#not only white manly but exceptionally so you say

[nomilkinmyteaplease]

According to a review of Wedding Band, "David Walmsley completed the main cast as Herman. Commanding and sturdy, he’s exceptionally white-manly in his bravado."

🤡

[kaetastic]

Adapting

pairing: Agent Whiskey x F!Agent!Reader

summary: After a mission gone awry, Agent Whiskey and Agent Brandy had no choice but to find refuge at an isolated lodging. It seemed only one of the pair seemed open to the idea of adjusting to the change of plans.

word count: 3k+

warning: nothing spicy, just fluff, angst, mention of death, mention of violence, discreet mention of sexual intercourse oop

note: when i was making this, i based this whole thing around cottagecore aesthetic, however, i want to say that there had been some things in said-community where it’s not right. so, i will not associate cottagecore with this. i honestly just wanted to write this very descriptively, then, i was unforunately hit by w****r’s b***k :( i’m sorry i haven’t been writing much, or i haven’t been that active on this platform :(( x

The creaking of decaying wooden hinges shrieked into the light air. It scraped along the canal of ears, leaving back permanent damage. The rusted flakes that coated the hinge looked like a shy amount of shredded slice of chocolate, the thin line would melt into one’s tongue within seconds. Although, the taste wouldn’t be as delightful as the sweet delicacy. The noise of soft rustling from the leaves from birds who have finally arrived back to their home from their exhausting journey danced with the orchestra of petite lambs. Their gentle ‘baa’s lingered longer in the air, the conversation extended in the warm afternoon sky. Well, it could’ve been assumed it was an argument for it went on and on. The weaving of grass padded by their fluffy feet stomped a song of approaching closing to the day.

The scent of freshly plucked out grass (consumed by the wandering animals) lingered in the air, a refreshing smell- almost comforting. There wasn’t much controlling of the weeds and the greeneries for the only two humans who had occupied the lodging had no experience with said- mowing. Whiskey had been nudged at an attempt; however, with scissors, it would’ve taken hours... or years. So, that task was left behind to be the factor for the spurting growth of grass. Even though the memory of Whiskey suggesting the idea of using his lasso to possibly cut the grass still remained in the jar, it wasn’t brought up much. Disasters then lead to a small branching river of fires, nothing the two agents couldn’t stop by scurrying with horrid-to-the-eyes stitched blankets in their arms.

The blanket of wearing-off white paint peeled away from the wooden fence, creating waves of thickness. There were random bulges and bumps, an inconvenience- more like an uncomfortable blotch of area to graze one’s fingers over. Y/N let out an exhausted huff, arms aching from the hefty wicker basket that hung in her arms. It was her underestimating the fresh fruit from the ground that caused the heavyweight of possibly two dozen ripe strawberries to only bring one basket. If she had not thought less of the weight, she would’ve either brought another basket or have dragged her other accompany. Although, he was quite occupied with his own set of chores. All the ones he had proudly chosen. Y/N couldn’t help but be amused at the thought of Whiskey leading the cattle. It would be an entertaining sight. One she had been blessed to graze her eyes upon once. 

While making her way towards the petite cottage that contrasted warm tones to the walls of glowing trees, she couldn’t help but let out an exasperated sigh. It had been roughly a week and a half since they had found shelter in the lodging. Rough weeks for the two, although, rougher for the woman since she had been the one to have to put up with the other. Hours of Whiskey had somehow made her want to regurgitate whatever she had consumed at the thought of him and the drink. 

Even though the mission was going great, the inches at the ending had not been so great. There was joy at the realization that it was going smoothly before it churned into moments of disaster. Chaos. That was the reason for their staying at the cottage. Somehow- as if it was written in prophecy, a perfectly maintained house had resided in layers of forest trees, bedded by greens and towering weeds. The only reason they even stayed there was to stay off-radar from those who were chasing the pair. They stalked nearby. 

Stranded with no way of communicating the agency as there would be a chance those they were running away from would be able to pick up the signal, there was not much they could work with. It only made sense if the two agents had stood in front of the wallpaper, blended within barks. An idea that neither of the two liked. Something they had in common, other than the fact that they were both agents at the Statesman. Whiskey had been rambling on and on about having no way of communicating with Champagne or anyone at the agency. Y/N just wished he would zip his lips up or else she would have the dig through the stacks of books on the Leaning Tower of Pisa’s bookshelf.

The man had tried every possible method of initiating communication. Although the reason he told Y/N was to inform them of the intel they had received, she knew otherwise. Whiskey wanted to do nothing but flee away from the pesky bugs that crawled up his walls. Within a week and a half at the cottage, he had at least complained five times a day about the littlest things. It all piled up to his objection to staying at the ‘abandoned’ cottage, so he says. In parentheses because there was no owner- no one who roamed the property, not even a sole photo frame. However, it was peculiar since there had been animals who did not look slightly malnourished. There had been water in their pots, their grass had been at a perfect height as if gingerly trimmed and looked after, and there were no quivering traps spun by spiders. Almost as if the house was cared for, loved.

With every feathery graze of her foot against the odd shapes of the stone steps that seemed as if it had been watered down by rough bites of water, she made a step closer towards the cosy house. It was indeed comforting, almost too comforting. The wallpapers were warm yellow, brown stripes splayed in random measurements to create a soft pattern to the eyes, and the floor let out gentle cries that played a lullaby if one choreographed the notes.

Despite Whiskey facing the truth and embracing the fact that the house wrapped his chest in a fuzzy feeling that he had never felt before, the words had not clawed out of his throat. He refused to say so even though he had accepted the feeling that he would not usually feel in the puzzles of skyrocketing towers. 

Digging into the soil-packed ground were heavy slabs of stone which were placed as if thrown. The steps were bubbly shapes, set apart from each other quite spaciously. An extended skip hop with a rise of land between each level. The front of the house had already been a sight, the appetizer to what rested inside the walls. Shrubs ruled over the small land, vibrant flowers peeking out of the twigs while packs of rocks splayed over the ground.

A squeaking plea from the door trickled into the tranquil air. Even though the animals that were in the fences within the properties boundaries, a slight smear of noise only made way into the house. Muffled ‘baa’s from the lambs was replied with guttural ‘moo’s from the cows. It was boisterous outside the house, now it’s just a forgotten radio player that caused chaos for people who are in search of the sound. The hallway welcomed a new path to her right, the petite kitchen that she had somehow made possibly to cook meals in. 

Y/N let out a huff as she swung the basket onto the small island in the middle of the kitchen. The aching in her muscles was no different from the time she had her arms chained up in the air. Although, that’s a story for another time. Once she had slipped her way through the small space between the island and the counters, and she had managed to pull out a bowl from the ancient cabinet without having the stack tumbling down upon her, she gingerly went through the fruits individually- with care for any visible faults. That was when the time she was enjoying all by herself eradicated with a blessing of presence by none than the other, Whiskey. Whiskey and his infamous Stetson-Cowboy hat. Just when her head and mindset was in a tranquil and quiet place.

The man let out an exasperated groan, either from his time wasted on scrambling about his horrible time at the cottage or since he had been the one to put at task to chop a bundle of wood. All so they could be warm.

“You know, if you actually helped me, you would be doing much more important work.” Whiskey murmured while his eyebrows quirked towards the victorious strawberries that managed to pass the trial of being without fault. Y/N rolled her eyes at his words. Of course he would jab at the chore she had was assigned to do since it was him who decided to take upon the manly job of chopping up wood. The man had to swing an axe while she hummed a song, caressing strawberries. It was all his fault. Although, every time she confronted him about the truth, he just grunted in frustration before he stormed off. 

“If I left them there, it would’ve been a waste.” 

Whiskey made his way towards the small circle table that resided in the sad corner, the ragged wooden planks he had pierced through had jagged ends, splinters bulging from the surface from his frustration, “It should be enough for two days unless someone demands for more warmth.”

“It was an exceptionally cold night.”

Whiskey hummed, “Sure,” He pushes down the planks to flatten them on the surface before a cranky groan let his lips- most likely from his ageing body. “Goddamn it, these woods.” 

Y/N rolled her eyes at the sight of his hand resting upon his aching back. As she hurled another bright red strawberry onto the cascading pile, she inquired without glancing up, “Did you water the plants?”

“Yea, gave them plenty of water, too.” Her eyes hurled to gaze into his dark ones. His pupils had been painted with slight humour, almost as if he had been amused at what he told her. Y/N did not need any more explanation as she understood what he meant perfectly. She exhaustedly groaned, feeling the weight on her shoulders at taking care of the man as if he was a child. 

“I told you not to drown the pots, you just- I’ve shown you how to do them before.” Y/N hissed out. The thought of the soil being soaked in litres of water had done more than annoy her.

Whiskey hummed, “I must’ve forgotten how to do it.”

The devil crawled onto her shoulder, the corners of its lips curled up at the tainting thoughts it had plagued her with. Anger, frustration, yet, somehow- Y/N did otherwise. She felt her energy balled up from his stubbornness, thrown out of the window, “I’ll teach you again tomorrow, just start the fire, it’s nighttime.”

Heated waves crawled up her arms in shy bites, fearing for what would be inflicted if they had blanketed her whole body in one engulf. Despite the generous percentage of warmth she had embraced all to herself from the dancing flames, she could still feel her toes shiver. The cottage would be warm during the day; however, with cracks in the walls, at night, it was bound to offer the frigid air a place to rest. 

The noise of the fireplace crackling, a sound she had got used to, well, more like forced herself to get used to, trickled along her ears. Y/N would drift off to sleep, her eyes fluttering to shut while the natural music sang her a lullaby. Except, the night did not apply that same ending to the day. No, Y/N could not find an ounce of willingness to melt into the small tattered loveseat even though minutes ago, she had been shaking the whole house with her series of exhausted yawning. It was either from the stuffings of the seat that had been harder than bone, although, Y/N liked to believe that she had got used to the way disobedient stitches would pierce into her back with every shift of her muscle, or the credits for her to wander away from the path of sleep was all handed towards the presence in the living room. The same presence that would find comfort elsewhere- his designated room. 

Whiskey was the one who claimed he wanted the only available room which had no fireplace, unlike the living room, saying he had gone through terrible weather conditions whilst working in missions- something he kept bragging on about, even though Y/N had been on the same list of terrible weather missions about seventy-five percent. “Nothing I can’t handle.” The man would say. That night, Whiskey couldn’t peel his eyes away from the gentle swerving of the flames. His arms were crossed, legs tensed, yet, he could feel himself drift away faster than the time he had spent in his own room. Maybe warmth wasn’t so bad after all. 

“What do you think they’re doing?” Whiskey quirked up, his southern accent smeared along the heated air. It was the first thing he had resounded in the room in hopes of steering him away from the need for sleep. He knew he deserved every fraction of slumbering from the chores he had worked hard for, but he didn’t quiver under the thought of it. 

“Hm?” Y/N grazed her eyes across the room to land on the man who perched himself on an uncomfortable, solid-looking armchair. The main fabric seemed to be a young teal, something Y/N had assumed ever since the day they had arrived at the cottage because no other cloth overlapped or covered said-colour. Other places were patched over with square cloths of floral designs, some atrociously hard to the eyes. 

“Do you think they’re looking for us?”

The woman let out a chuckle before a shiver crawled down her spine, “They just lost one of their best agents, I’m sure they’re doing everything they can,” Y/N spotted the smug smirk growing on Whiskey’s face. Only a second of pride lingered before it flattened back to his pressed lips. “I’m not talking about you.” 

Oh, she knew how to press his buttons. She knew what to say, she knew the perfect speed of the syllables that would fall off her tongue for the best reactions, and the following actions- everything. It had always bothered the man. Sure, they had gone to missions together. And sure, they had been side by side in moments where death stood in front of the door. Yet, the chemistry seemed to only spark up in situations where their adrenaline gets fired up. Y/N managed to bring his hopes up, filling his container by caressing his ego, fuelling up till the brim. Then, within milliseconds, all of it vanishes into the air. Not a speck of dust remained. 

“What makes you think you’re the best agent?” The man finally squeezed out the words. He had been slightly reluctant to the thought of saying it, yet, his tolerance was only so limited. Even though he was holding back the whiplash of his tongue, he couldn’t help it.

“I don’t think it, I know it,” Finding her words amusing as it brushed on a familiar set of egoism from the man, she let out a chuckle, “I’m sure Ginger just says it to butter me up.” Another sentence rested on her lips, ready to be launched into the air when another chilling shiver spiked down her body.

Whiskey quirked his eyebrows in confusion. He pushed himself away from the chair to sit on the edge, “Do you need more blankets? I’ll go grab some more.” 

“All of them are here.” His eyes brushed over the cocoon Y/N had wrapped around her body. It seemed to be a thick mess of heat, possibly suffocating her blood vessels, ready to crack her ribs. Her cheeks reddened. Although, she wasn’t sure if it was from the confession of her using all the possibly blankets offered by the house or the last reminiscent of heat she had to quench upon.

“Well, there’s no point in adding more wood, it’ll just be the same. We’ve already shut every window, you’ll have to bear with it. Unless…” Y/N pulled away from the brim of the blankets where some had poked out to cover her lips, her eyes meeting his in hope. In hope of getting away from the annoying coldness. 

“Unless?”

Whiskey glanced at the fireplace before suggesting the thought while his eyes gazed into hers, “Unless we make use of our body warmth.”

Maybe he should’ve said the words better, he could’ve rephrased the suggestion in a more… approachable setting. Or maybe, it was Y/N’s head that was stuffed in the gut, because his idea had not been comprehended the way he thought of it, “Whoa! I’m not sleeping with you.”

The man could feel his eyes roll at her words, “I’m not saying I wanted to sleep with you, I’m a gentleman- I wouldn’t ask so straightforward.”

“That definitely makes it better.”

Having enough of her opposing to his only possibly good idea, he hovered over her resting body, “Move, I’ll sit at the edge.”

“Such a gentleman.” There weren’t any other suggestions they could take. They had done everything so Y/N wouldn’t feel cold during the night. She had no choice. She had to comply with the much more friendly idea, compared to that of diving straight into the fireplace, if she didn’t want to be shivering all night. 

