#not super happy with it but it's been done for months and months and i haven't posted any TLs in a while ahshahsh

[dollsorwhatever]

Jennifer

This is a pretty rare variant of Jennifer and I ended up playing a game of chicken with the seller for two weeks before I caved and overpaid for her by a wide margin lol

At least she came in a beautifully (handmade I think) wedding gown to justify the cost a bit more. She also came with her original shoes! I'll put a Before and After here and leave the nerdy stuff below the cut lol

First thing I did when she arrived was wash her, straighten out her hair and set it into rollers.

And with her hair out of her face, I can more easily show what makes her so special compared to other Taiwan Jennifer dolls: she has Miss Long Hair's inner eyelashes!

(early Taiwan Jennifer with inner lashes vs later Taiwan Jennifer with no inner lashes)

This Jennifer is from the earliest batch of dolls made in Taiwan, which, unlike subsequent batches, have all of the facial details of Takara Miss Long Hair's face screening. Jennifer steadily loses more and more details of the original Miss Long Hair design through her production timeline, starting with the inner eyelashes. This batch with the full MLH face seems to have been a pretty small run, as the vast majority of Taiwan Jennifer dolls have no inner eyelashes.

There are other differences too; aside from the lashes, early Taiwan Jennifer has pinker/salmon lips and more saturated, heavier blue eyeshadow. Her torso and legs are also made of a much denser plastic than other Jennifers and they don't match her head and arms as closely as later Taiwan Jennifers. Early Taiwan Jennifer also has more pink to her skin, while Later Taiwan is more peachy. For reference, this is what Miss Long Hair's face looks like:

Both of these dolls represent the two major makeup variants of Miss Long Hair; the variant with a more subdued orange lip and blush, and the variant with highly saturated, bright orange blush and almost neon orange lips (my favorite lol) I feel like both Taiwan Jennifer variants take different bits and pieces from both MLH faces, but Early Taiwan makes the most of the original face to me- I'd even say she's prettier than MLH in some regards, especially the more saturated blue eyeshadow and more salmon pink lip!

Once her hair was done, I decided to swap her outfit with one of my other Jennifers and put her in my spare Long Hair Emily outfit, which I think suits her a lot more than it did the other girl!

And this Jennifer (and the wig I customized for her last month) was made to wear this wedding dress so it all worked out perfectly lol

And she fits in nicely with one of my other Jennifers, who is dressed in an original Miss Long Hair wedding dress!

Super in love with this doll and very glad I got my hands on her despite the cost! There are still a few Jennifer variants I'm missing (I don't have any of the Hong Kong variants for example) but I'm happy I have her!

[purplepleasureswritings]

Breadcrumbs - Joe Goldberg x Reader

Rating: Explicit

Wordcount: 2.5K

Tags: Pegging, Praise kink, No pronouns/ use of Y/N for reader but AFAB terms for genitalia, Bottom Joe Goldberg, Soft Top/ GentleDom Reader

Link to A03 for easier reading: here

Preview:

It all came down to breadcrumbs. 

That is, with your lover, you’ve come to learn. It was easy to plant ideas in his head, get him to warm up to something if you just left a few breadcrumbs in the form of books. 

And there was something you’ve been dying to try. Something you thought would be beneficial for the both of you. A release. 

The two of you met a few months ago when you leased a seedy little sex shop behind Mooney’s. You wanted to expand from having just toys and outfits, to having books as well. Everyone deserves to have a good time with the right tools, knowledge, and consent. So you asked your business “neighbor” where he sourced his books from and although he teased you for the 99 cent harlequin romance novels you could not seem to stay away from, the two of you quickly started dating. 

It feels like a whirlwind, but you have picked up on a few things about your lover, Joe Goldberg. 

His blatant mommy issues for one. The need to please another. The hidden, fleeting moments of desiring to submit, the final. 

Which made you wonder… and grow excited at the possibilities. 

Of course you would have to make it his idea… but you were patient. 

You could wait. 

ˋˏ-༻❁༺-ˎˊ

You were… cute… the way you had not so subtly been leaving books around the apartment on pegging. The strapons you had left out had also been a bit intimidating but they were also cute. He was picking up what you were putting down and if it would make you happy, then he was game. 

But how to go about bringing it up? He couldn’t seem too eager. He still had to be in control. But he could play this game. 

Maybe if he brought you lunch at your shop and lingered a bit? Or mentioned reading one of the books you left laying about?

Plan in place, he told Ethan he was going out to lunch, grabbing your favorite from the nearby deli before walking back to your shop, Between the Sheets. Your darkened windows had been plastered with sheet music to hide what truly lay deep in your store and he appreciated the cheeky forethought. 

He ducked into your store, walking past the bookshelves he had personally put together, past the lingerie and specialty sheets, to approach the counter you were behind, rearranging some of the body jewelry and… were those nipple clamps? 

“I brought you lunch.” He said, holding up the bag with takeout as you smiled and leaned over the counter to kiss him, not a customer in sight just yet. 

“Thanks, Sweetheart. You’re so thoughtful and the best.” You said sweetly and he smiled, heart fluttering. 

Was this what it was like to be taken care of and adored? Didn’t he deserve to be praised after everything he’s done for you? 

You took the bag from him, looking through it, brow furrowed. 

“You didn’t get anything for yourself?” You asked and he shook his head. Probably best not to eat anything just yet with what he was planning to do. 

“No, I wasn’t that hungry. I’d love to spend lunch with you though, if I won’t be a bother in the store.” He said and you smiled, squeezing his hand. 

“You’re never a bother, Joe, and you are welcome anytime. Feel free to poke around. If you see anything you like, I’ll give you a super special discount.” You said with a wink as he chuckled, weaving around the store to make his way to the back wall of dildos and okay, maybe he underestimated the dongsmiths you spoke so highly of. 

There was no way that massive thing would fit into anyone, right? And the clear one with confetti hearts… he didn’t want that going into him. But maybe going into you… he should look for one that would bring you pleasure too, although he would be sure to take care of you beforehand. 

He stopped in front of a box with a picture of a lilac colored strapless strap, flipping it over to look at the back. Vibrating… one end goes into you… one into… himself, he guessed… it doesn’t look too big… and was a nice enough color. Yup. This is the one. He’s really doing this. 

He brought the box up to the counter as you finished your lunch and threw out the trash, sliding it over the glass towards you. You hummed, smiling as you took it and put it under the counter. 

“Good choice, Baby. When would you like to try it?” You asked and he grabbed his wallet. 

“Is tonight too soon? How much do I owe you?” He asked, a strange flutter of excitement in his belly that confused him. 

“Not at all. I look forward to it. The breadcrumbs paid off. As for owing me… a kiss will do.” You said, making your way around the rounded glass counter to wrap your arms around his neck. He leaned in, breathing in your familiar scent and comforting himself. 

“You weren’t the most subtle.” He teased before kissing you as you laughed against his lips before returning the kiss. You cupped his face and he couldn’t help but lean into your touch. 

“The only thing I ask is that you be honest with me. I don’t want you to do this just because you think it will make me happy. I thought you might like being taken care of for once, but if it is too uncomfortable, then it is more than fine.” You said and he felt himself melt. 

You were so sincere and caring. How could he not do this? It could be a fun adventure and he should experience them outside of books. 

