#now that i am seeing them all together they all look so serious and dramatic lmao

[morebird]

Part 1 of portrait sketches

[night-night-stories-before-bed]

Shameless

Warning ⚠️; internalized homophobia, Homelander is his own warning, toxic relationship, abusive relationship, fluff. 🔞

Pairing; Bottom!Homelander/Top!Male!Reader

Summary; John and you are two opposites. He is a comedian and a liar, you are bluntly honest and direct. He cares about his image, you don't. He is ashamed of your relationship while you are shameless.

~~~~~~~~~~~

You sat on the sofa sipping at your drink, eyes staring at John with amusement. Still in his costume, your lover walked in circle while biting his nail. He looked ridiculous in your eyes. All those fake muscles and the cape were too much. He looked always better naked, natural, and not so fake.

- “You are going to get yourself dizzy, my love. Just get out of those ridiculous clothes and come sit with me.” You said, waving your hand to show his costume. “We have so little time together, I would prefer having you by my side than whatever you are doing right now.”

John stared at you, eyes glowing red and you just laughed at him. You weren't scared, never was, because John couldn't kill you. No one could. It was part of your power, your curse, but in a moment like this, it was a blessing. Watching your lover get worked up for nothing was funny.

- “How can you laugh in such a situation?” John asked, voice hissing at you as you rolled your eyes. “Its a disaster! I cannot be seen like… like…”

- “Like the man you truly are?” You finished his sentence, sighing. “John, no one cares about that picture. Everyone will call it fake and those who don't, well who cares? Just discredit them and forget about it.”

John said nothing and looked away, his eyes back to normal. You shook your head as he kept walking around the room, trying to find a solution. You didn't understand him. Why come to you when you couldn't help when you were the source of this situation? Well, you weren't fully responsible. It wasn't you who had decided to kiss on a rooftop where anyone could see, that had been John.

And now there was a picture of you two kissing, your hands squeezing Homelander’s ass, circulating around the internet. It was, for you, hilarious. For John? The end of the world was happening.

- “Can't you stop being overly dramatic for five minutes?” You asked, harsher than you wanted.

You gasped in surprise as the back of your head hit the floor, hard, making you see stars. John had pined you down after knocking over the sofa and sat on you. You shivered, licking your lips as you plunged your gaze into his glowing one.

- “And can't you take it seriously for once? Don't you realize how serious the situation is for me? I am supposed to be perfect with no weaknesses and I can not be seen like that with another man.” John spat, his hand grabbing your chin painfully tight.

- “But you are not perfect John and you'll never be!” You replied with a sneer.

It was the wrong answer because next thing you knew John punched you and pain exploded in your jaw. Blood splashed all over your lover and you as your jaw hit the wall and fell onto the ground. From anger, John expression turned to horror as he realized what he had done. From amused, you became enraged.

You didn't gave John any chance and kicked him in the chest, sending the sup flying against the ceiling. You watched your lover fall loudly on the ground as you got up, spilling blood all over the place. You closed your eyes, pain swallowing you up as nerves, bones and everything else slowly regrew. Tears slowly rolled down your cheeks as you felt like your lower jaw was burning in the fiery pits of Hell.

You heard John begging, swearing he didn't mean to hurt you like that and you didn't care. What mattered was how he still did it.

You opened your eyes staring angrily at the hero still lying on the ground. You walked up to him and saw John tensing and closing on himself before you grabbed the man by the collar. Without a word, you back-slapped like he was a bitch, splitting open his lip before grabbing his jaw like he did to you. You leaned down until your nose brushed his.

- “Listen here you pathetic excuse of a man; you are nothing. You are not a hero, you are not perfect and you are not an inspiration. The only thing you are is a childish man who can't take no for an answer and can't live without the approval of the world.” Your words hit home as you saw tears building up in John’s eyes and you sneered again. “You are pathetic. Truly pathetic. The world loves the fake image of you and would turn on you at the first opportunity. Their love is conditional unlike mine and yet you chose those worms over me. I who had always been here for you no matter what. I who helped you bond with your bastard son and helped you when no one wanted to. I bloodied my hands for you! And after everything that how you thank me?”

Venom filled your words as you stared at your lover. John was silently crying and looked away, not daring to look at you. You felt betrayed, and humiliated. You did so much for that man child and he turned against you so easily. You didn't want to see him anymore, wanted him gone from your sight.

- “Think about it John. Who will take care of you when you are old and your body is betraying you? Who will be there for you when the world cheer for a younger and more attractive hero? Them? Your so-called fans? No. They won't, but I would have.” You said, turning your back to him as you walked away. “Now get out.”

- “I’m sorry! I didn't…” John tried but stopped as you turned your head, eyes filled with anger.

- “GET OUT.” You snarled.

And just like that John was gone. A soft breeze caressed your face after he flew away. Sighing, you cleaned the room and threw away your jaw. The pain still lingered and you massaged your chin before sighing. You hated fighting with John like that, but recently it was every other day. The more time passed the more he became unhinged and impulsive. You could barely recognize the man who sought love and attention, the man who melted under your hands at night seemed gone.

It was late that night when John came back. He didn't call, didn't text. He just showed up. You were in bed reading a book in the light of a candle when you heard your front door opening. Only John had a spare so you knew it was him.

He didn't come up directly and you ignored him. You were still angry at his stunt and, frankly, didn't wish to see him. Not right now, not tomorrow. But there he was, walking into your home as if it was his.

After a few minutes, you heard John walking up the stairs and coming toward your room. You didn't look up when he entered nor when he called your name with a timid and soft voice. Instead you clenched your book harder.

- “I thought I told you to get the fuck out of my house, John. What are you doing here?” You asked, voice cold as you turned the page of your book.

Your lover didn't answer. Instead, John approached the bed and put down a mix of things; a gift basket filled with your favorite snacks and drinks and another full of books. Sighing, you closed your book and turned your attention on John.

There he stood in civilian clothes and his head low. His eyes were still red and puffy from crying. Had you not been angry at him you would have hugged John. But you were still pissed off.

- “I am so sorry for what I did and said.” John whispered, looking away as he sat on the edge of the mattress. “I have no excuses and you are right. You've always been there for me and you didn't deserve any of this, but I did.”

You could see tears in his eyes and the sight was almost pitiful. Of course, John couldn't live up with what he did and would regret his actions. You didn't. The brat had deserved your words and hands.

- “I don't want… I can not lose you…” John whispered so low that you barely heard it.

You sighed and leaned back against your pillows, crossing your arms and studying him. John was clearly remorseful and you knew he had his lesson, for now at least. Shaking your head you gently tapped the mattress next to you and John didn't wait to lay down. He wrapped his arms around you and nuzzled his face against your chest. You brushed his blond hair with your fingers, heart almost getting softer as you saw how happy he was now.

- “You are losing me, John. I don't know what the fuck is going on with you, but stop it. I don't have the patience to deal with your childish tantrum just because a picture of us leaked on the internet. We are celebrities, it's going to keep happening.” You said and your lover held you tighter. “Hush now. I forgive you this time, but I might not give you another chance.”

John nodded and didn't let go. You kept brushing his hair and let your fingers down his neck. He was cold, colder than normal and you could feel his heartbeat racing. He was scared and terrified which pleased you. Maybe he wouldn't go against you anymore, maybe he would stop thinking he could do as he wished.

After all, he was your pet, yours to use as you wished and you couldn't have a bad dog by your side. As much as you loved John, you didn't want him if he was to lose his mind and become a liability. But at that moment he looked so small and delicate in your arms, almost broken and you couldn't resist him.

You smiled as you felt his body relax against you as he slowly fell asleep. Maybe you could use his fear and remorse against him. Maybe you could force him to come clean about your relationship. Not now, the fight was still too fresh but soon enough he might give in. And once you were out to the world, John would truly be yours entirely.

[theemporium]

congratulations on 10k, it’s so so well deserved xxx

could i possibly order a 🩵 with lando with "I don't know who you are anymore." need some angst to get the emotions running!

super super well done again x

thank you for requesting!🫶🏽

20. "I don't know who you are anymore."

.

“I don’t get what the big deal is!” 

“Lando, you’re being blind right now!” 

“Or you’re just being fucking dramatic!” 

The back and forth had been going on for the better part of the last hour. It was meant to be a casual day—a relaxing one even. Lando had been away on a triple header and you had been swamped with work projects, and it meant you hadn’t had much time together. Usually, you tried to join Lando for a race weekend or two but this had been the first time in a while you had gone so long with such limited contact with your best friend. 

The last thing you expected when you walked into his apartment for dinner and a movie night was to be standing on different sides of his living room, screaming at each other. 

“Are you serious?” You looked at him before scoffing, shaking your head. “I am trying to help you. I am trying to look out for you. She’s bad news, Lando!” 

“You don’t know her,” Lando shot back. 

“Neither do you!” 

Lando rolled his eyes but you could see the fuming look shining in them. “Is it so hard to believe that she likes me? Am I that fucking undesireable that you think a girl would just be using me for clout?” 

You let out a frustrated sigh. “No, of course not. But—”

“Are you jealous?” He shot at you, shoulders tensed and back straight. “Is that what this is? You know, she said that—”

“She said what?” You sneered, eyes narrowed at the boy. “What did she say, Lando? What did the wannabe influencer who you’ve known for all about five minutes say about me that you agree with?” 

He clenched his jaw.

“I don’t know who you are anymore,” you murmured, your voice soft and raw, giving him whiplash from the screaming match moments ago. “And frankly, I don’t think I like this new version. You’re not him.” 

He swallowed harshly. “Not who?” 

“My Lando. The Lando who would have thrown himself onto a race track before doubting his own friends and believing the words of some stranger,” you bit, seeing the exact moment your words hit home.

You grabbed your jacket, ignoring the flash of hurt in his eyes as you stormed towards the door. 

“Have fun with your girlfriend, Lando. Don’t call me when you realise I’m right.” 

The door slammed behind you was left to emphasise your point.

.

[sukunasweetheart]

Thinking of breakup angst with sukuna...

Thinking of the build up towards it, the way you have been fighting over the littlest things for months now

It leads you to think about how self centered he can be, how you always feel like you loved him more than he loved you and how crushing it felt to have that realisation fall upon you every time

He can be so career focused sometimes, with the long business trips, work parties, etc. always working vehemently to get higher, threatening to leave you behind

And one particular night, the argument gets so heated that you dont get a wink of sleep afterwards, only staring blankly at nothing as you try to calm the chaos in your head. Sukuna heads out without a word the next morning, and you make the final decision in your head, alone, by yourself.

By the time sukuna comes back home with the intent of reconciliation, he finds that youre packing the remainder of your belongings into a suitcase in the bedroom, ready to move out of his home.

"what the fuck is all this?" he asks, his tone coming out harsher than he means it to be.

"what do you think? i'm breaking up with you. i'm moving out," you can barely stop your voice from wavering. you've cried too much this week.

"oh, come on. you know you don't mean that," he reaches out to grab your arm, but you withdraw away from his hand so fiercely that it even surprises him.

"don't you talk to me like that," you speak firmly, "like i'm being dramatic. why won't you ever treat me seriously? i am leaving, sukuna."

you continue your work, neatly folding up some of your shirts. you're already almost finished. he looks around, and the house looks half empty.

oh. you really mean it. you're really trying to leave.

"no, you're not. you're not leaving. not after everything we've been through together," he tells you defensively, grabbing your wrist, stopping you from folding your last shirt, trying to get you to look at him again.

"like what? constantly yelling at each other until our throats are sore? i'm really sick of it. and i'm sure you are, too."

"don't put words in my mouth. i may have gotten sick of our fighting, but i've never gotten sick of you," sukuna hisses, refusing to let you continue packing your things. you feel yourself getting swayed by his words.

"well, i am. i've gotten sick of you," you say quietly through gritted teeth.

"oh yeah? say it to me properly then. look at me dead in the eyes," he demands, voice getting lower.

"you heard me. i don't need to say it again." you pull away from his grip and try to get this last shirt folded. he grabs you again, by the hand this time, and the piece of clothing unravels once more.

"no, i didn't hear shit. convince me that you really want to leave me - and i'll let you go."

in a fit of anger, you turn to face him completely, but your resolve crumbles away when you see his expression. not the one you'd assigned to him in your own mind, but his true features, under the bright bedroom lights.

he looks serious. he looks concerned. he's asking you to tell him it's not true. tell him that you want to stay.

"...let me go. i'm leaving..." you say, voice finally breaking. like a broken faucet, your eyes begin leaking tears relentlessly and your throat closes up in that painful way that you hate, but nothing compares to the pain in your heart at the thought of really breaking up with this man here and now.

he lets you go...

and calmly takes your things out of the suitcase to put them back. you didn't miss the relief in his eyes that showed up for that split second.

"bring it back! i hate you," you attempt to raise your voice, but really, it's only just your ego speaking.

"you can't even say that you hate me in the correct tone. we're not breaking up," he mutters, hanging up your coats and putting them into the closet.

having been defeated, your legs give way and you sit down on the side of the bed, sobbing.

through the blur of your tears, you watch as he meticulously goes through your suitcase, putting everything where they belong. and you sob harder. he knows too much. he arranges your creams, perfumes and accessories in the perfect order on the dresser. he spends a good fifteen minutes, putting all of your belongings back where they should be.

and by the time he gets back to you, he's like a different man. the mattress dips from his weight as he sits next to you, bringing a box of tissues with him to wipe your tears away.

"we can talk tomorrow since we're both tired today," sukuna tells you as he dabs your eyes with the tissue, "i'll take the day off." you just sit still without responding. now that he mentioned it, the fatigue seems to fall upon you suddenly, like a brick. he coaxes you under the sheets.

soon, you find yourself in bed, in his arms. it's been a while since the two of you had cuddled so intimately. you feel oddly shy, the same way you did all those years ago when you first started dating him. there's a special kind of warmth that sukuna's body emits - and you're surrounded by it under these blankets.

"i'll try to do better... so don't go anywhere," he speaks with a softer tone.

because, it's true, he can't imagine living a life without you.

those are the last words you hear before you drift off to sleep.

the next morning, he's still in bed with you, and you're pleased to see he kept his word about taking the day off. checking the mirror, you're horrified and embarrassed about your swollen eyes from all the crying last night.

sukuna takes a look at you and chuckles without ill intent. but in your flustered state, you slap his arm until he's saying "my bad, my bad" in between laughs.

there's still some awkward tension between you and him, but going through breakfast together seems to melt some of that away, until you're ready to bring up yesterday's event.

it goes better than you'd expected, and after the discussion, the only thing that's left is to wait and see whether things will change for the better or not. whether his promises are empty or not.

"i didn't realise that you were so lonely. 'm sorry," he apologises as he plays with your hand, "i may work a lot, but you're always on my mind, doll."

it's like a huge weight off your shoulders.

and he begins to be more like his playful self again, after the talk.

"i'll need you to tell me that you love me today. since you told me you hated me yesterday," sukuna says with a smirk, hugging you from behind.

"well, you need to earn it," you shoot back, rolling your eyes.

"alright. will you say it back if i say it first?"

"sure."

"i love you."

"..."

"now that's not fair, is it?" he tickles you without mercy.

you burst out in laughter, thrashing around uncontrollably, trying to push him away.

"okay, okay! i love you!" you tell him in between breaths.

seemingly satisfied, he lets you go and pushes his face into the crook of your neck. he'll never let you go.

the following day after work, sukuna comes home earlier than usual, and he doesn't wear a grumpy expression in front of you. he greets you with a hug and kiss. it's a small gesture, but it makes you happy.

and slowly, the relationship begins to rekindle itself.

[thewritetofreespeech]

Can I please request Astarion with a flirty yet oblivious plus size Tav? In the way that they do flirt because it's fun and light like their companions/friends with benefits thing, but they think that their feelings are unrequited (because of some slight insecurity about their size) until Astarion is like I actually like you and Tav is like '???' (Idk if that makes sense lol) Thank you!

-------------------------------🩸-------------------------------

“So, Astarion, what is your actual type?”