Slightly reluctant to the thought of slumbering the night away on a cramped loveseat, Y/N shifted away to press her back against the backrest. Whiskey nudged his shoe down before slithering himself into the cocoon. The first thing that came to Y/N’s mind was the extremely close distance between the two, while Whiskey inquired himself to how she had not fainted at such a temperature, especially with the addition of the fireplace. 

“Okay, get some sleep, a day’s waitin’ for us.” No rules had been hung upon the board, no restrictions, yet, during the night, unconscious two pairs of arms slithered to snuggle the other. 

[ficsnroses]

Hold You - Keanu Reeves x Reader

ayeee we back out here with another generic fic title:)

Word Count : 2783

Warnings : Nothing besides fluff! One F bomb as well. And a mention (or a few..) of sex. 

Summary : Reader cuddles Keanu before bed to cheer him up, & an intimate conversation about their relationship ensues.

A/N : Shout out to @meetmeinthematinee @thesadvampire & @john-wickening  for loosely inspiring this during a convo the other day. 🖤

On a chilly February evening, you sit alone, whisked away in a novel, tucked in your queen sized bed. The freshly washed sheets, fragrant with the smell of spring cherry blossoms sprawled around you; make you miss the season forthcoming. It felt like it had been ages since you last saw a vibrant, rosy pink blossom blooming outside.

Someone had gifted you a petite, potted cherry blossom tree as housewarming gift when you and Keanu first purchased your home together. He planted it right in your front yard, where you’d see it each time you come in and out. It had been growing more and more each year, coming back stronger, wiser. You felt it symbolized a lot more than just a shrub, rising in your yard. It had been there since you and Keanu started your journey together, by buying a home, where you’d start a family together. It symbolized all the firsts that would come thereafter, the ups and downs that may follow, the good and the not so good.

But what would always remain, was familiarity. The beauty that would remain evergreen, the growth that would signify endless support. The roots that had found home in what surrounded. The love that grew, season after season,

both outside, in the yard called home to the blossom tree,

and inside, in the house you and your lover called home.

Your husband, Keanu, would be home soon. Night had fallen a few hours long ago, the winter days shorter. You’d often wait for him when he was out later. He’d been out today to the Arch office, working out some stuff with his colleagues for the business. He’d called earlier, letting you know he’d eat out tonight, as they’d ran overtime. You’d planned to watch a movie together before bed though, you missed him all day.

-

A few moments pass, the pages flipping between your fingers, your gaze intently locked in, inquisitive, absorbed within the tale you’d immersed between. The gray bedroom door flows open, revealing a much tired Keanu, Arch leather jacket swung over his shoulder. His eyes catch yours, as he smiles, rubbing tiredness from his earthy pupils.

“Hi baby.” His gruff voice rasps, as he walks towards the closet.

“Hey, how was it?” you chirp, setting the novel aside on the nightstand, your reading glasses along.

He runs a hand through his lengthy mane, sighing. “It was okay.” He keeps his gaze low, shuffling out of his jeans into some sweatpants, and a plain white sleeping shirt. You admire his bare chest and torso as he does, although his muscles seem tense. Biting your lip, you inquire.

“Everything alright, love?”

Keanu chuckles lightly, the sound barely escaping past his lips as he throws his clothes into the wash hamper. “Everything’s okay. Just…I don’t know. Fatigue I guess.”

“Aw, should we watch a movie tomorrow instead, then?” you propose, fluffing your pearly white pillow.

“I guess.” His deep voice exhales. He walks towards the bed to his side, pulling the covers back. His under eyes are puffier than usual; you know him like the back of your hand. He’s had a long, long day. But he’s never the type to complain or lament. He’s a hard worker, prefers to keep the attention drawn away.

But you were his wife, if you wouldn’t look out for him, who else would?

You bring your hand to touch his forearm, tracing some of the veins along his skin. “You wanna do something else?” bringing yourself in closer, you wrap your hands around his left arm, placing a kiss to his bicep, before you rest your head on it. He seemed tense, hassled. You hated every second seeing him this way.

Keanu brings his right hand to rest over one of yours that is wrapped around his left arm. Gently squeezing, he sighs.

“Do you ever wonder, about how much of everything there is?”

Your brows furrow together, hearing the words come out of his mouth. “Hmmmm…care to elaborate?” you propose, hugging his arm closer, as you’re still leaning on it, sat side by side in bed.

“There so many people, so many stories. So many problems. Do you ever wonder, where does it all end?” he divers his gaze down again. “What if it all ended today? What if all our stories just…ceased to exist? Would we be happy with what we’ve left behind?”

You take in a shaky breath, realizing there’s a ton on his mind right now. Every now and then, Keanu feels down, which is alright, he’s only human. He deserves to feel, as we all do.

You lace his hand with yours, hugging his arm tighter now.

“Hmm, that’s a pretty vast one. I’d like to think we all leave a mark, no matter how big or small. And if we’re content, happy with the way we’re leading our lives when we’re here, does it really matter what we leave behind?”

He slowly nods his head, lips pursing together tighter.

“Bad day?” you ask again.

“I guess. Don’t know why though.”

“That’s alright.” You smile, freeing yourself from him. You move back over to your side of the bed, laying down, and open your arms for him. “Come here.” You smile, nudging him.

He looks down at you, how adorable you looked inviting him in for a snuggle. The cast of the bed side lamp over your skin, paired with the moonlight filtered in made you look delightfully surreal, dreamlike. Your arms were always so warm, so welcoming. As much as it may go against his manly persona, Keanu enjoyed the occasional cuddle of being the little spoon. There was just something so appealing, so lovable, addicting with the way you’d hold him close.

You see a smile creep his lips, as he lowers himself down. Wrapping your arms around him, he tucks his head into your chest, breathing in your lavender scent in an audible inhale. He secures his arms around you as well, holding tight.

This was what it meant to have complete contentment.

You bring a hand up to stroke his silky, dark hair comfortingly, peacefully placing a few kisses to his temple, his head. His breathing is steady, felt against your skin. Gently massaging his scalp with your fingers, you kiss his forehead before speaking.

“What was the highlight of your week, babe?” you find talking to him, normally makes him feel more at ease.

He brings his head out of your chest, pulling away slightly, so he’s now face to face with you. “Definitely that meal we had the other day on that beach restaurant.” he chuckles. “What about you?”

“I saw a puppy with the fluffiest fur the other day while taking the recycling out.” You grin. “Which reminds me, can we please get a dog?” you frown.

He laughs, deep voice rummaging through your ears. “Maybe.”

Bringing his head back to tuck into your chest, he holds you tighter again, latching on as you hold him, soothingly rubbing his back and arms. You continue to press kisses wherever you can, letting him know you’re close.

You never let him forget the feeling of being touched, with all the love you can offer. All the love he deserves.

“I love you.” You whisper, every now and then, barely audible as you’re holding each other, relaxed and gratified.

A few moments later, Keanu pulls back, moving up slightly, leaning his head on his elbow as he faces you. His lips harbour the most contagiously exquisite smile.

“What’s something you’ve dreamed of doing, but haven’t?” he asks, peering down at you. He brings a hand to lace with yours, your fingers fiddling together.

You ponder for a moment, “I’ve always wanted to make something creative. Like, direct, or organize?” you answer, shifting so you can lean your head on one of your arms, as the other holds his hand.

“Why haven’t you yet, angel?” he frowns.

“Fear of failure, I guess. I just need an idea I’m really confident in.”

He brings your hand up to place a kiss to your palm. “Anything you’ll make is amazing.”

You grin at him, and at how romantic he’s being. This man really had your entire heart.

“What’s your favourite memory we’ve shared together?” you probe, leaning your hand on your chin now, staring up at him, gently stroking his hand with your thumb. He chuckles, before tapping his chin.

“We’ve shared so many, how do you expect me to choose?” he debates.

“There’s got to be something that stands out! Are you trying to say I’m not memorable?” you gasp playfully.

He cups your cheek, gently stroking his thumb under your eye. “You’re the most memorable thing I have.”

He really meant that, and you know it.

“I think it would have to be that day, a few months into when we were first dating. I took you on a drive along the coast, we stopped at that cliff overlooking the city. On the way back, it got dark, and you fell asleep holding my hand. I tried avoiding every single pothole and bump so you wouldn’t wake up.” He shakes his head, his dark brown hair falling in his face.

“Baby, you did that? You never told me that before.” You giggle, tapping his nose.

“Yeah, you looked so peaceful. So fucking perfect. I kept glancing over every few moments to make sure you were okay.” He kisses your forehead. “There was this stray hair that kept falling in your eye, so I’d have to keep moving my hand to move it away, and then bring my hand down to hold yours again, so it wouldn’t get cold.” He smiled, reminiscing.

You beam at the way he’s speaking, recalling every detail. Your heart was fluttering, feeling yourself fall deeper in love with him, if that was even possible.

He lays back down again, head against the pillows, pulling you into his chest, so he’s now the bigger spoon. Wrapping both arms around you, he ponders.

“What qualities made me special to you?” he asks, curious. He often thought about how exceptionally perfect you were; you were definitely the woman of his dreams. He had trouble seeing why you chose him, sometimes.

You place a kiss to his chest, hugging him tighter.

“There’s so, so many, Ke. I love how caring you are; how respectful you are to every single person around you. How thoughtful you are, considerate. I love how passionate you are of your work, how determined, enthusiastic you are. I love the way you take care of me. The way you kill spiders for me, the way you make my morning coffee perfect each and every time. The way you let me have the less scary side of the bed.” You giggle. “I love how much you love me, and never let me forget it.” You say genuinely, moving your gaze up to look at him, adoringly, your fingers gently grazing his chest.

With his cheeks blushed a tinge of peach, he smiles down at you, lovingly. You’d remind him how much he meant to you, each second of every day if you could.

“Okay, I have one for you. What were you thinking of on our first date?” you giggle, proposing. Positioning your head back on his chest, an arm drapes over him again, hugging into him, the beat of his heart, rise and fall of his chest under you, reminding you that he was real; not just a dream.

A wonderful, magnificent dream.

With a chuckle, he sighs. “Definitely praying that you were just as affected by me as I was by you. I think my breath really hitched when I picked you up from that apartment you lived in by the farmer’s market.” He laughs. “You didn’t know I brought my bike, and the look you gave me, it was priceless, sweetheart.” He leans down to place a kiss in your hair, recollecting.

You gasp in memory. “I remember that! You asked me to hold onto you while we drove, pretty sure my heart fluttered at the thought of touching you.” You giggle.  “Not much has changed, huh.” You smile at the way you’re doing just that now, limbs tangled, completely connected physically, & emotionally, holding each other.

“That was a pretty great day.” He shifts slightly under you, to allow his hand to how hold yours as it rests on his chest. “Hey, what would be your perfect day?” he asks, enquiring.

Furrowing your brows, biting your lip in thought, you finally speak.

“Hmm…okay. I’d… – sorry, we’d sleep in until at least 9:30am. I wouldn’t let you leave the bed before me because you know how I feel about losing your body heat.” You laugh. “Then, we would take our dog on a walk, who by the way, I’m still patiently waiting for you to gift me. Then, we’d have our morning coffee outside on the patio, overlooking the city. Maybe later I’d go to brunch with some friends, perhaps go to the library downtown…oh! A concert later in the evening would be cool. Maybe dinner by the beach with all our friends? Oh! I’d definitely go to that cute artisan bakery by the park.” You ramble. “What about you, baby?”

“Hmm...” he rubs his hand up and down your arm softly. “We’d sleep in, have some killer morning sex. Twice.” He looks down to see you playfully roll your eyes. He’s moving his spare hand out in front of him, waving away as he normally does when he speaks about things that interest him.

A quality so uniquely him.

“Then, we’d have breakfast and go for a motorcycle ride, maybe go for a swim, have more sex,” you cut him off.

“More? Didn’t we just go twice in the morning?” you huff, staring up at him.

“This is *my* perfect day, miss.” He jokes.

You raise your hands up in defeat. “Okay, okay. Go on.” You giggle and return your arms to his embrace.

“Then, we’d go to the movies. Maybe out to the bar later with friends, come back home, have more sex, do some reading outside by the pool, go out for an evening meal, come back home and have more sex,” you cut him off again.

“Okay, okay, I get the point.” You giggle, kissing his chest again.

“Five times in a day, Ke? Seriously?” you chuckle.

“Can’t help it when my wife is so beautiful.” He smiles. “There’s nothing I love more than making love to you, darling.”

Grinning, your hands fiddle together once again, fingers gently lacing each other, soothingly grazing over each others palms. The dainty room fills with stillness once again, for a few moments.

Closing your eyes, you focus your attention on the feel of his steady breathing chest underneath your head, the warmth of his body engulfing you, the scent of a cigarette smoked not long ago, spiked with the scent of his woody cologne enticing your senses.

Grasping his much larger hand in yours both of yours, you place a kiss to each one of his fingers, so softly, tenderly.

Bringing your hand up, you gently scratch his beard, your touch brimming with affection. As your head stays placed on his chest, with your hand stroking through his hair calmly, gently tracing the bumps of his face, you ask into the dimly lit room, voice discreet, softer than a flowing feather.

“Ke, were you in love before me?” you wonder. The ticking of the clock seems to get louder, filling the tranquillity of the four walls.

He takes in a deep breath, before responding.

“Not like this.”

Placing another kiss to your hair, he continues to hold you tight to his chest, almost shielding you away from any harm. The way he’d always protect you.

“I’ve never loved this strong in my entire life. I can’t see a life without you in it. And I’m not scared of how much I love you. I just know, that you are everything. & I know, that what we have, what we’ve made, is the most important thing I have.”

Feeling tears brim ever so slightly in your orbs, you exhale, in complete contentment. You knew each word leaving his mouth was coming from the bottom of his heart, because he’d never failed to show you. For you, each word meant complete certainty, unquestionably.

How, did you ever get so lucky to find someone who loves you so entirely, so unconditionally?  

