#sadly not from the coop though. oh well

[gender-trash]

i think i made a post several months ago like "this is the year i finally finish reading the dark forest" --

right, backing up a bit. i bought the three-body problem (paperback) from the mit coop at the beginning of campus preview weekend 2016 and hauled it around campus everywhere in my silly little blue messenger bag i thought would Finally make me Look Cool[^1], but unfortunately it happened to rain a lot that weekend and my cheap shitty messenger bag was NOT waterproofed so not only did the book get wet and wrinkly and need to be squarshed flat again, the fore-edge is to this day stained with blue dye. but i read it and loved it and then bought the dark forest (paperback) at the coop as my Post-Finals Book Treatsie sometime in freshman year, and proceeded to NOT read it until i'd well and truly forgotten what happened in book 1. at which point i was like "hm i'd better reread three-body problem! guess i'll start that on the plane home"

longtime followers may remember the events of summer 2017, which i shan't recapitulate here; suffice it to say i didn't get a lot of reading done outside of the absolute baseline comfort rereading-every-diana-wynne-jones-book-for-the-twentieth-time, and shortly before my surgery this year i pulled three-body problem off my shelf and realized that 1) there was a bookmark 1/4 of the way through it 2) it was my fucking boarding pass from my may 2017 flight home, which really carbon-dates the last time i touched it. ANYWAY i finished it, went "cool! i will definitely read dark forest immediately!" and then......... read the first fiftyish pages and stopped, leaving it to languish on the pile AGAIN

BUT TODAY I FINISHED READING IT FOR REAL and now i have that good good scifi book hangover where i'm just kind of. staring at the wall thinking about it. might fuck around and blorbify luo ji and/or zhang beihai idk

[^1]: with time i've accepted that i'm never going to look cool, except maybe to a highly specific audience that can appreciate my rare vintage robotics startup t-shirts, and also that this particular bag was definitely not large enough for how bad i always overpack

[juliawrittingsblog]

I've been feeling sick and down(acid reflux and depression dont mix), so a bit of hurt and comfort is in order. I didn't really think to hard when making this, and this is my own hc on how the brothers would act, so if it's ooc I apologize.(also please ignore errors I just wanted to get this our of my head and if this brings someone comfort then that's womderful)

Also, this should be gender neutral. I've done my best to tag as so. So enjoy.

Your not feeling well, the stress from the past couple of months finally catching up to you aa you wake up one morning, body feeling fatigued, stomach hurting, all in all you don't have it in you for another day of destruction from the brothers or the devildom.

Turning on your side you can feel the pain in your stomach bubble. A deep sigh leaving your lips bringing a choked sob. Slowly tears start to pour, your chest tightens with pain as you try to gasp for some form of a breath between inhails.

It was gonna be another long day. Another long day of fights, of studies, of fixing problems, and you just didn't have it in you. Not today, at least. All you wanted to do was be curled up in a blanket burrito, look out a window, drink some water, and maybe take something for your stomach.

In the end, you pulled the blankets up to your nose and decided you didn't care enough to bother worrying about what anyone would say or even if the Devildom burned down. You just wanted to sleep. To not be awake and feel the pain, to not think about everything.

The first to come check on you is, of course, Lucifer when you didn't come down for breakfast. He knocks on the door before walking in seeing you still in bed and he huffs, out of everyone you were the most reliable. His brothers he would expect to slack off but not you. He walks over, a gentle hand shakes you.

'Please,' you whine, the nausea starting to bubble in your stomach, 'I don't feel good.'

Lucifers brows furrow as he places a hand on your forehead but don't feel a fever, 'your not hot,' he mumbles.

'My stomach hurts, my body feels weak. Please, I just want to sleep,' you mutter a sad plea.

You can hear Lucifer let out a sigh, 'OK, ill let RAD know of your absent,' a large hand gently strokes your head, the motion causing you to let out a content sigh. There is something about the action that is comforting, soothing even. You didn't want his affection to stop but as he pulled his hand away you knew he had to sadly.

'I will bring you some water and meds. Is there anything else you need? "Lucifer asks as he tucks the blankets around you, making sure you are snug and warm.

You shake your head, simply happy to not have to push yourself though the day with a body heavy and stomach feeling sour. Granted you knew you wouldn't have to if you didn't want to. None of the brothers would force you. If anything all of them would spend the day watching over you and pampering you.

Satan is reading you a story if you were bored. He would also go out to try to find better medicine and try to find a book to try to help you feel better.

Levi keeping you company and making sure to do all the daily and grab all the energy for your games

Beel would make sure you are feed of course but would also on request carry you around like a little wrapped burrito that way you wouldn't feel so cooped up in your room. Being curled up into his chest is very comforting.

Asmo would do a low energy self care. Hot baths to help your fatigued muscles. Face mask to feel refreshed. He would also do your hair in a braid so it didn't get messy and tangled while you weren't feeling good.

Belphie would bring his best blankets and pillows. He would also lay with you if you asked.

Mammon, surprisingly, go into big bro mode and make sure everyone is kept in line. It was a rare site, but as the older brother, he needed to make sure his little brother didn't cause a racket and upset you. He would also let you have some of his stash of his best secret ramen.

Oh, and all of them would rub your tummy if you requested (something that you find relieves the pain and is soothing)

At the end of the day, despite how hectic things can be. You are loved and treasured by not just the brothers but everyone else as well.

[naminethewriter]

On the Road, Just the Two of Us

Chapter Five: Living the Ranch Life, Just the Two of Us (again, not really, but shush)

Masterpost | First | Previous | Next | Ao3

Summary: This was written for @dukeceit-week-2024, @dukeceitweek

Janus and Remus are living in a campervan at the moment. Are they going somewhere? Who knows. The only thing that’s important is that they’re together.

Content Warnings: probably not accurate to actually living on a ranch, I'm sorry..., Original Background Characters

🌻🌻🌻🌻

“Janny! Janny! Look!” Remus yelled as he ran over to Janus who just left the chicken coop with a basket full of eggs.

“What is it, dear?”

“I look like a genuine cowboy! John lent me his vest!”

“That’s great, honey! Your boots really make the outfit.”

“They do, don’t they!” He lifted his legs to inspect the brown, knee-high boots with fringe at the side that were very cliché but one of Remus’ favorite possessions. “Anyway, John’s gonna teach me to lasso, you wanna come?”

“I promised Jane I’d help in the kitchen. But you have fun.”

“Thanks, I will!” With that Remus ran off in the direction of the cow stables. Janus chuckled as he looked after him before making his way to the main house. He went to the kitchen and placed the basket on the counter.

“Thank you, Janus. You’re a big help,” Jane smiled, as she wiped her hands on her apron and moved over to inspect his haul.

“It’s not why we’re here,” Janus quipped. “We came for a five-star hotel experience and not because Remus always wanted to see what living on a ranch was like.”

Out of the window, the two of them could see Jane’s husband John showing Remus how to tie a big length of rope into a proper noose for lassoing. Jane chuckled at the sight.

“He seems like an excitable fellow. It’s too bad you two are only staying a week. Honestly, I wouldn’t mind having you for longer.”

“You’re the first person to ever say that, I think,” Janus joked, though there was some truth to that. Usually, both he and Remus had a hard time fitting in with their surroundings. The last four days they spent on the ranch, helping out where they can and learning a lot of new skills had been physically intense but mentally relaxing in a way Janus wasn’t used to from his usual routine.

“Oh, I doubt that!” Jane huffed. “You are both so nice, how could anyone not want you around?”

“Let’s just say, if we’d been born into this kind of environment, a lot of things might have been different.”

“Well, that’s obvious. Everyone would be different if you changed just one aspect of their past. I always thought that dwelling on the what-ifs was a waste of time. Live your life how you see fit and don’t look back too much. You’ll miss what’s in front of you! Now take these potatoes here. They need peeling and cutting.”

“Yes ma’am.”

Janus quietly started on his work while Jane bustled around him, humming lightly to the radio that was playing on low volume in the corner. In between the peeling and cutting, he looked outside. Remus seemed to have the time of his life, waving the length of rope over his head and running around without abandon.

“I don’t think I’ve seen him that happy in a long time,” Janus commented, more to himself than to Jane, though she did stop her own vegetable cutting.

“That so? He seemed to me like that from the start.”

“Yeah, this trip’s been good for him.”

“I mean it, Janus, if you wanna stay longer, you can! We have no other bookings for a week or two.”

Janus looked over at her and she was smiling at him with a warm expression he’s never seen on his own mother’s face.

“I appreciate the offer, Jane, but sadly we do have somewhere to be.”

