in embarrassment and Erwin was in the middle of laughing, a bright red blush on his cheeks as he pointed to Hanji, who had just set the cake down on the table. 

“What are you all even doing here?” you asked, arms still firmly covering your face. You were wrapped in only a robe, your hair a wild mess. Erwin only had his boxers on.

One moment, you two were asleep in his bed, exhausted from….. Not important. The next moment, arms were pulling you out of bed as Hanji shoved a cake in front of your faces.

“Congratulations, you nerds!” she said, a large grin on her face. Behind her lurked your other friends, all mildly amused. “You’re no longer virgins! How does it feel losing your virginity in your twenties? Is it embarrassing? On a scale of one to ten, how would you rate your pain?”

As Hanji continued to ramble, Mike grabbed each of your arms and sat you two at the kitchen table, the cake now in front of you. 

The cameraman was Levi, his usually stoic expression replaced with a slight smirk. Your arms raced to cover your face as Erwin laughed.

The camera flashed. 

You laughed at the memory.

Returning to your reminiscing, you gazed into the box once more. This time, a rectangular photo drew your attention. You reached out, grasping it gently.

Your eyes began to swell with tears as you looked at the photo.

You had your arms around Erwin’s neck, you two locked in a kiss. A bus waited behind the two of you. Erwin donned an Army uniform, a bag at his feet. 

You sniffled as you grabbed onto Erwin’s arm, the bus pulling up. You knew his dream was to become a great military leader, but you didn’t want him to leave. 

You knew his friends were accompanying him, but you didn’t care. 

When the bus finally came to a stop, you looked into Erwin’s eyes. He gave you a soft smile as though to say ‘everything will be okay.’

You threw your arms around his neck, kissing him one last time before he left for an entire year.

The camera flashed. 

Wiping a stray tear from your face, you set the photo aside, continuing to rummage. 

The photo which gave you pause was a Polaroid. There was a hospital bed and two figures. The first lay in bed while the other hugged them.

As soon as you pulled into the hospital, you ran out, racing towards the entrance. A familiar face gave you pause. 

At seeing Levi, you sprinted towards him, pulling him in for a hug.

He gave a light squeeze back before gesturing for you to follow. 

Upon entering the desired room, you spotted him. Erwin was currently asleep, his normally pristine form now messy, his hair swept about. Bruises littered his body. You spotted scars that weren’t there before.

Most heart wrenching of all was one of his arms. Where it once was, a bandaged stump remained. 

“A grenade,” Levi said. “I tried to—”

You looked behind you, giving him a sad smile. “Levi, this is not your fault.”

You stepped slowly towards the bed, moving to his good side. 

Reaching a hand out, you cupped his face, tears splashing onto the hospital bed as you sobbed. “Sweetheart,” you prompted, rubbing your thumb across his cheek. “Can you hear me? You were hurt badly, baby. I’m worried about you. Can you open your eyes so I know… you’re okay?”

Slowly, two piercing blue eyes fluttered open, and you let out a cry of relief, clutching at his hospital gown. 

A large calloused hand rested on your back, rubbing soothing circles. “It’s okay, darling. I’m here. I’m okay.”

Erwin glanced towards Levi, who held a camera. Levi had an almost unnoticeable smile on his lips. 

The camera flashed.

You blinked away your tears, moving to the next photograph which interested you.

A vibrant and large photo was pulled from the box. A man and woman were kissing. People along the edges of the photo cheered.

You tried your best to keep your eyes tear free as Erwin recited his vows. He’d written them on a piece of bright pink paper. He said it represented how he felt around you. 

Hanji, who managed to snag a license just to officiate your wedding, stood between the two of you.

After Erwin finished, Hanji spoke up. “Without further ado, you may kiss the bride.”

With that, Erwin swooped you towards him, still dipping you excellently despite his missing appendage, and kissed you so hard you had to wrap your arms around his neck to keep your legs from giving out from under you.

The cheers of your friends echoed in your ears. A vintage love song played over the speakers. The breeze lilted through the outside venue, cherry blossoms scattering about. 

The camera flashed. 

You let out a dreamy sigh. That was only two years ago and now you two were living in a nice suburban house together. 

The grandfather clock in your living room sounded.

