#props departments don't get enough love

[frommybookbook]

This made me laugh SO HARD. This guy is just a fairly minor background character, he's just an extra private detective (see, he's got the coat to prove it!) hanging around a bus stop reading the paper inconspicuously. But the paper is 100% a prop that was used as one of the scene wipes a few episodes prior.

I love when props departments do this! I love re-using little things like this in order to maintain the world of the show and to not introduce outside news outlets. It just tickles me.

[dinogoofymutated]

Hi!! I LOVE your Remy hcs! They were so sweet and in character 😊 I'm on my period and ya girl is suffering and I keep thinking that Remy would be the sweetest AND totally amazing in the fried food department 👀 Any hcs? Totally chill if nah

xx

Gambit/AFAB!reader!- Period HCS YES!!! just yes. absolutlely. I want to taste this man's cooking so bad but I am ridiculously sensitive to spice and would probably die.

I have a similar req for Nightcrawler as well so keep an eye out for that one too ;) Sorry that this is a little short!

TWS: Menstrual cycles. Cramps. Menstrual cravings. Damn I'm hungry rn ngl. Can be read as GN as no pronouns are mentioned.

If cooking Isn't one of Remy's love languages I'm calling bull!!

I mean, who else would go out of their way to cook beignets for breakfast? I mean, sure, he could have made the dough beforehand but seriously that shit takes time.

I 100% believe he would go out of his way to make you anything you were craving on your period. Fried chicken? Done. Beignets? Obviously. Done! Hell, you want stuffed french toast but every time you try to make it you fail miserably? Don't worryyy! He's got you.

Although, that doesn't mean he does it for free!! He asks for payment via smooches and love. He tends to stray away from period sex until he knows you're comfortable with it, and if you are comfortable with it he's always there to offer his assistance if you need an all natural pain killer ;)

Mother nature fucking sucked. It wasn't enough that you had to deal with blood leaking out of you every month, but debilitating cramps on top of that? Straight bullshit!

You've been cocooned under your blankets all morning, curled up into a fetal position as you delt with the intense cramps. You've already taken the last of the painkillers you kept in your bedside table, and unfortunate for you, they were not working. You know you've certainly missed breakfast by now, but you just hurt too much to get up. You're face down on your pillow when there's a quick knock at your door before it opens.

"Good morning, Chère~" Remy sings. You cant really respond to him other than giving him a tired hum. You hear the door shut behind him before the sound of him placing a plate on your bedside table.

" 'Figured you weren't feeling well when you weren't at the table, so I've brought you the Gambit special." He jokes. You feel the bed shift with his weight as his sits next to you, running his hand up and down your back soothingly.

"Thanks Rem." You mumble. If only you could bring yourself to sit up. You can smell the sweet scent of the beignets he had brought you, and it makes your stomach growl loudly. You wince as another wave of pain hits you coincidentally, and you're absolutely sure your body was planning to kill you.

" S' pretty bad, huh?" Remy asks, a comforting hand brushing the hair out of your face. You nod.

"Alright, c'mere." You don't have a chance to refuse as Remy is sitting you up, making space so he can sit against your headboard. You're blearily blinking your eyes open as he drags you into his lap, propping you up against his chest. You send him a groggy, questioning look, but he only responds with catching you in a chaste kiss.

"What? You didn't think I was gonna let my favorite person suffer alone, did you?" He asks, sending you a smile that you can't help but return. Remy feeds you your breakfast like that, keeping you snug and safe between his arms as he gives you plenty of kisses and rubs your lower stomach through each wave of pain. Those painkiller never did kick in, but at least you had someone sweet to distract you for a while.

[hwanghyunjinenthusiast]

Between the pages

AN: Shoutout to Indigo for violently thrusting me back into my Namjoon feelings. This has been a long time in the making.

Synopsis: If anyone asks, Professor Kim is definitely not crushing on the pretty librarian he spends all of his free time with on campus.

Heads up: Kim Namjoon x Fem! Reader, friends to lovers, so much pining, Non-Idol AU, University professor! Namjoon, Librarian! Reader, Reader wears glasses and Namjoon thinks it's hot, alcohol and alcohol consumption, Reader kisses Namjoon without his explicit consent at first, dirty talk, fingering (f. receiving), Reader sucks on Namjoon's fingers post fingering, praise kink (f. receiving), unprotected piv sex and creampie.

Word count: 4535

I will block you if you are a minor and/or have no easily visible indication of your age on your blog if you interact with me in any way.

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Namjoon tries to convince himself that the reason a smile immediately graces his face when he enters his department's library is because of his love for knowledge. That's it. That's all.

It definitely has nothing to do with getting the opportunity to see and talk to the very attractive head librarian. Nope. Nothing of the sort.

"What's got you all smiley? Found a new favourite philosophy journal?"

Namjoon studiously ignores the way his heart stutters in his chest. He turns around to face you directly and is once again caught off-guard at how ridiculously attractive you manage to look in a simple pencil skirt and flowy blouse. Your glasses framing your warm eyes, and your glossed lips quirked upwards in amusement.

God, he had it so bad.

"Am I not allowed to simply smile for the sake of smiling?" He asks with a grin of his own, the two of you seamlessly falling into step as you make your way to your office where he was initially headed.

"Answering a question with a question is deflection, Professor Kim," you respond with a good-natured poke to his arm. He jokingly rubs the spot, "Violence and referring to me as Professor Kim? Y/n I thought we were friends. I'm hurt."

He doesn't miss the way you roll your eyes with that unfairly pretty smile on your face as you hold your office door open for him, "I never took you to be one for dramatics, Namjoon."

Namjoon feels little better than a schoolboy with his first crush. Warmth flooding his face at the way you say his name. He just hopes his body wouldn't hate him enough to make his blush obvious or, you'd give him the curtsey of not mentioning it.

"Clearly you don't know me all that well then, Miss y/l/n. Seems like all this hiding out in each others' offices might've been for nothing," he retorts, making himself comfortable on the lounge chair by the window you'd both unofficially agreed upon was his. He tries not to think too deeply about that.

Typically you'd join him by the window, but you opt to prop yourself up on your desk, and Namjoon's tongue turns to sand in his mouth. Your already figure-hugging skirt sits tighter on your hips and thighs somehow, even riding up enough for Namjoon to feel the need to take a generous sip from his trusted water bottle.

"Wow really? My surname? Now you're being petty, Joon," you say before taking your first bite of your lunch.

It had become a habit for the two of you to meet for lunch whenever possible. Usually alternating between offices or whoever was closer to the other's side of the campus on a particular day. Namjoon thinks it's partly during these lunch sessions that the seeds of his feelings for you were planted. Though he hasn't quite decided how to unpack that can of worms yet, he wouldn't trade these moments with you for the world.

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Namjoon can't stand these end of year functions, but he attends because he knows it'd be a terrible look if he didn't. He does have other people in the department he's friendly with, but they definitely don't outweigh how tedious these functions can be.

He's standing somewhat awkwardly in the back of the room nursing a glass of juice (because of fucking course they wouldn't be serving any alcohol) when he first spots you. Namjoon knows you're beautiful. It's a fact that he's violently reminded of every time he sees you. However, he's never seen you like this. He thought your pencil skirts were form-fitting, but the way the red dress you're wearing now cups your ass and hugs your hips has the blood rushing to his dick at record-breaking speed. He's never seen so much of you at once, a hint of cleavage peaking out and the dress coming to a stop mid-thigh. To make it all worse (or better, depending on one's perspective), you're still wearing your glasses.

Namjoon is just happy he hasn't spontaneously combusted yet, honestly.

The bright smile that spreads across your face when you spot him and make your way over to him makes him feel more nervous than he has in ages. Which is saying something considering how tongue-tied he gets around you in general.

"Joon, thank god. I'm so happy you're here. These functions are always so boring," you say as you pull him into a hug. Instinctively, he wraps an arm around you, his body moving before his brain can fully process you pressed against him and your perfume invading his senses. God, you smell delicious.

"I'm glad to see you too. Yeah, I've been entertaining myself with a glass of juice for the past 30ish minutes. Having the time of my life," he responds sarcastically but makes sure he's not loud enough for anyone to hear him other than you. These functions may suck, but Namjoon has no desire to sour his relationships with his colleagues.

The mischievous smile that graces your face makes his palms sweat, "Want to get out of here? I have a bottle of wine I've been saving in my office."

"Wine in your office? That's pretty unprofessional of you, Miss Librarian," he responds with a grin.

"Well, I've been keeping it for a time like this. Unless you're content to sip on juice all night and make small talk about semester plans," you retort, mirth twinkling in your eyes.

"It has been almost 2 hours, so it wouldn't be a bad look if we excused ourselves now..." he reasons, and honestly he could use a drink right now.

"Glad to see you're on board. You're always so serious and responsible, I'm a little surprised you agreed," you say with a small snort, grabbing his arm and steering him towards the door.

You two say goodnight to everyone who crosses your path, and Namjoon resists the urge to roll his eyes at the grins and thumbs ups that Hoseok and Seokjin give him.

"I'm not that uptight," he argues a little defensively when you two are finally by yourselves.

"There's nothing wrong with being responsible. It's a big reason why I think you're such a loved and respected professor. I just think you could stand to let go sometimes," you say and, Namjoon's heart is trying its best to beat out of his chest.

You think he's loved and respected? You think he's a good professor?

He knows he doesn't need your validation, but it means the world to him all the same. The genuine sincerity and concern in your voice making it challenging for him to find his words.

"I plan to let go a little tonight. I think you're a bad influence," he jokes, playfully shoving you with his arm.

"I'm a fantastic influence. That's why you spend so much time with me," you retort with another one of those cute, amused snorts. Unlocking the door to the library when you two arrive quicker than Namjoon expected.

"I spend so much time with you because Hoseok's unending optimism and positivity drains my energy," he fires back, closing the door behind him once you enter the library before him.

"Hoseok's a sweetheart. You're just grumpy and overly jaded," you respond, leading the way to your office.

He tries not to feel too jealous hearing you refer to Hoseok as a sweetheart. You're not wrong. It's fair to refer to him as such, but it's still not exactly pleasant to hear.

"Me? Grumpy? Overly jaded? I'm delightful!" He says in mock offence, settling himself in his chair and watching you pull out the bottle of wine and two coffee mugs. Biting back a groan when he takes in how amazingly your dress hugs your ass.

"I never said you weren't delightful. I wouldn't be offering my treasured wine stash to you if I didn't at the bare minimum like you," you argue with a light laugh as you fill up your respective mugs.

"You just used the wine to bribe me to sneak out with you. I'm flattered nonetheless," he says with a laugh of his own, graciously accepting the generously filled mug you offer. He's severely unprepared for you to take a seat on the arm of his chair, your thigh brushing against him as you get comfortable.

Namjoon is starting to think this isn't a smart idea after all.

"Have you spending time with Seokjin? Is that why you've been so theatrical lately?" You ask with a smile before taking a generous sip from your mug, your pleased hum affecting him more than it had any right to.

"I'm just seeing this for what it is," he says, taking a swing from his own mug. Sweet. Seems like you enjoy your rosé. He makes a note of that for any future gifts.

"Sure, Joon," you respond, patting his shoulder. Taking another sip from your glass, licking your lips to chase the remnants of the wine. The wine is only worsening the hazy sensation he feels seeing the action and the slight smudging of your lipstick.

"Your lipstick looks nice," he spits out and immediately cringes at himself. Resisting the urge to rest his face in his hands as warmth floods his face. What the fuck was wrong with him? Surely it wasn't the singular sip of wine he took.