“No. I want to try. I’ll be over to your apartment at 7?” He asked and you smiled tenderly, giving him another peck on the lips. 

“7 it is. Get ready to be spoiled, Joe Goldberg.” 

ˋˏ-༻❁༺-ˎˊ

This was… nice… He thought it was cute how you were fussing over him, giving him a relaxing massage that had him groaning and achingly hard against the sheets. You kissed his shoulder and he melted into the bed even more as you combed through his thick, dark curls and scratched his scalp. 

“You ready, Baby? How do you want to start?” You asked and he moaned, rolling over to better face you, soothed by the sweet scent of the massage oil. 

“I want to put my mouth on you, first.” He said and you laughed, guiding his hand to your pussy to see how wet you were. He groaned. 

Shit, you really were into this, weren’t you? This taking care of him? It felt… safe. Like he could trust you. That he didn’t have to think so hard. Maybe giving into you for a night wouldn’t mean a loss. 

He pulled you down unto the bed, settling you against the pillows before crawling between your legs and nuzzling your inner thigh. His other encounters had been hurried, frantic bursts of passion. This was soothing…. Sensual… everything the flowery smutty literature he had read out of curiosity promised… only he was going to be taking seven inches of silicone up his ass in a bit. 

He wonders if Mr. Darcy would have done the same for one Miss Elizabeth Bennett, but only fanfiction would know.  

Jane Austen aside, your dripping core was calling to him and sure to be sweeter than any honey. He parted your puffy folds with his thumbs before licking a long strip from your hole to your clit, flicking his tongue around it and moaning as you arched. 

“You’re so good. So sweet. What a talented boy.” You praised and he whimpered against your cunt. He was good. He was sweet. And talented. Finally, someone that could see. 

He might have gotten his hands a bit bloody but it was worth it for this. 

He encouraged you to grind against his face and tongue as he slipped two fingers into you easily, pressing against the spot that had you crying out. 

“That’s it baby. Right there. You’re doing so good, ah!” You cried out, your thighs clamping around his head as blood rushed in his ears at the praise while you came, clenching on his fingers and thrusting up against his tongue to ride out the waves of pleasure. You released him, pulling him up into a kiss and letting him rest on your chest and you stroked his hair with a smile. 

“Still up for your turn?” You asked and he hid in your breasts, face burning with how much he wanted it, his curiosity never abated. 

“That’s alright, Sweetheart. You made me feel so good, what can I do for-” You started to say before he cut you off with a kiss. 

“No! I want…” He said frantically as you softened and cupped his cheek. 

“Alright, we’ll take it slow. I want you to tell me if you feel uncomfortable at any point and we’ll stop. Do you want to face me or on your knees.” You asked and he licked his lips, mouth dry. 

“You… I want to look at you… do.. do you want me to call you anything? That’s how it usually goes, right?” He asked. He hadn’t watched much porn but he’s seen it in a few books and overheard customers in your shop. 

“If you want to, but it’s just us.” You said, smoothing back his curls and kissing him on his forehead. He squirmed slightly but nodded in understanding, watching as you leaned over to grab the bottle of lubricant you had set out on the nightstand. 

You dribbled it on your fingers, rubbing them to warm it up as you pressed a kiss to his stomach. 

“Try your best to relax, Sweetheart. Have you touched yourself down here before?” You asked and he shook his head. Not like he’s ever had much privacy and it wasn’t something that really crossed his mind. 

You hummed, circling his rim with your slick index finger as you pressed distracting kisses to his cock. He moaned, propping himself up to better watch you as you looked up, sucking his tip into your mouth and pressing your finger into him to the first knuckle. 

Okaaaay. That was a bit weird, but not bad. He nodded down at you as you looked up at him with questioning eyes, sucking on his cock while you slid your finger deeper in. Slowly you pumped it in and out as he grew used to it, too distracted by the suction on his cock. Another finger was added and he hissed a bit before relaxing as you rubbed his stomach soothingly and pulled off his cock with lewd, wet pop. 

“You are doing so good, Baby. I’m so happy and proud.” You praised and he whimpered, cock twitching at the praise. 

The way you said it… it didn’t feel demeaning or mocking. It was warm, loving. It was you. 

Maybe this wouldn’t be a one night thing. 

You added a third, pressing a spot inside of him he wasn’t even aware he had as you swallowed him down and he let out a desperate gasp, trying not to cum. He didn’t want to ruin this, no matter how good he felt. 

You pulled off and he whined at the loss, working your fingers in and out of him and stretching him. 

“You can come, Darling.” You whispered and he shook his head. 

“No… not yet.” He said in a rough voice. You nodded, pulling out your fingers gently and sitting on your heels. He watched hungrily as you took the strapless strapon out, slathering both ends with lube before sliding the shorter one into you. 

“Mmm…” You moaned as you adjusted the curve to settle against your clit, stroking the other end that was going to go into him. Wow. Was it bigger than earlier? 

You leaned over, soothing him with a kiss as you rubbed the soft silicone against his rim. 

“Ready?” You whispered and he clung to your neck and tried to give you a cocky little grin that you must have seen through because you were cupping his cheek with your dry hand and pressing little kisses around his face. He huffed. He should be the one taking care of you, reassuring you. 

“I’m not going to break.” He muttered and you smiled against his cheek. 

“I know, my handsome, strong boy. I only want to bring happiness, not pain.” You said as he melted with soft, wondering eyes. He gasped as the head breached his rim, clinging to your neck as you petted his curls, feeding it deeper into him, slowly, gently, until your hips were against his thighs. He trembled, adjusting to it as your hand left his curls to slip behind his back and stroke it. 

“Show me what you’ve got.” He whispered breathlessly as you pulled back to look into his eyes, pulling your hips back, the faux phallus dragging against his inner walls in a way that sent sparks down his spine. 

You pushed in and he moaned helplessly, eyes fluttering. 

“Yeah? Let me take care of you, Sweet Boy.” You whispered, rocking in and out of him as he mewled and whimpered embarrassingly, pulling you close to him so he could hide in your neck. 

You let out a moan of your own, dipping your head and kissing his collarbone as your hips began to pick up their pace, the cock rubbing against that spot again. When you began shaking, your thrusts becoming erratic, your lubricated hand snuck around his cock, stroking it as you looked at him and he… 

He was exploding. He was on fire. Sparks were shattering across his vision as you urged him to cum for you and he was helpless to comply, arching and cumming with a loud shout, bucking in your hold as tears pricked his eyes. You froze, cumming yourself with a loud moan before pulling out and tossing the strapon off the bed, pulling him into your arms. You rubbed his back and pet his curls as he tried to remember how to breathe. 

“That was…” He let out a breathless, happy laugh as you rubbed at the corner of his eyes with a soft smile. 

“You were perfect, Sweetheart.” You said and he snuggled in closer the praise giving him a warmth and deep satisfaction as he was safe in your arms. 

The two of you lay in content silence until his stomach rumbled and he groaned, burying his face in your chest as you laughed. 

“We’ll have to order in. All I have are crumbs of bread.” You said and he grinned. 

Maybe he wouldn’t mind a few breadcrumbs. 