You snapped out of your daydreams. You knew he’d be home any minute now, so you quickly gathered up the photos, placing them back in the box before setting it back in the basement. 

You jogged up the stairs, hearing a doorbell ring.

You opened the door to find all of your closest friends and beckoned them inside. 

“So what’s up?” Hanji asked, taking a seat on the blue sofa. “You sounded urgent over the phone. Something wrong?”

You shook your head. “No, there’s just… I feel like I need to tell everyone I love at the same time, not just Erwin.”

Levi quirked an eyebrow. “What, you getting a divorce?”

Mike nudged Levi, who shrugged. “Just asking.”

Hanji let out a laugh. “Even if they did, she’d never fall back to you so don’t get your hopes up!”

Levi’s pale face gained a red color at that. “That’s not what I was implying, you shitty-shit.”

Hanji went to respond, but the door opening stopped her. 

Erwin looked shocked at seeing his wife and closest friends gathering in his living room.

“Uhh, darling, what’s going on? Did I miss a holiday?”

You laughed, strolling over to kiss his cheek and take off his coat. “No, just sit down please. Someone get a camera ready.”

Hanji pulled out her phone, as did Mike and Levi. Once all of them found a seat, you cleared your throat, still standing. “Okay, now, Erwin, sweetheart, don’t panic.”

He threw you a concerned look, eyebrows furrowed. “Panic?”

You took a deep breath, intertwining your hands before placing them on your stomach. You gazed about the silent room. “Okay, here goes…” You formed the biggest smile you could. “I’m pregnant!”

Hanji shrieked in excitement. Mike flashed a look of extreme concern. Levi clicked his tongue. Erwin remained silent, a hand running through his hair.

You looked at your husband, eyes searching for any emotion.

He made eye contact with you, and you soon realized he was crying.

“Sweetheart, are you—”

Your words were cut off when he stood up before gently kneeling in front of you. He placed his hand on your stomach, looking up at you. He looked so infatuated. So in love with you. “I’m going to be a father?”

You sniffled, nodding. “Yes. You’re going to be a father.”

He leaned his forehead against your stomach, his hand still resting there. Tears fell down his face. “I’m going to be a father…”

The camera flashed.

[managedmischiefs]

sweatpants//spencer reid

genre: fluff

warnings: nothing really. sad spencer for about two seconds.

word count: 2.7k

i have plenty more one shots on my wattpad so let me know if any of you want to see more of this type of writing :) make sure to reblog and comment :))

i fell in love with spencer reid the moment i met him. i fell in love with absolutely everything about him. his smile lit up the little bookstore as his glasses drifted further and further down his nose, and his hair hung over his forehead in messy, unbrushed curls. from the first time we locked eyes after he got a book down from the top shelf for me, i envisioned our whole future together.

we saw each other casually after our first meeting despite how badly i wanted more. we quickly realized that we frequented the little bookstore at the same time on saturdays and we just began to "accidentally" run into each other over and over at the same exact day and time. of course, i made sure to be there every saturday for the next three months just for the chance of seeing him.

i finally got the balls to ask him out after the fifth month of these meetups. he seems surprised and he blushed, then tugged on his tie to loosen it around his neck. he accepted quickly and we went bowling the next week. we were both horrible and eventually asked to put the bumpers up because the amount of gutter balls we were throwing were astronomical. but that "first" date was the first time i noticed something very important about spencer reid.

he wears a variation of the same outfit every single day, no matter what he's doing.

sweater vests, button ups, slacks, ties, and converse. sometimes a cardigan. these items get mixed and matched everyday and sometimes don't match, but the chaos of his outfit colors just suits him. and it suits his penchant for wearing mismatched socks. but i continued to realize more and more about his wardrobe as we spent more time together.

if we went out: slacks, button up, tie, converse.

if we had dinner at his apartment: slacks, button up, sweater vest, tie, converse.

if we cuddle on the couch: pajamas.

there's no in-between with him and it took me a while to decide if i loved this or thought it was odd. i landed somewhere in the middle. he would sometimes start to squirm in the middle of dinner and go to change into pajamas to be more comfortable.

