#really hope netflix reconsiders

[flanaganfilm]

Mr. Flanagan, I’d like to ask a question and I deeply hope that it does not offend or upset you. I am strongly considering canceling my Netflix subscription due to their new password sharing policy. However, Midnight Mass is one of my favorite shows of all time and I know it isn’t available on DVD, and I’m also profoundly anticipating your take on my favorite Edgar Allen Poe story. So I wanted to ask your take on people accessing your work through, uh, other means. If it’s something that’s offensive to you or will harm you or the other people who work so hard on these shows, I’ll happily keep my Netflix just so that I can keep supporting your work. I respect you far too much as an artist to do otherwise.

Again, I really hope I’m not upsetting you by asking this question. Thank you for everything, and I hope you’re having a great day!

(NOTE 6/4/2024: I'm editing this entry because, well over a year since it was posted, some journalists dug this up and used it to create click-bait headlines that are misleading, out of context and artificially combative. While I was of course disappointed over the years that Netflix opted not to release my work on physical media, I never experienced any hostility or aggression in those discussions, and I sincerely regret the manner in which this post was used in the press this week.)

Hi there - no offense taken whatsoever, in fact I think this is a very interesting and important question.

So. If you asked me this a few years ago, I would have said "I hate piracy and it is hurting creators, especially in the independent space." I used to get in Facebook arguments with fans early in my career when people would post about seeing my work on torrent sites, especially when that work was readily available for rent and purchase on VOD.

Back in 2014, my movie Before I Wake was pirated and leaked prior to any domestic release, and that was devastating to the project. It actually made it harder to find distribution for the film. By the time we were able to get distribution in the US, the film had already been so exposed online that the best we could hope for was a Netflix release. Netflix stepped in and saved that movie, and for that I will always be grateful to them.

However...

Working in streaming for the past few years has made me reconsider my position on piracy.

In the years I worked at Netflix, I tried very hard to get them to release my work on blu-ray and DVD.

It became clear very fast that their priority was subscriptions, and that they were not particularly interested in physical media releases of their originals, with a few exceptions.

While companies like Netflix pride themselves on being disruptors, and have proven that they can affect great change in the industry, they sometimes fail to see the difference between disruption and damage. So much that they can find themselves, intentionally or not, doing harm to the concept of film preservation.

The danger comes when a title is only available on one platform, and then - for whatever reason - is removed.

We have already seen this happen. And it is only going to happen more and more. Titles exclusively available on streaming services have essentially been erased from the world. If those titles existed on the marketplace on physical media, like HBO's Westworld, the loss is somewhat mitigated (though only somewhat.) But when titles do not exist elsewhere, they are potentially gone forever.

The list of titles that have been removed from streaming services is growing.

I still believe that where we put our dollars matters. Renting or buying a piece of work that you like is essential. It is casting a vote, encouraging studios - who only speak the language of money - to invest more effort into similar work. If we show up to support distinct, unique, exciting work, it encourages them to make more of it. It's as simple as that. If we don't show up, or if they can't hear our voice because we are casing our vote "silently" through torrent sites or other means - it makes it unlikely that they will take a chance to create that kind of work again.

Which is why I typically suggest that if you like a movie you've seen through - uh - other means, throw a few dollars at that title on a legitimate platform. Rent it. Purchase it. Support it.

But if some studios offer no avenue for that kind of support, and can (and will) remove content from their platform forever... frankly, I think that changes the rules.

Netflix will likely never release the work I created for them on physical media, though I'll always hold out hope.

Some of you may say "wait, aren't The Haunting of Hill House and The Haunting of Bly Manor available on blu-ray and DVD?" Yes, they are, because they were co-produced with Paramount, and I'm grateful that Paramount was able to release and protect those titles. (I'm also grateful that those releases include extended cuts, deleted scenes, and commentary tracks. There are a number of fantastic benefits to physical media releases.)

But a lot of the other work I did there are Netflix originals, without any other studio involvement. Those titles - like Midnight Mass, The Midnight Club, and the upcoming Fall of the House of Usher - along with my Netflix exclusive and/or original movies Before I Wake and Gerald's Game - have no such protections. The physical media releases of those titles are entirely at Netflix's discretion, and don't appear to be priority for the studio at this time.

At the moment, Netflix seems content to leave Before I Wake, Gerald's Game, Midnight Mass, and The Midnight Club on the service, where they still draw audiences. I don't think there is a plan to remove any of them anytime soon. But plans change, the industry changes.

The point is things change, and each of those titles - should they be removed from the service for any reason - are not available anywhere else. If that day comes - if Netflix's servers are destroyed, if a meteor hits the building, if they are bought out by a competitor and their library is liquidated - I don't know what the circumstances might be, I just know that if that day comes, some of the work that means the most to me in the world would be entirely erased.

Or, what if we aren't so catastrophic in our thinking? What if it the change isn't so total? What if Netflix simply bumps into an issue with the license they paid for music (like the Neil Diamond songs that play such a crucial role in Midnight Mass), and decide to leave the show up but replace the songs?

This has happened before as well - fans of Northern Exposure can get the show on DVD and blu-ray, but the music they heard when the series aired has been replaced due to the licensing issues. And the replacements - chosen for their low cost, not for creative reasons - are not improvements. What if the shows are just changed, and not by creatives, but by business affairs executives?

All to say that physical media is critically important. Having redundancy in the marketplace is critically important. The more platforms a piece of work is available on, the more likely it is to survive and grow its audience.

As for Netflix, I hope sincerely that their thinking on this issue evolves, and that they value the content they spend so much money creating enough to protect it for posterity. That's up to them, it's their studio, it's their rules. But I like to think they may see that light eventually, and realize that exclusivity in a certain window is very cool... but exclusivity in perpetuity could potentially limit the audience and endanger the work itself.

[carpediemma]

So I wrote a letter for netflix...

To Whom It May Concern (and I really hope it concerns someone):

I’ve never been one to write letters to companies. I’ve had several shows I’ve loved come and go from my life—either by cancellation or lack of interest. Aside from a comment or two, I haven’t really campaigned much for a renewal or revival. And, honestly, I don’t know if writing and sending this is going to do much of anything. But I need to try.

It’s potentially pretty obvious by the timing of this letter that I am referring to Dead Boy Detectives. The show, with all of its heart and care and meticulousness, has brought so much light and love into myself and thousands of others. It has inspired creativity that has laid dormant for near decades. It has changed the lives of so many people—especially LGBT+ folks—in the short time it has been able to live. I would guarantee that its effect will continue on. And on and on throughout the internet, you can hear similar, if not the exact same, sentiments about the show.

Your decision and announcement have caused real, tangible pain in many people. People are experiencing a type of grief and anger that most haven’t had from a cancellation ever. And, as someone in the tech industry—someone who has even worked for a subscription service—I understand there are certain metrics at play, some sort of OKR’s that need to be achieved, and this show was just another one of those causalities.

But I appeal to you, or whomever is reading it, please reconsider. Please give this beautiful show another shot. This is purely an emotional appeal—no trying to quote the various stats that prove people love the show, of its quality, of its steadily growing fanbase. It’s probably not what any higher up wants to hear or read, a letter by some random person. But I hope it works. Changes the mind of one person, even for a second, that this show is worth saving.

So please #SaveDeadBoyDetectives for myself and so many others. Let this story continue. Let these characters live.

[itsblasttothepast]

I admit my last ask was made on panic only but by know I calmed down so I apologize for the pessimistic wave. The headlines just keep coming and it turned from scary to funny for me because everyone is repeating that 'anonymous sources told ESPN' and are full of 'it was understood' which seems a bit like everyone wants to be on the rumour train but they don't know how to do it. You are right again! There are so many things going on, so many drivers under a question mark, the whole mess with FIA and Ben, so many divorces and so many possible things to say and yet, Sergio stays on the centre. He really is the centre of their worlds, right? If they need drama they have Max and George barking at each other but I guess overcooking the same old story about Checo is more entertaining for them. Maybe he is the king of the sport after all? I don't want to say anything for sure but I doubt Sergio would be this sure he is staying if RBR told him that he is out. I mean, if Helmut is right then most of the shareholders are on Checo's side anyway, right? With Ford coming in and all I doubt either side of the management would want him out. And if Horner can be believed it looks that Sergio knows it too and he can stay just to piss them off - which would be funny. Them begging him to reconsider and doing everything to make sure being in RBR is as painful as can be and Checo just going 'f*** you' and staying? TV drama worthy plot - Netflix must be happy. If he's gone then I hope he takes all the money with him. It was really weird to air the 'the choice is in his hands' by Horner, I guess he knows now even more hate will be thrown at Checo (as the one who is holding the team back) - I guess I was right about Markorner planning something nasty, it's a direct attack at Sergio's mental health. And them trying to make him leave without paying anything and keeping him like some sort of a mascot? That's actually a joke. But - conspiracy theory - what if this is all a plot? Like, Sergio will stay for the year in RBR just to not get out of practice, Ford will get some experience with F1 engines of the new era and then 'bang' Cadillac is in F1, Ford moves to them (American companies theory) and Sergio just leaves for the new team that will actually support him? we know Ford would like that. And with Andretti saying there might be 12 teams... Things are getting spicy again.

People are going a bit crazy with the rumours but I don't blame them. Checo in Merc would make sense if he took on an advisory role but he wants to race still so it's not likely to happen.

One thing is sure, this week will be AWFUL but yeah, can't wait for yet another media day and the same questions. I lowkey want Sergio to tell them to fuck off in very colourful Spanish - it would be a last blow before the break.

