#romcommies

[bromcommie]

Truth is a matter of circumstance, it's not all things to all people, all the time. And neither am I.

[eddiegettingshot]

Honestly, I just want to know what the story looked liked before they had to scrap it/switch it around. I'll take just an list of major plot points.

Are you listening, Tim? I'll pay you $145 (plus tax)!

i will even pay $200! honestly!

[aldrozu]

This was such a chad MC moment for Okumura... once only caring for his 2D waifu (Liliel), he finally breaks out and acknowledges Ririsa for who she is and not just who she cosplays. He really cares for her! ❤️

[alpinelogy]

Help I accidentally wrote 1617 words long outline (+200 ish as extra notes) for a redbull!alex sargebon that I do not have the time to write rn

Might just dump it under a read later at some point... its a mess of bullet points but new beloved unlocked. this all happened cause I was thinking that I had so little sargebon longfic ideas. help

[tafadhali]

I actually didn’t mind the humor/glibness much but how did Aaron Sorkin fuck up the love stories in his Camelot rewrite that bad

[caressthosecheekbones]

thank god this day is over. maybe it wasnt even so bad. i just got home and winked at a random guy while on the tram. he was sitting on the plaform and started waving slowly as my train left...

[somuchforstardust]

appreciate that every day this week i've received an email informing me that one single person decided to read dcom au lmao

[fellshish]

Do you have any go to Good Omens comfort fics?

i got u ❤️

stockholm’s other syndrome (T, 5k): aziraphale lets himself get ‘kidnapped’ by a demon. very cute and romcommy

sit tight take hold (E, 150k): formula 1 au that got me totally into f1 while i am not even a car person. the type of au that becomes its own thing and you love escaping to it again

where a canvas blooms (T, 3k): cuddle arrangement au with SUCH gorgeous art too it’ll make you feel so warm inside

manual handling (E, 8k): massage fic. ummm can an e rated fic be a comfort fic? sure why not. definite rereading material so

let me care for you (M, 1.7k) literal comfort — crowley gets cared for

big name feelings (E, 103k): fandom au and SO well done including the art. i followed this while it posted and it was so exciting

the gift (T, 3k): short & sweet they talk about the elephant in the room

my mind holds the key (T, 3k): aziraphale wants to know who the ‘best friend’ was that crowley supposedly lost. superbly written

one night in bangor (E, 17k): a classic and great on every reread. there’s a heaven-hell mixer and omg…. the careful, exciting, fluttering flirtation

slow show (E, 95k): i know i know it’s such an obvious one to rec bc it’s so famous but genuinely one of thee best fics and a lovely reread each time. actors au

empirical study on the principles of snake care (T, 2k): sorry to be that guy but sometimes i reread my own fics and i laugh with the little jokes bc i’ve forgotten them. aziraphale tries out some snake care tips on crowley

as always: begging people to add (self) recs to this post because i’d love to know what people’s comfort fics are. please share the joy

[intromortal]

⸻IN PROGRESS

last updated 14.11.2024

a-n ! this is mostly for tracking and tag list purposes. these will all take a while because they're all on the longer side and are subject to change!! + i'm a slow writer and often very busy. but it's still fun to show you guys what i'm working on :) taglists for all of these are open!

CASHMERE COLOGNE.

falling for his client is definitely not part of jay's job requirements. quite the opposite actually. especially when said client is soon to be married off to super rich, super talented, super hot park sunghoon.

PAIRING bodyguard!jay x artist!reader

CONTENT ⚠︎ smut. mdni. angst, fluff, bodyguard!au, self-doubt, reader is an artist, she’s also shameless, (escaping an) arranged marriage!au, sunghoon really doesn't wanna marry you... but it's mutual so. honestly this is getting way more romcommy than i anticipated...

STATUS writing

WORD COUNT currently 9k, total est. around 30k (we hope)

warnings + more wips under the cut

WARNINGS: multiple smut scenes, voyeurism, exhibitionism, masturbation (f), spit, things happen in a car, reckless driving, public sex, use of ma’am, edging, orgasm denial, protected and unprotected sex, snowballing ...more to be added

TOO GOOD TO PUT A PRICE ON IT.

you would be crazy to turn down free rent in exchange of getting fucked daily by the guy you've been pining after for months, but your step brother happens to want something in return too.

PAIRING stepbro!sunghoon x reader x camboy!jungwon

CONTENT ⚠︎ smut. mdni. roomate!au

STATUS outlined

WORD COUNT estimated around 10k

WARNINGS stepcest, live-streamed sex, threesome, yes reader fucks sungwon for rent bitch i would too! ...more to be added

PUSSY JACKPOT !

you spend an extravagant night with jake and his friends at a casino to celebrate his latest promotion. it takes a wild turn when your sweet boyfriend decides to go all in and bet on your even sweeter pussy, knowing how all of his friends have been dying for a taste. no matter who wins though, you know it's gonna be you hitting the jackpot.

PAIRING bf's best friend!jay, heeseung and sunghoon x reader, bf!jake x reader, jay focused.

