#not that i need to marry him for the blues but. he also love chickens...

[fairymint]

🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻 Ramble at me~

I have no idea why i stopped playing Stardew back in the day when i never really did Everything that there is to do in the game. Like, I did complete the community center, and have a child with Sebastian. But there was more even at the time. Replay value for all the bachelors, trying out the different farms maybe, and I never made the slime ranch of my dreams, which'll be my goal on this file. (few files?)

But there's been updates as well, including a whole new area, Ginger Island. But this game is the only one that i know of where you can breed something that varies in hue color-wheel style! it generates a hex code for their color! I want a shed of truly rainbow-varied slimes! maybe several areas of them! I love slime rancher, but the simplicity of the designs even within largos don't quiiiite scratch the itch. it'll take forever to get set up, but that's ok.

[ladykailitha]

The Au Pair Boy Part 2

We interrupt your regularly schedule "Of Butterflies and Backstrokes" for another chapter of the nanny AU. I just need to cut down on the amount of backlog I have on this story and bolster OB&B while I work on the Halloween-esque metal band sequel "Around the World".

I am living for the responses to this fic. It makes my heart so happy!

In this we have a correct Robin, well... a mostly correct Robin and they all get to know each other a bit over dinner.

Part 1

~

Steve walked into his apartment feeling like he was walking on air. He never thought he would get his dream job, in his dream house, with his dream guy, who was gay. Like what did he do to warrant such a windfall?

The first thing he did was call Robin.

“Are you sure he isn’t some mass murderer?” Robin asked after he had explained the job. “Because that sounds too good to be true.”

“Well unless major rockstar and music producer, Eddie Munson is a mass murder,” he snarked back, “I high doubt I’m going to be murdered in my sleep.”

“You could be being catfished,” she warned. “He could only be pretending to be Eddie Munson just lure handsome young men to their deaths.”

Steve laughed. “Uh...no. The pictures online matched all the way to the cute dimpled smile he gets when he’s feeling super happy.”

“Ooh...” Robin teased. “Hot musician got it bad for the au pair boy.”

“No...” he whined. “He was looking at his daughters when he smiled like that. No dating the hot parents. That’s the number one rule. You know this.”

She burst out laughing, too. “For the married ones! But he’s single. It’s been a year since his very public break up with ex Ethan Giovanni. He’s trusting you with the two cutest girls ever. Like why not tap that?”

“Because I want to keep watching said little girls,” Steve huffed. “Plus he’s going on tour for three months in two days. Not going to happen.”

“Yeah,” Robin said. “For now.”

He told her about how they wanted to him to start that night and how this was the final test on whether or not he would be good fit.

“Knock ‘em dead, babe,” Robin said. “You’ve got this.”

~

Steve opted for a chicken lasagna with white sauce. He could sneak some vegetables in there and see if he could trick them into eating them.

He shredded the chicken and blended spinach and basil into the sauce. Added lots of shredded cheese as well as a well seasoned ricotta and popped in the oven.

While it was cooking he went up to the room that would be his if he got the job. It was large for some place where the help would be staying, but small in comparison to the girls room. Which they shared for now. Once they started school, Eddie said that they would be given their own rooms, but with them being so young it was good to keep them together.

Steve agreed.

He was close by, but he also had a baby monitor with camera that the app would be downloaded to his phone.

The house was well fitted with security measures that had only been tightened since the girls were born.

The room had that same Gothic, spooky feel, but wasn’t over the top with it. Instead of reds and blacks the room was dark browns and deep blues. Steve felt like he was floating on a ship on the high seas. He scratched his cheek thoughtfully.

He wondered if he could go a little harder on the nautical theme. There was an en suite bathroom that could also lean toward the nautical with its soft blues and teal color of the tiles and walls.

Eddie had given him a budget to decorate his rooms and now he was planning a shopping trip with Robin.

Steve knew he was getting ahead of himself, but he wanted the job so bad. Surely the universe wouldn’t be so cruel as to taunt him with it only to take it away.

He checked the timer on his phone and saw that it was almost time to check on the lasagna. He trotted back down the kitchen, again admiring the decor of the place. Everything felt antique but timeless at the same time.

He really did love it.

The kitchen was even stylishly antique in look and flavor, but all the appliances were state of the art. Only nothing was connected to the internet here. It was honestly freeing in that regard.

He hummed to himself as he pulled the dish out of the oven and set it on the stove top to let it firm up a bit before serving. He started to get down plates and cups for dinner. He quickly set the table for three adults and two children. Noting that one plate had a pink kangaroo and the other had a blue ballerina.

Steve correctly guessed which plate where as each girl came running up to the seats that they were sitting in for lunch and gasped in surprise that the right plate was in the right spot.

“Daddy, Daddy!” Joan cried. “He didn’t put my plate in Jannie’s spot!”

Eddie grinned down at his youngest. “So he did. Say thank you.” He turned to Janice, too. “You too, little miss.”

“Thank you, Stevie!” Joan and Janice said together.

Steve practically melted on the spot. He wanted to scoop them up and hold them forever. “I hope you’re all hungry, I made enough for an army.”

He set the dish on a couple of hotplates and everyone, yes even the girls, oohed and awed.

“This looks amazing, Steve,” Eddie said, positively salivating. “You didn’t have to go this far. Something simple would have been just fine.”

“Yeah, Steve,” Chrissy said, leaning forward to smell the lasagna. “I might have to haunt this place while Eddie’s gone if you’re going to cook like this, sweetie.”

Steve blushed as he dished out the lasagna, before serving himself a slice. He picked up his plate and silverware (which looked like actual antique silver, he was not looking foward to handwashing them later) to move to the kitchen.

Eddie looked up at him with his big puppy dog eyes. “Where are you going? You’re going to eat with us right?”

Steve looked around the table and no one said a word against it. “Oh. Um... I’ve never eaten with the whole family before. I eat with the kids when it’s just us, but usually when the parents are there, they want me to eat in the kitchen.”

“Sit.”

Steve set his stuff back on the table and next to Eddie. The only other open on the far end of the table. He dug into his lasagna.

“So you want to break down their evening routine for me?” Steve asked after his second or third bite.

“No business at the dinner table!” Joan cried, kicking her feet in protest.

“Yeaahhhh...” Janice chorused. “That’s the rule.”

Steve raised an eyebrow at Eddie. Who coughed into his fist and looked more than a little sheepish. There was definitely a story there and judging from the sly grin Chrissy was giving him, Eddie was no doubt the reason for said rule.

Eddie cleared his throat and set down his fork. “I’m, was a music producer for a very prominent metal label and before that I was the lead singer of ‘Corroded Coffin’. One of the few and I mean very few valid points my ex had was that I wouldn’t be present at the dinner table.” He twisted the rings on his fingers nervously.

“I would either be talking some band or another, messaging different people about the record I was working on or even just on the phone with former members of my band. So when I quit two years ago to try and save my marriage I still had people calling me and asking for my opinion, so the rule no business at the table was born.”

Steve smiled down at his plate. “No business at the dinner table then.” He paused and tilted his head to the side. “Would be asking you girls what you like business or just being friendly?”

Both girls looked at Eddie for guidance. “I leave it up to you, girls. I think it falls under being friendly.”

Joan cocked her head the side and instantly Steve was struck on how much like her dad she was. “I think it’s business,” she said with a pout. “Like in preschool.”

“I think it’s friendly,” Janice said, just to be contrary to her sister.

Chrissy and Eddie shared a knowing smirk and Steve realized this was a new thing and they might need those separate rooms sooner rather than later.

“How about we compromise,” Steve said gently. “I’ll tell you something about me, and if you want to you can share your favorite thing. Like if I said my favorite color was yellow, you could tell me what your favorite color is. But you don’t have to.”

“My favorite color is pink,” Janice said proudly. “Daddy says my room will be pink.”

Joan stuck her tongue out at her sister, because she knew she was had. “My favorite color is blue.”

“My favorite color is black,” Eddie said, joining in. “And red. Can’t forget red.”

Chrissy giggled. “Well, I guess if everyone else getting in on this, mine is green. I love that it’s the color of fresh cut grass, and spring, and how hot I look in it.”

Steve snorted as he was bringing his glass up to drink. Thankfully he wasn’t quite drinking when she said that. “Green’s a great color.”

Eddie and Chrissy shared another smirk.

“Ooh, I know why don’t we go around in circle,” Eddie suggested. “Like my favorite movie is ‘Lord of the Rings: Return of the King’.”

Steve smiled around his cup and then set it down. “I like that idea. My favorite movie is ‘The King’s Speech’. Colin Firth as King George VI and learning how to overcome his stutter? Amazing.”

Janice bounced up and down in her seat excitedly when she proudly cried, “Paddington Bear!”

Eddie rolled his eyes. “Yep, and now there always has to be marmalade in the house at all times.”

Steve chuckled. Poor Dad. “Have you seen the second one yet?” He knew there was a second one, but not when it came out.

Janice nodded fiercely. “Poor Paddington!”

“Barbie and 12 Dancing Princesses’!” Joan replied next. “There are so many pretty dresses in that one!”

“Ooh,” Steve cooed. “That’s a fun one. And there are so many Barbie movies to chose from, have you watched all of them yet?”

Joan nodded as Eddie shook his head sadly. “So, so, so many times. Same with both Paddington Bear movies. So have fun.” He flashed Steve a smile that was half between a grin and a grimace.

“Well I haven’t seen any of them yet,” Steve said with a wink a Janice. “You’ll have to show them to me tomorrow.”

“My current favorite is ‘The Quiet Place: Day One’,” Chrissy said. “Lupita Nyong’o is just too gorgeous for me to not watch every movie she’s in. I even watched Marvel movies for her and I’m a DC girlie all the way.”

They went around the table learning favorite books and other things about each other. Joan forced to participate so she wouldn’t be left out of the conversation. Then after they were all done. Steve cleaned up and put the leftovers into the fridge.

Then he watched as Eddie put his girls to bed. They got baths on Tuesdays and Saturdays unless they were super messy that day. They brushed their teeth to Daniel Tiger song and got into their pajamas.

Well...pajamas for Janice and a nightgown for Joan. Each one got a different story complete with all the different voices. He was assured he wouldn’t have to do the voices. That was only a Daddy thing.

Then the lights were turned off leaving the glow of the bumblebee nightlight to lighten the room and find its way into Steve’s heart.

~

Part 3

Tag List: CLOSED

1-@mira-jadeamethyst @rozzieroos @itsall-taken @redfreckledwolf @zerokrox-blog

2- @gregre369 ​@a-little-unsteddie @chaosgremlinmunson @messrs-weasley @cryptid-system

3- @maya-custodios-dionach @goodolefashionedloverboi @val-from-lawrence @carlyv @wonderland-girl143-blog

4- @justforthedead89 @irregular-child @bookbinderbitch @bookworm0690 @forgottenkanji

5- @anne-bennett-cosplayer @yikes-a-bee @awkwardgravity1 @littlewildflowerkitten @genderless-spoon

6- @dragonmama76 @ellietheasexylibrarian @thedragonsaunt @useless-nb-bisexual @disrespectedgoatman

7- @counting-dollars-counting-stars @tinyplanet95 @ravenfrog @swimmingbirdrunningrock @lingeringmirth

8- @gutterflower77 @a-lovely-craziness @just-a-tiny-void @w1ll0wtr33 @beelze-the-bubkiss

9- @sadisticaltarts @xxfiction-is-my-realityxx @dolphincliffs @steddie-as-they-go @steddieislife

10- @kultiras @morallyundefined @ollieolive

[asunflowerana]

lotus love

summary: who knew a festival miles away from home would help Miya confess his feelings.

with: Osamu Miya

warnings: friends to lovers, oblivious reader, tatoos, dear osamu is so patient i can't 😅 fluff fluff fluff

Another road sign appears in your field of vision, a red ‘60’ stamped on the painted wood making Osamu slow down while driving, a gentle wind now coming through the open window and running your skin. It’s been almost three hours since you guys started the road trip to Kanagawa, and even though you enjoy watching the beautiful landscape sideways, your stomach is making a riot inside for food.

Being the copilot, you check out your current location on your phone’s map, letting out a relieved sigh as you notice a small festival going on a few miles away.

This is it.

You hear him chuckling, having no idea that he actually heard that sigh along with your now pleased expression. “Did ya find our next stop?”

“Lotus Festival, five kilometers away.” You answer him, scrolling through the event’s pictures. “Oooh, I found a yakitori stall there! Okay, we need to stop in this place.” Just imagining the seasoned grilled chicken skewered in a kushi makes your mouth drool faster than the car’s wheels.

“You got it.” Osamu smiles, also liking the idea of filling his tummy to the brim with food. “But, why Lotus?”

You search for the meaning on the web. “It says that this festival happens in the blooming season, which represents the 'rejuvenation of love’, in a few cultures. It’s most visited for old couples to rekindle their relationship, and singles searching for love. It’s really sweet…” You add, looking at some old married folks hugging each other. “But it’s kinda weird? Like, imagine someone traveling there just to find love? What if they find nothing and return home with a broken heart and less than twenty bucks?” You ponder out loud.

“Yeah, that sucks,” He mumbles, suddenly getting more interested in this festival. He turns to look at you, still paying attention to the empty road. “But it’s not the end of the world. The love of your life might be right beside ya, right?”

“Yeah, I guess.” You’re too worried about the hypothetical heartbroken person to notice Osamu’s eyes lingering on you a tad longer before his shoulders slumped in defeat and his brown eyes return ahead.

Ten minutes later, and the “Welcome to Lotus Festival ” banner appears, its spring colors matching the flowery environment. It’s so beautiful, the greenish square full of lotus with different colors, bringing such a delicious aroma that it attracted several little birds on the way, drinking their nectar like they’re in a feast.

Osamu parks his blue jeep alongside a truck, and together you both walk to the festival, leaving your bags behind and carrying only the essentials inside your purse — wallet, phones, some painkillers, and your small polaroid camera.