"Oh," you say, sounding surprised, "Thank you. You know I'm not one for make-up, but I thought why not since it's a special occasion. I'm glad you like it. I didn't take you for one to notice," you finish, playfully nudging his arm with your thigh.

Namjoon takes a generous sip of his wine before responding.

"I always notice these kinds of things when it comes to you and, you look pretty," he says before panicking at the implications of his words, "Not that you don't look pretty without the lipstick. You look pretty all the time. It's just-"

"I got it, Joon," you laugh, taking a drink from your own mug, and Namjoon definitely doesn't notice how appealing your neck looks. He needs to get his shit together. He's too old to be this flustered talking to a pretty woman. Well, you're more than just that, but that's besides the point.

"I'm flattered that you think I'm pretty. I didn't know you thought of me that way," you say so quietly that Namjoon has to strain to hear you. You look almost...shy? Completely unlike the sarcastic, confident woman he's become familiar with. It's cute. You're cute.

"I think you're beautiful honestly but, it's not exactly like I can just drop it in casual conversation," he says, surprised by his own confidence but, he's already called you pretty. What more does he have to lose?

"Kim Namjoon, are you flirting with me?" You ask with a smile behind your mug, but he can still see what he thinks is shyness in your expression.

"Is it so bad to flirt with the prettiest librarian on campus?" He asks, taking satisfaction in the stunned look on your face, your lips parting as you sit there just staring at him.

He watches you flounder with your words, a very private part of him enjoying being the one to fluster you for once.

"You think I'm the prettiest librarian on campus?" You ask quietly, as if you can't quite believe what's he saying to you right now. In your defence, he can't quite believe what he's saying to you right now either. He has the feeling that he's reached a crossroads now. Whatever he says to you now might change the nature of your relationship entirely, and Namjoon is tired of being a coward.

"I think you're the prettiest librarian I've ever met," he says with so much seriousness that there's no possible way you could misunderstand his words for lighthearted bantering. His heart bouncing off the walls of his chest as he waits for you to say something. Anything.

"Namjoon," is all you seem to muster at the moment, wide eyes still locked on him.

"You don't have to reciprocate my feelings, y/n. I've liked you for some time now, but I'd never put my feelings before yours and before this friendship. You mean too much for me to do that. I'm so sorry if I made you uncomfortable -" you promptly shut Namjoon up by cupping his face and pressing a searing kiss to his lips.

Well, it seems like it's his turn to be stunned.

His eyes widen as you seemingly pour everything you have into his kiss, your hold on his face tightening momentarily before you pull away. All Namjoon can do is stare at you. Looking unfairly attractive as you struggle to catch your breath and your glasses look slightly askew.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have just kissed you. I just-I couldn't find the words to tell you that I like you too in the moment. I'm sorry," you say in a single breath, and Namjoon has to strain to catch all of your words. However, panic hits him when your words do finally register.

"No, hey, it's okay. I was just surprised, is all. It's not every day the woman of your dreams kisses you. Give a guy a minute to recover," he jokes, reaching for your smaller hand and giving it a reassuring squeeze. Your hand squeezes his back, and frankly, Namjoon is just impressed that he's managed to remain conscious through this all.

"Woman of your dreams? Namjoon, please," you whine somewhat embarrassed, and that just endears you to him more.

"It's true," he says and means ever word of it.

"If you keep looking at me like that and speaking like that, I might just have to kiss you again," you respond playfully, resting your mug on the small coffee table.

"Is that a promise?" He fires back with a grin of his own, following suit.

"You're so annoying," you retort with an affectionate eye roll before you press your lips against his once more. This time, he's better prepared and more than ready to reciprocate. One of his hands tentatively resting on your thigh as angle yourself better to deepen the kiss. The feeling of your tongue against his own sending sparks down his spine. Arousal pooling in his gut, fed by all the little moans and whimpers you let out.

"Is this okay?" You ask breathlessly when you straddle him, your chair barely big enough to fit the two of you, but Namjoon isn't going to complain any time soon. Your soft thighs press against his and he's almost completely certain that your panty covered pussy is pressing against him.

"Yeah," his brain pulls itself together enough to spit out before weaving his fingers into your hair and, tugging you down for another earth-shattering kiss. Months' worth of desire and frustration pouring out of him. His other hand tentatively holding your hip in place all while he hopes his erection isn't too obvious to you.

He can tell the moment you feel it because you still against him momentarily. "Shit, I'm sorry. We don't have to do anything you don't want. It's just a natural reaction-"

"Joon, breathe. It's okay," you giggle, pressing a soft kiss to the corner of his mouth. "I want this. I'm just as excited as you are," you breathe, taking his much bigger hand in yours and guiding it up your ridiculously soft thighs. A quiet moan falling from your lips when his fingertips make contact with your wet panties.

Namjoon wonders what heroic acts he committed in his past lives to find himself here.

"You're already so wet," he breathes, fingers lightly running along your slit. Lidded eyes taking in the way your lips part to let out moans and your hips buck into his touch. Your fingernails digging into his shoulder when he's certain he's found your clit and uses that information to his advantage.

"You don't have to ah say that out loud, y'know," you respond, but any sarcasm that would typically be present in your voice is replaced by breathy whimpers. Namjoon thinks he much prefers them. As much as your quick-wit is one of his favourite aspects of your personality, he's finding that he immensely enjoys rendering you speechless.

"Why not, baby? You are so wet for me already, though. I could always stop," he trails off, stopping the movement of his fingers and keeping them pressed against you. A smirk spreading across his face when you whine and squirm in his lap.

"You're being mean," and fuck if the desperate edge to your voice doesn't shoot straight to his dick. Deciding to be merciful this time around, his fingers continue rubbing over your wet slit over your panties. Kissing along your jaw and neck as you whimper and grind against him in search of friction.

"Joon, please. Touch me di-directly," you hiccup, pressing yourself firmly against his fingers. Your nails digging into his shoulders. He had no idea you'd be so needy and desperate. He briefly wonders if you're always like this or if this is all because of him. His self-esteem certainly hopes it's the latter.

"You're so cute when you're needy," he rumbles against your throat, canines brushing the skin there while his fingers push your panties to the side. He thinks he'll remember the strangled gasp that flies from your lips when his fingers make contact with your clit as long as he lives.

He knew you were wet before, but he's severely unprepared for the effect feeling said wetness for himself has on him. His cock already leaking pre-cum where it rests untouched underneath you. Teasing you is a double-edged sword. You're not the only one becoming desperate here.

"Namjoon," you whine, "Please, please let me feel your fingers. It hurts. Please-" your begging is cut off by a sharp moan when he finally concedes and pushes two fingers inside of you. How can he say no when you sound so beautiful for him? He's just a man.

He tugs you into another messy kiss while he fucks you on his fingers to distract himself. He feels like he'll lose his mind soon if he doesn't feel you around his cock soon. Groaning into your mouth at how harshly your velvety walls grip his fingers as he familiarises himself with the spots that make you moan louder and hold onto him tighter.

The whimper you press against his lips when his thumb finds your clit and rubs slow circles against it is immaculate. In the dead of night when he'd fantasised about having you like this, he hadn't considered how sensitive and pliant you are. Reality is significantly better than any of his dreams.

"Joo-Joon, I- ah I'm," you whine out, your glasses slightly skewed and foggy on your face while you ride his fingers and chase your release. Namjoon doesn't think he's seen anything more erotic in his entire life.

"Are you going to cum for me?" The gruff edge to his voice or perhaps the question seems to do it for you because before he knows it you're holding onto to him for dear life and he has to slot his mouth over yours to silence your suddenly sharp cries. His cock pulsing as he feels your walls hold onto his fingers so tightly that he can barely move them anymore and, your wetness drips down his palm.

"That's a good girl. You did so well for me," he says, kissing your neck and shoulder softly as he waits for you to come back to him. He takes notice of the way your walls momentarily clench from what he assumes is the praise. Well. He'd happily give you all the praise you wanted.

"You're ridiculously good with your fingers," you mutter, cupping his face and kissing him as though you have all the time in the world. Something dangerously close to love for you swells in him from the affection you pour into the kiss. You rest your forehead against his when you pull away, a small smile playing on your bruised lips.

"Thank you," is all his brain can come with right now with his fingers still nestled inside of you and being harder than he ever has been in his entire life.

"Would it be okay if I sucked you off?"

You're trying to kill him. This is what this is. An elaborate plot to end his life in an instant.

His cock very much likes the sound of that, however.

"You don't have to do that,"

"I know. I want to,"

He closes his eyes and tries to gain his bearings for a few seconds.

"Maybe next time. I don't want to cum in your mouth right now,"

The pout on your lips is surprising and unfairly attractive, "Why not?"

You really were going to make him spell it out for you, aren't you?

"I'd rather cum while I'm inside of you,"

His jaw clenches when he feels your walls clamp down on his fingers once more, a barely there whimper falling from your lips, "Kim Namjoon, you're going to be the death of me."

Funny you should say that because the feeling is mutual.

He does laugh at that. Pressing a kiss against your cheek, "And you think I'm dramatic. We can just stop here if you don't want to. Plus, I don't have any condoms on hand. I wasn't exactly...anticipating all of this."

"What in the world would make you think I'd want to stop now?" You ask, sounding genuinely baffled, "And on the topic of birth control, I'm on the pill."

His eyes close then, and he can't bite back a groan. You would really let him fuck you raw? He's not sure if you're insane for suggesting it or if he's insane for seriously considering it.

"If you're not comfortable with that we can just stop here. I'm not in a rush," you reassure him, pressing a soft kiss to his temple and it's then that Namjoon thinks he may lose his mind if he doesn't have you right now.

Without a word, he pulls you into another earth titling kiss, grinning against your mouth when you grip his fingers like a vice when he tugs on your hair and nips your lip. "You really don't know what you do to me," he breathes, easing his fingers out of you and chuckling darkly at the way you whimper from the loss. He might be pushing his luck here, but "Open."

He watches through lidded eyes as you eagerly suck on his fingers coated in your wetness. Your lashes fluttering behind your glasses and, your soaked slit grinding down on him in search of some sort of friction. "Such a good girl," he praises, kissing you while his hands fumble with his belt and the buttons of his pants. Relief coursing through him when manages to finally free himself. His cock slapping against his shirt covered stomach unceremoniously.

Your reaction to seeing him does fantastic things for his ego.

"You're...bigger than I anticipated," you breathe out, your eyes laser focused on his dick while your hands absentmindedly tug on his hair. "You thought about my dick? I'm flattered," he says with a smirk likely a touch too smug but, he can't help it. It's not every day the woman of your dreams casually mentions that she's fantasised about you and you have her spread out across your lap.

"I've thought about more than your dick but, it's featured in a fantasy or two," you laugh breathlessly, squirming in his lap.

"Well, I shouldn't keep you waiting any longer then,"

When you slowly start to sink down on him, Namjoon knows he's a goner. His hands grip your soft hips for dear life as your warm, wet walls gradually accommodate him inch by inch. He's not sure where he wants to look more. Your pretty pussy stretching around him or the blissed out look on your beautiful face right now.

His hand impatiently tugs your dress down and he takes a hard nipple in his mouth both to distract you from the discomfort and, for the simple want to. His head spins when your pussy clenches around him at the contact. Needy hands tugging on his hair while you moan from the sensations.

"Nam-Namjoon," you moan out so brokenly and, he's pretty sure he's never heard a more beautiful sound. He might be inlove with you actually but, he shoves that thought aside as soon as it arises.