CONTENT ⚠︎ smut. mdni. gambling

STATUS outlining

WORD COUNT tbd

WARNINGS infidelity, semi-public sex, stepcest, rest of hyungline get to watch ...more to be added

BUCKLE BUNNY RODEO.

the yearly PBR world finals hit your hometown again, and as always you find yourself dealing with all the losers coming to your bar to drown their sorrows in alcohol. things take an interesting turn when the winner shows up and challenges you to beat the shabby mechanical bull at the center of the overcrowded bar, promising you an even wilder ride upstairs if you're willing to take his offer.

PAIRING pro bull rider!jay x bartender!reader

GENRE ⚠︎ smut. mdni.

STATUS outlining

WORD COUNT tbd

WARNINGS alcohol consumption, body shots, temperature play, facesitting, spit, cowboy jay has chest hair argue with the wall!! ...more to be added

↳ PART TWO.

it's been a year, and jay's fellow pro bull riders want a ride too, after hearing so much about you from their dearest friend. and who are you to refuse them, when they're talking so sweet and dirty?

WARNINGS heejake take turns, wet humping, like very wet, thigh fucking, tit fucking, oral (m. rec) ...more to be added

LAST TRAIN TO LONDON.

in some lives you're a painter, in others you're a musician, a writer. in some you get to grow old, maybe away from jay, maybe right beside him. in some you get to love him until your last breath, even when you're young and stupid. you're all over the world, all over time and all over jay's heart, for he lives and breathes to love you in every lifetime of yours, even if you don't remember. he always looks for you yet it's always fate bringing you back to him, this time it's by making sure you don't miss the last train to london.

PAIRING immortal!jay x mortal!reader

CONTENT angst w an hopeful ending, fluff, ⚠︎ smut, soulmate!au, reincarnation!au

STATUS outlining

WORD COUNT tbd

WARNINGS tbd

EACH TIME YOU FALL IN LOVE.

the sun shines bright even in the face of death, your most beloved husband cold in his casket despite the warmth of the weather, and sunghoon wishes circumstances were different.

or, you and sunghoon ponder on what could have been.

PAIRING sunghoon x reader ( + jay )

CONTENT angst, very minimal fluff, ⚠︎ smut, old people😞, multiple character deaths, time skips... more to be added

STATUS outlined

WORD COUNT tbd

WARNINGS tbd

⸻SERIES

MOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACK.

jake has to be the most infuriating, cocky, stuck up actor you've had the displeasure to work with so far. and you wish you'd just rejected your role when your pr teams have the fantastic idea to push the limits on those... relationship rumors about you and your horrible coworker that have spread like wildfire everywhere.

PAIRING co-star!jake x movie star!reader

CONTENT angst, eventual fluff and ⚠︎ smut, fake dating, rivals to lovers.

STATUS outlining

WORD COUNT total est. 60k

WARNINGS tbd

A LITTLE DEATH.

your time at the academy is up and the choice of the companion for your graduation mission is ripped away from your hands without a notice, gifting (cursing) you instead with three less than ideal ones.

or, jungwon feels a little more human every time your touch lingers on his skin

PAIRING trained assassin!jungwon x trained assassin!reader

CONTENT ⚠︎ smut, mdni. angst, rivals to lovers!au, rival families!au, found family trope, everyone and their mama needs therapy, multiple character deaths, a lot of action, morally gray characterization

STATUS writing

WORD COUNT currently 11k, total est probably some shit like 150k i'm sick

WARNINGS multiple smut scenes ...more to be added

ENHYPEN AS SEASONS. hyungline + sunwon ↳ where i assign the members to a season and make fics out of it ! all of these contain smut but also tooth rotting levels of fluff jsjejdje i'm sorry this isn't me usually!! what happened!!!

• SUNGHOON AS WINTER / hockey player!sunghoon

↳ your younger brother brings you along on a snowy new year's eve trip to the mountains with his hockey teammates in hopes of finally getting you and sunghoon to get along.

• JAKE AS SPRING / florist!jake

↳ jake feels it's his duty to smooth out that frown on your face when you first meet him, as the self proclaimed town-happy-pill. he loves his job like nothing else, driving around in his flower delivery truck right along with layla, making everyone's days better. while you can't stand how bright he is all the time, what the hell is his deal anyway?

• HEESEUNG AS SUMMER / beachside barista!heeseung

↳ bleached hair, salt water, warm sun and sand between his toes. waves crashing, the buzz of alcohol and muffled thumping of music, heeseung loves summer every time all the same. this year you just happen to make it so much better, and even when he knows you're only there for this vacation, he hopes you can stay and warm him up for the colder seasons too.

• JAY AS FALL / ex!jay

↳ your friends convince you to try your local coffee shop's new blind date experience, months after your very first heartbreak. you don't expect your ex to be your match. or, mending a relationship turns out to be a lot more trouble than resolving murder mysteries.

! bonuses

• SUNOO AS SPRING BREAK / ex childhood bff!sunoo

↳ truthfully, leaving for a different college after promising you'd go to the same one in hopes of quenching his feelings from blossoming further wasn't sunoo's best move. or, sunoo is itching to finally be back home.