“Is that so? A shame. Where you off to, if I may ask?”

“A wedding. Remus’ brother will be quite mad with us if we miss it.”

“Oh, I’d imagine! I’d be cross with you as well!” Jane laughed. “Well, then let’s make the most of our time together and cook to our hearts content, huh?” She gently nudged Janus’ side with her elbow and he smiled. Looking out the window, he saw Remus sitting on the ground, somehow tangled up in his own rope with John trying to free him. Both seemed to be laughing though, so Janus wasn’t worried.

“Yeah, let’s do that.”

Another month. There was no need to worry for another month. They just had to keep an eye on their destination. That’s all.

[lilabella12]

1303 - Day 4

With the milk she purchased from Trades Jaques Emma cooked their first real meal - sead porridge!

But sadly her cramps don't get better. She gets sick often, too.

Finnian worries about her health and asks her to visit the physician in the village.

While she's gone he gets a suprise visit from his sister Tara! Her baby bump is growing.

"Wow, I can't wait to meet the little one. Do you think you'll have a boy or a girl?"

"I don't know but I hope the baby comes soon. Jayden needs to leave again and I want him to meet his child as soon as possible. He feels so bad."

"I would, too."

"What about you two, by the way? Any chance of nieces of nephews in the future."

"Not right now. But don't talk about it with Emma. She's so upset about it. By now she probably thinks she's not able to conceive."

"I'm sorry... you shouldn't lose hope though, sometimes it takes a while."

Finnian is out in the fields when Emma comes back from the village.

"Finnian!" She runs towards him and he's a little surprised when she falls into his arms.

"Emma? Why are you crying? What's wrong? Are you sick? Did the doctor say something?"

She shakes her head, rubs her eyes and smiles at him.

"I'm pregnant!"

"What? Are you sure?"

"Yes. I'm sure"

"But... the pains? Is something wrong?"

"The doctor doesn't think so, but I will have to be careful with work from now. We don't want anything to happen to our baby."

"Our baby... I'm so happy."

"Me, too."

Not even a visit of the tax collector can change Finnians mood after that.

"Why exactly are you smiling? I've just halved your income."

"I'm going to be a father!"

"......okay?"

Finnian decides to suprise Emma with something he's been working on for some time now.

"I've been building the coop for some time now, but I think it's finished. You can care for the chickens while I work on the fields, it's too hard for you now."

Emma is very grateful. She always liked caring for her fathers chickens and with the eggs she can try out that custard recipe Tara mentioned a few days ago.

They only have enough money for some chicks, though...

Oh, well, she'll just have to care for the little chicks until they grow up.

She grows fond of them quickly and even names them... Nugget and Pinkie.

| previous | next |

[ben-talks-art]

Let's talk about entitlement

A couple of weeks ago I discovered that a voice actor from my country, an incredibly popular figure that is known for voicing super big roles such as Superman, Samurai Jack, Optimus Prime, Coop from Megas XLR (my favorite dub from the dude btw, he absolutely kills it!), and also acting as the voice for many popular actors such as Jim Carrey, was cast to play the role of Future Devil in the Brazillian dub of Chainsaw Man.

Now... I myself have not watched anything dubbed in my home country in eons, in fact, the Puss in Boots 2 movie was the first time in a while where I saw any form of media dubbed with Brazillian voice actors, if only because I wanted to see this thing as soon as possible so I just rushed to the nearest cinema I could find, and sadly Brazillian cinema doesn't show animated movies in their original dub...

So anyway, I wasn't exactly going "OMG!! Superman is gonna voice the "the future rules!" guy!!!" or anything like that. I was mostly just going "Oh, neat!", but after watching Puss I was kinda curious to find out how the whole Brazilian Future Devil thing went and... Ugh...

Apparently, the voice actor got a lot of hate on Twitter because they didn't adapt the line from the manga in the same way it was done by the fan translations... I repeat, people got angry at the actor because the line was different from the FAN TRANSLATIONS! And he received so much backlash from the watchers that he decided to drop out of the show and thus won't be returning for a future season.

Cool...

So... Let's talk about entitlement a little bit

Let's just assume for a moment that there is a girl you really, really like (I'm using "girl" but just replace it with whatever works for you), but she couldn't care less about you, so you try to make yourself look better, more desirable, more "worthy" of her by, let's say... Having a very well-paid job, or being someone who donates a lot to charity, or paying for the surgery of her grandma, or finding the cure for cancer, or ending world hunger... Let's just assume you did everything you could to be considered the most perfect person ever...

You're still not entitled to that girl's affection, appreciation, or even attention if she doesn't want to give you that.

Entitlement is the mentality of "I earned this, so I deserved it!"

But the fact of the matter is, unless you're paying someone for a job, and they agree to it, nobody really owes you anything.

(Although I guess one could argue that you're also owed your parents' support in order to survive since they're the reason you're here at all but... I'm not sure I have enough knowledge to talk about this so casually.)

But long story short, entitlement is this idea that you should have things done in the way you want them to be, just because you convinced yourself that this is how it should be.

I mentioned before in my Makima post that I really don't like this mentality because it works to make people think they have power over something they have nothing to do with.

This happens a lot with fanbases. Sonic, Kingdom Hearts, Chainsaw Man, Star wars... There are so many pieces of media where the public will go "this isn't how I wanted" or even worse "this isn't how it is supposed to go!" as if they were the creators or something.

They use arguments like "I complain because I care!" but in reality, it isn't about caring. This isn't about displaying your love for an IP you care about, it's about you not being able to handle a reality different from what you wanted.

It's basically the premise of the movie "Misery" where this one fan wants to act like she knows the story better than the actual author.

Now... Thinking that you deserve something even though there is nothing that says you technically do aside from your own belief is already bad enough, but it gets even worse when people use it as an excuse to act violently.

Harassing a voice actor and making him give up on his job just because a line was changed is just beyond silly. It's not the fans' duty to tell how a story should be told, same way it isn't right for fans to harass an actor just because they played an unpopular character in a live-action performance like it Happened with Rose in Star Wars, or telling someone they should kill themselves just because they made a joke about an infamous ship in Chainsawman.

It's even weirder in Chainsawman's case because part 2 literally starts with someone getting so much harassment by their classmates that it makes her want to die, which just makes me wonder if people are even trying to pick the messages of the story they are consuming.

Bottom line, entitlement is ugly. It is in my opinion THE ugliest mindset anyone could have.

It makes people perform actions out of selfishness, arrogance, anger, and it only works to spread pain and misery. It makes you look at other people as objects that only exist to satisfy your desires and makes you forget they have feelings and that they can get hurt, all because they happen to want to do something you disagree with.

If someone writes a story in a way you don't like it, you're not entitled to attack that writer. If someone performs the role of a character in a way you don't like it, you're not entitled to attack that actor. And if someone has an opinion about a piece of media that you disagree with, you're not entitled to attack that commenter.

You NEVER have a reason to attack anyone. Trying to put others down just to make yourself look big, ironically, doesn't make you look big! It just makes it look like you don't have enough faith in what you stand for and are too afraid that someone might prove you wrong.

Entitlement and aggressiveness are huge symbols of insecurity, cowardice, and immaturity, because people who truly believe in what they believe in, don't resort to harassment so fast just because a different point of view showed up.

We only attack when we feel threatened, when we feel someone is trying to hurt us or trying to take something important from us.

Attacking should only be reserved for self-defense, or the defense of someone who can't defend themselves (and even then I feel like there is a whole other grey area of debate on how to know who needs and should be defended and from whom, which I really don't feel I have the skills or maturity to properly talk about myself).

A random line on a fan translation of a popular manga that got changed when the official dub came out... Is just not a good enough reason to feel threatened, and not a good enough reason to attack someone, even if it's just an online attack.

We all know the line, "If you have nothing good to say, don't say anything!"

Unless someone is asking for your opinion, unless someone is paying you to speak and make a criticism or provide some sort of honest feedback, or unless you're being harassed first, you are NEVER entitled to use your words or body to try to harm someone!

You are free to live your life in any possible way you want, as long as no one is getting hurt from it.

...

At least in my opinion...

I am not a psychologist, or psychiatrist, or a psychic, or any form of expert in the field of the human mind.

These are just my casual thoughts about a... Not so casual topic, but I feel it's important to be talked about nonetheless because I feel not many people seem to realize how big of a problem entitlement really is, and how it seems to be getting worse as the years go by as the media and internet keeps making us feel like we have more power over other people's lives than we actually have.

Just... Try to think twice before you get that sudden urge to want to complain about the way something is or how someone is acting just because you don't agree with it. Think a little about who might be getting hurt from it and if it's truly worth it getting so upset about it.