There’re a lot of stalls selling bouquets, natural lotions, hair accessories and floral jewelry, clothes, as well as food and beverage stalls. In the middle of the square, a white bandstand decorated with fairy lights and leaves, with mistletoe hanging in the center.

There’s so much to see, that you might be staying there for more than an hour's break.

But first things first, you carry the grey-haired man by hand through the festival, ignoring his confused questions until you finally found your target.

The smell of yakitori invades your nostrils and takes all of your self-control to not steal a bit from a kid who just got their steaming portion. You both look at each other for a second, hungry gaze in your eyes before you two run to the booth, money in hands and mouth begging for food.

“Four yakitoris for the couple.” The seller says evenly, handing you the warm skewers. Osamu forgets his food desire and gazes surprised at you, but you’re already devouring your grilled chicken like a starved lion.

“…Thanks.” Hesitant, he doesn’t correct the seller, handing him the money and moving away in your direction.

Did you really not hear what that guy said?

“Mmmmm… this is heaven.” You hum in delight, savoring the good taste as you finish your first skewer in record time. You look at him more pleased than before. “Thanks for the treat, ‘Samu. Choose whatever you want next, I’m buying.”

He nods in agreement and decides to forget the matter, taking a bite of his yakitori.

He doesn’t stop until it’s all gone.

You guys keep strolling, you buy some sweets for him while he treats you with a warm drink for the chilling weather, walking on the grass until a different booth catches your eye. On the sign, it shows that it’s a henna tattoo booth, choose one of the holiday models and you get a discount.

You get excited, having a new tattoo sounds super fun and it adds to the memories of this trip. And by the way Osamu is grinning down at you, he agrees with the idea as well.

Approaching the booth, you both look through the catalog, each model more beautiful than the other, making you undecided about the best.

“We could do matching tattoos.” Osamu proposes, pointing at the matching models on the second catalog page.

You nod, looking through the sketches. “They’re all so beautiful… I’ll let you decide.” You don’t usually trust him with those stylish things, but if you were to choose, you’d stay 30 minutes just gazing at them.

He hums for a moment, before pointing out at a beautiful Lotus sketch. “How about this one?”

“Rejuvenation of love. It’s a great choice, lots of couples order this one.” The woman owner of the booth says, a small smirk plastered on her face; Your brows raise, and Osamu is nervous, expecting a possible rejection, but you surprise him with your reaction. 

“That’s so genius ‘Samu! That way, we won’t even forget about this festival!”

Both of them deadpan.

“Good luck buddy.” The artist mumbles close to him, patting his shoulder before guiding you both to your seats. Another missed shot.

As it was on the sign, about thirty minutes passed before the tattoos were finally done, a lotus flower now decorating the inside of your forearms. The woman even did a thin stalk in both, which when the two forearms joined, would connect the flowers into a single branch.

This is so meaningful, but Osamu isn’t sure if it has the same meaning for you as it has for him. He thought his feelings would be clear as the sun's rays by now, but you’re still oblivious to them, he doesn’t know what to do anymore. The hints aren’t landing, and the wonder of whether you like him back or not is eating his brain alive, for a long time.

He can keep this trip friendly as planned, visiting Kanagawa for the day before returning to Shibuya as best friends. But there’s a growing chance that someone else might get the shot that he wants so badly with you, and if he doesn’t take this moment now, he might not have another one.

So after paying for the tattoos, he leads you to the white bandstand, wanting to “take some pictures” there. He waits for the right moment when no one is there, and takes you by the hand to the middle.

He doesn’t let go of you.

“Is everything okay?” You notice the way he’s nibbling his lower lip with his canine, something he usually does to calm down. He takes a deep breath, gazing at your eyes with determination.

“I like you.”

Osamu never liked to stall, so it’s best to just rip off the bandage. He keeps a firm grip on your hand as your brows finally raise in realization. “I like you. I don’t know when it started, and I don’t really care, I just know that it will never stop. I can’t stop wanting you. And I don’t know if I didn’t hit it right, or your pretty head is too oblivious to notice — Okay, sorry but you know it’s probably the second.” He chuckles, letting out the adrenaline from his pounding heart. “…I’m in love with you, _____.”

He recites as if they are the most important words to him, moving closer to you as he stares with passion at your shining, surprised orbs. He takes your face in his free hand, and his heart skips as you accept the caress, interlacing his fingers with yours while still speechless.

He doesn’t need an answer to see that you feel the same.

He looks above to the ceiling for a moment, your eyes following and noticing that you both are right under the mistletoe. He grins down at you, one of his cheeky smiles that makes your heart throb in adoration.

“Not that I need one of those to kiss you, but since this is our first—” He nuzzles his nose with yours, his skin gently grazing and soothing you. He whispers close, not taking his eyes off yours.

“Can I kiss you?”

Enchanted by his spell, you give him a small nod, granting him the freedom to lock his sultry lips with yours, making you forget everything else and focus only on the magical feeling of his passionate kiss, legs weakening and body resting inside his warm embrace.

You can’t hear some people applauding you from afar, nor feel the present flower scent around the place. But the lingering thought of your tattoos brushing against each other doesn’t leave your head anymore.

Rejuvenation of love. Lotus Festival is true to its word.

a/n: i confess, i love when boys are the one pining around.

© asunflowerana 2024 — all rights reserved.

[pondering-gales-left-orb]

i will not accept shane spouse room slander anymore im sick of it

I'm so mad at everyone who is mad at Shane's spouse room and i cant keep silent about it anymore

let me start by saying yes Shane was my first ever spouse in SDV and no i was not thinking i could fix him i was just impressed by his progress and self improvement so i had my character marry him

then i went online to see what are people saying about him and i was SHOCKED everyone was so mean to him and were absolutely wronggggggggggg about him

this man does improve himself he absolutely is better after marriage and everyone that's mischaracterizing that because of his spouse room is a coward sorry i don't make the rules

facts: Shane goes to therapy and starts getting his alcoholism under control by eliminating the source of his pain which is wasting his life away at joja and doing something he loves which is raise blue chickens THAT HE MADE MIGHT I ADD HE INVENTED A NEW BREED OF CHICKENS BTW. that last point alone pisses me of so hard because people so often over look it! he is just as smart as Maru just as creative as Eliot and just as ambitious as Sam, let me repeat myself HE INVENTED A NEW BREED OF CHICKEN WHILE HE WAS DEPRESSED AND SUFFERING OF ALCOHOLISM.... recognize his brilliance please

so that means people saying he falls back into his old habits because he has a six pack in his room is wrong, imo he stops being an alcoholic and goes back to having drinking be a hobby he does while gaming or hanging out with friends at the bar THAT'S THE POINT UR SUPPOSED TO GET FROM HIS HEART EVENTS

yes his room has mud tracks but consider this this man's WHOLE JOB is to RAISE CHICKENS IN A COOP !!!!! chickens who again he literally invented their breed who track mud shit and drop feed on the floor of the coop he is in all day!!! OF FUCKING COURSE HES GONNA HAVE MUD ON HIS SHOES!!

he works all day for his blue chickens and then just wants to come in and relax playing a video game and drinking a beer if he was a horrible dirty alcoholic like people claim he is he would track mud ALL OVER THE HOUSE AND DIRTY UP ALL THE HOUSE but no its just his tiny hobby room

you as a farmer also work all day on chores and after you are done you also just wanna do something fun to relax and guess what YOU HAVE THE ENTIRE HOUSE EVERY ROOM IN THE HOUSE TO MAKE INTO YOUR HOBBY ROOM some of you fill the house with kegs because you are making it your thing hell one of my farmers who was a witch had an entire room that's just crystals potions and a fucking cauldron , in my Shane save i had a room LINED with fish tanks that was my farmers Hobby, do you think Shane gets mad that i had 4 to 6 fish tanks running all day with puffer fishes and some legendary fishes stinking up the house?? NO because he gets his hobby room and the farmer gets their hobby room everyone keeps to their space period.

i think everyone needs to understand that having a messy hobby room is not a bad thing and that Shane and the other spouses have a right to their own room to look however they want and it doesn't have to match the house

everyone also needs to look at Shane in a better light please I'm begging you to let characters have small flaws and not be squeaky clean perfect

Shane sought help he is helping himself and trying to be better but that doesn't mean he doesn't get to indulge in some guilty pleasures he is human and is aloud to be one even while still in recovery! the difference now is that he HAS CONTROL OVER ALCOHOL AND GAMING CONSUMPTION AND IS NOT SPIRALING OUT OF CONTROL LIKE BEFORE he has job he loves a family he takes care of and he makes sure he doesn't dirty up his entire house but gives himself a break in his ONE room and doesn't stop himself form having fun doing the things he enjoys without over indulging or falling into bad habits.

Edit: i know in the end the drinks are non alcoholic as confirmed by him and i mentioned beer and drinks cause i know there is non alcoholic Versions of them som.. but as i said im adressing the MISSCHARACTERIZATION of shane by the shane haters who didn't go through his heart events hence me saying "you are supposed to learn all this from his heart events" cause they dont go through them :D

Anyway,

in conclusion SHANE IS GOOD SPOUSE, a good man and an inventor in his own right. yall just need to be gentle to him in your judgment cause man is he trying his earnest and that needs to be recognized. i mean look at him look at this healthy man <3

[1toreyouapart]

What It Cost

****THIS IS A FICTIONAL STORY BASED ON REAL PEOPLE. 18+ ONLY. I DO NOT OWN THE RIGHTS TO THE PEOPLE OR MUSIC MENTIONED IN THIS STORY OUTSIDE OF LILITH AND SADIE AND MAYBE A COUPLE OTHERS. DO NOT READ IF YOU’RE NOT UP FOR FANFIC INVOLVING REAL PEOPLE***

Terrible summary: Five years since she last spoke to him. Since she last saw him. Now his face and his voice is everywhere. She can't escape him.

Five years ago Noah destroyed her and the life they had built. Now he’s back and seeking to make amends. As much as she wants to say that it's too little too late, is it?

CW/TW: Angst, mention of addiction, cheating. Mention of character death. Language. Smut (later on). PinV, unprotected PinV (wrap it before you tap it, friends), oral (f&m receiving). All smutty warnings happen later on, so I’ll update TW/CW warning labels as those parts are written and posted. If I forget anything, please let me know so I can fix it! Thank you!

A/N: Currently unedited. Sorry. 😬 Read at your own risk, I guess. 😅 Also no word count because I’m lame.

Part 1

Part 2-Noah

"Lilly's on her way." Nicholas dropped down in the chair next to him.

Noah's heart sank into his stomach. Five years of successfully staying out of her way was about to go to shit. At first he'd done it to make it easier on her. Or so he told himself. But after five years, he had to admit it was because he was nothing but a coward, too scared to face the worst mistake he'd ever made. Hurting her. He could still see the look on her face when he'd come home that morning.

The way those brilliant blue eyes of hers, bloodshot from lack of sleep and undoubtedly hours of crying, tracked his movements as he quietly went up the stairs to take a shower. The pain etched on her face. He'd never seen her so fragile. He'd left the shower and gone downstairs, ready for her anger. Ready for the fight that he was sure was going to happen after what he'd done. Instead he'd gone down just in time to watch her pull out of the driveway. No yelling. No screaming. No crying. She just left. And he did nothing to try to stop her. He knew what he had done. The final nail in the coffin.

"I should leave. I'm not needed here."

"Stop being a fucking coward. I love you, man. But you can't run from what you did forever. Been sober for three years now and you're still too chicken shit to face her."

Ouch. He was right, but ouch. Noah had made amends with everyone he had hurt during those years he had tried to drink himself to death. But the thought of facing her fucking terrified him. Before that last year he had been sure he was going to marry her someday. Shit, even during that last year of their relationship he had been sure of it. Up until he just kept fucking it up more and more, too chicken shit to face his own demons like a grownup.

"Does she know I'm here?"

"Yes. We all promised to keep you away from her unless she wants to speak to you."

Noah grimaced. Sure, he had known deep down that they all kept in contact with her. She was like everyone's little sister. He didn't expect them to just drop out of her life, or her theirs. She'd known all but Nicholas longer than he'd known them, anyway. That didn't stop him from feeling a little hurt by them keeping it from him for so long, though. They could have been honest with him. He knew he had fucked up. He had known the second he let another woman hang all over him that night. Knew as soon as he followed her out the door instead of going straight home to the woman that had moved all the way across the country with him. Bought a house with him.

The door opened and his breath caught in his throat, his heart beginning to hammer in his chest. Palms sweaty he looked up, leg starting to bounce anxiously. There she stood, Jolly wrapping her up in a tight hug. Time seemed to stand still as she turned towards him, her impossibly blue eyes locking on his. No anger. No hatred. Not even a hint of an emotion in them. Just blank. Fuck.

***

Noah shifted uncomfortably, trying his best not to stare at her. Everyone was gathered in the backyard, a fire in the pit, sharing stories of Danny. All evening he had avoided being near her, though everything in him begged to touch her. It was enough to slowly drive him insane. All he wanted was to sit next to her. Hold her hand. Shit, just hold her. To hear her say his name again. But he couldn't do that anymore. He had given up that right.

Lilith's laugh filtered through everything else, and he was sure he was going to pass out right there where he sat, directly across the fire from her. Instead he took a sip of his water, if for nothing else other than a distraction.

"Noah, you have to finish telling them. I can't." Lilith interrupted his thoughts, her laughter echoing in his head. She spoke to him? Said his name? Oh, fuck.

"Jolly asked how she got the Thumbelina nickname," Nicholas whispered, knowing he had been too caught up in his head to know.

Noah smirked, remembering Danny telling him about this story on the phone that day.

"Danny stopped by when we were on tour to check in on her, like I had asked. Apparently she was too caught up in planting those flowers right back there," he gestured towards the flower bush she had planted all those years ago. "And when he said hi she threw one of the bushes at him, thinking he was an intruder." Noah couldn't help but join her in her laughter at the memory. "Danny dubbed her Thumbelina from that moment on."