i never commented on this because i knew he liked the way he dressed and i didn't want him to think i hated it. he's already an insecure person, despite me loving him with my whole heart and soul, and i'd feel so horrible if i added onto that. so i would sit through the squirming and the tie-tugging and the quick unlacing of shoes after a long day of converse wearing. i grinned and gave him lots of kisses because i love him regardless of his fashion choices. or lack there of.

but spencer continues to grow and thankfully, i grow with him. i start a new job and spencer continues to thrive at the bau. i move into his apartment and he decides that this is the perfect time for a change. a new haircut. super short on the sides and long on the top. i nearly keeled when i saw how utterly handsome he was with his new haircut. i jumped his bones immediately.

but the sweater vests and same brown cardigan didn't quite hit the spot anymore. i would find spencer standing in front of the mirror before work, silently wondering if the black or brown cardigan would look better with his gray sweater vest. still, it was endearing but eventually it becomes too much.

i pass a department store everyday on my way home from work and it started to pique my interest. one day when i got off work early and knew spencer wouldn't be home, i stopped off. the store was huge and had a humongous selection of styles and brands to choose from. i knew i had to bring spencer.

when i told him i wanted to take him shopping, he tilted his head in confusion like an adorable puppy. "what do you need? new sweaters? it is almost winter and i know you got rid of most of your winter clothes when the summer came. did you—"

"no, honey," i laughed, silencing his confused, off-topic rant. "i'm taking you shopping. for you."

another head tilt. "for me? i don't need anything."

"i know you don't need anything," i clarified, running my hands through his freshly cut hair, "but i want to treat you. and besides, i think you've outgrown some of your wardrobe and it's time to get some new items."

so that leaves us now, walking hand in hand into the department store. he's holding me tighter than usual as i lead him to the men's section, but i don't complain. i know he gets nervous in public places and i have no problem with a bit of coddling.

"so, i was thinking," i say as i flip through a rack of undershirts, "you could get some new dress pants. maybe a pair of jeans. maybe some blazers or just suit jackets. that way your style can grow but you can also wear your trusty button ups and ties underneath."

spencer pouts. "i like it better when we shop for you."

i stifle a laugh as i find an appealing gray blazer and search for spencer's size. "and why's that, bub?"

"because then you get to pick out cute clothes and i can watch you try them on."

"well, this time, i'll get to watch you try them on," i wink and hand the blazer over to him. "hold that. please and thank you."

spencer huffs and drops my hand so he can hold the hanger of the blazer. i continue walking through the racks and in my peripherals, i can see spencer glancing around the store and at the racks surrounding us. he follows behind me like a lost puppy, the amount of items in his hands growing as i pass every rack.

"how would you feel about," i pick out a set of matching maroon pants and a maroon blazer, "this color?" i told it up to spencer's chest. he looks down at the garment and scrunches up his nose. "no? that's okay. i think navy's suit you better anyway. no pun intended."

"babe?" he wonders softly as i move over to a rack of ties. "why are you doing this?"

"doing what?" i pick up a tie that is blue with pink flamingoes on it and drape it over his shoulder.

"taking me shopping. wanting to redo my wardrobe or something."

"well," a new tie on his shoulder- a yellow base with blue whales, "you have had the same wardrobe since i met you, and that was many years ago. you've grown up, spencer. maybe some new clothes could reflect that."

i watch a pout come to his face and his shoulders deflate. "you don't like the way i dress?"

i pout right back at him, trying to not seem so mocking in my expression. "i love the way you dress. but i think it might be time to replace that same brown sweater vest you've had since college. that's what i'm talking about. we don't have to do this if you don't want. we can go home."

spencer thinks for a second. he adjusts his hold on the handful of blazers and trousers in his arms and takes another glance at them. "i'll give these a try."

the pride swells in my chest and nearly bursts out. it's no secret that spencer hates change. he would rather his life stays exactly the same all the time. meals, furniture arrangement, train schedule, his wardrobe. clearly, he would rather wear the same clothes for the rest of his life than branch out a bit. so him agreeing to do just that nearly makes me cry right in the middle of the department store.

we push on and spencer continues to trail behind me and hold the clothes i pick. once his knees are practically buckling under the weight of the chosen clothes, i agree to let him start part two. the fitting room.

he disappears into a room and i sit across from the door in a fluffy armchair that probably has more germs on it than a public bathroom. okay, maybe that's just dramatic. but it has enough germs that i'm sure spencer would refuse to sit here, or maybe even get grossed out that i'm sitting on it.