He grits his teeth when you slowly rise up and sink back down on him again, your nails biting into him as you try your best to establish a steady rhythm. "You're so beautiful," he groans as he watches you bounce on his cock. He  didn't intend for that thought to slip out but, he doesn't regret in the slightest when he watches your eyelids flutter and your pussy tightens around him.

You can't even coherently respond to him. Too lost in your own pleasure and the feeling of his cock to string together a sentence at the moment. Not that Namjoon can really blame you. Your walls are like a vice around him, and he feels his release approaching dangerously quickly. There's no way he's going to cum without atleast getting you to cum for him one more time.

One of his hands tugs on your hair to pull you down for another heated kiss. All teeth and tongue and spit. While the other reaches between your thighs, the corners of his mouth ticking up when you gasp against him as his fingers draw quick circles on your clit. Thankfully, he's a fast learner.

He nearly bites down on your lip when you cum. Velvety walls clenching and spasming around him while you cling onto him for purchase. I mean, is it really a shock that it doesn't take much more than that for him to follow suit?

Groans and stuttered curses leaving his lips when pulses inside of you. The symphony of your sounds of pleasure and heavy breathing all that can be heard as he fills you. Holding you to him while he rides out his intense release. He doesn't think he's ever cum this hard in his entire life. Guess that's what happens when you cum inside the love of your life.

Pushing that insane thought aside once more, he loosens his hold on you when he regains feeling in his body. The sticky combination of your releases dribbling out of you and down his groin but, he can't bring himself to care at the moment.

"Usually, people go on dates first, no?" You ask still sounding breathlessly but, he can hear the smile in your tone.

"Mmm yeah, usually they do but, I don't think there's anything wrong with doing things a little out of order,"

"You're not wrong. I hope you know this is my roundabout way of asking you out,"

The laugh that forces itself out of him is hearty and more carefree than he's felt in a concerningly long time.

"I'd love to go out with you, y/n."

[lostryu]

i need gay rights because literally not a single self-proclaimed cis/het 'ally' understands the alienating experience that comes with being the only gay person in the workplace.

i am a gnc butch lesbian. i use he/him pronouns. when i came out to my manager regarding my pronouns (i had been an open lesbian since the moment of my hire), she told me that she supported me, but she could not enforce or ask our clients to use the correct pronouns for me. she told me it was something i would have to learn to deal with. she never uses the correct pronouns for me unless a person from a different department (who also happens to be LGBT+) is present. she is our HR in addition to manager.

none of my coworkers in my department ever remember to use my pronouns. if i remind them, they go over the top with the "im sorry's" and the "im still learning" and "you know i try my hardest's!" and "i swear im not homophobic!", it has been over 6 months since i came out. if i say nothing, they continue to use she/her (unless that other lgbt+ person from the other department is present, then they miraculously get it right).

sometimes they call me 'girl'. they always flounder and correct to "man-boy-uh youknowwhatimeanright". they laugh it off. they never bother to ask what terms i am comfortable with, or if i even cared in the first place. they don't care about my gender, they never bother to ask. somehow the subject gets changed every time i try to tell them, or set a boundary.

once in a while in a slow shift, the conversation will hop to our dating lives. somehow, it always jumps to how men suck and how dating a woman must be so much easier. they wish they could be gay and not straight. every time, they'll stare at me expectantly, like i am an animal at the zoo. no matter what i say, positive or negative, i must be lying. i cannot be that happy in my relationship, or if i have any issues, they must be minor. if i say 'why don't you try dating a girl then' to their remarks, they'll laugh, say something like "there is no way i possibly could" with that special tone of disguised disgust.

i am a prop, at work. they tell me about how much they love their kids. how they could bring anyone home and they wouldn't care. "they could be black, brown, or purple," they'll say "it could be a woman or a man! I support gay rights!" Then they will talk about how hungry they are, and how they will be going to Chick Fil a for the 4th time this week. 'as a treat'. it is thursday. they talk about going to Hobby Lobby again for christmas decorations, or another sale. sometimes i think i can taste blood.

its june. they talk about the pride parade and how excited they are to see the queens and their 'funny costumes'. they talk about how fun it is to go and watch, how they like the free things the corporations hand out. they don't want to bring their younger kids though. they're not old enough. they do not know that the first pride was a riot. they do not know what happened during the AIDS crisis, how many died. they don't really care when i try to tell them, they'd rather focus on the fun parts of the parade. the spectacle.

i wear a pronoun pin, to make it easier. still somehow no one can get my pronouns right. a client notices it. commends me for "being brave" and "coming out." she never uses my correct pronouns. i stopped wearing the pin after the 11th person asked me if my name on my name tag was my real one, and after the 45th person went out of their way to use incorrect pronouns every sentence. my manager, the HR, did not care.

i need gay rights, but somehow everything got resolved when they allowed us to marry in 2015. to our allies, the work is done. somehow i am left more alone than when we started.

[fyeahnix]

Ok lemme talk about this season of Arcane, the ending, and most importantly, Sevika. If you don't want spoilers, back away now but I'm leaving this open because people have a tendency to not open or read my posts with read more cuts after them 🙃

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First off, I will say that I like Arcane a lot. Like a LOT. I've watched the first season 4 times (rarely do I watch anything more than once) and I think it's a masterclass in adult animation. Fortiche really put everything into this series.

That being said...

While I did like season 2, I don't think it was enough. Animation wise it was phenomenal, writing wise...I think it could have been better. As I've learned through doing research for my Sevika fics, the League of Legends universe, lore, and worldbuilding is fucking MASSIVE and even if I don't give two shits about that community or game, I have to give it props in that department because they really put a ton of work into it to make it feel alive. Maps? Short stories? Timelines? Race and culture? Apex could never...

That ofc is why it's hard for me to say that the writing is amazing. We had far too many characters to keep track of in season 2 with far too many plot threads to finish in two seasons. I think ideally, this series should have been 3 seasons instead of 2. Acts 1 and 2 could have been its own season, and Act 3 could have been its own season. If not that, then at least one more episode per act would have helped a lot. Things just progressed and wrapped up far too quickly for my liking.

Also not a huge fan of how quickly video game related media tends to dip into the whole timeline and multidimensional business. It def works well for some games but here? Idk I guess it was bound to happen given some League character's abilities, but the stakes just elevated far too quickly for me. Not a fan of Viktor becoming one of the main antagonists at all, and DEFINITELY not a fan of the conflict between Piltover and Zaun being sidelined for an "enemy of my enemy is my friend" thing with the war against the Noxians. It makes sense, I just wish "war with the Noxians" came at a later date so we could focus on the twin cities.

And speaking of the generational conflict between Piltover and Zaun, let's talk about Sevika.

As I said before, Sevika is the most qualified person to become the leader of Zaun and I stand by that even after the ending. But first....what about her found family? Isha sacrificed herself and Sevika gets no on-screen reaction? The last two episodes just progressed SOOOO FAST that we and some of the characters didn't even have time to breathe. Did Sevika even get time to mourn for Isha? What about Jinx, who is now gone? Sevika barely even encountered Vander! I would have loved to see some of the aftermath there because I think season 1 did a better job of allowing characters time to process their emotions and grief, even if the pacing was still kinda fast. It was acceptable!

I am sad af she didn't get more lines, but remember, Sevika has always been a side character in this series. An important side character but a side character no less. The promo shot of her now feels like...what was the point? (more on that in a sec) but considering how many characters and plot points and plot threads they had to account for, I am not surprised she didn't get more screen time. Hell, Vi and Caitlyn didn't even get a chance to have a full conversation on eveything that happened and Caitlyn didn't even apologize on screen. The fuck bro.

Now about Sevika's ending....I am very happy she isn't dead. Like dawg, you have no fucking idea how happy I am about it. SHE FUCKING LIVED. But....

I am seeing some people saying they're not happy or they're confused or that her ending doesn't make sense. And I just disagree with those points. Let me explain why.

I posted something earlier today about it, but again, as people don't open my read mores, I'll repost it here:

We absolutely do not know how much time passed between the war and the final few shots of the season. So Sevika joins the council. I DO NOT THINK she would do this unless there's a good reason for it, and that's why I'm guessing she will be Zaun's ambassador on the council. That war probably significantly changed the relationship between Piltover and Zaun and while old wounds will take more than a fucking war to heal, her being on the council now means she directly has a say in Zaun's future. Remember, the council was literally about to hand Zaun their independence before Jinx blew it up, and Mel was in support of it. As I said before, Sevika is respected down there at a bare minimum with all the factions. She would know better than anyone how to lead Zaun at this point. So yeah I get the hesitation, but it makes sense in my eyes. And it makes it likely that Sevika could show up again in a future League animation, if not become a whole champion.

I like her ending. I am sorry but it just makes fucking sense. Sevika is extremely loyal to her home and her people of Zaun. We've seen that time and time again. She was willing to go to war and die for those people not just against Piltover but also the Noxians, so why on fucking earth would anyone believe she's making a bad choice here?

She is now in the best possible position anyone in Zaun could be to advocate for their independence and support their growth. She knows the chem barons and brought them to peace, she gained the respect of the Firelights with Scar leading them in Ekko's absence, and she even got the Jinxers together with them before the Noxian attack on Zaun. Sevika has experience, she has the ear of the people, she knows what it's like down there, she is made to lead and help advocate for them!!!!

Believe me I get that whole "changing things from the inside" angle doesn't work more often than not, but this doesn't feel like "changing from the inside," it feels like "let me advocate for my people's actual independence so we have a starting point to become self sufficient." Again, Piltover was literally about to let Zaun gain their independence, and while none of the previous council members that agreed to it are there, Mel is/was. Who's to say she didn't help negotiate for Sevika to sit on the council and start (or complete!) the Zaun independence process before she left for Noxus? I can't imagine Sevika would just show up to the table and sit there if she didn't have a damn good reason. Like come on now. This woman has seen first-hand what Piltover is capable of and does not like them nor looks like she wants to be there. But she's seen what Piltover has done to her people first-hand, and after learning from both Vander and Silco, this is how she feels she can best protect her people.

She IS the new leader of Zaun and their ambassador at the council.

And lastly, we've been told that some characters will be returning in future League animations. Mel seems like an absolute given, but what about Sevika? Zaun's story is only just beginning, and yeah they said they'd like to branch out to other regions, that doesn't mean a cameo or maybe another medium can't be used to continue that story (a book, perhaps??).

Anyway yeah those are my thoughts...

[starrayblogs]

Hey hey, first off, very excited to see someone writing for Aphmau characters!! It’s been a while since I watched my street but I will never forget how upset I was when Laurence disappeared (Goodnight sweet Prince)

As for fanfic request stuff, could you do a friends to lovers with a reader who’s super confident in everything except love? Like, knows they’re cool and look good but they’ve never really been confessed to, just something real fluffy. Not necessarily shy just not willing to risk confessing even if they know the other person feels the same (preferably fem reader)

For the character(s), if you take requests for multiple people then Cole Ninjago and Laurence MyStreet (separate) and if not then just Laurence will do :))

Any format works too, headcanons, one shot, go wild

thanks so much for the ask! this is such an interesting scenario and i had a loooooong time writing this ehe TuT

however, since the characters you requested are from different fandoms- i think i'll write the other pairing on a different post (hope u understand TmT) . also i'm soooo sorry in advance if laurence is ooc, i haven't really thought about him in a while...

anyway, likes and reblogs are appreciated! i hope you enjoy ✩

pairing: mystreet laurance x fem!reader

will include: fluff, friends to lovers

"You know what's the craziest part in all this?" Katelyn points out, drawing a circle with her index toward you.

"What?" You raise a brow, placing your hands on top of each other on your crossed leg.