Noah met her eyes from across the fire as they laughed together, and suddenly everything felt somewhat okay. There was joy back in her eyes, etched across her face. Her smile took over her face, breathing life back into her. He may not be the cause of it, but it was a sight he thought he'd never see again.

"Wait. I thought Noah gave you that nickname. Who started calling you Bambi?" Jolly interjected.

Noah choked on his water, sputtering at the nickname he had always called her. That was one of his favorite memories, though rather private. And not a story he was keen on telling without her permission. The way she had insisted that she didn't need him to help her up after the first time they'd had sex. How she had stumbled and flipped him off the second he said "You sure about that, Bambi?"

Lilith laughed. A full on genuine laugh that came from her toes. God, he had missed that sound. He had missed the way she never held back her true laugh. The way she laughed with every fiber of her being.

Jolly looked between the two of them, her unable to control her laughter, him hiding his face the best he could. Noah watched as realization set into his friends features, and quickly avoided eye contact with him.

"Awe, man! What the fuck?"

Noah couldn't hold back his own laughter anymore, joining Lilith. Jesus Christ, he had missed this. Missed her.

Tags: @haylaansmi @collisionofyourkissmakesitsohard

[norwegika]

ITTSSSSS TIMEEEEEE for bachelors yapping time continues! Imma be going over what I think should change about the bachelors after you marry them :3 this will all be going off the assumption that there is now a 20 heart limit and 1-3 additional cutscenes

Spoilers for stardew relationships btw

Alr first my favorite bachelor: Alex. I’m thinking although Alex always stays in shape he does give up on his dreams of being a professional grid ball player, buttttt I think it would be really nice if he starts a workout club for the dudes fr, where they work on personal fitness, getting stronger, and now Harvey could have a place to get fitter while feeling less embarrassed! Maybe when he starts it you get a little quest to gather stuff to make workout equipment and he uses an additional wing of your house to do so. I also think it would be nice if he starts working as a gridball commentator so that he can still enjoy his favorite spot. A cutscene for both of these ideas would be nice

Next is our favorite recoverin alcoholic: SHANE I personally love Shane so much he’s amazing. I think as you progress your relationship with Shane he could help Pam get her addiction under control. Of course though, his main pursuit after he marries you would be the chickens! I’m thinking he would either join Marnie at the ranch and start helping out there or he could be the “coopmaster” at your farm, and he could do the same thing as an autopetter and auto grabber, but all eggs harvested by him would be one quality grade higher, and if you have blue chickens they would produce “Blue Eggs”, which would sell for a lot more and produce “Blue Mayo”, which could be a loved gift for Shane and maybe Jas. His new cutscenes could be a scene where a blue chicken lays the first blue egg and a scene where he talks to Pam about addiction.

Now we got Elliot. The weird thing about Elliot is he actually does do things after you marry him. He ends up going on a tour for his book! This is amazing but I think it could be expanded on. I’m thinking he decides to write another book about life in Pelican Town and after a while it’s a cult hit. He becomes quite famous and gets visited by paparazzi in a cutscene where he talks to you about the burden of fame but how it’s all worth it with you by his side (aww). You could also after that get fan mail delivered to your mailbox? Could be fun and maybe another secret could be added from that. In addition to all that, I think marrying Elliot could give you an exclusive book power? I don’t have any ideas specifically but that would make sense ✨

Harvey: Harvey, after you marry him, would still work at the hospital, but he would no longer charge you for services like reviving you, and you would have a special cutscene where he tells you “you make me worry about you too much when you go into the mines” “I love you too much” or something like that. I also think that he would start talking to the people who fly above the valley and begin to be known as the Stardew Valley Navigator, and maybe you would meet one of the pilots and he would take Harvey for a ride in the plane :3 also I feel like as his relationship with you progressed he would no longer love coffee because he isn’t overworking himself so much :D other ideas include a slight health increase when married to Harvey and maybe a scene where he impresses the A.S.S trio with his knowledge of jazz

Alright next up is Sam! First up, I think Sam needs to start getting bigger with his music. After you reach 16 hearts, he should get an offer from a minor record company who really liked his sound in the “Happy Junimo Show” soundtrack. They offer a deal where he sells them one single and if it works out they could get him signed. You receive three choices for the genre, and he submits it and waits. A week later, he hears back from the company, who really enjoyed it and offer him a contract. This leads to another cutscene at 18 hearts where he performs his first single as the opener for a music festival. After that, you can always hear that first single on Sam’s boombox. Sam brings you up on stage and says “This song is dedicated to my amazing partner, [name]”, and the cutscene ends.

Sebastian: Sebastian is too edgy bro but I’ll make this shit work lemme lock in rq

Sebastian, of course, starts to breed frogs! I think that could be really cool if you could get a cutscene where you now have a frog that roams the farm looking cute, maybe collecting mixed seeds and fiber and delivering it to you while you’re in bed? I’m going to be so fr I can’t think of stuff for him lol he’s a lot harder ngl… Maybe a garage addition to the house? Where he works on his motorcycle once a week?Ngl this is mid he’s too emo lol LMK IF YOU HAVE BETTER IDEAS

[iliveforyouilongforyouvesuvia]

ok since you mentioned stardew valley i have to ask: who do you think the m6’s favorite sdv characters would be?

-🍄

The Arcana HCs: M6 playing Stardew Valley

~ dear anon, there is a reason for why I am known as brainrot. you have somehow combined two of my greatest obsessions and for that you have my thanks. please enjoy! - brainrot ~

(spoilers for SDV content)

Julian

He's got a special soft spot for George and Evelyn. He just wants to be their grandson (not by marriage though, Alex isn't really his type)

Lowkey freaked out by the wizard at first, learns to get along with him anyways because he made it possible to talk to the Junimos

Enjoys most of the game play besides the farming and crafting. He doesn't have the attention span for all of that

Initially falls for Leah, ends up marrying Shane because he told the farmer to leave him alone and Julian takes that as a challenge

It's also strangely cathartic for him to be on the other side of the "I can help him heal" trope

He likes Leo but learning about the shipwreck is mildly triggering for him, he's very happy once it's resolved and he can forget about it

Completely forgets about the Community Center at first because he's too busy romancing all the marriageables. Gets back to it after he's had two kids and befriended all the villagers

Convinced that Mr Qi is secretly evil

Gossips to MC about all of the lore between the villagers

Asra

Gets into it for the aesthetic, stays for the Junimos

Their farm is a jumbled hodgepodge of all the weirdest plants they could find, with random plots of crops needed for different quests

Spends so much time in the mines, there's just so many interesting creatures down there (and he likes all the gems and minerals)

Dislikes Clint so strongly that they end up dating Emily for the vibes and spite

Ends up having Krobus move in as his roommate, but his ideal is playing with MC so he can marry them

Doesn't put any effort into befriending most of the villagers until it becomes a requirement to achieve perfection, ends up stopping by Pierre's every Tuesday to hang out with all the moms

Likes Mr Qi for his aesthetic, gets a little hung up on the Wizard because that's not how magic works

Obsesses over finding all the artifacts, becomes friends with Penny and the kids from their frequent Library visits

Takes full advantage of using Lewis's shorts to mess with him in every possible way

Robin reminds them of their mom and they don't know how to feel about that

Nadia

She has some very strong opinions about Lewis as a mayor and the more she plays and finds out about him the stronger those opinions become

Dedicates herself to the Community Center as soon as it's unlocked

Has a hard time deciding who to court at first. She likes to know her goal before she starts her journey, but it's hard to get a read on everyone right off the bat

Chooses Leah and knows she's the right one when she gets to help her spite her ex by living well and thriving

Perfection is her end goal as soon as she learns about it

Has a soft spot for Linus and Harvey

Her farm is impeccable. Perfectly planned out, greenhouse at max capacity, crops always timed to yield the most harvest per season

Takes a grim satisfaction in Haley and Emily's sisterly disputes

Always has the perfect present prepared for someone's birthday. Except Lewis. She hates that she has to befriend Lewis

Lowkey judgemental of Marnie for sticking with him

Maxes out crafting first and uses everything she makes

Thinks that Robin should be mayor instead

Muriel

He loves Linus. He wants to live in a tent like Linus too

Does not like the mines at all. Too much animal killing

Avoids Shane at first because he clearly wants to be left alone, ends up befriending him for the blue chickens, is grateful he did once Shane gets his act together

Marries Penny to get her out of the trailer and because her interactions stress him out the least

Terrified of Emily, Alex, and Haley, doesn't go near that house

Hates Joja Co with a passion. It's what got him to complete the Community Center, because he wanted to see Morris's empire crumble at his feet. And to make the Junimos happy

Avoids all community events as much as he can

Loves fishing, foraging, and crafting. The first villagers he got ten hearts with were the Wizard and Willy

Fiercely protective of Leo, adores the parrots, tolerates Mr Qi

Prefers to play with MC and Asra, especially because he really wants the Golden Chicken from achieving perfection but he doesn't like talking to the villagers or going in the mines

Half of his farm is chicken coops

Portia

She starting playing it for the fun of a "build a new life" game and kept playing it for the mines and the villager drama

She's got the entire Friendship and Gifts page on the Stardew Valley Wiki memorized

Thinks the wizard is awesome because he teaches her magic

Has so many opinions on who should be with who that it makes it hard for her to settle down with someone. She ended up with Abigail for the swordfights and adventure

Hardcore ships Gus with Willy, waxes poetic about their shared scenes with the crab invasion and giant omelet

Wants Marnie and Marlon to date so badly, she writes tons of fanfiction about Lewis being brutally dumped and the two of them getting together and adopting Leo

Has a personal grudge against Sebastian because people keep rooting for him over his little sister and no she's not projecting at all

She'll reach perfection eventually because she's that good at managing her tasks, but it's not her main objective

Attends every single community event and comes up with so many headcanons about why this villager always stands there and what's going on with that dialogue

Lucio

Accidentally went the Joja route at first and got ticked off when it meant he was the "bad guy" just because he has FOMO

He's all about the adventuring, his farm is mostly wild

Gets annoyed by Marlon's cautious advice, thinks the wizard is cool for giving him magic but wishes he could do more with it

Married Haley and subsequently lost all his hearts with her because he was too busy getting out the door each morning

Couldn't be bothered with the Community Center until he reached the bottom of the mines and heard that there were more levels elsewhere

Divorces Haley to marry Sandy, throws a fit when he finds out she isn't marriageable. Marries Elliot instead because he wrote a book for him

Hates fishing with a passion, especially the legendary fish

Really starts getting into the game once Calico Desert and Ginger Island are open

Obsessed with raising slimes

Doesn't meet Krobus for a long time because he couldn't be bothered with artifacts, brings him diamonds every week once he does

Also wants to be friends with Kent but can't remember his likes

Desperately craves Mr Qi's approval

[redheadspark]

can I please have scenario 9 and dialogue 3 for Oliver Wood?

(ps: happy birthday month!)

A/N - Hi and thank you! That means the world! I hope you like this and thanks for the request!

Yours

Summary - You get a special gift on your Wedding Day

Warnings - Just fluff :)

“Special delivery!”

You looked over your shoulder as a head poked into your room, your Maid of Honor and best friend Katie Bell rushing over to shoo the head away since it was a head of flaming red hair.  You knew that voice very well: George Weasley.

“Out!  No one is supposed to see the bride!” She scolded, you heard a light chuckle, and a thick envelope was seen in long nimble fingers.  You raised a brow as Katie snatched the envelope in her hands.  Laughter was heard from the head of red hair.

“Oh, and just so you know, the groom has warm feet!  I was told to pass on the message!  Carry on!” The voice yelled, then slammed the door shut before Katie could yell at him anymore.  You had to giggle, perched in your vanity chair as Katie walked back over to you in her bridesmaid dress that matched the blue sky outside.  As she passed by the flowers the wee perched on the dresser, a gift from your future husband the night prior when you were out at your hen party, Katie looked at the envelope curiously.  You too looked, seeing how thick it was and barely staying shut as she read the name on the front of it.

“ ‘To my future wife’.  I swear he’s too sweet for my liking,” Katie joked as she handed you the envelope gently.  You held it in your hands, seeing the familiar writing that you knew and recognized for years.  It made your heart swell from seeing it, and you heard Katie clear her throat.

“I’m going to check on the other Bridesmaids, and we’ll head out in about 10 minutes since the ceremony is about to being,” Katie reminded you, then giving your shoulder a squeeze before walking out the door and closing it behind her.  You were left alone, carefully opening the envelope and seeing stacks of notes and parchment.  They were all old, fold marks were evident along with handwriting that was both a mixture of your own and of your fiancé.

You were shocked that he kept every single one you two wrote, well, most of them really. 

Marrying Oliver Wood was something you never thought you would do, he was simply a good friend to you when you two met your first year.  You were a Hufflepuff with a good knack in Herbology and Transfigurations, whereas Oliver was a Gryffindor who was amazing in Charms and playing Quidditch.  It seemed like such polar opposites, your timidness to his boldness, your hardworking nature to his laziness when it came to academics, but you both never minded it when it came to being friends together.  

You both helped each other out in the classes that you had together, even passing notes to one another for the first time when you both were second years.  It was the first note that you saw on the top of the parchment stack, you grin as you hold the singular page in your fingers and notice your chicken scratch of handwriting

Oli-

You need to pay attention if you’re gonna to pass the exam next week.  At least look like you’re interested, Flitwick will catch on!

You had to laugh at how you were already scolding him about how he was in class.  Yet on the bottom half of the parchment, you saw his own handwriting that was barely readable and you laughed at his reply.

Y/N -

If he catches on then it’s a bloody miracle.  I think I dodge his glances every once in a while, let me be!  Also, you owe me a study session later today to help me with Herbology, and I knew I was rubbish.

You both loved sending notes to one another, enchanting notes that would float to one another during class that were undetectable to the Professors, and it was mostly successful.  It was a simple thing you both did since you both shared of your classes together, and it always made the lessons a bit more tolerable, sometimes comical in how Oliver would write his notes. 

Still to this day, you loved those notes.