• JUNGWON AS CHRISTMAS / frenemy!jungwon

↳ it's no secret that you and jungwon butt heads constantly, and your friends have gotten quite annoyed by your antics. so what better way to resolve this if not assigning you two to be each other's secret santas? or, everyone is a little kinder once christmas comes around.

[louiserabeyart]

Here is the completed illustration for The Proposal AU which was written for the @do-it-with-style-events Silver Screen Bang!

The fic was written by the fantastic Corvidae9 (@nuevecuervos) and is absolutely amazing and full of LGBTQ+ romcommy goodness.

Go read it here! https://archiveofourown.org/works/60156247/chapters/153504160

[bromcommie]

vivelarevolution13 -> bromcommie

[cherrybean]

BB/BCS Characters as your Partners Headcannons

this is mainly neutral with a bit of fluff if you squint for my fluff enjoyers 💗🫶🏽 sorry for being MIA :(( this has been the longest break i have taken 😭

i will be publishing the other longer part of the Lalo pov smut 🙂‍↕️

Jesse Pinkman

- I feel like you’d meet Jesse in some random ass place 😭 but he’d leave a good impression like making you laugh and getting your number

- Jesse would definitely cherish you

- He’s such a sweet guy so I believe that he would legit try to spend almost every second with you 🥺

- Jesse would be the type not to plan super big/fancy dates, but he would always put in effort no matter what

- He would make any small get together with you memorable

- If you guys went to an art exhibit, he’d take pictures of you, telling you you were the most beautiful piece in the gallery 😭

- I feel like although Jesse loves to spend time with you he wouldn’t be overly clingy

- He’d text you good morning and ask you about your day, but he’d try to give you your space

Jane Margolis

- You’d definitely meet Jane at her tattoo shop where she works at

- This would be your first ever tattoo and you’d be scared shitless 😭

- I feel like Jane would tease you about it but not in a mean way but more in a way to try and get you to laugh and not think about the pain

- You’d probably faint halfway and she’d have to try to wake you up 💀that’s where the friendship and talking would start

- I think you guys would start out as friends at first

- She’d show you her art and try to get you to do fun artsy stuff with her

- I think you guys wouldn’t even notice you guys were basically dating up until someone like her dad would say something about you two living together and hanging out basically 24/7

Gustavo Fring

- Most likely meet at his restaurant

- I feel like you’d be super nice and he’d take an interest to who you are

- This man is hard to get so it would definitely take almost 3-4 months of visiting his restaurants and trying to get more out of him than just the “I hope you enjoyed your meal” 💀

- Gus would 100% be the first one to make a move, this man always calls the shots

- If you thought getting him to make the first move…just you wait for the actual relationship 😩

- Mans will take a whole ass year to get to know you before making things official 😭

Ignacio (Nacho) Varga

- You’d probably meet him at his dads auto shop

- You’re having car trouble and somehow luckily broke down in front of the shop

- He’d be the first one to come out and ask you if you needed any help

- You’d be very shy but would try to tell him what was wrong with your car

- Somehow some part would have to be shipped til next week so Nacho being a sweetheart would give you a ride to your house and his number to come pick it up when it’s ready

- To thank him you’d bring him coffee that morning when you’d pick up your car

- I feel like this would be a very cutesy and almost romcommie way to meet and get to know him 😭

- But Nacho is such a sweetie 🥺

Lalo Salamanca

- Honestly you’d probably meet Lalo at a bar 😭

- I feel like he doesn’t really frequent other places

- You’d probably catch his eye and he’d buy you and your friends drinks

- You’d ask the bar tender who is the person buying you all these expensive drinks in which they’d point to Lalo across the bar

- You go up to him to thank him for all the drinks and offer to buy him one

- He’d decline but make small talk and leave his number once he’d leave

- Honestly I think you’d be a bit weary at first since he is older than you but you’d eventually call him

- I think Lalo would be really sweet and take you out on lots of dates at fancy restaurants

- He’s definitely a gentlemen 🥰

Saul Goodman

- I feel like you’d meet Saul when he’s trying to sauce someone up to be one of his clients

- You’d overhear, or more eavesdrop, and become intrigued on who this funny lawyer man is

- You’d strike up a conversation with him and ask him for his business card

- You’d call him up to “ask” him things about law but in reality it’s more of a date

- Saul being Saul would either not get the gist or would think you weren’t interested him in a romantic way

- It would take you literally spelling it out for him, for him to understand 😭

- He’d literally sit there like: 😳🫨

- Although Saul would be busy I think he’d be super sweet and tell you about his day/clients (obvi client confidentiality and everything)

Kim Wexler

- Ugh my love 😩

- I feel like you’d most likely meet Kim because you’d have some late tickets you haven’t paid off and you’d have to go to court

- Kim would be your public defender and try to coach you so you get them lowered

- She’d also try to tell you to try and do community service to put your best foot forward

- I’m not sure if this would really turn into a romantic relationship because Kim is very professional

- Most likely will be the long friends to lovers route like her and Jimmy 🥰

- As a partner, she’d be able to be herself more and let her walls down

- She’d definitely still be more of the extrovert/dominant personality

[lemotmo]

Where is the promised romcom?