A/N: Honestly when he gets so submissive and whimpering in the show it does something to me. Thinking of doing a Mommy Kink fic where Joe slips up and calls the reader Mommy! Let me know if you would like to see!! I love interacting with readers in the comments and I promise I don't bite so please let me know your reactions and/or what you liked in the comments!!! Reblogs and likes greatly appreciated More pegging favorite characters to come hehe!

[lilybug-02]

Bribed with Chocolate. The way it should be.

Part 22 || First || Previous || Next

--Full Series--

More to come as this is a two-parter. But you know how I am with schedules.

Bonus:

I think this was an equally possible reaction from Chara.

[dourgeek]

☆please do not repost or repurpose my work, thank you!☆

[hp-lonesome-actual-art]

Oh I never posted these doodles did I?

……ah *scamper away*

[that-was-anticlimactic]

see a world so beautiful and strange (spinning off somewhere)

“Why? Why are you suppressing?”

“Because I can't tic,” Alya whispered, fingernails digging into the skin on her arm. “I know Tourette’s isn’t exactly uncommon, but it’s part of my identity as Alya Césaire. It can’t be a part of Rena Rouge, too. Someone could figure out who I am and then…”

And then she’d have to give up the coolest thing that’s ever happened to her, give up living her dreams.

[or, alya is suppresses as rena rogue in order to protect her identity, but neither ladybug nor trixx will let her hurt herself like that]

🦊2,345 words | alya-centric, alya & ladybug friendship🦊

happy tourette's awareness month!!!

[chryso-chryso]

春雪 / Spring Snow 

(youtube / spotify)

singer: Zhou Shen 周深 lyrics + score: Terry Zhong 钟天利, 王子zione arrangement: Terry Zhong 钟天利

(of course 王子 helped write the lyrics ahhhshsh)

白是无尽的迷途

white is an endless wrong path

白是归零的法术

white is this spell of resetting

洗净 染渍 反复

to wash / to stain / to lapse

练就成我温暖天赋 也不免再惹一身寒毒

mastering my talent for warmth / and provoking another cold poison

冰是雪送的礼物

ice is a present from snow

却不敌春来时的温度

incomparable to springtime’s warmth

融化 难以 碰触

to thaw / to err / to touch

沿着心底返流灌注 到面孔化作几滴泪珠

flowing back to the heart / until the face overflows with tears

我想在冬夜雪地与你追逐

i want to chase you in this winter landscape

你却落在早春中的一棵树

but you lag behind in an early spring’s tree

一次错过不算错误

missing once isn’t a mistake

错在来不及看清楚

the mistake is in being too late to realise

你��面目我就交出全部

your facade / before surrendering everything

 

雪花开在冬夜深处蔓延

a snowflake blooms in the winter night and propagates

蔓延到一个危险的春天

propagates a dangerous springtime

春天蚕食消融目空一切

springtime eats away at it all 

一切啊那曾是我的世界

it all, oh / that was once my world

雪花开在冬夜深处蔓延

a snowflake blooms in a winter night and propagates

蔓延到一个危险的春天

propagates a dangerous springtime

我在原地守护我的体面

in our origin, i guard my dignity 

春天再见 春天再见

goodbye, springtime / goodbye, springtime 

我还在冬夜雪地里等日出

i’m still in this winter landscape, waiting for sunrise

你落满早春枝叶宣判我输

in the early spring leaves, you declare i’ve lost

趁这错过还没结束

all these failures haven't ended 

再请你跳一支舞

again, i’ll ask you to dance 

画下曼妙脚步作为庆祝

these graceful steps make a celebration 

趁这错过还没结束

all these failures haven't ended

再送你一句祝福

again, i’ll send you a blessing

落下枝叶时有人来接住

and when the leaves fall, there will be someone to catch them

[lightningflvsh]

gamers will be joyed to know that i’m working on the next fic in the reverse robins series again

[britneyshakespeare]

Isn't he handsome

[larryslutlinson]

.

[areyoudoingthis]

kind people are so important. truly worth their weight in gold

[villifx]

how the task force 141 men react to you complaining about your job (f!reader) ⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘

simon doesn't even blink as you throw your head into his lap, eyes still focused on the television while his hand subconsciously moves to smooth your hair.

"jus' quit."

you pause in the midst of your whining, staring up at him like he'd just grown a second head. "what?"

simon shrugs. "makin' enough."

"i... i can't quit my job, simon."

his eyebrows twitch up a bit, indifferent. "up to you, love."

you pause, considering. "well..."

johnny doubles down. not only does he tell you to quit immediately, he also throws in that the military will pay him extra if you two get married.

mind you, johnny already rates BAH and has been making it since before you two got together. there won't really be any change to his pay besides separation pay when he's gone for more than a month. however, this is his opportunity to gauge your reaction to the idea of marriage, and he's taking it.

kyle. sweet, sweet kyle. he doesn't tell you to quit. not because he wouldn't support you financially - he absolutely would - but because he knows how important it can be for a woman to have a sense of independence. he also worries about how you'll handle the potential isolation if he's away for an extended period of time and you don't have a job to occupy your time. also, he's happy to pay the bills, but if you're working then you can afford all of the pretty things you want and deserve!

john? john price? ... funny of you to think that you're working while you're with that man, lol.

note: was bored and wrote this in like 10 mins. just had to be done lol. BAH is Basic Allowance for Housing in the American military (i'm not super familiar with british military allowances so using BAH for easy fic purposes lmao) - lower ranking enlisted military that are married can get it or single qualified enlisted (usually ranked sergeant and above) can be approved for it. it's extra pay that you receive to live off-base to cover housing expenses calculated by average cost of rent in the area and family size!

[homosexualcitron]

save me t4t4t gay polycule save me

[helaintoloki]

Misunderstanding

pairing: Bucky Barnes x Avenger!reader

warnings/notes: angst, reader is described as timid/shy, fluff

a/n: this prompt was sent in as a request! hope you all enjoy <3

summary: you accept Bucky’s invitation to attend Tony’s charity gala as his date, but your night quickly turns sour when you find out about his bet with Natasha

Your hands tremble as you raise the gun towards your target and fixate your aim on the bullseye. You’ve never handled a weapon like this before, but your novice status in the shooting range isn’t what has you feeling so nervous.

“Relax your arms a bit,” Bucky suggests, his hands gently resting on your biceps as he positions them in the correct form. His chest is pressed against your back, strong arms encasing you against him while he uses his leg to gently nudge your own into the proper stance. His metal hand comes to rest on yours and adjust your aim so that it’s aligned with the target across the way from you both. You hope he can’t hear the rapid beating of your heart or feel the growing perspiration resulting from being so close to the man, and you hope he doesn’t take notice of the fact that your powers are slowly manifesting themselves around you in result of your emotions.

You’ve been an Avenger for a few months now, having joined the team after they’d been sent to investigate an environmental disturbance in a quiet California town. You had just developed your powers after becoming an unwilling test subject for your father’s experiments and had little to no control over your ability to manipulate the flora around you. The city had been turned into your own arboretum overrun with a multitude of different plants, some more dangerous than others, and it was only with their help had you been able to clean up the mess.