The notes grew over time as you both got older in school.  One or two sentences evolved to at least a paragraph.  You both confided in one another both within and without the notes, walking together to classes or studying together when you could.  But Oliver also sought you out when he simply wanted your company, a chance of pace from his Quidditch Captain schedule.  He would talk about how stressed he was, being Captain, how his schoolwork was piling up every once in a while when he would forget to do his homework.  

Out of all of his friends, he would come to you and seek you out.

Maybe it was your calming nature, or how you would talk to him to get him out of his now head, but Oliver found peace with you.  You saw it in the notes as you were skimming through each, seeing the dates and all that he was pouring out to you:

I don’t think I’m a good enough Captain.  I’m trying my best but I think I won’t lead us to victory.  Maybe it’s just me, is it just me?  You know just what to say to make me feel better, what should I do?

-Oli

Y/N -

How was your Christmas?  I can’t wait to show you my new set of gloves my mum and da got me!  They’re one of a kind and the latest addition.  I think this will help me with my playing, and before you say anything, no it is not in my head!  Equipment is just as important as my skill, I’ve told you plenty of times! 

Who knows, maybe you’ll finally take me up on my offer and I’ll show you how to play quidditch!  Let’s go to Hogsmeade after class and we'll talk about our family holidays!

~Oli

Y/N-

I’m sorry to hear about your mum.  I knew how much she meant to you and how much you loved her, I cannot imagine.  My Mum and Da want to send you something, just to help.  I know you hate being in the spotlight and having others take care of you, but at least let my parents help out.  They love you, they have adored you ever since I told them we went on a date last week.  

I’m here if you need anything, you know that. 

~Yours, Oli

You hummed from that last note, closing your eyes for a brief moment and remembering Oliver sending that note to you during Potions.  Of course, it got him in trouble with Snape, which landed him detention for the afternoon, but Oliver never cared.  He sought you out as soon as he was released from detention, seeing you were perched under a tree in the quad courtyard and trying not to cry.  He hugged you instantly, letting you weep in his arms as he was silent and keeping you close in his embrace. 

Losing your mother in your 7th year at Hogwarts was rough, and exhausting mentally. It felt like you were drowning with no way up.  Professor Dumbledor and Professor McGonagall were kind to you and gave you a bit of time off to go home and be with your father and siblings to plan the burial, your other Professsors didn't assign your homework or papers for at least a week so you can focus on your family. Even Snape was somewhat tolerable in giving you some time off from lessons and homework, which seemed like a miracle.  

The first person to greet you at the Hogsmeade Station when you returned on the train was Oliver, who gave you the kindest smile and held open his arms for you to fall into.  

Now, on your wedding day two years after your Graduation from Hogwarts, you saw one last parchment that was on the very bottom of the stack.  It looked pristine, not folded or bent in a certain spot.  In fact, it looked so new that you were confused as to why it was here amongst your old notes in the first place. You took the note out, seeing Oliver’s writing and how it was so neat and precise.

My Dear - 

I can’t help but look back on all the notes we’ve sent to each other over the years.  Those notes, though silly and comical at times, meant the world to me as we grew up together at school.  You always seemed to make me feel special, you weren’t just my friend because I played quidditch.  You thought of me as someone who was worthwhile and unique, and for that I thank you.  You were my true north, long before I knew it myself when we were younger.  

We’ve known each other for so long.  I can’t imagine my life - myself - without you anymore.  And I don’t really want to.  There is nothing we can’t handle from here on out, and know our future together is bright and filled with hope.  You will always be my center, my source of happiness, and my true love.  I can’t wait to see you at the end of the aisle, I’ll be waiting.

Your future Husband, Oliver Wood”

 You did walk down the aisle, your father on your arm, to Oliver who was waiting for you in his dress kilt and a massive grin on your face.  You would keep those notes for the rest of your life, showing your teenage daughter years later as your husband would blush madly and your daughter would tease him.

The End

June Prompt Session

Tagged - @a-lumos-in-the-nox

[respectthepetty]

I am back to once again stir up discussion regarding color in Cutie Pie, and I'm doubling down on what I said about Kuea last time. KUEA KEERATI IS A BI-COLORED BOY.

Without a doubt, his primary color is red, and he's even pulling Lian's blue as early as episode one - but I started counting the number of times Kuea has worn yellow in the first 7 episodes. It's at least once an episode, sometimes the bulk of the episode. The lights in his Dragon's Lair house are both red and yellow. The car that Lian gets for him to drive in episode 7 is also yellow. At first, I wondered if he might be wearing yellow as a nod to Kon-Diao and their friendship, but the bulk of the scenes he wears yellow, he is with Lian or by himself. Lian even wears a tie with yellow and blue stripes. I'm gonna watch more episodes and keep track of the yellow a bit further, but I think 7 episodes with at one yellow shirt per episode is enough for me to declare Kuea both a red rascal and a yellow-orange oddity.

Thoughts, lol?

Kitty, you know what my thoughts are because we have been through this, but now I'm thinking that I'm going to fight you in a Texas Chicken parking lot! (I kid, I kid . . . or do I?)

Just because I wrote I'm finally getting on this bi-colored train due to how well I think To Be Continued is doing it does not mean I'm going to flip on Kuea too. Cutie Pie JUST got out of Petty Prison. And do you know why it was in Petty Prison? Because Kuea IS F*CKING RIDICULOUS!

He was lying and sneaking around when there was no need. He was coming up with these elaborate plans to hide shit when HE COULD'VE JUST COMMUNICATED! Which is funny because Yellow/Orange Oddities communicate. Sometimes too much. Like "telling people they need to poop" level of communication.

But you know who lies, sneaks, schemes, and stays on their bullshit? Red Rascals!

Which is probably why Kuea and Yi don't like each other.

THEY ARE THE SAME BRAND OF STUPID!

So instead of these two being honest with their partners, they hide their true colors because THEY ARE STUPID!

So this pendejo decides that Lian won't love him if he knows he wants to be a Korean Idol or whatever.

And he thinks Lian won't love him if he knew what Kuea's real major is.

And he thinks Lian definitely won't love him if he is speed racing Love-in-the-Air style.

But instead of this dum-dum actually giving up those things, or, I don't know, confessing to them, he decides to LIE, LIKE A LIAR!

So while Lian is trying to figure out exactly what version of Kuea he is about to marry, Kuea is hiding his real self which, ironically, reinforces his true colors since his scheming makes him even more of a Red Rascal. His color is literally always staring us in the face!

It's the red flag (or folder) that constantly comes between them.

Oh look! It's the other red flag between them!

And what's funny about this is Kuea gets mad at Lian for being cold to him when he is ACTIVELY LYING, so he runs off to his SECRET house where he has neon signs of his SECRET persona!

So the pot keeps talking shit about the kettle!

And the kettle has to figure out how to deal with a lying pot.

Which is to go along with his bullshit since Lian loves the idiot!

THEN CATCH HIM IN THE ACT!

Because Lian has always known who Kuea is.

He has known Kuea since that liar was a damn baby. Day one. Fresh from the womb!

The childhood merch wasn't for nothing!

So he knows the yellow isn't Kuea's. Because it's LIAN'S FAMILY'S!

You remember that great party that was happening for Lian's dad? The one where Kuea rejected Lian's proposal in front of God and all his guests?!

Look at that! The merging of two families!

But wait?! Why does Kuea wear so much yellow?

BECAUSE HE THINKS IT PLEASES HIS BLUE BOY AND HIS FAMILY!

This Slut for Christ could've been married to Lian YEARS AGO, but mentiroso had to keep lying and didn't realize that Lian loved HIM. Lian was doing everything for HIM! The story was about families, traditions, and old money versus new money, but when it boiled down to it, it was about loving Kuea for who he is, not because Lian was told to but because he genuinely loved that Red Rascal's lying ass.

So thank goodness Lian knows another ridiculous Red Rascal who he loves dearly, but also has learned how to fight a Red Rascal and their stupidity from.

So these two could FINALLY get together at the end wearing their true colors because it mattered who they were and not who their families were or wanted them to be. And that's also why there is still a little yellow in Lian's tie.

/\ <- This is a hill.

And I'm dying on it.

[lunaraindrop]

I love prompt things!

How about the word...twirl? :)

Oooo! A good one! Here you go! A bit of Wayne Munson/Claudia Henderson thrown in there too!

‐----‐--------------------

In the short six months after the "earthquake" that rocked Hawkins to its core, many strange things had happened. Some bad things, yes. But some good too.

In all of the chaos with Eddie and Max in the hospital, Wayne Munson and Claudia Henderson met. To say that the two adults got along was... a huge understatement!

At first glance, Steve didn't really see much of a resemblance between nephew and uncle. Besides the obvious, Hair vs. no Hair, Wayne was shorter than his nephew. He also lacked the rich, warm brown eyes that Steve was starting to become addicted to. Wayne's were what Steve thought at a cool blue. His hands were stubby and naked, where Eddie's fingers were all long, wiggly tendons and metal rings.

All of those thoughts went out the fucking window the minute Steve witnessed Wayne meeting Claudia.

The woman went into that hospital with a mission. After hearing Dustin talk about how Wayne had barely left Eddie's side in days, Claudia Henderson bustled into the room like only a mother of Dustin Henderson could, handed a bemused Wayne a cup of coffee and a club sandwich in Reynolds Wrap, and tutted at him that he would be no help to Eddie if he didn't take care of himself. (Steve...may have got a similar speech...)

Instead of the man being offended...well, you would think Claudia handed Wayne the moon.

Once Wayne, and subsequently Eddie's jaws were picked up off the floor, Wayne opened up.

While it was quieter, more subtle, Wayne Munson flirting greatly resembled the cow-eyed, cute quipped, touchy-feely dance Eddie did around Steve. (Steve, very observant thank-you-very-much, noticed this. Feeling the flutter of something warm and cautiously hopeful, Steve asked Robin later, "Hey, do you think Eddie's been flirting with me?" Robin sputtered and fell out of her chair)

After just talking to the woman for a second time, a besotted Wayne swore to his nephew in his hospital bed, "I'm gonna marry that woman."

Well, that was only going to happen *after* Steve hints that Claudia has to ask the man out first. Apparently, Munson men fall in love hard, fall fast, and stay in love like a possessive, deranged swan. They just...have an awkward time going from love declarations to actually asking someone out.

This was confirmed by Eddie. They were once again in his hospital room. Eddie was getting close to being released, but still had to stay until his wounds healed over a little better. Steve, hating the idea of Eddie being alone while Wayne had to go to work, would hang out with him in between work shifts and volunteering at the school. This meant he was often sleeping over on the pullout cot. It was one of those mornings when he slept over in the hospital that it came up. Since it seemed like Steve and Wayne were trading Eddie shifts, Claudia was bringing them both clean clothes and something to eat. He and Eddie witnessed the exchange, where hands lingered just a bit longer than necessary on the work clothes she so nicely washed. Instead of Wayne yaki g his chances, he called her "Dollface" and "Sweetheart" before rushing to get ready to leave. Steve saw the glimmer of confused disappointment in her eyes.

Steve fully understood that feeling.

Later, Steve found himself questioning Eddie on why Wayne was like that. How the time before he gave Claudia his jacket in the chilly hospital, only to make an excuse to zip out that Eddie needed more Jello.

Eddie hates Jello. Calls it a "Gelatinous Cube" and hisses at it anytime some comes near. Steve finds it endearing funny.

"So, your uncle goes on and on about liking Dustin's mom, but flakes out when he has a chance to ask her out. What gives, man?"

Averting his eyes, Eddie shrugged from eating his chocolate pudding (that Steve smuggled in for him). "What can I say? Munson men feel deeply, but are chicken shit about rejection. We just bat our eyes and stare, hoping the one we love gets a hint and proposes first."

"You mean asks out first."

"I know what I said, Big Boy."

Steve knew he needed to leave and take Dustin (who was with Max in the other room Steve frequented) home to his mom. He *also* knew he had to have a little chat with said mom.

But Eddie had him thinking.

After their goodbyes, as Steve stood at the threshold of the door, he mustered up the courage to turn around.

"You know, Eddie. You bat your eyes at me. Like, all the time."

Eddie dropped his spoon, beautiful cow-eyes wide. "Uh..."

Steve crosses his arms, and leaned a little cockily against the door frame. "And you stare."

Eddie pulled a piece of hair in front of his face, voice going up a higher octave. "Would we reeeeally call it staring? I thought of it more practicing telepathy."

Feeling giddy and so, so in love, Steve sauntered back in.

"You're not a mind reader, and I'm not El. If you want me to ask you out, you gotta give me a better signal."

Eddie went from looking panicked to impishly intrigued. "You'd be up for that? What kind of signals are we talking about? And what outcome should I expect? You know, hypothetically."

Steve shrugged, trying for casually cool and not like his heart was going to jump out of his chest and tackle Eddie back into the bed. "I dunno, like twirl your hair? Bite you lip? Or, I don't know, say 'Hey Steve, I would really like to get to go on our first date soon' to name a few!"

Eddie's brow furrowed. "And would there be a date?"

Steve walked back in and sat on the edge of Eddie's bed, softly petting at Eddie's calf. "Oh, there would be LOTS of dates. That one would just be the one to get the ball rolling. Throw me a bone here. Hypothetically, of course. "

Tilting his head, Eddie eyed Steve and twirled a piece of his hair.

Steve held in a gasp.

"I see what you're getting at, Stevie-Boy."

Looking away, Eddie bit his lip.

"But I'm stuck in this here hospital bed. If I said, 'Date me now, you beautiful bastard!', where wouldwe go? The cafeteria?"

Steve propped himself above Eddie, hand braced against the wall behind Eddie's head.

"Hypothetically?"

"Of course."

Steve reached over to twirl a curl of Eddie’s hair. He learned closer, almost nose to nose.

"Hypothetically speaking, we could be dating for months before we even go on a single date. Busy lives, you know."

Eddie, trying and failing to look serious, canted his nose to rub against Steve's.

"That sounds an awful like proposing to be boyfriends, Sweetheart."