I like your rumour but I like the idea of him plotting behind RBR's back with Cadillac and Ford even more. I would LOVE to see Red Bull be left in dust with no good drivers, no good engine and no plan after 2025. Another thing, Sergio has connections - what if he wants to help Andretti get into F1 in exchange for a seat? That would be nice. Yup, the chestappen family will be get bigger but I think they already married in LV - they were way too smiley in Quatar for it not to be their honeymoon. Franco is out of the RBR seat talks because he told Horner that he wasn't invited to the ceremony. And the Ford CEO acctually married them in the chapel so yeah. I hope after Abu Dhabi the PR team will post a video of Max and Sergio being left with RB20 alone in the garage with various objects that could cause damage. Also for a second of seriousness - I really don't see who they could put in the seat for real. Valtteri said he is out of the talks, Franco too, they are ignoring Yuki as always and with Honda going away I doubt it will change, Liam is not having a good time after the first few good races (he has the right to do badly, he's just a rookie) and he gets A LOT of bad press for his one sided beef with older drivers and for being a bit of an asshole, Daniel is enjoying his time out (and let's not forget he broke all the ties with RBR - at least officialy - after how they handled his departure and wanted him to stay as a money making amchine), I doubt they will put any of the F2 guys in, the grid is too competitive and if they have any plan of fighting next year a rookie is the last thing they need (I highly doubt Max would let himself be put into the 'teacher' role for his to be replecement). Of course there is still the thing that RBR doesn't want to fight next year because they know already that the RB21 is fucked and they know Max won't stay if the car is bad so maybe they are plotting too, to make 2025 a testing year for someone from the academy in case Max leaves after 2026 - to give some rookie a chance at learning from the best and try to make another Champion but idk. The team is toxic so we'll see.

Oh, this whole year has been panic!mode for ChecoFans:

So don't worry, we have our pessimistic moments because honestly everything around us is just talking about the damn contract! Quoting the same source over and over (and the original source saying they are all rumors as well...). What pisses me off is that Lawson is the one everyone is saying will get the seat, when YUKI TSUNODA has been busting his butt and yet he's ignored.

I think Checo knows his contract, and this is why Marko and Horner want him out. I bet they didn't want him renewed, but the shareholders took the decision seeing how the team is falling apart. They can't deny Checo gets data to improve the blasted car, however it's so bad that when they fix one thing, ten others come up.

I can't imagine how Drive To Survive will portray this, but I bet half the season will be about how Checo fails and Max is the hero (nothing against Max, it's just the narrative DTS chooses).

Having a 12th team also makes things interesting, I can imagine that team being owned, managed and drived by Checo. And stealing Max for the team, just for funsies.

It's only tuesday but I'm already ready to kill several reporters... and Checo is golfing and listening to Pablo Alborán. King.

Ah, many say Max it's the Mastermind (ft. Taylor Swift), but I think it's Checo the one who is plotting everything for RBR downfall, leaving in 2026 with everything. If the whole firing thing it's true, then I hope he gets all their money and goes loudly, airing all the dirty laundry.

Honestly, nobody is prepared for that second seat; they think it's easy being Max's teammate, but the pressure and demands of that seat are just for the strong-willed; and the team is supportive at times, and then backstabs you... I love Yuki, but I don't see him taking the heat and keeping calm; Lawson is worse.

Marko saying the 11 garage doesn't trust Checo anymore it's just the cherry on top of this toxic cake, just what we needed, another Marko-speech about how Checo let his garage down and now they won't get their bonuses because they lost the WCC... and what about before Checo when they were third in the WCC? who was at fault then about letting the team down? Ugh, that old man pisses me off! (muttering to myself: maldito viejo rancio)

My take in the game: Checo WILL WIN ABU DHABI, just to show everyone he's in total control of this game, and then Max will come and this will happen:

With - obviously - this song in the background:

While all the drivers clap and get teary.

[abby-yerblue]

My thoughts on Watcher.

Been having some thoughts. Trying to be ok with this. I really wanna support them. I really do. It's not I don't wanna support them or i rather support corporations YouTube or patreon but I'm a college student. I can't afford any streaming service. I only have Netflix bc my mom wants it. I can't even pay it myself! You know how I desperately want dropout? How I watch crumbs of them on YouTube? I domt have amazon prime, hulu, disney plus. Not even spotify premium. Then how can I support Watcher besides that I must have money? Not to mention that I'm from Asia. 6 dollars is like around 220 baht. Not that I don't wanna pay that and admittedly it might not be much for a month but I really can't. I don't have credit card. Or any card to pay abroad. I can't even support their patreon.

With that said, I'm glad that there's people who are happy for this change and can afford them. I really wish I can be happy too. I only hope that they would reconsider to not make it exclusively payment only. Even if they support sharing passwords and all.

Though I feel like people who can support them financially don't get a say in why we can't be upset about this. There's probably many people in the similar situation that's why a lot of us are upset.

But then again don't go attack some people who can support them too. I saw some people got called bootlickers.

Still I hope that now they see feedbacks and will reconsider or make some adjustments. But then again I'm not in business, I don't know much. I just hope at least they don't abandon YouTube completely like dropout. Or that they still have their streaming service but have like parts where we can still watch for free and another premium or bonus content. Does this make sense?

Listen, I swear that when I got a job and a better financial, I'll support them but right now I can't do much besides watching and occasionally draw fnarts. I really still want to follow them.

EDIT: Final thought. If they're really doing this then I wish them luck and the best. I genuinely mean it. I really hope it works out for them. I hope this decision comes from difficulty and their best interests to keep making quality content.

[idontknowwhatimdoing-13]

Okay. Here we go.

Obviously I am devastated that Netflix has made the decision to cancel Dead Boy Detectives. This show was something special to me, one of those that gets you through hard times. It built a fandom community I felt I could be a part of more than ever before, and I believe that many others in that community had similar experiences aswell. I was hoping, more than I ever have before, that it would be able to last on for the hard times that are to come. Unfortunately, those hopes were unable to come true. Even more unfortunately, it is not a surprise.

I am disappointed in Netflix for continuing this culture of releasing shows that capture peoples hearts and minds only to cancel them when they produce niche and loving fandoms over those that are more widespread yet on average less attached. We’ve seen it happen so many times before(most similarly with Lockwood & Co.) and yet I was foolish enough to wonder if do to the success of shows like Sandman, Lucifer, and even Good Omens(on Prime but also involves Neil Gaiman) DBD could be the exception. It was not. Though this may be helping Netflix now, they are not making viewers, or fans, they are conditioning people not to trust them, and they are taking away from those they are meant to entertain.

So if anyone involved with Netflix sees my random Tumblr post(highly unlikely I know) Do Better. I want to ask you to reconsider to save DBD or other shows that you have canceled in the past, but that is a battle we have always lost no matter how hard we fight. So all I can ask is for you to try to care, to look at the value satisfying an active fan-base can give you, and when the next show in this pattern inevitably comes to the chopping block, give it the chance Lockwood & Co., Dead Boy Detectices, and so many more deserved.

As for DBD, just because the show is over doesn't mean I don't appreciate all it was and all it could've been. I truly loved this series more than I should have, and so to end this on a positive note, thank you. Thank you to everyone who made DBD what it was, even if just for one season, from the people involved to my fellow fans. It was really a great one, and I know we will let it live on for as long as we can.

[storytimewithnova]

Tangled Affection (story of Possessiveness

Oikawa's possessive nature was well-known among his friends and loved ones. He had a rule about not letting anyone borrow his clothes, especially his favorite oversized sweater. It was a possession he held dear, considering it as a personal symbol of comfort and security. So, how would he react when his boyfriend, Shoyo, the one person he was possessive over, wore the one thing he held closest to his heart?

After a long and exhausting day at work, Oikawa returned home, hoping to find his beloved boyfriend waiting for him. Shoyo, on the other hand, had decided to spend his day off at their own place rather than the MSBY penthouse. The other players on the team had gathered there with their significant others, and Shoyo didn't want to be subjected to the sounds of their intimate escapades. So, he packed what he needed and headed home.

Hours passed, and Shoyo took a shower and changed into comfortable clothes, not really paying attention to what he was putting on. In his rush to relax, he grabbed Oikawa's favorite oversized sweater and some pajama shorts. Settling into their bedroom, he decided to unwind by watching Netflix. However, halfway through the show, exhaustion got the better of him, and he dozed off.

When Oikawa finally arrived home, he searched every corner of their living space for Shoyo. It wasn't until he entered their bedroom that he found his chibi-chan curled up in a tight ball, wearing his cherished sweater. Oikawa was in awe at the sight of how cute his boyfriend looked, but then he did a double take. His possessive nature resurfaced as he remembered his rule of not allowing anyone to borrow his clothes, even Shoyo. But as he stared at his chibi like a creep, he started to reconsider his rule. Maybe he could change it to only Shoyo being allowed to borrow his clothes.

After this contemplation, Oikawa decided to crawl into bed next to Shoyo. The next morning, he woke up to Shoyo yawning sleepily.

"Morning, love," Shoyo said, his voice laced with sleepiness.

"Morning, my adorable chibi-chan," Oikawa replied with a smile, unable to contain his affection.

Shoyo then asked if Oikawa was hungry, to which Oikawa responded by gently pushing him back into bed.

"Naah, I'll make breakfast," he said before turning towards the door. "Oh, and keep my sweater on today when you go to practice. It's going to be cold."

Shoyo's eyes widened as he suddenly remembered that he had borrowed Oikawa's favorite sweater. He blushed deeply, feeling guilty for breaking the rule.

"I'm sorry, Oikawa. I know the rule, and I'll change right away," Shoyo apologized, ready to take off the sweater.

To his surprise, Oikawa stopped him. "No, you won't. The rule has changed. No one, besides you, is allowed to borrow my clothes. That includes my favorite sweater."

Shoyo couldn't believe his ears. He blushed an even deeper shade of red as he tried to process whether he had heard Oikawa correctly.

"Oh, you most definitely heard me correctly," Oikawa confirmed with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "I am possessive over two things: my belongings and you. So, from now on, only you can touch what is mine."

Shoyo's heart swelled with warmth at Oikawa's possessive yet loving declaration. He realized that Oikawa's possessiveness came not from a place of control or jealousy, but from a deep sense of love and protectiveness. And as he embraced his boyfriend, still wearing the cherished sweater, Shoyo couldn't help but feel utterly content and cherished.

From that day forward, Shoyo wore Oikawa's favorite sweater proudly, not just because it was comfortable, but because it symbolized their bond and Oikawa's unwavering love for him. The possessiveness Oikawa displayed was no longer a source of tension but a source of comfort and security.

Their relationship blossomed even further, with Oikawa showering Shoyo with more affection, attention, and protection. Shoyo reveled in the feeling of being cherished, knowing that he was the only person who could elicit such possessiveness from Oikawa. It strengthened their connection and made him feel truly special.