Your first months training had been spent solely focusing on controlling your powers, managing your emotions to prevent plants from popping up in places they didn’t belong, but this was easier said than done. Your abilities still had the tendency to activate even when you didn’t want them to, but you were doing much better now with practice. Your regime had slowly begun to include more practical elements like hand-to-hand combat, stealth, and weaponry. That’s how you ended up alone in the shooting range with Bucky who had been more than happy to help you learn.

“Now when you’re ready, pull the trigger,” his encouraging voice sounds in your ear.

You clicked with Bucky almost immediately after joining the team. As a victim of scientific experimentation himself, he understood the trepidation you held towards your abilities and the loss of autonomy you were experiencing. He was a calming presence that provided you with comfort every time you felt like your body was turning against you, and it wasn’t long before he decided to take you under his wing. You’d become fast friends in no time, and it was a rare occurrence at the tower to see one of you without the other.

Calming your nerves, you let out a slow exhale before pulling the trigger. You watch anxiously as the bullet flies out of the barrel and hits your target dead on.

“Right on the mark!” Bucky compliments proudly before removing himself from you. You find yourself already missing the closeness, but you play it cool by flashing him a bashful smile. Your joy has already begun to present itself as tiny daisies bloom at your feet, but the super soldier doesn’t seem to mind in the slightest. “See, wasn’t so bad, was it?”

“I just got lucky,” you admit with a sheepish shrug. Bucky laughs before giving you an encouraging pat on the back.

“You just need some practice. I’m sure you’ll be able to start shooting at moving targets in no time.”

“She’s a natural, isn’t she?” A third voice chimes. You turn your heads to find Natasha standing in the doorway, a knowing smile on her face as she greets you two with a nod before settling her gaze on Bucky. “Steve’s asking for you. Wants to talk strategy for the mission you two were assigned.”

“Right,” Bucky sighs before turning to you. “I’m going to be gone for a few days. Will you be alright without me?”

“I’ll manage,” you joke with a halfhearted smile that Bucky is quick to match. Your heart nearly jumps out of your chest from the way his blue eyes stare down at you, and you hope neither he nor Natasha can pick up on your nerves.

“Don’t worry, Barnes,” Natasha quips as she comes to wrap an arm around your frame, “she’ll be in good hands while you’re gone.”

“I’ll hold you to that,” he affirms with a nod, bidding you both a goodbye before making his way to Steve.

You’d been holding back your powers for as long as you could in Bucky’s presence, so once the man is gone you let out a sigh of relief and finally release the tension within you. Red carnations bloom in a circle around you before quickly wilting once you will them away with a wave of your hand. You wish your abilities weren’t so intertwined with your thoughts, and you wish you weren’t so infatuated with your teammate.

“Rough day of training?” Natasha prompts with a raised brow.

“Just overwhelmed, I guess,” you offer with a weak shrug before gesturing to your surroundings, “and a bit intimidated by all of this.”

“You’ll get the hang of it,” she assures you with a faint smile. “It just takes time.”

You settle into a comfortable silence as you begin to clean up the mess left behind from your training session. Natasha simply watches on in silence, but you can tell by the look on her face that she’s heavily contemplating her next words.

“So you and Barnes?” She finally prompts, acting as inconspicuously as possible. You stiffen slightly at the question but immediately regain your composure as you unload your gun.

“What about me and Barnes?” You retort as nonchalantly as possible, though the mere mention of the man has your heart skipping a beat.

“You guys have gotten awfully close these last few months.”

“He’s a good friend,” you retort defensively, but it’s clear that Natasha isn’t buying your story. Her gaze suddenly becomes fixated on your head, and you watch with uncertainty as she reaches forward and lightly plucks something out of your hair. You blanch at the sight of the rosebud in her hand and try to avoid her knowing stare.

“You like him, don’t you?” She says with a coy smile.

“God, please don’t tell anyone,” you beg her in earnest while snatching the flower away, eyes full of panic and desperation. You thought you were doing well at hiding your little crush on Bucky, but you should have known better than to think an amateur like you could fool a top agent like Natasha.

“My lips are sealed, but even if I wanted to tell I think these flowers would end up blowing your cover before I could.”

“I can’t help it!” You exclaim in exasperation. “Wanda has been helping me learn to control my thoughts, but it’s like that all goes out the window whenever I’m with him.”

“Have you ever considered telling him?” She asks with a raised brow as if it’s the most obvious solution.

“Are you crazy? I think I’d rather die.”

“Don’t be so dramatic,” she scoffs with an amused roll of her eyes. “What’s the harm in playing the field?”

“I doubt there’s any part of him that sees me as more than the new teammate he has to babysit,” you denote woefully, clearly having already accepted defeat in your predicament. “Why risk making things horribly awkward for everyone?”

“It’ll only be horribly awkward if he actually rejects you,” Natasha reminds you thoughtfully, “and he won’t. But, Bucky also won’t make the first move either, so you have to.”

“Fat chance,” you murmur under your breath before turning to the armory to return your gun. You miss the look of determination that flashes across her features as she mulls over your conversation. It’s clear to her that your feelings for Bucky aren’t something that can just be swept under the rug, and she’s well aware of the fact that you won’t be able to muster up the courage to voice your feelings.