So I’ve been mulling something over in my head for days now. In one of his cameos/interview Lou said that Tim called him up to play Tommy again and that he would eventually get involved with Buck. He said that Tim wanted to create some kind of a romcom situation for Buck. (Did Tim mention the same thing in an interview somewhere? Or did I just make that up in my head? I’m not sure. I thought he said something in the same vein, but I might be wrong. Not that it’s relevant to this post.)

Well, where is the romcom?

Buck and Tommy basically met in 7x03, exchanged one simple look and then nothing until 7x04 where he spent all of this time obsessing over Eddie having a new friend, only to reveal in the end that he liked Tommy. (Which… really? Even Tommy was all ‘My attention?’ Are you sure about that?) Cue Buck and Tommy kiss. Then in 7x05 they go on a very awkward date. Buck ends up saying something very dumb, so Tommy leaves. In the end he asks him to meet for coffee and they reconcile. (Then Buck proceeds to be dumb again as he asks Tommy to be his date to his sister’s wedding. Which is sooo not a good idea for a second date. But whatever.) I’m sure we’ll see them being cute together at the wedding and there might even be a dance and/or kiss. But it’s all so bland and uninteresting. Where's the chemistry? Where’s the tension?

So again, where is the romcom in this scenario?

Compare it to this:

Buck and Eddie meet in season 2. When Buck sees Eddie for the first time ‘Whatta man’ is playing as introduction music. There is some hostility at first, but they get over it pretty quickly. They become fast best friends that help each other through hardships. They support each other through the lawsuit (which hurts their friendship, but only briefly), the tsunami, the firetruck falling on top of Buck’s leg, the shooting, the Eddie breakdown, different relationships… They are there for each other, through everything. Buck also forms a very tight bond with Eddie’s son: Christopher.

Next to that, they are there for each other on an emotional level. They understand each other better than anyone else. They’re like two peas in a pod.

So basically, they are a unit at this point. Sure, they still see each other as best friends, but that isn’t a problem, because best friends realise they’re in love with each other all the time in romcoms.

This is such a great set up for a romcom. They love each other through and through, but never considered there might be more to it. (Although I still headcanon that Eddie knows exactly how he feels about Buck. He has known since the shooting. But that’s neither here nor there.) Now one of them comes out as bisexual (which again YAY!) and the other will be forced to rethink their relationship. Eddie will see Buck and Tommy together and he will be confronted with them at the wedding. Romcom-wise this could be an excellent opportunity to introduce some feelings of discomfort in Eddie, when he sees them together. Or they could go with the romcom trope of the current ‘boyfriend’ (Even though Tommy isn’t his boyfriend yet. They haven’t even gone out on a second date.) realising that his love interest is completely gone over his best friend and gently remind him of that or make him realise that’s what it is. Or maybe they will reveal to us that Eddie has been aware of his feelings all this time, he just didn’t think he ever stood a chance with Buck.

There are so many ways to go with this scenario. If it’s just bucktommy, there is no real romcom scenario to explore. But if you add Buddie to that story, it just becomes so much more interesting and potentially romcommy (Is that even a word?).

This isn’t saying that Eddie (nor Buck for that matter) doesn’t still have a lot to unpack in his personal life and that everything will be peachy with Buck as soon as they realise they are into each other, but it will set up a great narrative for them to try to ‘hide’ their feelings from each other, telling other people while trying to act ‘normal’ when they’re spending time together. Eddie still thinking bucktommy are together, when in reality they have become just friends. Buck thinking that Eddie would never be interested in him because he is ‘straight’. Endless romcom scenarios to choose from right there.

Finally, I know there has been a rumour going around that Buck won’t be able to afford his loft anymore and he’ll move in with Eddie. It’s just speculation based on a few random facts and observations, but I swear, if we get this scenario? I will ascend! It would be the peak romcom scenario: Two friends moving in together while one of them (or maybe both?) is still possibly in a relationship? I have seen this movie before, many times. And let me tell you… the people forced to co-habit because of outside circumstances? They always end up together.

TLDR, in the end, in a romcom you want the audience to cheer on the couple with the deepest connection and chemistry. The superficial love interest (Which fits Tommy to a T. I mean, what do we even know about the guy? Nothing, only that he is brought in to help Buck out of the closet. What does Buck know about him? Not a lot. He hardly spends time with him before he gets kissed by him.) never turns out to be ‘the one’.

I don’t know guys. All of this just makes so much sense to me. Only time will tell if I’m right (or wrong).

Thoughts?

[eveandtheturtles]

Hey love!

I was hoping to request some fluffy feeling confessions with a nervous Raph if that’s okay? HC’s or one-shot, dealer’s choice.

Thank you ♥️

Here comes the floof. Did I go a bit romcommy? Eh. Hope you enjoy!