Swallowing the lump in your throat, you shift your weight onto your elbow, leaning up to stare him right into his chocolate eyes, perfectly glistening, so beautifully. There’s a gratified smile that rests his lips, so completely at ease, a perceptible contrast to the stress that’d worked his features prior.

Cupping his cheek with your palm, your subtle, delicate voice speaks.

“What can I do to show you how much I love you?”

Grasping your wrist, resting his hand over yours that cups his cheek, he stares you right into your eyes, almost as if staring into your soul. “Exactly what you’re doing now. Listening to me, being here with me.”

Leaning in, your lips graze his, connecting in a love drenched kiss, his thumb coaxes the soft skin under your eye, pouring a wealth of adoration, respect, fondness, all things good, everything he wanted to give to you, into your rosy lips.

“You mean everything to me, too.” You whisper, into his neck, as he pulls you back in, resting his chin on top of your head.

In this moment, so pure, as a fresh rainfall after a sandy drought, worry ceases to exist.

As the bedside lamp glimmers, emitting a glowy hue of gold into each corner of the serene room,

the thought of spring cherry blossoms fills your head again.

The way they’d bloom once more, in the warmth. The way they’d return, greeting the new, sweet, honeyed spring, returning to the front yard garden, to the familiarity of being back home, exactly where they’d belonged all along.

The heavenly sky and whispy clouds would wave hello to them, the breezy air would embrace them, the graceful rainfall would kiss them, the silky grass would welcome them. Because all things bloom, in the most natural form of love.

-

Snuggled tight to your lover, the man who owned each drop of love you had to offer, you hug him closer, keen to feel his skin in closest proximity.

Feeling his lips on your forehead, you daze off into a deep, restful sleep, in the arms,

of the one,

who mattered most. 

*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*

Taglist Posted Separately (Ask to be added or removed!) :

[jumoonjae]

I’LL NEVER LOVE AGAIN- THE STORM

PART 1 PART 2 PART 4 PART 5

Pairings: Ji Changmin (Q) X Reader X Jaehyun (Hyunjae) Ft Kevin Moon  Genre: Fluff x Angst X SLIGHT SMUT  Word count: 21,562 words

Summary: A talent show will take place in three week times and you still struggling with putting emotion in the song that you choose, a masterpiece by Lady Gaga, ‘I’ll never love again’. You meet Changmin who you fall for instantly after he jumps in to help you figuring out how to perform the song. Will he manage to help you? Or will he be the one who cause you to sing the song for him? Image are not mine. Credit to Google.

Changmin

He came late to his group gathering after sending her back to her dorm after another sleepover last night which he had a hard time saying goodbye with a long make out session in his car before he had to let her go and promised to meet her after her class end tomorrow evening.

“Changmin-ah.” Jaehyun call as soon as he get into the restaurant.

“Hyung.” He smiles and walk straight to him giving him a long manly hugs before greeting the other and Kevin who was oddly silent.

“How are you? Isn’t it your semester break too? If you told me you’re here during your break, I’m not going back and hang out with you instead.” Jaehyun pat his shoulder as he took the seat between Jaehyun and Kevin.

“Yeah it was. But I’m helping my girlfriend out with her performance next week, then I’ll be spending the rest of my break with Ghana afterwards.” He didn’t realize how Kevin’s eyes almost popped out from its socket after he heard the words girlfriend. He leaned forward to get Changmin’s attention asking for explanation but the guy just pushed him away playfully and there’s a glint of shyness plastered on his face.

“Girlfriend? Wow. I’m happy for you. Finally, its almost a year now am I right?” Jaehyun smiles at him and he nods. Its no that can’t move on from his ex or anything, its just tiring dealing with the heartbreak. He needs to start over in relationship again sooner or later and she just came into the picture. He was more than happy to claim her for himself.

“Yeah. We just made it official. I think you know her too because she’s Kevi..” He stop at his words when he saw the name of the girl he has spent the whole weekend with a heart emoji and a candid picture of her smiling so sweet holding a flower bouquet admiring it pops on Jaehyun’s phone waiting for Jaehyun to answer, his heart drop dangerously a thousand feet, free falling. The picture probably taken way back because her hair was black and she still look exceptionally beautiful that it hurts him so bad.

“Excuse me guys. Baby hey, why aren’t you answering my calls?” Everything around him seems like a picture that it has stop for a moment, he didn’t move or say anything it's like his body is shutting down, a shock is an understatement to describe how he feels, he was numbed that he couldn’t process what was happening, it was happening so fast that he think that maybe what happened during the weekend was only a dream. Or was it really? He felt a hand squeezing his shoulder and look to his right to find Kevin giving him an apologetic look and that was when he felt the pain, and then anger.

“Kevin. What is this?” His voice came out shaky but loud enough to make the other stop talking and all the attention was on him. He couldn’t believe that the girl he fell hard for which he spent his whole weekend with was the one who his hyung always brag about all the time. How he wish he could turn back time and.. he don’t even have a clue what to do if he turns back time. Falling for her was never an option, it was not something he can control. Maybe it was his fault for falling for her and he has no idea what to do or how to react. He was hurt. No. He felt betrayed and he had to control himself so he wont snap on anyone by balling up his fist tightly until his knuckles turns white.

“Its not what you think Changmin. You need to give her chance to explain. It’s a lot more complicated than what you think.” Kevin grab his shoulder gently try to calm him but he felt otherwise. He was furious but he want to heard it from Kevin if its not from her. Well at least he has a clue about the situation.

“Tell me then Kev. Tell me the truth.” He was about to lose his mind but he couldn’t snap at Kevin because it wasn’t his fault and he couldn’t blame her either because he needs to know from her side of story too.

“I can’t because I’m not in that place to tell you or him. She needs to tell you both herself. But I promise that all her feeling for you is genuine.” Kevin try to talk him out while the other has no clue what was going on. But his answer wasn’t enough, it drive him to the edge even more.

He rub his face harshly out of frustration while Kevin still try to calm him down but when he look out, he saw her outside walking towards Jaehyun. She look fresh with no make up on, nothing. Not even her signature red lips. She wears her black hoodie and matching back ripped jeans and he hates it because he still admires her for it and it kills him to think that she was more comfortable showing her raw side to Jaehyun than him. He prayed hard that it was all a lie. That she was just trying to pull a prank on him and hoping that she’ll walk into the restaurant and run to his embrace instead. But it wasn’t. Because she was walking into another man’s arm making his heart shattered into a million pieces. That was it. That’s the answer he’s been searching for and he wont need any explanation from anyone anymore. He couldn’t stand to look any longer before mustering all the strength he got left and stand abruptly wanting to leave.

“Changmin wait. Please let her explain.” Kevin grab his wrist but he pull away harshly. He was mad. Mad at her, at Kevin and at anyone who already knew about her and Jaehyun but just let him fall for her. Everyone is at fault.  

“You and your best friend can just go to hell.” He growled before walking to the main door towards her and Jaehyun. He saw how her tensing up when Jaehyun pull out a dark blue velvet box from his pocket making Changmin stop walking and as by looking at her in another man arm couldn’t hurt enough, this time he felt like dying is a better option than watching another man was about to propose to her. He saw how she covered her mouth and she frowned when he reveals a diamond ring to her, she looked uncertain and he was disinterested to know why because he was too clouded by his anger. He was about to give up on everything because the pain was unbearable. Her eyes suddenly wanders and caught his who was staring, taking in all the hurt she had caused that he will later will use it against her while she was in shock that she didn’t even look away when Jaehyun shook her body lightly trying to get her attention back to him, the velvet box was closed and Jaehyun followed her line of sight to find him, Jaehyun was confused that he keep looking back and forth at Changmin and her. With the last strength he could muster in his numb body, he walked out the door heading the opposite way from where they both were standing.

“Changmin wait.” He heard her sweet voice calling for him while Jaehyun calls for hers but he didn’t stop even how much he want to. He fight the voice inside his head that asking him to stay and listen to her explanation, but his heart was hurting and he don’t want to cry or fall back into her, what if she tell lies? No. He wont stop or look back or even gives her the chance to play him. He got into his car and speed up without looking back to save himself from breaking apart and refuse to cry in front of her or anyone. He bit his quivering lips hard before hitting the brake stop by the park when he’s sure that he’s far enough from everyone else where he finally break down into tears. He press his eyes hard using his palm to stop himself from crying.

“How could you.” He cries letting it all out. His heart was broken beyond repair and even she couldn’t fix it. She’s broken glass that he had thrown himself into, and falling for her was like walking on a shattered broken glass, the more he tries to pull the pieces out, the more damage it causes.

Y/N

You smiles closing the door to your room before plopping into your bed shrieking excitedly. You rolled on your back and smile again staring at the ceiling and how you wish that you still staring at his ceiling instead of yours. You decided to take a bath before doing your assignment and call Changmin afterwards. You took out your phone to charge it and realize it was dead for almost 2 days, you smiles again reminiscing the past two day when nothing else matter as long as you have him with you. You turn it on after connecting the charger and it was bombarded by texts and dozens of miscall from Jaehyun washing your smile away. You had forgotten about him for the past two weeks when you were too occupied with Changmin. You were happy and you’re determined that you’ll tell Jaehyun the truth as soon as you can. You decided to check all the text before heading to bathroom.

‘Y/N I’m at Seoul now. Where are you?’

And few asking the same thing but the last and the most recent was the one that made you broke a cold sweats.

‘I love you. I have a surprise for you and for our future. Please call me back. I missed you baby.’

You know what he was about to do because before his semester break, he keep asking about what kind of jewelry do you like and keep showing you a video of man proposing and shit like that and even ask how would you feel if someone proposed to you like that. You suddenly regret for not telling him earlier and making him wait for years. You went to the bathroom to take a shower before calling him as you head out from your room.

“Baby hey, why aren’t you answering my calls?” You stop at your tracks when he greets making inside of you churns at the pet name that he gave without your permission and it somehow made you disgusted with yourself for letting another man other than Changmin calling you that.

“We need to talk. Where are you?” You said urgently, putting on your Vans before walking out of your dorm.

“I’m at the restaurant near your dorm, you want me to come and pick you up?” You know the restaurant located few minutes away just by walking from your dorm and you run. You run hoping that it won't be too late for you to tell him before Kevin does or Changmin. You pretty sure they both hang out together because you knew they both know Kevin and Kevin only have one group of friend. You run without cutting the call until you saw him standing outside the usual restaurant they always went to.

“Oppa.” You call out finally cutting the phone call and he smiles widely as you walked towards him. It kills you that you has to hurt him after knowing what he will do. But you have to, you need to choose between him or Changmin and you didn’t even need to think twice to choose Changmin over anyone else. You stare at him trying to smile back at him, trying blurt out the words you’ve been trying to tell him. But you couldn’t, you were very fond to him, he was your first best friend before he decided to confessed and scared you away. But he never stop chasing you, maybe because you never dare to hurt him or push him away. You love him as a friend but now you need to tell him to stop. You need to tell him the truth.

“Y/N. Oh my god I miss you.” He pulls you into his embrace but you didn’t wrap your hands on him like you always did when Changmin hugs you. You push him away lightly not wanting to hurt him and you hate yourself for doing so. Because you keep on giving him hopes. You don’t mind before because you didn’t have Changmin. But now you have him and you want to cut this non-existent relationship that you and Jaehyun has caught in. You want to stop giving him hopes even if you have no clue how to. You will try anything for god sake.

“I bought something for you.” He pulls out a dark blue velvet box from his pocket and your world came crushing down even you know this will come. You covered your mouth to hide the quivering of your lips when he open the box revealing a diamond ring inside it. If people who doesn’t know your situation they might be feel happy for you. But you almost broke into tears when the guilt started to eat you up. How could you push him when all you could see inside his eyes was sincerity. You stare at his sweet smiley face that was gleaming and it rip you apart because you’re going to take his happiness away. You are the one to blame when his smiles fades and you are the bad guy who will break his heart.  

“Can you please marry me? You still can take your master if you want. We can sort things out just like we always did when we’re in high school.” And at the moment you prayed to god that the ground swallowed you whole and you try to avoid his eyes but somehow your eyes found at a pair of eyes that you adores so much from inside the restaurant standing still probably saw the whole thing. You could feel your heart and head stop working and all your senses numbed when you saw the hurt in his eyes. He look away and walked out the door to the opposite side from where you and Jaehyun were and you started to panic.

“Changmin-ah.” You called and started to run after him. But luck wasn’t at you side when he got into his car and drive away leaving you behind.

“No please. Changmin.” You scream on top of your lungs running to the busy road and almost got hit by a speeding car if it wasn’t Kevin who pull you away from the road.

“Kevin.” You whispered as he grab your both arms trying to get you on your senses.

“Just let him settles first. Just let him be.” He pulls you into his embrace as you break down in tears.

“Y/N.” You heard Jaehyun calling your name but you refuse to look up. You afraid that you’ll lash him out when it was your fault in the first place. You know you just broke his heart too and it will kill you to see his face now. You can’t even apologize to him. Its too late now for everything. Its too late to apologize, its too late to explain. Its too late to fix thing and everything was your fault.  

“Take me home please Kevin. Take me home.” You plead and you could feel he’s turning his head to Jaehyun.

“I’ll call you later hyung. I’m sorry.” He said before starts walking to your dorm leaving the guy behind.

“I should have warned you yesterday I’m sorry. I just don’t think..” you both were almost at your dorm when he breaks the silence between you two which made you stop walking.

“You knew?” You push his body away from you to take a look on his face. You felt you scalp tightens and got goosebumps from his words.

“Why didn’t tell me Kevin?” You snap at him and trying to throw all the blame at him entirely because you’re being denial. You cant register what you have lose in the span of just thirty minute and now you’re going to lose your best friend too. He was taken aback by your sudden rage at him.

“I didn’t know you already made it official with Changmin Y/N. All of you three are my friend. It wont be fair for Jaehyun hyung If I told you about his plans. Do you think I have the choice? Even if I have I cant choose sides. You all are my friend. I didn’t choose to stuck in your love triangle Y/N. But I have warned you about Jaehyun’s hyung feeling and you did nothing about it. You left the poor guy standing on cliff for god sake.” You cover your mouth as his words hit you hard and pull you back to reality. He was right. It was your fault. It will always be your fault. You throw yourself into the mess.