“My ‘type’,” Astarion repeated at Shadowheart’s question as they traveled, “is such a broad prevue. I can’t think to narrow it down to just a single collection of words.”

“That’s a unique way to say you’re a trollop.”

Tav snickered at Shadowhearts retort, getting a stern glare from Astarion. “What? It was funny?”

“Pft. And here I was going to say you, my dear, but if you’re going to be so incredibly cruel.”

“Aw shucks. Always a bridesmaid I suppose.”

During their journey together, Tav had grown very fond of Astarion. He was a little shit, but deep down he was very funny and undeniably charming (although not for the ways he tried to be). The two of you had picked up a friendly banter over your time together, sometimes even flirty, but only that. And Tav was fine with that. Well aware that a handsome rake like Astarion could have his pick of the litter, and they were just happy to be considered a friend.

Later that night, while everyone was finishing their day and slinking off to bed, Astarion came over to Tav by the fire to sit with them. “You know I really meant it earlier by the way.”

“Meant what?” Tav asked. Lost, by this point, on what he was talking about.

“That you’re my….‘type’.” He seemed loathed to use the word. Even scrunched his nose. Tav just laughed.

“Yeah. Right. I’m sure.”

“No, really, I mean it.” He insisted.

“Come on Astarion, the only way you’d be interested in me is because I’m a a keg instead of a flagon.” Tav gestured to themselves and their full frame. “I have ample blood to spare.”

Astarion frowned. “Yes, your blood is certainly a bonus, but that isn’t why I care for you.” He huffed and crossed his arms dramatically. “Honestly, why does everyone think I’m not being serious when I am?” Astarion asked with a bit of flabbergast. “Is it something about my expression?”

Tav looked more than a bit flabbergasted at his remark. They didn’t really think they liked them….that way. Friends sure. Allies, of course. But romantically? “You…really have feelings for me?”

“Ugh! What is it with you new generation and wanting to put a name to everything?” Astarion bemoaned. “Feelings. Type. Can’t we just enjoy this for whatever…this is? All I know is that out of all the people in this whole wicked world I would want to be stuck with, it’s you.”

“Gee, that’s the most romantic thing anyone has ever said to me.” Tav teased.

Astarion frowned again, but then leaned in close to Tav so all they could see was his piercing red eyes. “I could wax poems for you, if you’d prefer. How your eyes are the stars. How your curves are roads I would never get tired of roaming. How your ample bosom feels like a place to call home. All true, but you’re so much more to me than that.” He moved back to sit in his original spot. Wrapping his arms around his knees at his chest as he looked into the fire. “You’re the first person I’ve trusted in…well ever. You mean more to me than just your body. Though, again, that is certainly a bonus. I had hoped….you feel the same about me.”

Tav blushed, but then quickly gathered their voice and told him, “yes! Of course.”

Astarion seemed relieved. Then leaned over to give Tav a simple, sweet peck on the cheek. “Good. Now, get some sleep. We’ll probably have a completely eventful day tomorrow as well. You’ll need your beauty sleep. Not that you need it, of course. I’ll keep watch until the morning.”

Tav smiled, blushed again, and then went to their bed roll. Tentative in accepting Astarion’s confession & feelings, but hopeful it was all true. Perhaps, for once, they could really be the bride instead of the bridesmaid.

[kanasbinwriting]

I have a req about Crowe TKATB, can you write on how he will react about the MC feeling cold all the time? Btw I love your work and writing, keep up with the good work! <3

CROWE X READER WHO'S ALWAYS FEELING COLD

Thank you so much for your kind words!! They mean a lot to me ^^

┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈

- Is a bit confused at first when you casually mention that you *always* feel cold, but he quickly tries to adapt to it

- He's immediately on your case, asking you if you need something and how he could help you stay warm

- If you haven't seen a doctor already, he would definitely encourage you to do so

- Even if it means dragging you to one

- The first few times you mention that you feel cold or he notices that you're shivering, he scolds himself in his head for not bringing a suitable vest with him

- One time, he did give you his vest, which didn't help at all, but it's the thought that counts

- He always has a spare vest for you in case you forgot yours or you feel colder than usual

- He knows a few different ways to warm you up as well if yk what I mean AH

- Assuming that you're cold to the touch, he'll be literally glued to you during summer

- It seems to me that he wouldn't enjoy great heat, so having you close is a literal blessing for him

- Who needs a fan when you have a partner who's always cold and ready for cuddles

- Crowe would definitely buy you these heat packs with silly pictures on them

- If you like tea, he'd definitely enjoy making tea for both of you to enjoy

- He memorised how you like it to the point

- I think he would always touch you in some way or another, which means he'll always be happy to wrap his arms around you whenever you need

┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈

"Okay, you can lay down now" Crowe proudly exclaimed, clapping his hands together as he admired his work. You let out an amused chuckle "Are you serious, Crowe?". "Of course I am. Come on, lay down." He patted the empty space on the blanket, a playful glint in his eyes. You laid flat on the blanket with a sigh and he quickly began his work. Crowe wrapped you up in the blanket, rolling you up like a burrito, trapping you in a comfortable bundle. "Wonderful." He exclaimed, trying to muffle his giggles. Looking up at him, you couldn't help the lovestruck expression forming on your face. "Are you going to just let me lay here?" You asked with a teasing hint in your tone. "Oh, of course not!" Crowe said dramatically, his smile not faltering. You let out a chuckle when he picked you up and pulled you close. "Are you feeling any warmer now?" He asked, nuzzling his cheek against yours with a playful smile. "Hm, yeah" You mumbled, melting in his warm embrace.

The room was quiet, only the faint sound of tea brewing in the kitchen interrupted the silence. You sat comfortably on your couch, trying your best to ignore the cold as you looked out of the window. The warmth of the sun didn't reach your frame, making you pull your blanket tighter around you as the silence continued to linger in the room. Suddenly, the smell of freshly brewed tea filled your senses, and you turned around, seeing him proudly smiling down at you. "Here you go," Crowe said as he handed you your mug. You gently took it, shivering when the blanket fell from your shoulders. Crowe chuckled when you began to clatter your teeth "Thank you.". You held the mug close as he sat down next to you, his own mug in his hands. He wrapped one arm around you and pulled you closer. You took a sip from your tea, sighing when the warmth travelled through your body. "That's much better" you exclaimed happily, earning a chuckle from the man you love. He gently pressed a kiss on your forehead as his gaze softened the longer he looked at you, silently drinking his tea.

[kangshxrtie]

11 . that's cook (written)

"who’re you texting?" matthew’s voice interrupted your thoughts as you looked up to see him standing over you, arms crossed with his trademark smirk.

"just a friend," you said, quickly locking your phone and sliding it face down onto the table.

"which one?" he pressed, clearly not planning to let it go.

"you don’t know them," you tried, shrugging like it wasn’t a big deal.

matthew scoffed. "don’t pull that. all of your friends are basically my friends. spill it."

"i know people outside of our group, you know," you shot back, rolling your eyes.

"oh yeah? like who?" matthew asked, leaning against the chair across from you, his smirk growing wider.

"um, to name a few… yoonchae, sophia, manon, megan-"

"uh-huh," he cut you off. "now, which one of those people were you texting?"

"why are you so nosy?" you groaned, leaning back in your chair.

"because my bestie is on the verge of getting a girlfriend, and i need to know everything," he said, dragging out the last word for emphasis.

"we’re literally just texting. i don’t even know if i like her like that yet," you said, trying to downplay it.

"oh, you like her," matthew said, raising his brows. "you were just sitting here smiling at your phone like an idiot. it was so obvious."

"wait, was i really?" you asked, genuinely startled.

matthew nodded, grinning like he’d caught you red-handed. "oh, absolutely. you were over here cheesing so hard."

"ugh, i look so down bad," you groaned, dragging a hand down your face.

"it’s okay. you’re just in your crush era," matthew teased, leaning forward like he was enjoying this way too much.

"i literally just met her, like, last week!" you protested, glaring at him.

"and? you’re gay. that’s basically like a month in straight people time," he said with a shrug.

"i can’t give in that easily, though.”

"because liking someone back who shows interest in you is so bad," matthew said, rolling his eyes dramatically.

"i’m just making sure she’s serious before i fully invest myself," you replied, crossing your arms defensively.

"just don’t play too hard to get," matthew warned. "i’ve seen way too many of your talking stages crash and burn because of that."

"okay, first of all, rude," you shot back. "and second, don’t bring that up right now. i’ve changed."

"i’ll believe it when i see you dating daniela," matthew said with a teasing smirk.

"you think we’d be cute?" you asked, glancing at him curiously.

"of course! i’ve seen pictures of her, and i think you two would look perfect together," matthew said confidently.

"would it be crazy if i kind of thought that too?" you admitted, a small smile creeping onto your face.

"not crazy at all," matthew replied, leaning back in his chair. "that’s just classic crush era behavior."

"stop saying that!" you groaned, rolling your eyes but unable to hide your grin. "i’m not even sure yet."

"that’s what this party is for," matthew said knowingly. "i have a feeling you’ll be fully invested by the end of it."

"i mean... i really am considering it," you confessed, biting your lip as the thought lingered.

"you better mean that," matthew said, pointing at you with a playful yet serious expression.

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[storiesaplenty]

Jelly Bracelets (1)

Eddie Munson x f/Reader

Jelly Bracelets Masterlist

This has not been proofread. Please enjoy, though.

Warnings: swearing.

Gifs & photos do not belong to me: 1st @lengthofropes 2nd: @billy-hoegrove

WC: 976

©️ storiesaplenty 2024: Do not repost or translate my work. This is the only place I post my work.

Yellow - wearer is willing to hug

Eddie Munson may be the freak of Hawkins, but he is your best friend. Who is always willing to teach you new things, even when you get new bracelets from your cousin. Eddie will even go as far as teaching & showing you what each one means.

"You can not be serious Eddie." I exclaimed as I propped myself up on my elbow, leaning on my side as I laid on his bed.

He was sitting on the floor of his room, which I can tell he tried to clean up as he knew I was coming over.

He was looking for a magazine to show me that he was telling me the truth.

"I am very serious. I'm just trying to show you what," I zoned him out after that as he started to mutter to himself.

This all started when he saw the jelly bracelets on my arms.

His face was all serious when he asked me what I was wearing.

"Oh these?" I moved my sweater up a bit more and his eyes seemed to lock on every single one, taking in each colour.

"Yes those." His voice sounded tense.

"My cousin got them for me as an early birthday present. It is nice of her since she lives all the way in Maine, and she must have paid extra for me to get them as close to my birthday as possible."

"Do you even know what she sent you?"

"Yeah, bracelets." I replied, a bit confused, wondering where he was getting at with all of this.

"You know what they have been saying about these in the news right? I even read an article about them just the other day."

"Since when do you listen to the news?" I asked him as I flung myself onto his bed.

"They are calling them sex bracelets." Eddie said to me just as he started to look for this called article.

"Come on Eddie, we are supposed to meet Steve and Robin for lunch at Pizza Hut." I am getting impatient.

Him and I were supposed to spend some time together before we met up with those two, but he is just more concerned about proving himself right than spending time with me.

"You know Robin will make them be at least ten minutes late. We have time." He said as he threw a t-shirt behind him.

"Aha! I knew I didn't throw it away." He turned around and held up the magazine like it was a crown.

"Well, show me the article." I said as I sat up on the side of the bed.

He looked through the pages until he stopped and read the page for a few moments, then thrusting the magazine in my face, pointing at the article.

"See, look." I took it from his hands, my eyes scanning the page. Eddie sat down next to me on his bed, his body turned so he is facing me.

"This is all bullshit, just like the whole Dungeons and Dragons craziness. Which by the way, caused a witchhunt against the Hell Fire Club, if you recall."

"Yeah, yeah, but come on, this has to be true because how would this be known across the country if it wasn't true?"

"Eddie, I think you have smoked too much pot, and have lost some of your brain cells." I said, tossing the magazine on his pillow.

"Fine, don't believe me. I get it." Being the dramatic ass he is, he stood up, throwing his hands in the air, and then grabbing his keys.

"Get what?" I asked him.

"That I am right about them and you are wrong, now let's go and meet our friends before you make us late." He stood at his bedroom door, gesturing for me to walk past him.

When I did, I playfully slapped him across the arm and he chased me out of his trailer.

Eddie Munson's Pov:

The moment Robin saw those bracelets on her arm, it was like that is all Robin could talk about. She was listing off what every single colour means, as I just sat beside my best friend, watching her slump in her chair as I happily chewed on my pizza slice.

Steve was trying to change the subject, but once Robin was on a topic, well this is all that will be talked about.

"I mean, you can wear them if you want too, but just know that if someone snaps one, then you gotta do whatever that colour is." Robin said before she took a sip of her Pepsi.

"Robin, I do not have to, besides, I do have free-will and can just say no."

"So if I snapped this yellow one, you would be fine with it?" I asked her as I started to play with the yellow one, stroking my finger along it until I hooked my finger around it.

"What does it mean again?" She asked me, nervously biting her bottom lip. Such a cute thing, who has no idea what she does to me.

"Just a hug is all. Yellow means, wearing is willing to hug." I told her before snapping it, waiting to see what she would do.

She rolled her eyes as I held up the snapped jelly bracelet.

"Fine." Was all she said before she leaned over and wrapped her arms around me, and I her as we hugged.

I sniffed her hair, groaning internally to myself at the smell of her shampoo, before she pulled back and resumed eating her pizza.

I cleared my throat as the topic was finally changed to something else, and I could feel Steve's eyes on me, and I regretfully looked up, as he is sitting across from me.

The smug bastard, knowing about my crush on her, was chrewing his food, bur he smirked at me when he noticed I was looking.

I kicked his leg, and he coughed to hide the slight yell of pain.

I placed my arm across her chair, just like I always do, wondering how far I can go with this before she tells me to fuck off.

Orange (2)

[calypsocolada]

how bsd boys react to thinking you're dead... ft. tecchou, akutagawa, dazai, kunikida

cw: blood, gore, death, sewerslide mentions/attempt in dazai's, angst, fem reader

wc: 2.2k

Tecchou dropped to his knees, your weapon clutched tightly in his hands. The blade was shattered, he held the pieces between his fingers. You were always ahead in a fight, always. You had the upperhand last time he saw you and now he couldn’t find you at all. Not to mention he knew you’d die before losing your sword, it was practically an extension of yourself. Tecchou couldn’t move, something wet slid down his cheeks as he stared at your sword. His one hand came up to swipe over his cheeks, his breathing ragged. 

You two weren’t meant to be. He followed justice, obeyed the law, and put it above everything else. You were a criminal, working for some lowly mafia group in Yokohama. The first time you two met you bested him in a fight. He dropped to his knees in front of you and told you to take his life. You had laughed and placed the tip of your sword under his chin, tilting it up so he was looking you in the eyes.

“You're very dramatic.” You had said, amusement on your features. He looked at you, really looked at you. “You better beat next time you see me or I just might kill you.” You say, pulling your sword back away from him. He watched until you were gone and still sat there minutes after. 

After that Tecchou saw you a few more times, but you two didn’t fight. Something threw you together and you had to work side by side. Tecchou couldn’t stop thinking of you. Treatise, traitorous thoughts of you. Haunting his dreams, your eyes in the middle of the night. You hair and the complex way you braided it, the way you talked and laughed and just every damned thing about you. It was exhausting how much his mind wandered to you. You weren’t a good person, to think of you this way was against everything Tecchou believed in. But he couldn’t stop. He found himself looking for you around every corner, searching you in every shop and watching the door at various cafes wondering if there was any conventional way he could meet you.  

But now, with your broken sword in his hands and you nowhere in sight Tecchou felt something deep and guttural in his chest. It ached like nothing before. His fingers flexed hard around the sword, cutting them sharply against the blade, blood dripping from his hand. 