It seems it’ll be up to her to make the first move on your behalf.

~~~

“Y/n, just the person I wanted to see!” Tony’s voice calls, prompting you to halt in your tracks and remove your headphones. You’d just finished a workout session with Thor and were dying to let your aching muscles relax under a hot shower, but it seems your teammate had other plans.

“What is it?” You press gently while slowing your brisk pace so that Tony can walk alongside you in the hall. You watch with piqued interest as he pulls an envelope out of his pocket and hands it over to you.

“This, my dear, is an invitation to your very first charity gala,” he replies proudly. “I’ve already taken the liberty of RSVPing for you, so consider this as more of a formality than anything.”

“Charity gala?” You retort with a raised brow.

“Stark Industries throws one every year to raise money for good causes around the world, and it’s customary that every Avenger attends.”

“I don’t know,” you drawl nervously, already anxious at the thought of a huge party full of random strangers who know you as the girl that almost turned the state of California into an uninhabitable forest.

“You’re an Avenger now, sweetheart,” Tony reminds you thoughtfully, “and this will be a great way to introduce our newest member to the public and let them get to know you more. You wouldn’t say no to charity, would you?”

“No,” you sigh in defeat, clearly bested by Tony’s guilt tripping. You will yourself to open the envelope and take in the extravagant detailing on the card listing the time and date for the event. You’re not exactly the most extroverted person on the team, but you figure if you can fight world ending threats with no problem then you should be able to stomach one night of being paraded around like a show pony. “I guess I better find something to wear.”

“There’s the spirit,” Tony grins cheekily, reaching into his pocket and pulling out his wallet before producing his credit card. “You know what, since this is your first event why don’t you take my card and buy something new. Sky’s the limit.”

You look at him stunned before hesitantly pocketing the card and thanking the man for his generosity. You never imagined that one day you’d be able to have access to Tony Stark’s credit card, but then again, you also never imagined you’d be living under the same roof as Captain America and Black Widow.

After your conversation with Tony, you finally make your way back to your own room and step into the shower to freshen up. You spend most of it anxiously mulling over the upcoming gala and worrying about how you’re going to present yourself. You hate being perceived by strangers, but you suppose that’s what happens when you become a public figure.

Once you make yourself presentable again, you roam the tower in search of Wanda to seek out some guidance for your attire. You make your way through the hallways hoping to run into her after finding her bedroom empty, but you instead stumble upon a hushed conversation taking place in the kitchen. You falter slightly at the sound of Natasha’s voice, and though you can’t make out what she says you’re curious to know what she could be speaking so secretively about. Not wanting to eavesdrop, you make your presence known by rounding the corner only to be met with the startled faces of Nat and Bucky.

“Bucky?” You retort in surprise, stomach already twisting with nerveous knots the moment you meet his eyes. “I didn’t know you were back.”

“Just got back an hour ago,” he explains with a tired smile, but you don’t miss the way he subtly shoots a glance at Natasha before returning his gaze to you. The two look suspicious, almost as if you’d caught them in the middle of something you weren’t mean to be privy of, and though you tried to ignore it you felt unnerved. You didn’t think your teammates capable of keeping secrets from you, especially not Bucky or Natasha, but it seemed apparent that they knew something you didn’t and intended to keep it that way.

“I’m glad you made it back safe,” you offer with a timid smile, swallowing down your nerves to keep your powers at bay. You can feel the itchiness on your palms resulting from a flower attempting to bloom and decide it’s best to make your exit as quickly as possible. “I, uh… I guess I’ll leave you two alone now.”

“You don’t have to go,” Bucky assures you with a frown, but you quickly shake your head and already begin making your exit before he can argue further.

“I have to find Wanda,” you answer almost breathlessly. You quicken your pace before either of them can stop you, your heart pounding in your chest and thorn covered vines trailing in your wake at the sudden emotional discomfort you’re experiencing.

You can’t help but to think you’d accidentally walked in on an intimate moment between the two and perhaps discovered a secret bond they shared. Your stomach flipped violently at the thought. Surely Bucky and Natasha weren’t involved romantically, were they? You knew she could be harsh, but you don’t think she’d be cruel enough to fill your head with encouragement to pursue Bucky just to end up pursing him herself.

You give up on your plans to find Wanda and instead shut yourself into your room for the remainder of the evening to wallow in your ruminative overthinking. You’re left to your own devices for a good hour before a knock sounds at your bedroom door.

“Come in,” you call out quietly. You watch on in interest as your door slowly creeps open so Bucky can peek his head inside.

“You got a minute?” He asks with a bashful smile that makes it impossible to deny him. You give him a small nod and watch as the man makes his way into your room before timidly seating himself on the edge of your bed. “I wanted to talk to you earlier but you sort of just bolted out of there.”

“Sorry,” you reply with a meek smile, eyes glancing away towards the floor. “I was feeling a little overwhelmed about Tony’s charity gala. Plus, it looked like you and Natasha were having a pretty intense conversation…”

“Right, that,” Bucky says with a sigh.

You muster up the courage to peek over at him and ask, “Are you two…?”

“What? No, of course not,” he quickly interjects, and despite the subtle guilt that arises within you, you feel relieved to hear him say this. “I know it might have looked suspect, but I was actually talking to her about you.”

“Me?” You repeat in surprise, shifting closer to the soldier and hanging onto his every word. A fond smile washes over him as he sets his eyes upon you and carefully reaches for your hand.

“I wanted to know if I’d have a shot at being your date to Tony’s charity gala,” Bucky admits with a charming grin. Your heart nearly leaps out of your chest, and you can’t help the sudden triggering of your powers as bushes of roses plant themselves around your bed. Your face heats with embarrassment at the display, but the giddy smile on your face says otherwise as you look to Bucky with wide eyes.

“You want to be my date?” You repeat in disbelief, nearly swooning when Bucky carefully picks a rose from beside him and hands it to you.

“I’d be honored if you’ll have me,” he utters sincerely, voice gentle and eyes full of admiration as he gazes upon your flushed face.

“Of course I’ll have you!” You exclaim, all inhibitions thrown out the window as you fling yourself into his arms and tightly embrace the super soldier. He lets out a soft laugh before gently wrapping his arms around your figure and encasing you against him. You never would have dreamed that Bucky would be hugging you so tightly in your room, that you’d ever be going to a charity gala as his date, or that he’d ever return your affections so sweetly as he was now. You’re overjoyed, a multitude of colorful flowers blooming around you much to Bucky’s amusement.

You suddenly find that you’re not so nervous now about Tony’s party.

~~~

“Hold still,” Wanda scolds lightly as she carefully swipes the makeup brush across your eyelids.

“I can’t help it, it tickles!” You retort defensively only for the witch to roll her eyes in amusement.

The night of the gala had finally arrived, and you were grateful for the fact that Wanda had been more than thrilled to handle your makeup for you. You worried your nerves would prevent you from creating a flawless look, and you entrusted her steady hands much more than your own trembling ones. You had purchased the perfect dress and jewelry to match, and all you were missing was a pair of heels to go along with it.

“I found them,” Natasha’s voice announces as she enters the room with the shoes she’d offered to lend you. “These should fit perfect for you.”

“You’re a lifesaver,” you gush in earnest, earning a pleased smile from her in response.

“Barnes is going to lose his mind when he sees you tonight,” she compliments with a wink.

“I had a feeling about you two,” Wanda adds teasingly as she puts the finishing touches on your makeup. “I’ve caught him thinking about you when you’re not around. He’s smitten.”

You smile bashfully at the floor in response to their comments and nervously rub your arm as you think about Bucky. You’ve been waiting for this night for weeks, and now that it’s here you couldn’t be more excited. You were finally going to spend a romantic evening with the man you’d harbored feelings for since joining the team, and you had high hopes that the night would end with your friendship becoming something more.

After Wanda finishes your makeup and Natasha helps you learn how to balance in the heels, you make your way downstairs where Bucky waits patiently in his best suit and tie. His eyes brighten when they land on you, and you let out an embarrassed laugh when he releases a long whistle at the sight of you.

“You look absolutely gorgeous,” he compliments in earnest before taking your hand in his own and prompting you to twirl. “Come on, give me a little spin.”

You do as requested and giggle in delight at the attention you’re receiving. You always thought yourself to be fairly pretty, but Bucky makes you feel like you’re the most gorgeous woman on the planet. His eyes rake over your figure and admire every detail of your ensemble while still managing to be respectful of your person. You never thought the man who always appeared so solemn and reserved on the outside could be so romantically sweet.

“You don’t think it’s too much?” You ask meekly, somewhat apprehensive about your look. This isn’t how you’d typically style yourself, and though you enjoy the glamour and excitement that come with attending the gala you’re worried about how the public will perceive your image as the newest Avenger.

“I think you look perfect,” Bucky assures you before opening your door and helping you into the car. The drive is filled with quiet conversation as he informs you on what to expect at a Stark party and how to expertly avoid nosy reporters. You’re absolutely enamored by the Winter Soldier, and you don’t think you’ve ever felt as secure as you do now alongside Bucky.

Just as Bucky had warned you, a gaggle of journalists surround your car as you arrive at the party. You feel the nerves beginning to overtake you, but Bucky’s gentle touch against your arm brings you back down to earth as he assures you he’s got your back. He helps you out of the car and allows you to take his arm before guiding you up the stairs into the building. You’re blinded by the flash of cameras and overwhelmed by the multitude of voices that try to get your attention, something Bucky can sense by the way your grip on his arm tightens.