“Don’t blame me for things that you have started. I’ve done my part Y/N.” He lashes out on you making you broke harder into tears. You feel bad for lashing on him and you run back to your dorm leaving him behind and lock yourself in your bedroom crying all night.

You didn’t attend class the next day, you decided to drive to Changmin’s apartment to apologize and explain everything to him. But when you’re sure you saw his car parked on the parking lot, you went up to his floor and rang his bell. When he didn’t answer the first four time you called him, you knock his door on repeat. But his neighbor came out instead greeting you.

“He went to his parents just now.” He said.

“But his car is downstairs.” You force a smile when you felt yourself frowning to his answer. You’re still being denial. Your sleep deprivation didn’t help much when you’re at your most fragile state that you almost broke down at every mention of his name. But you fight it because you need to find him.

“Yeah he usually take the train whenever he head to his parents. I think you can still catch him now.” He said again watching his watch and you thanked him before rushing to the station looking for him franticly. You know you’re on the right place as his neighbor told you. You force yourself to run everywhere looking at people faces even your energy was drained. You stop to catch your breath almost losing hope after running here and there for a few round. You straightens your back when you sense someone was looking at you. When you look up inside the train, you saw him looking at you without any emotion. As if you’re a stranger to him, you were holding back another sets of tear mouthing ‘please’ to him, begging for him to stay, to listen to you just once. You began to panic when the train door was closing and started moving.

“No. No please. Changmin-ah.” You call as you break down again chasing after him banging the side of the train and running dangerously close to the train. While him, he just looked away from you.

“Changmin please.” You pleaded before stop when you reach the end of the platform. You fall to your knee crying shamelessly ignoring the people who was looking at you. You prayed so hard that you have enough courage to just jump on the railways and kill yourself.

You cried and cried and cried as if no one was watching you until you feel someone wraps a jacket over your shoulder and you look up to see Kevin who was looking back at you.

Kevin

It was during class when he got a call from Jaehyun asking him to pick her up at the station that he had to rush out and take a taxi and sprint to the platform where he saw she was still crying on her knees hands covering her face. He took off his jacket and walked to her covering her petite body and it break him when she look up to him with her swollen eyes from crying. He pulls her up and keep her face covered because some people already taking video of her and take her away from the crowd.

“What are you doing there?” He asked after they both arrives at his shared apartment with Jacob and Eric. He help her settles on the couch before sitting down next to her.

“I was trying to looking for Changmin.” She said in between her sobs.  

“Was he there too? Why are you alone then?” He was irritated at Changmin for leaving her alone crying like that. But he can’t blame him either after what happened last night.

“He left. For good.” She cries harder at her own word and it hurts him too to see her like that. How he wish he could just told her about Jaehyun plans or told Jaehyun about her feeling on her behalf. He had nothing to say because he know how much she love Changmin even before they started dating. He pulls her body closer to him letting her cry on his shoulder.

“How did you know I was there?”

“Jaehyun was looking for Changmin too, but he saw you came out from Changmin’s apartment building and he followed your car. He wanted to comfort you, but he’s afraid that he’ll end up messing up your emotion more. So, he called me.” She didn’t react to his explanation but he know she was lost too. This is her first heartbreak and to put all the blame on her isn’t fair because it's like blaming her for being innocent. For being too nice not daring to reject Jaehyun because she was afraid, she’ll hurt him. But in the end, everyone is hurt.

“I’m sorry Kev, for everything I said last night.” He pat her head slowly.  

“Its fine.”

“I’m sorry for dragging you along with this shit that I made.”

“Hush. Just stop crying. You’ll find another one.” He know it was impossible for her because she’s kind of reserved whenever she is around strangers and it’s a miracle that Changmin could get through the thick wall that she have built up to separate her from others. Even Jaehyun who she have known for years couldn’t make it into her heart after years of trying.

While he himself was a special case, he met her during registration when he and she both came late and almost got into trouble if wasn’t for him who talked the dean out saving both asses from penalties. He’s been the only person she ever talked to and became best friend ever since. He helped her deal with her anti social even she didn’t change much, but he helped her out with gaining confidence while singing by forcing her to sing with his friend Jacob every weekend. He met Jaehyun through her when she constantly avoiding the guy by hiding behind his back and he had to make up tons of excuses for her to get away from him.

“I wont say that I know how you feel because it would be a lie. But lets just focus on this week. Its your long awaited solo. Lets focus solely on that. Okay?” He caress her hair gently and she nodded.

“You can sleep upstairs, Jacob and Eric will be back soon and I don’t want them to see you like this.”  

“Thank you Kevin. What would I do without you.” She lifts her head from his shoulder and he could feel his heart suddenly beating abnormally harder at the close proximate of her face with his chin that he could feel her breath tickles his skin.

He straightens his body up pushing her gently away from his shoulder to shake any feeling from forming inside him even he know it was always been there.

“You’ll live Y/N. I promise.” He looked into her red eyes and then to her red nose making him chuckle.

“What.” She whined adorably still so fragile.

“You look like a clown. Your nose.” He was about to poke it but stop himself from doing so afraid he would fall by such a simple gesture.

“You should get some rest.” He exhaled still looking at her wearing his jacket and she still look good even when she’s a mess and it hurts him to see her like that. He sent her to his room before decided to call Changmin himself. But all his calls goes straight to the voicemails.

A/N: This one a bit long but thank you anyway for reading it. Ahh Kevin, my second bias, i just couldn’t help to put some back story about him and how he’s been crushing on reader for quite sometimes. But that’s just it. He might be getting his own fics later. but i hope you enjoyed this one. Two more chapter will be shorter i promise. Thank you again.

[astro-2003]

Reversed!Eijiro Kirishima

Hero Name: Riot!

Quirk: Hardening He can harden his skin, same as normal Kirishima.

Kirishima never had self-esteem issues or doubt of himself in his life…which kind of makes him apathetic of other people’s doubts. 

He doesn’t take care of his hair, so its always down.

Doesn’t idolise the idea of ‘Manliness’ as much as normal Kirishima does, he actually shamelessly enjoys feminine activities and would probably crush your skull in if you made fun of him.

Also, on the topic of Manliness, which is also ‘gentlemanly’, he’s really got no manners or moral.

Instead of accidently giving himself a scar on his eyebrow, he did it on purpose to make himself look cool

In middle school he was capable of saving people from villains, which what inspired him to want to become a hero.

Wanted to take Red Riot’s name and make it his own.

He’s not as friendly as normal Kirishima and more competitive in the sense that he doesn’t care if it’s a fair fight, whoever wins, wins for a reason

Loves his sharp teeth and shows them off to everyone either mockingly or threateningly

Eijiro is the scariest student in class 1-A.

He doesn’t respect those who allow their emotions to get in the way of heroism. Or in general, doesn’t admire other people’s heroism that much. Being super self-focused.

The opposite, when he sees people being non hero like, he grabs them by the head and tells them to start acting like it.

Definitely not much of a bro, more like a bro magnet though.

His time in middle school, Mina and him were actually sort of friends, they were in the same class and always part take in group assignments together…they are very quiet though when it’s just them two, barley even speaking to one another sometimes…they both just like their silent company.

He got pretty average in the entrance exams, but still enough to get himself in the top hero course in U.A

He uses his quirk regularly, for mundane chores and etc

Kirishima isn’t an honest person, neither is he that kind in any way. He’s absolutely rude until you give him a reason to like you and the lying thing is something, he unconsciously does 24/7…he needs to snap out of it.

Dosen’t make friends easily…his only friends so far are Mina and exceptionally, Bakugo.

Bakugo kept pressing Kirishima since he believed that kirishima’s heart was in the right place, he just needed to have the right set of mind and understanding of true heroism…which is why Bakugo subjects himself to always be around him, just to help him (he may get scared once or twice) but when Kirishima gets tired of fighting him he just listens to what the enthusiastic bubble guy has to say…which eternally results into their friendship. (Bakugo has a problem where he just attaches himself to people he admires)

Overall, he really does follow the rules and actually abides by them…its super rare if he ever breaks one on purpose.

Kirishima never blames himself for anything.

He really thinks highly of his hardening quirk, even more when he got into the hero course, only just making his blind confidence even worst.

His Hero costume is similar to normal kirishima, but it more reminds me of a ‘great white shark’

Bakugo keeps trying to drag him along into his weird friend group…he refuses every time.

When he wants to hang out with Bakugo, he forcefully removes him from his friends, chucks him over his shoulder, and leaves.

Probably scarier than normal Bakugo

Stats: Power: 4 Speed: 3 Technique: 4 Intelligence: 2 Cooperativeness: 1

[daysswithyou]

With love,

Characters: DAY6 Jae x OC

Genre: fluff, slice of life, romance

Words: 2.6k

Description: penpal!jae – when the flame of love rekindles

---

"From: Jae."

You raised a single eyebrow at the letter, surprised that this even appeared in your mailbox. You definitely weren't expecting him to write to you so soon, if not at all. But you couldn't deny that a small part of you was excited to see what he had written - he was a rather funny character. Tearing the slit open, you were greeted by a whole bunch of capital letters and haphazard punctuation - he clearly wrote this in a rather unclear (and possibly drunk) state of mind. You tried your best to decipher his scrawly handwriting (which was rather hard in all honesty) but by the end of the letter, you were laughing to yourself, the little drawing of Chicken Little at the end as he signed off tickling your funny bone. You immediately flashed back to how you met Jae on a school exchange program, the first moment you met him already proving to be rather diabolical. 

-

"Y/N your partner is..." 

The teacher scanned the classroom for a certain someone before heaving a deep sigh. 

"Jae, who's late."

Right at the moment, the door burst open, revealing a geeky boy with a sharp mohawk hairstyle and brown glasses hanging skewed off the bridge of his nose.

"Jae, you are exceptionally early today." The teacher's voice dripped with sarcasm before fixing an admonishing look upon his student. But the cheeky youth was clearly unfazed by the scolding (or the attention) and instead merely shoot his teacher a wide grin before defending himself. 

"Sorry Mr Franklin I had to take time to look extra good today for the exchange students." He then winked at his teacher whom simply turned back to address the class; it was quite obvious that he was rather used to such situations from the boy. Jae then turned to you, finally aware of your presence.

"Hi are you my partner?"

"Yes."

"Hi my name is Jae. Sorry for being late, I actually overslept."

"It's alright, my name is Y/N."

"Yea I know."

You found out later from him that he had chosen you as his partner because of your interesting name, which he had described as 'pretty like you', causing you to turn into a tongue-tied mess. He didn't say that to flirt, he had meant that a geninue comment. 

For the rest of the day, Jae led the pack, a natural orator that had managed to captivate all the students as he went on raptly about your school. You spent the next five days getting to know Jae very well, especially during lunch break where he led you away from the crazy lunch crowd towards the band room where both of you talked endlessly about everything ranging from America's history to embarrassing childhood stories. Time flew fast when you were having fun and before you knew it Jae was sending you off at the airport. You had just said goodbye to him and had just only turned towards the transit area when he called you again. 

"Y/N wait! Could you...give me your address? I'll like be...erm...penpals ya know?"

He then passed you a marker but no paper. 

"Jae do you have paper now?"

"No?"

"Give me your hand." 

He stuck out his arm and you quickly wrote your address on his palm.

"I'll write back. Bye Jae!"

You then took off past the gates but little did you know that Jae's skin was still tingling from your touch.

-

You kept your promise and continuously wrote back and forth to him, both of you sharing your troubles and successes with one another. But the most memorable one had to be the one with the ring, the one where he suggested flying to meet you.

"Since you've been to California before, I thought I'd use the summer break to visit you in New York. The ring is for us to identify one another just in case our looks have changed too much since the last time we met HAHA. Let me know what you think about it?"

Of course you were ecstatic. You couldn't wait to see Jae again and you drove out to mail your letter even though it was 12am at night.

But a letter never came back.

You tried writing many more letters to him but you never got one back. It was as if he had dropped off the face of the earth. After a year, you simply stopped hoping for a reply and soon Jae slowly faded to the back of your memory as you got busy with being an adult.

But somehow, you still kept the ring, wearing it faithfully each day.

-

"Go to this concert with me?" Your childhood friend, Janice, that was currently living in Korea had pleaded with you using her famous puppy eyes, anticipating your rejection. 

"Ok. But who are they? And what kind of group are they?"

"They're a band so they play their own instruments. And the name's DAY6!"

"I've never heard of them before so I'll give it a go."

"Yay! I'll pay for your ticket!"

"Really? How much must you like them to want to pay for me? "

"You'll see."

Indeed you will.

-

That night, you wore the ring on your middle finger as usual. When you entered, the hall was already crowded with fans, the excited buzzing had already began. Fans were wearing white wristbands as you were and they were also holding cute handmade banners filled with words of encouragement. You smiled at the adorable sight and felt this small bubble of joy growing within you - so this was an inkling of what it felt like to be able to see a band that you loved so much. You spotted six different instruments on stage: someone was on the rhythm guitar and another on the bass guitar. Someone would be playing both the synths and keyboard, an interesting combination for a band. The drums look majestic sitting at a spot higher than the rest, granting the drummer a greater view of the adoring crowd. Last but not least, the electric guitar. War flashbacks of Jae playing the electric guitar in the band raced through your mind and for a moment you could hear his laugh and see his infectious smile again. He quizzed you on the different instruments and you got most of them correct as you did now.

Jae would be proud of me I suppose

Before you had time to think further, the lights around the hall dimmed as the stage lights illuminated the 5 different spots on the stage. The members filed out one by one and Janice squeezed your hand particularly hard by the drummer came out. Manly body with boyish features: a man with dual charms; clearly he was her style. But when the electric guitarist came out, you felt your heart stop beating as the world came down to just you and him. 

Jae was standing on stage right in front of you. He still had that same wide smile with straight teeth and he still wore his glasses wherever he went. The only difference was the blonde hair and weight loss; his baby fats in the cheeks were gone, giving his face a much more angular look. 