“Tecchou!” A voice yelled. He didn’t look up from your sword, just stared at it as though he could will you back to life. “Tecchou!” That voice again. He blinked, a tear falling down his face. That voice. It was familiar, but he couldn’t move, he couldn’t… “My blade…” The voice said, not so far away anymore. He looked up and it was like seeing a ghost. You were pale, dried blood from a cut on your cheek. Your eyes looked at the blade, broken in his hands. “Those bastards broke my-” He was quick to his feet, quick to grab you and pull you into his chest, one hand around your back and the other tangling in your hair. You gasped at how fast he moved. He held you tightly, so tightly you could barely breathe. “Tecchou---” You managed. “Is everything alright?” You asked, he loosened up a bit but didn’t let you go. 

“I thought,” His voice broke a bit, the emotion in it dragged you to an understanding. “I thought you were dead.” He said, his fingers digging into you. You blew out a laugh, throwing your arms around him, patting his solid back. 

“Me? Dead?” You scoffed. “I didn’t know you cared this much.” He pulled back at that, looking down from his massive height. 

“I care.” He said simply and passionately. “You’re very important to me.” He says and your breath catches because Tecchou was serious. You, a lowly mafia member, important to a member or the Hunting Dogs?

“Am I?” You echoed because it seemed so out of the realm of possibility. He only nodded his head, his fingers in your hair sliding forwards to your cheek, his thumb tilted your chin up and before you could blink his lips crashed against yours. You gasped in surprise. Today seemed like a day full of surprises. 

“Tecchou!” Another voice called out from across the way. You barely had time to react before Tecchou was pulling back, cradling your face in his hands.

“Go,” He urged. “Go now. I won’t let you get caught.” He says, hands pulling away from your face towards his sword. It was another Hunting Dog that called for you, an older man. 

“You’ll get in trouble if I leave. You’d be breaking the law.” You say and he nods his head. 

“For you I’d do anything.” He says, eyes lightening up with fiery passion. “Now go.” You clench your jaw, nodding your head.

You fell to the floor, blood spilling down the front of your shirt, your weapon clattering out of your hand and across the floor. It slid until it stopped right in front of Akutagawa. Something cracked and splintered inside of him. He watched as you reached a bloody hand towards him.

“Run,” You warned weakly before the light in you snuffed out and you laid limply on the floor, blood pooling around you. Francis started to laugh at your expense. 

You and Akutagawa came here together to face him, to stop the ship from crashing into Yokohama. Akutagawa wouldn’t leave here unless Francis was split in half. He wouldn’t run because he knew if things were reversed you wouldn’t run either. 

So he fought, with everything in him, to pay you memory he’d send Francis to hell. And just like that he slashed Francis and sent him tumbling off the side of this ship towards certain death. Akutagawa stared until Francis was out of sight. And when the rain started he ran to grab your lifeless body and carry you back towards shelter. 

He didn’t win because he lost you. 

It didn’t matter that lives were saved because your life was lost. 

Nothing mattered as he laid you carefully on the floor, your skin pale. All of this meant nothing, nothing at all. Carefully he reached a hand towards you, his finger dragging your wet hair out of your face, your skin cold to the touch. He yanked off his jacket and pulled you into his arms, placing the jacket over your cold body as he held you. He held so tightly, wanting to give you just a little bit of his own warmth. And that’s when the tears started, slow at first then all at once. He couldn’t stop them. He’d wasted every moment with you. Pretending as though you didn’t matter to him. Pretending you weren’t everything he thought about every waking moment. He felt sick, sicker than ever. He ached for you. He lost. 

“Don-t- cry.” A shock to the system hearing your weak voice. He yanked his head back, his tears dropping on your cheeks. Your eyes were open as you looked up at him. You were alive. Badly injured and close to death. But alive. He let out a ragged breath he hadn’t known he was holding as he stared shocked. “Akutagawa--,” You managed, coughing up blood. 

“Don’t talk.” He choked out. “Don’t say another goddamn word.” He growled. You stared up at him, biting your lip. “I’m getting you off this god forsaken ship and to a doctor, after all that you can say something.” He says angrily. And then he did something that shocked you. His thumb swiped the blood from your lips before he pressed his own to yours. You froze, sucking in a breath. The kiss was short and left you with a panging want as he pressed his forehead against your own. “If you ever die on me I’ll kill you myself.” He hoisted you up into his arms carefully. You were in and out for the most part. Missing all the good parts. The next time you woke up was in a hospital bed inside the agency. Yosano clearly fixed you up because you felt no pain at all. But you were alone. After all, Akutagawa and you were on opposite sides. But after everything that happened, you weren’t so sure anymore.

Dazai always dreamed to find someone who he could commit suicide with. He felt it was the most romantic way to go out, side by side with someone he loved. But when he met you… Someone so full of life and love. He could no longer want that stupid dream of his. It haunted him at night when you laid beside him. He’d never felt this way. This fierce protectiveness to kill anything that would even try to harm you. Everything he loved was taken from him and a scared part of him hoped you’d be his exception. Hoped you’d do as he said. His rules to keep you safe and anything to do with the detective agency far far from you. He had his enemies. His enemies were cunning. He knew how they thought. Knew having you in his life meant he had a weakness to exploit. It kept him up at night because if he wanted to beat a villain he’d go after their loved ones as well. And when that day came it only felt the sickest fate, the worst kind of karma. 

Dazai was smart, but he met his match in Fyodor and when Fyodor found out about you it was all over. You were taken in the night. Dazai was working late when he noticed a missed call from you. The voicemail… your frantic voice, the way it cut off. Dazai tripped over himself to get back to the house, he practically broke his foot busting down the front door only to find it empty. He went to the bedroom, blood splattered against your guys’ bed. Dazai dropped to his knees. You were gone and knowing Fyodor you were dead. He was quick to slide his blade out and press it against his own neck. There was no point to living if you weren’t here with him. So Dazai closed his eyes, tears falling down his cheek as he started to drag the blade across his neck. A hand shot out, grabbing him by the wrist. 

“Dazai!” Your sweet voice croaked out as you pulled his hand from his neck, the other pressing against the small wound he made. “Didn’t you hear me? I’m okay!” You cried, falling to your knees in front of him. He stared dumbfoundedly at you, his hand slowly coming up to your cheek. To feel you and to know you were right here, and alive. His thumb swiped across your cheek that was wet with tears.

“I thought you were dead.” He said, his voice trembling as his hand tangled in your hair, yanking you into his body until you were practically sitting on his lap. 

“I’m not, I’m okay.” You gasped through tears, holding him tightly.

The bomb went off, destroying half of the train station. Kunikida was thrown back several feet into a brick wall, body falling hard against the concrete. He couldn’t hear, just the muffled sounds of debris breaking and crashing to the floor. He pushed to his feet, his body aching. He held his ribs as he slumped slightly against the wall. He was mere inches from you before the bomb went off. You were a fingertips length away from him. 

A ragged breath escaped his lips, his throat choking up. He surged forwards, dizziness throwing him off balance. He called out for you once, twice, three times but heard nothing. His hands bled as he yanked debris to the side where he’d last seen you. He moved on particular piece and his hand stopped. Part of the hem of your dress stuck underneath. It was ripped and when he pulled on it it came out easily. He pulled the piece to his chest, tears forming in his eyes. He felt sick to his stomach. He pocketed the piece and continued working to find you. He could barely stand straight, he bled from his hands, his ribs probably broken from the blast. He coughed up blood, tears mixing with the dust on his cheeks. He screamed your name, yelled it into the desolation. He’d search until he was dead. 

You had to be alive, you just had to be. 

So he moved until the pain brought him to his knees and even then he still moved. He’d rather die than give up on you. He stumbled through the debris and just as all hope seemed lost a hand shot out and grabbed him by the ankle. Kunikida’s balance tipped, he practically fell to his knees in shock as he yanked on some bigger pieces of rock until they dislodged. And there you were, coughing and sputtering covered in dirt and dust. A choked sob escaped his lips as he mustered all of his strength to pull you out of the mess and back into his arms. 

“Doppo-“ you coughed, arms falling around his body. He pulled back, teary eyes searching over you for any wounds. He brushed your hair from your face and kissed you, kissed your cheeks and your forehead, yanking you into his chest to hold you close.

[nhl-stories]

I'm Back- Jack Hughes feat. Nico Hischier

Summary: Lux stays with Jack in New Jersey, things aren't going as she expected.

Author’s Note: This is sequel of sorts to this previous work you don't need to read it to get this, but it's a good read if I say so myself. This is a bit of a romance story, but mostly it's an ode to platonic soulmates.

Also fudging the timeline of medical school interviews because this is my world and I can do what I want to fit my needs

Word Count: 5.3k

“Hey loser!”

Lux looks up to see Jack sticking his head out of the passenger window like a dog.

“Hey moron,” she shoves his head back into the car and drags her suitcase to the trunk.

Jack is out of the car and lifting it into the trunk before she has a chance.

“What a gentleman.”

Jack’s bright smile never fails to make her grin back, but she isn’t expecting the almost-tender hug that follows.

“Hi Luxy,” he mumbles into her hair, he sounds so tired, she squeezes a little tighter.

A honk jolts them apart.

“Our driver is a little impatient.”

Lux climbs in the back and wraps her arms around the seat and Luke’s shoulders before kissing his cheek.

“Aww look at my little Lukey all grown up.”

He shoves her back towards her seat.

“I could drive before,” he says petulantly before pulling away from the curb.

“Yeah, but now it’s in a car you bought on your own, because you have a job. Let me be proud I don’t have a little brother of my own,” she giggles as she sees Luke turn pink.

She lets him off the hook, and turns her attention to Jack, “Am I going to meet this new girlfriend while I’m here?”

Lux lifts a leg to kick Jack in the arm, “I should still be mad at you, I can’t believe I had to find out you have a serious girlfriend with the rest of gen pop on a fucking TikTok.”

“Sorry, she’s out of town.”

“How convenient,” Lux rolls her eyes, “now I won’t be able to prove I’m not a threat.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I’ve spent our whole friendship proving to girls that we are strictly platonic and there’s nothing to be jealous of.”

“What would they have to be jealous about?”

If it were anyone but Jack the comment might hurt.

“Lots of men actually find me desirable, so a lot of women don’t understand how you don’t see me like that at all. And women can be just as territorial as men.”

“Remember Sam thought you two were dating just because you don’t fucking shut up about Lux.”

“Thank you, Luke, excellent point. And then people see us together and realize that is not the kind of chemistry we share. But without the live experience it’s hard to prove.”

“She’s kind of in a different league than you, she’s definitely not gonna be jealous.”

Lux kicks him a little harder than before.

When they arrive at the apartment, Lux immediately drops her bags and flops on the couch, “This’ll do.”

“You don’t have to sleep on the couch.”

“What are we gonna share? First, we have never been two friends-one bed type of friends, second, we just had the jealous girlfriend talk.”

“Then take Luke’s room,” Jack shrugs.

“Hey!” Luke looks up from his phone to protest.

“I’m not gonna take your room. You’re saving me so much money on hotels, I’m more than okay with the couch.”

“Now that it’s settled, get up, we’re going to dinner.”

Jack grabs her hands and tries to pull her up, Lux goes full limp body.

“Do we have to leave?”

“We just planned to meet up with some guys for dinner, we don’t have any food here” Luke adds, already looking antsy to go, probably more than ready for his next meal.

“Fine, can’t let you waste away,” she dramatically gets off the couch.

“Is that what you’re going to wear?” Jack gives her a once over.

“Do your teammates have some kind of dress code?”

She eyes the boys and their casual outfits that wouldn’t be considered much nicer than her travel clothes.

“No, you just look a little… like you were on a plane,” Jack says like it’s diplomatic, not rude.

“Are you worried I’ll embarrass you in front of your teammates? Cause I can do that with or without changing.”

“Whatever, just– I don’t know fix your ponytail!”

Lux rolls her eyes but takes down her hair and shakes it out, before grabbing a change of clothes just to stop the whining.

“Oh my god guys, I was pretty the whole time! I might be too hot and irresistible for your teammates.” She comes back in tossing her fixed hair over her shoulder.

“And obviously you’d act on that,” Jack tosses her jacket at her.

“What makes you think I wouldn’t fuck one of your teammates? I used to fuck your brother!” Lux shoots Jack incredulous look.

“In fact, I could do both right now, what do you say Lukey?” She winks over at the younger brother.

“Please leave me out of this.”

“Okay, let’s not starve the baby any longer. But reminder, I’m a former WAG, it’s not like I couldn’t get an NHLer if I tried.”

“I’ll start matchmaking then,” Jack wraps an arm around her shoulder and leads her out of the apartment.

The restaurant is a lowkey sushi place. There are only about five Devil’s players, and Lux quickly realizes no other women are gonna be here. She has war flashbacks to the lake house in the summer. 

Lux squeezes herself between Jack and Luke at the table, she wants to have an easy conversation to fall back on.

“So, you’re the famous Lux,” a man with a toothless grin, who Lux learns is Dawson, says from across the table.

“Famous? What have you heard about me?” her stomach twists, probably good things, but Hughes brothers might not be the only ones talking about her.

“With the way he talks about you, I thought Jack was dating you for a while until I learned you were dating Quinn.”

There’s a scuffle under the table, “Oh right, sorry about the break up.”

Lux flushes, “Um- it’s been a while don’t worry about it, I’m not still heartbroken.”

“Well, the other two Hughes brothers love you a lot, always telling stories about you. And Nico said you were really nice.”

“Oh yeah, when you had to introduce your girl best friend to your new best friend,” she pinches Jack’s cheek.

“I took you guys to that place in Greektown,” she perks up a bit, “Is Nico coming tonight?”

Jack eyes her for a second before John Marino butts in, “he bailed, said he was feeling tired.”

The rest of dinner is good, but Lux can feel herself fading fast. And while she’s starting to lean heavily into Jack’s side, he doesn’t seem to get the message.

“You guys want to hear about the time Jack tried to ask out a girl in our chemistry class?”

“Right, you have to get up early, we should go,” Jack is quick to stand.

Luke snickers and doesn’t get to his feet, wants to see where this goes in front of their intrigued teammates.

“After I can talk about when Luke was like 14 or 15 and–“ Luke shoots up and drags Lux up with him.

“Nice to meet you guys, see you later,” Lux calls as they push her out of the restaurant.

:::

She’s hit with the scent of cooking as she comes in the apartment, and takes off her shoes.

“I can finally take this bra off, it’s so uncomfortable but it’s the only one that works with this­– oh. There’s company.”

Lux freezes, one cup of her bra sticking out of her sleeve. Jack is facing the stove, not paying attention.

“Nico’s staying for dinner.”

Nico gives an awkward wave from his spot at the kitchen island with a glass of wine.

“Hi Nico,” she pulls the bra out the rest of the way, “Would have loved a little warning about the company,” then she whips Jack with her bra on her way out, ignoring his protest as she leaves.

She comes back into the kitchen and suddenly feels very exposed in her baggy Lions shirt and old, worn-out short shorts. Her packing hadn’t included thoughts of what to wear in front of men who are basically strangers while hanging around the apartment.

She tries to ignore the heat in her face and confidently take the seat next to Nico, where a new glass of wine is waiting for her.

“Hi Lux, nice to see you again,” he swivels in the barstool, bumping her knee with his.

“You too, even if it didn’t seem like I was before,” she takes a nervous sip of wine.

“Just with the whole bra thing, I try to keep the number of NHLers who’ve seen my nipples to a minimum, it’s probably already too high.”

Nico let’s out a laugh so delightful Lux feels her heart flip. She always thought Nico was cute, but up close and laughing at her jokes, she thinks it’s a bona fide crush now.

Jack scoffs, “You were dared to flash me, so I don’t really count.”

“Okay, so minus Jack, the three is probably enough.”

“Wait, who else saw your nipples?” Jack is less interested in what’s cooking now.

“Quinn, obviously. And Cole at prom; remember the strap on my dress broke, he got and eyeful before he helped cover me up.”

She takes another sip, let Jack’s mind run a bit wild.

“And Lukey walked in on me changing into my swimsuit once.”