The power failure allowed for something that almost in New York. The stars over your head were bright and you felt something truly magical fill your soul. The frost made your breath visible as you puffed out a cloud of mist.

"Yer like a dragon there," Raph chuckled next to you.

"So are you," you teased, nudging him. You leaned against him. "The sky is gorgeous tonight."

He didn't say anything and you could feel him tense up. He was ready to say something but you weren't going to rush him. Your gloved hand found his and sneaked into the tight embrace of his caloused fingers. Your thumb stroked the back of his palm.

You knew your feelings for him. You were also almost certain of his but you'd rather heard him say it. There was no rush though, you felt content with his hand in yours, your head on his biceps and the stars above you.

You heard people down in the streets, celebrating despite the weather and blackout. The calm was about to end.

"Happy New Year," you muttered amused.

"Listen..." Suddenly Raph spoke again.

"Yeah?" You turned your head to look at him. He had this expression that clearly spoke 'flustered', chewing his lip as he didn't have his usual tooth pick.

"I, uh,-" he inhaled sharply. Then he took you by the shoulders moving you to the side. "Just a second. Wait here." He motioned to the spot he set you at and you could help but smile and watch him skip a long a small distance from you.

You watched him bounce a little, clearly hyping himself up. He then jogged back.

"Okay, so here's the thing and I need to say it now! Alright?" He paused and you nodded. He was so nervous. His hands were on your shoulders and he took couple breaths in and you could hear him mutter 'you can do this' twice. Then he looked at you. "I- like ya. Like-like ya. Like a lot, okay? And- and you probably don-" You cut him off with a kiss before he'd spiral.

He froze for a second and you were about to pull back but then his arms closed tightly around you and held you against his clothed chest. It was everything you could dream off. The spark of heat in the middle of New York's winter. You could feel the coldness of his beak and you giggled breaking the kiss. You stroked his cheek biting your lips and he nuzzled you.

"I like like you too, silly," you told him and he sighed, his muscles relaxing, a laugh bubbling and breaking out of his chest. He shouted 'wooo-hoo' loudly and spun you around kissing you again.

You laughed with him and as you kissed the fireworks began to fire off into the air. Truly the best New Year's Eve.

@turtle-babe83 Hope you enjoy this! :)

Tagging also: @madammuffins @thelaundrybitch @pheradream15 @dilucsflame33 @sharpwindow

*peaces out*

[valeriianz]

so, i HAVE an idea for something 00's romcommy (thanks to @carnelianmeluha and @wordsinhaled) but as i was writing it, i thought to myself, "but they need backstory!" and what was going to be just a few paragraphs of introspection turned into a 3.3k high school AU set in the 90s. so, have this for now. part 2 will be up whenever i feel like it :)

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

“Dream!”

Hob found him in a corner, blending into the shadows and had to laugh as he looked up at the sound of his name. He was wearing black, as usual, with his hands stuffed into the pockets of his tight jeans.

“So glad to see you here.” Hob said as he approached, looking upon his friend with a little less restraint than he typically allowed. The vodka-spiked punch was hitting him hard.

Dream relaxed a modicum, his shoulders visibly drooping as his chin tilted up.

“I am only here because you invited me.”

Hob’s smile only widened as he leaned forward. 

“Then I’m flattered. Do you want a drink?”

Dream shrugged and Hob laughed again, turning halfway and inclining his head for Dream to follow him.

Hob, despite being in with the more popular kids in his grade, wasn’t the biggest fan of house parties. He knew Dream wasn’t either; moreso, in fact. Dream was more likely to be found spending his Friday nights cooped up in the library, nose stuck in a book.

But tomorrow they were graduating from high school, and Hob’s parents weren’t coming back from their anniversary trip until the morning. Which meant this was Hob’s last chance to throw an epic rager. 

Though Derek Gallagher, the star athlete of their high school’s football team, was also throwing a party tonight, so it was less of a rager going on here, and more of a casual hang sesh. Hob couldn’t complain though. At least he liked the dozen or so people in his parent’s house, and at least cleaning up the next day wouldn’t be impossible. And no one had messed with the volume control for the music yet; 90s hip hop and r&b dripping through the entertainment system. 

Hob nabbed a red solo cup and ladled out the sweet drink into it, passing it along to Dream, who took it with a suspicious look before taking a sip.

Dream immediately blanched.

“Oh. That’s awful.”

Hob laughed again before biting his bottom lip. Dream didn’t seem to mind though, his own little smile peeking through.

“You can dilute it with more juice in the fridge, if you want.”

Throughout the evening, Hob tried to keep his attention on more than just Dream at his side, chatting with his fellow classmates and laughing along to stories and jokes, one last go at clearing up the rumor mill.

And though Dream mostly kept quiet, he did acknowledge those who greeted him, congratulated him on getting into a university in England, how fun it was going to be moving overseas, to which Dream hummed and nodded politely.