"uh," i hear my boyfriends voice from behind the door, "i think i did it."

i hold in my giggle. "you think?"

"i mean, i put together an outfit. don't know if it's any good. it's definitely not as good as the things you put together."

"just let me see."

the door pops open and my jaw nearly hits the floor. my spencer is standing there in navy slacks, a navy blazer, a vest, button up, and a tie. he looks exactly like i expected him too. my same loving, quiet, genius boyfriend but much older and mature. he looks phenomenal.

but spencer scrunches up his nose and turns on his toes to look in the full length mirror. "i feel like all of this is too busy. there's too much happening."

"no, baby, not at all," i come up behind him and slide my hands across his back and then around his waist. "it's such a good look on you. it's spencer reid but as an adult."

he furrows his eyebrows and looks at me through the mirror. "are you implying i dressed like a child before?"

"no, no, not at all," i nudge his waist and he spins back to me. "it's a perfect outfit. you put it together perfectly. the colors, the different pieces."

spencer's face lights up as he watches me adjust the lapel of his jacket. "really?"

"yes!" i smooth down the shoulders and then tug on the cuff links. "it's perfectly your style. you don't think so?"

"mm," he looks back down at his own body and shakes out his arms a little. "i guess it is. it's just...different."

"it is different but it's a good different. you're still the same old genius who could go on for hours about mushrooms or doctor who or whatever. so you," i pat his shoulder and go up on my toes to kiss his cheek, "get into a new outfit and show me again, okay?"

spencer agrees and closes the fitting room door. we stay at the store for nearly two hours, picking out and trying on potential outfits. spencer even starts picking items on his own, but he comes to me in the cutest way to ask if i like the things he's picked out. i always do. and even if it's not my favorite piece, he obviously likes it so i tell him i love it.

we spend hundreds and split the bill. i insisted i pay because i was the one who brought him here, but he insisted he pay because the clothes are for him. we found a happy medium.

i don't know what i thought was going to happen after we basically replaced his wardrobe. apparently, i didn't think about what the next work day would be like. because i wake up before spencer and go to make breakfast and only listen to him shower and get dressed.

"good morning!" spencer chirps, practically skipping into the kitchen.

"morning!" i say back, putting pancakes on a plate for him. "here's your—" and i absolutely freeze in my spot at the sight of him in a dark tan jacket and slacks, a purple button up, and a matching gray tie. his hair is perfectly swooped across his forehead and he's grinning, practically glowing in his new outfit. "holy shit."

"you like it?" he holds up his arms a bit as if to gesture to his appearance.

i just stand and stare at him for another minute, clutching the plate in my hand so tightly that i fear i might break it. but spencer chuckles, taking it from me and placing it in front of the chair he always has breakfast in.

"i might not let you out of the house looking this good," i finally manage to say. "you'll come home with a new girl on your arm and forget all about me."

spencer pouts. "i'd never do that to you."

i grab onto his cheeks and lay a huge kiss on his lips. "i know you wouldn't. you look amazing, spence. even better than yesterday."

spencer comes home that night and beams about the compliments he got from his coworkers today and thanks me for encouraging him to expand his wardrobe. i don't accept his thanks because i'm just happy to see him feeling more confident in himself than ever.

however, my job is not done yet.

as much as he loves his new clothes, i give him a few weeks to adjust to his new normal. i let him get used to needing a few extra minutes in the morning to arrange an outfit and to the washing process before i spring something new on him. but once i can tell he's completely comfortable with his new wardrobe, i stop at the department store after work again.

"spence?" i call into the apartment as i kick my shoes off, clutching the paper bag in my hand.

"hi!" he calls back, emerging from the study with a book in his hand. "you're late."

i hold up the bag for proof. "i stopped at the store again." spencer follows me into the bedroom and sits on the edge of the bed in anticipation. "well, first, i saw a couple more ties that i liked," i take those out of the bag and throw them over his shoulder. "but i got these!"

i pull out three perfectly folded pairs of sweatpants and four plain colored tee shirts. spencer unravels each item and then looks up with his eyebrows furrowed. "i don't get it."