Different look, but definitely still the same person. 

His eyes scanned the crowd quickly as Sungjin did the opening mention. When he reached your area, you swore his gaze lingered on you a little longer, the gears in his head rapidly doing the math to calculate the probability of that being you.  But before he could make up his mind, Dowoon's drums started off 'How can I say', giving him no time at all before he had to rock out on his own. For the rest of the night, Jae belted out song after song effortlessly but whenever they had breaks in between songs or special interaction with fans, he would always try to search for you amongst the thousands of people but his eyes showed that he wasn't sure. As for yourself, the same could be said. You weren't sure if you'd want to reveal yourself to Jae. But perhaps you were afraid of his reaction. Would he hate to see you? Would he remember you? But worst of all, would he pretend that he didn't know you when you knew he could? A million thoughts ate away at your mind throughout the concert, and you couldn't focus on anything much except for Jae. When the concert ended, you decided to flee before you did something stupid or had your heart broken by Jae.

"Y/N where are you going? There's still the fansign."

Oh right, she got VIP tickets for me too.

That means you'll have to face the inevitable: Jae. As the line in front of you got shorter and shorter, your face got redder and redder from many illogical things at once: embarrassment, anticipation, awkwardness. You thought of the worst case scenario that could happen later when you got to Jae, whom just had to be the last in the row. First was the bassist that looked ridiculously cute followed by the leader that spoke with a thick accent. The shy drummer could barely hold your eye he signed your poster for you and the adorable pianist gave you the sweetest, widest smile. 

When you finally got to Jae, you said the lamest thing off the top of your head. 

"Hi Jae. It's been a long time."

"Hi Y/N I've missed you."

You nearly cried there and then. 

-

Jae POV

It's her. I swore it was her. I could recognise her from a million miles away. I rushed off stage once the concert was over to find her but Sungjin pulled me back before I could even take a step off stage. Then that's when I see her towards the end of the snaking line, her hands trembling slightly as she chewed on her nails, and that's why they say old habits die hard.

When her name fell past my lips now after so many years, she almost cried, her eyes turning red instantly. The staff was rushing her and I hastily signed her poster (across my face by accident) but before she could leave, I had to do something. Grabbing her arm like she did to me, I quickly wrote a message to her before letting her go.

-

"Meet me backstage later." - the note said.

What do I do now? What's he going to say?  

"So how was it? Were they fantastic?"

"Absolutely."

"So who's your bias?"

"Jae."

"No wonder you lingered so long at his spot."

"Yea haha, hey would you mind waiting for me a little? I need to use the washroom."

"Sure. I'll wait for you at the entrance."

Once you were safely out of her sight, you took off in the backstage direction and before you could locate him, you felt a hand reach out to pull you into a storage closet. 

There, surrounded by floor cleaners and mops, you met Jae again after so many years.

"Y/N there's so much to say to you but there's so little time...how do I even..."

"Slow down Jae. I'm going to stay in Korea for some time, we can always meet again to talk. It's just so good to see you again."

"It is. I'm sorry for disappearing so many years ago, I tried so hard so find you after that-"

To prevent him for rattling on, you grabbed his hand lightly.

"It's alright Jae, you can tell me all about it in future. For now...I'm just glad to see you again, that's all I can say."

You felt him twisting the ring and when you looked down, you found him wearing the same ring on the exact same finger. 

"I can't believe you wear it after so long..."

"I could say the same."

"I wear it as a reminder to fulfill my promise to you."

"Well, I guess fate has given us a little push now."

"And I love it. Oh and sorry about the poster, I signed on my face in a hurry."

"Well, I won't be needing the poster much since I'll be seeing the man himself soon."

Jae smiled widely at your statement, holding onto your hand tighter so that we won't lose you again. 

-

Epilogue

It was Christmas season but here you were hunched over your laptop, typing out the last few segments of your report for submission in 2 hours time. You were shivering badly in the cold; today was unnaturally cold with heavy snowfall and the heater was broken. You tried to ignore the biting cold and focus on the task at hand. Right at the moment, Jae walked over with a snuggie and draped it over your shoulder.

"Stay warm baby."

"Thanks Jae." You kissed the back of his hand before letting him go. Despite the additional layer, you were still shivering and you had to breathe some heat into your palms every few minutes to prevent your fingers from going numb. 

"Here baby." Before you could register what was happening in your slow mind, a weight was lifted off your shoulders. Jae now had a regular blanket wrapped over himself as he wriggled his awkward body into the space between you and the couch. Spreading his legs out, he pulled you into his embrace as he wrapped his arms around your frame. The finishing touch was his head upon your shoulder as he stared ahead at your laptop screen. He was essentially koala-hugging you. 

"Jae?"

"I'll keep you warm as you finish the report. Just write." He then kissed your temple before closing his eyes to rest whilst squeezing you slightly. Finding your way out of the thick blanket and his long arms, you rapidly typed out the last few segments and managed to hand in the report an hour early.

Closing your laptop softly, you turned back to Jae to slowly rouse him. Rubbing your thumb along his cheek, you mumbled against the side of his lips. 

"Babe I'm done. You can wake up now."

"So fast?"

"Hmmm"

"That's great..." The end of his words dragged out as he let out a yawn, rubbing his eyes and stretched his hands above his head.

Taking advantage of his unguarded position, you decided to have some fun after a long day. Spotting the thin strip of his soft belly that was peeking out from underneath his blue stripped pyjamas, you launched a tickle attack, successfully catching him off guard. Jae yelped before bursting into laughter, completely unable to defend himself as he slowly deflated from laughing too much. Your mistake came when you decided to be nice; Jae immediately attacked from the sides and this went on till both of you somehow ended up on the couch with you on top of him. Once the giggles faded away, you looked down at the beautiful man that was now yours and some wire in your brain decided that now would be a good time to kiss him. Leaning down, you placed your lips on his and it made you giddy with happiness when you felt him smile into the kiss. 

Breaking away, your hands went to play with soft hair, running your fingers through them. All this while appreciating the beauty of this man that you can now call yours. 

"You should probably get some sleep, it's late."

And so you did. You fell asleep that night with your head tucked under his chin, your arms wrapped tightly around his torso.

[x9zaire]

MLK DAY 2021

Today we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King .Jr day and the impact that he had on the fabric of American history, with his work as being the head of the civil rights movement. This is an important day not only for Black Americans specifically but for all groups who have taken the blueprint of civil disobedience, non-violence and the moral imperative to stay the course . But the civil rights movement and all that it stood for is bigger than MLK and the unsung heroes who followed his lead. The Civil Rights movement was a culmination of the hopes and dreams of America's once enslaved population. It was the reason for all of our actions from the underground railroad to the civil war(and every other war), reconstruction on up to civil rights. The ultimate aim of Black America was simple: We wanted to be Americans with the same rights and protections as every other American, but due to the scars of history and the and the reality of privilege and guilt in this society we can say that this dream has not yet been fully realized even though we can say that we have made leaps and bounds toward that dream. But this dream was best articulated by Dr. Martin Luther King JR. on his march on Washington in 1963. But this dream was also articulated by the beginner of Black exceptionalism and intellectualism W.E.B Dubois and the N.A.A.C.P for ages before the civil rights movement. Personally, I never fully realized the power and greatness of this man until just recently, see I had grew up in the 90's and it was all about the movement that would come after the civil rights era; the black power era with its emphasis on masculinity and defiance epitomized by the Black Panther Party and in my era of  rap music especially Tupac Shakur and his vision of Thug life. Going back deeper was my awakening due to the teachings of the Hon. Elijah Muhammad and his protege Mr. Malcom X who as we know was both highly critical of the civil rights movement and Dr. King. Turning the other cheek, non-violence, loving thy neighbor epitomes of civil rights and of black christian ethics was never given the light of day to the reality that faces black males in the ghetto: survival by any means and besides we always looked at those tactics as weak because somehow back then black folks especially the males was somehow scared of the white man and loved him so much that he would give up his manhood in order to be accepted by him. So even though I respected the man i always put him in a "uncle tom" status until i actually read in depth his story and the circumstances he had to face. I read about how he never wanted to be a preacher but had to because he daddy was one. I read about how in college getting his doctorate he was reading everything else besides theology science, reason, he ran into Ghandi and his work of non-violence and civil disobediance. I read that after his studies he would take his post at Dexter Avenue Baptist Church where he just so happened to become thrown into the civil rights movement. He had no grand strategy of changing the landscape of American race relations he had no pre-conceived notions of grandeur hell he was a ladies man good with the honeys so what changed? If anyone knows anything about God and religion we know that every prophet or great man never wanted to be one, God just came into their lives and boom everything changed and this is what happened with Dr. King God brought him to do his bidding and the rest is history. And who else better than Dr. King remember his father and grandfather was baptist ministers in the south so you know that tradition stretched back all the way to slavery, so as the chosen one of that staple of the black community we can say that Dr. King also was the best product that the black church had ever produced; full of contradiction yes but his ability to deliver a message to tap into the souls of not only black people but to the christian conscience of America has not been reproduced by any one and the only person who came close was probably Obama during his first run for president. So Dr. King was not only the best that the Black church had to offer but of what christianity had to offer cause let us be clear Billy Graham with all his stadium crusades was not in favor of integration or of blacks in general and christianity had been hijacked by white supremacy but it was Dr.King and black folks in general who lived the precepts of jesus christ to the T as was put on display during the civil rights movement. When I really looked at how much hate this man and the regular people who followed had to endure then i see at how much more powerful his emphasis on non-violence really was and at how it takes more strength for a man not to hit back than it is for a man to hit back. I look at how those who did take up arms against their oppressors and question how did their revolution end up? I look at the inability to compromise and move forward because the hate is to deep on both sides and the line is drawn in the sand like an unwinnable game of tug of war, who really wins in the end? I won't say that we've made it to the mountain top and with black lives matter entering the public space and with the tea party and the recent events in washington we see the tug of war even in America but can we really say that we aren't better off without the voting rights act the civil rights act and in time the war on poverty crusade of lyndon B Johnson? I had to go back to the hate that King faced in chicago, in florida and i must say that is more manly than anything malcom x ever said or whatever the black panthers did but back to king. His story just points to the greatness inherit in anyone person Dr.king rose to the occasion and he delivered and that is why he is maybe with Abraham Lincoln the greatest American ever born.

[sucaritra]

Bāṛi - Chapter 5

Word Count: 1860

Warnings: language, anxiety, Negan

Summary: brief meeting with a new character, weird lady in a stairwell and first day on the job

A/N: i hate writing dialogue, so let me know if it’s exceptionally bad or could use some work

You woke up to the hussle and bussle of the Sanctuary’s inhabitants rising and getting ready for the work day. Turns out you were wrong about having a peaceful night. Every tossing and turning of the people in the surrounding beds throughout the night sounded like a stray dead fuck to your paranoid mind, resulting in a restless sleep. You were absolutely knackered as you wearily raised yourself off of your bed and took in your surroundings.

You'd picked up your little ‘welcome pack’ from the clinic once you'd realised you'd forgotten it after your meeting with Negan, along with the disgusting clothes you'd arrived in. Simon had assured you that you'd get a chance to wash them as he led you to your new bedroom. You bedroom also happened to house about fifty other people as you were placed in the communal living area, where most, if not all, newbies start off in. Most tend to stay there too, mainly due to the sheer number of points required for your own room, and that's only if there are any single rooms available as they tend to be snatched up pretty quick.

While you weren't ungrateful for being taken in, it was difficult to be positive about your new digs. Packing so many people into one room meant there was an ever present stench of sweat and body odour. The assault on your nose made it difficult not to grimace just being in the room, and even more difficult to sleep to, but you supposed you'd get used to it.

Everyone, at least, had their own little space, separated by curtains or pieces of material. Your bunk was, thankfully, in a corner, with only a rough looking older lady to your right. Apart from the box of necessities and the mattress atop a few crates stacked together, your bunk was empty of anything else, which you didn't mind. It wasn't like you could pick up some furniture from Ikea and start decorating.

You were dressed in the same outfit as yesterday as you followed the large group of people out of the living quarters. Eerily, everyone resembled the dead outside as they all flocked towards the cafeteria in search of food. You tuck your t-shirt into your slightly baggy jeans to keep them up as you mentally take note of the route, trying to memorise at least the main areas of the Sanctuary.

The smell of freshly baked bread, eggs and some kind of meat sizzling on frying pans wafted up your nose, making your mouth water and stomach rumble as you entered the canteen. Grudgingly, you queued up for the cold porridge line rather than the hot food, opting to save your two remaining hot free meals as you were planning on hoarding your points so you can have your own room.

Taking a seat at a half filled table with your bowl of gruel, you kept your head down as you got started on breakfast. The large clock above the door told you that you only had twenty minutes to finish your meal and get to Negan’s office, making you quicken your pace and a knot of anxiety to form within you.

You had a vague idea on what job Negan will give you, making you slightly prepared, but you didn't want to make any assumptions as the man seemed like he’d be full of surprises.

You're broken from your thoughts as a, what you presume to be, Savior takes a seat opposite you. He's probably older than you by only a few years, with silky, brown hair in a bun on his head and sporting quite an impressive beard. The man could have been a model before all this, with thick muscles and towering in height, and you can't help but complain to yourself about how good looking everyone seems to be around here while you're there looking like a freaking moldy potato.

“Hope you don't mind, everywhere else is taken.” he smiled the most charming of smiles at you when you caught his eyes, and suddenly you understood the term ‘swoon’ on a whole new level.

“Of course not. I've got to go now anyway or I’ll be late for my first day. Not really the impression I want to set.” you flashed him a shy smile as you slowly started to rise out of your chair.

“Oh, well that's a shame. I was hoping to get to know you a little before my shift starts. We don't get newcomers here often as you can imagine. Maybe I’ll catch you at dinner?”

“Maybe.” and with another smile in his direction you awkwardly maneuvered your way through the many tables towards the exit. You were hoping for a more graceful departure as his eyes followed you out, but the tripping and stepping on spilt breakfast quickly flushed that idea down the toilet.