...

Anyways, this was a downer talk... Anyone seen Puss in Boots 2 yet?

[tomyo]

Story of seasons friends of Mineral town: The Powertrip

I would like you to come back to a simpler time with me, dear reader. Do you remember Kanye's Power? Do you remember the mlp version? Around that time, I shared on this exact blog some cringey art reveling in exploiting the ruby spice farming trick to for the first time properly fun my wonderful life farm. Now and again, a bokumono game gives its players some way to break the game, but the friends of mineral town took it to a new level.

Okay, let's rewind. Amidst playing ANB, I became frazzled from the sheer amount of mechanics I had to keep track of. I have moved Yuri into town, but now I was struggling to complete restoration project 3. At some point, I messed up a day and took a step back. Now I have not kept track of switch games on my backlog, but this past winter, I was gifted fomt but had not touched it. Fomt was my first HM game and something I knew intimately since it was so straightforward. I decided to take a quick shot at it. Oh, how novel it was at the start.

Within one night's worth of work, I had basically become the kingpin of quaint Mineral Town.

I did not intend it, in fact I barely read anything major. Just some basic costs and a crop guide. However, during the first horse race, I was saving money for a new rucksack but now was unable to buy it. I take a look at the medal information and figure I'd try my luck at getting the power berry seeing as save scumming was much less tedious now. However instead, I ended up with a good number of broaches. That was when I made my first 50k.

Now you can ship the broaches just fine but I had learned of selling to Huang and figured I should befriend him for next time. Pretty much a day later I ended up with van's favorite (VF from here out) to which I believe is a new addition that you can sell to Huang for ~50k each.

Apparently, you get this every time your transaction count lands on a 10 in its count. Heavily exploitable, but you don't even need to try. So far I have received 3 without even trying and it's been more than enough money to basically complete the game.

By mid summer I had enough to pay for one of every animal, upgrade the house fully and furnish it fully, upgrade all weapons to max, and upgrade the barn and coop one level up AND buy the materials for that rather than slowly accrue it.

The thing is, I also had completed most of this by late spring. All the animals I needed and plenty of seeds, it was time to call upon the sprites. As one should know, sprites love flour, the easiest bribery ever. Had all seven won over in time to plant 90, yes 90, pineapples. And even more plants with that, about 10 of everything I could have at the moment. The money every couple of days was ludicrous. I was making thousands without some cheat. I was even smart enough to not hire all of them at once so there was always coverage. It was basically great assistance while I built up my skill with the watering can. Sadly not mythril yet but gold works fine.

So I'm living large, what now?

Well child me was not as good at patience with this game and would do dumb shit like make myself pass out and only talk with Karen. I guess it's time to befriend the town.

Now this time as I had remarked previously, I intended to marry Elli. Though as a divergence back up, I also confessed to the harvest goddess my interest and was giving some stuff to karen too. Oh, but there is romancable gift options? Darn, and the new guy has a boyfriend gift for you too. Oh wait, the game ENCOURAGES YOU to date all the singles. Yes. Bokumono outprogressed stardew valley in the same game that it first let you date same sex (not as a conditional feature). I mean, how can I say no to that? Why shouldn't I date the whole town before settling down? I WANT FREE HOUSE DECOR DAMMIT.

And boy have I achieved that. Guess what. Most singles have a really simple to get thing in their likes category. Most people in fact like store bought flour too as I've learned.

So now I am in early Fall, collecting various foliage and woeing some people to let me into their rooms and give me recipes. I am mostly waiting around to repeat my sudden wealth gain at the fall races but now with tens of thousands instead of the previous 3k I had at the time. It would take roughly 5000 broaches to buy that cabin from Gotz, although that doesn't factor material or if they'll let me keep that many broaches. Moreover I'm holding out for the free beach house at 150 gifts to which should come in fall of next year if I am pious.

But what's most on my mind is buying my first dog and learning cooking so I can spend the winter lake mining for kappa jewels, some of each gem, and the power berry. If I get the cursed tools as well is up in the air since I still need to upgrade 5 of 6 tools to mythril which takes quite a lot of time especially since not every one is full exp yet. Likely I will try to upgrade the hoe and hammer before winter, the watering can at the start of it, and get the axe and pole done in time to trek the depths one last time.

Sadly what has truly stopped the glory of this progression is simply my real time availability to play it. I started at the end of my free time week and have been busy since. Maybe one day i'll finally be able to gain those mythical houses that were so unattainable in the og.

[astarab1aze]

"Nothin' good'll come o' me? Aw, Coop, tha'ssa awfully generous compliment from ya! Step up from less - I'll take it. Look atchu, flirtin' wit me~" And, of course, he goes right back to pushing buttons, shaking his wrists over the table. Go on, now's yer chance, bel gason, may as well take it. So much mischief flashing in his eyes, accompanied by genuine if wanton curiosity and interest. Oh yes, he'd heard how infamous he'd become even across the stars - perks of being the sort of criminal mage he was, just shy of ascendency? He'd have to visit the stars when he had the chance, tear them up like Space Dandy and find the nearest Boobies-- unironically. No fun allowed on that front, sadly.

He was amused though, by the assumption Cooper wasn't missing out on a damn thing. Oh, he very much was, and maybe he'd find out exactly what that meant - maybe when next they crossed paths, or after that. Loux could be patient. He could wait for Cooper to come around. It was more fun to be chased anyway; He was always doing the chasing. Literal or not, it was, again, refreshing. But for all of Cooper's grumpyness and desire to arrest him, finally, it just wasn't going to happen, was it? So he pulled his hands away and settled his chin into the palm of his hand, committing every detail of Cooper's face to memory.

"Wouldn't matter if I turned m'self in. Y'ain't gonna arrest me t'nigh', if y'ain't already. Yer the one wit th' gun, after all. Ya could do it so easy, so fast...an' I wouldn' e'en complain. S'kinda cute, th' look on yer face when ya glare a' me, yanno? 'Specially when yer gun's riiiiiigh' under m' chin." He tilted his head and circled his free hand in the air, calling for another round of drinks, beer or not. "'ave a drink wit me an' quit bein' such a sourpuss. Rivals we may be, buh so? Guarantee ya won' find no betta insigh's."

"They're worse than you. They visit other planets and steal whatever creatures are there and bring them back to illegal trading asteroids. The kind of ones where you find faces of people so famous on a planet like Earth that you know nothing good will ever come of them." Was that his way to jab at Loux and his infamy in the great beyond? Why yes it was. Never before had Cooper run into someone as popular as Loux from a place like this. Normally no one cared about it, but clearly that wasn't the case. "Don't worry though I'm not missing out on anything, and before you ask why it's simple really: if you're around to do it then I do not have too."

Lifting his beer up he sighs. It was nice that this place didn't have much technology in it, but he'd kill for some adequate lighting. Sure he could charge the air around him, but the poor owner might have a heart attack. He already was fine with him dropping by from time to time even if it messed with all his stuff so he wasn't going to push his luck any further. "If you want to make me less cranky I can think of an idea..."

Leaning forward he brushes his mouth against Loux's ear, "turn yourself in and let me take you back with me. Do that and I'll stop being angry."

[schrullesworld]

The coronation of Tsarina Taisiya Crown Prince Caro of Del Sol and Princess Miri of Oasis Springs are having a good time, mean while Prince Consort Onkar of Del Sol has a chat with the Queen of Windenburg. Caro, Miri and Onkar belong to @motherofroyalsims

Crown Prince Caro (C): This is amazing here, I swear getting a weekend off from Military Camp was totally worth it. Princess Miri (M): At least you have fun on your weekend off. C: You don’t? M: No, no I am having fun, it is just nice to see you again having fun.

C: Best thing, your dad is not here to scold me, I think my dad came here to make sure we don’t do anything stupid. M: We are law abiding citizens. We would never do anything stupid. Although from the way these people are here, we seem rather tame.

C: I agree, but hey they also have some cool stuff here. Never saw an abbey with a partey room. Whoever build that was a genius. M: They lack some chicken nuggets though. C: [sighs] Sadly. But hey we can just ask them if they can make some.

M: You are right, but first we might need to talk to some people here. At least enjoy our time here. Before you go back to being shouted at by a man and me being shouted at by a woman. C: is mum that hard on you?’ M: Hormones, I do not blame her.

Queen Hanna (H): So you are just here with your son and his fiancee? Prince Consort Onkar (O): Yes, I had to keep an eye on them and my wife Caroline kind of ‘kicked’ me out to have some fun. H: [laughs a little bit] O:Nothing bad happend, just that I am cooped up and treat her like she lost a leg, instead of a pregnant woman.