Hob was the only one who knew the truth: that Dream’s parents were sending him away. That while Dream had been accepted on an academic scholarship, it was only because his family had set it up for him. Had forced him to apply, had paid for his application and was having him shipped off next month, when Dream would turn 18 and they didn’t have to keep him in their house any longer.

What looked like a privileged situation was actually cruel and heartbreaking. Yes, Dream was going to Oxford. That was insane. Yes, his stupidly wealthy parents were paying for his room and board and what tuition the scholarship didn’t cover. But it was only a drop in the bucket for them. They saw Dream’s future more as a promising investment for when they grew old and needed Dream’s career to take care of them. Not as if they had plenty of money stowed away to keep them afloat during retirement and then some. Or plenty of children, for that matter.

And of course to say they had yet another child in some prestigious university didn’t hurt their reputation either.

Hob managed to derail the subject every time it came up, of where everyone else was going to college. It was inevitable, discussing the future with his classmates, given the timing. But Hob could see Dream sinking more and more into himself as the night went on, holding onto his drink more for his hands to be occupied than anything else.

“I know,’ Johanna announced suddenly, hours bleeding into the late evening. “Let’s liven things up a bit.”

She had several hands help clear a large area in the living room as she procured the empty vodka bottle, shaking it with a drunken twinkle in her eyes.

“Truth or dare, motherfuckers.”

The party, which had been dying down, suddenly turned up again. Everyone refilled their drinks and formed a large circle on the floor. 

Dream plopped down next to Hob, folding his legs and throwing a lazy, tipsy smile at Hob. Who had to take another sip of his drink to keep himself from doing something drastic. Like tell Dream how cute he was right now. 

His coal black hair was a mess, sticking up and curling around his ears from the excessive amount of times Dream had run his hand through it. His boots were off, his sock-clad toes wiggling in anticipation. And his blue eyes seemed to shine, reflecting off the Christmas lights Hob had hung around the house for the party.

The game started and everyone played along, turning up the stakes and performing various wacky scenarios that only teenagers were capable of escalating. Cori licked Alex’s eyeball on a dare, erupting a chorus of screams and gags and Alex furiously rubbing his eyes afterward. On a demand for truth, Rachel confirmed the rumor that she’d fingered Johanna under the bleachers freshman year to an absolute assault of jeers and hooting and hollering, causing the extremely rare sight of Johanna flushing scarlet from her ears down to her neck. 

Naturally the game turned racy after that. Dares to kiss and show off hidden tattoos. Truths to admit who fucked whom and what would you do for such-and-such.

Hob feels himself getting warmer. And not to mention Dream, who remained seated next to him during this entire debauchery, becoming increasingly more uncomfortable as the game wore on. Hob could sense him slowly slipping out of the circle, until his knee lightly touched Hob’s hip, instead of where it had been for the better part of half an hour, resting against his thigh.

Hob turned, finding Dream staring down into his empty cup, turning it around and around in his grasp, and had just opened his mouth to comfort him, when Johanna piped up across from him.

“Hob, truth or dare.”

Hob’s head swung forward, eyes falling on the bottle top pointing directly at him. He sniggered softly, taking another peek over at Dream and finding his eyes now on him. Hob gently laid his hand over Dream’s foot, giving it what he hoped was a comforting squeeze before facing Jo again.

Truth be told, Hob was feeling much too invigorated from the alcohol, and he’d been waiting for his time to shine. Hob loved making a spectacle and so let his smile turn into a smirk, meeting Jo’s challenging stare head on.

“Dare.”

A collection of “ooh”s and delighted giggles spread around the circle.

“Good choice, Hobsie.” Her own brown eyes sparkled with mirth. Hob wasn’t sure when Rachel had crawled into her lap, but didn’t let it distract him from her next words. 

“I dare you to…” Jo tilted her chin, tapping it in mock consideration. “Kiss the person the bottle next lands on.”

Oh, easy, Hob thought. About to open his mouth to say so, when Jo spoke up again.

“With tongue.”

“Pfft,” Hob sat up, pushing his chest out. “You’re on.”

He reached forward, licking his lips teasingly as his eyes roamed around the circle of his peers, getting a hand around the bottle and giving it a powerful twirl.

The room went quiet save for a few hushed exchanges and some girls giggling that only made Hob grin flirtatiously. He felt the alcohol in his blood rushing with enough speed to make him dizzy, and the spinning bottle honestly wasn’t helping. But Hob had been patiently waiting his turn all night so watch it he would. 

Soon, all eyes followed the bottle as it began to slow, a hush of anticipation that Hob’s peers had been accustomed to all night falling over the circle once more.

Until the bottle finally stopped, and Hob’s heart along with it.

Because the mouth of the bottle pointed squarely at Dream, sitting right next to him. 

Scattered hollering and clapping filled Hob’s ears as his gaze flicked sideways to his friend, who was staring at the bottle, his posture ramrod straight, his hands no longer fiddling.

Hob swallowed and ignored the jeering and playful jab at his side from Cori, eyes fixated on his friend, his best friend. Who didn’t like going to parties, who only smiled when he meant it, who only complained about his parents stupid and strict rules only if Hob asked, never wanting to appear annoying, or too much, preferring to keep to the shadows.