You quickly located the nearest stairwell and proceed to make the long trek up towards Negan’s office on the top floor. Trying to remember any breathing exercises you used to do in physical education at school to help with the ascent, your thoughts drifted to the bearded hunk you'd just encountered. He was a different kind of handsome to Negan. Sure, they were both tall, imposing, manly men. But the stranger was sweet and well mannered, whereas Negan was foul mouthed and a brute. Oh, and the stranger didn't have five wives. At least, you hoped not.

Fuck, you didn't even manage to get his name.

Taking a quick breather at the second floor from the top, you were caught by surprise by the appearance of a stunning, tall brunette who entered the stairwell, and, judging by the look on her face, she was just as surprised by the sight of you. An uncomfortable silence surrounded you as you both stared at each other, yourself feeling just the little bit like a troll in her flowery scented presence. She stared at you for a little too long, causing you to send a strained smile her way before moving to make your way up again before she stopped you.

“Sorry! I didn't mean to stare, it’s just that I wasn't expecting anyone out here. Not many people are allowed up here, and you don't look like a Savior.” her eyes narrowed slightly in your direction, silently waiting for an explanation in, you had to admit, a rather polite way.

“Oh, well, I’m actually supposed to go to Negan’s office so he can tell me what work I’ll be doing here.”

You watched as her face lit up with recognition. She took you in with new eyes as she lit up a cigarette with her dainty fingers, offering you a soft smile.

“That’s right, Negan mentioned something about a new girl.”

Her pitying stare was making you uncomfortable, so with the excuse of being late you left her to her smoke as you climbed the final steps to the top floor, making your way to Negan’s office door and knocking gently.

“Come in!”

At his behest you let yourself in, immediately taking a seat at the desk once again.

“Well if it isn't my favourite Brit! How was your first night sweetheart? Didn't need someone to keep you warm, did you? I would've been more than happy to oblige.” He threw a wink at you, a dirty smirk on his face as he took note of your slowly blooming cheeks.

“Uh, no, it was fine. Actually gets a bit hot in that big room.”

“Fucking stinks, doesn't it?” He laughed at your shocked face from his unexpected bluntness before continuing. “Don't worry darling, you can say it. Smells worse than one of Fat Joey’s ass acoustics down there, and that's fucking saying something.”

You didn't know who the unfortunate man named Fat Joey was but you’d be sure to avoid him when you find out.

“It’s not the nicest smelling place, but that's to be expected with so many people in one room. But it was probably the safest night I've had since this whole thing started, so I can't really complain.”

Negan’s face almost imperceptibly softened at that, prompting a shy smile to make it’s way onto your face.

“Aw, well that just warms my cold, cold heart.” The wanker couldn't even be serious for five minutes, fucking hell.

He lightly chuckles at your unimpressed face before getting into the sole reason you were there.

“Alrighty, enough chit-chat. You, my girl, are going to be my hot little secretary. I've always fucking wanted one, and you're small, fuck is it small, amount of experience puts you as the top contender for the job. We’ll see how you do today, and if I like what I see then you're hired!”

He was way more enthusiastic about this than you, but you had to admit it was probably pretty easy work compared to what everyone else here was doing. Plus, you hoped that working under the boss meant that the pay was better, but you weren't stupid enough to ask that.

“Sounds good. What will I be doing?”

He beamed at you as he replied, “Well, since I'm such a stand up guy, I'm gonna start you off easy for your first day.”

Reaching for something out of your eyesight, he dropped a box onto his desk. You leaned forward to look inside as he slid it towards you, seeing it filled to the brim with papers, barely legible writing scrawled on them.

“I need you to re-write everything that's in that box. That shit has been bugging me since day fucking one. I'm fucking up my eyes trying to read that chicken shit, so you're gonna copy it all down in that neat handwriting girls have. You think you can do that sweetheart?”

“I think I can manage that,” you condescending prick.

“Good girl.” he flashed his pearly whites before standing and grabbing the box, leading you to the corner where there was a couch and a coffee table with a large pad of paper and pens resting on it. He placed the box down on the floor before making his way back to his desk.

“Just holler if you don't understand a word or need help with anything.” and with that, he grabbed his own pad of paper and got on with whatever work he does up here.

You sit indian-style on the floor between the couch and table, grabbing the first paper from the box and reading through it. Grabbing another, you realise these are records of every single person living at the Sanctuary. Most people seem to have just one sheet filled with their information, such as medical history, what they did before the apocalypse and what they did before the Sanctuary, as well as some other details, whilst a few others had multiple sheets. You didn't think it was very ethical for you to be seeing all this, but with the way things are now you supposed it didn't really matter.

You settled in for a long, tedious work day, painfully aware of Negan's gaze burning holes into the side of your head.

tagging: @neganisking

[jkl-fff]

Thanks! For your answer! That really cleared a few things up. My friend realized that I guess I am a bit niaeve? (Sorry for spelling) I guess I've been living in a bubble where I believe everyone is equal. 😕 got some growing to do I guess. Um on a nother note that my friend has Braught up that I don't really understand or I guess I should really say I don't fully beilive in and have a hard time understanding is "gender Fluidity".... What are your thoughts on that?

Glad I could help, and that I get the opportunity to try tohelp again!Especially with such engaging (and, for me, just plain fun) questions!

Now, don’t feel bad about not knowing these sorts of thingsalready. Heck, when I was younger, I had a hard time believing sexism andracism and homophobia were such huge problems, too, because I was also raisedin a bubble; I had a hard time believing violence and discrimination couldactually be things that really happen in the world—cruelties and crimes anyonewould actually want to commit—becauseneither I nor anyone I knew would ever think of committing those acts (or,y’know, so I thought). It was literally inconceivable to me for a long time.

Likewise for a lot of the concepts related to identity and gender, actually.Fluidity and transgenderism and intersectionality, etc. They weren’t things Ihad any experience with (they just didn’t exist inside my bubble, or weren’tallowed to be normal if they did), so it took me a long time to believe theyreally existed outside of itand then to gain any understanding of them.

And that’s okay. I want you to understand that. It’s okay tonot know things you’ve never even had a reason or the chance to learn. The wayI see it, being ignorant and/or naïve doesn’t make one a bad person, because weall start off ignorant and naïve about literallyeverything.

This, incidentally, is something a lot of people on tumblr need to accept: Weall start off knowing nothing, andwe’re all currently in the process of learning and growing (hopefully). So weshould be patient and kind with each other. Especially since a lot of theseconcepts are not exactly easy to grasp at first; they’re complex and nuanced, not simpleblack-and-white ideas, and they take time to learn, understand, and integrate.

Okay … Time for the question itself!Now, the way I see it, there are 2 aspects to gender fluidity (one whichapplies to everyone, one whichapplies only to some people), but I’mgoing to need to take a step back in order to explain both of them in a waythat makes sense.Please feel free to ask questions about any part of this, by the way. I meanthat for anyone and everyone reading this, too.

The first difficulty is that society tends to oversimplify all aspects related to identity (of which sex, gender, and sexualityare important parts … as well as race and ethnicity, socioeconomic status andsocial class, religion, and even what sorts of hobbies you like todo—everything that makes a person a unique individual) down to easy binaries.Now, a binary system is where there are only two options (two boxes, you mightsay) and everything has to be sorted, categorized, and labeled in to either one or the other, but not both.Classical examples include: White or Black, Good or Evil, Man or Woman,Straight or Gay.

The problem with binaries is thatthey’re very limited, and just notaccurate (and usually get used to dehumanize minority groups and oppress them).Reality is more complex than that—people(and their identities) are more complex than that. We don’t exist on binaries,but rather on spectrums.

Now, a spectrum system is where we have degrees, like a scale from 1 to 10, orshades of gray between black and white.Nuances, in other words, subtledifferences.

Like how there are varying degrees of bisexuality between being gayand straight, and varying degrees of intersex and masculinity and femininitybetween woman and man (I’m reallysimplifying that concept, by the way, for clarity’s sake). And one couldliterally imagine any aspect of aperson’s identity as being somewhere along a 1 to 10 spectrum which ismore-or-less completely separate from all the other spectrums. (How gay arethey? How religious? How much of a furry? How musical? How passionate aboutcoffee? None of these spectrums really influence any of the others). One of them might be low for you, and high for me, and really highfor someone else.

With me so far?Here’s where fluidity comes into it: we exist on spectrums, andwe aren’t permanently fixed in the same spots. For one thing, we changeover time. But, more importantly, we change according to the situations inwhich we find ourselves. Or, if you prefer to think of it this way, weemphasize and assert different aspects of our personality depending on thesituations in which we find ourselves.

For example: Martial Arts! Imagine a spectrum for how much the martial artsinfluence identity. Most people would be really low on it (they have noattachment or investment in it—they’re generally at 0). But me? I’ve been doingTaekwon-Do for the past 20 years; it’s an integral part of my identity (wecould say I’m generally at 10 on that spectrum).

BUT, even though it’s integral to who I am, I’m not always doing Taekwon-Do. I don’t open doors by kicking them; Idon’t open windows by punching them. I hardly ever talk about it with friendsand family (only when the conversation goes that direction, really, so it’smaybe 3 then). It’s important to me, yes, but the importance of it variesdepending on the situation. When I’m in class with my instructor or at aseminar or a tournament, it’s the most important part of my identity (10). When I’m in the car with my instructor driving toan event, it’s still important, but not as much (6 or 7) because we might talk aboutfamily, friends, work, books and movies, etc. and not always Taekwon-Do.Andwhen I brush my teeth before bed? Well, it doesn’t matter at all then (0).

So one might say my Taekwon-Do identity, because it shifts up and down thatspectrum, is fluid. Same with the other aspects of my identity (being a writer,being Francophone, being someone who owns a dog, being an older brother, beinga student, being a teacher, etc. etc. etc.); they are also on a spectrum, andalso fluid because they shift up and down depending on the situation.

Still with me?Great! Now, let’s take that same idea, and apply it to femininity andmasculinity, which exist at the same time in every person. It is NOT that thereis a single spectrum with both at opposite ends, but rather two separatespectrums that exist at the same time (yes, typically, most people will try tomaximize one and minimize the other, but even the machoest manly man will stillhave situations in which he acts more what we might call feminine—he mightnormally act 1 fem, but sometimes he’ll act 2 or even 3 fem).

Depending on thesituation, one will emphasize and assert their masculinity and/or theirfemininity more than in another situation.Like, a policewoman might act all tough at work (10 masc) yet still besensitive to people’s emotions while working (8 fem); once she gets off work,she might act all playful with insulting jokes to her little brother (4 masc)while also doing her hair so she can go dancing with friends (9 fem).

If you pay attention to your own behavior, I guarantee you’ll notice that youdo the same—you act different ways (sometimes more feminine, sometimes moremasculine) in different situations. And so do your friends and family. And sodo I, and my friends and family, and literally every person on the planet. Inthat respect, we all have fluid genders—in that respect, gender has alwaysalready been a fluid part of a person’s identity.

That was the first part (how everyone has some genderfluidity). The second part, really, is just an extension of it.

Y’see, even fluidityitself is on a spectrum, meaning that some people act more fluidly than others.Some people don’t change how they acta great deal for the situation (think of someone who’s always happy or grumpy no matter what,or someone who only wears jeans orblack clothes no matter what) … and some people do change how they act a great deal. They might want to feel prettyfor one situation (might put on makeup or a dress, even identify as a girl),then want to feel jock for another situation (might put on a letterman and slickback their hair, even identify as a boy). They might even feel strongly invested intheir gender fluidity, and choose to make that a very prominent part of theirlarger identity. People like this might, therefore, choose to specifically identifyas “gender fluid”, “gender queer”, or “bi-gender” (just like people who feelstrongly invested in their homosexual attraction might choose to identify as “lesbian”or “gay” or “bi” or “pan”).

At least, those are the two ways that I understand gender fluidity.

One thing I would like to emphasize before finishing isthis: It’s okay if you don’t fully understand why someone would feel that way. It’sokay if you never fully understandwhy. You haven’t had the same experiences as the people who do feel that way,so it’s only natural if you don’t really get it.The important thing, however, is to understand that you don’t have to get it. Other people do, and their experiencesare just as valid and worthy of respect as yours.

I’ll give you a personal example. I am an exceptionally homosexual man. On thespectrum of homosexuality, I’m probably 12 out of 10. I am gayer than a freakin’fruit bat. As a result, I do notunderstand why people find women sexually attractive; I do not get what all the fuss is about boobs, and vaginas kinda freakme out a little. BUT all of my lesbian friends assure me they very much find womenhot, as do all of my straight guy friends, and all of my bi and pan friends;they all agree that women are quite sexually arousing. I don’t get why theyfeel that way, but I don’t have to get it. They do, and I respect that, and that’s what really matters.They’re okay. I’m okay. We’re all okay.

Hope this was also helpful for you!

As always, everyone, remember the core of the lesson is: Don’t be a jerk to other people. Just be nice and kind and patient.

[oh-beyond]

Puppy love AU - Epilogue

EXO as animals series: Baekhyun

All puppies like attention and love, but this particular one had never experienced this feeling, Baekhyun was an orphan and the only friend he knew was his shadow, until you came, the new supervisor of the place.

Baekhyun x reader

Puppy AU/fluff/very light smut, like so light is 0% ^_^

Masterlist

EXO hybrid series

< Part 3 

“… I don’t know, I’m not sure doctor, you see he wasn’t doing very well the past couple of months, and we cannot force him to get checked out, he has improved don’t get me wrong, but he has definitely been affected after what happened between you two”

“I wasn’t able to live properly all this time either, I was confused, I didn’t want to confuse him with me, would you really respect me if I just followed my instincts and date someone who was my patient and just a couple of weeks before leaving the institution he was acting like a 12 year old?”

Yixing nodded in silence through the phone “then why now? What is different?”

“Just please Zhang Yixing-ssi, let me see him”

“Alright… we will be at ‘The 8’ club tonight, Shana has prepared a birthday party for him”

“Shana… are they-”

“Not that she’s not trying, but he isn’t ready”

“Well he is ready for me” you said confidently leaving no more space for Yixing to comment.