Switching from looking into his eyes to his lips, Steve breeched the hairsbreadth of space, kissing the supple lips he had been dreaming about, before giving Eddie's bottom lip a little nibble.

"Ha. I guess you have it right. What do you say? Want to give it a go?"

Eddie threaded his fingers into Steve hair.

"Boyfriends?"

"Yes."

"Hypothetically?"

"Hell no."

"Good."

Dustin found them ten minutes later, making out on Eddie's hospital bed.

The little shit wasn't even mad or traumatized.

He just demanded that Steve figure out how to get his mom and Wayne to figure their shit out.

Turns out all Claudia had to do was the hair twirl before Wayne caved.

[callsignspark]

•intertwining fingers when making love

Marry Me

hi anon! thank you for sending this one!!

send me a physical intimacy prompt for any of my Dagger, Sword & Shield couples!

the ninth of January

pairing: Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw x Mariella “M&M” Vertucci (fem!OC)

warnings: 18+ minors DNI, smut (explicit language, unprotected p in v sex, he teases her and it's a little mean but not unwelcome, like the tiniest hint of dumbification, mentions of getting pregnant), this is set once they're already together so offscreen conversations have happened regarding kids/protection, so many goddamn pet names, baby's first time writing real smut so we are being kind, also you don't need to read Mar[r]y Me to read and understand this, but (shameless plug) I think you should anyway

word count: 1.4k

“Bradley!” She can feel his smile get bigger; he loves it when she moans his name.

“What, Mary? What’s wrong, honey?” He teases as he pulls away from the sensitive spot near her collarbone, flexing his hips up to meet hers as she bounces on his lap for the sole purpose of hearing her breath hitch.

She’s honestly not quite sure how they got here.

The evening had been moving along like every other night since they moved in together three months prior. They enjoyed the dinner she made - tonight was chicken parmesan with roasted green beans - and Bradley did the dishes, talking and laughing the entire time. Migrating to the pink couch, she claimed the chaise while he flipped through their combined DVD collection.

Actually, she does know how they got here.

He holds up a case with a dark cover. “How about this? It’s Skyfall… And you need to go to the optometrist if you can’t recognize your man.” He teases when she squints to read the title.

“I can see perfectly fine! It’s dark in here because someone hates watching movies with any sort of light on.” She protests as he pops the disc into the machine and hits enough buttons to make the DVD menu appear.

“First of all, that would be a better excuse if I had already turned the lamp off. Second, it’s like being in the theatre, but I don’t have to wear pants.” He dramatically shoves his sweatpants down, leaving him in just an old t-shirt and his blue boxer briefs that hide nothing. “Hey, you know what today is?”

Her brain ignores the question, distracted as her eyes drag over him, stopping to admire the thickness of his thighs. She knows she’ll never tire of his body, no matter what it looks like, but he’s looked extra good lately, and she can’t help but stare.

“You know what today is, baby doll?” Mary nods, her heart thumping as she presses her thighs together at the pet name. One he only uses in private. “Answer my question then.”

“It’s Monday.”

“More specifically?” He pulls the UVA t-shirt over his head, muscles everywhere flexing at the movement.”

“It’s uh-” She gulps, he’s not playing fair. “It’s January 9th.”

Bradley hums, running his hand over his abdomen, playing with the band of his briefs. “That’s right, which means it’s been two years since the last time we watched this movie, and we almost fucked right where you’re sitting.”

“I- how? Wha-” Mary stammers, confused and amazed at how he remembers that. She knew it was early January, but she had forgotten the exact date.

“Happy anniversary, baby.” He sits on the couch, the movie forgotten as he tugs her across the cushion into his lap.

She enthusiastically returns his kiss, letting her hands roam his broad shoulders until she suddenly pulls back. “What anniversary? We didn’t even do anything that night.”

It takes him a minute to respond, busy pulling her sweatshirt over her head. “Anniversary of the first time I jerked off to the memory of you wriggling around in my lap.” She can’t continue with her questioning, preoccupied by her boyfriend sucking and pinching her nipples.

Which got them here.

Mary, riding him on the same pink couch where she almost did exactly two years earlier, shifted one cushion to the right so Bradley can plant his feet on the floor.

“Bradley!” She can feel his smile get bigger; he loves it when she moans his name.

“What, Mary? What’s wrong, honey?” He teases as he pulls away from the sensitive spot near her collarbone, flexing his hips up to meet hers as she bounces on his lap for the sole purpose of hearing her breath hitch.

“Fuck! Do that again!” Her thighs are burning, and she’s so close it’ll hardly take anything to send her over the edge.

“Do what?” He stops all movement, smile turning a little mean when she lets out a desperate whine and pulls at his hair. “No, that’s not gonna work this time, baby. Tell me what you want.”

“Wanna cum, Bradley.” She’s almost begging, and she will if that’s what it takes.

He smirks. “So keep moving, honey, I ain’t stopping ya.”

“I can’t; my legs are too tired. Feel like jello.” She leans forward, tucking her face into his neck and rocking her hips a bit, hoping to entice him into taking over. “Need help.”

Her tone is sad enough that he pulls her out of his neck to check-in. “Hey, you alright?”

“Yeah, just can’t keep riding you right now.”

He gently kisses her. “Okay, I got you, baby doll. Let's switch ourselves around here.”

His plan for tonight is to enjoy themselves the way they didn’t get to before, not tease her to the point of tears.

He helps her move off his lap, the squelch of them parting making her face burn as she stands between his legs. “Fuck, you’re so wet, honey.”

Bradley scoots to the edge of the couch, tapping her thigh and pressing a kiss to her stomach when she complies with his silent request to spread her legs. He can’t help but grin and laugh when, a second later, her nails are digging into his shoulders. An instinctual reaction to her knees buckling as he plays with her clit.

“That feel good, sweetheart?”

“Would feel better if you were inside of me.” The effect of her snark is negated by the breathlessness of her voice.

He stands up, nudging her back to make room, and groans when she wraps a hand around him. “I thought you wanted me inside you. Can’t do that if you don’t lay down.”

She reluctantly lets go and lays on the chaise, shimmying back to make enough room for him to join her. “Can’t help it, you’re just so hard- oh! Bradley!” She moans as he rubs the head of his dick against her clit.

“I gotcha, I gotcha… fuck. You always feel so good for me, baby.” He moans as he slides back inside her. “You still close?”

She nods, breath escaping her as he starts moving. He grabs her left hand, intertwining their fingers and supporting himself on his elbows so he can drop down closer. He focuses on hitting deeper spots, moving slower than usual so he can continue kissing the love of his life.

“Bradley… I need to-” She cuts herself off at a particularly deep thrust, moaning into his mouth.

“Whatever you need, honey. Do it.” He doesn’t blink an eye as he feels her free hand drop from his hair and slip between them. “That’s it, you’re almost there, huh? Can feel it; you’re so tight. Play with yourself for me like a good girl.”

And that’s all it takes.

Her body tenses as she cums, mouth dropping open in a silent moan and her left thigh twitches against his side. Bradley slows down but doesn’t stop, working her through her orgasm until she squeezes his hand tight.

“How was that?” He drops down completely, letting his weight ground her as he noses against her pulse point while she comes down.

“Fuck, Bradley. Give me a second, and I’ll help you finish. How close are you?”

“Take your time, baby. Not going anywhere.”

“C‘mon. How close are you, handsome?” She pulls him to her face, murmuring the question against his lips.

“Close.” She wraps her left leg around his hip again, holding him as close as possible, and starts purposefully clenching around him. “What are you doing?”

“Want you to start moving.” She pulls her hand from his and sinks it into his hair, knowing how much he likes it when she pulls it. “Want you to cum in me.”

After those words, it only takes a few minutes for him to finish, hips stuttering and grinding against her when he feels his cum start to leak out around his dick.

“Fuck, Mary!” He huffs out. “I thought we weren’t trying to get you pregnant.”

“We’re not trying. But we’re also not, not trying.”

“You’re gonna kill me, baby doll.” Mary giggles when he all but collapses on her chest, rubbing his back while he catches his breath.

“Stop giggling, or I’m going to get hard again; between you squeezing my dick and your tits bouncing, it won’t take a lot. And then I’ll have to fuck you again.”

“Oh, no. What a shame that would be.” He looks up from her sternum, her smile making his heart skip a beat.

“It’s a good thing I find your sarcasm sexy.”

She grabs his hand again, linking their fingers and pulling him in. “I am a very lucky lady to have you love me like you do.”

“I do love you, Mary.”

“I know. I love you, too, Bradley.”

only tagging a few friends since this isn't an actual update. have a great weekend!

@gretagerwigsmuse | @hangmanapologist | @hangmanbrainrot | @princessphilly | @roleycoleyreccenter | @thesewordsareallihavetogive | @sometimesanalice

fic tag | credit for dividers here

[takami-takami]

Shane from stardew is either SO SLEPT ON or so passionately hated on 😭

Like mf I love him so deeply please, I marry him in everyplay through (I can't help myself) idk maybe i have a thing for alcoholics with chickens 🤷‍♀️

(He gives me dad bod vibes tho and honestly thats so sexy please, hes also kind of a short king compared to the other guys, i need him badly)

GOD THE DAD BOD I WAS GONNA SAY THAT literally people are soooo mean to him like. He is such a fucking sweetie and he's good with kids and agh. <3

His chickens 🥺. How much they mean to him... the BLUE CHICKENS!!!

[gunsatthaphan]

~ Monthly BL Breakdown: February 2023 ~  

🧚🏻‍♂️ Happy March!!! 💐

Disclaimer: ALL shows can be streamed here or here, as well as on Youtube and other platforms. For more info on where to watch what, check out this post!

New breakdowns are coming at the end of every month - feel free to add stuff! (previous breakdowns)

What came out this month? (green tick = seen or currently watching)

🌟 Our Winter - February 3rd (Thailand/South Korea) ✅

🌟 Because of You a Thousand Times - February 4th (Vietnam) 

🌟 Moonlight Chicken - February 8th (Thailand) ✅

🌟 The Promise - February 8th (Thailand)

🌟 My Beautiful Man Season 2 - February 8th (Japan)

🌟 Marry My Dead Body - February 10th (Taiwan)

🌟 Oh My God! (movie) - February 10th (Vietnam) 

🌟 Cafe in Love - February 11th (Thailand) 

🌟 Bus Stop - February 11th (Myanmar)

🌟 Moments of Love (movie) - February 14th (Thailand, theaters) 

🌟 Destiny Seeker - February 14th (Thailand) 

🌟 Ghos Two Kita - February 14th (Philippines) 

🌟 Pure Vanilla - February 14th (Singapore) 

🌟 Boyband - February 16th (Thailand)

🌟 Jack Frost - February 17th (Japan)

🌟 Bed Friend - February 18th (Thailand)  ✅

🌟 Chains of Heart - February 18th (Thailand)

🌟 Justice in the Dark - February 18th (China, censored) 

🌟 Tin Tem Jai - February 27th (Thailand) 

🌟 Teach Me How - February 27th (Philippines) 

🌟 Blue Sky Complex - February 27th (Japan)

Monthly likes/dislikes

❣️ Moonlight Chicken - one of my most anticipated shows over the past year and admittedly the first 2 episodes had me a bit unsure about the pacing and the characters as it was so divergent, which changed rapidly with episode 3 though and by episode 4 I was hooked lol. The storytelling approach is unconventional and so many nuances about the characters and their lives feel so real that it hits home hard lol and the realism + minimalism is a very nice change of scenery coming from gmmtv. The cast is superb to say the least and also the ppl behind the scenes deserve tons of praise because it’s obvious that it takes a good amount of life experience as well as in directing and writing to narrate these stories in the distinct way that they do and I applaud everyone who’s part of it because you can tell they put their heart and soul into this production. 9/10.

👎🏻 609 Bedtime Story - this is a bummer because I was really excited for this one, also since it’s from the eclipse director, and it had a very promising start but then it got real weird. Like why make it so complicated? there’s no need for that. We get the idea and what you’re trying to tell us. So why make the plot so tangled? sigh. On the other hand I really liked Ohm in this role and it might be his best one yet. He was finally able to showcase that he is capable of more than just 1 facial expression lmao so I liked him as Mum but unfortunately he wasn’t able to save the plot. what a shame. 6/10.

New series & movie announcements

🎥 Playboyy (produced by Copy A Bangkok) - Date TBA (Thailand)

🎥 7 Days Before Valentine - Date TBA (Thailand) 

🎥 Dinosaur Love (novel adaption) - Date TBA (Thailand) 

🎥 STAY - Date TBA (Philippines)

🎥 Colorful Melody - Date TBA (Thailand) 

🎥 Love Puzzle - Date TBA (Thailand) 

🎥 Born to Be Y - Date TBA (Thailand) 

🎥 Venus in the Sky - Date TBA (Thailand) 

🎥 Love Mate - Date TBA (South Korea) 

🎥 My Blessing (produced by 9NAA) - Date TBA (Thailand) 

🎥 Let’s Eat Together (Manga adaption) - Coming June 2nd (Japan) 

🎥 The Last Time - Date TBA (Thailand) 

🎥 Y Universe - Date TBA (Thailand) 

🎥 Forever Yours - Date TBA (Philippines) 

🎥 My Dear You - Date TBA (Myanmar)

Other news from the BL world

❗️ Jam & Film, the mains of the BL To Sir, With Love, will be starring in a new series together under OneD. Further details have yet to be announced.

❗️ The main actors for the upcoming BL Pit Babe were announced. The main roles will be played by Pon Thanapon & Benz Natthapong. Others include Pavel Phoom, Nut Supanut, Michael Kiettisak and more.

❗️ The upcoming BL My Universe will consist of 12 stories with 12 couples and 24 chapters. 

❗️ The upcoming BLs Buddy Line Y Animal, as well as Man Suang, have commenced shooting. The release date for both is still unknown. 

❗️ Shootings for the upcoming multi-strand BL Our Skyy 2 have started. The episodes for KluenDao (Star in My Mind), PuenTalay (Vice Versa) and AkkAye (The Eclipse) have wrapped filming. Dates are still unknown. 