The knife Luke is using to chop vegetables clatters onto the cutting board, “You said you’d never tell anyone that!”

“No, I said I wouldn’t tell Quinn that,” and she pretends to look around the room, “and there’s Jack and Nico… no Quinn.”

Luke’s cheeks are burning red and Jack looks like he’s torn between laughing and fuming, which ultimately makes him look a bit constipated.

“You were like 15 and had access to the internet, I doubt my tits were that impactful.”

“Can I throw myself out of a window now?” He looks like he’d prefer to melt into the floor.

Lux stands up and hugs Luke, pinning his arms to his sides, “Don’t worry I won’t let your older brother beat you up over it, though I think you’ve literally grown out of that phase now that you’re taller than him.”

“Now that we know that everyone here but Nico has seen your boobs.”

“We could change that…” Lux chirps at Jack and gets a shove from Luke.

“How was your interview?”

Lux shrugs, “Good, I think… I could not read the interviewer at all.”

“I’m sure you crushed it,” Jack gives her a noogie.

“Thank you for the vote of confidence, but it’s one of the most competitive med schools in America, so I’m not keeping my hopes up too much.”

Before the pair can continue arguing about how smart or not smart Lux is, Nico butts in.

“You’re interviewing for medical schools, right? Where at?

“Today was Columbia, I have Cornell tomorrow, and NYU Friday.”

“All just a train ride away,” Jack says as he starts to move them towards the dining table.

“And I haven’t decided if that’s a pro or con yet,” Lux smirks, before taking a seat.

“So, are you coming to both games?” Nico starts, clearly a ploy to stop the bickering before it really starts, already reading the duo’s antics.

“Of course, she’s coming,” Jack jumps in continues to cut off any protest, “you’ve never seen me play a home game and you’ve never even seen Luke play in the big leagues live!”

“But we agreed one game, two in one week will ruin my whole yearly quota.”

“You’re not a hockey fan?”

“That’s an understatement,” Luke laughs.

“Years with the Hughes family, then becoming a WAG, and we still couldn’t convert her,” Jack says wistfully.

“Maybe The Rock will change your mind,” Nico says thoughtfully.

Lux shrugs, she doesn’t want to rain on his parade, “Who are you playing? Just so I can make sure I don’t get a Zegras jumpscare.”

“He has a girlfriend.”

“I don’t think his relationship status would change how much he enjoys annoying me.”

“We’re not playing the Ducks, plus he’s out with a broken ankle anyway, I don’t think he’s traveling,” Jack adds, his tone hinting that there’s more on that subject he wants to discuss.

“Okay I can tell you’re dying to talk shop, so go ahead,” she’s surprised they let it go on this long.

“We were actually going to talk about the Canucks right before you got here,” Luke say with a little apprehension, always thinking of Lux’s feelings.

“How is Captain Q doing? They’re playing shockingly well, right?”

“I thought you didn’t like hockey?” Jack mocks.

“Our moms talk, I follow hockey players on socials, information gets disseminated.”

Jack makes a face, clearly unsure if that last word means what he thinks it does.

“The Canucks pretty much guaranteed to make it to the playoffs,” Luke probably knows disseminated doesn’t have anything to do with semen.

“Damn, I missed my chance to get a WAG jacket.”

Then the boys are off on tangents about trades and special teams and injuries. Lux silently enjoys the familiar chatter, letting it wash over her like a warm hug. Though she isn’t absorbing any of the information.

 She barely notices when the conversation turns to her while they start to clear the table.

“If you don’t want to sleep on the couch again, Nico has a spare bedroom.” Jack says as if he’s had to repeat himself.

“Excuse me?”

“He lives just upstairs, and has a guest room.”

“I’m staying here to spend time with you, why would I want to stay at some strange guy’s apartment? No offense, Nico.”

“No pressure, if you change your mind the offer is open,” Nico has such a kind smile Lux almost ask if she can stay in his bed.

“Thank you, that’s very nice of you, but I think I’ll stay here.”

Nico nods and says good night before leaving. Lux counts to five after the door shuts behind him.

“What the fuck was that?” Lux glares at Jack.

Jack isn’t quite sure how to respond.

“Why are you trying to pawn me off?”

He shrugs, “I’m not, but he does have a spare room. And it’s nicer to sleep on a bed. And if you happen to hit it off, that’s cool you’ll have another friend when you move here.”

Luke scoffs and retreats to his room, not wanting to get implicated in any scheme.

“So, you have ulterior motives?”

“That makes it sound like my motives are bad, friends are a bad thing now?”

“Friendship isn’t bad, but this feels like you know something I don’t and that makes me very uneasy.”

“I’ve never known something you don’t,” he gives a cheeky smile and Lux rolls her eyes.

He puts the last of the plates in the dishwasher.

“I’m gonna take a shower and go to bed, night Luxxy,” he ruffles her hair as he walks by.

Then she’s alone.

At 9 PM.

Not shooting the shit with her bestie.

Maybe she should have stayed with Nico.

:::

The Cornell interview is a dream. Lux had gone to other interviews and liked a few, but this was different. She was vibing with the interviewer. Everything she learned about the school she loved.

Everything just felt right. 

She was floating on air as she walked the streets toward Central Park. The pizza she stopped for tasted better… although that might have been a New York thing and not a feeling good in the moment thing.

She texts Jack a good luck for the game but doesn’t get a response, she assumes he’s napping or in the zone or something. It’s not a part of their usual texting unless she somehow knows there’s a specifically important game; like when he plays Quinn or the stadium series a few weeks ago.

Lux meets up with a friend from college, who takes her out for drinks then dinner then more drinks. She’s a little tipsy when she gets on the train to Jack’s apartment, insisting to her friend that she doesn’t want to sleep on a futon in her studio apartment.

Halfway there she realizes she should check the score before she gets back. She may not care about hockey but she cares about her friend’s feelings and knowing what kind of mood he’ll be in can only help.

They lost.

Quinn would get quiet and introspective when he lost a game, so it was always easy for Lux. Not only were they not in the same city, but usually he didn’t want to talk. Jack usually got grumpy and wanted to complain. So not the exact environment she was used to or really wanted to be in.

She gets back before the boys somehow. She’s not exactly sure how.

So, she gets ready for bed and turns on the TV, of course it’s already on some channel playing sports highlights. Lux flips around to find something more mindless when they boys come home.

Luke plops down on the couch, suit jacket discarded immediately. Jack sort of awkwardly stands behind the couch, staring at the TV where Lux stopped on a game show.

When neither of them speaks up, Lux fills in the silence.

“Sorry about the loss, but a goal and an assist, that’s pretty cool,” she looks up to Jack with a sad smile, hoping she’s at least a little comforting.

“Mmmhmm,” Jack hums.

She tries a new tactic, “Cornell went well.”

“Cool.”

“I liked it, a lot.” She emphasizes.

“Cool.”

“How about we order pizza, watch bad TV, and not talk then?”

“I’ll pass,” Jack finally moves, heading to his room and shutting the door behind him.

She looks over to Luke, “He’s being weird with me, right?”

“Kind of,” Luke avoids eye contact, his tell when he’s trying protect his brothers in some way.

“We haven’t hung out, just the two of us since I got here. Hell, we haven’t even done a Lux and the Hughes bros night. I want to know if I did something wrong.”

“It’s not you, he was really excited you were coming. Wouldn’t shut up about everything he wanted to show so you’d fall in love with here like he has.”

Lux smirks at that.

“I think the season has been rough for him, he’s been taking it out on himself a little.”

She scoots down the couch and pulls Luke into her side with a hug.

“And how are you doing?” She gives him a squeeze, her instinct to big sister Luke coming out.

“It’s my first full season, I’m just happy to be playing. And Jack’s been taking good care of me.”

“What an insane sentence, but glad you have each other here.”

“And I heard talk of pizza,” he hugs Lux back.

“You’re the local, tell me where to order from,” she ruffles his hair.

:::

Lux wakes up early despite her late night of TV and pizza. She clears off the table before heading towards Jack’s room.

She knocks gently, before just walking in. Though she hovers near the entryway.

“What’s wrong with us?”

Jack’s lying in bed looking at his phone, double chin on full display. Lux would normally make fun of him, or take a picture for her own blackmailing purposes, but now’s not the time.

“What do you mean?” He doesn’t look away from his texting or whatever he’s doing.

Lux crawls into the bed and lays on her side facing him.

“I thought we weren’t ‘share a bed’ friends?”

She rolls her eyes, snatches his phone and throws it to the foot of the bed. It gets lost somewhere in the crumpled duvet.

“When you’ve been using your brother and teammates as a buffer to not be alone with me, I’ll bend our friendship rules.”

“Okay we’re alone, what’s wrong with me?”

“It’s not just a you thing… it’s an us thing.”

Jack finally turns his head to really look at Lux.

“We haven’t talked at all since Christmas, and even then, it was like for 15 minutes between family obligations. And we’re barely texting.”

Lux hates her body for betraying her, tears starting to well up even if she’s more frustrated than sad.

“It feels like right before Quinn broke up with me.”

That gets Jack to sit up, confused, a little angry.

“I’m not fucking breaking up with you.”

“Good, I don’t think I could survive a second Hughes break up.”

Jack sighs, “Just this year has fucking sucked for me, we’re not doing as well– I’m not doing as well as I thought. And you’re in your senior year and applying to med schools, I didn’t want to add my own stress to you.”

“Are you still hurt?”

“Kind of, but we’re like still sort of in the race for a playoff spot and if I can just get us in…”

Lux knows to bite her tongue when it comes to injury management. They’ll play through the pain even if it’s not necessarily the best for themselves, if there’s a chance it’s best for the team.

“And on top of that you get a girlfriend, a meet your parents kind of girlfriend.”

“I guess I’m not over you and Quinn breaking up!”

Lux swallows, tries to put together a coherent thought.

“I know you had a crush on Quinn forever, and I was happy for you guys, but you were my friend first and he kind of ruined that. And now I feel like I have to be careful when it comes to talking about him, or relationships, or even just making fun of you.”

He finally turns onto his side.

“And most importantly I want to talk to you about how Quinn’s girlfriend is so nice it’s kind of annoying.”

“Oh my god, she’s too nice! Do you know she follows me on Instagram? We met like that one time at the lake and she comments on all my pictures about how pretty I am. She knows I’m his ex, right?”

“Oh yeah, it was a whole weird thing when we all played each other the first time. Quinn apparently hadn’t told her explicitly and we made some joke or something and then she just was like ‘oh she’s so nice and pretty, no wonder you liked her.’”

Lux can’t help but laugh.

“I mean maybe I couldn’t handle that like right after the break up, but I was so lost after. I didn’t know how to be a college student without a long-distance boyfriend and still be a good student or friend and whatever, and I was such a bitch at the end of our relationship I thought you wouldn’t be on my side, which you shouldn’t”

“What?”

“We were already having problems, but I purposely made them worse. Like, while I was dodging all his calls, you came to play in Chicago and I made sure that we took a picture together because I knew you’d send it to the family group chat and he’d see I was just living my life.”

“That’s fucked up.”

“I know! I can’t believe he never told you that. He really is like the best brother.”

“Why did you do that?”

“I don’t know, I think I wanted a break but I didn’t know how to ask for one, so I ruined it. And sometimes I think if we took a break maybe we’d get back together again, but also, I just don’t think we were meant for long term.”

She reaches across to grab Jack’s hand, “But us… this shit is forever. We have almost nothing in common and you’re still the first person I want to call with big news or if I need advice, which is crazy cause you’re one of the dumbest people I know.”

Jack laughs, it’s a little wet. They have to ignore it because they love each other but it’s not emotional like this.

“Okay, so I’ll still be your future kids cool Uncle Jack? Even if we’re not blood related?”

“Of course.”

“Okay enough of this emotional stuff, it’s very gross.”

“But what if we kissed right now,” Lux wiggles her eyebrows while trying to keep a straight face.

Jack shoves her hard enough she teeters dangerously on the edge of the bed, as she howls with laughter.

“Oka, now tell me why you’re trying to set me up with Nico?”

“He’s brunette with a lot body hair but almost none on his chest, that’s your type.”

“Oh my god! Shut up, that is not my type,” Lux covers her face, masking her laughs and her embarrassment.

“Palmer from high school was a fucking wolf man.”

“Okay, well recent studies show that’s not my type.”

Jack gags.

“Nico may also sort of be seeing this woman who’s massive bitch to him. And I like him and I like you, so maybe if you hit it off… it would be good for everyone. And make you want to move here.”

“I’m not making life altering decisions based on boys… even for cute Swiss boys or platonic soulmates.”

The door opens suddenly, “We’re gonna be late for morning skate, dude.”

“What if we had been having sex, dude?” Lux says while stretching out on the bed.

“Then the world would be ending, so it wouldn’t really matter,” he rolls his eyes, “I’m pulling out of the garage in 10 minutes with or without you.

“Want to go shopping later?” Jack asks Lux as he gets out of bed

“Are you paying?”

He scoffs, “Sure.”

“Then I’m in. Have fun at morning skate, I’m gonna nap in your bed.”

:::

Things snap back into place almost immediately, like it was more effort pushing each other away than just letting themselves get pulled into each other’s orbit.

And all feels right in the world again.

Thursday is another game day; Lux is reading on the boys’ balcony while they nap. She jolts when the sliding door opens.

“Sorry to scare you,” Nico in a suit sits down across from her, “they still napping?”

“Yes? I don’t know their routines. Why are you here?”

“We’re carpooling.”

They sit quietly for a bit, before Lux finally puts her book down.

“It’s been a while since I’ve been to a game, is this appropriate attire?” She stands up and does a goofy little spin.

“What are you doing?” Jack asks from the doorway, a playful smirk on his face like he’s getting away with something.

“I’m asking if I’m dressed alright, since I’m sitting in your girlfriend’s spot with all the WAGs.”

“I’m surprised you didn’t force her to wear your jersey,” Nico laughs, “but you look nice, won’t even have to change when we go out after the win.”

“Oooh you’re ready to put on a show for me?”

“You could use some make up though,” Jack adds.

Lux just flips him off.

A sleepy looking Luke comes to the door, “Don’t let Lukey drive, he looks like an accident ready to happen.”

“Try to have fun tonight,” Jack hugs Lux.

Normally she’d say something snarky, like ‘try to win then.’ But after their heart to heart, that feels like a twist of the knife.

“I’ll try to be the best good luck charm.”

Lux gets to her seat five minutes into the first period in an attempt to avoid any awkward introductions. Not that she’s against meeting new people, but without social butterfly Jack by her side, she relapses into her shyer ways.

Still, the group tries to include her, shocked she hasn’t seen Jack play in Jersey and forcing her to take a picture where the mascot is holding her bridal style.

She has a couple drinks, cheers when Jack gets an assist, and pretends she doesn’t cheer louder when Nico gets an assist on the game winning goal.

She won’t admit it, but it’s the most fun she’s had at a hockey game, maybe ever.

The women lead her down to the family room while they discuss where they want to go out. Lux is buzzing with adrenaline she was not expecting, ready to follow everyone for a night out with no complaint.

Luke and Jack come out of the locker room simultaneously. Lux is about to jump on Jack when she remembers what he said about his shoulder, so she jumps on Luke’s back instead.

“Lukey, you were so good out there,” she squeezes him tight and ruffles Jack’s hair while she has the height advantage.

“I was -1,” he starts to let her go so she slides off his back.

“I don’t know what that means, so it can’t be that important.”

She gives Luke another hug then turns her attention to Jack, who wraps an arm around her shoulder.

“Guess you were a good luck charm.”

“And yet, you couldn’t score a goal for me.”

“Gotta keep you wanting more.”

She sticks her tongue out at him.

“I heard there were talks of going out? I have an interview tomorrow so the sooner that starts the better.”

They end up at a trendy bar on the other side of the river with about half the team and their significant others. She lets Jack talk her into taking a shot about two steps into the establishment.