During practices and matches, Shoyo would proudly wear Oikawa's sweater, relishing in the comforting scent that enveloped him. His teammates and opponents alike couldn't help but notice the change in demeanor, as Shoyo stood with an air of confidence and unwavering support. They soon learned not to mess with the man wearing Oikawa's beloved sweater.

One day, after a particularly intense practice, Shoyo returned home, sweaty and exhausted. He trudged into the living room, finding Oikawa waiting for him with a gentle smile. Oikawa looked at him, leaned against the door frame, and said, "You're home early today."

Shoyo gave a tired nod, a small smile stretching across his face. "Yeah, I wanted to come home and be with you. Your sweater helped me power through, you know."

Oikawa's smile widened, pride evident in his eyes. He walked up to Shoyo, intertwining their fingers. "I'm glad it gives you strength, my chibi-chan. You're my inspiration, and I want you to always feel protected and supported."

Shoyo's heart swelled with love, feeling overwhelmed by the immense amount of adoration Oikawa showered upon him. Being the only person allowed to borrow Oikawa's favorite sweater wasn't just a privilege; it was an affirmation of their deep connection.

In the days that followed, their possessiveness extended beyond clothing. Each cherished possession became a symbol of their love and trust, strengthening their relationship further. They understood that their possessiveness came from a place of devotion and attentiveness rather than control.

And as they continued on their journey together, Oikawa and Shoyo learned that true possessiveness was not about clinging tightly, but about cherishing and supporting one another in the most authentic and loving way possible.

In the end, their possessiveness melted into a beautiful harmony of love, building a bond that they knew would endure any hardships that came their way. And as they snuggled up together, Oikawa wrapping his arms around Shoyo, they knew that their possessiveness had become a beautiful testament to the depth of their love and commitment.

And so, Oikawa and Shoyo lived their lives with a perfect balance of possessiveness and trust, knowing that they were each other's everything. They faced challenges together, laughed together, cried together, but through it all, their love only grew stronger.

Oikawa's possessiveness over his favorite sweater became a cherished symbol of their love story. It served as a reminder that sometimes, to love someone wholeheartedly is to be possessive in the most tender and protective way. And Shoyo wore that sweater with pride, knowing that he was the only one allowed to borrow it, the only one who held Oikawa's heart so closely.

As they walked hand in hand, people couldn't help but notice the undeniable connection between them. It was evident in the way they gazed at each other, in the way Oikawa's hand instinctively brushed against the small of Shoyo's back, in the way Shoyo always leaned into Oikawa's touch. They were the epitome of love, a love that transcended possessiveness and blossomed into a beautiful partnership.

In their shared journey, Oikawa and Shoyo inspired others to find their own unique balance of possessiveness and trust, teaching them that, at the end of the day, love is about embracing each other's quirks and protecting what matters most.

And as they ventured hand in hand into the ever-changing future, Oikawa and Shoyo knew that no matter what obstacles they faced, they would face them together, with their possessiveness serving as a beacon of their unwavering commitment.

For Oikawa and Shoyo, their love was a masterpiece, a tale of possessiveness turned into a testament of devotion. And they would continue writing their love story, each chapter filled with laughter, warmth, and the unbreakable bond that came from sharing their most coveted possessions – their hearts.

[akaraboonline]

10 Signs You Shouldn't Be Hooking Up

Hooking up can be the ideal situation for some women. They want amazing sex with no romantic commitment, and while there's nothing wrong with that, some of us aren't cut out for it — and that's perfectly fine. 10 Signs You Shouldn't Be Hooking Up You’re a hopeless romantic at heart. There's nothing wrong with believing in love at first sight, soulmates, or having warm, fuzzy feelings about having an exclusive relationship... Unless you're planning to hook up with someone. You'd be better off dating in the long run because the whole point of hooking up is to keep things ambiguous, so you'd be better off dating in the long run. You catch feelings really easily. A no-strings-attached situation necessitates exactly what it sounds like: you meet up, hook up, and then leave. If you fall quickly and hard for a guy, do yourself a favor and avoid hooking up at all costs. When it falls apart, the immediate gratification won't matter much. Later on, your heart will thank you. You’re not the sharing type. There are no titles involved on purpose in this situation. It's fine to date or sleep with other people unless you both specify that your hookup situation is monogamous. If you don't like sharing, knowing that he's free to do so may be too much for you. You’re happier when you’re single. Being single and waiting for the right guy is sometimes the best option. Don't bother if you know deep down that hooking up would feel like selling yourself short. Stay single, happy, and open to opportunities for something you truly desire. You want to know more about him but you’re scared to ask. When you hook up, you're more likely to learn about his favorite sexual positions than about his hopes and dreams. It's fine to inquire about his favorite TV show or snack, just as you would with a friend. Asking too many personal questions too soon, on the other hand, risks removing the casual feel of the arrangement and leaving both of you feeling awkward. You prefer traditional dates to “Netflix and Chill” sessions. It's one thing to "Netflix and Chill" after a while of being in a relationship. You don't always feel like getting dressed and going out to spend time with each other. However, keep in mind that most of the time, hooking up resembles a business transaction. If you want to be wined and dined instead of just getting takeout, you should avoid hooking up. You want the intimacy of a relationship. Cuddling, sweet nothings whispered in your ear, being told how beautiful and loved you are — these are just a few of the advantages of being in a committed relationship. You may experience similar physical contact, but the undeniable spark of mutual care and compassion is usually missing when hooking up. Don't give up these things for a fleeting thrill if it's not what you want. Sex alone just isn’t enough. Consider this: you've been hooking up with a guy for a few months now, and he's a natural in the bedroom. He knows exactly what you like and dislike and how to get you going. But after a while, you just get... bored. For some women, having great sex isn't enough to compensate for everything else in a traditional relationship. In that case, you'd be better off just waiting for that. You’re tired of being ‘just a friend’ in public. If you spend time with your hookup partner outside of the bedroom, he will most likely treat you as a platonic friend in public. If you can't stand the thought of being seen as 'just a friend,' despite the intimacy of your arrangement, you should reconsider. You’re hoping it’ll turn into something more.   Read the full article

[poisener]

ugly late night text post to say how gutted I am that netflix cancelled the society when all the actors were so pumped to continue on with season 2, everyone in production was on board and everything was written. like that has to fucking hurt them so much too. imagine being so hype for something, a creative job you love with a unique storyline and unique representation of characters only for sequels and 3rd parts of stupid ass "original movies" to be guaranteed a second or third run. so fucking pissed for everyone involved especially the international and lesser known actors who really could have used this as a good jumping off point for their American debuts to land more gigs.

[satansindexfinger]

Can you do the Brothers and Undateables reacting to an MC who called God sky daddy?

Author's note: ahsjdjdkf this is hilarious, thank you for requesting! It feels so weird putting the fancy banners and everything for something this silly lmao

Warnings: none

Crack; gn!mc

Everyone's Reaction To You Calling God 'Sky Daddy'

Lucifer

"... Pardon?"

He knows for a fact you did not just call his father sky daddy of all things. It takes him a moment to process it.

He visably cringes and rubs his temples, annoyance evident, "Please, for the love of everything, do not refer to him that way ever again."

What would even posess you to do that? You humans really are an enigma Lucifer can't decipher.

He couldn't look more disgusted if he tried.

Mammon

"Huh? W-who are ya callin' that?!"

Relax, Mammon. God isn't their side-hoe. It's not the type of daddy you're picturing. It's a joke.

"Damn, why didn't ya just call him by his name... yer really weird, yknow that?"

Now he's jealous. Why does God get a goofy nickname and he doesn't?!

Leviathan

"LMAOOOOO"

Thinks it's hilarious. So what if it's his dad? That was a good one, MC!

Boy is well-versed in obscure internet slang so nothing can surprise him on that front. Won't dare to use it himself but... okay, maybe when it's just you two.

He really wants to fit in okay? Probably has his own fair share of memes relating to The Lord (tm) and will send you every last one.

Satan

"Thank who?"

Did he hear you right? Is this some weird type of human word play? Even his big brain needs a second to connect the dots.

"Huh, I've never heard that alias of his before. Well, he is on the upper realm, and he is technically the father of all things... I suppouse it makes sense."

Doesn't pay any mind to it after analyzing the connection. He thinks it's a weird way of saying it but you do you, MC.

I lied. He so keeps that in the back of his mind to use when Lucifer is around just to piss him off.

Asmodeous

"Oh, MC! I didn't know you had quite the mouth on you! How blasphemous!"

Gasps like the drama queen he is.

Good job, you've turned his cringy flirt mode on. Now he won't leave you alone.

You might want to reconsider your word usage around this bitch next time.

Beelzebub

Whomst? What?? Sky who?

Doesn't get it, doesn't ask about it. He thinks he didn't hear you clearly over the sound of his munching.

Will look at you like a confused dog and cock his head, hoping you'd explain. If you do he will just nod. Like it's the most normal thing he's heard all day.

"Ah, you mean Father." Whatever. Back to your guys' scheduled sixth meal of the day.

Belphegor

"Sky daddy? Really? Could you be any weirder about him?"

If you pay close attention you can hear his subtle snicker. Come off it Belphie, you think it's hilarious.

Would absolutely call his maker sky daddy if they ever met again. Shame he's probably permanently banned from the celestial realm.

Look me in the eyes and tell me he hasn't attempted to call God weird ass names to his face before.

Joins Satan in his quest to piss Lucifer off by calling their father that.

Diavolo

Congrats, you've stumped the demon lord himself! .. For a split second. Then he lets out a laugh like he's just watched the funniest stand up on Netflix.

"You're just full of surprises, aren't you, MC? What an odd nickname!"

Thinks it's charming for some reason. You little humans and your interesting choice of words! How cute!

"Does that make me ground daddy?"

Diavolo please.

Barbatos

Ignores you. No reaction from this killjoy right here.

Okay, maybe he finds it just a tad amusing. Won't show it though. He might mention it in passing while he's having tea with Diavolo and chuckle a bit about the blatant disrespect you have the balls to show, but that's about it.

Or so you think. Motherfucker will drop it in conversation when you least expect it.

"It's a good thing we heard the timer on the oven this time. I suppouse we can thank Sky Daddy for this?"

It sounds illegal coming out of his mouth.