“Don’t worry,” he assures you, leaning in close enough for you to feel his breath fan against your ear as he whispers, “I’ve got you.”

You feel your heart nearly burst from the gentleness of the words and the way he lovingly gaze down at you. Everything around you seems to melt away when your eyes meet his own blue ones, and all your mind can comprehend is Bucky- the smell of his cologne, the way the corners of his eyes crinkle with his smile, the softness of his touch. You’re completely enamored, and you hope he feels as strongly as you do.

Despite your initial apprehension towards the charity gala, the night almost seems to go seamlessly for you and the Avengers. Tony is able to secure generous donations from his richest guests, your teammates are able to relax for a rare night of festivities, and since gaining your powers you’re finally able to feel comfortable in your own skin.

Halfway through the party you end up on the dance floor with Bucky, your head resting against his shoulder as he holds you close and gently sways you in time to the slow song being played by the band. Despite the excitement you feel, you’ve been able to keep your powers at bay the entire night.

“You having a good time?” Bucky asks after twirling you on the dance floor. You smile as he immediately pulls you back into his arms, finding solace in him as you drape your arms around his neck.

“It’s not as scary as I thought it would be,” you admit with a sheepish smile. “I was afraid I’d mess it all up, but Tony says the journalists loved me.”

“Why wouldn’t they?” Bucky says adamantly. “You’re sweet and funny and so strong.”

“You really mean that?”

“Course I do,” he assures you with a charming wink. You let out a quiet laugh and bashfully look away only for Bucky to gently grab your chin and redirect your gaze back to his own. “You’re the prettiest girl in this entire room, and I’m the luckiest guy to get to have you on my arm tonight.”

You swallow nervously as you meet his intense stare, unused to having him look upon you in such a way. Bucky had always been sweet on you, but you assumed his kindness was a result of platonic affection and understanding for the new girl on the team. You were vulnerable and alone when you first joined the Avengers, and you assumed the extra care he gave you was merely him trying to smoothen your transition into the life of a hero. But now, with eyes boring into your soul while his metal hand gently presses against the small of your back to bring you closer to him, it seems as if your hopes for his affection are finally coming true.

“Bucky?” You murmur softly, stomach twisting itself into nervous knots.

“Yeah, doll?”

“I’ve been wanting to tell you that I… well, I-“

“Mind if I cut in?” A voice interrupts, startling you both out of the moment as you turn to meet Natasha’s expectant gaze. She looks between you both with a raised before asking, “Did I interrupt something?”

“No, not at all,” you quickly interject before Bucky can answer. You look to the man with an apologetic smile in search of approval. “I’ll find you after this dance, okay?”

“Sure,” he relents with an understanding nod, “I’ll get us some drinks in the meantime.”

You watch his figure disappear into the crowd before allowing Natasha to pull you in for a dance. You shamelessly let her take the lead as she guides your steps to match with hers, and she wears a knowing smirk on her face as she looks to you. “I didn’t mean to interrupt the moment, but I wanted to see how things were going.”

“I’m kind of glad you did,” you offer with a despondent sigh. “I almost told him how I feel.”

“What? That’s great!” Natasha retorts, confusion clearly etched on her features. “I feel like you should be more upset with me than you are right now.”

“I’m just afraid of the possibility that I could be reading it all wrong. I mean, I know he asked me to be his date, but what if this is just a one-night only type of deal? Steve said Bucky was a charmer back in his day, so maybe he’s just trying to be nice and show me a good time.”

“Wow,” the redhead breathes out with a shake of her head. “You really are dense.”

“Natasha!” You exclaim in offense only to receive an eye roll in response.

“If you can’t see how completely enamored that man is with you then I can’t help you,” she states bluntly. In a gentler tone now, Natasha gives your hip an encouraging squeeze before continuing, “I have never seen you as sure or confident in yourself as you’ve been tonight, so don’t be so quick to revert back to doubting your worth. You deserve to get what you want.”

Despite the initial harshness of her words, you know that Natasha is right. You’ve worked hard these last few months to earn your spot on the team, to prove your capabilities, and to force yourself out of your protective shell. Gaining your powers and overrunning an entire city with plants had been terrifying but you’d gotten through it, so there was no reason to believe you couldn’t handle putting yourself out there and sharing with Bucky the feelings you’d been harboring for him. His actions tonight were clear indicators that the possibility of him viewing you in more than a platonic lens was real, and if a woman like Natasha who’d been trained to easily read others could clearly see his interest in you, then you shouldn’t have any ounce of doubt left within you.

“You’re right,” you utter undauntedly with a firm nod of your head. “I should just get over my fears and tell him how I feel.”

“There’s the spirit,” Natasha retorts with a proud smirk. She releases you once your dance is over and sends you off with a wink, watching on proudly as you leave to search for Bucky. “Good luck!”

You manage to push your way through the crowded banquet halls towards the bar, but Bucky isn’t there. Your eyes anxiously scan the room for any sign of your date, and you’re barely able to catch sight of him stepping out onto the patio with Steve and Sam. You smile in relief before briskly making your way over to him. You’re not as nervous as you thought you’d be, and your body feels as if it’s vibrating with the exhilaration you feel at finally taking charge in your life for once. You don’t want to be the shy or timid Avenger your teammates know you as any longer; you want to be seen as someone who knows what she wants and is sure in her ability to achieve it, and you hope that after tonight you’ll be able to prove that.

The cool night air sends immediate shivers across your bare arms as you reach the doorway to the patio. The three men have their backs turned to you as they converse amongst one another away from the crowded party, enjoying a moment of peace free of reporters and fanatic guests. You know that you should make yourself known instead of eavesdropping, yet you can’t help but falter when you hear your name arise in the conversation.

“So you and y/n?” Steve prompts with a pleased smile. “You two looked like you were having a lot of fun out on the dance floor.”

“She’s great, isn’t she?” Bucky voices, admiration present in his tone. You feel your heart swell with bliss at hearing the way he talks so fondly of you when he thinks you’re not around, and it only makes you more sure of your decision to tell him how you feel.

“I like you two together,” his friend says with sincerity. “I think you’ve both helped each other come out of your shells.”

“Not to mention she makes you less grumpy,” Sam notes with a playful smirk. “I just can’t believe you managed to pull off getting her to agree to come as your date tonight. She’s gorgeous and clearly way out of your league.”

You muffle your quiet laugh with your hand and decide that now is probably a good time to reveal yourself to save Bucky from Sam’s teasing, but his next words have you stopped dead in your tracks.

“Well, it wasn’t really my idea,” he explains while uncomfortably running a hand through his hair. “Natasha put me up to it.”

You can practically feel your heart sinking in your chest as the words settle into your mind. Your lips part in quiet shock and your stomach tightens in disgust at the reality you’re met with.

“Natasha?” Steve retorts with a raised brow. Bucky nods.

“We made a deal that she’d take over my next field assignment for me if I got y/n to be my date to Tony’s party.”

You slowly shake your head in disbelief and begin to back away as the weight of his confession sinks down onto your mind. You thought that Bucky was finally beginning to see you the way you see him, that he meant it when he said how lucky he was to have you on his arm tonight, that you were finally crossing over from being platonic friends to something more.

But it had all been a lie.