She laughs, she dances, she drinks a bit too much. Her head starts to spin and she makes her way to the patio, the chilled air feels good and clears her vision.

A cold glass of water brushes against her arm.

“You probably should hydrate.”

“Thanks,” she smiles up at Nico.

“Did you have fun tonight? At the game?”

“Yeah, but don’t tell Jack it’ll go to his head.”

“Might be a con if you end up picking Cornell, he’ll make you come watch all the time.”

“I think med school is a good excuse to miss out.”

Nico shrugs, “I’d miss my good luck charm.”

The early spring air is chilly, but a gust of warm air comes over Lux. ‘This is flirting. Nico is flirting with me,’ rings in her head while she struggles to be charming, or smooth in response.

Of course, that’s when the clock strikes midnight and she turns back into a pumpkin, or really Jack interrupts the moment.

“Luxxy, time to leave! I won’t be the reason you’re late or hungover for your interview.” He yells from the doorway of the bar, for maximum embarrassment.

Lux close her eyes and lets out a sigh. Then lets a final burst of liquid confidence bubble up to the surface.

“I might not see you before I leave, so let me give you my phone number,” she holds out her hand for his phone, which he unlocks and hands over.

“Partially, because seeing this happen will make Jack lose his mind. And it would be nice to have another friend if I move out here.”

Nico is kind of dumbstruck as he nods along, “Friends are nice.”

“Especially cute friends,” she holds back a grin and gives him a kiss on the corner of his mouth.

He turns an adorable shade of pink.

“What was that?” Jack says as she walks by taking him in tow.

“What? Isn’t that what you wanted?”

:::

The last interview goes fine. Not great, but at least she isn’t hungover for it.

Her flight out is at an ungodly time the next morning, so she insists on an early bedtime from her chauffeurs.

Which is how she ends up sitting alongside the river, brown bagging beers with the Hughes brothers, watching the sun set.

“So, am I going to meet the new girlfriend at the lake this summer?”

“You’re actually coming to the lake house this summer?”

“If I can embarrass you in front of your new girlfriend? Absolutely.”

“I’m giving your room to Trevor,” beer sloshes out of his can when he elbows her.

“C’mon, this might actually be my last summer at the lake. I’m becoming a doctor; I think I’ll be busy. Or maybe I’ll meet someone.”

“Someone who will whisk you off to Switzerland?” Jack wiggles his eyebrows and Luke make smooching sounds.

“Anything is possible,” she raises her beer and drinks to that.

[shorthaltsjester]

god i cannot express how impressed in general i am with the storytelling that cr is doing with candela obscura but what really strikes me is how evident it is that the storytelling they do is defined by the hearts of those who are putting it together rather than adhering to a specific idea or image of a given story that they want to uphold. there is such a stark difference between the tones of chapter one and chapter two (to the fault of neither, i’ve enjoyed them both immensely because they both happen to hit parts of the supernatural-horror genre that I am so deeply fond of and so happy to see in a real play medium).

there’s the obvious difference in gming styles, matt has fantasy running through his veins and that’s evident in the way that chapter one ends up having a tone akin to something like the scarier episodes of buffy the vampire slayer. spenser outright references mike flanagan in his pre-interview thing and good grief is that so so evident in his narration and the way he emphasizes the themes emerging in the story in the environment of the world they journey through and choices like the letter from sean’s mother that subvert the audiences ability to rely on a character’s perception.

but the energy the groups of players bring to the storytelling is obviously also so important, too. like, even just looking at the groups prior to watching each I probably could’ve guessed which might’ve had a more lighthearted tone. the combination of ashley, anjali, and robbie already would be one i’d guess a more warm/goofy vibe for (not to say they can’t be serious and dramatic, but the tone of the seriousness is still warm and the world that prompts them towards drama likewise feels warm) and laura, despite her propensity for goofs, does tend to be a chameleon with group make ups. likewise i think we all had a certain (affectionate) fear™ when it was revealed that marisha, brennan, luis, and travis would be reuniting in another short form story and that has certainly held up and been incredibly bolstered by zehra’s absolute commitment and immersion into the story (constantly fucking blown away that this is her first real play she’s incredible).

this is all just to say as someone deeply interested in digital storytelling, i am so so enamoured by cr’s commitment to following their own desires as humans telling stories to one another while adhering to the requirements they have as a company. and also if you haven’t you should watch candela obscura, especially now that spooky season is here.

[yuseirra]

Ch 160 ..let me jot down my stream of consciousness about what I feel, my reading comprehension skills can't be that bad, it'd help if I can sit down and think through a little more.

+ Okay, I'm complete! I understand things much better now!! Upon close examination, This chapter doesn't change anything so dramatically.

IT STILL DOES NOT ANSWER JUST WHAT THE DAD'S MOTIVES ARE, but... the conclusion I have after having reread it thoroughly??

It's that my interpretation of him as a mild guy still stands—it enhances it, even. He's still really kind, which is a pretty surprising conclusion compared to what I felt about it at first glance.

He's.. really kind and considerate. I'm serious. wow.

well, analysis/interpretation below!

I was spoiled about chapter way back sometime last Friday, right? and it was pretty accurate in sense, with it being just some bunch of sentences and that one really creepy panel.. it does help to see the actual art and the expressions that are associated with the dialogues.

Now that I sit down a bit, there are two different interpretations of the same story: Kamiki's testimonies on what's happened (I believe these are all truths. They perfectly match up with how I've interpreted his character all along.) and Aqua's takes on them.

I'm not reading things off the english version btw, so the dialogues may differ.

According to what Kamiki says,

-he considered Ryosuke and Nino as good people and as friends. But they approached him because they were obsessed with Ai, so he didn't know about their true colors.

-so he was able to talk about his breakup with her and talked about whether if he should visit her having children at the hospital where Gorou was. They went and killed Gorou, but Kamiki had no idea about that.

-on the day Ai died, he was still unsure about meeting her because he lacked the courage to see her face (god he's timid) so he asked Ryosuke to give her his bouquet on his behalf

I KEPT SAYING THIS GUY NEVER HAS IT IN HIM TO "SCARE AI!!!!!!!!!" HE LIED IN 154 OUT OF GUILT BECAUSE HE THOUGHT AI AND AQUA WANTED REVENGE ON HIM!!! SEE!!! I'VE BEEN!!! RIGHT!!!! I'VE BEEN!!!!!!!!!!

This was already in the leaks last Fri, I basically felt the same way about these back then

and I got every part of these right except for the part that Kamiki befriended them. I just couldn't picture the people who killed Ai or would actively go hunt their daughter down being his friend..

but seeing how.. much he seems to trust people, he used to be that way as a child, it actually all ties so nicely together.

I predicted that it was Nino and Ryosuke who went to the hospital and killed Gorou.

I predicted that Kamiki just wanted to send the bouquet to congratulate Ai but he couldn't go because he was nervous/sad from the phone call. I said that ever since I started drawing hikaai fanarts, you would have seen me going on and on about that, I drew them with this as the base!!!! The guy Ai chose wouldn't do such a thing as trying to get back at her!!! See??

I couldn't be more right!!! I am a prophet!! I should trust myself!!!! why am I so unsure of myself, really. I really, really did get everything right.

These must be all true. He's not lying about any of this. I've been analyzing this guy very very thoroughly so I know what I'm talking about.

I guess what's confused me was the latter bits, since Fri and even after I see the full images.

Kamiki smiles and says he never wanted to hurt anyone<this is really how I view him as well, this guy can't hurt people out of his own will...

However, Aqua dismisses Kamiki's statements as lies on the spot, and accuses him of having been unable to protect his own daughter. That he's been intentionally manipulated people to get what he wants. That would involve him causing people to kill each other without dirtying his hands.

Upon hearing Aqua stating "You wanted to kill your own daughter", Kamiki makes this really eerie smile (I kind of wish this is redrawn hshsh.. it looks like he's a demon spawn from hell, but this could REALLY be him being distressed yet AGAIN. this guy SMILES when he's that way. That's his coping mechanism. It's kind of hard to stare at that expression but that smile certainly ISN'T a happy one like the one we saw in 159. This is a really confusing habit he has. People are going to take him the wrong way but; sadly, it's become a habit of his...)

The scenes then shifts to visions of him manipulating nino and Ryosuke into doing what they've done with a smile. If this is really what's happened, then he IS someone pretty evil-

but now that I read it over I think that's just based on Aqua's interpretations about the guy.

Is what's being portrayed in those pages ACTUALLY how he is? Just yesterday, I theorized that Kamiki loves his children and has been doing whatever he's been doing for his children. I did have my reasons for making that claim.

We still don't know what his motives are!! Aqua doesn't state anything about why Kamiki would do such a thing if he's done so. Does he know anything about this??? Just what reason would make it.. enough to have someone kill the love of their life and their very daughter? What good would it do for Kamiki? For one thing, does he have ANY good reason to kill Ai at all? For having felt betrayed?? Then why wait out that long????? Killing their daughter? After having her live for, how long now? how old are they now? 15?? 16? Why now? Why would he??

The important thing would be just WHY he'd be doing all those things if he's really been so, so WHAT IS IT AQUA?? WHAT??

Forgot to mention this but in the beginning of the chapter, we have kamiki saying, Hm, but what did I do? Did I "stab someone?" did I "push someone off a cliff?" I never "did" "anything".

Then we have Nino going "Kamiki-san didn't do anything. He just talked about Ai. He talked about her so we(her and Ryosuke) wouldn't forget about her. That was enough to make us break."

OH come on. COME ON. HUH. I feel like he's never told them anything bad about Ai, he probably let out how much he loved and misses her, because he thought they were her fan and coworkers as a fellow member, I bet he was happy to befriend people who knew about Ai because they share a common interest together. With it being his favorite person in the world even while he was dumped.

What a stupid reason, Nino. You brought everything upon yourself. I can see that now.

I do think.. kamiki has some sort of power that causes people to grow insane or act out, that could have had some influence on ryosuke and nino in a way...

but again, why would he try to kill his lover and his daughter even if he can use it with his own accord??? Even if he's using those powers now?? Would he use it to do those respective things?

Even if he has those, that shouldn't be all there is to it. According to Kamiki, they were already obsessed with Ai when they approached him and YEAH! Makes sense?? They came to him first, probably already aware that he was Ai's lover?? He isn't responsible for them hoarding those kinds of feelings!!

Coming to think of it, I find it really strange that he still hung with nino being the complete wreck she is. Oh wait, I guess he still could. Ryosuke killed Ai and Nino doesn't seem to have played a part with that. Nino was there with Ryosuke when Gorou died but she's not the one who's pushed him off a cliff. Ryosuke's the really...horrible one. He had a pretty gf like nino JUST WHY. Then again, nino was obsessed w Ai too so they were a match. I guess Kamiki hanged with Nino thinking she's just another victim who wants Ai back or whatever. He still hangs with her when she says that are super creepy like she can't forgive Ruby if she surpasses Ai though.. Perhaps he's really bad at letting people go.. OH, YEAH. He was always pretty attached to people as a child. Okay, I got that part cleared up on my own. Stream of consciousness is like this. It can happen.

Continuing on!! Aqua says Kamiki is a "despicable, selfish liar, worse than a murderer". Even Kamiki can't smile hearing that. If he ISN'T one, then that'd hurt.

Well, he responds again, saying:

"Ah, yes. You're the same way as I am. You share those same eyes I have. The type of eyes that grant the power to persuade others into believing you. The eyes that grant you charisma, befitting that of a star." Then we see a panel with Ai, "The eyes of liars, that fool, and make others submit to you"

he must be thinking of what Ai's told him when she talked to him about having the same eyes. (CH 140)

"You've been inciting people just like I have, right? Just how many people did you fool to fulfill your goal?"

"It must have felt good to use your talents to impact the lives of others, right?"

I'm not sure if this is a taunt/mockery or just him stating the facts as a liar/a black star user himself.

If he's thinking about Ai... then it can be the latter. She approached him saying "they are the same". He could be thinking about that.

Actually, he's strangely calm. His emotions are a bit hard to read on this one, I'd say it actually feels collected compared to what he's heard.

This could actually be sympathy or empathy...

I didn't take it that way when I first encountered it, so I felt.. Kamiki could be lashing out a bit but no. That doesn't seem to be it.

Hey, he really never gets angry. He actually looks a bit sad depending on how you look at it, I think he may be feeling a sense of guilt in that particular panel where he says "Just how many people did you fool to fulfill your goal?", the one where he glances down,

just like how he talked to Aqua in 152, "It's a lie, isn't it? it's because they're important that you keep your distance from them. why would you go that far to bottle yourself up?"

This guy understands his son really well. In fact, I think he may be trying to say, "we're the same=I understand the way you are, we're on the same track" the way Ai's done for him. That's what was his salvation.

Aqua does not take this well.

He says yeah, we're both terrible beings, but Ruby is "different".

Oh, and the rest.. what's stood out to me is the panel where Aqua goes,

"sending love to the one who desires for love" as he describes what Ruby is doing. Kamiki shows up in that panel.. This is what Ai wanted to do for him.

and there's a panel that comes up that shows Ai with the twins that follows right after saying:

"it's the eyes of the one who desires to love someone"

This is really sad. I think that page actually indicates Ai desired to love him while he desired to be loved from Ai. That happened both ways. It was a nice page.

Yeah, and Aqua points his knife to his dad like a toy gun saying

"You must disappear right here and now, for Ruby's sake."

I don't think Aqua's actually up to stabbing him, actually? If he's pointing the knife at him like that, I think it's more like he's warning him to stay out of their way forever, scram, or just go die off on his own.

Both of his eyes are white, he's not going to kill him with his own hands, rather, he's going to make him go away.

So I don't think next chapter would start on a fierce note? Kamiki does not seem like a guy that gets agitated so easily. He STILL never once got angry in this chapter as well. He's still pretty sweet to his son. I'm not being biased on this, the way he talks has always been really soft. If this were to be an anime, you'd hear how he'd talk and see whether if he has thorns in them but I don't think it's that way at least, I think he's trying to be understanding??

This guy is soft. He will not put up a fight. I don't know, he may jump off that bridge and try to die maybe. If that's what his son wants? Move out of the way? He doesn't seem.. angry about it all. He's not even protesting.

In the end, the only thing that got proven in this chapter was that Kamiki DID NOT DO ANYTHING IN A PHYSICAL SENSE, AND HE DIDN'T TRY TO SCARE AI.

the fact about him manipulating people and lying to get his way, I think there's low chance of it being applied for Ruby and Ai's case.

I think he really didn't have a clue Nino would attack Ruby? If he's considered her as a friend?

what are the basis of Aqua picturing him that way? He must really hate his dad. There is no way he could have seen such things happen. Unless Tsukuyomi told him about it?? there is no proof that it's what's actually been taken place. Kamiki could have incited people, or influenced others, yeah, but I don't think he did anything to Ai or his daughter. Again, I think he loves his family. Why wouldn't he??

Until things get cleared up more, I???? I ACTUALLY?? think Kamiki's taking it in a really calm manner despite all the things he's being accused of??

This is very long, but that is all for now!!

Oh, this was worth revisiting and analyzing. There's a lot more I see when I scrutinize it like this!!

[munsonsmixtapes]

Hey ❤

i was wonderimg if i could request a fic where the roles are reversed and reader proposes to eddie.. (maybe a little optional scene where steve and robin help the reader pick out a ring?) and he feels so loved, Hes so giggly with butterflies and loves his ring

All their friends and wayne are around and supporting them and congratulating them

Um, absolutely! I love this idea!! Thank you so much for the request, lovely!!

Eddie x gender neutral!reader

You knew that you wanted to propose to Eddie six months into your in your relationship, but decided against it since it was probably too early. Once you had reached a year and your relationship had become more serious, you had started looking for rings with Steve and Robin’s help.

You had looked for months, but nothing seemed right. They were all too flashy or expensive and you wanted the ring to be perfect. Something that he would have picked out for himself. And Eddie had a very specific taste so it was definitely difficult, but you were going to keep looking until you found what you were looking for.