Solomon

"Daddy Jay-Z really has blessed us today."

Will play along with it. Man gives zero shits. Remember, this is the same dude who wanted to call Michael Mike.

He already knows he's going to hell shall he become mortal again so why not drag his favourite MC down with him?

"May the cloud son-in-law and holy poltergeist help us one day too."

You two are a walking menace.

Simeon

(Let me upload the banner you piece of shit site)

Look absolutely scandalized. You might as well have murdered Luke right infront of his eyes.

"M-MC!! That is highly disrespectful! Please watch your language, especially if Luke is around."

Knows you were probably trying to be funny but mans is whipped for holiness. Relax, he knows you probably didn't know any better so he isn't mad.

Just a bit dissappointed.

Won't lecture you further but will sigh and look disapprovingly if you ever did it again.

[farity]

The Storm’s End, part 2

Modern AU inspired by Aemond Targaryen’s visit to Storm’s End.

Pairing: Aemond Targaryen x Cassandra Baratheon (non-canon, obvs)

Warnings: smut

.

Part 1

.

Two days later, Aemond stood in front of Cassie Baratheon’s new place, a cottage next to the river.  It suited her better than the massive complex that was Storm’s End, he thought.  Brian had texted him the day after the strange conversation.

13 days left.

That morning he had texted him again.

12 days left.

He had also asked him if he knew if Cassie had changed the password to his Netflix account, and Aemond had chosen to ignore the question.  First, because he didn’t know, and second, because maybe if Brian was inconvenienced enough by the absence of his eldest daughter, he might reconsider the whole thing.

He had to talk to her.  Figure this out.  Taking a deep breath, he knocked on the door.  There was a camera aiming down from the corner of the cottage, and a small speaker set up against the frame of the door.

A few moments later, he saw the tiny light on the speaker turn green.  “If you’re here to propose, you can turn right back around.”

He pushed the button underneath the speaker.  “We should talk, Cassie.”

He could almost picture her considering his words, and a few moments later, the door opened.  “Come in.”

* * * * * 

The amount of texts from her father and sisters was simply staggering.  Most of them pleading for help with something or other, then derailing into resentful and even threatening words.  Cassie was ignoring every single one of them.

“I’m listening,” she said, offering him a cup of coffee.  She sipped at her own and sat on the small couch.

He took the chair across from her, raked a hand through his white blond locks, and Cassie simply couldn’t help it, staring at the way his jeans hugged his thighs, his sweater outlined his slim waist and broad shoulders.  

She said he’s a fucking beast in bed.

Her sister’s words kept flashing in her head and Cassie hoped, she really hoped, her cheeks weren’t bright red.  

 “We can’t lose control of the company,” he began.  “Your father brings three votes with him, essentially, and without those, Rhaenyra will take over.”

Cassie felt anger begin to surge in her chest.  “Tell me how that makes it my problem, Aemond.  Better yet,” she said, standing up, “tell me what I get out of it.”

Aemond placed the cup of coffee down on the table.  “I have an idea for something that would benefit you.  And, he didn’t say how long we need to be married.”  

“You are seriously considering this?”

“I need those votes.”

Cassie shook her head.  “Shouldn’t it have been your brother meeting with my dad?  Shouldn’t it be him going around, begging for votes?” she saw something shift in Aemond’s eye.  “He’s in rehab again, isn’t he?”

Aemond said nothing for a few moments.  “Nothing needs to change.  We go to a courthouse, sign some things, you come back here, I go home.  In a few weeks, we get an annulment.”

“Why on earth are you even willing to do this, Aemond?”

“Because I would do anything for my family.”

Cassie smiled bitterly.  “Likewise.  You and I are cursed with being the competent ones while everyone else gets to fuck off and do what they want.”

“So?”

“I want rules.  And a contract.  And a schedule.”

* * * * * 

“You understand this isn’t real, right?”

Cassie looked down at the massive diamond on her finger, then up at him.  Aemond had handed her the small box containing the ring he had hastily procured the day before.  

“Oh, that ring is very real,” he replied, remembering the number of zeroes at the end of the price tag.  The jewelry store owner had nearly swooned when Aemond pointed to the largest diamond on the tray.

“I can’t wear this, I actually do things during the day, you know?”

He thought she was probably the only one amongst her sisters who would complain about a diamond being too big.  

“It’s only for a few weeks,” he shrugged.  They were in the parking lot outside the courthouse, and much to his surprise, he’d felt his chest tighten when he’d seen Cassie getting out of her taxi.  

She was wearing a short white dress.  It looked plain enough to him, so it wasn’t until he placed his hand on her back and touched skin that he realized it had flowers and ribbons and lace and all sorts of things he would never have associated with practical, sensible Cassie Baratheon.

“I don’t even do my nails,” she added, looking down at her hands.

Their number was called, and the clerk and witness approached the table.  

He realized her hands were shaking, so he took them in his while the clerk began the ceremony.  

She was so pale, and her hands were so cold, and he felt badly that he had pushed for this travesty of a situation, but he hadn’t lied when he’d said he would do anything for his family.  He’d tried, twice, to talk Brian out of holding his votes hostage in exchange for a wedding, and he felt badly when his mother and sister had learned that he, indeed, was planning on marrying Cassie.  Helaena had wanted to attend the ceremony, and had asked a million questions.

He was failing everyone.  He had failed to steer Aegon away from trouble, he was disappointing his mother who said she would go to his wedding when it was “a real one”, he was failing Cassie, who was now involved in this idiotic scheme.

The ceremony ended, and he looked at his new wife.  He was supposed to kiss her.  Her large eyes were on his, and he simply leaned in and touched his lips to hers for a moment.

“Congratulations,” the clerk said, and started signing the certificate.

Cassie stared at him, looking like she was about to start crying.

* * * * * 

“Let’s go get lunch,” Aemond had said after the ceremony.  He had snapped a photo of the certificate and sent it to her father, and she was now sitting in the back of a taxi next to him.  She was glad to have brought a jacket because despite the weather, she had started to shake during the ceremony and couldn’t stop.

Maybe some food would help.

She looked down at her hand, at the huge diamond, at the diamond band he’d also gotten for her, and she was glad she’d asked for his ring size.  He now wore a platinum band with a very subtle scale pattern.  She’d seen it at the store, thought there was something predatory about it, and decided it was perfect for him. 

“I am sending you all my contact info,” Aemond was saying as she ate her soup.  “We can do this however you want, I understand neither of us wanted this, so as soon as the vote is taken and verified, we can figure out the annulment.”

Cassie nodded.  “The most amicable split in the history of the land.”  She smiled at him.  

She had done a lot of research into who Aemond Targaryen was, and although there wasn’t a lot to be found on his private life, the picture she came up with was that of someone determined to do his best.  Someone who had stepped in to fix whatever Aegon had wrecked, and someone fiercely loyal to his family.

“I think you should get something tangible out of this,” he said, suddenly.  “Hear me out.”

When he explained his idea, her jaw nearly dropped.

“No.”

“Why not?  It’s what you did when you lived in Europe.”

“I can’t just leave dad.”

“Your father will survive, Cassie.  I know I am the last person to be saying this, because Aegon certainly has never done it, but your sisters will have to step up.  Or he will have to hire an assistant.  He will have to pay someone to do everything that you do for him.”

To live in Paris.  In an apartment in a Haussmann building.  To restore antique and museum-quality furniture for a living.

“I would have put it in your name already but it’s kind of a long process and you need to sign off on it.”  

“Who the hell buys a Haussmann?”

Aemond smirked.  “Rich, well connected people.”

She rolled her eyes at him.  At her husband.  “I will think about it.”

* * * * * 

Later that day, Cassie curled up on her sofa, unable to focus on anything since Aemond had dropped her off.  

She had started to look at the Parisian apartment Aemond owned, which he would put in her name the moment she agreed.  She had started to look at job opportunities in the French capital.  She had started to file her nails so at least they would be even instead of the mangled mess they usually were.  

Every time, she had ended up curled up on the sofa, staring at the opposite wall.  

That her father would go this far in manipulating people angered her to no end.  That he would do it to her, who had virtually put her own life on hold to help him, saddened her.  

Instead of thinking about stuff that made her rage, she decided to think about Aemond.  With his white blond hair and eyepatch, he always looked striking to her, but in that navy blue suit with the sapphire blue tie, she had been well aware of the looks people had given him as they walked down the hallway in the courthouse.  Then they would look at her, and then at her ring.  And then back at Aemond.

The very brief kiss they had shared at the end of their ceremony lingered in her mind.  It had been a moment’s touch, but his lips had been soft and warm and she had nearly grabbed him to keep him from pulling back.

That would be the final straw, to find herself so attracted to him that she would start wishing the marriage was real.  That would be the absolute last thing she needed.  

Cassie wondered what Aemond was doing tonight.  Their wedding night.

* * * * * 

The second time Aemond came, it was in the shower, under the searing hot spray of water.  He thought he had gotten Cassie out of his system the first time, but after he’d discarded his clothes in the hamper and stepped into the shower, his thoughts had, again, veered to his new wife.

He couldn’t stop thinking that were their marriage not a farce, she would be in his bed right now.  He would have slowly undone the ribbons holding the back of her dress together, letting it fall to the floor.  Then he would have pulled the pin from her hair and let those long, lovely locks flow down her back.  He would have kissed her, longer this time, not a mere brush of lips.  He would have laid her down on the bed, explored every inch of her, had her begging-

Someone was knocking at the door.

He pulled on sweatpants before grabbing his phone.  The camera app showed Cassie pacing outside his door.

He opened the door and she looked at him, then at his bare chest, before she cleared her throat.

“I am getting else something out of this,” she said, and reached up to pull his head down to hers.  Her mouth was on his, demanding, and her arms were around his neck before he realized what was happening.  He shoved the door shut, felt around to engage the lock and then lifted her up into his arms.

She wrapped her legs around him, pulling away to look him in the eye.  “It’s sex.  Just sex.”

“I’m on board, yeah,” he managed to say before she grabbed his face and started kissing him again.

He walked down to his bedroom, reached the bed, and laid her down gently.

“No,” Cassie said, sitting up.  She placed a hand on his chest and pushed so that it was him on his back.