❗️ Actor Mew Suppasit (TharnType) expressed his frustration with his fans in a series of tweets where he stated that #MewGulf was never real and everything that him and his costar hinted at in the past was merely for fanservice purposes as him and G. were told to act like a couple according to their contract. He said him and G. have not spoken in over 2 years and told his fans to finally move on, as their obsession is having a negative effect on both their personal lives. He further told certain fans to get psychological help if they are unable to separate fiction from reality and stop their unhealthy obsession with a ship that never existed. Reactions from the fandom have been ambiguous. At the same time, filming for his upcoming BL Love Is like a Cat has begun. 

❗️ Actor Jeff Satur has left Be On Cloud. He will still be part of his upcoming series Wuju Bakery. 

❗️ The Chinese BL Novel “Silent Reading” has been adapted into a series called Justice in the Dark. Due to censorship, it looks like the show will mostly be bromance-themed. 

❗️ Fittings for the upcoming Domundi BL Punk Spy have started. An air date has not been announced. 

❗️ The currently airing BL Boyband has stopped airing on Youtube as announced by the production company and is currently only available for national fans. It is still unclear whether it will continue to be available for international audiences. 

❗️ Thai BL Triage won “Best BL Series of the Year” at this year’s BL News Awards

❗️ Thai BL Love Mechanics won "Best of Thai Series" and "Best of BL Series" at this year’s WeTV Awards. 

❗️ Park Seoham (Semantic Error) won “Best Drama Actor” at this year’s Forbes Korea Best Brand Awards. 

Upcoming series & movies for March

👉🏻 The Promise - March 1st (Thailand) 

👉🏻 All the Liquors - March 2nd (South Korea)

👉🏻 A Boss and a Babe - March 3rd (Thailand) 

👉🏻 Love Syndrome - March 4th (Thailand) 

👉🏻 Pastsenger - March 8th (Thailand) 

👉🏻 Our Dating Simulation - March 9th (South Korea)

👉🏻 Future - March 12th (Thailand)

👉🏻 A Shoulder to Cry On - March 14th (South Korea)

👉🏻 Unintentional Love Story - March 17th (South Korea)

👉🏻 Make a Wish - March 22nd (Thailand)

👉🏻 The Eighth Sense - March 29th (South Korea)

👉🏻 The Last Basic Together - March TBA (Vietnam) 

[burritello3000]

Klance Launch Date

Basically Launch Date, but with Klance instead of Allurance :))))))))

Lance sat at a cafeteria table, absentmindedly stirring his coffee. He didn’t normally drink coffee at this time of day, but he found it helped to calm his nerves. 

Hunk sat down across from him, a smile on his face. “Launching tomorrow. The big day.” Lance zoned out as his best friend continued. “Oh, it seems like it was forever ago when we piled into the Blue Lion and blasted out into space. Man, we had no idea what we were getting into!” 

“Yeah,” Lance agreed, still not really listening.

“But now it’s different,” Hunk said. “We’ve seen it all. We’re rugged veterans now, going back into battle one last time.”

Lance hummed. “Yup.” 

“Guess that makes us heroes or something? … Like the type of heroes that would have their own TV show!” The yellow paladin chuckled, clasping his hands together. “Did you watch it, Lance? Ah, it’s so cool! It’s so cool. They got you spot-on, but Coran is like…” Hunk made a face. “He’s all super serious and stuff. 

“And Allura is a little… I don’t know, she’s different. Keith is friendly!” Hunk laughed like that was the funniest thing he’d ever heard. Keith’s name caught Lance’s attention. “He’s happy all the time. I mean, they got it so wrong.” 

Lance frowned. Keith could be friendly with people he liked! There just… wasn’t a lot of people that he really liked.

Before he could interrupt, Hunk kept talking. “Plus, I think they’re hinting at some romance between him and Allura.”

Lance jumped out of his seat, slamming his hands on the table. “What?! Keith and Allura? No! It should be Keith and Lance!” He sat down, realizing what he’d just said. He lowered his voice. “Uh, I mean it should be Lance and Allura. Saying it should be Keith and Lance would imply that I have a crush on him. Which I don’t… And besides, Keith is gay! Like, everyone knows that.”

His friend raised an eyebrow. “Uh huh, sure. Anyways, a love triangle?” He pointed a finger gun at Lance. “I like where you’re taking this.” 

The blue paladin sighed. “No, no. It’s not about that…” 

“Wait, that’s right. You said you were going to invite Keith to dinner at your house.” Hunk’s voice started to grow louder. “Oh, you asked him, didn’t you? Ah, and he said no. Oh. Oh, man. And here I am, rubbing your face in it. Sorry, buddy—”

Lance cut him off. “Keep your voice down! He didn’t say no. I… Well, I haven’t asked him yet. And I’m scared to…” 

“You chickened out?” 

“I didn’t chicken out!” Lance growled, putting his face in his hands. “I just… My family doesn’t know I’m bisexual. I know they’ll support me,” he added. “But I’ve got a good thing going with Keith right now! We’re finally friends, and I don’t want to ruin that if he doesn’t like me back. Maybe this just isn’t the right time…”

Hunk frowned. “No, Lance. What? It’s the only time. After tomorrow, we’re back in space fighting the Galra. There is no other time, literally. And I can’t believe how oblivious you are!” His voice softened. “Keith has clearly had a crush on you since, like, forever. Also, you two already bicker like an old married couple, so you’re already one step there! You’re asking him today, and that is final, young man.” 

Lance thought about it. Maybe Keith did like him, and he’d just pushed him away with his stupid made up rivalry. “… Thanks, man,” he said, standing up. I’ll ask him after the meeting today!” 

As Lance walked away, he suddenly realized something. Wait… do we really fight like an old married couple?

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

Keith strood through the hallway, going through his mental checklist. Alright. I’ve packed my stuff. Maybe I should take Kosmo for a walk? Yeah, he would like that. I should also spend some time with Black tonight. I think Kosmo needs a bath. Would Black like a wash, too? Do the Lions even need cleaning? I’ll ask her lat—

“Hey, uh, Keith?” 

He stopped, Lance’s voice cutting through his thoughts. Keith smiled. “Hey, Lance. What’s up?” 

Lance ran up to him, panting. He stopped, leaning over and trying to catch his breath. “Dude, why do you walk so fast?”

“I don’t walk fast. Maybe you’re just slow.”

The blue paladin glared at him, spluttering. “I-I’m not slow, Mullet! I like to stroll. You on the other hand…” Lance ran a hand down his face. “Oh god, we do argue like an old married couple.”

Keith's eyes widened. Had he heard that right? “What?” 

“Nothing!” the Cuban boy yelped, straightening his posture. “Anyways, I was just, uh, checking in. So, how are…  things?” 

“Um.” Lance looked sweaty and nervous. Why is he acting so weird? “Yeah, things are fine. Are you okay?” 

“Oh, yeah, I’m good,” Lance said. He put his hands behind his back. “Just, are you busy tonight?” 

Keith bit his lip. “Well, I was thinking about giving Kosmo a walk and a bath. Why?”

“O-Oh, um,” the blue paladin stammered. “If you’re busy, it’s nothing.” 

Lance looked so downcast. Keith’s heart felt like it was being squeezed. He didn’t like seeing a frown on his friend’s face. “But, Kosmo can wait,” Keith said, trying to salvage the situation. “What did you have in mind?” 

Lance clasped his hands together. “Um, actually, I was wondering…” Keith’s pulse quickened. A little part of his mind whispered ‘Is Lance going to ask me out on a date?’ Woah, where did that come from? The blue paladin continued. “If, maybe, if you want to, you could have dinner with me tonight?”

A weird feeling warmed his heart, and he found himself blushing. “A-And my family,” Lance said. “Dinner with me and my family? My mom’s cooking for our last night together. I-I just thought you could join us.” 

Keith pretended to think for a moment. “Will there be the famous garlic knots I have heard so much about?”

Lance nodded, looking sad again. “Yeah. I’ll ask her to make them, she usually does.” 

“Lance!” Keith grabbed his hand. “I was just joking. Of course I’ll come.” He suddenly hesitated. “You’re… asking me out on a date, right?”

The blue paladin blushed, looking down at their intertwined hands. “Yes, I am. I really like you, Keith.” 

He let go of Lance’s hand, suddenly feeling self-conscious. “I really like you too, Lance. Sorry I was such a jerk when we first met. I’m not good with people.” He was already nervous about meeting Lance’s big family. “And I can take Kosmo, too. You’re an uncle, right? There should be kids?” 

Lance gave him a big smile. “Yeah, Silvio and Nadia would love Kosmo!”

There was a few seconds of awkward silence as they stared at each other. Keith started to chew on his lip again. How do boyfriends-who-aren’t-officially-boyfriends-because-they-haven’t gone-on-a-date-yet act around each other? 

Lance also looked unsure. Thankfully, Hunk saved them. He came up and put a hand on Lance’s shoulder, slowly pulling him away. “Okay, Loverboy Lance. Now walk away before he changes his mind.” 

Keith tried not to snicker at the nickname. He watched them go, a dreamy smile spreading unknowingly across his face. I can’t believe I finally have a date with Lance! He had actually had a crush on him at the Garrison long ago, but Lance had always thought there was a rivalry between them, so they never got close.

“Ohoho,” someone purred behind him, startling him out of his thoughts. “Finally! I thought for sure he would never ask you.”

The red paladin whipped around. He was met by a sneaky smile and glittering brown eyes. He tried not to sigh. “Hello, Rizavi.”

The girl took a step back. “Call me Nadia. Oh, I’ve been waiting for one of you to ask the other out. I literally cannot believe how oblivious you both are.”

Keith frowned. “What? Me and Lance? How did you know?”

“It’s hard not to notice with all the romantic tension between you two.”

“W-What?” he spluttered. “We don’t have any romantic tension! What are you talking about?”

“Um, yes you do.” She gestured at him. “There’s tons of it. Well, not right now, since he asked you out to dinner.” 

“Were you listening to our whole conversation?” Keith hissed. 

Nadia flipped her hair over her shoulder. “Yeah, pretty much. And I saw your face. You seem like a guy that’s pretty socially challenged. Which means you’ll probably need help choosing what to wear!” 

“What’s wrong with my usual outfit?” Keith asked, feeling slightly embarrassed. He had been planning to wear what he usually wore instead of his uniform or armor.

She scoffed. “Everything. You need something more fancy, and I’m your gal. We could go shopping!” 

“No,” he said. “I can handle this myself.” 

“No you can’t.” She wagged a finger at him. “I’m going to help you, but we need more input. I was thinking we can grab Allura?” Nadia’s eyes suddenly sparkled with concern. “She’s been spending all her time in the Med Bay lately. It’d be good for her to get out.” 

Keith crossed his arms. “… Fine. But only if Allura agrees.”

Nadia rubbed her hands together, an evil look on her face. “We need more opinions… and I know just the people to bring along.” 

Keith was starting to regret his decision.

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

Nadia’s first target was Allura. They headed to her usual place, the Med Bay. Allura and Romelle were looking through the window, watching the unconscious Altean. They were whispering to each other softly.

“Hey!” Nadia called, jogging up to the pair. “Allura! Romelle!” Keith followed her quickly. 

The two Alteans looked up. “Rizavi,” Allura said. “Hello. What is it?” 

“Keith has a date with Lance!” Nadia squealed. “And we were thinking that you could help us pick out his outfit!”

Allura simply frowned. “That sounds wonderful, but I can’t. I’m sorry, but we must keep an eye on Luca.” Her gaze strayed back to the window. “She could wake up any day now.”

“Pleeeaaaase, Allura.” Nadia’s eyes were wide and pleading. “It would be good for you to get out, and we could really use your help. Right, Keith?” 

She grabbed his arm, pulling him forward. He shot a glare at the obnoxious girl. “Yes, Allura, I could use your help. Because apparently I have no fashion sense.”

“Hmm,” Allura hummed, looking unsure. “I should really stay here…”

Romelle put a hand on her friend's shoulder. “Allura, I know you’re worried about Luca, but we’re worried about you. It’ll be good to get away for a night and clear your head.” They stared at each other for a few seconds, a soft look on both their faces. 

Is that how me and Lance look when talking about each other? Keith wondered.

“Okay, lovebirds,” Nadia interrupted, crossing her arms. “Don’t worry, Romelle can come too.”

Allura raised an eyebrow. “Love… birds? Wait…” Her cheeks darkened. “What! W-We don’t— We’re not. Ugh, fine. Maybe taking a break is a good idea.”

Nadia clapped her hands. “Perfect! I’ll get Ina too, but right now, I know just the person to ask!” 

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

Pidge was next. He followed Nadia, as she entered the ship’s greenhouse, Allura and Romelle right behind him. “Hey, Pidge. Do you have a sec?” 

She looked up from her tablet, putting it down. “Sure. What’s up?” 

Beezer was suddenly looking very interesting right now. Keith busied his attention on the little robot. Nadia smiled. “Well, Keith has—”

Romelle butted in, her voice shrill with excitement. “A date… with pointy chin!”

“Wait.” Pidge’s eyes widened in surprise. “A date? With Lance?” Beezer squealed, an exclamation mark on his screen. “Weird. Well, I’m glad you guys worked it out.”

“It’s not weird,” he muttered in protest. 

Nadia ignored him, clasping her hands together with excitement. “And we were thinking, you could help us choose Keith’s outfit!” 

Colleen laughed from a few rows over, her eyes still on her screen. “Katie? Fashion? That’s a good one.” 

Pidge glared at her mom, then hugged her tablet to her chest. “Well, I heard the mall has reopened. I’ve been wanting to check it out,” her golden-brown eyes flicked towards Colleen, “but I’m grounded.” 

“Grounded?” Romelle asked, sounding confused. “I wasn’t aware humans could float.” 

Keith sighed. “No, Romelle, we can’t float. It just means that Pidge isn’t allowed to go anywhere without her mom’s supervision. It’s a punishment.” 