You entered the last store of the day, feeling hopeless with Steve and Robin in tow. You were glad to have them help you make such a big decision, but you felt like they didn’t understand Eddie the way you did. Robin’s suggestions were too shiny and Steve’s were too simple. You needed something that screamed “Eddie” but kept coming up empty handed.

“What about this one?” Robin asked as you looked over the very sad options.

“I don’t know,” you sighed, turning your head to see what she was pointing at and you stopped. It was black with a silver Celtic knot that went around the whole band. It was perfect. It was Eddie.

“It’s perfect, Rob,” you rested your hand on her shoulder, giving it a squeeze.

“Can we see this one?” Robin asked the employee and he pulled it out from behind the glass and handed it Robin who pulled Steve over, putting the ring on his finger to see what it looked like.

“I do,” Steve told you dramatically and you just rolled your eyes as he removed it from his ring and handed it back to the associate.

“I’ll take it,” you told him and five minutes later, you had the ring and a knot in your stomach. You were sure that he would say yes but that didn’t mean that you weren’t nervous.

You had told Eddie that you were having everyone over to celebrate his new job, but really it was just for the proposal. You also had Wayne keep the ring safe since you didn’t really trust that anyone else wouldn’t lose it.

Everyone had arrived sooner than you had hoped and your heartbeat quickened as the proposal set in. You were going to ask Eddie to marry you. To spend the rest of his life with you.

Soon, the party was in full swing and you had a chat with Wayne who was trying to calm you down. He had always liked you and considered you to be part of family so when you asked for his permission to marry Eddie, it was an easy yes.

“He’s going to say yes, everything is going to be great,” he gave your back a pat.

“Do you have the ring?” You asked.

“Right here,” he held up the red velvet box and put it in your hands, resting his on top of yours. “He’s very lucky to have you,” he told you, tears welling up in his eyes. “I’ve been waiting for someone like you for a long time and I couldn’t be more grateful that you’re part of this family. Now go propose to my boy.”

You wiped your tears away and headed to the center of the room with your glass of champagne where you were going to make a toast. You had everyone take a glass and pulled Eddie to stand beside you.

“I’d like to make a toast,” you announced and everyone was cheering you on, all of them being in the loop except your unsuspecting boyfriend.

“Eddie,” you started. “I couldn’t be more proud of you in this moment. You’re finally doing what you’ve always wanted and I couldn’t be more happy for you than I am right now. I have loved you for a long time, even before we got together. The moment we got together, I knew that I didn’t want to spend my life with anyone else. So Eddie,” you set down both of your glasses and got down on one knee, opening the box. “Will you marry me?”

Eddie let out a gasp and tears welled up in his eyes that he was trying to wipe away. He couldn’t believe it. He had been wanting to propose to you and just couldn’t make it work because of his nerves. Now he didn’t have to. You were taking the reins on this one and he couldn’t have been more grateful.

“Yes,” he smiled, pulling you to your feet. You pulled the ring from the box and put it on his finger as everyone erupted in cheers. He pulled you in for a long hug then sealed your engagement with a kiss and he couldn’t wait to walk down the aisle and vow that he’d love you in sickness and health until death did you part.

[thiccpersonality]

Clark Bullied In 4k AKA: This Is Why I Can't Trust You With My Children Clark...Ok, Maybe I Can

Richard and Jason feel relaxed after coming back from a mini vacation of sorts, the older had insisted that they should go take a trip and hang out as brothers, not having to worry about work or crime fighting for a couple days. Jason threw a fit at first at even having such a thing be suggested, but slowly grew soft to the idea as it has been a long while since he had one-on-one time with his older brother.

The trip was payed in full by Bruce, the stubborn mule winning the argument with Richard on who was going to pay for it when the man pulled out how he loves spending money on his kids. In that moment, both Richard and Jason understood where Damian got his puppy eyes from, they never knew their dad could look so...pitifully adorable. Anywho, the point is that the two brothers enjoyed a time of bonding-and maybe slight mischief on Jason's part-the two enjoying their relaxation so much that they were almost tempted to call Bruce up and ask him to extend their stay. And Jason would have done it, but Richard scolded him on not taking advantage of their dad's kindness.

Now the two have returned back home and immediately feel something off in the atmosphere.

It's obvious no one in the family had a fight, because Alfred isn't stress baking or cleaning the always pristine house due to his worry, but there is something off in the atmosphere, especially when they go down to the cave to see Bruce.

"Oh! Hi, Clark!"

Richard smiles brightly at the man, his eyes quickly narrowing into a suspicious gaze at the slightly strained smile the superhero gives back to him. To anyone else the smile would seem normal, but Richard is no fool, and neither is Jason as the nineteen-year-old comes to stand next to his older brother, his posture stiffening as though something might go wrong any second. 

Before the older teen can say something, he takes a moment to look at Bruce, his eyebrow raising at what he sees: the man clutching onto Damian and Tim like a lifeline, his body tense as if he is protecting them from Clark. Richard must realize the same thing as they both turn to look at each other, a silent conversation being had while trying to deduce what may have happened, who started it, what it's about and even the possibility of the Kryptonian being under the influence of Kryptonite. Because if it's the last one, then one of them needs to distract while another slips away to get the glowing green rock. "What exactly is going on here? Why are we standing around like wild deer in headlights?"

Richard turns his smile up a notch, his analytical gaze turning to one of harmless curiosity as he cocks his hip to the side and rests a hand on it. Jason immediately loosens his posture as well, his pinched eyebrows loosening up and his lips lifting into a small smirk, "What happened this time? Bet it was Bruce's fault again, huh?"

The comment was supposed to be a light joke,  nothing serious as usual, but as Bruce turns to look at them through his mask, the two almost swear they can see the tears in his eyes. Jason thinks that if the man had a pair of cat ears on his head that they'd be lying flat in displeasure from what he just said, but before anyone can say anything about why Bruce looks like he saw Jason die for the second time, the man speaks up. "I did nothing wrong...it was all Kent. I am never trusting him with my babies ever again-did you hear that, alien? Never again."

The worry is slowly replaced with confusion, so Clark isn't mind controlled or possessed by Kryptonite? Then what exactly did the other do to have Bruce referring to him as alien again?

The super sighs loudly at the baffled looks he receives from Richard and Jason, "Your dad is being dramatic. We were on a mission together while you guys were away, it involved magic, and you both know how vulnerable I am to it, so I was assigned Tim and Damian to aid me in the fight-" okay...the story sounds decent so far, so what's wrong?-"But then I-

"He left himself opened like an idiot and caused my children to get hit by a spell." Bruce meets Clark's irritated look head-on, his head tilting upwards in a challenge while his lips curl into a slight snarl, huffing victoriously when the taller stands down. The alien turns his attention back to Jason and Richard, his hand gesturing to the huffy Bat, "He also got hit by it too. Turns out all of you inherited Bruce's penchant for self-sacrifice, so congratulations." The boys don't think that they've ever heard Clark sound so sarcastic before, but the man just sound tired and exhausted, though there is one thing that is bothering Jason-

"He's not biologically our dad, you know that right? We can't inherit anything from him."

Richard chuckles at Jason's comment and gently nudges his side, "That isn't the point of all this. You guys had us really worried at first...me and Jay thought that Clark was mind controlled there for a second. But, are you three okay? What was the spell?" Jason and Richard turn to look at Bruce, their eyebrows raising at the displeased, very cat-like hiss that escapes his mouth, Clark's reaction not helping either. "C'mon, B...it isn't that bad, really. It could have ended up worse and you know it. I've tried to apologize for it...you know I don't like anyone jumping in front of me, especially as I am usually invulnerable, it makes me feel worse when you guys have to protect me in such serious ways. Plus, I even brought your kids sardines as they craved, is that not good enough?" 

Sardines? Craved? What the hell is going on here?

"What the hell is going on here?" Jason question's while looking between Bruce and Clark curiously, trying to sneak a peak at Timothy and Damian snuggled into their dad's side while also being hidden slightly by the cape, their faces being the only things that are seen at the moment.

Clark turns towards Bruce, "Take off the mask. Your other children deserve to know...and I know you desire to imprint on them as you have done the younger two." He sighs at the hiss directed towards him, why must Bruce always be so difficult? "What do you know about my desires? I desire to claw your eyes out of your skull for such ignorance, alien. I entrusted the safety of my children to you and you get them fucking hit by a spell!? You are always supposed to be watching your back as well and yet when I turn to look at the three of you, the only people who seemed to notice something off was my two kids. Which I expect nothing less from-but still!"

Clark looks like a kicked puppy as he looks at the other man, "You don't have to resort to calling me an alien again. I said I was sorry, you don't have to give me a lecture on how to fight crime."

It's at this moment that Damian chooses to speak up, his small face poking out of the black cloth. "You should know of the alien's deficiencies by now, father. Not only is he lacking in the mental, but it seems his physical prowess is just as pitiable, how ever did you find this specimen?" Clark sputters and prepares to protest, but Bruce cuts him off, "Said pitiable specimen is the one that found me. He was always so insistent no matter how rude I was to him."

Richard doesn't know whether to laugh at how similar Bruce and Damian sound right now or cry on Clark's behalf of how savage the two can be when upset. "Come on you two...be a little nicer to uncle Clark, I'm sure he did his best during the fight, yeah?" The eldest Wayne child smiles kindly Clark's way before turning to look at his dad again, curiosity once again overcoming him at remembering something the Kryptonian said, "Although I do have to ask why he asked you to take off your mask. Did the spell mess with your physical appearance some? Damian and Tim's faces look fine to me from here." The question seems to make Bruce displeased all over again, the left side of his cape wiggling before Tim fully pops his head out with a large smile on his face and...cat ears on his head? "Woah..." He trails off as he stares amazingly at the two fluffy ears flickering back and forth on his littlest brother's head.

"It gave us all cat ears and tails. I personally think that dad is being a bit dramatic over the situation moreso than usual...but that might be because it gave him protective instincts over what he sees as kittens now."

Jason snorts, "So that's why you two are fighting like an old married couple? C'mon and take off the mask, dad, please? I wanna see your ears and tail, I bet they are pinned to your head in discontentment." Bruce pouts frowns at the request, but because it's one of his babies asking it, he slowly reaches up to carefully tug off his mask, his cat ears quickly flicking at being freed from the confines of the mask.

Bruce supposes showing off his ears isn't too bad at the wondrous look he receives from his second eldest son, the boy immediately rushing forward to get his hands on the older man's ears, freezing for just a moment and looking down at Bruce in silent permission. Jason smiles wider when his dad gives a resigned sigh and bows his head so Jason can softly run the tips of his fingers through the fuzzy ears. "Woah! They're so soft and shiny, dad! Your ears look as though they've been well kept by a caring owner. Come feel them, Dick!"

Richard smiles wide and quickly rushes over to stand next to Jason, his hand reaching out in preparation to pet the soft appendages, but a small, kitten-like squeak-hiss noise makes him pause. Well, that little noise as well as the small hand that quickly reaches up to claw at his hand, good thing for his fast reflexes or else he would have been scratched.

"Aww, don't feel like sharing, baby bird?" Richard pouts and looks down at Damian, his lips immediately stretching into a fond smile at the glare on the boy's face, his eyes looking more cat-like as he gives a weak hiss and tries tugging Bruce away from them. Tim just rolls his eyes at Damian's antics before looking up at his two older brothers apologetically, "Don't mind him. He has been having random moments of possessiveness towards dad...he's even attempted scratching me too." Damian smiles impishly at Tim and nudges the older boy's leg with his boot, "That was on purpose, Drake."

Tim narrows his eyes at the youngest, a much clearer sounding hiss escaping his throat, the sound being replaced by an apologetic mewl when Bruce squeezes his and Damian's napes in warning.

"Enough with the arguing you two. If there's any pent up aggression between you both, your dear uncle Clark would be happy to help you I'm sure." Bruce practically purrs out, his hand massaging his youngest childrens napes in apology for the treatment, his ears perking up and his smile pleased at Clark's protests. "Wha-why!? I'm not their scratching post, Bruce!"

Bruce hums and watches as Tim once again tries slipping out of his arms, "Why not? It's the least you could do after getting us into this mess, I mean, you can handle it...can't you?" He gives Clark a sharp look while he gathers Tim in his arms once again, meowing in displeasure when the teen tries to wiggle free. "I truly despise you and the magic user for this. Do you know how humiliating making these sounds are?" Clark sighs and shrugs his shoulders, taking his chance to push himself away from the wall and towards Bruce, his right hand reaching up to touch a fluffy ear, his smile soft at how large his hand seems compared to the ear.

"I don't know...I think the sounds are endearing and pretty cute. The way you cuddle them like a mama cat is not too far off from the regular Bruce I know."

Richard, Jason, Tim and Damian are surprised that Bruce even allowed the man to get this close, even more shocking is the fact that their dad seemed to enjoy Clark's brand of ear scratches as a deep rumble was being made in his throat. Damian almost started hissing at the alien for touching his father and almost took Bruce up on his suggestion of using Clark as a scratching post, but luckily he didn't even need to defend his father's honor as the man suddenly hisses loudly and bites at the taller one's hand. "What the hell did you just say about me!? I do not cuddle my kids like a mama cat! I am perfectly normal about my love for them, do you hear me!?"

Clark frowns worriedly for Bruce's teeth, his left hand reaching to the back of the other's head uncertainly, his fingers flexing indecisively on whether he should scruff him or not. Bruce must understand what Clark is trying to decide as he hisses louder, all while cursing Clark out. "I swear if you even think about doing that to me, I will-" his rant is cut off by a large, warm hand squeezing the back of his neck, his body responding immediately to the correction by falling limp, a small and pathetic mewl escaping his lips at the treatment. How dare Clark treat him this way! Like some disobedient child kitten.

Clark looks apologetically down at Bruce, "I'm sorry...but it was either I let you keep going at the sacrifice of your teeth because it is kind of cute seeing you huff and puff while your adorable ears are pinned to your head, or, I stop you by scruffing you so that you don't lose your teeth biting my hand."

What Clark didn't pay attention to was that during his interaction with Bruce, the man's two temporary kittens slipped out of his arms to stand next to Richard and Jason, not realizing that Damian is now free to defend his father's honor without any scruffing repercussions. And the Kryptonians little act towards Bruce is not appreciated by the baby of the family, a small hiss escaping the boy as he lunges himself at the older man's leg, claws coming out to scratch the blue spandex apart while Bruce silently cheers his youngest on.

"How dare you treat my father in such a way, you fatuous plebian! I demand you get your vile hands off of him this instant!"

Clark almost makes the second mistake of cooing loudly at the small, aggravated squeaks and meows coming from Damian, he doesn't wish to make the child any angrier at him...especially since the boy hasn't realized he could pull Kryptonite out from his utility belt.

Instead, the alien tiredly looks at the small child's three brothers for assistance, especially since scruffing Damian would only make Bruce angrier with him. "Can one of you lend a hand, Richard? Besides Bruce and Alfred, Damian listens to you the most." Richard huffs a laugh at Clark, his mind distracted with the thought of wishing Clark also got hit by the spell just to see how the other would fit into this dynamic, would he act as papa cat?

"Richard, are you even listening to me? I need you to hold Damian back so I can let Bruce go...I would rather not have two angry cats attacking me at once. And why are you recording this, Jason?" Jason snickers while zooming into Clark's exhausted look, "Because the girls will never believe me when I tell them this story. Nah, actually they would, but having video proof is all that much better. I mean, this is hilarious!" Clark deadpans at the camera as if he's in an episode of The Office, causing Jason to laugh louder for it.

Alright, so Richard and Jason prove to be useless in this situation, maybe Tim will-

"Tim...what are you doing?" Clark tilts his head as the teen is swatting at the edges of his cape while lying on the ground, the boy seeming to snap out of his trance with a couple blinks and one embarrassed cough later, his cheeks turning pink as he loudly groans and lies his head down on the floor.

"This really is embarrassing! I can't believe I've come to stoop so low..." Tim presses his palms against his eyes and sighs, sitting up groaning at having to be the one that deals with Damian in all his feral glory. The teen stealthily approaches the younger, his tongue poking out in concentration as he quickly lunges his hands out for the child's nape, shouting joyfully as he successfully scruffs the younger. "I did it!"