"okay," i giggle, placing my hands on his shoulders, "when i go to work, i wear my skirts and blouses and heels, right?"

like the puppy he is, he tilts his head to the side in confusion. "right."

"and when i got to sleep, i wear pajamas. but between the blouse and the pajamas, i wear sweats. you, my love," i boop his nose and instantly, an adorable pink hue paints his cheeks, "don't own sweats. you go from suits to pajamas. and again, i'm not saying that i don't love the way you dress. i'm just looking out for your comfort. if you hate them, i'll return them. simple as that."

he runs his hands over the tee shirts and runs it between his fingers. "they are really soft."

"i got the ones that are 100% cotton because i know you like how it feels."

"i'll try it," he concedes, smiling up at me. "thank you. you're too good to me."

"you deserve the world, angel face."

the next day, he gets called away for a case and i don't see him for almost two weeks. we call and text as much as possible, but we both get so busy that it's nearly impossible. so i stick to sending him good morning and goodnight texts and praying that he comes home in one piece.

after nearly two and a half weeks without him, i come home and see his car in the parking garage where it always is. i squeal, running all the way to the apartment and bursting through the door.

spencer is lounging on the couch, thankfully in one piece, and reading a book, dressed in gray sweatpants and a white tee shirt. he looks up and grins when i enter, standing up and pulling me into his arms.

"i can't believe you're sitting here," i mumble into his neck, "and looking so good when i'm not around."

spencer laughs into my shoulder, kissing my small bit of exposed skin. "well, you're here now so you can enjoy it."

"you look so fucking hot," i blurt out, grabbing a handful of his cotton shirt and tugging him towards the bedroom. "let me show you just how hot i think you are."

"god, i love this new wardrobe."

[mardereads19]

Elriel Month 🌸🦇

Day 20:

Continuation of Day 10: The Distance Between Us.

Azriel did not know what he had expected to encounter at Rhysand’s summoning, but it was not the request to train Elain to become a spy. It was not anything regarding Elain, at all.

She had just left the room, but in that moment when their eyes had met as she passed him...

She had been so close. So close to him and yet so far away.

It didn’t matter because she was off-limits.

Azriel focused on the male who had made her off-limits.

Rhysand nudged his chin towards the chair Azriel had left vacated. “Sit, Azriel.” The easy smiles and laughs he had shared with Elain had disappeared. Rhys’s face now was serious and severe.

Azriel sat down —accommodating his wings through the slits in the chair— only because he knew the conversation ahead would be heavy.

Rhysand looked down at his desk, eyes skimming over the objects there as he thought. “She startled me,” he began. Azriel frowned. “Elain. I was here in the office once, in complete silence, wondering how to best keep the dread trove locked, when Elain spoke to me from behind.” Rhys chuckled and glanced at Azriel. “How did I not see her come in? How did I not hear her steps?”

“You were distracted,” Azriel supplied.

“No.” Rhys shook his head, his eyes shining with awe. “I was calculating, yes, but my training is never lost on me. I’m always alert. Especially now that I have a son to protect.” From his enemies. Azriel saw that spark of threat in his brother’s eyes towards anyone who dared get close enough to Nyx or Feyre. “I should have heard her come into the office. I should have seen her.”

Azriel could imagine the moment in his head. Could picture Elain —misunderstood and overlooked Elain Archeron— making her way over to Rhysand on stealthy feet. Rhys being startled by her voice at his back.

And it made sense, Azriel supposed, that she’d be the one to surprise people. The sister who is never watched out for, as Rhys had so correctly put it.

Azriel almost smiled.

“That made you consider her a good spy?”

Rhys nodded. “Think about it. Wouldn’t it make sense? Elain, as a part of our Court and the High Lady’s sister, is expected to be in every gathering or Court Business reunion. She is just never considered as a threat or taken any seriously.” Azriel grinded his teeth at that last statement. “She’s overlooked and that makes for a good spy.”

Azriel blinked in his impassive expression. He didn’t like the idea. Yes, Elain had the potential to be a spy, but that did not mean she should be. Being part of the Court alone already meant her life was always in danger. She could be used as a bargaining ship —like how she would have been used if Feyre and him had not rescued her from Hybern— or killed as retribution towards Rhysand and Feyre.