"That I still don't get how you haven't confessed to Laurence." She answers quickly, and you react by immediately uncrossing your legs and throwing your hands in the air.

"It's not that easy!" You exclaim.

"How? You're the most confident person ever!" Aphmau points out from her side of the couch. "Second to Laurence, of course." She adds, which receives a collective 'yeah's and 'that's true's from the other girls.

You sigh as you slump in your chair.

It's another girls night, which means another night for updates on your crush on your close friend, Laurence. Only the girls, who are Aphmau, Katelyn, Kawaii~Chan, and Lucinda, know your crush on him.

"Seriously, you're so confident when it comes to other guys. I never thought I'd see Travis of all guys stutter when you flirted with him for a dare." Lucinda chuckles from the other end of Aphmau's couch, swirling her glass of juice.

"Because, Laurence is different..." You pause for a second before sighing again and combing a hand through your hair. "I've never felt this type of connection with anyone else, and I'm scared that if I do confess, it'll ruin the friendship I have with him." You frown as you intertwine your hands together. "I don't wanna lose him if it ends out like that."

"What happened to "don't be afraid to try new things" because you said being confident is all about being secure with yourself enough that new things don't scare you as much?" Katelyn asks, bending at the waist and propping her elbows on her thighs.

"I agree! You always say that and that's how you helped Kawaii~Chan start her maid cafe!" Kawaii~Chan smiles at you. You spare a smile before looking down to your fiddling hands again.

"Love is an entirely different department of confidence. My past relationships didn't end well, and," You bite your lip for a second, "I'm scared." Your eyes glance up to look around the room, which was filled with surprised faces from your girl friends. "I'm scared that if Laurence and I do become a... thing, that the universe is going to wreck it somehow and he'll cut me out of his life." You confess.

Aphmau gets up from her seat and ushers Lucinda to scooch to the other side before taking her seat. She places her hands on top of yours and your head moves up to meet her eyes. Her lips curl into a smile as her hand squeezes yours, giving your reassurance not only with her gaze.

"You're not going to lose him. I know Laurence is a relatively silly guy, but when it's something serious, he doesn't play around." She says softly. "He's a mature guy when he needs to be, and I can never imagine him actually hurting any woman's feelings on purpose." She adds with a light chuckle before exhaling deeply. "Otherwise, if he did, I'd have his head by now."

You comically blink at her last sentence before breaking into a laugh. The weight of the situation gets lighter, even for just this moment, and you give Aphmau a smile. "Thanks, Aph." You nod in her direction. "Thanks for being so supportive about this, girls." You turn to the other three in the living room.

"Of course, no problem!" "No biggie." "Kawaii~Chan can't wait for her ship to sail!"

Everyone turns to Kawaii~Chan with concerned looks, which she replies with a shrug. "What? Kawaii~Chan thinks they're end game!" She exclaims nonchalantly. Your cheeks flush as you try to change the topic for the night.

It was pouring down heavily today. You were outside early before the sun came up for a quick jog around the town, as you usually did. However, on your way back, you felt droplets of rain fall down on you and dismissed it for a light shower.

Now, you're stuck under a random bus stop. Turns out, you were jogging on a completely different street on the way back home. You guess you absentmindedly took one wrong turn on the way back, too busy listening to your music.

You were pretty soaked in your attire and you were started to get cold. Your phone dinged in your pocket and you brought it out, curling your hand across the top of the screen to stop the rain from straying onto your phone.

It was Laurence. He texted asking you how you were against the rain, and followed it with a picture of a flooded basement. He said his room got flooded and you snickered, typing a reply back on how only he would get stuck in a situation like that.

He replies with a few laughing emojis and you think for a while before opening your camera, taking a selfie of yourself. Your hair was wet and clinging to your skin, your clothes were also wet (even your socks), and you were pretty sure you would get sick after this.

You sent the selfie to Laurence, telling him how you're stuck outside in the rain while you were in the middle of jogging back home. He didn't reply after that and you thought it up to how he had his own problems to handle, which was his flooded basement.

You hugged yourself as you sat inside the bus stop, hoping the rain would stop. You didn't want to risk jogging back home either because you were on a street you didn't know and you were pretty sure you'd get even more lost in such weather.

You don't know how long you waited but it felt like hours.

Then, you heard your name in the distance. You turned to the direction of the voice and saw a figure far away. You squinted your eyes to get a good look on who it was, and you gasped.

It was Laurence. Running in your direction and holding up an umbrella above his head.

You can't explain how relieved you were to see him. You watched as he ran up to you and as he panted for a few minutes to catch his breath. You hoped he thought that your red cheeks were some indication of a starting fever, instead of you blushing because he was here.

"Laurence?" You whisper his name and he inhales deeply, pushing himself up from his knees.

"Are you okay!?" He exclaims, stepping closer inside the bus stop to you. "Oh my Irene, I'm so glad I found you. Come on, let's get you home." He offers his hand out and you slowly reach out for it.

Once your hand was in his, he gripped you tightly and pulled you under the umbrella. "How'd you find me?" You ask softly as you begin to follow Laurence's lead.

"Your selfie showed the bus stop map. I just had to zoom in to see which one you were at, and I came running to find you." Laurence says, like it was no big deal. Yet, you could hear your heart beating loudly in your ears as your cheeks grow redder.

"... Thank you, Laurence." You say softly, smiling towards him. He glances his eyes to you, and he smiles back.

"Don't mention it." He replies, and you almost just notice how he squeezes your hand just a bit tighter.

Laurence led you back to your house in gentleman-like fashion. You were screaming in your head the whole time the way back, but deep down you were happy. Extremely happy.

On the way home, Laurence explained that Zane somehow managed to drain the water from the basement and that's when he immediately left the house to get you.

You felt so cared for. On the way home, you would look down and stare at your intertwined hands. You couldn't believe someone would go out in the windy, strong rain just to fetch you and bring you home- and you couldn't believe it more when you remember it's Laurence who did that.

... You're almost brought to tears when you remind yourself that he's doing all of this as your friend as you come down the stairs.

When you don't notice Laurence in the living room, those thoughts are immediately reinforced. Of course, he did his job in bringing you back to your house, so what other reason would he have to stay?

"You done showering? I made some chicken soup!" A familiar voice yells from the kitchen. You hurriedly make your way there in disbelief, to see Laurence about to carry two hot bowls of soup.

"Laurence," you pause, "you're still here." You sound like you're out of breath.

"Why wouldn't I be?" Laurence comes up to you with a sided smile, nodding his head to your dining table to indicate to take a seat. "Someone's gotta take care of you once you inevitably get a fever after being out in the rain for so long." He subtle scolds you and you pout.

"I thought I could wait it out..." You murmur, taking your seat.

"Yeah, for a day, sure." He sets your bowl down in front of you before taking a seat next to you, while pressing the back of his palm on your forehead.

You quickly pull away to look down to your bowl and immediately pick up the spoon. So, you could hide your blush (obviously). "I don't have a fever, Laurence." You tell him, taking a scoop of the soup and bringing it to your lips.

Only, of course, to burn your tongue and slam the spoon back down on the table. "Hey, hey, slow down!" Laurence gets up from his seat to quickly pour you some water. "Are you okay?" He asks while you basically chug the water.

You nod your head while drinking before setting the glass down. "Uh, thank you... again." You avert your eyes nervously.

"Are you sure you don't have a fever?" He raises a brow as he returns to his chair.

"Y-Yeah! Yeah, I'm sure." You slide a hand behind your neck out of habit.

Laurence's eyes furrow and he leans in towards you. "You're lying."

"What?"

"You're lying?"

"No, I'm not." You chuckle.

"Yes, you are. You put your hand behind your neck when you lie." He states, like a matter of fact.

You blink at him with awe and disbelief. He notices the small stuff about you too.

Your mind passes to the thoughts of your feelings towards the brunette. The fact he ran in the middle of practically a storm today just to get you, the fact he remembered your small habits, and the fact that he's here. He's here and he's taking care of you.

It makes you feel warmer than the soup he made. He's always made you feel like. It's like a cozy fireplace whenever you're next to him, like you're rocking on a chair with a knitted wool blanket while holding your favorite drink.

You're at the height of your emotions and it overtakes your rationality. You inhale and blurt,

"Laurence, I like you." He blinks at your words. You clear your throat and look down, intertwining your hands to keep them busy. "I've liked you for a while, actually. A few months after we met, I developed feelings for you. I... I never told you because I was scared of losing you." You close your eyes when you feel the tears begin to well in your eyes. "I know how dumb it sounds especially because of how confident I am, but when it comes to you, I am so scared because the bond we have is so special to me a-"

You were cut off by a kiss. You open your tear-filled eyes and see Laurence's face. His eyes are squeezed shut and his cheeks were slightly tinted if you paid enough attention, and you did. He pulls away.

Apparently, he had lifted your head with his hands on your cheek and pulled you in for a cheek. "I..." He smiles as his thumb wipes the tears away from your cheek. "I like you too. For a while, now." He confesses softly. "You caught my eye the day Aphmau introduced you to us because you were so confident with yourself." He glances down to your lips before looking at you again. "At first, it was because you were beautiful," he pauses, "I still do."

You chuckle and he does too, before pulling your focus back on him.

"Then as we got closer, I thought about how much I wanted to keep seeing you... be confident." He says. "And wanted to be the one that makes you confident too." He adds, nodding his head to the side. "Of course, only if you'd let me."

You sniffle and nod your head frantically. You laugh lightly as you begin to chuckle. "Yes!" You whisper. "Yes, Laurence, I-"

He cuts you off with another kiss. Only this time, you kiss him back.

[the-fluff-piece]

Sanji x reader modern day AU part 4:

I just want some f***king lunch

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

"That sounds like my favorite kind of problem" you cooed into the phone, "it's a 'not-my-fucking-problem' Karen!"

Karen from finance has called again with complicated questions regarding spending positions so old no one remembered anymore.

"But you've got to help me!" Karen's voice wailed from the speaker. Fine. She's been here for 2 months and they're already sending her on wild goose chases for random information no one cares about.

"Fine. I'll see what I can do about that" you sighed. It wasn't her fault. But neither was it yours.

And you hadn't even looked at the 200 unread emails floating in the nirvana of your inbox. Maybe you should. Sometime.

The first mail you picked was a mile long conversation someone had forwarded with 'fyi', than came a few creatively phrased ones complaints from citizens about your workspeed. You decided the most productive thing right now was to close your eyes and think about last weekend.

A knock on the door prevented your daydreams from starting.

"Hahaha" you heard the fake laugh the upstairs secretary used as a substitute for "hello, how are you? I have loads of work for you because I don't use computers!"

She brought a stack of handwritten papers that you where supposed to turn into a coherent presentation for next week.

You felt your blood pressure rise to at-work-levels and your resolution to cut back on sugar lay abandoned somewhere in a gutter.

Biting into the cinnamon roll you got from the cafeteria made you feel at least a little better. You questioned your life's choices as you chewed and gulped it down with office coffee. Too bitter and too sweet at the same time.

Usually, your snack would have worked to lift your spirits - at least until lunch. Now, it tasted bland and unsatisfying. After the taste orgasm during the weekend, nothing you could get here or on the go would hold up. Yesterday seemed so far away now.

That sweet, precious cook, his loving gaze, great food; under the much too bright office lights shining dowm on grey carpets and brown desks it felt like a dream.

The only thing faintly reminding you of the last days was that you actually squeezed into a pantyhose and pencil skirt on a monday because you felt sexy. Sanji's apparent interest in that had made you bold enough to explore the deeper corners of your wardrobe. It was a bit tight around the ass, but that's what modern stretch materials were for.