Aemond went willingly, his mind still not fully functional.  She straddled him, and reached up to pull her shirt off.  He watched as she threw the shirt to the side, watched her breasts bounce as they were freed from her bra.  She reached down to kiss him again, shifting to get rid of her leggings and underwear.  He kicked off his sweatpants, groaned when he felt the heat of her.  

He was hard, desperate.  Cassie began rocking her hips against him, and he couldn’t wait any longer.  Reaching between them, he guided himself into her.  She was slick, so ready for him, sitting up as she sank onto him.

“Fuck, yeah,” she moaned, throwing her head back, and then began to swirl her hips.

She was a sight to behold, Aemond thought, her slim frame moving above him, thighs gripping his sides.  She reached up to grab her breasts, lost in the physical pleasure of taking him.  

He wasn’t going to last long if she kept riding him like this.  Not even with two recent orgasms, because this woman, this goddess, was quickly driving him past all reason.  He gripped her hips, fingers digging into her soft skin, and she whimpered, her movements becoming faster.

“I’m . . . I’m going to . . . “

Aemond felt the beginnings of her release, felt her body go taut before she screamed, head thrown back.  He held her hips as her body shook above him.  He watched as she slowly began to collapse onto him and then flipped her onto her back.  She was still contracting around him, still moaning, when he began driving his hips against her, mad with need, until his vision faded and he let the tide take him.

* * * * * 

Cassie was still floating in the aftermath of one of the best orgasms in recent history.  Aemond was pressed against her, their limbs intertwined, and she could feel his heartbeat slowly returning back to normal.

“This was . . . a very good . . . idea,” Aemond said, still breathing hard.  After a few moments, he added, “stay tonight?”

She wouldn’t attach any emotional meaning to his request, she told herself.  Staying meant more sex later and they both knew it. 

“Sure.”

He held her for a few minutes, and then his phone beeped.  “Sorry,” he said before getting up to go to the desk.  Cassie watched him walk away.

Damn.

Her husband had a first-class, gold medal ass.  

While he spoke on the phone, she decided to run to the bathroom, put her clothes back on.  After, she opened his medicine cabinet, looked through the sparse contents.  Deodorant, cologne, toothpaste, hair stuff.  Nothing extra, nothing weird.  Nothing left by a girlfriend.  The storage cabinet held a neat stack of white towels, extra toilet paper.  Everything tidy.

When she felt she had snooped around enough, she went back out, found him pouring two glasses of whiskey.  “I don’t have Champagne,” he said apologetically.  Sweatpants were back on.  Oh well.

“I like whiskey,” she replied, took the glass he offered.

“To the next few weeks,” he said.

“To the next few weeks.”

* * * * * 

[boyfhee]

what about the subling moot game? or maybe tropes?

guess we're going with the tropes one :> i included the ones i think i know quite well but if you're a moot who wants to be on the list, comment and i'll add you !! hope i did this correctly :")

@maiverie : mai gives big strangers to lovers with heeseung ( hello u got ur man babe ) energy. she's really fun to be around and has a captivating personality. so, i do believe she has the ability to leave people star-struck about her and that includes heeseung too. slow burn but make it very netflix original material

@yeongwonie : yeona hi !! i see her working well with exes to lovers, or even just friends, with jay or taehyun. basically, second chances about anything. i think she'll reconsider certain decisions again rather than cutting someone or something off her life straight away. whatever may be the outcome, i think she's the type to give it a shot

@ilynaevis : jia hi :) me says childhood friends to strangers to lovers ( lmao ) trope with sunoo ?? more like, a friend you lost touch with as you both grew up until one day you both meet again and perhaps old feelings re-surface again ? this sounds so marvellous in my head

@yyunari : best friends to lovers for nari and beomgyu !! they're very outgoing, someone you'd love to be friends with, or even more ?? i know we don't talk much but nari has the personality that draws people to them involuntarily, and beomgyu is no exception i bet

@atrirose : hi. enemies to destined rivals. roselyn will get on your nerves and make you want to run her over. ok jokes aside, fake dating with sunghoon for her, tbh i don't really need to explain much. she's annoying but it's a charm ig :/ and then suddenly says that she's hoon's gf so that some rando doesn't hit on him. you know the rest

@jangwonie : hi fae :) i don't know what this trope is called, but it's more like the classmate one's always infatuated with ??? like your first love / class crush or something help, with jungwon / wonyoung ( girl !!! ) fae you're so smart and supportive and sweet, i see both the wons having a crush on u :(

@oikluvs : hi bff !! yuni definitely fits the and then they were roommates trope with jungwon, as wll. i mean, i don't see anything else. she's either the cool roommate who helps you with stuff or the one who helps you but also gets on your nerves </3 you can't deny that she manages to catch your attention with smallest actions, though. jungwon is forced to live with her and wants to leave until he falls in l*ve :/

@reniqt : aaa hi ren ! i know we haven't talked but he fits the person next door trope with sunghoon or renjun ( i saw you like renjun !! ) more emphasis on renjun because my guy fits the trope. naur i bet my life he's the annoying neighbour and you both get into arguments often but things get better as they fall into place :)

@heeracha : aaa robi !! bestie, it's giving me number neighbour trope to me, with hyunjin or lee know ! i think he'll be the one to text the number neighbour, who happens to be you, and things are very weird at first because you don't know them ?? they don't know you ?? and they texted you out of no where ?? but at least he's funny

@bambisgirl : i kid you not, maria is like the popular student and so is heeseung ! you both are opposites, having a friendly rivalry as well, it's fun and games to be honest. after a few close encounters, he has taken a liking to you; you know where this is going :)

@goldenhypen : em !! hi !! ok look, em fits the coffee shop au / mutual pinning trope with jake, like a puzzle piece. from what i know her, she's definitely the person you'd like to know and get closer to. she's just so nice, and jake is probably the one who always takes her order, delivering it with a sweet message. they're otp i said what i said

@sjyuniverse : es hi hope you're doing well ! what if i say online friends to lovers with jake sim hahaha :/ or more like, you both met through a game, or whatever, probably on twitter because he's a moot or your moot and you both end up following each other just because, and click so well ??? and then you find that he lives just an hour away from you and he asks if you want to meet ,,,, yeah. i'm running out of tropes but this is my fav fr

@seungstarss : sei hi i hope u see this :( anyway enemies to lovers with heejay because i can't pick one of them. it's literally a love triangle help i'm sorry bff. better if the three of you are put in a group project together. it's giving dysfunctional team but whatever, things do improve. what if u choose to be besties like heejaysei are going to be the friend group everyone wants to be a part of >>

bye that's all i'm running out of tropes at this point :")

[kajaono]

Renewing a show - Myths and Truths

I hear many people asking: But how can OFMD get cancelled with this amount of viewing numbers?

1. It is not only the viewing numbers that are important. One thing that is also rerally important, maybe even more important is: marketability. Your show needs to be a brand. And OFMD is hard to advertise, apart from Taika. It isn’t edgy enough, not as weird as WWDITS. It is just lovable silly

2. Sometimes shows get cancelled for a completly different reason. Shadowhunters was super popular. Live tweets, every Malec kiss blew up tumblr and twitter. But it got axed. why? Because freefom had a contract with Netflix that they wanted to get rid of. If you read the BTS book by the showrunner you will learn that it was hard for Freeform to fullfill Netflix rules and same as their own onces. Also Freeform wanted to own the show 100%. It didn’t worked out

3. Networks have a plan, what to promote when. When a single show outshines all other shows that they produce and now want to promote, that isn’t so good. Because the promo basically goes nowhere. People also only have a limited time. They will not search your plattform for a new show when they will watch the Ed/Stede kiss over and over. Also Freeform example here: They wanted to promote their new shows, but it was hard with Shadowhunters around, so - cut-

4. You know why Netflix makes so many new shows instead of continuing their old shows? Because new shows attract more new viewers then continuing an old show with a die hard fanbase

5. Background trouble. A merge leaded to FOX cancelling B99. During a merge it is reconsidered again what goals a company has. If OFMD does not aligne with those goal. CUT. And i think we are in this phase right now. OFMD is looked at really closley. And I am sure if it will be renewed they will try make it into a brand. You better hope they do

6: It basically costs too much. We can assume this is not the case for OFMD. But a network isn’t a cinema. They do not look at how much a show costs to produce and then balance that with how much money they got back by ticket sells. It works different. I never really understood how, but i think it is combination of viewing numbers, new viewers subscribing to the plattform and also other money stuff.

My only hope here is on HBO Max being relatively new and needing content. So... but that they already have a merge now isn’t a good sign either. WE will need a long breath here guys

[stranger-nightmare]

Hello,Hope,how are you?<3 I read today that despite being this successful, it may be hard to get Netflix to spend money on season 2 of The Sandman and it made me sad,sigh. Fingers crossed things change.

hi my love! I’m good, thank you! how are you? <3

ughhh noooo!! I swear if Netflix cancels yet another phenomenal show after just one season I might just have to reconsider my subscription lmao

no but seriously I’m so sick of Netflix cancelling really amazing shows after just one season, I’m literally praying we do get Sandman season 2, I genuinely think it would be so dumb if they don’t tbh

- hope

[stressy-enby]

Hello! So here's my request:

The 1-A girls including reader are having a girls night in one of their dorms playing Minecraft (teaching Momo how to play for the first time), giving out study tips, eating snacks and watching movies, etc... When their in a topic about their crushes and reader shyly tells them it is Tenya Iida... While the girls are shocked and ask a lot of questions why iida much to reader whos not really liking the questions, the girls decided to help reader out by setting both iida and reader on a date by grabbing readers phone and texting iida, much to readers protest and what the girls don't know is that the boys are having a boy night at the common room too and doing the exact same thing, helping iida out to finally ask reader on a date.

so yeah, haha that's all and you can add your own ideas there and can this be a oneshot? I also want to see the perspective of iida if that't possible? I hope this is okay? thank you!! ☺

Took a few liberties, included some personal touches, I’m really happy with how this came out and I hope you are too!

Risks

Masterlist

Weekend nights in Heights Alliance were arguably the best. 

Mr. Aizawa was more flexible about curfew on Friday and Saturday nights, so the class took those nights as opportunities to have slumber parties and late night get-togethers. 