Dream, who would fold if only Hob gave him his best pout, allowing himself to be tugged along to a concert or arcade with a well timed joke and friendly pestering. Who seemed like such a stick-up-the-ass to everyone except Hob, who only had eyes for him. Hob’s best friend, shy and awkward and a little mean, and so devastatingly handsome it was a wonder Hob hadn’t had the balls to do something about it yet.

It would take something as juvenile as a dare to finally give Hob the excuse to act upon his helpless crush. Though Dream…

Dream hadn’t looked away from the bottle. Bringing his lips in to form a line and. Hob felt his nerves begin to escape from out his ears.

“Hey…” Hob spoke gently, moving his hand to carefully rest on Dream’s knee.

Dream’s gaze snapped to Hob at once, and the look in his eyes made Hob’s stomach drop.

He looked terrified.

Hob’s breath caught in his throat, the air around them suddenly thick with an unidentified tension. 

Cori’s voice popping up over Hob’s shoulder made them both jump.

“C’mon, Morpheus. Hob won’t bite, unless you ask him to!”

Hob sighed loudly, rolling his eyes for the group’s benefit, who eased up with a roll of snickering around them. One time, that happened!

“I–” Dream started, swallowing hard enough for his Adam’s apple to bob harshly. “I’d rather–”

“Just one kiss, Dream,” Hob heard himself say, a little desperate. A little too drunk. “It’ll be really quick…” He felt himself already leaning in and Dream’s lips parted, sucking in an audible breath.

“Kiss, kiss, kiss!”

Jo and Cori started the chant, and everyone around them followed suit, egging Hob and Dream on.

The realistic, rational part of Hob’s brain, which was still muddled by cheap vodka, tried to remind Hob that this was just a game, and Dream didn’t have to do this if he didn’t want to. He’d even opened his mouth to say so, amongst the drunken, teenage laughter and clapping in time to the chant.

But what he spoke, instead of insisting they didn’t have to kiss, that they could potentially even revisit this, and Hob’s ego wouldn’t be bruised, thank you very much, was a quiet,

“Please?”

Dream’s brows pinched together, he looked truly torn and Hob couldn’t figure out what that meant, especially as the seconds ticked away. Driving Hob crazy, waiting for permission; verbally or even a single head nod. Hob wet his lips and his stomach did an acrobatic leap as he caught Dream’s gaze flick down to catch the motion, his shoulders visibly rising as he took a breath.

“No.”

Hob blinked and Dream was untangling himself from the floor, standing up so fast he wobbled, and stomped out of the room.

The chanting died down at once. Hob felt himself frozen to the carpet in the surrounding silence. 

Somebody politely coughed. Hob’s gaze found Johanna, who only looked back at him in sympathy, her eyebrows tilted up. 

Humiliation and rejection burned in Hob’s chest, crawling up his neck and making his ears hot. 

Cori clicked his tongue and Hob whipped his head around to glare at him.

“Tough luck, buddy.”

“Shut up,” Hob hissed, feeling all the more embarrassed for it. He splayed his hands flat on the floor, pushing himself up without another look at his classmates, and walked towards where Dream had vanished to with shaking limbs.

—------------------------------------

Hob found him quickly enough, going through the laundry room and out the door that led to the back yard.

“Dream?”

Blue eyes, barely visible in the darkness, rose to find Hob as he made his way down the steps, sitting across from Dream, against the railing, putting distance between them.

Dream looked forward again, his eyes set, face unreadable. Hob hated that he was drunk at the moment because he’d otherwise never chuckle sarcastically like he’s doing now. Hiding the pain, perhaps, hoping Dream can’t see how ashamed he’s feeling, how rejection boils in his blood and even looking at Dream right now, twists Hob’s insides.

“What the hell?”

Dream takes a long breath through his nose, pushing his shoulders back. And says nothing.

“It would have just been a stupid kiss,” Hob goes on, unprompted. Words tumbling out of his mouth like vomit. “You’re my friend. Is the thought of kissing me so disgusting you need to run away?”

Hob feels his eyes begin to sting and throws his head back, smiling derisively. He was about to start crying. Great.

Once he’s gotten himself under control, Hob tilts his head down and finds Dream watching him, his own gaze softened, if only minutely.

His lips part, voice low and quiet. “You misunderstand me.”

“Then I’d love it if you’d explain,” Hob sighs roughly. “Because you just made me look like an asshole in there.”

Dream shakes his head, unfolding his arms over his lap and getting long, pale fingers around his knobbly knees instead.

“The world is ending tonight.” Dream starts cryptically, staring at how his fingers pick at the tears in his jeans. “Tomorrow we graduate. I’m going to England and we’ll never see each other again.” He looks sideways at Hob, who’s holding his breath.

“And you’re still worried about how people perceive you?” He takes a breath. “You choose to spend your last hours getting drunk and playing juvenile games? Instead of…” Dream gaze flits back toward the house, swallowing.