H: Oh congratulation. O: Thanks. It is just so weird sometimes. We did try for yesrs and now when our son is like close to being an adult. She gets pregnant. H: It is still sweet. O: With whom did you attend the coronation? H: My husband and my second daughter. My first one is home with her husband taking care of her baby. O: Oh congratulations?

H: I wish, she is 17. O: Oh...that is... H: Kind of bad I know, but what can you do about it. She was already reprimanded. At least she is taking care of her daughter. O: Oh that is good thing. Must be stressfull for her. H: Well, actions have consequences.

O: Well good look with your daughter and granddaughter. H: Thanks and to you as well, to your new addition. O: Additions. H: Oh? O: She will have triplets. H: Holy shit! Oh...sorry. That just slipped by.

[kodaiki]

struck by you.

summary: you’re not really one to go to college parties because of your focus on your studies but who knew one party could blossom the relationship with you and one of the cute frat guys hosting it.

pairing: bokuto kotaro x fem!reader

genre: college!au; strangers to friends to lovers; strangers to lovers; all fluff (bokuto’s a rlly fluffy guy in this ok); frat guys are kinda meh but frat guy!bokuto? hm an exception.

word count: 11.0k

warnings: mentions of alcohol; language

a/n: repost!! frat!bo is back <3​

welcome to the frat house! meet bokuto!

he’s what you refer to as, the life of the party

he’s there to hype you up and get you dancing

(master of the keg stand)

will befriend you in seconds!!

yeah, he’s that guy

10/10 best boy though

you’re not much of a party goer.

and you think it’s because you decided to choose a major that kept you hunched over a desk in your room all day.

hey,,,priorities right?

(kuroo the chem major cannot relate. that boy be partying with finals the next day AND HE STILL ACES THEM)

(how unfair)

but today, correction, tonight, is different than your usual saturday night, cooped up in your dorm.

because your roommate,

oh, you’re ever so lovely and bubbly roommate, yachi, is tugging on your wrist to go to a party tonight.

“c’monnn please?” she begs, jutting out her lower lip and widening her eyes. “didn’t i help you with your research paper the other day?”

don't give me that face :(

“but i have school work to finish,” you answer, letting her pull at your arm as you sit at your desk. it’s an adorable sight really.

just you sitting there like: (¬_¬)

her: ⊂(･ω･*⊂) c’mon c’mon

“you deserve a break!! you don’t wanna experience burnout, do ya?”

well no, of course not.

but also,,,

“why a party out of all things? can’t we just order some food and sit around?”

“sometimes you just gotta let loose and have fun~” yachi isn’t budging with her pleas and her hands stays clasped around your forearm.

“besides,” she begins sadly, twirling a strand of her blonde hair around her index finger, “i’d be going alone if you don’t come with.”

red alert red alert

mom friend mode: activated

“what do you mean ‘alone?’ who do you usually go with?”

“kiyoko can’t come tonight. but i like hanging out with these guys since i’m already friends with them.”

friends…

you raise an eyebrow.

“friends?”

“yes, just friends. you’ll know what i mean if you come!”

“i….fine, but only,” you raise an accusatory finger when she lets go to jump up and down excitedly, “because you have no one else to go with. there's no way in hell i’m letting you go to a party alone.”

“great!!! go get dressed! it starts at 9~”

“you mean i can’t wear this?” you gesture down to your pajamas littered with pictures of small cartoon cats.

“i hope you’re not being serious.”

“…”

“ok maybe i should pick your outfit then.”

and just like that, she bounces away from you and toward her and your closet to pick out something to wear.

that charm is very hard to say no to, damn.

why did i agree to this, you ask yourself, hugging yourself from the cold breeze as yachi links her arms with yours and you make your way to the house together.

the outfit she picked for you wasn’t very revealing at all, despite how cold you still were.

never wear something you like to one of these parties, she had said. because it will get ruined.

(rip to my white converse)

there’s others in front of you, a group of girls, and they seem to be bouncing with just as much excitement as your roommate was.

who were these frat guys?

and why did they seem so loved?

“you’re gonna love them!” it was as if yachi had read your mind, stating while you approached the front door. “i know there’s a whole frat guy stigma but out of all the parties i’ve been, too, these guys are the nicest.”

“I mean,” you deadpan, raising an eyebrow at her, “this party is only a one time thing so I don’t really care how I’ll feel about them.”

yachi seems to know something you don’t by the way her grin widens. “that’s what you say now~”

before you could question what she meant, the door swings up and you're hit with the scent of weed. instinctively, your nose twitches.

“well if it isn’t one of my favorite girls! yachi, how you been?” the taller, gray and black haired guy at the door greets your roommate with a toothy smile and he ruffles her hair playfully.

“i’ve been good, bokuto. i can tell you’re having fun already.” she seems totally comfortable with this guy, you observe, slightly tilting your head to the side. she’s smiling ear-to-ear, pointing at his flushed cheeks.

“you know it! oh, you brought someone?”

you’re standing slightly behind yachi so you’re not in full view…until yachi grabs your arm and jerks you directly beside her. “MY ROOMMATE, Y/N!”

bokuto seems to pause for a second as if registering her words before he smiles. “pleasure!” He greets before holding his red solo cup out for you to take.

you shake your head politely at the offer, “no thanks.”

a small part of you expected the bigger man to urge you to take a drink but instead, he simply smiles and leans over to pat your shoulder proudly, “good on you, not taking a drink from a stranger. if you want one though, the drinks are on a table in the back or in the kitchen.” he then points somewhere behind him.

“it isn’t that,” you quickly shake your head. “i just gotta be sober to make sure this girl doesn’t do anything too crazy. thanks though.”

he nods in understanding and he opens his mouth to say something else before you hear someone call out:

“aye, bokuto! they got the keg stand out!”

and just like that, bokuto��s whipping his head around, searching for the owner of the voice.

“aw, hell yeah! i’ll be right there, man!” he calls back before turning back to the two of you, “you girls stay safe alright?”

“always!” yachi pats his cheek lovingly and waves as he walks away through the crowd. “come say hi to us later!” she calls after him.

“when you said ‘friends,’ you really meant that,” you observe as you both make your way into the house. it’s dark and hot and you already know you’re not gonna have the best time.

“mhm! i mean we knew each other before i knew he was in this frat. ‘met him in my politics class and he invited me to a party. we’ve been friends since,” yachi grins before tugging on your wrist further into the people-filled room.

yup, just what you thought.

it was crowded, smelly and sweaty.

the two of you head to a corner of the room where there aren’t as many people around.

you stand next to yachi as she dances wildly and silently observe just how many people she knows in the house. she waves at a bunch of people and you feel definitely out of place.

“c’mon y/n, sway a little! it’s a party~”

“ugh i don’t even know what to do at parties. i’ve never really gone except during freshman orientation weekend and that was awful.”

“oh? how come?”

“i spent most of the night helping this girl find her phone-she said she had to make sure her mom wasn’t calling her- and by the time we found it, she was also drunk and she got sick and ew don’t make me get started on that-”

“yikes…but that was one time! maybe that was was a first bad impression for ‘ya but bokuto could totally flip that around for you!”

“what does that mean?”

“he’s the life of the party! just look-”

you turn to where yachi is pointing and yeah, bokuto is doing a handstand, sipping from the nozzle of a keg stand as people surround him and cheer him on

how does he even stay up like that? o.O

he must be really strong…

your eyes can only stay fixated on his hair, though…

that seems familiar but you can’t quite put your finger on it.

you turn away from the sight quickly, afraid you’ll get caught staring by anyone else in the room.

“here! drink,” yachi hold out a red solo cup filled with a mysterious red liquid for you to take.

“nuh-uh, i gotta make sure you’re not wasted.”

“just one?”

“i can’t believe i’m being peer pressured by a girl with a barbie blanket,” you mutter, grabbing the cup from her hand and taking a sip of whatever’s inside, “ew, what the hell is that?”

“some excuse of a cocktail, but it gets better, don’t worry!”

“yachi, why couldn’t kiyoko come tonight?”

“uhh, she’s busy today studying for her tech class exam.”

i shoud've lied and said i had an exam.（￣ー￣；)

“huh.”

“but i’m glad you’re here with me! i always spend the parties trying to pry guys off of her since they think she’s so hot.”

“she is hot,” you agree with a nod, believing that there were probably multiple guys throwing themselves at her. and especially in an environment like this?

“like that guy over there? terushima? god, he never gives up,” yachi points to a guy on the other side of the room, casually talking to two girls sitting on a couch.