Sam turns to set his glass on a nearby table only to freeze when he sees you standing there. He takes in your trembling figure and wide eyes and is quickly able to piece together the fact that you’d heard everything.

“Shit,” he curses under his breath, garnering the attention of both men as all three now turn to find you lingering in the doorway. Bucky’s face falls as he makes contact with your glossy eyes and trembling lips.

“Y/n,” he utters remorsefully, taking a step towards you only for you to step back.

“I can’t believe you,” you manage to get out in a quivering voice, holding back a sob before quickly turning and making your exit.

You’re overwhelmed by the music that now feels like it’s blaring in your ears and the suffocation that overtakes you as you push through the crowded hall. You feel like you can’t breathe, and all you want is to get out of this party as fast as possible so you can return to the tower.

“Y/n, wait!” Bucky’s voice calls after, garnering the attention of a few onlookers who pause their conversations to watch the super soldier chase after you. He finally catches up to you once you make it to the front room away from the party, gently grasping onto your hand to halt your frenzied escape. “Doll, let me explain-“

“Explain what?” You spit harshly despite the tears that fall down your cheeks. “That you lied to me? That you only brought me here because of some stupid bet?!”

“It’s not like that,” he insists only for you to yank your hand away with a frustrated groan.

“Really? Because that’s what it sounded like to me,” you utter in quiet disbelief. “I can’t believe I actually fell for it.”

“You weren’t supposed to hear that,” Bucky pleads gently before carefully reaching out for your arm. His words only infuriate you further, prompting thorns to sprout from your skin and protect you from his touch.

“Oh, right, because that makes it better,” you retort sarcastically. “I actually thought that you could like me the way I like you… I let you make me believe that I was the prettiest girl in the room and that you could actually want to be with me.”

Your shoulders tremble as you let out a quiet sob, and Bucky can only watch on in despair as he tries to remedy the situation he’d created. He never meant to hurt you, and he hated to see you cry as a result of his own actions.

“Y/n, come on,” he urges you softly, now using his metal hand to try and reach for you. “Let me fix this, let me explain everything and I promise-“

“You want to fix this?” You interrupt in a shaky voice, swallowing down another sob that threatens to fall before backing away from the man. “Then leave me alone. I want nothing to do with you.”

“Y/n…”

“Congratulations on winning your bet,” you utter despondently before slamming the doors shut behind you and leaving Bucky to ruminate in the mess he’d created.