It’s his birthday and you were going full power on this poor pup, screw work, screw your morals, you wanted to be Baekhyun’s girl, that girl he wouldn’t have to ask permission for anything, the one he takes to his apartment and takes care of him even if he wanted to act all childish, no one better than a therapist to take care of this puppy.

You acted on impulse, you just couldn’t stay away from him any longer, you found yourself at that very thought in a lingerie shop, why? It was obvious.

“Yes I’ll take the red one please” 

Red laced set, like strawberry... he would like it... yes he will see it, he will peel it off, he was 25 today, you were going to make it unforgettable.

“So you want me to make you a bouquet out of the strawberries you brought?” 

“Yes please”

“We are a flower shop”

“Pretty please, it’s for a special occasion and my boy loves strawberries”

“You might be our first customer wanting to get a bouquet for a guy, make that extra outrageous, a strawberry bouquet” said the assistant at the flower shop watching you pout “I think we could make it happen”

Great, yes everything was to please Baekhyun, you thought of Pokemon but today there was no place for this, just sensual themed night, just like the last touches to your room, strawberry scented candles, red silky sheets, it was perfect, of course he will come with you, you knew when you put that red lipstick on, obvious heavy make up, smokey eyes making you look daring, sexy, he would lose his virginity just by looking at you today, that was your sinful intention, best birthday present.

Your dress was very simple in the other hand, not giving away much, would kill him wanting to know what’s under the black turtleneck long sleeved long dress, it did hug your body in the right places, but it would kill him not being able to see. One last look at the mirror and you were ready to get your puppy home.

You arrived early, you saw Shana fixing the decorations, you boldly stepped into the booth and sat down crossing your legs.

“Very nice of you, he will love it I’m sure”

“Hi doctor, thanks, yes he will, I’m also sure of that”

“To cut the crap, I’m here to get him, just so you know”

“I know no matter what I do he was always yours, treat him well because he’s suffered enough” said Shana with a sigh, going down the stairs after finishing the last touches.

Your grin grew in satisfaction, it wasn’t your style to be a bitch, but the need to have Baekhyun in your arms was beyond description.

Chanyeol arrived accompanied by a group of friends, his reaction to seeing you made you really confident, you stood up making your way to greet him.

“Hi Park Chanyeol-ssi”

“Just... just oppa is fine”

“Where is Baekhyun?”

Chanyeol’s face was priceless, oh you did look freaking sexy, he just kept his jaw hanging like an idiot, pointing at the main door of the club, you then saw Baekhyun looking extra delicious being dragged by Yixing, he wore a black suit the jacket being black velvet material, a white ruffle neck shirt underneath decorated with a black bow lace, so elegant so manly, you just wanted to take him home already, his hair brushed to the side showing his right side of his forehead only the left side covered by a nice fringe that covered his eyebrow touching his eyelashes.

He saw you, he wasn’t even sure it was you, you took the bouquet that you placed on the couch earlier at your arrival and went his way waiting for all the invitees to greet him, including Shana who kissed both his cheeks ‘without permission’.

“Hi Zhang Yixing-ssi, hi Baekhyun-ssi”

“You look different” he spoke trying to frown.

“So do you Baekhyun-ssi, here I got you a little present, it’s not much but I think you would like it” you offered the bouquet to him making him gasp in surprise, his naive smile displayed in his face and you knew all you wanted for the rest of your life was to wake up every morning with one of these by your side.

Baekhyun immediately went and grabbed one munching on it, it was very juicy which caused him to drip some of the crimson juice over his chin, Yixing smiled and gathered everyone towards the booth leaving you at the entrance alone. You took a tissue and cleaned him.

“Wait I’m not a baby, I can do it”

“Oh no you are not a baby, but I want to treat you, nothing to do with your manliness Baekhyun”

“Why are you here?”

“I missed you, I was a fool”

“You hurt me, I cried for you, you never came or called”

“I am sorry Baekhyun, please forgive me, I was afraid, it was too soon”

“Too soon? Wouldn’t it be better if you were by my side as I was learning? I had chest pain, I always thought of you, why did you reject me, was it because of my tai-”

“Baekhyun” you interrupted “how about if I told you I want to see your tail?” you said getting closer “how about I see you... all of you... and you see me, and we finish that unfinished business we had the last time we were together?”

“I-I... like you and me? Without permission?”

“Without permission Baekhyun, I want to be yours, forever to keep, I will be forever next to you in your hardships” you spoke as if it was that easy, like talking to a kid.

“And that’s it? What are you talking to a 12 year old? Excuse me I have a party to attend”

“You want me to leave Baekhyun?”

“Mmm, nah... you can stay”

There was hope.

The party wasn’t lame, Baekhyun kept staring at you quite obviously, you never broke eye contact but Baekhyun would look away shyly, you could see how happy he really was.

“Come on make a wish Baekhyun”

“I think I don’t want anything, what I wanted I already got”

“What is it Baekhyun? Come on tell us if it already came true”

You made your way next to him and without further delay you just placed both hands on the nape of his neck crushing your lips onto his, you could feel how Baekhyun was taken aback by the sudden action, his eyes remained open and lips unmoving, everyone cheered, you could hear clapping and some dared to say he was going to get lucky tonight.

“You taste like strawberry this time Baekhyun” you whispered in his ear after you broke the kiss.

Baekhyun was still shellshocked very surprised.

“Is this your wish Baekhyun?”

“Y-yes, she is my wish”

Yixing was exceptionally happy for both of you Chanyeol and Shana were just as dumbfounded as Baekhyun, each one for a different reason.

“He might of gotten that wish, but I still have to give him his present at home, would you come with me Baekhyun?” you offered your hand everyone around still cheering, Baekhyun’s cheeks felt like fire, he was red as a strawberry at this point, nonetheless he nodded and took your hand.

You run outside to the parking lot you opened the door for Baekhyun and buckled his belt and off you went, Baekhyun looked at you as you drove while he munched on that strawberry bouquet being extra careful not to mess his face.

“What does this mean? What is my present?”

“I will show you, if you don’t like it tell me”

“Everything you give me I will love”

“I really hope so Baekhyun, it’s only for grownups” you smirked as you drove.

You arrived at your apartment complex, Baekhyun walked behind you very expectant, you entered the code to your door and asked Baekhyun to wait for you at the hallway, giving you enough time to light the candles, you peeked your head from your bedroom door to find Baekhyun both hands on his backside probably trying to calm his tail.

“Hey puppy! Do you want to come in?”

“Yes I do!” he said startled when he heard your voice.

He entered the room which was very modest in comparison to his own, yet he was mesmerised by the red intonations and the overwhelming smell of strawberry.

“I missed you Baek” you said pulling his hands bringing him close to you.

“Do you want to be my girlfriend?” he asked innocently, you nodded in response.

“Words”

“Yes Baekhyun, I would love to”

“So now I don’t have to ask for permission for anything I want to do?”

“Show me what you want to do”

Baekhyun attached his lips to your neck you felt him biting little desperate bites, the turtleneck wasn’t helping “ta-take it off, I can’t...”

You turned your back to him “unzip it Baekhyun”

His hands were shivering during the whole process until you managed to peel it off yourself stepping out of the dress revealing you lacy red set, Baekhyun covered his eyes with his hands taking little steps backwards, he looked adorable.

“What’s wrong Baekhyun? Do you not like me?”

“You-you are making my body feel too excited, we-we didn’t really talk about the conditions yet”

You took his hands and pulled them behind your back, Baekhyun doubled his eyes in size watching your every step “conditions? What conditions?” you whispered.

“So this, what we are doing here, this is a commitment, you cannot leave me, or get tired of me, or-or, nothing you will come with me home and you will live with me, and I will be your man, that’s it”

“Yes Baekhyun, I want you to be my man, I will never leave you or get bored of you” you whispered your voice sounding too sensual, you were hitting the right buttons because Baekhyun was trembling as his head fell back, your mouth attacked his neck and peppered little wet kitty kisses along his jaw and collarbones, shameless moans escaped his beautiful mouth “what is it Baek? What are you feeling?” 

“I-I I’m your man, so you will listen to me and if I ask you to do something you will”

“Yes of course” you said a bit puzzled at his insisting tone.

He then pulled out of his pocket a bright yellow stretchy tiny little dress, it was horrible, it was almost neon, just like those dresses they wore in anime cartoons “wear it”

“What? Baekhyun what is this? Are you into cosplay? I wonder you have a wig that would match this thing?

His pout as he sat on the bed looking at you disinterested, your lacy set was amazing, the price you paid for it was also beyond what you could afford just to impress him but all he wanted was this horrible weightless rag of a dress on you.

“Alright Baekie, anything for you” you mentally slapped yourself, what effect did he have on you that was the first time you listened to a man this willingly?

“Really? You will?” he said bouncing on the bed.

“Anything for you” you added now trying to stretch the plastic like fabric to get in.

“No wait, not like that, take off that red underwear otherwise it will ruin the whole thing” he said getting up “I’ll wait outside” he added peeking his head for the last time before closing the door behind him.

Great... his lingerie taste was absolutely shit, you hoped it was because of his lack of experience, you will teach him with time because the view of this ballon-like fabric feeling on your body was worst than what you thought, it was like being wrapped in clingfilm plus the colour was the cheery on top.

“Baekhyun!” mentally hoping he hated it.

Baekhyun entered the room jumping up and down clapping his hands lightly displaying that smile.

You were really regretting this right now, it looked really bad, more like a noona kidnapping a little boy.

He then stopped as he realised your face was not at all amused, he cleared his throat and entered closing the door behind him “sorry I got carried away”

You simply didn’t answer and kept admiring this piece of unique fashion your ‘man’ chose for you.

Baekhyun now pulled you closer and his hands found their way to you butt cheeks squeezing gently making you whimper in surprise, he devoured your mouth the kiss was sloppy and needy, Baekhyun detached himself and tried desperately to take his clothes off, you helped him peeling off his jacket followed by his shirt surprising you with the view of a defined torso, your fingertips tasting the silky feeling of his abdomen feeling the little love trail.

“This I wasn’t expecting Baekhyun”

“You still haven’t seen my tail”

“I’m waiting...” you crossed your arms over your chest and you sat down in the bed.

“I’m shy”

“Would you like me to take off everything first?” ‘say yes please’

“No! No, I want to do it, I didn’t enjoy your outfit yet”  

“Babyboy... lingerie is meant for a few seconds, there are other things to do...” wishing he told you to take it off already.

Baekhyun jumped on bed on his four, then he climbed on top of you grabbing one strap of the dress with his teeth and the other with his hand trying to pull it away, you sat back holding his hands teaching him how to pull it off finally, and what a fast learner it was out of the way in a second, You lied back down watching how Baekhyun took in your nakedness, you took his hand hand placed it over your breast.

“First time you’ve seen something like this?”

“No Chanyeol and I watched some movies and there were a lot of these” he replied innocently “but not like yours, at least the effect wasn’t like this”

Baekhyun got up and pulled down his pants, you admired the super flashy angry birds boxers, you placed your hand over your mouth trying to restrain yourself from cracking up.

He sat back down you noticed his breath was audible, he was too nervous, you sat behind him pressing your chest to his back encircling your arms around his neck. You kissed his cheek trying to give him some confidence.

“What is it Baekie? Do you want to talk instead? Tell me your worries, I’m here for you”

“My tail...”

“I have an idea, show me your front before your back! Deal?”

“I’m not sure either”

You jumped off the bed kneeling in front of him forcing him to open his legs for you watching how you patted his bulge, his hands found their way to your hair making you smile.

“I know what you are going to do, I watched this with Chanyeol also”

“I’m not really sure I understand how can guys watch porn together, I am just going to ignore the image, but I can tell you this... you won’t need it anymore” you said and in a blinked of an eye your hand had grabbed ahold of his hardening member, you were about to kiss the tip but he pulled your chin to look at him.

“You are too precious to do this, no”

“It’s alright Baekhyun I want to”

“I want you close to me instead, this don’t matter to me” you felt him pull your arms making you stand up with him.

He pushed his boxers down freeing himself, he hugged you tightly making you gasp for air, he buried his head on the crock of your neck, you felt how trembly he was, he was frightened.

“Baekhyun baby, it’s alright shh... I’m sorry, it’s too overwhelming, I’m an idiot, come on let’s cuddle” you tried to move to him to lie down with you but he stopped you.

He took your right hand and placed it on the small of his back, you understood and trailed your hand down till you felt it,  it was wagging right and left, it was a very small tail but still it was a freaking tail, you giggled and looked at him.

“I think your tail is more brave than you, I think the tail is really happy, you are shivering under my touch Baekie”

“I-I am not, and my tail does what I command”

“Alright, make it stop wagging”

“Baekhyun scrunched his eyes shut and tried with all his heart and soul, you heard him groan but the tail still wagged”

“OMG, the tail has it’s own personality, I am so in love with the tail”

“Really? Do you love it?”

“Baekhyun it’s yours, of course I do, I am reminded that I got the most unique guy in the world that owns the most genuine heart, most beautiful smile” you now caressed his forehead and cheeks “I love you Baekhyun I want to make it up to you for the lost time”

Baekhyun pushed you to the bed, he kissed you making you short of breath, sloppy needy kisses, he lined himself comfortably and tried to go in prematurely, you had to explain to him how things were done, his fascinated eyes as you spoke about sex shamelessly trying not to blink or look too childish, one thing he did good was every time he was about to laugh he quietened himself kissing you, anywhere he found near, it was safe to say he kissed almost all your body worshiping every inch of it, and in that area you were just as virgin as he was, no one had ever made you feel this precious, and Baekhyun was being the pioneer in showing you how to feel loved.

You were woken up by the cold sensation of air hitting a wet patch on your chest, you slowly opened your eyes to see Baekhyun asleep on your arm his face covering your right breast, he had drooled... A LOT, his heavy breathing was making you shiver as it hit the pool on your chest, the other breast was luckier, his hand was over it keeping it warm. You kissed his head and tried taking your arm back to make breakfast but he whined like a baby, where did that voice came from? More than a boy he sounded like a 5 year old girl, it was just too funny...

“Why are you laughing? What!?”