This was one such night. You, Ochaco, Tsu, Momo, Toru and Kyoka had gone to Mina’s dorm room with snacks and games in hand. Your hostess had offered up her wide selection of video games and her Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+ accounts. Toru had even come through with an impressive assortment of face masks, nail polish, and hair accessories. Needless to say, everyone was more than set for a night of careless fun.

“Wait, how do I craft something?” Mom held her controller out to Kyoka, brows pinched together.

“This button, here,” she took the controller, demonstrating by crafting an axe.

Upon realization that Momo had next to no knowledge of Minecraft, the party had abandoned its Super Smash Bros. tournament in favor of showing her the ropes. You’d vowed to help her make a simple house by the end of the night.

“Pro tip: make sure you collect all the same type of wood.” You suggested, eyes focused on the white stripes you were attempting to paint onto Tsuyu’s light green nails with some success. 

“Yeah, unless it’s on purpose, like if you use a different wood for the roof or floor, it’s just gonna look like you hobbled it together in less than a minute.” Mina agreed, before promptly shoving a handful of popcorn into her mouth.

Ochaco gasped playfully, swiping the bowl away. “Don’t eat all of it!”

“I’ll eat whatever I damn well please!” Mina retorted, making a grab for the snack as Ochaco floated it over to Toru.

“Okay guys, I can’t take it anymore.” The invisible girl grabbed the bowl out of the air. “We’re all together, hanging out with zero stress for the first time in months! Does anyone have anything juicy to share? Someone’s gotta have something!”

Kyoka rolled her eyes. “I don’t know about the rest of you, but I didn’t come to gossip.”

“This class is a pretty tight-knit group, ribbit. Nothing really happens that we don’t all know about.” Tsu pointed out.

“Okay then. Crushes.” Mina prompted.

“What about them?” Momo asked.

“Who’s got ‘em?”

There was a moment of silence. You noticed how a few pairs of eyes flicked to Ochaco, who had gonna very red and very quiet. You sighed, musing to yourself about the things you did for friendship.

“I, uh, I kinda like Iida?”

You hated how you phrased it like a question. You hated how you mitigated the confession with the word “kinda”. You hated that silly, totally inadequate word “like”. Your feelings for Iida went beyond a simple crush. You’d had them for him for months now, you were long past the “like” phase. You were head-over-heels in love.

Toru gasped dramatically. “Really? Iida?”

Ochaco smiled at you, gratitude evident in her eyes. “You two would make a sweet couple.”

“What do you like about him?” Mina asked excitedly. “When did you fall for him? Are you gonna confess?”

“Take it easy,” Kyoka chuckled lightly.

You also laughed, albeit uneasily. You were beginning to regret not keeping your mouth shut. “Okay, I’ll take those one at a time. He’s kind and attentive, and he’s very loyal. I think I realized that I liked him a few weeks after the sports fest, and absolutely not.”

“Why don’t you want to tell him?” Momo asked, pursing her lips. “I think he’d appreciate the honesty.”

“Be that as it may, I don’t wanna make things weird between us or potentially ruin our friendship.” You explained “I don’t wanna jeopardize what we have now by confessing.”

“Plus, Iida doesn’t seem like the kind of guy who’s want to date someone, ribbit.” Tsu put in, examining her newly painted nails. “He’s very serious. He’d probably see it as a distraction, these are really pretty, (Y/N), thank you.”

You smiled weakly at your frog-like friend as Toru threw a piece of popcorn at her head. “Tsu!”

“No, she’s right.” You sighed heavily, motioning for the popcorn bowl, intending to drown your sorrows and maybe yourself in it.

“I’m sorry, (Y/N).” Momo patted your back sympathetically as she passed the bowl down. “I can’t imagine how frustrating it is.”

You hummed in agreement as you shoveled the snack into your mouth. “Whatever. It sucks, bur I’ll get over it.”

“Like hell you will!” Mina snapped “Ochaco: our romantically challenged friend’s phone, if you please?”

Ochaco dutifully and bemusedly took your phone from Mina’s bedside table and handed it over to her.

“What are you doing?” You questioned, suddenly on high alert.

You were ignored. Mina instead took your hand, and placed your thumb over the home button on your phone, unlocking it.

“Seriously, what are you doing?” Kyoka asked.

“Texting Iida.”

It took you a few seconds to process her words and what they meant. Once you had, though, you made a sudden grab for the phone. “Oh no you’re not!”

“Chillax, I’m not gonna send him anything embarrassing.” Mina swatted your hand away as she scooted safely out of your reach. “I’m just gonna suggest that you two go out sometime and heavily imply that it’ll be a date.”

“Now hold on,” Momo cut in, setting down her controller. “We shouldn’t be interfering. This is between (Y/N) and Iida.”

“Yeah, if (Y/N) wants to ask him out, they’ll do it themselves, ribbit.” Tsu chimed in.

Mina sighed, slumping. “I know you’re both right, but I can’t just let them wallow! Iida really likes you, (Y/N)!”

“Oh yeah?” You raised both eyebrows.

“Yeah! He’s a lot softer with you then with anyone else!”

“He does tend to let you get away with things,” Kyoka admitted. “Remember the other day when you were sitting on your desk? The guy didn’t even bat an eye.”

“He also seems like he talks to you more than he does the rest of us!” Toru pointed out.

“Plus he worries about you more than the rest of us!” Ochaco added on.

“He looks more relaxed around you.” Tsuyu threw in.

“Sometimes when we have class representative meetings, he’ll offhandedly mention you.” Momo reported thoughtfully. “He’ll tell me about something you said or did that he found funny or endearing. It’s actually pretty adorable the way he talks about you. It’s like his whole face lights up.”

You were quiet for a very long moment. It was too good to be true. You liked playing it safe. You kept your cards close to your chest until you were absolutely sure you had the wining hand. And if you’d learnt anything in your hero education, it was that sometimes you needed to take a risk.

“Can I have my phone, please?”

Mina tossed it to you. Without another word, you navigated to your messages, and typed something out quickly. Before you could reconsider, you took a risk.

You hit send.

. . . 

This isn’t actually all that bad.

When Kirishima and Kaminari had suggested a “boys’ night”, Tenya had been apprehensive at best. He was all for class bonding activities, but what was the point if it was only a fraction of their group?

“(L/N) and the girls are having a sleepover, so we may as well something ourselves.” Sero had pointed out.

Despite his skepticism, Tenya found himself thoroughly enjoying himself. After admitting he’d never seen a Marvel movie, Midoriya had immediately logged the common room TV into his Disney+ account and began the first ever 1-A Marvel movie marathon.

“Ugh, does this mean we have to watch Age of Ultron?” Ojiro groaned “That one sucks.”

“Yeah, but at some point I’m going to make Iida watch Wandavision.” Midoriya replied “Ultron is important to understanding it, sucky as it may be.”

“That’s not gonna be for a while if we’re watching every single Marvel movie, though.” Sato chuckled. 

“Yeah, we’re definitely gonna need more than one night for this shit,” Kaminari chortled “Wandavision not withstanding.”

Tenya smiled, not quite following but listening all the same. He suddenly felt his phone vibrate in his pocket.

(L/N): Random question. Want to go out and get dinner tomorrow, just the two of us?

It was indeed a random question. He had no qualms about spending time with (L/N) though. Even if it was just the two us them. Especially if it’s just the two of us. Tenya quickly shook the thought away though, feeling he’s cheeks flare.

Me: That would be great! Do  you have a time and place in mind?

(L/N): Would 6 be ok? As for the place… would you be up for a surprise?

Tenya hesitated. Usually he’s say no. He liked everything to be perfectly planed to a T. But something about (L/N) made him want to be spontaneous. They made him want to take risks. So he decided to do precisely that. He threw caution into the wind as he sent his response.

Me: 6 is more than ok, and I’m always up for a surprise if it’s with you.

Tenya cringed immediately after hitting send. The instant regret was crushing and depressing. He wished he could be honest about his feelings, about (L/N) without overthinking every move he made.

Oh well. What’s done is done. He slipped his phone back into his pocket, praying you wouldn’t respond. However, his plea went ignored a minute later when he felt his phone vibrate yet again.

Biting back a groan, Tenya opened his texts, inwardly bracing himself.

(L/N): Awesome! I’ll meet you at 6 in the common room tomorrow, then. Can’t wait! ❤️

He gaped. That tiny red emoji wormed not his brain and burned itself behind his eyes until that was all he could see. He barely even registered the rest of the message.

“Whatcha lookin’ at, Iida?” Kaminari, never one to understand personal space, leaned over to glance at the class rep’s phone phone before he could angle it away. “You sly little- IIDA HAS A DATE!”

“No I- that’s not- Kaminari!” Tenya sputtered incoherently, arms flailing. “That was entirely inappropriate. You shouldn’t look at other people’s devices without their permission. It’s rude, demeaning, and an invasion of privacy!”

“Forget that, what’s this about a date?” Sero leaned in on Kaminari’s other side.

“Iida and (L/N) were texting,” Kaminari announced “They asked him out to dinner, he said yes, and they send a heart emoji.”

“What color?” Aoyama demanded, squinting.

“Red.”

“Oh my,” Aoyama leaned back in his seat, a coy smirk playing across his lips.

Sero chuckled, leaning across Kaminari’s lap to pat Tenya on the arm. “You lucky bastard.”

The blue haired boy brushed his hand away, bristling. “Not that my personal activities are any of your concern, but it’s not a date. We’re just going to get something to eat.”

“I’m not an expert or anything, but I don’t think many people go out one-on-one for dinner if it’s platonic.” Midoriya pointed out. 

“Yeah, plus, that emoji says a lot.” Kirishima added “(L/N) clearly means this to be a date. If you don’t feel the same way about them, you need to tell them.”

“You don’t want to go on a date with (L/N)?” Todoroki asked, raising an eyebrow “I would’ve thought you’d be happy for an opportunity like that.”

“See! Even Todoroki can see you’ve got it bad for them!” Sato exclaimed, pointing an accusatory finger at the confused heterochromic boy.

Tenya ignored his overly-excited classmates. He flipped back through his conversation with (L/N), staring at every text until he’d inadvertently memorized them all.

Me: Is this a date?

. . .

“So much for subtly, I guess.” Kyoka remarked.