To add to all of that by actually carrying out missions that placed even more danger on her life?

Azriel did not like it.

“What did Feyre had to say about it?”

Rhys, who had been looking over Azriel’s shoulders, scratched at his temple.

“She didn’t know about it.” Azriel turned in his chair to find Feyre standing at the doorway, most likely winnowed there, since his shadows had not warned him.

She scanned Rhys. “Where is Nyx?”

“With your sister, Feyre Darling,” he answered.

Her brows where furrowed as she walked towards the chair Elain had used before. Feyre was dressed in a simple black dress with short sleeves that showed off her tattoos. Her eyes looked tired —no doubt thanks to Nyx. She nodded her head at Azriel in silent greeting before slumping down on the chair. She glared at Rhys, who smiled crookedly at her. “When were you planning to tell me?” She did not mean about Nyx.

Rhysand shrugged, but Azriel saw worry in his gaze. He had been treading on thin ice with Feyre for keeping secret how her birth was high risk. The last thing Rhys needed was her thinking he did not trust her to take on difficult news or hard choices. “I was going to tell you today.”

“Before or after you told Elain you wanted her to be a spy?”

“I—”

Feyre raised her hand, stopping Rhys. His face drained a little of color as Feyre guessed, “You told her already, didn’t you?”

Rhys closed his eyes and exhaled through his nose. “Feyre, I’m sorry, I did not think it was—“

“Azriel, would you mind explaining to me?” Feyre focused those seething eyes on him, and Azriel almost shifted under her gaze. He looked to Rhys, who guiltily gave a nod. Azriel relaid the information.

Feyre nodded, but the movement was slow. Azriel’s shadows whispered, Danger.

He wondered if he should leave the office and let Rhys and Feyre debate with themselves.

Don’t you dare, Rhysand whispered in his mind. I’m not finished with you.

I could wait outside, Azriel replied.

No, I’m afraid for my life right now.

Azriel reined in his laugh.

Rhys did not act scared, though. He leaned his elbows on his desk and winked at Feyre. “I presented Elain with the idea, but she could reject it and I told her as much.”

“She is my sister, Rhys. Don’t you think I should learn this things before you tell the whole world?”

“I only told Elain and Azriel, My Love. In the end, the choice is hers. The opportunity is hers. I was only offering her a position.”

Azriel kept quiet throughout their back and forth that extended a few minutes, quietly hoping Feyre would order Rhysand to pull back the offer. But a selfish part of him wanted it to happen. He wanted to train Elain. Any excuse to see her, touch her. To have her eyes focus on him. To impress her.

This was a bad idea.

When Feyre stood up, Rhysand made a comment full of sexual innuendo, but she did not smile. Feyre just looked at Rhys and announced, “I’m going to be at my art studio,” and left the room.

Rhysand’s smile dropped and his shoulders sagged. Azriel said nothing.

“Everything I do seems to be the wrong thing.” There was confusion and sorrow in his eyes. “I don’t even do them on purpose, either. I’m just simply wrong.”

Azriel considered. “Just consult with her everything you plan. Tell her everything you learn.”

Rhysand dipped his chin. “I guess I’m still getting used to that.”

It had been five centuries of keeping plans to himself. Of sacrificing himself in silence. Of consulting knowledge only between his heart and mind. It would take time, but he had to put his effort in.

His High Lord shook his head before looking back at Azriel. His face all business once more. “Will you train Elain without an issue?” he asked. “Can I trust you to keep it in your pants? To keep things professional with Elain?”

Azriel felt anger rise in him like a tidal wave, but he held it back. Forced himself to nod calmly, if only showing his fury a little on his hazel eyes.

Rhysand studied his face for a moment before dipping his chin again. “Let’s talk schedule, then.”

Azriel listened and suggested and planned. But all the while he kept reminding himself this was a bad idea. The worst.

This was a match waiting to be lit. A ship fighting the storm waves. A butterfly flying in the rain. All it would take was one drop to bring it down. To bring him down.

Danger, his shadows repeated.

He agreed.

For this to work, he had to kill every feeling he’d ever felt for Elain. He had to let all his impulses die.

And hope she knew it was for the best.