“he thinks he’s so hot.”

the guy had an undercut and from what you could notice in the distance, a few earrings scattered over his ear.

“but deep down, he’s a softie. and then over there, that’s oikawa. don’t get my started on him. he’s the biggest flirt. he’s probably the dude to go to if you want your heartbroken…”

“i thought you said these guys were nice.”

“ok fine, most of them are.”

you turn your attention the the stairs where the so-called oikawa was leaning against chatting with his own group of girls, another boy beside him looking quite done with everything.

“and the guy next to him?”

“not sure, i think it’s his best friend. i usually see him smacking oikawa in the head or kicking his ass.”

“huh, kinda like me to you.”

“hey,” yachi pouts.

“~with love~”

“how did you get to know these guys so quickly?” you ask, raising an eyebrow at her.

“well, i’m only friends with a few of them. the rest i just kinda observe,” she shrugs her shoulders, puckering her lips into a slight pout. before she can continue her gossip, she notices a figure approach the two of you

“y/n, right?” a voice from behind you startles you and you quickly whip your head around.

oh, it’s bokuto.

“sorry, did i scare you? i couldn’t call out over the music so i walked over,” bokuto apologizes, cheeks flushed from embarrassment and the alcohol in his system.

“it’s alright,” you mumble as you feel your heartbeat return to its normal pace.

“are you having a good time?” he asks over the music, leaning forward. it’s then that he realizes yachi is standing right beside you, watching the whole thing.

and she’s got a weird look in her eyes…

“yachi? you having fun?” bokuto clears his throat, furrowing his eyebrows at the shorter girl.

“mhm! i’ve been giving y/n all the tea about the guys in the house!”

“oh really?” bokuto crosses his arms over his chest, raising his eyebrows in wonder. “and what have you said about me?”

“ask her yourself,” yachi giggles, nudging your arm.

“so?” bokuto turns to you and flashes a smirk. “what has she said?”

you’re not sure if it’s whatever was in your drink or the atmosphere but you feel a blush crawl up your neck under his gaze

“she said she met you in class and you’re the life of the party…”

your comment seems to lift bokuto’s ego because he stands up straighter and a proud smile crosses his face. “that i am,” he agrees, giving yachi fingers guns in a ‘you know me too well’ way.

in that moment, you’re not as intimidated by him as you were when you first met him at the front door. it was due to the genuine smiles and playful aura surrounding him everywhere he seemed to go.

he’s…cute.

“and you?” bokuto asks, snapping you out of your thoughts.

“huh, me?” you ask, tilting your head to the side in wonder. “what about me?”

“who are you at parties?”

“since you just met me for the first time, you know it’s my first time here but i don’t really go to any parties,” you shrug, looking down at your nearly empty cup.

yachi was right. the drink got better over time.

“hmm,” bokuto ponders, crossing his arms and holds his chin in thought with one hand. “how come?”

“school work,” yachi groans, rolling her eyes.

“hey,” you scowl and lightly hit her arm, “i take my studies seriously.”

“still, though,” bokuto frowns, “you should get out every now and then. do you do anything else besides study?”

the question seems blunt but you have a feeling that that’s just how he is.

“sometimes i watch t.v.-”

“-when i have to force you,” yachi sings.

yachi, not helping ಠ_ಠ

“ok, well, if that’s just how you live, we’ll just have to make tonight your best night off!”

he extends his hand out for you to take, his eyes saying, come with me!

and for whatever reason…

you nod

(don’t do that irl pls)

and with that he grabs your hand and pulls you closer to the dj as yachi shrieks in excitement and follows closely behind you.

you can’t even fight it because the smile he’s giving you is just too innocent.

your heart: boom boom

he stops in the middle and people are surrounding you, jumping and wildly flailing their arms

you hate it.

“i hate this,” you frown, crossing your arms.

“y/n~” bokuto whines (he babie).

“c’mon!” yachi tries to encourage you, lifting your free arm-

your other hand is still holding bokuto’s oop

-and waves it around excitedly.

you decide to give it a shot.

but

bokuto watches your frigid movements as your head only bops to whatever song is playing. “you suck,” he shouts over the music.

“hey!” you stammer, wishing you had more of that drink yachi gave you for some more confidence. “i don’t like this song.”

nice excuse, y/n d(･∀･○)

“here, just,” bokuto takes your other hand and moves your body in sync with his.

you’re so focused on swaying at the same time as him, you don’t notice that three songs pass.

and you’re still holding hands.

yachi, aware of whole thing is dancing around the two of you, even greeting other guys in the frat and pointing toward the two of you.

her shipping mode: activated

you don’t know what it is in the atmosphere, but even amidst all these sweaty people around you, you feel like you’re alone.

he’s jumping with you, twirling you around and laughing like he’s having the most fun.

at some point, you can only see him and hear the music booming around you.

any regard for the people dancing around the two of you is nonexistent.

it’s a strange feeling, just staring into a man-you-just-met’s eyes and then feeling warm in your chest.

it’s the alcohol, you assure yourself.

by the end of the third song, you’re getting tired but you’re grinning and laughing along with bokuto.

if someone didn’t call out for bokuto, you probably would’ve stayed dancing all night tbh.

he lets go of your hands and smiles, “gotta go. did you have some fun?”

“i guess,” you reply glumly, hiding the smile you were now to shy to show

“don’t say that,” he pokes your cheek. “i’ll see you later!” he shouts when his friend starts dragging him away.

“so y’all are gonna date now, right?”

you lightly shove yachi and she laughs, continuing to tease you as you walk back into the corner you were in before.

meanwhile…

“AKAAAAAASHI!” bokuto yells, trying to pry the grip of his best friend’s hand off the back of his shirt.”you’re ruining my love story!”

“you’ll find another one,” akaashi deadpans, letting go of bokuto when they reach the kitchen. the two of them were in charge of making that weird but oddly good cocktail in the large bucket.

“but this was y/n,” he whines, kicking his foot like a child on the verge of a temper tantrum.

here’s something you don’t know about bokuto.

while he shares a politics class with yachi…he also shares a statistics class with you.

(°◇°)

not that you’d notice though.

your nose is always in your notes and your eyes darted between them and the professor speaking.

but bokuto, bless the guy and his grades honestly, sitting two rows behind you, is whipped.

he knows he shouldn’t be since…well he doesn’t even know you that well.

but he can’t help it!!

he sees you be all pretty in class and participate and you’re SO smart.

and bokuto rlly likes a smart woman, y’know.

you, in class, asking a question: ( ・_・)ノ

bokuto: (๑•͈ᴗ•͈)

“who’s y/n?”

“akaashi, you never listen to me,” he whines, “she’s the girl from my stats class.”

“the one who doesn’t know you exist?”

“why are you so mean to me? (ಥ﹏ಥ)”

akaashi only rolls his eyes at his friend.

“besides,” bokuto’s mood perks up slightly as he straightens his posture, “she knows me now.”

“uh huh, and how’s that working out?”

“great! until you pulled me away…we were really gonna be the next romeo and juliet,” he sighs sadly.

“you know they die at the end, right?”

“i’m sorry, they what?”

bokuto is obviously not a literature major.

“anyway,” bokuto waves akaashi off, “i just think this has to be fated right? like, she’s yachi’s roommate! and she’s here! out of all the parties!”

“you’re such a hopeless romantic…” akaashi sighs, rolling his eyes. “you can find her in ten minutes.”

“you have so little faith in me,” bokuto pouts, brushing his hands off his jeans.

well…akaashi wasn’t wrong.

after he had finished up with akaashi and went to find you, he’d be pulled away to do other things.

well, that’s what happens when you’re the life of the party and everyone likes you.

whereas you and yachi had found comfort sitting on a couch near the front door, able to get some breaths of fresh air each time it was opens. as you sat, the two of you dished about the other members of the frat and other recurring people at the house.

you gotta say, your experience wasn’t horrible.

it was… tolerable.

you check the time on your phone.

2 a.m.

yeah, it’s time to go…

“yachi, let’s go,” you tap her and??? she’s?? sleeping?

you pray that she’s just sleeping.

“YACHI?!”

“mm, yeah i’m fine,” she grumbles, waving you off with a slight flick of her hand.

“it’s late and we should go,” you try to grab her arm and pull her off the couch but….she’s not budging

“yachi,” you’re whining at this point, trying to wake up your roommate. you look around hoping there was someone to help you but everyone was either wasted on other couches or on their way stumbling out the door.

great…

you attempt to pull yachi off the couch three more times before slumping back into the seat next to her.

well? now what?