You sighed and dialed up your old pal from controlling, he could maybe help.

"Hey, Max! You got a minute?"

"Sure do!" Max' voice sounded in your ear.

As you talked about an implausible booking from three months ago, there was kind of a commotion just outside your office - people walking quickly, raised voices. You could see it through a thin glass panel in the door.

This was a state department, people here shuffled around quietly and talked softly. There was either cake in the kitchen or a fire.

"I'll see what I can do!" Max voice sounded like yours a few minutes ago.

"Thanks, you're a lifesaver!" You said, still studying the scene in the hallway.

"You can show your gratitude by treating me to lunch" He chuckled and hung up. At least nizt everything in the office was bullshit. There were good people, too.

You decided to get up and see what all the fuss was about. What you saw as you opened your door was the last thing you expected:

Sanji lay on the floor, his head propped up on someone's bag as a makeshift pillow; people were standing around him, looking concerned.

"Sanji!" Kneeling down, you assessed his state: he was heavily bleeding from the nose and muttering something. You leaned closer and heard his whispers: "office lady...tight skirt"

Your face went blank immediately.

"Do you know that guy?" Heidi from payroll asked.

"He's cute, I'll adopt him!" Kate said. She was a mother of three, she could certainly handle him.

"He's just a friend with a peculiar illness. It causes him to faint randomly. Very rare. He'll be fine in a few minutes. Let's get him to the first aid room."

Two of your colleagues helped him up with his arms around their necks and dragged him to the abandoned room at the end of the corridor that had a small plank bed and some band aids. It barely helped anyone in an emergency, but at least someone could lie down.

They heaved him onto the bed and told you to call of he needed more help. You got some bandages from the first aid kit and tried to stop the bleeding by stuffiing them into his nose like little plugs.

"Hey, what?" You screamed as something pinched your thigh.

You looked down and saw Sanji's hand on your skirt, holding on.

"Hey princess!" He coughed dramatically.

"What the hell happened?" You proceeded to stuff rolled up bits of bandage up his nose.

"Wanted to surprise you! I brought lunch" He nasally mumbled.

"That's sweet, but why where you lying on the floor?" You saw the colour return to his cheeks as he recovered slowly.

"You took me by surprise!" He said.

"That skirt...the blouse...oh god..." he seemed to lose it again, but reigned his lower instincts in with sheer willpower.

"I thought...I was prepared but" He grinned like a little pervert as his hand and eyes went exploring again.

"Sanji!" You smacked his hand and he seemed to snap out of it for good.

"Of course, I'm Sorry!" He sat up and tentatively removed the plugs from his nose. "I brought some lunch! A nice Sandwich and a chocolate soufflé for dessert." He grinned widely.

"A...Sandwich?" You were a bit disappointed. A sandwich was so mundane compared to everything else he had made.

Sanji swallowed hard at the very clear inflection of uncertainty in your voice.

"I swear it's great! You'll love it!" He jumped from the stretcher and took your hands.

"And I know the perfect place for our picnic!" He cooed as his eyes got glazed.

"Let's gooooo!" He already grabbed your hand and dragged you with him - and stumbled a bit when you didn't move.

"Sanji" you said, pointing at your watch, "it's still a bit early for lunch, I'll need to get back to work for at least half an hour."

He looked as disappointed as you felt, but just like blue sky breaking through the clouds, his blue eyes started sparkling again.

"I'll just wait and watch you work!" He smiled.

"I guess you can wait here for a bit, but it's extremely boring stuff" you answered,"it's just me on the phone or typing, really."

"I've never worked in an office! This is actually quite interesting." He rubbed his chin.

"Well, if you insist..."

Sanji

He got to sit on a small chair in the corner of her office and watch her. It was in fact so small, he almost didn't know where to put his long legs.

Opting for some kind of half-crouch, his arms resting on his knees, he settled in to drink in more knowledge about her. This was where she spent a lot of her time.

He didn't get most of what she said or did, but she did it in a professional way. Her small fingers typed incredibly fast on the keyboard as she wrote emails that would have taken him probably a few hours to find the words for.

On the phone, her voice took on a Business tone, very professional.

Her desk was full of paperwork, files and books. How could she keep track of it all? Sanji wasn't one for paperwork, so this was like magic to him.

That's my cute y/n-chan, so smart! , he thought to himself. A hard worker, she needs a good lunch to keep up her strength.

The ringing of the phone knocked him out of a short daydream, where she came home from a long day at work to find a perfect dinner on the table, made by her perfect boyfriend.

He half listened as she talked.

"...thanks Max, you're a lifesaver! Next lunch is on me, I promise!"

Ok, so she talked to a guy.

Now she giggled.

"Yes, see you there. Bye!" She slammed the receiver down to end the call and hummed to herself.

So she talked to a guy and giggled. No big deal. Sanji tried to tell himself that.

"So....who's this Max?" He asked, trying hard to sound relaxed.

"Old colleague, we help each other out sometimes." She scribbled a note and began sifting through a file.

"Oh, ok" Sanji was sure this guy was absolutely bound on taking her from him. How could he not? She was so cute! He would have to...

"Alright, 12 o'clock, lunchtime!" she threw her pen down, locked her computer and was out before Sanji could finish his thought.

She punched out for lunch and Sanji could see an alarming number of overtime hours on the digital screen. This girl needed some Savoir Vivre asap.

So this took a year longer than expected,but better late than never.

Is this part the battle hymn for the overworked mid 30s girl? Yes. Is it unapologetically shit I have to deal with every day? Also yes. Is it what I sometimes envision to make work bearable? Absolutely. Your blorbo is sitting in the corner of your office and rooting for you!!!!!

[loganwritesprobably]

– Reiju with the 2° genre, prompt (f.) 🪼✨

I love Reiju. I love all the Vinsmokes actually, but Reiju and Niji are top tier I love them dearly. This is also SUCH an interesting prompt for her and I think this'll be good fun

I don't generally see Reiju ending up in a situation like this in canon, so take some Modern AU ✨

Content/Warnings: Reiju/GN!Reader, modern AU, hurt/comfort, getting together, rivals/enemies to lovers, Reiju's partner (not reader) is abusive and threatens suicide (you only hear Reiju's response to this)

You and Reiju had never gotten along. You worked in Germa's lab, specifically working in Reiju's department. Three of the departments were headed by Judge's children, and you worked in chemical engineering, one rank below Reiju. She was a menace. She did her job well, you couldn't deny that, but she loved causing trouble far more than working.

Often, during the day, she'd leave her station to wander around the lab and usually find you, propping herself up against your station just to watch. She'd remain there, silent, just observing. At first it'd been off putting but you'd become used to it over time. Occasionally she'd make comments, sometimes about your work but more frequently about you.

"Still single?" "Interesting outfit choice." "Is that.. a new cologne? It's.. bold." "Your car looks worse for wear, I'm sure father pays you enough to do something about that." "Are your shoes definitely lab safe? They look like they're about to fall apart."

Insult after insult. She'd comment on your lack of money, your possession of only the most basic necessities, your lack of social life outside of work. You were lacking in everything she had an abundance of and she just had to point it out. For a long while you were even on only one thing: neither of you had a partner. So, you could bite back.

"Still single?" "Same as you I'd wager, with that attitude." Until one day it didn't work. "Best pay up then, because we made it official last night." And now she had everything to lord over you. You didn't much care for whoever her new partner was. She didn't tell and you didn't ask. The two of you just didn't get along and you didn't think you ever would.

You hadn't realised things were changing for at least a few weeks. Reiju began to bother you less, and you'd been so busy working that you hadn't really noticed. But then it'd been days since she'd so much as visited your station, and it felt strange. You were unsettled by it. Sure, she'd been a bother, but it was your routine and you were confused by the shift. The issue was you couldn't ask why, she'd accuse you of having a crush on her or being needy, and even if she didn't you weren't friends, you didn't care. It was pure curiosity. So you didn't ask.

Your productivity increased with Reiju minding her own business at her own station, but so did your boredom. You almost came to miss her presence. Yes, she'd been insulting you, but she'd never made comments on your character or elements of your appearance that were unchangeable. It'd almost been fun before she'd stopped, once you'd adjusted to it and come to expect it.

Then, one day made everything change again.

Reiju was late. She was never late, but she was the daughter of the CEO so you knew she wouldn't be reprimanded. She'd dropped down heavily into her station, head in hands, and her phone began to vibrate. Then it stopped. Then it started again. Then it stopped. Then it started again. Reiju then moved with a grunt and the vibrations stopped - on silent you figured. You didn't ask.

The next day, she didn't seem like herself. More subdued. Her phone rang frequently through the day and sometimes she'd slip away to answer it, before returning slowly to her work.

That continued for a week, and then another, and then another. Reiju was far from being your friend but clearly something was wrong and if nobody else was going to ask her about it or make sure that she was okay, then you supposed that was your job.

That day, she was very late, having already missed half the day. Her phone rang within the first few minutes, and this time she answered from inside the lab, the others still out on lunch. Only you and Reiju were in the room.

"I'm not dealing with your bullshit today!" She roared, "I've missed half my damn work day and I've only just arrived you have no reason to be calling! I don't care that you're anxious - I come to work every day and come home just the same! Stop using that stupid excuse!" You sat at your own station, silent, minding your business as much as you could with her yelling like that.

"Dad is threatening to lower my salary, and move me to a different department because I've been working so badly! You know why that is? Because of you! You make me late every day, crying that I'm leaving you whenever I try to go to work! You call me every fifteen minutes to make sure I'm "being faithful" when you know I'm at work cause you have my fucking location!" You hadn't realised just how bad it'd become.

"I'm hanging up now and I'm turning off my phone."

"Do it then! Kill yourself! I'll ring the police when I hang up and they can come check on you!" There was a brief silence and then rather than turning off her phone Reiju tossed it across the room with all her strength, causing it to smash on impact. She took some deep heaving breaths and collapsed into her chair. You'd expected her to cry, but she didn't, just sat there staring.

You waited for a few minutes before approaching her station and leaning up against the surface, like she used to do to you.

"Hope you can afford a new one." You commented, nodding in the direction of her now broken phone. "I'm not in the mood." She mumbled, rubbing her hands over her face with a sigh. "I've let you off the hook for too long. Come on, dish some back. Might help you feel better." You insisted, and Reiju glanced up at you with an angry expression but tears brimming in her eyes. "Seriously I'm not in the mood today." She said, clearly barely holding on to her composure. "Your partner is an asshole. Hell, I could treat you better than that, and we hate each other." You said with a sigh, hesitating for a moment because 1. What the fuck was that and 2. What were you supposed to say next? Thankfully, Reiju huffed a soft laugh. "I know." Her voice was just a whisper, still desperately trying to hold on to her composure. "Want some help with catching up on work? Hopefully we can avoid that salary decrease." You offered, nudging her gently, and Reiju just nodded - both of you were more than relieved to be back in normal, safe conversation territory. You spent the rest of the day sitting at her station, working together side by side. You were ahead on your work anyway, you could afford to spend a day helping her out.

-·–·-–-·–·-

Things with Reiju changed after that. A few days after the incident she confirmed that she'd split up with her partner, and both your dating lives were off the table for joking about for a while. You returned mostly to normal, but your joking shifted from mean to friendly, even if they were still jabs at each other. You more often worked together on things, making up for each other's lackings and therefore both worked faster and better. You even got a raise.

It was what seemed like another normal day when Reiju approached you in the break room.