.

..

...

....

Tim's eyes widen in worry, "Holy cow I did it!? I can't ever let him go or he'll actually kill me this time. Why didn't you just scruff him, uncle Clark? You have the power to handle both of them at once." Clark swears the longer that this story is written goes on, the more aged he gets...he has never felt so human before, not even with green or blue Kryptonite. "The reason is that your family has a very special way of making me feel weak without the use of Kryptonite or magic, you all have a knack of making me adore you while simultaneously wanting to drink liquid Kryptonite while also eating it."

Jason snorts on the sidelines (no, not drugs!), "We make you want to commit suicide? I know our family can be tough as nails and as stubborn as an ass, but I don't think we are that bad."

Jason zooms in on a snarling Damian and a loudly hissing and meowing Bruce, humming thoughtfully before sighing. "You know what...I can see what you mean. Carry on, Uncle C." The older superhero tilts his head back with a loud sigh before gently shaking Bruce around by his nape, "It's mainly this man that pushes all my buttons. Now, I'm going to let go of you, Bruce...and when I do, I don't want to see you reach for your Kryptonite. I also don't want you punching me or biting me as your teeth and hands could get severely hurt-and I know what you are thinking: "it wouldn't hurt as much if I used my Kryptonite." But that is used only for emergencies, and this is not an emergency."

Bruce at this point has stopped hissing, but his icy blue eyes narrow dangerously at Clark while his tongue licks at his canines, the action not making the man feel any comfort. The Kryptonian clears his throat and presses onward, "Now. I'll count to three and let you go...and I really hope that you'll care about me and my life enough to not pull out any dangerous green rocks."

"One."

"Two."

"Three."

Clark quickly snatched his hand off of the other's surprisingly elegant neck as if he's ripping off a bandaid, though he has never had that experience before, but he imagines it must hurt quite a bit as humans make a big fuss about it.

Bruce grumbles to himself, his ears flattening to his head at Clark's "rough" treatment, he can't believe the other man. If Bruce would have known being turned into part cat would make him this much of a whiny bitch about the littlest things, he would have let Clark get hit by the magic spell instead. The man swats irately at the alien when standing up and passing by him, his newfound (or maybe not so newfound) instincts telling him to grab his kittens and sulk in one big pile with them, so, that's how he finds himself replacing Tim's hand on Damian's neck and lifting the boy quickly up and into the safety of his arms.

Tim pouts slightly at the look Bruce gives him, the teen understand the meaning of the gaze and quickly shuffles under the man's cape, latching into the man and meowing to let the other know he's secure and he can walk now.

Bruce's ears perk up slightly in contentment when standing in front of the oldest two, his expression embarrassed as his body sways back and forth indecisively as though he's suppressing an instinct and won't allow himself to act on it. Luckily for Bruce, Richard just smiles wide, and with an excited squeal, hugs onto his dad and nuzzles his cheek, smiling wider at guessing accurately to Bruce's want as the man's posture relaxes and he nuzzles his cheek into his eldest child's own in return.

A soft purr builds up in Bruce's throat as he scents and imprints onto his eldest son, his pupils dilating as he leans away to stare at Jason, the black slits widening and narrowing from staring at an object of interest to him. Jason blushes and grumbles at the adorable wide-eyed look his dad is giving him, leaning forward and feeling warm at how enthusiastic Bruce is to scent and imprint on him too, the energy for his second eldest not dwindling in the slightest but remaining just as excited and pleased to have a chance to love on another kitten of his. The second eldest shyly returns the affection back, his cheek rubbing against Bruce's own as he slowly relaxes into it, grunting as Richard bumps into him and joins in on the cheek rubs.

All Jason can think is that his older brother is enjoying this too much, he bets that if the other was here for the incident, he would have enjoyed turning into part cat...the little weirdo would probably see if he could get away with kitten licks or something.

Damian interrupts with a little meow of his own, the boy surprisingly not being as embarrassed by the sounds he makes as Bruce and Tim are about them, maybe it's because he loves animals? So it's like living a secret dream of his come true. The boy pouts frowns up at Bruce, his hands unconsciously pawing at the man's chest for attention as well, Jason and Richard quietly admitting how adorable Damian's kitten-like behaviors are as the boy makes a happy sound when Bruce bends his head and lifts the boy up so they are cheek-to-cheek. Bruce purrs loudly again at what he sees as his baby kitten happily receiving his love instead of pushing it away, the young child even going as far as to raise his hands to grab at his dad's face as well.

A whooshing sound causes Bruce to perk up, the man feeling bad for ignoring his baby kitten as he pulls his face away to stare at the newcomer, which is just Superman again...when did he even leave?

Icy blue eyes narrow suspiciously at the bag Clark is carrying, his head lifting as he scents whatever is in the bag and finds his tail swishing excitedly at the very pleasant smell of his favorite salmon. His eyebrows raise questioningly at the Kryptonian when the man takes a step forward and holds up the large bag as if it's an atonement offering, "I apologize for grabbing you like that earlier. I just didn't want you to break your teeth on me, but, I did go to get your favorite salmon from that one overpriced restaurant you and Diana take me to sometimes...so, truce?"

Bruce is doing his best to hold back his pleased smile, especially since his babies show an interest in the food, his instincts are telling him that Clark isn't so bad if he's providing food for the kittens and his mind is calling him stupid for ever being mad at the other in the first place.

With a small nod, Bruce steps forward to take the bag from Clark, his tail swaying as even his eldest two crowd against him in attempts to peak in the bag. "Did you two not eat before coming home?" Bruce chuckles at how Jason and Richard are practically salivating over the smell of freshly cooked salmon, the former shaking his head in response to the question. "We didn't get to eat, we just thought we'd head back as quickly as possible." Bruce's ears flatten in displeasure at the comment, handing over the bag to Richard with instructions to evenly divide the meal and kissing Damian's cheek as he lowers the boy to the ground and tell him and Tim that they are free to leave his watch to go eat with their brothers.

Bruce finds himself smiling at the endearing way Damian paws at Richard's leg and how Tim circles around the older as they dig through the bag. Content at seeing his the children in his home safely together, Bruce relaxes and flits his eyes between his kids and Clark thoughtfully before sucking up his pride and also nuzzling into the taller, ignoring the way he has to stand on his tiptoes and tug the other down just to reach his cheek.

Clark allows himself to be tugged down, his smile charmed at Bruce's actions, "I thought you were mad at me? And didn't you say doing this was a sign of imprinting on family?"

Bruce huffs at how Clark always has to say something but continues to nuzzle the man enthusiastically, "Why does that matter now? Aren't I always mad at you for one thing or another? You should be used to it, or at the very least, learn from your mistakes already and listen to me." Clark gasps in mock shock, "Wow! That's rude of you. I listen to you very well, thank you very much! You just get kind of bossy sometimes...I think you'd be classified as a diva."

Bruce growls in displeasure and quickly nips at Clark's cheek in retaliation for the comment, his eyes softening at remembering what he was originally going to say to the other. "About you asking if I do this for family, the answer is yes, I did say that. I guess Damian was right about lacking mental skills if you...if you don't yet realize that you're family." His voice is stupidly shy as he says it, the Batman never thinking he could ever cringe this badly at himself, he can feel slight irritation mix with affection at this bumbling fool name Clark Joseph Kent and how it takes a moment for him to process what Bruce just said.

The Kryptonian's eyes widen and water with happy tears as he hugs Bruce tightly, lifting the shorter up to his height so he's not crouching anymore and nuzzling the man back in return. "You can be really cute when you aren't busy glaring daggers into my skull! Thank you, Bruce!"

Bruce almost chooses to struggle away but stops at the last second, his tail leaving the protection of his cape to wrap around Clark's arm while he slowly returns the hug, his smile soft as he watches his kids fill themselves up with Clark's peace offering and the warmth from the man's hug. Something inside of himself fully feeling satisfied at giving and receiving love back from all present loved ones.

Bruce allows himself to purr contentedly while patting Clark's back and nuzzling his face: "I'll ignore that first comment. And thank you, Clark...for being patient in all of my...diva glory and for providing for the kitte-children." Clark's smile somehow gets wider as he holds Bruce just a bit tighter, his tone playful when speaking. "Did you just admit to being a diva?"

Bruce groans and blushes, hiding his reddening cheeks in Clark's neck and plotting his revenge as the other continues to laugh, "Shut up, Clark. Just shut up."

(I don't even know why I thought of this specific "plot" point? (It doesn't have plot) I don't know if it was a random idea or I saw something and got inspiration, or maybe if I even had a dream? 😂 I had a weird dream recently with a whole bunch of different cartoon characters and one of the plot points to the dream was 3/4 TMNT were turned evil and trying to kill the one that was still good.

I don't know what my dreams are either, but I hope this story managed to be enjoyable? This is 4,728 words of sheer randomness. You lovelies are always much appreciated and cherished and I adore you all so much! Please remember to stay safe, happy, healthy and of course lovely as always. 💛)

[steviewashere]

Balls in Laundry Baskets: An Apology Chp. 2

Rating: Teen and Up CW: None for this part, but check part one for the CWs that pertain to that one Tags: Post Season 4, Post Canon, Angst and Hurt/Comfort, Arguing, Making Up, Apologizing, Steve Harrington & Lucas Sinclair Friendship, Eddie Munson Gets Put in His Place, Lucas Sinclair is a Sweetheart, Steve Harrington is a Sweetheart, Protective Steve Harrington, Emotionally Hurt Lucas Sinclair, Emotionally Hurt Steve Harrington, Established Steve Harrington/Eddie Munson, Eddie Munson Means Well He's Just Defensive, Hurt People Hurt Others

This is chapter two! Want to read chapter one? Click here.

Can also be read on AO3

🏀—————🏀 Eddie knew that Steve was right. He had to apologize. He had to mean it. And he can’t let Lucas think that his interests are unimportant to him.

What’s eating at him, though, is how exactly he’s going to prove his apology meaningful to Lucas. Whatever it means, he’ll do it. If Lucas wants him to beg for forgiveness, he can up the dramatics. If it means saying the words ‘I’m sorry,’ and then never seeing him again, then he’ll stomach that. But he doesn’t want Lucas out of his life. The sheepies are important to him. They matter to him on so many levels that they don’t know. 

So he’s got to prove himself. He’s got to mean it.

Which gives him a great idea. And it’s one he can share with Steve, now that they’re seeing each other again.

Steve picks him up from home. Drives out to their local diner. Orders them some food. And then Eddie leans in close across the table. “I’ve got an idea on how I can apologize,” he states.

“How’s that?” Steve hums. He drums his fingers against the table. Is feigning nonchalance, but the slight excitement in his eyes is enough to tell Eddie that he’s genuinely ready to listen.

“Okay, I was thinking,” he starts, “involving Lucas’s interests with mine. If, maybe, I decide to do Hellfire every other week instead of weekly. And on my off days, you and Lucas can show me the ropes of balls in laundry baskets.”

Briefly, Steve’s eyes widen and his eyebrows raise. All his minor movements slow to a stop. He leans away from his seat, across the table. Nearly nose to nose with Eddie. “You…you want to postpone Hellfire to practice basketball with Lucas and I?” He questions, clarifying.

Eddie leans back and nods. “Yeah. I figured the only way I’m going to make it up to Lucas is by showing him that I’m serious. And…maybe it’ll do me some good? Plus, the whole reason Lucas is mad at me is because I wouldn’t postpone Hellfire meetings. If I show to myself that I’m capable of doing so, while involving myself with basketball, then it can be a start?”

Steve leans away again, his eyes calculating. Eddie wants to chew on his fingernails or bite his tongue, but he sits patiently. Waits for what feels like an eternity before Steve gives a slow nod. He’s not sure if it’s out of approval or taking in the idea for what it is, but Eddie stirs something hopeful in his stomach.

However, the silence between them stretches. Steve’s eyes continue to roam. And the idea grows to be futile in his mind. Was it that bad, he has to wonder, am I still being an ass?

“Do you not like it?” He finally asks. Clasps his hands together, if only to keep them from sweating, jittering off his body, shaking like a leaf. “I can…I’ll think of something new if it’s that bad of an idea. Maybe I should just go to Lucas’s? Apologize to him there and then let him sit with it a few days, let him decide whether or not he still wants to…” he trails off. Eddie doesn’t particularly like the outcome that could be Lucas completely distancing himself, backing away from the tabletop game he loves and their already tentative friendship. But if it’s what he has to do, for his own sanity and his own hurt, then Eddie should just let him. Right?

He rubs a hand between his eyebrows and looks down at the tacky table. “Who am I kidding?” He mutters, “Lucas is never going to forgive me.”

“Hey,” Steve softly scolds. “He will, Eds.” His eyes cast to Eddie like beacons. Of hope, Eddie isn’t certain. But of love, probably.

His hand slides from his eyebrows to cover his mouth. Next words muffled to the skin of his palm. “But you’re right, y’know? I’ve basically sidelined Lucas entirely. Separated myself from what he loves all because of stupid high school hierarchies. Which is…ridiculous considering I try to think of myself as somebody who doesn’t put people in boxes. And, well, look at me,” he states, gesturing to himself, “Here I am, putting people in boxes.”

Steve’s breath does something sort of funny, a little stuttered puff. His foot connects with Eddie’s shin in a gentle kick. That makes him look back up. Where Steve’s eyes are once again calculating in the odd perceptive way they do—all big and shiny and unmistakeable. His mouth is pinched down into a soft scowl. Eddie has to swallow back a shiver, he’s never seen somebody look so adamantly offended on his behalf. 

“We all do it,” Steve finally says. His voice is measured and low. “Even when you think you don’t, you do. It’s just the nature of how you’ve had to survive your environment, I guess. So give yourself some credit—at least you’re willing to face the reality of what you’ve done, as immediate as it’s been shown to you.”

Eddie shrugs. “How else am I going to make it up to you two? Lucas especially. Not that—I mean, you’re hurt, too. You are and I made you feel like that and that’s—“ He stops himself from rambling any further with a dismissive wave of his hand. Sighs away a grievance, an irritation at himself. “But I want to try. I want to show that I am capable of indulging other people, despite what I’ve known. And…Basketball seems like the way to go, for now.”

Steve’s foot is still firmly pressed against his shin, but then it slides down, hooking itself around Eddie’s ankle. His left hand is scooped up by Steve’s right; a gentle squeeze. There’s a tentative, lopsided grin plastered to his face, squinting the corners of those perceptive eyes. “I’ll help you do it,” Steve states, “I was thinking of how to get Lucas, though.”

Humming, Eddie sits further back and thinks. Of every opportunity he has to see the kid. Or what would end in sure failure, based on the approach he uses. There’s fear that if he apologizes at Lucas’s house, that he’ll only be shunned and turned away. Maybe even the chance that Lucas will notice him through the window and refuse immediately to even open the front door. A sure knot begins to form in Eddie’s chest when he notices the ways of approach are dwindling between his fingers.

Before he can say anything else, though, Steve is already speaking for him. “We should just pick up Lucas from his house.”

“We?” Eddie asks, befuddled.

Steve nods, his eyebrows scrunching in blatant confusion, as if this should be obvious. “Well, yeah? Did you really think I’d let you do this alone? Besides, it’s best to have a mediator there just in case. And, not only would I be there to kind of relax the conversation, but it gives you a chance to show yourself to me, too, right?”

“Yeah, I guess so,” Eddie mutters in turn. He fidgets with a straw wrapper from the soda he had, that Steve insisted he paid for. And swallows heavily. “Maybe you can…Would you help by maybe just bringing him here? And that’ll give me the chance to apologize to his face while also…I just don’t want to corner him at his house or in your car or something.”

Across the table, he watches Steve’s eyes relax. Something in them going soft and easy. A small nod. “I can do that,” he murmurs, “just stay here, go over what you want to say, and keep yourself calm.” His hand squeezes Eddie’s, fingers toying with his rings. Reassures, “This’ll work out. There’s no reason that it won’t.”

“But—“

“It’ll resolve.” And his voice is like an anchor, something tangible and grounding.