（￣へ￣ ）

“y/n, what’re you still doing here?” someone calls out causing you to look up from your phone (which is dying by the way).

“bokuto!”

finally, a familiar face.

he waves with a confused smile before gesturing toward your roommate beside you with a pointed finger. is she ok? he asks wordlessly.

“she won’t stand up. she’s too tired,” you frown, flicking her forehead.

she groans in response but doesn’t move. “and I was watching her…”

“let me try,” bokuto leans over you and tries shaking yachi awake.

“tried that.”

bokuto scoffs and pulls yachi by the arm-

“that, too.”

but obviously bokuto’s stronger than you so he effortlessly pulled her off the couch until she was barely standing, needing to lean on his for support

“how are we supposed to walk back like this?” you rub a hand over your face, distraught laced in your tone.

bokuto flicks his gaze between you and the rest of the house before leaning down and picks up yachi to carry her over his shoulder.

“what’re you doing?” you hiss, widening your eyes in shock.

“i’m walking with you back to your dorm. let’s go.”

you: ༼ಢ_ಢ༽

“you don’t have to-”

“i want to.”

“thanks…”

there’s a silence between the two of you (well, three of you but is yachi rlly gonna contribute? nah, probably not) as you walk through the campus neighborhood, the only sounds being the crickets and other bugs in the night.

“so you seem pretty sober,” you observe, looking over at bokuto who hardly seemed drunk

“i think i’m what you call a functional drunk…i guess i just know my limit really well so i don’t go too overboard. it doesn’t make me any less of a party animal though.”

“huh,” you nod, awkwardly folding and unfolding your hands.

“you sober?”

“oh yeah, i had that one drink and decided that was enough.”

the two of you easily slipped into a casual conversation soon after and it felt nice.

by the time the two of you could see your dorm building in the distance, a comfortable silence

“so I think you’re in my-”

“wha-where am i?” a voice cuts bokuto off from behind him.

“yachi? you’re awake?” you ask, stopping your tracks.

“no,” she replies thinly.

it seems like she has not qualms about being carried around on someone’s shoulder.

you make a mental note to lecture about that later.

“yachi?” you ask again and to no response, you snort. “how could she fall asleep again?”

grinning, bokuto says, “maybe i have a comfortable shoulder.”

“doesn’t matter how comfortable, she’s partly hung upside down.”

“hey, she’s your roommate,” bokuto shrugs.

“she is a strange one,” you muse with a light chuckle. “very questionable, indeed.”

the two of you are now in front of your dorm building. “you must be tired from carrying her,” you rush to find your id card in your pocket, swiping it across the dorm building’s front door sensor. “don’t worry, i’ll make sure she feels bad for this.”

bokuto chuckles from behind you as you pull open the door. “it’s totally fine, really. i’d rather do this than have you leave with some stranger.”

“aren’t we strangers kinda?” you turn to look at him when you both enter the warm building. your dorm building sure liked to crank up the heat when it was even slightly chilly out.

“you call us strangers after our ‘electric love’ moment?” bokuto pouts, placing his free hand over his heart, “i’m hurt, y/n.”

you roll your eyes, knowing he’s joking by the way his cheeks flush and he sucks in his lips, obviously trying to stifle a laugh. “this way,” you nod in the direction your room is.

you walk down the dimly lit hallway, careful not to make too much noise since it was half past two by now.

although, bokuto did accidentally let yachi hit the side of a doorframe.

unlocking the door of you and yachi’s shared dorm, you gesture for bokuto to go in first, “her bed is on the left side,” you murmur softly, putting your keys on the hook next to your door before turning on the light.

bokuto carefully places her on the bed and turns to give you a thumbs up, “you got home safe!” he grins when you lightly shove him for his cheesiness.

“thanks for walking us,” you smile, ready to say goodbye before pointing to your mini fridge, “do you want water or something?”

he shakes his hand in a rejecting manner, the smile never leaving his face and walks out in the hallway, “no thanks. it wasn’t a problem. i do have one question though.”

“yeah?”

“will you come to another party?”

to be fair, you weren’t sure. your time there wasn’t as horrible as your first party but the though of your studies ever piling up on you because you got carried away concerned you.

but looking at bokuto’s face, showing anticipation by the ways his eyes were widened and eyebrows raised…

“hm,” you ponder, tapping your chin, “maybe~”

bokuto could definitely take a maybe. his face lights up before drooping back down to a pout as another question entered his head:

“when can i see you again?”

your cheeks flush at his forwardness but answer regardless, “we have statistics together, don’t we?”

bokuto freezes, registering your words.

so you’ve noticed him? recognized him?

you actually didn’t recall where you’d seen him before until he was walking you home and you faced your ex. having him so close to you allowed you to see his face better in the light of the small lamps along the campus sidewalk. it was at that moment that you realized that he was the same guy who’d walk into to class with a bright grin and large wave to the professor, calling out a, “G’MORNING PROF!”

how you didn’t realize sooner, you don’t know.

“y-yeah!” he stammers, “i didn’t think you noticed me...be-ecause i sit in the back!”

nice recover bo, he gives himself a mental high five (o^-’)b

“you’re pretty loud when you walk in,” you chuckle, “it’s kinda hard not to notice.”

“oh,” he smiles sheepishly, raising his arm to rub the back of his neck, “yeah, i am…”

“so-o, i’ll see you monday then?”

gulping, bokuto can only nod.

“great! i’ll see you then,” you grin, “goodnight!”

“g’night y/n,” he lowers his voice and his face softens.

you close the door of your room and turn toward your sleeping roommate who was stirring in her sleep

“y/n?” she mumbles, groggily, raising her hand to rub over her eyes

“don’t wake up again now after bokuto carried you all the way here,” you scowl, walking over to the side of her bed.

“huh-nevermind g’night~” she murmurs before rolling over and a beat passes and she starts snoring softly.

you sigh to yourself, walking back over to the door to shut off the light. you strip yourself of your sweaty party clothes and put on your pajamas and let your body flop onto your bed.

you were definitely going to have a pamper day the following day to rid yourself of the horrid party smell.

–

monday came barreling at you with no warning as your alarm clocked blared that morning.

you spent sunday catching up on the studies you planned on doing saturday so before you knew it, your school week had begun again.

how you managed to get to your first class on time in your utterly hectic morning was a miracle in itself.

by the time you reached your class and sat in your usual seat, you can feel your eyes grow heavy in fatigue.

“y/n!” a gleeful shout rang out from behind you. whipping your head around, you spot a grinning bokuto leaned over in the row behind your seat. “g’morning!”

he hops over the seat beside you effortlessly and plops down on it before swinging his backpack onto the other seat beside him.

looking at him through tired eyes, you wondered how he could have so much energy at 9am.

“good morning,” you mumble tiredly.

looking over at you he feels a smile tug at his lips. “not much of a morning person, hm?” bokuto asks, tilting his head in question

“mnhm,” you shake your head, rubbing your closed fist over your eye and letting out a yawn.

you weren’t much of a morning person but this was a knew tired for you.

“want this? i’m not gonna finish it.”

you open your eyes and look over at bokuto who’s offering you a plastic cup of iced coffee.

“please,” you practically beg, lunging for the drink. you give it a few stirs before taking a long sip. “thanks.”

you don’t notice the soft pink blush that dusts over bokuto’s cheeks as he looks over at you.

you normally got your morning coffee before class but that morning someone *cough* yachi *cough* decided to take forever in the shower, leaving you to rush to get ready for class.

“it’s no problem,” he smiles softly.

your eyes widen from the immediate effect of the coffee and you open your laptop screen, and lightly tap and scroll on the touch bar.

“did you read over the powerpoint? i think it’s an easy class today,” you ask, eyes never leaving the screen of your laptop.

bokuto with flushed cheeks, shakes his head. feeling embarrassed, he confesses, “no i didn’t.”

what am i thinking?! he thinks with a pout.

you probably wouldn’t have spared him a second glance had he not walked you back to your dorm saturday night. you were only being friendly merely under the circumstance.

“i could look over the slides with you if you want?” you offer, looking at him with a smile. “and we could work on some practice problems for the exam?”

bokuto: (♥ω♥*)

“that’d be great…i get kinda lost in this class,” he admits bashfully, rubbing the back of his neck

“ugh, me with any science class,” you nod in understanding and continue, still not bothering to look away from your laptop, “i’m pretty good in this class though so i’d like to offer all the help i can, y’know?”

bokuto, in his head: ILOVEYOUILOVEYOUILOVEYOUILOVEYOU

“that’s really nice,” he catches himself sigh softly, leaning his head on his palm as his elbow is propped on the desk. “i’m free this afternoon, is that ok for you?”