"I have a confession." She said the moment she sat down. "Hello to you too, Reiju. I'm having a good day, how's yours?" You replied with a raised brow and a small smirk. "Shut up I had to work up the nerve to do this and I just need to say it." Reiju said, and you just nodded for her to continue, not making any further comments. "I'm really glad we're getting along now but.. I was never insulting you to begin with. I've never really had friends and I struggle with what to say. I was trying to be nice, and interested in your life," already, your life was turning upside down and she wasn't finished, "and I wanted you, the whole time. I got with my ex because you didn't want me. I thought it'd make you jealous or something, that's the last time I'll take advice from Yonji." The two of you sat there for a long while just looking at each other, you bewildered and her slightly embarrassed.

"That's.. a lot to take in." Reiju just nodded. "You don't need to say anything back. I just wanted you to know." She shuffled a little, uncharacteristically nervous, and after a moment made to stand. You reached out and took her wrist in your hand, which stopped her for just a moment. You knew you needed to do something, so you let your impulses take over and you leaned in and pressed your lips together in a quick kiss.

The two of you separated, both surprised by what had just happened.

"You have weekends off too, right?" You asked, and Reiju nodded, visibly swallowing hard, a pink flush on her cheeks, "Saturday, be ready at eight. Wear something nice."

Requests are open! See below links for my other works, and how to leave requests. I write both canon/canon and canon/reader requests for your enjoyment

AO3 | Fanfic Masterlist | Request Rules | Fic Trades Guide | WIPs

Tags: @claryeverlarkf

[crumb]

There's a poll in the Passenger community about what cigarettes you think Benson smokes and I just gotta word vomit real quick.

So, flat out, I think it's up to interpretation. Why? Because (I'm 99% sure) the pack used in The Passenger is a pack of greeked Honeyrose herbal cigarettes used for filming.

It's a bit hard to tell, but to me, these definitely look like Honeyrose herbals with some nicely placed stickers to make it look more like real world cigarette packaging. One, because the actual cigarettes shown are not lights and yet the packaging has many of the signs that they should be lights. Lights typically have white filters and have packaging that are more white/white framing than non-lights. Honeyrose herbals sells all their screen ready cigarette packs in almost all white packs unlike real tobacco cigarettes.

The packaging, or what we can see of it on the body, funnily enough, looks like Newport Golds, though again, these are lights and would not have the yellow filter. They have white filters. The logos on the top and the front-top of the lid also do not match (the front flap logo does maybe look like the Honeyrose crown logo though.) But also, there are many reasons to not feature a real world brand of cigarette in a film so I don't think we're going to find an exact match. But the idea that Benson drives a Chrysler Newport AND smokes Newports is honestly so funny I kinda love that. But I think even he would be like... wtf? lol (Though I kinda wanna write that into one of my fics now. Randy finding a pack of Newports in his car and is like "...Really? You drive a Newport and you smoke Newports?" and Benson tells him to shut up and that they were just on sale 😭)

Another thing I noticed, the packaging between the first pack he has and then gives to his Ma and the pack he gets from the gas station (which we never really see except for the tiny glimpse of it tucked into his door) makes it almost look like they're two different brands/types. Maybe Benson/Kyle stuck the pack in upside down, I don't know. But the second pack seems to be missing the sticker on top that the first pack had. So? Honestly who the fuck knows, this really comes down to the prop/art department and if they made multiple packs with slightly different packaging or if Kyle stuck the pack in weird into the door OR the sticker just fell off, I don't know! BUT the second pack reminds me of Marlboro Blend 27s. It's got that brownish gold coloring on the front with a white border. And again, usually white borders are a sign that the cigarettes are lights, or maybe mediums (though Marlboro mediums are red instead of a brown-gold and I think that would be easy to tell if it was a bright red), but Marlboro 27s have these packaging features but aren't lights and they have yellow filters.

So again, who the fuck knows. Maybe we can headcanon that Benson usually goes for some cheap brand but after giving his last pack to his Ma, and with the day he was having and probably knew how it would end, maybe he splurged for a nicer, more expensive brand at the gas station. (Although, Marlboros would not fit into that category unless he usually smokes an even cheaper brand like Senecas or something lmao) or Kyle shoved the pack into the door upside down (idk why he would though, the lid would most likely open upon pulling it out and that would be a disaster) or the top sticker fell off so it just looks like a different brand AHHHHH IDK. It's up to you! lol these are just my thoughts.

[pattypanini]

Lay All Your Love On Me

Chapter 1- Trust Fund Baby

Josh Kiszka x Reader

Word Count: 2,257 (Short one, sorry guys)

AN: Hi everyone! Here is the first chapter of Lay All Your Love On Me from me and @mar-rein12! We hope you enjoy and please leave comments or feedback, we want to learn on what we can do better. This is a short one so prepare for more chapters soon!

Warnings: 18+, Angst, Flirting, Cursing, Degrading, NO smut yet... be prepared for the near future though.

Late March 2023- Spring Semester- Junior Year

“Okay let's run that scene one more time. We're gonna pick up with y/n’s first verse and continue through it. And please, more passionate guys give me some emotion. And 5, 6, 7, 8…”

The instrumental begins to play and you prepare yourself for the worst scene with the most insufferable guy you’ve ever met, Josh Kiszka. You get uncomfortably close to him, getting ready for one of the more enjoyable parts, pushing him into the artificial rock wall. He takes an extra step towards you, closing the gap even more. You push him hard and begin to sing and Josh gives you a cocky ass grin as he props his body up against the wall, watching you intently as you walk towards him. He’s disgusting.

You reach up to grab his face. Slowly, but painfully, you drag your hands down his chest not being able to ignore his toned body beneath his thin, white shirt. Without a doubt, your disgusted look was written all over your face and was easily recognized.

“CUTTTT. Stop the music.” Dr. Coleman, the director shouts, slamming her papers onto the table in front of her.

The music stops and Josh lets out a frustrated groan and both of you turn to Coleman who is furiously walking towards the stage, flailing her arms.

“What the hell was that? Sky and Sophie are madly in love, you both look like you're about to throw up on each other. We have been working on this since February and you guys still can’t get your shit together.” She slams her hands on the stage looking up to the two of you.

You look to Josh to get a read on him, seeing if he agrees or not on what Dr. Coleman just said. Turning to him, inconspicuously, you see a look of annoyance.

Since freshman year Josh has always thought he was the best thing since sliced bread. He thinks he should either have the lead role, or that the other actors around him weren’t good enough to work “alongside him.” And that may lead back to the fact that his daddy gives a generous deposit to the music department at the University of Michigan every year for the musicals. Josh has always been told that he's been the most talented man anyone has ever seen, by directors, family, and many others. But to you, he was just an egotistical, trust fund baby. 

“I don't even want to see the crawl, something needs to be figured out here before we move on next week. There is no chemistry or love, I'm not buying a bit of it. We're done for the day, rest up for next week everyone.”

As everyone begins to clear out Josh looks at you and furrows his eyebrows, “Yeah mama, why don’t you love me?” His hands clutching his heart. “Show me some love y/n.” A shit-eating grin plastered across his face. 

“Fuck you.” You mutter under your breath as you walk away from him. 

“I know you want to.” You hear from across the stage while grabbing your stuff. Without looking, you knew his body would show he was enjoying the moment way too much. Cocky little shit.

“Y/n, get back here. Rehearsal is not over yet for you two,” The director motions to Josh. “We have a long weekend since everyone is off on Monday, so you two NEED to build a connection with each other, hangout or something, or else someone is losing their part.” She says sternly and begins to walk away leaving you two to talk it over.

“... Its not gonna fucking be me, so you better start lovin’ on me, y/n.” Josh whispers, feeling his warm breath against your ear.

“In your dreams, Kiszka.” Rolling your eyes towards him, grabbing your bag and leaving before this situation could get any worse. 

As you walk back to your dorm late that night, you prepare to be interrogated by your curious roommate, Charlotte. Putting in the pin to your dorm you walk into the shared living space and see Charlotte working on her English paper that she, of course, pushed off until the last minute. 

“Procrastinating again I see?” You joke as you put your backpack near the door. 

“Of course, what else would I be doing? But now I have an excuse to stop because I need to know the tea. How was the rehearsal?” She says shutting her laptop and turning herself to you on the couch. 

You debated lying to her and just saying it was good and move on, but you needed to rant.

“Pretty awful actually. I’m being threatened that my role might be given to someone else.” You flop onto the couch next to her. 

“What! Why? I thought you were perfect as Sophie?” 

“I am.” You try not to sound cocky. “But my ‘love interest’ and I don't seem to have the connection the director is looking for.”

“Josh Kiszka?” She says with a smirk.

You roll your eyes, knowing what's about to happen.

“But he's sooo hot, how could you not be attracted to him? I’d kill to be in your position right now.”

You weren’t going to lie. He was a very attractive man, but he's so stuck up.

“He’s such a dickhead, Charlotte. He's too cocky for his own good. And I know that if the chemistry isn’t there it'll be my part taken away, not his, since his dad practically buys his parts for him.”

“So what are you going to do?”

“The director wants us to get to know each other and form some type of ‘connection’ but I don’t see that working out.” You scoff.

There is a moment of silence before it is broken by Charlotte's horrifying idea.

“You guys could fuck, break the tension a little, you know?” She says elbowing you in the side.

“WHAT, no fucking way. I don’t want to even kiss him in scenes, let alone fuck him.” You think about the idea and have to physically stop yourself from gagging. You cringe, as a shiver travels down your spine.

“Well I would gratefully take the part from you to get a little Josh action, or from any of the Kiszkas.” She giggles. 

You begin to think about it and a pang of jealousy washes over you. You didn’t know why, but you didn’t like the feeling. 

“I’ll figure it out, I might have to be the bigger person and reach out to him over the weekend.” 

You grab your bag, dropping it off in your room and walk to your bathroom, needing to cleanse yourself of the negative energy from tonight. As you begin to take off your clothing, you think about what Josh would look like without his shirt on during the actual performance. 

It's one thing to feel what's underneath, but seeing it is another. Subconsciously, you get a shiver all over your body, hardening your nipples. What is going on?  You never thought about him like this. Maybe because you really never thought about him much at all?

Freshman and Sophomore year had been a breeze, only having to play side characters, but this is your first main role as Sophie. 

When Coleman came to you before winter break and told you about the spring musical that would be put together by her with her ‘best students’ you got excited. You were happy to be considered one of her best. You studied that movie and musical all until the last moment before auditions that were held a week before winter break was over. They were very small due to the limited people chosen to get a chance at a role. You and Sophia ‘Bitch’ Michaels, or that's at least what everyone in the theater department liked to call her, were trying out for Sophie. When the cast list was posted on the department's website, you were ecstatic. But some weren’t. You got many threats from Sophia that night, but that was shortly followed by you blocking her number. 

Not having many roles in romantic plays you were inexperienced, but in real life, it was no problem. Most weekends, you often wake up to new, unfamiliar faces in random beds, but it wasn’t any secret. You wanted to have fun in college and get experience with lots of people, and didn’t mind that people knew. 

You wondered if Josh knew. But why should you care? You never cared if anyone else knew, so he's no different. You hop into the shower, having many thoughts about the night and what would happen in the future. As you finish rinsing the soap off your body, you wrap yourself  and hair in a towel. You step out from the shower and scurry back into your room.

Your room showcased you perfectly. Many posters of your favorite musicals and some dance awards you earned throughout highschool. You connect your speaker to your phone and play some music quietly to not disturb Charlotte from her work. As you close out of Spotify you look to see one notification on messages. 

11:12pm Josh: So do you want to figure this out or do you want me to text Coleman now and start looking for a new lead, or do you want to do that yourself?