“Subtly gets you nowhere with Iida!” Ochaco insisted “You have to be upfront with him!”

“But I sent him a heart,” You groaned for the fourth time.

“Well, there’s no sense in bemoaning it now.” Momo reasoned.

“It was a calculated risk.” Toru admitted, an undercut of worry in her voice.

“A risk, huh?” You chuckled humorlessly “I seem to be taking a lot of those tonight.”

Ding!

Seven pairs of eyes darted to your overturned phone at the same moment. No one moved an inch.

“Well,” Tsu nudged you “are you going to look at it?”

You gulped, shakily taking the device. The girl’s gathered around you. As you opened your text messages.

Iida: Is this a date?

“No backing down now!” Ochaco squealed, gripping your shoulders tightly and shaking you.

“Go, go, go, go, go!” Mina bounced on her knees like it was a sporting event.

You took a deep breath, then texted back.

. . .

(L/N): That was the idea, lol. It doesn’t have to be if you don’t want it to be, tho

Tenya pursed his lips, showing the response to Midoriya.

“C’mon, Iida.” His friend chuckled lightly “Just tell them the truth.”

The truth. He did want it to be a date, but a simple “I want to go on a date with you” didn’t seem sufficient. It wouldn’t do justice to how he really felt.

Tenya had already taken a risk tonight, so what was one more? But knowing what he now knew about your feelings, it didn’t seem quite so scary anymore.

Me: I’d love nothing more than to go on a date with you, (L/N). Truth be told, I’ve wanted to for a while now, I just haven’t had the courage to ask you myself. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow. ❤️

[cherryblossomtease]

Chapter 12

18 + only

warnings and summary - Masterlist

Warnings: 18+ for explicit sexual content: depictions of sub/dom lifestyle and lead up to m/m sexual relationship. If it’s not your thing please keep scrolling. Thank you!

~

Is there a word for this feeling? The one that happens when you wake up not knowing when or where you are…

Is it day, is it night? Is this my bed? Is this even a bed? Am I home and if not, how far away am I? So many questions go tumbling around in your head so quickly that you just have to shut your eyes against the bizarre sensation. It’s one of the few that’s happened to absolutely everyone at some point. And as you lie there in bed —yes, this is definitely a bed— you think, no way the Germans don’t have a word for this strange phenomenon.

Inhaling slowly, exhaling even slower, you finally feel it come rushing back to you so that by the time you’ve filled your lungs with a nice deep breath of salty ocean air, the smile that raises your cheeks turns into a silent laugh as you roll onto your side, curling up tight, sliding your hand across the empty expanse of the cool bedsheets, lightly perfumed by the fading scent of his cologne which makes you feel warm all over.

You open your eyes, blinking, focusing, letting the view refresh the last of the memories.

You should have known, you think laying your hand on the pillow where he’d been. You stroke the high thread count like you did his hair and his face as he’d looked into your eyes and your racing hearts settled. How many unnecessary tears were shed for him? How much time was spent worrying that you might never see the man again when all you had to do was trust that no prison could keep Helmut Zemo locked away for long, and you laugh because a year must be a record for shortest maximum security prison stays.

Now, while escaping from the supposedly inescapable is impressive, you can’t begin to fathom how he’s done it and you’re more than happy to keep it that way which is probably for the best as Zemo’s made it pretty clear he doesn’t want you in possession of said knowledge for your own safety. The less you know at this uncertain stage in the game the better. You’re physically far from government detection or any others lookin to recapture the Baron for that matter, still, nothing is ever fully guaranteed.

Luckily it’s hard to feel anything other than at peace as you smile and lazily roll onto your back, stretching your arms over your head before looking down the length of the king sized bed to find the source of light warming your bare skin.

Oh, you smile That’s right.

The matching circular windows are very large and offer views of wild blue water as far as the eye can see. It is the very definition of tranquility.

And just off to the side is a glass door that opens to a large balcony just calling your name. You'll spend too much time out there soon enough you think, imagining falling asleep with a good book and a drink. After all, you’ve got two weeks before you reach France and then it's a quick flight to you final destination of Villefranche-Sur-Mer, according to Zemo.

Two incredible weeks— and to think you’d nearly dismissed that text this morning as nothing but annoying spam.

Luckily something about it brought you back after you'd poured cereal and milk into your bowl. You’d sat at the kitchen counter unable to look away from that single message sent from an unknown number, your breakfast all but forgotten.

It was short and to the point and it reminded you of the kind Zemo used to send what felt like a lifetime ago when the instructions were no more than a time but now there was the added bonus of a location and you were no longer the sole recipient.

The sound of Bucky charging down the hall of his apartment that had become just as much yours since Zemo went away answered the question before it could be asked.

“You got it too didn’t you?” You’d asked him looking up.

Bucky stood in the doorway, hair wet and slicked back from his shower, gripping the towel he’d quickly tossed around his waist and smelling like your body wash which he liked to snag when he ran out of his own. You didn’t mind so much but it was confusing when you were a tangle of arms and legs and other parts that smelled the same…

“It’s a trick. It’s gotta be.” He’d insisted, to which you’d rolled your eyes and considered throwing your phone at his head for saying something so ridiculous. Why would Zemo play a game so cruel. “He’s in the raft” He said your name with a finality that made you reconsider, but when you looked down at your phone again, you knew it wasn’t true.

This was him. This was Zemo.

“Go get dressed. I really think something’s happened.” You’d told him. He’d stood there for a second longer, his face unreadable. But he did turn and disappear down the hall, wet footprints on the hard wood left behind.

You must have been shaking as you waited. You’d been so anxious and your head a mess of worry and hope and fear and hesitation but so much excitement.

By the time Bucky came back dressed in sweats and a t-shirt which bothered you because you wanted him dressed to go, you were completely convinced you’d hear a knock at the door and find the Baron on the other side, you’d always been good at working yourself up into a frenzy.

Bucky had been the complete opposite. You can still see him; a gloomy hundred year old kill-joy.

You remember thinking he might have been a worried at first. A little jealous or scared maybe? Like he’d gotten too used to your life and the return of the man responsible for what you had together could also be the one to see it come to an end which was just silly. James was and would always will be your best friend, but your friendship had long since proven to be more than late night Netflix binging and ordering takeout.

In fact the night before the text, he’d come in long after you’d gone to bed. He’d been gone for nearly two weeks on some grand mission with Sam —off to save the world no doubt.

You were dreaming when he’d slipped in behind you and pulled you close, waking you with the warmth of those perfect lips so soft and full, the touch of his kiss leaving a trail of heat down your shoulder and back, only to flip you over once you were half awake with the strength of that wonderfully dangerous arm. As he pulled your shorts down and found you in the dark, you happily gave in, welcoming him home as only you could, and never once did either of you expect that your unconventional but comfortable life would come to such an abrupt end.

But no, he wasn’t jealous. You knew it because there was something sort of sweet in the look of shock on his face that gave you pause in asking why he was reacting this way.

That, was the look of man conflicted.

As you’d begun cleaning the apartment —certain you’d be leaving it soon— you’d paused and studied him sitting on the couch, alone with his thoughts, phone held in his hand like he’d never put it down. You knew Bucky well enough to know the basics of what he must have been thinking.

The Winter Soldier had been trapped in the living prison of his own body for a lifetime. Now Bucky was forever free to make his own choices. You certainly wouldn’t be the one to persuade him into doing anything he didn’t truly want to do. But you also knew that you weren’t alone in missing Zemo; not after what the three of you had shared and certainly not after what the two of them had come so close to starting.

But that poor dear, somewhat clueless man. For someone who was still adjusting to life in the present day after such a strange journey you tried to cut him some slack. He was still torn, still stuck between worlds. Having to question what he knew about his sexuality didn’t seem like a very fair thing to have to add to the mix, but that’s life. Unexpected to say the least.

He could no more deny his draw to Zemo than he could his desire to be a good person. These things were solid facts; He didn’t want to kill anymore and he was absolutely attracted to this man and presumably others, but yes particularly this one.

But now he was worried that giving in to his own happiness might cost him his friendship with people like Sam, and almost certainly his freedom when he’d only just gotten it back. Not because of being bi-sexual, but, because of, well— Helmut Zemo.

As much as you didn’t want to, you could easily understand the conflict.

Once you’d finished cleaning and packing your weekend bag you went back into the living room and made him look at you. “I know you’re worried about Sam and the others. All those super heroes you know. But what sort of friends would they be if they stopped you from living your life the way you want to live it?”

“Good ones if It means living with an escaped criminal.” His retort was so logical. You hate it when he’s right.

“One that you helped escape before right?”

“That was for a reason. This is all Zemo.”

“Did he really deserve to be in there?”

“Do you really want me to answer that question.”

You did not, so you’d stepped away and gave in, just letting him be.

It was frustrating to say the least but Bucky was not allowed to steal your joy, no matter how true it all was. Unfortunately, he was very much tied to that joy.

When you’d rushed back down the hall almost forgetting your tooth brush, he’d finally gotten up and gone into the bedroom but you'd ignored him, not out of anger but because It broke your heart to think you’d be leaving him alone to his own misery. It was the last thing you wanted to do, but if you absolutely had to you would.

Zemo was the man you’d loved long before you met Bucky, you would not put the Baron aside for another person's moral dilemmas, even if might crush your heart. You would leave and send word of where you and Zemo were and hope that he could join you in time but you had to see Helmut, you couldn’t ignore the message.

However, Sargent James Buchanan Barnes could be a real man of surprise when he wanted to be.

As you finished cleaning up, tears in your eyes for what you would be leaving behind, he’d come into the kitchen with his own black duffle bag and tossed it down on the floor.You’d spun around at the sound of it hitting the tile and kept it together but you could have screamed you were so happy.

He gave you that “don’t say anything” look so instead you just flashed a brilliant smile and kissed his cheek which he dismissed as if he didn’t love it, but you saw the way his eyes lit up. He could have hidden it from someone else who hadn’t spent the last year living with him but not you.

“It’s not permanent. I can’t stay no matter where he’s taking us. But, for a little while I think it’ll be all right."

“Of course!” You weren't pressed, you'd just talk him into it later because as of that minute you’d been too elated to care about time.