(he’s staring at you with such utter adoration, y/n, HOW CAN U NOT SEE THIS)

“hm,” you ponder before reaching for your schedule, “i’m free around two?”

“perfect. meet in the library?”

your immediate reaction is to say ‘it’s a date,’ but you feel yourself grow red at the thought. “perfect,” you decide on, looking up at the professor who began to teach the lecture.

the rest of your classes drag on but thankfully, with the aid from bokuto’s coffee (psst, he ended up buying a second coffee for himself bc he lied about not wanting anymore), you powered through without falling asleep.

by the time the afternoon rolled around, you were already in the library and looked up every few minutes to see if bokuto had shown up yet.

you can’t deny the feeling of warmth you felt in your chest at the sight of his grin widening when he walked in and saw you.

–

“how about now, do you get it?” you ask, turning to bokuto

bokuto, profusely blushing, shakes his head for the third time since you entered the library.

the two of you had taken a study room in the library so you were able to speak freely without anyone having to shush you for being loud.

there was a large table in the center, several chairs scattered around.

now that you think about it, it’s more of a mini conference room than a study room for two.

if bokuto laughed too loud though, you could see glares coming from some students outside the clear glass walls, trying to study on their own.

“i’ve been over this slide three times already,” you whine, burying your head in your arms. you’d gone over the topic so much that you were sure it was engrained into your brain at that point.

“‘m sorry,” he murmurs, pulling your laptop closer to him and carefully reading over the words again.

“how much does the textbook help in this class?” he asks, looking up from your screen to nudge your shoulder with his pencil.

“eh,” you bring your hand up and sway it side to side. “it helps with certain topics and confuses you with others.”

“why am i even in this class?” you hear him mumble to himself when he buries his head into crossed arms on the table top.

“ok!” you clasp your hands together quietly, getting the feeling he was going to give up sometime soon. “let’s move on for now and then go back to it in the end. sound good?”

aura perking at the sound of moving on from this horrid slide, his head pops up and he nods vigorously. “mhm! what’s next?”

before you could press the arrow key on your laptop to skip to the next slide, a knock on the glass window stops you.

“what the-” a voice on the other side begins before doubling over into a loud laugh.

you turn around in the swivel chair you were sitting in to see a man on the other side staring straight at bokuto. “since when do you go to the library?”

you notice bokuto tense up beside you and the blush on his cheeks tells you he’s embarrassed, “hey, i study at the library all the time!” he whisper-seethes back, gesturing to the books sprawled across the large table you were sitting at.

the man opens the door of your study room and steps inside. “i’ve never ever seen you in here,” the man taps his chin in thought and looks up as if trying to recall a time he’d seen the boy sitting beside you. “besides, i practically live here so i couldn’t have missed ya~”

you rn: ఠ_ఠ who dis?

“kuroo, can you go away please?” bokuto’s mood shifts from defensive to defeated in seconds. he visibly shrinks in his seat and slouches under the man’s knowing gaze.

“hey, i’m kuroo. i don’t think we’ve properly met,” the man waves at you, ignoring bokuto’s pleas. “chem major.”

“y/n. (your major),” you smile lightly and wave back. “i gather you two are friends?”

at your name, kuroo’s smile seems to widen and he looks over at bokuto for a split second.

“yeah, we’re in the same frat. i think i saw you this past weekend at one of our parties?”

you nod, darting your eyes to bokuto who’s pouting. your brows knit together in slight confusion before you turn your head to answer kuroo.

“yeah, my roommate dragged me to the party…”

“she had to drag you? ouch,” kuroo places a hand on his heart, feigning offense.

“it’s alright, though. bokuto made it ~slightly~,” you pause to pinch your index finger and thumb close together so there was only a small space keeping the two fingers apart. “-more fun than i thought it’d be.”

bokuto sits up and grins. “c’mon give me more credit!” he leans toward you and pries your fingers further apart so the space was much bigger

“pfft, you wish! i’m being this generous because you carried yachi back to my dorm.”

“do my dancing skills mean nothing to you?” he asks, widening his eyes and furrowing his eyebrows together.

hm, cute.

“i think you accidentally whacked me in the face a few times while you were dancing,” you snort, rolling your eyes playfully.

kuroo watches your easy exchange with a softened gaze. you got her bro, he thinks to himself with a smile. she’s yours and you can’t even tell.

“well, i have a whole lab experiment to write up, so i’ll leave you two to it,” kuroo grabs the handle of the door and swings it open.

“good luck!” you smile warmly at him, giving him a final wave. “it was nice meeting you.”

“you, too,” he waves at you before pointing at bokuto, “this girl is spending her time trying to help you. so you better be studying.”

bokuto nods a few times, standing up for the first time to slap his friend’s shoulder excitedly, “i am! bye now!”

kuroo leaves soon after leaving the two of you alone once again

“so…back to the slides?” you ask, leaning over the table to bring your laptop closer to the two of you

bokuto, feeling a headache come from the sound of your stats lecture, nods anyway, scooting his chair closer to yours and glues his eyes back to your computer screen.

after you’d gone over the rest of the lecture, you were adamant on at least doing some practice problems so bokuto was sure he knew what he was doing

and you wanted to spend more time with him

it wasn’t everyday when you meet a nice, cute guy (〃ω〃)

so, you looked up some practice problems and wrote them on a sheet and handed him the page to do.

you weren’t surprised at how well he was doing them, the only errors he was making if there were any were small miscalculations. but he sure was doing better than when you started earlier.

“it’s right? really?!”

and oh, how much you adored how his eyes widened and cheeks flushed in excitement. yeah, you wanted to see that face a million times more

“don’t act so surprised. we went over this together,” you playfully nudge him.

“i know,” he trails off, “i just usually have a hard time retaining information. especially with math.”

“well it looks like to me that you’re figuring it out very well.”

he beams at you before going back to his page for his final problem.

you noticed he was taking more time than normal to solve the question (y/n, you’re not the only one who wants to spend time with each other) so you lean in to get a better look to see where he was stuck.

“you ok?”

he just notices your close proximity when he turns his head at the sound of your voice. his breath hitches in his throat but you don’t notice, too engrossed in his scribbles.

“ehm, yeah, i think,” he murmurs, nearly closing his eyes when he inhales your scent. she smells good, he thinks to himself.

“oh, let me know if-”

he sees you starting to pull away and he’s quick to yelp, “actually!! can you see if i’m doing it right? and make sure i don’t make dumb mistakes?”

you raise an eyebrow at his strange inquiry but nod irregardless, leaning forward again, this time scooting your seat closer to him so you wouldn’t have to crane your neck so much.

he knows he practically jumped at the opportunity of having you so close to him again but know with your eyes watching his every move, he felt more nervous than before.

his hands began to clam up and he became too aware of his breathing patterns.

oh god, how does a normal person breathe?

does it sound like i’m heaving?

he mentally shakes himself out of his thoughts and returned his attention to the problem.

“like this?” he asks quietly, slyly looking through the corner of his eyes back at you.

you’re gnawing on your lip, looking concentrated before nodding. “mhm, almost done.”

he looks back to the paper and scribbles the next line before-

“HUH?” he exclaims feeling you grasp his wrist lightly

“WHAT?” you exclaim back, immediately pulling away from his outburst. “i was just gonna say you did this part wrong.”

“oh,” he freezes, visibly slouching. so you weren’t reaching for his hand to have a romantic comedy, fireworks going off, first kiss. rip.

“what’d you think i was doing?” you ask, cocking your head to the side in wonder.

“n-nothing. you just took me by surprise,” he mumbles, looking away to hide the bright blush on his cheeks.

“sorry,” you smile before leaning forward again as he erases his error on the sheet with an eraser.

“‘s okay,” he smiles softly, before taking his pencil and starting again.

“nope, not that either,” you frown.

“ugh, i thought i had it,” he groans, leaning back in his seat and rubbing his forehead

“it’s ok! let me show you,” you hold your hand out, asking for his pencil to which he places in your palm.

you effortlessly finish the problem for him (you smart smart :P) and explain to him as you go.

“woah, it’s five already,” you lean back in your seat, rubbing your eyes after looking at the screen of your phone.

“we’ve been studying for that long? i think that’s the longest i’ve studied in one sitting,” he admits, raking a hand through his hair.

although it looked spiky, you wondered if it was actually soft.

not that you wanted to feel his hair…

pffft no, of course not.

“you should see me during finals week. i’m here from eleven a.m. to ten p.m.”

bokuto’s jaw drops at your confession. “really? wow, that’s commitment.”