11:16pm y/n: Simmer down Josh. It's not my problem, I have to work with a pretentious piece of shit! 🙂

11:18pm Josh: Someone seems to be bratty this time of night.

11:19pm y/n: Did you text just to be an ass or did you actually have something important to say?

11:22pm Josh: Well I was going to see what you wanted to do about this so we don’t have to find someone new for your part.

You scoff at the fact that he's so confident that it would be you getting booted.

11:24pm y/n: Oh so you don’t want me gone, is that so?

11:27pm Josh: I just don't want to have to learn how to work with some new moron that doesn’t know how to act for shit.

11:28pm y/n: Aw so cute Josh, you admitted I can act 😘

11:30pm Josh: Don't get a big head y/n. So what do you want to do?

You sat there and thought about it for a moment, and it always went back to Charlotte's comment earlier. 

“You guys could just fuck, break the tension a little you know?”

11:39pm y/n: Do you wanna go out or something? We can go to that bagel place down on the main street, their everything bagels with lox are so good.

11:41pm Josh: That's so cute y/n, you wanna go on a date with me? 😏

11:44pm y/n: Well do you have a better idea?

11:48pm Josh: You can come to my place, work on some stuff. We can watch the movie so you can see what real passion and love looks like, seeing that you’re the ‘campus slut.’

God he's awful, but this role is important to you. 

11:51pm y/n: Jealous that you don’t get any Josh? Are you pussy deprived?

11:57pm Josh: So when do you want me to send the text to Coleman? Now or do I wait til tomorrow?

11:58pm y/n: Fine, when do you wanna do it? 

12:01am Josh: Tomorrow at 8. I live in the apartments next to the dining hall, apartment 322. My brother will be gone at band practice, so we will have the place to ourselves. 

12:03am y/n: Okay, and how long will he be at ‘band practice’ for?

12:04am Josh: Well his BAND PRACTICE is from 8-10, and then he’s staying at his friend, Scotts, apartment for the night to work on some music or something. 

12:06am y/n: Was that orchestrated by you?

12:07am Josh: I’ll see you tomorrow at 8, goodnight.

As you stare at your phone, you are in disbelief at the conversation you two just had. There was tension, and not the kind you had expected. As you sit in your towel, you're brought back to reality when you realize Heartbeat by Childish Gambino is playing.

“I might just text you”

You thought over how he was making you think and feel…

“Turn your phone over”

Things you didn’t want to feel from him…

“When it's all over”

You had a feeling of desire…

“No settling down,”

A feeling of wanting to be desired…

“My text go to your screen”

Specifically…

“You know better than that”

From Josh Kiszka.

“I come around when you least expect me. I’m sitting at…”

You quickly shut out of Spotify knowing that was your sign that you were done for the night. You change out of your towel and into your Michigan T-shirt and plaid PJ pants. 

You walk out to see if Charlotte had retreated to her room or was still working on her paper to share what had just happened. 

“You still working, Char?”

“I think I’m done for the night, I’ll take the points off for not having citations.” She laughs while closing her laptop. “ Did you reach out to Josh?”

“No…no not yet. We’ll see what happens tomorrow, I guess.. Good night Char.”

“Night y/n.”

With that you tuck yourself into bed with one thought only, Josh Kiszka.

[pinksilvace]

A few weeks back, I made a comment to the effect of, "Belos views himself as the single human character in a muppets production." It has since then spiraled into an entire AU in my head that refuses to leave me alone. A few weeks back, I made a comment to the effect of, "Belos views himself as the single human character in a muppets production." It has since then spiraled into an entire AU in my head that refuses to leave me alone.

The basic premise:

Caleb and Evelyn found a weekly children's program ("The Boiling Isles") that features puppets; little Philip is featured as the one human, and since the episodes with him do much better than the ones without, he grows up into the role and eventually becomes a big part of the production staff as well

When Caleb and Evelyn die in an accident, Philip inherits the show

Some of the main (puppet) characters are named Luzura, Willow, Amity, and Augustus (you can see where I'm going with this). Philip would be able to stand these puppets on their own BUT

In promotional materials and interviews, he is ALWAYS asked what it's like to "work with" Luzura/Willow/Amity/Gus. Philip is absolutely INFURIATED by this because they're PUPPETS why can't anybody see that they're PUPPETS don't you care about the STAFF or the ARTISTS or the LIGHTING MANAGERS why does everybody pretend that the PUPPETS are REAL PEOPLE and why does HE have to pretend that the PUPPETS are when he responds??? He's convinced that some of the interviewers genuinely believe that the puppets are alive and tries to patiently explain that, no, they are just puppets. The interviewers always refuse to break the immersion.

Expanded AU thoughts are under the cut.

Caleb and Evelyn meet at an arts college. Evelyn is a film student, and the show's prototype is her capstone project. Caleb offers to bring Philip in as an actor and it sticks. Caleb also helps make some of the first puppets.

Little Philip's identity is protected by 1) the presence of a mask, and 2) the stage name "Belos". The name sticks around for his on-screen appearances.

While sticking around the set, Philip learns a lot about the different areas of production. He especially likes building sets, backdrops, props, and puppets, though he finds the writing process interesting as well. When he's old enough to help out with paperwork, he takes over the logistical side of things because tbh both Caleb and Evelyn are helpless when it comes to that

By the time Philip takes over, he's basically the head supervisor of every single department. His management makes the show's popularity explode

Philip is definitely the best at building and controlling puppets. Every now and then, he makes an extra-large "final boss" sort of puppet that only he is physically capable of controlling, and some of them end up in museums

Philip raises Hunter, but he's sort of the neglectful sort. He's ultra-focused on keeping the show his brother put so much thought, effort, and love into alive, and it makes literally any semblance of life he might have had outside of the show suffer

Similarly to Philip, Hunter grows up on set, but not as an actor. The production staff looks after him. When he's old enough, he also becomes a part of the test audience

The production staff is composed of the Emperor's Coven members in canon; i.e. Darius is in charge of lighting and wires, Raine is the sound director, Eberwolf is the lead puppet master, Hettie is the on-site medic, etc.

Luz and Camila are also a part of the test audience. I'm going to pretend that Philip and Camila are good buds in this AU. Philip inserts Luzura into the show as a character based on Luz

Basically most of the ire that Philip has in this AU is directed toward the puppets because they're not REAL why are THEY getting the GLORY can we PLEASE not pretend that these PUPPETS have thoughts and feelings and personalities???

He also doesn't leave because 1) the aforementioned attachment to something Caleb loved so much, and 2) he's put too much effort into this show already and he knows that no replacement could ever be so proficient at his job

Let's be real, Philip's work ethic is super unsustainable, and it DEFINITELY keeps him from grieving properly

When Hunter reveals that he does not, in fact, want to inherit the company that Philip has built, it's CRUSHING to Philip, who feels like giving it up would be disrespecting Caleb's legacy, unaware that he's staring Caleb's legacy in the face

Ideally Philip's arc (which I have hardly described here) would end with wealthy retirement and him being able to say "goodbye Boiling Isles" and never having to appear alongside those godforsaken puppets ever again

[hislittleraincloud]

The usual wenclairs are so adamant about s3 being set and ready to film later this year based on production weekly, but that could change based on the perception/reception of s2 and how well that does (which I don’t see it doing well lol)

I simply don't trust them to be able to write their way around a main character's absense, given the sloppy way they write to begin with. I think what we'll see is the usual talking head critics praising Ortega's performance, praising a few of the classic star cameos, but we will likely find ourselves lost in a rat's nest of uncured story branches that were just shat there by Millar & Gough and left to rot (it's what they're good at doing, these same criticisms carried over to Beetlejuice 2). I don't think people will like the explanation they give for his absence, if they even bother to give one.

By the way, if they decide to release it split (four episodes one month, four the next), that will REALLY piss people off. They've waited long enough, they should get all of it at once.

...I say as I cut up Chapter 8 into thirds and the second part needs a ton of work still 💀...

It will likely be the same levels of mid the original is, and might be worse since we're now working off of a foundational storyline that's missing one of its pieces. I have no doubt the direction will be good, the scoring will be good (Burton and Elfman never miss in terms of skill).

But the wigs worry me. Like...am I going to be looking at the same shitty quality and shitty consistency with the props department again? Y'alls got a fatass bank to make Season 2, the money better be reflected in the SHOW and not peoples' salaries.

Dreading it a little but am pleased about the little Wyler tease. This is funny:

If only they saw his forehead. 💀

As for S3, anything can happen before they start filming it. If they do. Imma say it: I don't think this was as fun for Ortega and the rest of the OG cast to do. 🤷🏽‍♂️ I'm sure they tried to make it fun, and tried to move around the shitastic scandal, but that's kind of hard to do when you're *right there*. The nasty Wenclairs/Jemmas think that it was or would be just so easy for her and everybody else to do, but their projection doesn't work. And with Ortega wanting to do all sorts of other projects, I don't see her stretching her tenure out any longer than she absolutely has to.

What a bunch of awful people, to do this to something/someone they purport to love.

[hellfirenacht]

Being in Hellfire Club HCs

These are mostly for myself to have consistency in my fics.

-Eddie is the one to approach any potential new members. He's been recruiting for 2 years now, and he's very selective. But he can also sniff out a freak a mile away.

-Being part of Hellfire comes with a certain level of protection. Eddie is more than happy to be the big bad wolf to protect his sheep members. Most people leave Hellfire alone because they think Eddie will snap.

-There are the core members of the club (Eddie, Jeff, Gareth, Mike, Dustin, and un-named member who I am calling Zack), as well as subs. Subs are people who were curious and usually approached Eddie first. They have a passing interest, but not enough to risk being associated with the freaks.

-Everyone in Hellfire has cut class at least once to take a nap in Eddie's van.

-Everyone in the club knows that Eddie deals but unless they have intent to buy they keep their mouth shut.

-Eddie won't sell to freshmen. Period.

-The club doesn't do much outside of school. Of course, Corroded Coffin has band practice but that's about it.

-Once in a blue moon they will do "side quest day". The club will go to the arcade and play games and if they manage to impress Eddie, he might give them a buff or inspiration for the next session. This rarely happens though.

-Eddie runs a very tight ship with Hellfire. If you're committed to being part of the club outside of being a sub, you better take it seriously. You absolutely are required to wear the shirt during the school day. He's definitely given out punishments for not wearing the shirt

-He isn't unreasonable though. If you can give him a good reason why you can't do something he's willing to work with you. Eddie has the respect of his club for a reason.

-They absolutely are not allowed to be lighting candles in the prop department, but they do anyway.

-Eddie's chair is his and his alone. Don't try and sit in it. (*If no one else is around you might be able to get away with it. Just don't try it in front of the whole club.)

-Everyone got really into playing cards at lunch for about a month, betting snacks until a teacher shut that down. Sometimes they'll still try and play after school.

-Most of the club has been playing the same character for years from level one. Eddie prefers a clean slate character. Subs are able to create characters closer to where everyone is.

-if you're joining late in the game, you can create a leveled character, but you'll be a few levels behind everyone until you prove yourself.

-If you need to get up and move around a bit during the session, that's alright, but there is a clear line that you can't cross. Try and peak behind the screen and you're in trouble.

-You don't need to have the Advanced Dungeons and Dragons handbook memorized, but he expects at least basic knowledge if you're serious about the club. You absolutely need to understand your character race and class

-Eddie is not afraid of 'rule of cool' if you can sell your point hard enough. He isn't a full rules lawyer, but he isn't here to make this easy. Fun? Yes. Challenging? Frustratingly so.