Hob scoots over, closer to Dream. Summer is right around the corner but the night air is cool still, clean and pleasantly quiet. And Dream blends into the darkness like he belongs there, the stars in the cloudless sky, how they light up the darkness along with the moon, giving just enough illumination to see by, to marvel at Dream sitting on Hob’s back porch steps. 

Taking in the wonder that is Hob’s closest friend, beautiful, shy, wicked smart Dream. Hob feels calm fall over him like a blanket. Mulling on Dream’s words, and settling on a response.

“What would you rather be doing?”

Dream finds Hob’s gaze again, and Hob lifts his shoulders, prompting Dream further, but he remains silent. Hob takes a breath, speaking again when Dream doesn’t respond.

“If the world is ending anyway…” Hob starts, licking his bottom lip. “Then just say it.”

Agonizing seconds slip by, where Dream stares at Hob, lips slightly parted, eyes widening.

“I want to kiss you.”

Hob’s heart lurches in his chest and he feels the air leave his lungs. Dream’s voice is so quiet, so fragile, it makes Hob ache.

“But not–” Dream inclines his head slightly, toward the house. “Not like that.”

“Oh…” Hob says eloquently, finding himself petrified once again.

There’s a new tension in the silence that falls between them. Waiting, anticipating. Hob takes a steadying breath and feels like he’s jumping off a cliff.

He gets on hand on the floor between them and leans over, his other hand hovering towards Dream. 

“Can I–?”

“Yes.”

Dream meets him halfway, pressing warm, chapped lips to Hob’s, and holding still. 

It’s sweet, and careful, and when Dream exhales from his nose, the warm air hitting Hob, his lips part to take a breath and Hob lunges forward, getting a hand around the side of Dream’s face and pulling him in. Hob sweeps his tongue along the seam of Dream’s lips once before diving past, pulling a surprised gasp from Dream that turns into a soft groan.

Hob’s fingers caress into the soft strands of Dream’s hair as they kiss, elation popping off like fireworks under Hob’s skin as he finally is able to touch his friend like this. Move his lips along Dream’s with drunken coordination and vigor, putting as much affection and want into the kiss as Hob could, hoping Dream could understand. Could feel how long Hob has wanted to do this. And as they move together, bodies naturally closing the distance between them and Dream’s hands finsting into Hob’s shirt before weaving up and around his shoulders, Hob understands why Dream would rather share this privately, without an audience of their peers gawking.

Because this was real. Years of repressed yearning and feelings bubbling up to the surface and tumbling forth in exchanged breaths and needy whines, Hob’s fingers digging a little harder into Dream’s scalp, Dream’s hands, in response, clawing at Hob’s back, pulling him impossibly closer as his body arched like a bow so their chests bumped and Hob could feel the heat of his friend’s body against his own.

Hob tore his mouth away, taking a ragged breath, stealing it from Dream, before going back in, again and again, little lips-only kisses that elicited the prettiest noises from Dream. Especially as Hob’s lips wanders down his chin and up his jaw, causing his friend to cling tighter to Hob, tilting his head to give Hob better access, breathing through his mouth, the hot air hitting Hob’s ear and driving him wild.

“Dream…” Hob finally spoke, his low voice painted in arousal and causing Dream to shake in his arms. He nipped Dream’s ear before licking it. “Why is this all coming out now?”

One of Dream’s hands went up into Hob’s hair, fingers tangling in the brown locks as he huffed his response.

“I could ask the same of you.”

Hob smiles, but it’s sad. He’s slowed down now, gently nudging his nose underneath Dream’s ear before pulling back, facing him once more.

Dream’s eyes flutter open and Hob feels struck down. He’s never seen Dream’s eyes so dark, his blue iris’ nearly all encompassed by the black of his pupils. Hob, unable to resist now, taps his nose to Dreams, taking a breath.

“I was scared.”

He can hear how Dream swallows.

“Me too.”

They sit like that for a long moment, holding on to one another, breathing each other’s air, savoring the revelation that had just transpired. And knowing it wouldn’t last. 

—-------------

They of course saw each other again at graduation, and throughout the days that followed. Hob prepared to move across the state to his chosen college and Dream prepped to leave the country all together.

Hob offered to drive Dream to the airport on moving day, but Dream shook his head, saying it was already too painful that he was leaving, he didn’t want any lingering looks. Instead Dream’s father took a quick detour to Hob’s house, where Dream stood in Hob’s doorway to say goodbye, and in full view of both their families, all they could do was hug. And Hob put his entire body into it, crushing Dream, who had always been so damn thin and gangly, in his arms and nosing his way into Dream’s hair to take one final, deep inhale.

“We’ll see each other again.” Hob promised, in that hopeful way young people did.

Dream only smiled ruefully, his eyes shining and causing a lump to form in Hob’s throat.

“Promise?”

“Yeah.” Hob nodded, getting his hands around Dream’s face and caressing his thumbs under his eyes and across sharp cheekbones. “You think you can get rid of me that easily?”

Dream huffed out a quiet laugh, the blue of his eyes sparkling.