For now, Eddie believes him. Because Steve hasn’t been wrong. Not yet, at least.

——— When Steve returns, it’s with Lucas in tow, just as Eddie asked. Granted, from what Eddie can see, Lucas has the appearance of somebody going on their first roller coaster ride—queasy before the ride even goes over the first hill of track. But it’s a miracle he’s here at all.

He finds himself straightening up in his booth seat, scooping the straw wrapper garbage to the side, even going as far as to untangle the ends of his hair. Wrestles his hands together so that they’re intertwined and heavy on the surface of the table. And flashes at the two of them, what he hopes, is a graceful and pleased smile.

Steve sits in the booth opposite of Eddie, against the wall. While Lucas joins him, also facing Eddie. And he realizes it for what it is: in case Lucas needs to claim bail and make his grand escape. Something turns over in Eddie’s chest, hot and hard like a freshly warmed piece of coal.

“Uh—Hey, Lucas,” he greets, choppy and clumsy. Good thing his hands are kneaded together like pretzels—they’d probably be glistening with sweat and shaking otherwise. His stomach tenses briefly at Lucas’s stare, stoic, yet calculating like Steve’s. Eddie takes a deep breath, it nearly wheezes right out of him. “Do you…I can get you something to snack on while we talk? Y’know, if you want?”

Lucas shakes his head. Swallows harshly, the sound carrying over the clatter of other diner’s eating, forks shifting on plates. “Nah, man,” he answers stiffly, “I just want to talk. Steve told me you had something to say?”

Eddie nods tersely. Brings his intertwined hands to his lips, just barely kissing his knuckles. Eyes darting over Lucas’s shoulder to the diner’s glass push door. Truth be told, he’s never been good at apologizing. More of a person who awkwardly says something good about a person before running in the other direction. But that’s reserved for people he’d be willing to see leave his life. Saved for people like his dad, a few old crotchy neighbors, the cops.

Not somebody like Lucas. A friend. Somebody Eddie wants to know until the end of time, see flourish, be proud of. Now, it should have started with attending the championship game, making time for the kid. But later is better than never. And Eddie’s great at being notoriously late—part of the reason he had to redo senior year three times.

He takes another deep breath and locks eyes with Lucas. Schools his expression to be empathetic, but not pleading. He has to do this right. And he has to be serious. Can’t joke his way out of this. Can’t explain away with supernatural bullshit. This has to come from him, he knows. Not The Freak. Not Edward. Just Eddie. His hands fall back to the surface of the table.

“I’m sorry,” he says immediately. “I’m sorry for not being a good friend. To either of you, but to you, Lucas, especially.” Eddie hates the way Lucas startles surprised. Bouncing on the vinyl of his seat, eyes widening beyond belief, nose flaring slightly with the purse to his lips. But he won’t say anything about it. Because if he loses track, if he stops talking, he knows this will be it.

He’ll lose Lucas. And he’ll lose Steve. He’ll lose all of the Hellfire boys.

Eddie will be just as lonely as the day he came back to Hawkins. When he moved in with Wayne. When he wouldn’t say anything more than: “Yes”, “No”, and “Whatever.”

“I’m sorry for being ignorant. And hypocritical. And abrasive about what you enjoy. There’s no excuse for my actions or my words. The only explanation I have is that I know what it’s like to be treated that way and I got overly defensive.” He shifts in his seat, eyes casting down to where Lucas and Steve’s hands rest on the table—palms flat and fingers spread wide. Solemnly, he murmurs, “People who have interests like the both of you have always shat on my likes. On Dungeons & Dragons and metal music and theater. But that should’ve never included the both of you.

“But, Lucas—“ And he makes sure his eye contact is firm, deep, and unbreaking. “—I never meant to make you feel…outcast, othered, or singular. Ever. But I did make you feel like that. Not only did I shun basketball, but I made your best friends and your sister play. And that wasn’t fair or right of me to do.

“I’m sorry, for all of that. For every bit of hurt I’ve made you feel.”

For a moment, there’s a long stretch of silence between the three of them. The white noise of the diner flittering through them. Plates and forks and mindless chatter. A staticky jukebox and a shitty rotating fan. Then, Steve’s foot slides under the table, pressing firmly into Eddie’s calf.

Lucas begins to open his mouth to say something. But Eddie beats him to it. Too afraid of what his response is.

“I’m going to prove myself to you,” Eddie promises.

He watches as Lucas’s eyebrows furrow. All his movements stop as he stares at Eddie. “Wh—What?” Lucas eventually chokes out, confusion clear in his voice.

So, Eddie repeats slowly, “I’m going to prove myself to you.” He separates his hands and taps his thumbs incessantly on the tacky tabletop. Wishes, briefly, that he had something to fidget with—a straw to chew on or a glass to pass back and forth. He continues, however, with a fierce, yet soft voice, “Hellfire is going to be moved to every other Friday. And on the days we aren’t playing D&D, you, Steve, and I are going to go to the park. To the basketball court. And I’m going to learn why you like playing basketball so much. I’m going to learn to indulge your interests, just as the both of you are indulging mine.”

And then, again, the silence envelops them. Across the table, he catches Steve’s eyes. There’s significant pride in them. A glow, a glisten to them. You did good, they say. Though it’s hard for Eddie to believe that, he tries to convey his gratitude with his own eyes. Because Lucas is still in front of him, quiet and absorbing.

Lucas’s mouth is twisted and his sight is down at his hands. But his breath is even and he isn’t making a swift exit, so Eddie counts that for something. Doesn’t take it as a win or as forgiveness, not yet. It’s good, though, that Lucas isn’t adamantly refusing him.

Though, Eddie recognizes, there’s still time. For their eyes to meet and for him to read every ounce of disproval Lucas has in store for him. To hear every note of bottled rage and pure, unadulterated hatred. He holds his breath. And in the time it takes for Lucas’s mouth to finally drop into something even more silent than the pervasive silence they’ve existed in, Eddie feels as though he’s facing the demobats again.

Like he’s noticing this window of opportunity. The great disaster that could come with it. The chance to let them have time before their friendship comes to an unsatisfied end. But he can take it, even as it brings tears to his eyes, he’ll take it. He’ll stomach when and if Lucas leans over to Steve and whispers something that’s lost in the scrapes of silverware—and as the softest of scowls form—and as Lucas’s back disappears into the confined space of Steve’s car. And with it: all the love he’s received, and all the love he has to give for the people he’s met—who he cherishes, even when they were in a moment of deep, disturbing crisis.

Finally, Lucas breathes, “Okay.”

And Eddie’s heart clenches as if a mighty fist has grasped for it. As if that fist has it in its hold, still beating, but now bleeding.

“I’ll let you prove yourself to me,” Lucas continues on, “but if you make a point to complain, criticize, or refuse any of what Steve and I do—then I…I won’t hold my breath and wait for you to be a good friend.” His eyes are so expressive, even as the rest of his face sits blank. Deep and promising. Fierce, protective.

God, Eddie realizes, he actually fucking means that. Though it hurts to hear, what he’s feared this entire time, he understands it.

“And…” Eddie steels himself, focusing in on Lucas. Only Lucas. “…I appreciate what you’ve said, but I’m not ready to accept it.”

“That’s fine,” Eddie rushes to say, “I didn’t expect you to forgive me, Lucas. I just wanted you listen to me. Let you decide, y’know, what’s worth the trouble.”

Lucas hums. “This Thursday, three in the afternoon. Wear something comfortable, something you can move in, and bring some water. Meet me on the court,” he says quickly before he stands. Towering over the table, his eyes fierce again and defensive. He slaps a hand on the back of Eddie’s left shoulder. His hand squeezes where it rests and Eddie can feel every ounce of tension leak out of Lucas and into his own body. “Thanks again, man, for apologizing. I’m not ready, but I’m sure I will be.”

“I’ll be there, Lucas,” he promises. “You matter to me and it’s time I show that.”

An affirmative, single nod from Lucas. And then his hand falls away from Eddie’s shoulder. He doesn’t spare a glance anywhere else. His eyes calculating again, just as Steve’s were doing earlier. He must see something because he’s turning back to Steve, his body looser and his face easier. “Thank you,” he mutters, “for what you’ve done for me.”

Steve dawns a soft smile, the corners of his eyes crinkling with it. Eddie wraps his own foot around Steve’s ankle, a gesture of: You did good. “‘Course, Lucas. You and your interests deserve respect, for somebody to care,” he responds.

Lucas shares the same smile. “Means a lot,” he sheepishly says. Then, his watch unceremoniously beeps, interrupting the rest of this interaction. He quickly silences it and looks back to the two of them at the table. “I’ve gotta go. Max and I have been reading comic books again, but she needs me to describe the panels to her.”

“Need a ride?” Steve asks.

But Lucas is already turning away from them. “Nah, it’s alright. It’s only a ten minute walk from here, no worries.” And then he’s off, gone without a trace.

Though, his presence is felt in the warmth glowing in Eddie’s chest. He gets a second chance to be Lucas’s friend. And he’s not going to waste it.

“Proud of you,” Steve says when Eddie turns his head back to the table. He can only furrow his eyebrows in response. Steve knocks his foot against Eddie’s leg again. “Well, I don’t know if any of that was planned or if you’re really just good at improv, but that was good. You didn’t excuse yourself, didn’t bulldoze over anything, showed your intentions. Something to be proud of, that’s all I’m saying.”

“Yeah, well, I needed to be quick and honest or else I was going to lose him.”

“It’s still great,” Steve murmurs, “took me literal years to get over my bullshit. You’re making record breaking changes, babe. Not exactly something to brush off.”

Eddie shrugs. “You guys matter to me. And I’m a grown fucking adult. The winds of change were bound to hit me sooner or later.” He sighs, a breath that rushes from him like sudden rain. Relief. “Thank you for getting on me about it, though. Really gave me the knock on my head I needed to notice the reality of things.”

“Everybody needs a knock to the head every once in a while,” Steve jokes. “I know a lot about that.”

“Let me take you home and show you how thankful I am?”

Steve’s face flushes, a grin splitting him in two. “Need a personal trainer for basketball?”

Eddie rolls his eyes. Shuffles out of his seat. “Let’s go, dork. Show me all your special stretches.”

🏀—————🏀 I've got one more chapter in me for this fic, but I hope y'all are enjoying it so far! <3

Taglist (open for chapter three): @wonderland-girl143-blog @tinyplanet95 @sharingisntkaren @ghostquer @practicallybegging

@croatoan-like-its-hot @reinedeslys-central @scoops-aboy86 @imfinereallyy

@theshireisburning-somordoritis86

[seasonalflowerr]

SLAMS DOOR OPEN

Can i get uhh....can I get a numberrr.... 29

29. Would That I by Hozier

“So in awe, there I stood as you licked off the grain. Though I've handled the wood, I still worship the flame. Long as amber of ember glows, All the "would that I'd loved" is long ago.” hello. so. this is the song you got- i need you to know i LAUGHED when i realized. anyway. hi buddy!! i wrote!! rentho for you!! i don't know if i nailed the characterization but i still hope you like it <3 two special guys i know we haven't talked about in a bit. it's very plot-less and fluffy and like- idk when i hear this song i just think about two people goofing off and dancing in a forest. :) enjoy my beloved friend<33

“Etho, my man, you really don’t know how to dance, do you?”

“I can! It’s just been- been a while, y’know?” 

Right in his field of vision, eyes cast down, he can see Ren’s shoulders shake with a hefty laugh. He gives Etho’s hand a light squeeze, leaning down to try and meet his gaze. 

“Right, of course,” Ren says, “And you being stiff as a board wouldn’t mean that you’re nervous, would it?”

“Nope.”

Etho’s shoulders slump down. He tries to relax, but it’s futile, so he just makes it look like he relaxed his frame instead. Maybe he was nervous. But Ren didn’t need to know that. 

Ren chuckles again. “You’re a terrible liar and a terrible dancer,” he teases. 

Etho can’t help it. He smirks, sure that Ren can see how his flushed cheeks peek over his mask. 

“Uh, so are you. You keep stepping on my feet.”

“Because you aren’t moving.”

“If you say soooo…” 

“Well, we’ll just have to learn together then,” Ren coos, voice dropping lower, “Won’t we?”

His free hand scoops Etho’s waist and pulls him further in. Etho feels his heart trot off, wide eyes now locking with Ren’s. Taking a breath to regain his almost cracked composure, Etho sighs dramatically. 

“I guess you’d be the best one to show me how.”

“Aye.”

There is little resistance when Ren tries to move them this time. He keeps Etho close, warm breath ghosting across his face and toothy grin just inches from his own mouth. Most times, it is good that Etho has his mask. Keeps him from making impulsive decisions while the two of them are trying to focus.

A soft, late afternoon sun peeks through the trees above them. The ground crunches lightly as the two step—Etho falling behind at first, but soon, the two falling into a sort of clumsy sync. It’s a weird mix between a two-step and a waltz, indistinguishable if not for how Ren occasionally steps backwards and Etho has to follow. 

Frankly, he is useless in this dance. He is helpless and close to the man that he loves and that makes it hard to keep his brain from puddling. Ren is a strong tether, guiding him around and around in a patch of bright green grass. The light is dappling on his skin, in his hair. Stunning, as usual.

“See, I knew you could do it,” Ren says, “And I’m not stepping on your feet anymore.”

“Mm, maybe. It could still happen.” 

“I could do it on purpose if you really want me to-”

“Noo!” Etho cries, pulling back slightly. 

He only manages to get about an inch away before Ren pulls him back in, laughing and whirling them around again.

“You’re so easy, baby.” 

He scrunches his nose, using one of the hands on Ren’s shoulder to pinch the side of his neck. “You’re on thin ice, ya know.” 

“Am I really?” 

“Yeah,” Etho says, trying to be serious.

“What are you gonna do about it?” Ren teases further, “I don’t think you can go anywhere.” 

Etho rolls his eyes and yanks his mask down. He pulls Ren in, pressing his lips to his rather hard for what was supposed to be a sweet kiss—but there’s little hesitance from Ren, seemingly unsurprised by this response. Ren grins, all teeth and giggles, into the kiss for a moment before squeezing at his waist. 

When Etho pulls away, he immediately puts his mask back on. Ren whines, eyes still closed. 

“That’s all?” Ren mutters. 

“It’s what you get.”

When Ren goes in to kiss him again, Etho pulls back, whirling them into a clumsy spin. 

“Whoops,” he says once they re-establish, “I thought we were dancing.” 

A mischievous tone makes itself known in Ren’s voice, lilting with joy. “Oh, you-”

Etho steps back, suddenly taking the lead and dragging Ren with him. Their proximity doesn’t make it too difficult, not when he already had him a little distracted. Ren stumbles a bit, glancing down at his feet as if they were not going to catch up. Etho takes them into a gentle sway back and forth, eyebrows wiggling a little. 

“What?” he asks, feigning innocence. 

“You’re a cheeky little thing.”

“Who, me?”

With a little chuckle, Etho finds himself hauled to the side, the lead stolen once more and tossed into a clumsy duet. He can barely think for more than a few seconds before he feels Ren close in, backing him into a tree that he hadn’t seen. It doesn’t hurt—instead, he gasps almost tenderly as Ren’s body presses into him. His hands grip his jacket, one foot tucked between Etho’s feet as a final measure to leave him right where he wants him. Ren’s canines peek out as he half-grins, victorious in their silly little game. 

“Yes, you,” he says. 

He can feel how warm his face gets under his mask, hot breath blowing back against him as he laughs a little nervously. He can’t help it when he tugs his mask down, letting the heat escape as his cheeks barely cool. 

What he notices, then, is how Ren breaks into an indulgent stare. Big blue eyes cast over his features and drink him in slowly, so full of feeling that Etho can tell it is not only tasting but savoring. 

“What’re you doin’ there, Ren?”

“Enjoying the view.”

With a snort, Etho grabs the back of Ren’s neck and pulls him in, bonking their foreheads together lightly. 

“Sap."

“Geez, you’re too good to me, baby,” Ren fires back, sarcasm lacing his tone. 

So, Etho kisses the attitude right out of him. Again, and again.