“What are you grounded for?” Allura questioned, her eyebrows furrowed.

Colleen spoke up, not even looking up from her tablet. “She’s grounded because apparently my daughter thinks that running away from home and gallivanting off into space without her mother’s permission is an acceptable activity for a fifteen year old.” 

There was a moment of silence as the green paladin hunched her shoulders. She then turned around and started yelling at her mom. “Well, apparently, finding my brother and saving my father from an intergalactic space tyrant doesn’t get me a pass!” 

Colleen’s eyes glimmered as she replied. “Not on your life, young lady.” 

Beezer beeped, panicked, and ran out of the room. Keith was tempted to do the same. The air literally crackled with tension as the two stared each other down. He winced. He could see where Pidge got her ruthlessness from. 

Romelle hid behind Allura as Nadia tried to calm the situation. “Please, Mrs. Holt, we could really use her help.” 

“We will not let her leave the ground once,” Romelle added.

Pidge’s mother studied them, one eyebrow raised. After a moment of silence, she closed her eyes. “All right.” She glanced at her daughter. “But only because I know how much Katie hates shopping for clothing.” 

Pidge let out a low growl as Keith pulled on her arm to lead her out of the room. “Thank you, Colleen. And humans don’t float,” he grumbled to Romelle as she passed him.

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

There were a lot of people at the mall. More than Keith had expected. The entire mall was actually bigger than he had thought it was going to be. To be honest, Keith had never really been to an actual mall before. There were too many people, and he’d basically been living alone in a shack for a good chunk of his life, so there was no need to go to one.

There were aliens and humans alike shopping everywhere. They had grabbed Ina, and everyone had changed into their normal clothes before heading out. 

Nadia put her hands on her hips, turning to the five of them. “Okay. ‘Operation Find Keith a Date Outfit�� is go! We’re going to take it one store at a time until we come out of this place successful.” She pointed out to the mall. “Let the hunt begin!”

Keith smirked as they started to make their way around. An operation, huh? We’re going to need a battle strategy…

He smashed a fist against the inside of his palm, cracking his fingers. “All right, team. We need a plan. Leifsdotter, Rizavi, Pidge, you three take the north side. Me, Allura, and Romelle will cover the south. Then, if yo—”

“Oh, Keith,” Nadia sighed, looking over her shoulder at him with a tsk. “Sweet, naive, beautiful, Keith. Haven’t you ever been shopping before? We can’t split up.” 

His face turned red. “I’ve been clothes shopping! I’ve just… only done it by myself.” 

“Suuure,” Pidge drawled from next to him. “Anyways, Rizavi is right. We need your opinion on everything, so we can’t split up.” 

Keith's shoulders slumped. I hate shopping. Allura and Romelle led the pack, whispering quietly to each other. Ina and Nadia walked in front of him and Pidge. They were talking loudly. Mostly Nadia.

As they walked past a stall, Pidge suddenly stopped, rushing back to the stall and crouching down. “Killbot Phantasm 26: Revengifiance! This is out?” Her voice was shrill with excitement.

Nadia joined her, her mouth gaping open with shock. “Oh my gosh! It came out just a few days before the Galra invaded. No one was ever able to reach the end!” 

Keith rolled his eyes. “That’s right,” the stall owner said, his voice soft. “I have one of the few undamaged units left.”

“WE’LL TAKE IT!” Pidge and Nadia yelled, leaning in close. 

The poor seller gave them a nervous look, glancing back and forth. “Okay. Great to meet such passionate KBP fans. What have you got to trade?”

There were a few beats of silence. “Trade?” Pidge said, her voice small. She looked at Rizavi, then looked back at them.

Keith groaned and facepalmed as Ina showed them her empty pockets. Did we really forget to bring money? Or something to trade? Now how will we get something for me to wear for our date? That actually upset him more than he had expected. 

“I-I, uh…,” Pidge stammered. “I don’t… really have anything.” 

He really wanted to punch the easygoing smile off of the shopkeeper’s face. “I’m sorry, but no trade, no game.” 

His friend groaned in defeat, lowering her head. Keith took a step forward. Maybe he could negotiate. Maybe trade his jacket or belt? 

Before he could get closer to them, Nadia stood up, gesturing to Pidge. “Well, that’s some way to treat a Paladin of Voltron.” 

The stall owner’s eyes widened. “Wait, what? You mean, like, from the show?”

“Show? Well, kind of,” Pidge said. “It was based off me.” She glanced back at Keith. “And him.” 

“My kid loves that show!” the man said, leaning back. “The game is yours if I could just get an autograph for my daughter.” 

Pidge shot up, a strange smile on her face. “Sure thing!” she exclaimed in a higher, squeakier voice. “Anything for the kids!” 

She pulled out a pencil from nowhere and drew a mini version of her face on a paper the man handed her. She gave the paper to him. “Come on, Keith! Autograph time!”

Keith reluctantly took the pencil and wrote his name in big, blocky letters. She snatched the paper and gave it back to the man, in exchange for the video game. 

As Pidge turned around, she flashed him a sneaky smile, an evil glint in her eyes. They proceeded to go around, trading stuff for his and Pidge’s autographs. Soon, the green paladin had traded enough clothes to dress up as her character in the show. She had even tried to get Keith to wear a costume too, but he had loudly disagreed.

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

Lance took a deep breath. This was fine, everything was fine. He wouldn’t get mad at him for asking Keith out. 

He entered the bridge, clearing his throat. “Uh, Shiro?”

The captain of the Atlas paused, looking up from his screen. “Yes, Lance?” 

“Could I, uh, talk to you?”

“Sure. In private, or…”

“Y-Yeah. In private, thanks.” 

Shiro nodded, stepping down from his captain spot and coming up to Lance. The blue paladin led him down the hall and to his room, nervously fidgeting.

“Alright, Lance,” Shiro said as the door slid shut behind him. “What do you need?” 

He rubbed the back of his neck. “Um, it’s about Keith.” He kept going before Shiro could interrupt. “I know that Krolia is his actual mother but you’re like a father or big brother to him.”

“Lan—”

“And please don’t get mad at me, but I asked him out on a date and I just wanted you to know about it.”

“Lance—”

“I also wanted advice about what to do because you know him better than I do an—”

“Lance!” Shiro yelled, cutting him off. “Lance, calm down. I’m not mad.”

He wet his lips nervously. “… You aren’t?”

“No.” Shiro smiled. “Quite the opposite. I’m glad you guys worked it out. I was hoping you would before we left.”

“Oh,” Lance murmured. Are we really that obvious? “Okay, cool. Cool. So, can you give me any advice? Like what does he like? I invited him to dinner with my family, but now I’m not sure.” He started rambling. “We could probably do something after. Like take a walk, maybe? No, that’s not good enough. Who am I kidding! Nothing I could come up with is good enough for Keith Kogane! He deserves the best, and I don’t—”

“Lance!” Shiro put a steady hand on his shoulder, grounding him. “If Keith is going out with you, it’s because he likes you.”

Lance sighed. “I know, but—”

“No,” Shiro stopped him. “No, buts. Keith likes you for you. So the best advice I can give is to be yourself.” His gaze suddenly darkened. “Just… be patient with Keith. He’s been hurt before, and isn’t used to being loved. And if you hurt him, I’ll have some choice words for you.”

Lance held up his hands. “Okay, okay, should have expected the shovel talk. Don’t worry, I won’t hurt him.” He poured all his emotion into those few words. “And I won’t let anyone hurt him ever again.” 

Shiro smiled again, ruffling his hair. “Good. Everything will be fine. Now go get ready, Loverboy Lance.”

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

The group was walking around some more, laden with bags full of junk that they had bought. Rizavi suddenly stopped them in front of a store. “Oh, I’ve got a good feeling about this place. Keith, leave this to me. Ladies, divide and conquer!”

Pidge sat in the corner, reading a comic book, while Allura and Romelle looked at the shiny jewelry. He followed Nadia as she started browsing, looking through the men’s clothes. “You’re the last person I would trust to pick an outfit,” Keith grumbled. 

She flipped her hair over her shoulder. “You’ll just have to deal with it sweetheart.” 

He ignored her, turning around to a rack of assorted clothing. They spent a few minutes searching. He picked up a cool black jacket with crimson highlights. It probably wasn’t fancy enough. 

Ina and Nadia ran up to him, mischievous looks on their faces. The black-haired girl started pushing him towards the dressing rooms. “Keith! Try on these outfits!”

As soon as he looked at the outfits they had chosen, he knew they were all wrong, but he decided to humor them. Nadia had picked out a yellow and white sporty outfit for him. “Ta da!” she yelled, showing it off. Ina, Allura, Romelle, and Pidge all gave it a dubious look. Keith silently agreed with them.

Ina had picked out a really baggy light red and white suit, with short white pants. That one got the same reaction as before. 

Romelle’s choice was almost indescribable, and not in a good way. It was super colorful and looked like she had grabbed random things and thrown them together. His patience was starting to wear thin.

Same reaction. Allura smiled and gave her an encouraging thumbs up. “Good try, Romelle!” Pidge facepalmed.

The green paladin’s outfit was the same thing Keith’s character wears in the new show. He had refused to even try it.

He hoped Allura’s outfit was better. She had always seemed the most fashionable out of all of them. It was the best out of all the others so far. She had chosen a white dress shirt with a red tie and black slacks. 

As he stepped out, Nadia’s eyes sparkled. “Wow, Allura! That looks amazing! It really suits you, Keith.”

He shrugged. “Yeah, it looks good. Thanks, Allura, but… something feels off. One second.” 

Keith got to work, going through the aisles and grabbing items that he had seen earlier. He went back into the dressing room. He came out again, enjoying the looks on everyone’s faces. 

Nadia sighed happily, putting her hands on her hips. “I think we’ve done it.” 

“More like I did it,” Keith corrected. “And Allura. Thanks again.” 

The princess smiled. “My pleasure. Shall we go?”

They went up to the counter and set the clothes down. The four-armed alien turned around giving them a pleasant smile. “Why, hello there. Is this everything?” Keith frowned. Something felt off about this guy. He didn’t trust him. 

“Yep,” Rizavi said. “Mission complete!” 

The alien held up a calculator in one hand, and looked through the clothes with another. “Let’s see, what have we got?” He cracked his knuckles and went to work punching numbers in. “Two decorative tarps with casing, one foot container and its mirror match, and a pair of damaged leg coverings. That’ll be… one phoeb of servitude from your small friend there.”

Nadia’s eyes grew to the size of golfballs. “What? A year?” 

“A month,” Pidge said, glancing back at her. “I got this.” She spun around, ruffling up her hair to look like her character, and turned back to the counter, putting on her nasally voice. “How about you give us all this and I give you an autograph from a world-famous Paladin of Voltron.” Her eyes sparkled convincingly.

The alien had a confused, and slightly disgusted, look on his face, an eyebrow raised. “No! Price just went up to three phoebs.”

Pidge took a step back as Allura spoke up. “I could give you a royal decree of service from the Crown Princess of Alte—” She suddenly stopped, and looked at the ground with a sigh. “Oh, right, I, um…” 

Romelle gave her concerned look, then clasped her hands together. “I can make you a deca-phoebs’ worth of blomfruit pies! I just need blomfruits. You wouldn’t happen to sell any, would you?” 

“Shipping will cost you ten phoebs of servitude alone!” the alien yelled, leaning forward. 

Keith scowled at the alien behind the counter, putting a hand on Allura’s shoulder. “Maybe this was a bad idea. I don’t need the clothes. Let’s just go.” If he was being honest, he really wanted the clothes. They looked good and made him feel good, but he wasn’t going to put up with this shopkeeper any longer.

He turned around and started to walk away, everyone following him. The four-armed alien suddenly gasped. “Wait!” he called, reaching out towards them. “I’ll give you a friendly deal. You can have all this… for Killbot Phantasm 26: Revengifiance.” Pidge’s eyes widened with surprise. 

“No deal!” Nadia growled, narrowing her eyes. “What could you possibly need it for?” 

“I’ve been looking to get my claws on that game for deca-phoebs.” A slightly dreamy expression appeared on his face. “I’m a huge KBP fan.” 

He noticed the thoughtful way Pidge was looking at the game. As Rizavi vehemently denied his offer, Keith put an arm around his friend’s shoulder. “It’s okay, Pidge. I don't need them. This guy is shady anyways.” He pushed down his reluctance at giving up the clothes. 

She shook her head, holding it out to the alien. “It’s fine. You can have it. We don’t have any time to play it anyway.” 

As she turned around, Keith, who was usually not one for physical touch, bent down and hugged her. “Thank you,” he whispered in her ear. 

He let her go, and Pidge gave him a happy smile and a thumbs up. “Anytime. Now, let’s get you ready!”

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

Keith hesitantly rang the doorbell, trying to smooth down his hair for the tenth time. Even after Rizavi tried tackling it with a hairbrush and gel, it still stuck up defiantly. It was fine though, Keith liked it this way.

Komso brushed against him reassuringly. He ruffled the wolf’s mane affectionately, and straightened as the front door swung open. 

Standing on the other side was a woman. Keith could immediately tell this was Lance’s mother. They both had the same bright smile and chocolate-brown hair. 

“Come in, come in, my dear!” she said. Even though he was bad at reading people, Keith detected a slight strain in her voice. She looked over her shoulder, swinging the door open wider. “Oh, you look wonderful! Doesn’t he look wonderful, Lance?”

Lance, who had been walking down the stairs, paused, his mouth gaping. “Wow!” he breathed, his eyes sparkling. “You look amazing.”

Keith glanced away, blushing. He nervously ran a hand through his hair, messing it up again. Rizavi would be so mad right now. 

He brushed a piece of Kosmo’s fur off his sweater. He had picked out a loose red sweater to put on over the white dress shirt Allura had found, with ripped black jeans and black combat boots to complete the look.

“Thanks,” Keith said, meeting Lance’s eyes. The Cuban boy was wearing a tight white sweater with gray arms that looked adorable on him. “You look good, too.”