“Hey baby, good morning!”

“Don’t call me baby, I showed you well enough yesterday what I’m capable of”

“Oh my man, my manly man, I don’t think I can even walk, I love how dominant you are oppa”

“Yes, oppa, that’s better” he said giggling “I love you”

“I love you too, let me make you breakfast”

“Wait! I have a couple of things I need to set”

“Anything for, my bab- my man”

“Right! First thing, you will from now on have some duties, like for example, you will rub my back in my daily showers”

“Baek-”

“I’m not done!”

“You-you will always... and forever... and I mean it... you will feed me the soup, and cereal, and anything that is too runny”

“Yes sir!”

“Really? And you will still see me like a man?”

“Baekhyun being a man is here” you placed your hand over his chest “also the way you treat me is being a man, the way you love me, I am sorry I forced you into eating your soup before” 

Baekhyun attacked your lips in the most loving way, slow lazy kiss that sent you to heaven, he was getting too excited now.

“But... I have my own requests too”

“Yeah? Alright...”

“You need to get rid of that horrible yellow thing you made me wear, where did u get it from anyway?”

“Online, I was fantasising on how you’d look with lingerie”

“Hell oppa, I will take you today to a lingerie place and you can chose anything you want from there, something classy”

“Alright then I want to get a pet also”

“Alright then you will need to take care of it”

“Alright then when are we going to our home?”

“I love you puppy”

_________________________

A/N: WTF? I can’t stop laughing this is so much fun to write, I hope it’s fun to read also.

Thanks for checking it out, feedback is always welcomed

[colourupuniforms]

How to start bike racing (in Sydney and Australia)

Perhaps you’ve watched pro cycling for years. You’ve spent many a late night watching Le Tour on SBS.  You’re inspired by the pros; how they dance up mountains and rocket down descents, how they battle through rain and snow and scorching sun. You love the tactics; how domestiques sacrifice themselves, breakaways struggle for survival, and the strongest launch their decisive attacks. You’re enamoured by the beauty, the glory, the sheer drama of bike racing.

And you’ve thought to yourself, “I want to do that!”

If you want to try racing for the first time, you’ve come to the right place. This is a beginner’s guide on how to enter your first road bicycle race. While the principles apply all across Australia, this guide will refer to examples from the Sydney cycling scene.

Just follow these 5 simple steps to start bike racing:

Learn to ride in a group

Buy a race licence

Choose a race

Pack the essentials

Show up and race!

Before we think about racing, let’s get our priorities thing straight: safety comes first. Forget bumping elbows, bunnyhopping curbs and diving for gaps in the bunch. At a local club race, everybody’s number one goal is not to win; it’s to go home to their families with their bones (and earning capacity) fully intact.

Bike racing involves high-speed, handlebar-to-handlebar action, so before you enter your first race, you must be comfortable with fast bunch riding. To get comfortable, you should practise riding in a group. Grab some more experienced cycling friends, and ride with them. If you don’t have any cycling buddies to ride with, ask your local cycling club about beginner-friendly group rides. 

You should be able to do the following before entering your first race:

Hold your line – you can confidently ride in a straight line without weaving back and forth, potentially colliding with riders behind and beside you;

Draft – you can comfortably ride behind another cyclist, ideally with no more than one wheel-length separating your front wheel from their back wheel; and

Look ahead – you can comfortably ride in a group with your head up, scanning for hazards up the road.

It may take you several rides before you get the hang of it. Take your time to master these fundamental skills before taking them into a race situation.

Once you’re comfortable with riding in a bunch, you’re ready to sign up for your first race.

In order to race, you must hold a racing licence from Cycling Australia.

You can sign up for a full annual race licence at the Cycling Australia website. If you’re not already a member of a cycling club, you should join one when purchasing your licence. The cost of a licence depends on your age category. The “Elite” category, for adults aged 19 to 29 years inclusive, costs $330. Prices start going down once you hit “Masters” category at age 30. Prices are also lower for juniors.

However, if you’re just dipping your toes into racing, there are cheaper options. This allows you to enter an unlimited number of club races in a seven-day period for $38. That’s a far more reasonable price for a beginner. If, after your first few races, you decide to continue with bike racing (and hopefully you will!), you can step up to the full licence.

As of January 2019, there’s also a ‘Race Starter Kit‘, which gives you two months of unlimited club racing for $50, provided you’ve never held a race licence before.

Please note that a Race Starter Kit and one-week licence only allow you to enter local club events. In order to enter the NSW State Championships or other “open” category events, you’ll need a full licence. However, if you’re new to racing, your first few races should be smaller local races anyway, where you can safely learn bunch racing skills and pick up valuable experience.

Once armed with your licence, it’s time to enter your first race.

In a metropolitan area like Sydney, races are held on most weekends and some weeknights. For a list of upcoming races in Sydney, albeit an incomplete one, browse cabici.net or the Mega Watt Machine Racing Calendar. Outside Sydney, check your local cycling club’s website or Facebook page for information about upcoming races.

What sort of race should you be signing up for? It’s recommended that you start with a shorter race. Look for a road race no longer than 30 kilometres or a criterium no longer than fifty minutes. It’d be foolish to enter a 200-kilometre epic like the Grafton to Inverell as your first event.

While shorter races can be quicker and more intense, they are better for beginners because they are logistically simpler. In your first race, you have enough to think about without worrying about food, hydration, and how to get back to your car after you left it five townships away at the start line.

In Sydney, there are many great options for your first race. Here are just a few suggestions:

Heffron Park, Maroubra: run year-round on Saturday afternoons by Randwick Botany CC, this is raced on a classic criterium circuit with a relaxed, family-friendly vibe. The flat course has some tight turns and the pavement surface is uneven, but it’s completely off-road so there’s no traffic to worry about. Also, should anything go wrong, you’re never more than a few hundred metres from the clubhouse. If Saturday afternoon doesn’t suit your schedule, other clubs host races at Heffron on other days of the week.

Sydney Motorsport Park, Eastern Creek: North West Sydney CC runs races here on Saturday mornings a few times a year. The full motorsport circuit is ideal for beginners as it’s traffic-free, very wide and very smooth.

West Head, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park: run monthly on Sunday mornings by Manly Warringah CC. It’s a hilly road race, in contrast to the flatter criterium circuits in the rest of this list. If you’re nervous about cornering, this course will suit you as it’s mostly straight. There are only two turns, those being at each end of the 24km circuit. Strongly recommended if you enjoy a bit of a climbing.

Waratah Park, Sutherland: run by Sutherland Shire CC on Friday evenings (summer) and Saturday mornings (winter), this is a safe, fun criterium course suitable for beginners who live down south in the Shire. Races tend to be relatively short in the lower grades (25min + 2 laps for D Grade), making Waratah Park a good tester for your first race.

Once you’ve selected a race, find out the entry requirements. Most let you register on the day, at the start line, about 30 minutes before the race start.. Some clubs request that you register online prior to race day. In either case, the entry fee is usually $15-$20.

You’ll be asked to pick a grade to race in. Unless you’re exceptionally strong (ask your riding buddies for their opinion), for your first race you should select the lowest available grade – usually D-Grade. If you somehow find yourself too quick for D-Grade, enjoy that winning feeling while you can, because you can be sure they’ll bump you up next time.

Once you’ve picked your event, get excited! You’re about to ride your first-ever bike race!

The night before your first race, make sure you have everything you need.

Strictly speaking, you don’t need much for a race.  Here are the bare essentials:

Cycling Australia licence – you’ll need to show this at sign-in.

Cash – for the entry fee, if you haven’t prepaid online.

Road bicycle – goes without saying. Make sure the tyres are pumped and the gears and brakes are in working condition.

Helmet – must have the Australian Standard certification sticker.

Shoes – clipless shoes are best, but technically not required.

Jersey – wear your club kit if you have one; otherwise, wear a plain black or white jersey.

Shorts – again, club kit is preferable.

Socks – your choice of length and colour.

Technically, you don’t need anything else to race. However, it��s recommended that you bring one drink bottle. In a one-hour race, you won’t need more than one bottle and you won’t need any food or gels, except perhaps in the height of summer. You should also consider wearing cycling gloves.  While not required, they will help protect your hands in the event of a crash.

You’ll also need to bring whatever you need to get to and from the race. If you’re driving, that’d be your car keys. If you’re riding to the start line, you might need a second drink bottle, food, spare tubes, lights and a mini-pump.

Once you’re all packed, all that’s left to do is to get a good night’s sleep and show up to your first bike race!

To avoid unnecessary stress before your first race, you should aim to arrive at the venue about an hour early.

Head to the sign-on desk, where you’ll collect your race number, pay the entry fee (if you haven’t already done so), present your race licence and sign the sign-on sheet.

Next, pin your race number to the back of your jersey. The race organisers will provide safety pins. If you don’t have a friend to help with this, take your jersey off, lay it on the ground and pin the number neatly to your jersey’s back pockets. For a secure fit, make sure each pin goes through the fabric twice.

Strip your bike of any saddlebags, lights, bells and other accessories. They’ll only weigh you down. Leave these extra bits in your car or in a safe place near the sign-on desk.

Speaking of things that weigh you down, if you need to use the toilet, do it now.

Do a 15- to 30-minute warm-up to get your legs spinning and your heart pumping. If you’re allowed on the course, ride a lap or two of the circuit to get to know the terrain and the conditions. At the very least, try to ride the last few kilometres before the finish line so you’ll know what to expect at the end.

Once you’re warmed up, make your way to the start line 5 minutes before the start time. This is when the commissaire will give a race briefing, telling you important information like how many laps you’re riding, any hazards to watch out for, and how many placegetters will be awarded prize money.

And with that, the commissaire will count you down and send you off on your very first bicycle race. Stay safe, learn lots, and enjoy the experience!

So play the sport focused with all the techniques to win the game with colourup uniforms.

You can design your own motorsports shirts and other motorsports uniforms with Colourup Uniforms.

Below are some of the categories that are available with us for you to explore.

Categories:

Design Your Own Custom Motorsports Apparel

Design Your Own Custom Motorsports Wears

Design Your Own Custom Motorsports Hoodies

Design Your Own Custom Mens Motorsports Polos

Design Your Own Custom Mens Long Sleeve Polos

Design Your Own Custom Mens Motorsports Jerseys

Design Your Own Custom Mens Long Sleeve Jerseys

Design Your Own Custom Mens Motorsports Jacket 

Design Your Own Custom Mens Motorsports Singlets 

Design Your Own Custom Ladies Motorsports Polos

Design Your Own Custom Ladies Long Sleeve Polos

Design Your Own Custom Ladies Motorsports Jerseys

Design Your Own Custom Ladies Long Sleeve Jerseys

Design Your Own Custom Ladies Motorsports Jacket 

Design Your Own Custom Ladies Motorsports Singlets 

Design Your Own Custom Motorsports Uniforms

Reference:

https://www.bgradecyclist.com/racing/start-bike-racing-sydney/

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Well-researched, broad range of insights. Gave me a lot of ideas on how to better champion female coworkers. Exceptionally well-researched. Broad range of research and insights from historical stories (about the start of Tupperware and email culture at Enron) to pop culture current events (trending hashtags, recent politics) to surprising studies and academic research. Go to Amazon

I devoured this book!!! I no longer have to deal with gender inequality, as my life has gone in a different direction. However, it was very much alive and well in the Air Force, and most especially on the flight line where I was an airplane mechanic, and watched all the women around me make two choices: become more manly than the men, or be ostracized. I guess there weren't many woman who chose the second option. Just me, really, and even at the time I remember thinking that it shouldn't have to be that way. Go to Amazon

An Honest Read This is the first time I am writing a book review, despite being a voracious reader. I want to buy multiple copies of this book and give it to all the white male managers who surround me. Over the years I read many books on the subject of gender inequality in the workplace. What always bothered me about the books was the message that women simply have to do more and then they will succeed. I abhor "Lean In" and the preposterous message it sends to women. Some of us have been tilting at windmills for years, with little impact. This book identifies the issue correctly, women are still foreigners in a world run by men. We visit, we contribute, but we are not welcome. The only way to change this is to make the men realize that it is simply more profitable to have us around, to promote us and to pay us. They will not welcome us because of the goodness of their hearts or endless diversity and inclusion training. Only the bottom lines speaks in the corporate world. I enjoyed the book because I found myself in the same type of situations described in the book throughout my career. Not many solutions are offered, and perhaps there is no solution, but at least it was refreshing to read an honest description of the workplace. Go to Amazon

These skills are equally present in taking on the core challenge of this book — how can women AND men together work to overcome the ongoing challenges of achieving better gender balance in the workforce For full disclosure — I went to college with Joanne, and have been a fan of her writing throughout her career. This book is no exception — as she has shown over the years as a journalist with the Wall Street Journal, she has the ability to convey her thoughts in clear prose, using her sources effectively, from scholarly studies to interviews with colorful characters. These skills are equally present in taking on the core challenge of this book — how can women AND men together work to overcome the ongoing challenges of achieving better gender balance in the workforce. Joanne seeks out and finds examples of how this is being done well, and abstracts from these the insights that all of us can use on a day to day basis. I devoured this book within 24 hours of its arrival, a feat last accomplished with a Harry Potter book. While there are no magic wands here, there are ideas that can lead to change. I have ordered copies for my company’s CEO, and for my daughters, and I suspect these won’t be the last copies! Go to Amazon

Gender equality - men and women both need to be involved Much of the research summarized in the book I have read in other formats. However this book still drew me in and made me better understand why gender equality is still a fight and an issue. The title is a very clever reminder of one of the things men can do to point out gender inequality at work. If you are a woman who is at all concerned about gender equality, buy this book for yourself but also buy it for the men in your life and the men with whom you work, so they can better understand what this is all about. So many subtle things they may never notice otherwise. Go to Amazon

A must read! Women can't fix sexism alone.... Alert Men, Get Real None Five Stars Everyone needs to read this book Important book that brings attention to an issue that is exceedingly relevant in the workplace Lipman begins by saying her book is not about bashing ... Great compendium of anecdotes, but the evolutionary framework is missing So revealing