*

“So what the hell are these instructions?” You’d asked Bucky in the cab out of the city

“I have an idea.” He said shaking his head a little. He was clearly thinking ‘what have I gotten myself into’ which made you laugh. You could hear Zemo in your head, his answer simply being ‘Trouble’

“Well where are we going?” You’d asked anxious to know more.

“I don’t think we’re staying in New York if that’s what you’re asking.”

You’d quickly looked back at the city, watching the bridges fade behind you, wondering if you’d see them again. There was a strong possibility that it would be a while before you did.

As expected, Bucky knew his stuff. You were definitely leaving the city. The instructions were a time and location as you’d guessed but you hadn’t understood that the second half were coordinates and not for the cab.

When you got out of the very expensive car ride— which you charged to that handy little black credit card that had magically appeared in your mailbox about a year ago (thanks prison daddy)— the two of you stood in what looked like no more than an old shipping yard.

“Come on, I actually know this place. We need to go this way.” Bucky said with his head down and eyes up, his serious face looking every bit the superhero he was when he wasn’t with you. It always made you laugh a little. This was the same guy who also sat around in his underwear watching reality competition shows with you eating ice cream…

“What’s this way?”

“Room.”

Cryptic. They always love being cryptic you’d grumbled following him, feeling on edge as you’d snaked your way through the maze of shipping containers and storage units.

As you came near the water, the rusted out rectangles did in fact clear and the narrow passages opened up giving enough space, or as Bucky had said, ‘room’ for a blacked out helicopter to rise up. It was the sort of midsized military grade machine made for traveling long distance and sitting inside was a pilot-- the sort who deals in silence and cash only transactions.

“What exactly did you tell Sam?” You’d asked once you were in the air with your headset on. “I’m sure you had to tell him something to keep him and anyone else from asking questions.”

“That I finally decided to take a vacation” Bucky’d said, his voice clear in your ears as he glanced at you. He didn't have to ask for you to see that he really didn't want you to make fun of him for it either.

“Ha! And he bought that?”

“I think so. He said it was— a good look for me.” He mocked Sams tone.

You’d laughed rubbing his warm arm and laying your head on his shoulder agreeing with Sam whole heartedly but for very different reasons.

About an hour or more in you’d fallen asleep only to be startled awake by the sound of Bucky’s humorless laughter just in time to see your destination come into view.

“I knew it.” He’d sneered looking through your window.

“Oh my god” You sat up leaning forward peering down at the white oval in the expanse of blue.

“Of course.” The way Bucky could detest Zemo’s opulence would forever amuse you. He’d sat back refusing to look anymore, as if you weren’t about to land anyway.

“It's perfect,” You’d insisted.

“He’s such an asshole” He'd grumbled but you’d caught the little twitch of a smile.

“Shut up Bucky. It’s amazing”

“Its a god damned yacht!” His voice gone high with the absolute offense of it all.

All you could do was laugh.

*

You lie in bed remembering stepping out of the helicopter, your bags tossed out and the bird in the air so quickly it’s like the pilot was never there.

“Still think this was a good idea?” Bucky’d asked as if anything about this might have changed your mind.

Impressed by the private landing pad on the highest deck but already aware of the delights that were undoubtedly waiting below, you’d just smiled and gave his cheek a pat. “Come on.”

Bucky grabbed both bags and you’d led him down the steps and onto a massive deck of beautiful pale wood lined with low white couches at the far end, blinding in the bold sun. Beneath the overhang was a large wet bar, with glasses already set out and an ice bucket, the neck of a champagne bottle greeting you.

“Please miss. Allow me”

You’d both looked behind you, startled to find the old butler Oeznik coming up from the center stairwell.

Poor thing, you'd nearly toppled him, throwing your arms around his neck but you really did adore that wonderful old man. He’d just laughed and hugged you back welcoming you aboard.

You thanked him but no sooner had he offered had you forgotten all about his hospitality.

Your back had been turned when you heard your name said with the soft accented voice that you had missed, craved and imagined for so many months…

“Helmut.” You will never forget what it felt like to turn and find him.

He stepped from the shadows and into the sun and you can still feel the way you’d bit down on your bottom lip to keep from crying.

Those eyes, that hair, his smile; so subtle and sly. You’d nearly forgotten that you could in fact go to him. He wasn’t just a man made up from your lonely daydreams but flesh and blood and so perfectly made.

It took him drawing his hands from his pants pockets— linen pants of all the casual things— to break the spell.

He’d opened his arms to just the right size for you and there was no holding back then.

What had it felt like? You try to remember now, but it's useless. You can remember him pulling you in as though he couldn’t stand another second without you close. You’d closed your eyes inhaling his scent as he touched your face and hair, his fingers brushing along your neck and shoulders. It’s so lovely and primitive the way touch and smell can become the thing that reunites and reacquaints us. You were like two animals in the wild and you’d gasped at the feel of his face gliding against yours, and his arms so tight around you until he'd pressed his forehead to yours whispering things you couldn’t understand as you held onto his forearms giving in to the thin line of tears that fell from your eyes. It was an unexpected moment of reconnecting. You knew you’d missed him, but this was so much more. You’d felt ready to submit to every command so quickly it honestly surprised you. The warm touch of his face against yours, his breath along your neck and finally his lips meeting your own was and will always be your first experience with what people describe as coming home. And then he’d pulled back, looked you in the eyes and simply said “Hello”

You couldn’t say anything back. You just watched him look past you and saw how his expression changed. You still can’t place it… “James.” The way he said his name. God it was so beautiful. You’d turned in Zemo’s arms and saw the look on Bucky’s face. There were tears in his eyes that you’re not sure he was even aware of.

“Zemo”

“How was the ride?” He’d asked politely.

“Fine.”

The tension was charged. There was unfinished business between them that they would need to work out on their own, but you hoped they could do it quickly.

And then Zemo raised his hand in offering. He had after all sent that text to two people.

Bucky hesitated for longer than he needed to, but when he did come forward and gripped the Baron in what he’d assumed would be no more than a handshake, Zemo smiled and pulled him in. He’d let go to hold Bucky by the back of his head for a moment gazing at his face. “I actually didn't expect you” He said sounding relieved.

Bucky gave in to his own feelings and reached out, gently grabbing Zemo’s waist. “Well Im here.”

“So you are.” He’d said, the pressure of such strong feelings for his soldier bubbling at the surface, desperate to be released. But he just stroked Bucky’s jaw with his thumb and smiled before looking down at you. “And now that you are, let me show you both around.”

Sitting up, you rub your eyes and find your clothes tossed all over the place mixed in with Zemo’s.

As he’d attempted to show you and Bucky the ship and explain your route, his hand would linger on the small of your back. He would find your curves as he talked about the endless amenities the yacht had to offer until neither of you were sure if he was talking about you or the boat. By the time you’d come down to the cabin deck, he’d pulled you close from behind as Bucky went on ahead unaware. Zemo grabbed your hips exhaling against your ear and you’re fairly certain it was the moan you let slip when he ever so gently pulled your hair, tilting your head to the side as he whispered something to you in Sokovian that got Bucky’s attention.

“James, please help yourself to anything at all. There are more comfortable clothes in the room here. If you’d like, Oeznik can help you find whatever you need. But— it has been a year since I’ve seen her.” He’d said his grip on your hair easing a bit as he stroked his fingers down your back. “As I’m sure you understand a year without a woman like this is a year too long.”

There was a tense few seconds between them and you worried you'd been wrong about the jealousy, but Bucky's face relaxed as he looked around Zemo towards the back of the yacht. “Was that a bottle of Longrow scotch I spotted in that other room?”

“Ah.” He seemed impressed with Bucky’s keen eye. “18 years." Zemo smiled.

“Perfect.” Bucky winked and slipped past giving your cheek a quick pinch.

After that you don’t even remember getting into the room. One second you’d been standing in the hall lost in a wash of furious kisses and the next he had you over his shoulder charging down the hall to the master bedroom practically kicking the door in.

He’d sat you down and you’d both gone wild pushing and pulling at your clothes only just breaking away from one another’s lips to actually undress with a few anxious smiles, some excited laughter tossed in until finally you were naked and then….

You hide your face behind your hand now remembering how good it felt, even though it’d been strange to have another man inside of you after so long.

There was no sign of your former lifestyle this time as he’d fucked you so perfectly. This time, desperate as he was, Helmut was gentle. He’d picked you up and held you between the wall and his own body, finding you easily, moaning into the space between you as he watched your face. He seemed so pleased to see you react to his attention as you once had, because yes, he was another man— he was the Baron and no one could ever take his place.

You’d ended up in the bed on your back nearly in tears from the feel of being under him after so long apart. Not until he’d felt you nearing your climax did he slip back into his natural state of dominance and only just enough to make the orgasm stronger as he’d closed his lovely fingers around your throat and looked into your eyes as you came and he’d whispered your name “I love you…"

Thank the stars that man is free, you smile wide now letting the lasting pleasure ripple through your body.

You look up and say it to yourself again letting the truth of him being here and you for that matter ground you. This day has been a whirlwind and until this moment you’ve been flung from one emotional state to the next. This is the first time you’ve been alone to process it and you are thankful, but the moment is short lived because Helmut’s escape was no small feat and you are not the only one ecstatic about his return.

Eyeing the closet across the room you feel a twinge of a different sort. Helmut is a planner, you’re certain there’s nothing but extraordinary outfits just waiting to be worn and you decide very easily that it’s time to get up and celebrate his freedom and address the very sexy, very annoying tension between the two men you love most in all the world before it consumes them both.

[stargirlfics]

This has nothing to do with any of our men but I just wanted your opinion on something.

Do you think Netflix is like slowly fading into the background in this "streaming war"? They keep hiking up the prices, yet continue to cancel popular shows and put trash in its place.

I ask this because it seems like more and more people are done with Netflix. I barely use it because it's just meh at this point.

I feel like Netflix has gotten so big that while all the stuff they’re doing with price hikes and the new stuff with making it hard to share accounts with friends and stuff and canceling shows that are actually really good, they might not fade into the background as much as you might think while many aren’t using it as much there’s still many who do just to watch maybe the one or two or handful of things they have on there but who knows given everything they very well could, I hope the feedback they’re hearing about stuff does enough damage to make them reconsider decisions they’re making but you know how it is with corps