It was never supposed to be like this.

~~~

You haven’t left your room since returning from the party last night.

Your evening of glamour and excitement had come crashing down after your argument, and once you got home you immediately rid yourself of all remnants of the charity gala. You initially had been filled with anger and rage, but all you felt now was an embarrassing sadness. Natasha had filled your head with fantasies and gotten your hopes up about Bucky only for you to end up humiliated. A rational part of you knew she must have meant well by bribing Bucky into taking you to the charity gala as his date, but you wished she never would have meddled in the first place.

You don’t think you can ever stand to be around him let alone even look at him after hearing him talk about your night as if it was something less tedious to be done in comparison to being sent out into the field. You thought you were worth more to him than a stupid bet to be made, but his words had clearly proven you wrong.

No one has attempted to enter your room since last night, though it’s not like they could even if they tried considering you’d barricaded your door with a wall of prickling vines and thorn bushes to block their path. You didn’t want to see or speak to anyone, even if you knew that eventually you’d have to face your teammates at some point.

As you try to pass the time by tending to the plants littered around the room, a knock at the door interrupts the peaceful atmosphere you’ve created. You’re honestly surprised someone had managed to pull it off considering the multitude of thorns should have stopped them from doing so, but you make no move to answer it.

“Y/n, it’s me,” Bucky’s voice sounds, prompting you to bristle with unease. The thorns on the outside grow larger, but this does not deter the super soldier who uses his metal arm to knock against them. “Please talk to me. You have no idea how much this is killing me.”

“I told you I want nothing to do with you,” you shout back wrathfully. “Leave me alone!”

“I’m sorry, but I can’t do that doll.”

“Why don’t you go make another deal with Natasha and bet you can get me to open the door,” you retort sarcastically much to Bucky’s dismay. The quiet and timid girl he’d been so used to was nowhere to be found now, and you weren’t about to let him win you over again with charming flatteries.

Bucky groans in frustration, moving to walk away only to halt in his steps and turn back towards your door. He’s determined to get through to you, and despite the cold shoulder you’re giving him he’s not going to give up until you hear him out.

“Fine, you don’t have to open the door,” he says calmly, hands raised in surrender as he ceases his pounding. "I’ll just talk to you from here.”

You roll your eyes at his statement and try to block out his voice as you water your plants, but you can’t help the part inside of you that desperately wants to know why he would ever stoop so low to use you as leverage in a bet. You adored him, but he’d broken your heart, and you felt you did deserve an answer even if you didn’t want to hear it. You don’t respond to his proclamation, but you also don’t interrupt him, and Bucky takes this as a sign to keep going.

“I know I screwed up, and I shouldn’t have agreed to making that deal, but you have to understand that I didn’t ask you out just to get out of a field assignment,” Bucky says earnestly, prompting you to pause your ministrations and set your watering can aside as you slowly make your way closer to the door. “I worded it all wrong when I was telling Steve and Sam, and you didn’t give me the chance to explain myself.”

“When I came home from my mission with Steve, Natasha cornered me in the kitchen to talk to me about Tony’s charity gala. I had no plans to attend whatsoever until she warned me that if I didn’t go, some other guy would get the chance to sweep you off your feet instead. And I realized… I realized I didn’t want that to happen.”

Your eyebrows raise slightly at his confession before furrowing in confusion. You recalled the night you’d stumbled upon him with Nat in the kitchen, and you remember he had explicitly told you they’d been discussing you. You hadn’t been able to hear anything said between the two, and you were now finally learning for the first time what they’d been so secretively conversing about.

“She said I didn’t have the guts to man up and ask you out,” he says quietly, features forlorn as he leans back against the wall. “She bet I’d be too scared to ever make the first move, and I wanted to prove her wrong. I didn’t make that deal because I thought it would be an easy way to get out of work or to humiliate you. I did it because I like you, and I would hate for Natasha to be right about me letting some other lucky guy win you over all because I was too scared to open my mouth and tell you how I feel.”

A heavy silence fills the hallway as Bucky stands with bated breath before your door and waits for any sort of response from the other side. A part of him fears that you hadn’t heard a word he’d said, or even worse, had heard everything and simply chose to ignore it. However, just when he feels like giving up and finally leaving you alone, the vines guarding your room slowly begin to rescind until there’s nothing left. The door slides open and reveals your hesitant figure standing on the other side. Neither of you speaks at first, too nervous to make the first move, but after a moment you finally work up the nerve to talk.

“You said you wanted to tell me how you feel,” you utter softly, taking a nervous swallow before continuing, “so tell me.”

Bucky can’t help but to smile after finally being able to see you again, and you watch in uncertainty as he takes a step towards you and carefully takes your hands in his.

“I’ve had feelings for you since the day you touched my metal arm and accidentally made daises bloom around it,” he voices with an affectionate grin. “You make me want to be a better man every time I’m around you, and I know that if you gave me the chance I’d do everything in my power to be the guy you deserve.”

You bite back the tears that begin to well at his confession, a smile playing upon your trembling lips as you listen to Bucky say the words you’ve only ever dreamed about hearing. You can see the sincerity swimming in his eyes and know that he isn’t lying to make you feel better. What he says is real, and he means it with every fiber of his being.

“I believe you,” you relent quietly, “and I’m sorry I didn’t give you the chance to apologize.”

“I’m the idiot who should be apologizing,” Bucky avows with a chuckle while giving your hands a gentle squeeze. “I shouldn’t have needed a bet to tell you how I feel. Will you still have me, doll? Even after how stupid I’ve been?”

You giggle quietly as you pull him closer and prompt him to wrap his strong arms around your figure. You peer up to meet his loving gaze while gently placing a hand on his cheek, heart thrumming rapidly in your chest when he immediately melts at the feel of your touch. “Of course I’ll have you.”

Bucky bites back a smile, holding you close as he leans down to meet your lips in a kiss. Your arms find their way around his neck while his hands press against your back to hold you tightly against him as if he never wants to let you go again. The doorway once covered in thorns now blooms with beautiful roses, signifying your reconciliation with the man you adore.

Maybe that bet wasn’t so bad after all.

[sa2sugu]

....hi everyone......... i know that some of you already know about this but i have a bl comic that is currently being published on lezhin. it's called "처음의 여름" or "a first of summers". it's explicit and i'd be really happy if anyone who is interested in this type of thing or my art gives it a read.

you can read the english version at: https://www.lezhinus.com/en/comic/first_summer

(or the korean version here if you're into that): https://lezhin.com/ko/comic/first_of_summers

you can also follow me on twitter: https://x.com/pppanghouse

i have gotten many messages asking me if i was the one behind a first of summers (because apparently my art style is very recognizable i can't hide from you guys!!), and i've been ignoring them for months (sorry, everyone) because i was never fully proud of the work that i was putting out there. i still don't think i am at a point where i can confidently promote my work like a normal person would because me and shame are like this -> 🫂. but i am working on getting better at managing my shame and making this post is a step towards that goal. in a way, i felt more reluctant to post about it here because i see the connections i've made on tumblr as real tangible friendships rather than parasocial ones so it's even more embarrassing.

as a lover of yaoi, slice of life and queer media, i tried to make something that i personally would like to read, in an art style that i would have found inspirational when i started digital art. here are some panels that i am kind of proud of ahh hee hee

to be honest it feels very very weird to "make a story" and "share it with people", because i've never done something like this before and having to offer my personal themes and internal symbols to people in the hopes that some of you may resonate with them feels like i'm running down the street with my whole ass out in the open. idk how people do this.

also, i know a lot of you consume media illegally and i know that i alone can't stop you from doing that. which is why i'm all the more thankful to anyone who chooses to support me by buying the chapters on the official websites. i'm slowly learning that this (working on stories and drawing) might be something i want to keep doing and get better at, so i'm so deeply grateful to those who make that possible for me by supporting me financially. it always feels super nice when people show appreciation for my art and recommend it to other people and talk about it.

anyways, so that's me. i have a lot more to say but this post has already gotten long enough, and none of it includes any information on what the comic is about lol so here's a short synopsis: hyeonseon is a 40yo divorced salaryman who, after having a bit of a midlife crisis about where he is at in life, decides to learn electric guitar. his teacher, yeoreum (which means summer) is a 24yo college student who is also having a bit of a crisis of his own aaaand falls for the older dude. uhhhh and as i said it's explicit they are fucking it oppa homo style, and it does deal with themes related to age gaps but please don't come for meeeee!!!!!!!! i tried to make it tasteful and chose to work with age gaps because i had something to say about the concept of adulthood/life, also i enjoy a dude who's a little old getting dicked down by a younger lad what do you want me to say, damn......

if you have any nice things to say about my work then weeheee please go ahead, thank you

[oikarma]

how you get the girl | pt.1

pairing: lando norris x reader

summary: everyone knows you as the "girl timothee chalamet made out w at coachella" until he's with kylie. so you're picking up the pieces of your heart until a certain f1 driver steps in and puts it back together

a/n: got stuck on my franco fic so here's another lando smau for you cuties <3

part one / part two

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liked by clubchalamet and others

deuxmoi A little birdie told us that Timothée Chalamet's Coachella hook-up might have been a little more serious than we thought...

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user1 genuinely tweaking out

user2 no cause who is she

user3 timothee baby come home the kids miss you

user4 Like how serious are we talking deuxmoi

user5 are we sure that's him in the third pic

user6 i'd know those anal beads ANYWHERE user7 lmao she looks so fed up with him

user8 she looks so fake...

user9 she's def had work done user10 how much you wanna bet he's going to go after a kardashian next?

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liked by user1 and others

deuxmoi After months of speculation, Kylie and Timothée seem to have hard-launched.

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user1 bop bop bop

user2 how long is this gonna last?

user3 is it just me or does she genuinely look happy with him

user4 ignore the haters they're just jealous

user5 what does clubchalamet have to say about this

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yourinstagram has added to their stories

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liked by lilyzneimer and others

yourinstagram bet you can't tell my soul is black

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lilyzneimer what's cooking, good looking?

yourinstagram do you want my audition to be the next cassie lilyzneimer no getting a new man crush would destroy you

princejoeybreeze okay emo

yourinstagram okay ego

hattiepiastri you want to practice that spiderman upside down kiss

yourinstagram might get it wrong the first time...might need to do it a few times...you know? oscarpiastri can you stop flirting with my sister hattiepiastri i like it actually oscar will you stop ruining my chance at true love

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yourinstagram has added to their stories

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liked by lando and others

f1 Some fashion icons spotted in the paddock today!

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user1 alexxx 😍

user2 who's the girl with alex is it the same one in p2?

user3 i think its the same girl she just took her blazer off prob undid her hair too cause it was super hot user4 no idea

user5 lily mi amor!

user6 icons that's RIGHT the 2nd fit be eating so hard

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liked by hattiepiastri and others

yourinstagram thanks piastris!! had so much fun being pampered

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hattiepiastri miss you x

yourinstagram get well soon baby

lilyzneimer you should come with me to osc's races more often

yourinstagram i wish...my broke ass could never

oscarpiastri You're welcome

yourinstagram !! hattiepiastri he's such a bot

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liked by mclaren, kyliejenner and others

lando went out tonight x

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user1 looking cute, lando

user2 oh he's so huggable

yourinstagram it's all "manners" until you get the chicken tenders

lando hey they were yummy okay you weren't very demure either user3 WAIT GUYS ITS THE PADDOCK GIRL user4 the coachella girl?? user5 dang she sure gets around user6 what's she doing with lando

user7 why not on lando.jpg

user8 well it's a polaroid genius

oscarpiastri How come you never use utensils when you eat with me

lando i don't need to be classy around you osc oscarpiastri Hm. user9 oscar piastri are you jealous

user10 what is kylie doing in the likes??

user11 well she and lewis are friends maybe he introduced her to lando user12 liking your man's ex's new bf(?)'s post is wild

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a/n: hellooo here's a new lando fic for you guys <3 timothee may be appearing in the future and things may get a little dramatic so i hope you enjoyed reading pt1