-There has been a blow out fights over rules before. Tensions were running high with midterms and everyone having a shitty day. Someone's character died, Hellfire was cut short that night as everyone went and cooled off. That was the one time that Eddie scrapped a session and agreed to a do-over.

-Eddie is easier to talk to one-on-one outside of club. He's genuine with his love for Hellfire, but he's more likely to let his walls down when it's just him and someone else.

-He used to skip class a lot, but has been genuinely trying to graduate now. Now he only skips maybe once or twice a month.

-Gareth isn't allowed to have his drumsticks at the table anymore.

[yandereunsolved]

If the yans hate me touching my co-stars casually they are going to hate the end of most of our plays- because the professor is a hopeless romantic and he keeps either picking plays with romantic endings or changing them to have romantic endings, which is really funny when I think about it because it means most of the usual cast has kissed on stage with the rest of the usual cast, and also done the whole "method act relationships" which means there are like 3 different "couples" every time we start a new play and I have been asked if we're cheating on each other or poly by girls who realize we either start "dating" someone else a or just stop dating few weeks later, and I've also been asked if the entire theatre department is in a polycule because someone will have a fake partner and then kiss their real partner right infront of them and it's great, the yans would hate it because nobody could ever give a coherent answer about whos dating who, which means that even if they tried to spread the rumor that like, I was dating them and cheating or something (I can't imagine what they'd do other then just kill my co-star so, cheating rumor it is) people would just be like "huh, I wonder who thought they were dating, oh well" It's great, also if they killed my co-star I think I'd force them into the play but specifically as prop holders or background characters (we have enough of a group to have understudies, which tbh makes the relationship rumors even weirder because the understudies need to make chemistry with each other and the main actors because we don't know if we'll need to replace someone until the day of the play) anyway, the Targaryen's would be sitting there seething because the ending of a play is a kiss and there is literally nothing to hide the fact it's a kiss (unless the actor specifically asks for it because they aren't comfortable kissing, but I don't usually do that because I don't have a partner and don't mind most physical intimacy with people as long as everyone involved knows it's platonic- which the yans would also probably hate) but I'm also imagining the batfam with this because I think it'd be really funny if they can't info gather about my relationships past or present simply because everyone has a different answer- the school news paper has a section dedicate to break ups and get togethers for some reason, and that section has another section dedicated to theatre students specifically because the more dramatic theatre students- a rare breed for us, I know- will publicly and very over emotionally break up with eachother at the end of plays when they no longer need to make chemistry, and as such the batfam would be left trying to ask around because this couple broke up a few days ago?? why have they both gotten with someone else already??

-☀️ (sorry my response took so long- I've already got a project due for organic chemistry and have been focusing on that for a bit, so I didn't see your response until just now)

Don't feel bad for taking a second to respond! I take long to respond too. We've both got lives outside of Tumblr. You come first in your own life. You responding back to my responses can come somewhere below that.

The Targaryens would be having a day. A week. An existence. Like it isn't as if they can just kill everyone. ... Can they?

You are going to have to tell them no like cats. Probs get a spray bottle. It's mostly for Aegon. Aegon wants to date everyone you have 'dated' to learn more about you.

It also makes me think if they'll wonder if you are in some sort of brothel-theater mashup.

"Oh. But you kiss everyone. It's only a problem when I try to do it!?" (Aemond & Daemon, probably)

Helaena would just love to see the props and watch the rehearsals.

Alicent would like sowing costumes for you.

Rhaenyra is oddly protective in a way (besides the whole yandere thing) like "If one of them hurts you I will break all the bones in their body and have them strung from the ceiling. Love you, sweetheart. Have a great rehearsal."

[callsignfate]

Strawberry Cream Cheese Bagel.

Laswell x Wife Fluff written for all of Laswells wives who need some soft Fluff! This was written for fun, so it's a small little blurb again. I have more to post, though, so don't worry! There is tons of content for today!

Tw: None, just some soft fluff.

Masterlist/ More like this/ Request

♡~♡~♡~♡~♡~♡~♡~♡~♡~♡~♡~♡~♡~♡

Your tired eyes flittering open and closed slowly as you waited patiently at the counter in front of the toaster with the butter knife in your hand. You leaned over the counter using your elbow to prop yourself up while you waited.

You always set your alarm for this shockingly early of an hour so you could do your 'normal'. So you could listen to the soft morning rain, snow, or fog, depending on the day. You always woke up on the first loud chime of the alarm and shut it off quickly, looking over to see Kate still sleeping soundly, as always.

You snuck out of the room carefully, grabbing the set of pre-picked out clothes by the door so you wouldn't make any more unneeded noise that would wake her up.

You always used the bathroom next to the kitchen, usually deemed the guest bathroom, so the lights and doors being opened and closed wouldn't wake your wife. You had learned the hard way over the years that using the bathroom attached to your bedroom always woke her up.

Next you started the coffee maker, putting in her normal coffee pod, filling it with water, and putting her favorite cup you washed moments before in the sink, under the spout of the coffee maker and hitting the same small worn out button, no text to tell you what it did, but it didn't matter.

You then cut the bagles you always bought, the same ones for the past five years. Grabbing the cream cheese from the fridge, also the same. One you had tried and liked once, strawberry. The flavor always tasting like strawberry candy on top of the same sweet bagel.

You always cut two, always pushing down the both sides of the toaster at the same time, the same level. Not that the small dials or buttons had their numbers on them, they worn off over the years of use. It was a ritual you adored. You never would explain why, not to anyone.

The bagels finally popped up, tearing you away from your thoughts. You slathered the bagels quickly in the strawberry cream cheese before moving to sit at the end of the table that was closest to the hallway, your wife's coffee already in her cup waiting for her next to your plate of untouched warm bagels.

Kate finally came rushing in, still throwing on her jacket and adjusting her belt as she mumbled a quick 'good morning' with the morning groggyness and a slight hint of urgency in her tone. She grabbed her cup, twisting on the lid and giving you a quick kiss on your temple.

Her hand moved to grab the bagel off of your plate, the same bagel you always made, taking a bite and trying to get the same departing words she always said with her mouth full of bagel.

"Love you, I'll be home soon, call me if you need me."

Her mouth was full, but you already knew them well enough to know what she had said. The silence washed over the house as you picked up he bagel and took a bite, chewing slowly as you smiled. You hated strawberry cream cheese. When you first bought it to try, Kate took the first bite and said it was delicious, like strawberry cake her mother made when she was a kid.

The taste for you over the years became repetitive, but you refused to change it to try to find a new flavor. You considered many times to replace it, looking at different flavors every time you'd go to buy the same one. Contemplating even going back to the bland flavor of normal cream cheese, you knew that you wouldn't get the same memory every time you bit into one, every morning.

The soft smile as she took a bite, the surprise and joy as she told you about the flavor reminding her of her birthdays and childhood because she swore it tasted exactly like the cake her mother made. Watching her eyes light up as she would talk about the frosting decorations, the intricate designs her mother would put on just for her.

It was the first time she had talked much about her mother, her childhood, and you refused to let it go, you refused to change the cream cheese even if it meant driving to different stores out of the way to find it.

Her eyes light up the same way every time she would 'steal' a bagel off of your plate, not knowing you made one for her. Knowing otherwise, she wouldn't eat, knowing she would say she didn't have the time.

So every morning, you make sure you're there in the same spot with her bagel and coffee so she can sleep in and get as much sleep as she can. You make sure to get the same exact brand of cream cheese so she can enjoy the memory, the feeling one more time, so you can witness her bite into bagel and get that same soft smile.

♡~♡~♡~♡~♡~♡~♡~♡~♡~♡~♡~♡~♡~♡

Masterlist/ More like this/ Request

[turtlesocksv2]

Liveblogging DFF Ep 2

It's time for Dead Friend Forever episode 2!

Ok I have to say this but it cracks me up every time i watch a Thai show and we get that little disclaimer at the start saying "we do not condone any characters/jobs/actions in this show it is for entertainment only" like what kind of 2003 FF.Net "Please don't sue me i am poor and only playing with these characters like dolls" ass thing to see in front of Mafia Dramas (Kinnporsche), Serial Killer hijinks (Dead Friend Forever) and fucking bittersweet adult midlife crisis vibes (Moonlight Chicken).

Top is absolutely losing it, and they need to leave poor Fluke alone. He is trying his best! What more do you expect from him?!

Oh, Tee is the first to break off from the group. RIP Tee, we'll see how that works out for you.

The mask the killer wears really is very freaky. well done, props department.

Phi the only one awake. I see you. I support you in your killings.

Oh I really thought Top was donefor there. Phi taking control of the group is so interesting. The way he leads everyone down what investigation paths...

Alright just what did you guys do to Non last time??? thank god the 3 newbies to the group are having a little sidebar asking that question. Clearly whatever it was was awful for the group to jump immediately to Non is Dead and his Ghost is Cursing Us and He Wants Us Dead Too for What We Did. But also, i think this rules out All Three Newbies working together to I Know What You Did Last Summer the group, otherwise this scene would make no sense. We'd have another Gossip Girl Dan situation where actions taken when they're alone don't add up to the reveal. So at least 1 of the newbies is not involved.

LOL at Tan trying to get Fluke to spill what the core group knows. If i was Fluke I'd be feeling very very threatened right now. "You think you're going to be next. I'm worried about you." and now Jin is being mean to Fluke too! for the love of god, Fluke is trying! just because he wants to be a doctor doesn't mean he can perform surgery in a cabin in the woods! Leave him alone!

"a good-mouthed and good-hearted man like you doesn't need to remind me" yessss. kill him.

lmao Por has old fucking floppy disks. are these people old enough to have used a floppy disk in their lives. but i know i've got old floppies around somewhere so it makes sense there'd be some at a like summer vacation house that gets used rarely. but also, did i miss that Por hid the footage last episode? because otherwise wouldn't the harddrive that had the footage still be in the room they were all in when Phi hooked it up to the TV?

Was that a mystery medicine bottle in the closet? 👀👀 yeah i'm gonna need someone who can read Thai to to screenshot and tell us what that says.

Oh i really don't need the squelching noises from Fluke tending to Por's wound, please.

Ok, that Por jumpscare with the balcony door got me. and How the fuck does Por have the strength to strangle someone when he's been bleeding out all night?! Obviously a hallucination or something but what caused the hallucination?!

Thank you, White, for bringing back up that they are in the Cult Sacrifice Woods and this might be a Cult Killer or have to do with the cult. a very important thing to remember.

I would absolutely be looking at that footage the second Tee and Top turned their backs, the fuck. No you don't get to act that sus about what happened three years ago and play it off! Phi fighting the fight to keep that footage intact and eventually seen. Tan trying to gently break the idea that the group was bullying Non to White.

oh SHIT the way Uncle Deng got fucking GOT by that wire i screamed! i knew something was going to go down because obviously they couldn't escape the valley mansion in episode 2 but jesus. fucking. christ.

Tee finally remembering he has a boyfriend that he abandoned to the serial killer lmao. Tee and Top keep almost getting away and then going back. they are being herded like cattle. but also, it's kind of sus.

No PhiJin and barely any TeeWhite stuff this episode, which makes sense in that they are busy they don't have time to fuck, but i do find it interesting that PhiJin seem to be on the same page the episode with like no relationship tension between them just situational worry considering Jin was literally biting Phi's dick last episode. Putting aside grudges to stay alive: i'm proud.

anyway that was a really good episode! Tee and Top are the worst. Fluke needs to get the fuck out of this toxic friend group. White needs to dump Tee and get the fuck out of this toxic friend group. Phi and Tan can kill whoever they want i support it. ❤️