Lance smirked, making his way down the stairs and stopping in front of him. “Wow, a rare compliment by the amazing Keith Kogane. Who would have thought it was possible?” 

“Remind me why I like you again?” Keith asked teasingly, crossing his arms. 

Kosmo chuffed in greeting, bounding up to Lance. The blue paladin kneeled on the ground, allowing the wolf to jump up and lick his face. “Hey, buddy!” He laughed as Kosmo licked his cheek again, his tail wagging. God, who given this boy the right to look so damn cute. Lance looked up. “Maybe it’s because of my charming personality and dashing looks?”

“No, it’s because Kosmo likes you. Otherwise, you’d be kicked off the team.”

Lance’s face darkened, but it was so quick that maybe he had imagined it. “Yeah, yeah, I know.” He stood up, putting a hand on the woman’s shoulder. “Anyways, Keith, this is my mom and Pop-pop.” He went through everyone, pointing at each person as he named them. “You know Veronica. That’s Rachel, my brother Marco, my other brother Luis, his wife Lisa, and their kids, Silvio and Nadia.” 

The two kids weren’t even looking at him, their eyes were fixed on Kosmo. “Puppy!” the little girl shrieked. 

Luis put a hand on Nadia’s shoulder, a nervous look on his face. “I knew you were bringing your pet, but… is it safe?”

Keith tried not to frown, instead forcing a smile. “Yes,” he said through gritted teeth. “Kosmo may be a space wolf, but he is well trained.” Kosmo gave him a look like ‘Seriously?’ At least he hoped he was. 

“Don’t worry, guys,” Lance said, reaching down and patting the wolf’s head. “Kosmo is pretty chill.” 

Luis let go of Nadia’s shoulder, and with that, the young girl ran up to Kosmo, throwing her arms around him. “Good puppy!” 

The wolf sat patiently, his tail thumping on the ground as Nadia ran her fingers through his fur. Silvio slowly approached them, holding out his hand. Kosmo stood up, Nadia still practically hanging on him, and sniffed the boy’s hand. The space wolf licked his hand, making him giggle.

Rachel was giving him a suspicious look, but didn’t say anything. Now that Keith thought about it, everyone looked slightly uncomfortable. Is it because I’m a boy? he wondered. Did Lance’s family not know that he is bi? As the children started to play with Kosmo, Lance grabbed his hand. “Come on, Keith! Let’s go set the table.”

He allowed Lance to lead him to the dining room, a light blush dusting across his cheeks. They set the table, talking and laughing. His heart fluttered everytime Lance brushed against him.

They joined everyone in the living room after setting the table as Lance’s mother and Pop-pop went to the kitchen to finish dinner. The tension that Keith had noticed disappeared throughout the evening. 

The kids had fun playing with Kosmo, who was preening under all the attention, and all of Lance’s family was really nice. Even Rachel eventually warmed up to him. 

At one point, Nadia had run up to him and Lance, a curious expression on her face. “Uncle Lance, you’re a boy, and Keith is a boy, but you’re in love, right?”

They exchanged an awkward glance. “Yeah, kiddo,” Lance eventually said, ruffling her hair. “Why?”

She had a thoughtful look on her face. “So, is it okay if a girl likes a girl?”

“Of course.” Lance smiled. “Anyone can like anyone they want to.” 

“Okay!” Nadia said, her face lighting up. “Thanks, Uncle Lance!” 

Keith’s heart felt warm as he watched her run off. 

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

When dinner was ready, they sat at the table, Lance pulling out Keith’s chair for him and sitting next to him. A headache that had started to plague him was chased away by the sensation of Lance holding his hand under the table. 

The food was really good, especially the garlic knots. Even Kosmo had gotten bits of food slipped under the table from Silvio and Nadia. Eventually, Lance’s family started to tell embarrassing stories about his childhood. 

“Or the time when we were kids,” Marco was saying, twiddling with his fork. “And Veronica mixed dirt with water and told Lance it was chocolate milk.” Keith chuckled along with everyone else, enjoying the annoyed look on his boyfriend’s face. Woah, when had he started thinking of Lance as his boyfriend?

“Oh, yeah!” Veronica exclaimed. “I still can’t believe he fell for it.”

Keith shook his head. “Oh God, I’m dating an idiot. What did he do?” The strange tension from before suddenly flooded the room again. Why did I say that?!

Lance blushed at his words as his sister continued. “He told on me, of course. Then Pop-pop gave him ice cream and I got none.”

“Yeah, Lance was always the baby of the family,” Marco said, a gleam in his eyes. “It only took you coming to dinner to graduate him to the adult table.” 

Keith could feel Rachel’s eyes glaring daggers into his back. He put a smirk on his face. “That’s not surprising.”

Lance squawked in protest. “What?! What’s that supposed to mean, babe?”

He couldn’t help but blush at the nickname. That meant Lance wanted to be boyfriends, too. They would talk about it later. 

Keith put his head on his boyfriend’s shoulder. “You know exactly what I mean, Lance.”

After he sat up straight again, there was a beat of awkward silence. Then, Lance’s mother spoke up. 

Her next words were kind, but for some reason, it made Keith’s mental hackles raise. “Lance never brings girls, or boys, home. You must really mean something to him.”

Girls, or boys… 

“That’s strange.” Keith had meant the words to be teasing, but they came out sharper than intended. “Lance gave off the impression of being really popular with women.” 

There was an even longer moment of silence, only the kids still obliviously talking. 

Then Veronica rose, clearing her throat. She held up a glass of water. “A toast… to family. Though we may be apart after tomorrow, we’ll always remain close at heart. Family is forever.” She glanced at him, her eyes raking over the table. “And to Keith, the newest member of our family.” 

Everyone held up their glasses. “To family!”

He put down his glass, staring into the water. Family… Keith had never really had a permanent family before. His father had died when he was young, and his mother had left. He now knew why Krolia had to leave, but it still didn’t change the past. Then Shiro had become his father figure. Then he had also left, presumed dead on the Kerberos mission. 

Then the paladins had come, and he had felt like part of a family again. Pidge had felt like a little sister. Hunk the big brother he had never had. Coran had turned into the weird, crazy uncle. Allura had become almost like a mother, and now their sister. Lance… Lance didn’t really have a family title in Keith’s eyes. Now he knew it was because he had a crush on the blue paladin. 

Even with Krolia back, Keith still felt like he was missing something. Maybe it had come from visiting his father’s grave when they came back to earth? Or maybe it was seeing Lance, Hunk, and Pidge with their families… Another reminder that he would never fit in.

Keith stayed quiet the rest of the evening. After it was over, he thanked Lance’s mother for the wonderful dinner, and said a quick goodbye to Lance. Then, the moment he was out of sight, had Kosmo teleport him back to the Garrison.

After getting back, he made his way to the lions, Kosmo following him. He sat on Black’s head, stroking the wolf’s fur. Since it was summer, the sun was going down later, allowing Keith to catch the last of its rays as it dipped below the horizon. 

The wolf suddenly teleported out from under his fingers, a rush of cold air greeting his hand. He sighed. Even Kosmo doesn’t want to hang out with me right now…

A few seconds later, Kosmo appeared. He had a passenger. The wolf gave him a pointed look before disappearing again.

Lance sat there, blinking in confusion. “Wha— Oh, hey, Keith.”

“Hey, Lance,” he muttered, avoiding eye contact. 

“Sooo,” Lance said. “You’re watching the sunset?”

“Yeah…”

There was a few seconds of silence, before they both spoke at the same time. 

“I’m sorry for ruining your dinner!”

“I’m sorry for being a bad boyfriend!” 

Keith was the first to speak. “What? You’re not a bad boyfriend! Why would you even think that, Lance?”

The blue paladin scowled. “Oh, I don’t know, maybe because I forced you into having dinner with my family? And what about you? You didn’t ruin anything, Keith!” 

“Yes, I did,” he bit out. “My very presence ruined it! It’s obvious that your family doesn’t want us dating. They probably want a future daughter-in-law. Not a son.”

He didn't look at Lance. “… What?” The boy’s voice was confused. “Keith… it’s not you. My family loves you. Everyone wouldn’t shut up about it afterwards.” He finally turned to look. Lance’s eyes were soft. “It was my fault. I only told them I was bi and that I had invited my boyfriend to dinner only after I had asked you. They aren’t against us, they just still need to get used to me dating a boy.” He grabbed his hands. “Keith, you didn’t do anything wrong. You are fucking amazing. It was my fault. It’s always my fault…”

Keith squeezed his hands in return, concern for his boyfriend washing over him. “What do you mean, Lance?”

“You know what I mean.” His voice was surprisingly bitter. “I can never get things right. I’d be amazed if you even considered going on another date with me. I just keep messing up. I’m not a good paladin, I’m not a good friend, and I’m definitely not a good boyfriend.”

It hurt Keith to hear the usually bright, funny boy talk about himself that way. He grabbed his shoulders. “Lance, that’s not true.”

He shook him off. “It’s true and you know it. Nobody needs me, I’m expendable. And I don’t want to—”

“Lance!” Keith grabbed his shoulders again, leaning in so close that their lips were almost brushing against each other. “Shut the fuck up.” Then, he kissed him.

Lance immediately buried his fingers in Keith’s hair, letting out a little gasp as their lips met. Keith’s hands trailed down to the blue paladin’s hips. One hand rested on his thigh, while the other wrapped around his waist.

They pulled away after a few seconds, resting their foreheads together. “You’re not expendable, Lance,” Keith breathed, reaching up to cup his face in his hands. “You’re amazing. You're loving. You’re kind. You’re sweet. You’re funny. You’re important, to your family, and to me. 

“I swear, Lance. We’re going to end this war, and we’ll do it with the Lance that’s the Paladin of the Red Lion. The Lance that’s always got my back. And the Lance who knows exactly who he is and what he’s got to offer.”  

Lance played with his hair. “How am I supposed to one-up that speech? And who knew you were such a sap, Mullet? Speaking of which, your hair is really soft.” Keith snorted with laughter as he continued. “Keith… I know this is our first date, but I love you.” 

“I love you too, Lance.” Raw emotion filled his voice. “With all my fucking heart.” 

Lance pulled him into another kiss as the sun sank below the horizon.

[zeciex]

I feel obliged to defend Aemond's rights. Okay, that Daenera is forced to marry, okay that she is in an impossible situation, trapped, caged, surrounded by enemies. If you separate these things, the one she is marrying is Aemond, the person she loves, and ok she now sees him as a monster, but deep inside her, deep down in her heart, she knows that Aemond is not a bad choice at all.

Why do you all want to make my boy suffer too much? haha With jealousy and suitors. And he can't do anything about it, I bet if it were the other way around, Daenera would have her claws out at the second, I still remember the only jealousy she had with just the mention of letters and upcoming marriage.

If Aemond only has one supporter, that would be me. I will defend every last one of his war crimes with pride and honor.

I will always defend Aemond as well!! Daenera might be forced into this marriage--but she also knows (begrudgingly) that she needs him, that he is the only one standing between her and utter and complete isolation and misery. That doesn't mean she won't sad/angry having been forced into this position, and it doesn't mean she won't be petty and mean about it because he did kill her brother. But really, if we boil everything down it comes down to that; He killed her brother.

If he hadn't killed Luke and he had returned from Storm's End with the alliance, would she have been mad and made a stank about him betraying her mother and stealing her alliance (the alliance she suffered abuse for)? Yes! But like we saw before Luke's death, while she was angry and petty, she still loved him--there were still some semblance of comfort to be found, she still understood why he has to do these things. And while she would have made some comments about not wanting the marriage, she would have been far more okay and willing to do it because it offered her the protection and power she needs. We'd return to the cat and mouse game again, where they try to one up one another/try to get the other to 'chicken out' and reveal how much they really care for one another.

But him killing Luke is what makes her this angry, this devastated, this cold towards him--he killed her brother, murdered him, and he was celebrated for it. And still, her heart loves him even as she tries not to, even as she buries it beneath her rage and resentment and grief. And that love fills her with shame and guilt, which only furthers her anger and resentment. And so we get Daenera lashing out and trying to really hurt Aemond as he has hurt her. And Aemond, like a sinner seeking absolution at the altar of pain, accepts it, even if he sometimes bites back.

We'll come to see that while Daenera rages and is cruel towards him within the first many chapters of Act 1, it is really just her lashing out in grief and anger--as he has done before. She wants him to suffer and be miserable, and she makes him. But she'll also come to realize again that she needs him, it will just take her getting over her pride and stubbornness to do so. It does help, however, that Aemond tries to give her some choices back to her.

Aemond will suffer some jealousy and some very very blue balls. But my god is it fun to see him suffer and falter and just be really possessive over HIS wife. And yeah, if it was the other way around, Daenera would likely stage a few accidents lol We saw how she handled him teasing her with marrying a Baratheon girl or her thinking he was enjoying himself at the brothel. Girl is no better. Which really just makes her sexually torturing him (the good kind) a double edged sword because it is torturing herself AND Aemond can also play along. Those pregnancy hormones are really working against her--are really needling at her pride and stubbornness.

You are not Aemond's only defender. We can defend him together, hand in unlovable (lovable) hand. <3

[the-puppet-bracket]

Gonzo propaganda:

"autism ftw❤️ "

"I'm mostly submitting him for his role in the Christmas Carol cause I really love him in that."

"Everyone’s favorite blue… whatever."

"He is such an inspiration. Always failing at his stunts but always gets back up. He plays the trumpet at the end of the intro and it's iconic. Also I have sympathy for him, his mother died before he was born."

"1. his full name is literally gonzo the great

2. he's married to a chicken

3. gonzoella. need i say more?

4. there was a solidjj video involving the death of his wife- it was quite possibly the best solidjj video i've ever watched please look it up i forgot the name but omg it's amazing- (VERY dark humor tho)

5. he's canonically charles Dickenson in the muppets christmas carol. that, or he's decended from him, or he commited identity faud, or they just look exactly the same

6. also he and rizzo the rat best duo

thank you for your time."