“what can i say, i chose a major that would take away most of my life,” you shrug your shoulder with a playful grin. standing, you stretched your arms out before patting his shoulder. “wanna get a bite? i’m starving.”

at the sound of food, bokuto jumps up and nods. “let’s go!”

he quickly gathers his (and yours) belongings and pulls you out of the study room. “thanks for the help,” you hear him say from beside you as the two of you walk out of the library. “you didn’t have to.”

“i know. i wanted to.”

bokuto: (*´ω｀*)

(oh, how the turn tables)

“let’s go to that sushi place on campus. it’s on me,” he announces, turning you by the shoulders away from the direction of the dining hall.

“no, bokuto. let’s just get the cheap dining-”

“nuh-uh,” he cuts you off, frowning. “i want sushi and i’m paying for yours.”

you sigh to yourself, knowing you won’t win an argument if he’s being so stubborn but it doesn’t stop the small smile from appearing on your face.

“y’know i find it kinda weird we’re not friends,” bokuto murmurs from beside you, stuffing his hands into his sweatpants’ pockets (not @ you drooling over him in sweatpants tho)

“we’re not?” you ask, turning to him. you grin as you watch an embarrassed flush cover his cheeks and he’s waving his hands at you maniacally.

“i didn’t mean it like that!! we’re friends now!!! i meant before!!!”

“relax,” you let out a chuckle that instantly calms his nerves but he still slouches in defeat.

“it’s just…” he trails off and gnaws his lip as if trying to find the right words, “yachi and i have been friends for, like, ever, and i suddenly find out you’re her roommate? and then there’s our class together…”

“i guess it’s odd our paths haven’t crossed much. but let’s remember that we both have totally different lives. unless,” you slowly look over at bokuto with a cheeky grin, “your friend, kuroo, is actually wrong about you never going to the library.”

bokuto’s head snaps up to defend himself but as soon as he opens his mouth and notices your knowing expression, he closes his mouth and slouches again. “yeah…he’s right.”

“hey, at least you’re going now! i find the library to be the best place to study.”

“well, it helps that i had someone i was actually looking forward to seeing there with me.”

now it was your turn to be flustered. your cheeks burned and you were thankful bokuto wasn’t looking at you when he said it. his eyes remained looking down, interested in his shoes and the color of the sidewalk apparently.

before you could even muster a response - whether it was a shy one or playing off his comment, you didn’t know - he looks up for a second and grins. “there’s the sushi place!”

“r-right,” your voice falters slightly and you’re glad he doesn’t notice or make a comment about it. he grabs you by the wrist and tugs you closer to the small restaurant.

the smell of food hits your senses as soon as you walk in. man, i’m starving, you think to yourself and rub your stomach.

bokuto brings you over to a two-person table and lightly taps the edge of the table.

“i’ve been here a million times so i know my order. do you need a minute to decide yours?”

you shake you head and relay your order to which he shoots you some finger guns, dork, and goes to the front of the store.

“guys, look. bokuto’s here,” a girl sitting a few tables away swats her friends arms and nudges her head in the direction of where bokuto is standing, hands shoved in his sweat’s pockets and lightly rocking on the heels of his feet.

“he’s so fine,” another girl swoons, resting her chin on her hand.

“so dangerous, though,” another chimes.

dangerous?

you look over at the man who’s currently talking animatedly to the worker at the cash register, raising his hands to offer a high five.

pfft, he’s more of a puppy than anything dangerous.

“i’ll say. too bad he isn’t aware of how much of a heartbreaker he is.”

heartbreaker?

now you’re more confused.

“ok! i’m back,” he returns with a tray of food and you lick your lips in anticipation.

during dinner, while you’re busy scarfing down your food, you don’t notice bokuto’s eyes on you

and you look up and he just (✿╹◡╹) -> ( 〃 ．．)

“you ok?” you ask, gesturing down to his food, which he’s barely touched.

“oh yeah!” he immediately answers, going to dig into his food. “so,” he begins, swallowing, “the frat is hosting another party next weekend. will i see you there? o-or the next weekend?”

you hum in wonder. “i don’t know…saturday was a one time thing and i still have my studies to catch up on.”

“oh, okay,” he pouts, slouching.

is his hair… deflating??

feeling bad, you wave your hands, “oh, please don’t pout like that?”

“like what?” he looks up and you feel even guiltier.

“like…that!” you point to his face.

–

after dinner, he walks you back to your dorm (you’re surprised he remembers where it is tbh) and there awaiting you is yachi.

she’s flipping through a magazine on her bed.

“hey,” you greet, dropping your backpack by the door.

“how was your date?” she asks, not bothering to look up from her magazine, but a smile spreads across her face.

“date? i wasn’t on a date.”

“i saw bokuto through the window,” she deadpans, bringing the magazine down and looking at you. “you can’t deny it, either. you’re blushing.”

“it’s cold,” you reason, lifting your chin.

“that’s fine.” she grins. “i know your feelings and i know his.”

“what do you mean you know his?”

“girl,” she drops her head, keeping her eyes on you, “you don’t see the way he looks at you?”

“wha- he doesn’t look at me…in a way,” you quickly deny, feeling heat rush up your neck.

“fine, he doesn’t look at you in a way,” she agrees but her tone says otherwise, “but he did walk you and me home from the party.”

“i couldn’t bring you by myself!”

“he could’ve helped me into an uber. he walked the whole way.”

you open your mouth to counter her argument but no sound comes out.

“he’s just,” you close your eyes to think of something, “…nice.”

she lets out a laugh and nods. “mhm.”

“stop agreeing with everything i say!”

“then stop denying everything i say!”

you sigh and turn to your desk. slumping down in your seat, you pull out your laptop to start an assignment.

you stare at your shut off laptop screen before abruptly turning around to face your roommate.

“we just met!”

she looks up with a raised brow. smirk reemerging on her face, she looks back down, “so?”

“what do you mean so? he can’t like me so soon. and i should not be -”

“having fun? c’mon, y/n, i see you. you seem more energetic now after a few hours with bokuto than weeks ago. you can’t lie to me and say you don’t feel anything for him…”

“….i hate you.”

the statement was enough to tell her that she was right,

grinning victoriously, she says, “love you too~”

admitting to yachi that she was right was hell for the next two weeks.

anytime the two of you were together and you spotted the familiar faces of bokuto and kuroo on campus, she’d wave wildly at them (even if you were yard away) and never fail to engage in conversation with them.

really, she just enjoyed seeing the way you blushed around him, knowing she was scrutinizing your every move.

you had to deal with yachi’s incessant teasing in addition to seeing bokuto in class every other day.

since you met, the seat next to you has been permanently filled by him and your afternoons are also spent with him in the library.

not that you mind though (｡•̀ᴗ-)✧

––

“eeee! you’ll be coming with me and kiyoko?!” yachi bounces in glee.

the night of the second party (you skipped out on the first one because you were truly in no mood other than to snuggle with a good book) arrives and you’re pacing back and forth in your room.

“i haven’t made my decision yet. i told him i wasn’t going.”

“but you wanna see him~” she sings, twisting her arms behind her back. “c’mon! it’ll be a blast! i think tonight would be a great time to tell him how you feel.”

“i see him in class,” you said pointedly, raising an eyebrow at him, “what do you mean i wanna see him?”

“well, you see him in a less professional setting. y’know, dance like you did last time?”

“pfft,” you can only scoff and turn away from her.

“y’should still tell him how you feel!” she urges. “especially when he obviously feels something for you.”

you only scoff again, waving her off with a dismissed hand.

“if you don’t go, i’ll just drag you out of here myself,” she huffs and crosses her arms. she’d already been dressed and was standing at the door, patiently waiting for you to get dressed.

“you will NOT drag me out of here.”

fifteen minutes later:

“i can’t believe you dragged me out of there.” ( -_-)

welp

you walk to kiyoko’s dorm, thankfully in your building so you don’t have to spend any extra time in the cold, and greet her with a wide smile.

“how did the tech exam go?”

“not sure,” she sighs and shrugs, “let’s hope i did well.”

“you probably did! i saw you studying!”

“enough about the exam. tell me about this bokuto that yachi seems to claim as your soulmate.”

“yachi!” you seethe, elbowing her.

“what?” she asks innocently, raising her brows.

“soulmate?”

“you danced to ‘electric love’ like you were all alone. ‘ELECTRIC LOVE!’ he’s literally your lightning in a bottle,” she dismisses, looking at her hand in nonchalance.

“i believe it,” kiyoko smiles.

“kiyoko,” you whine, “you’re supposed to be the level-headed one.”

you reach the familiar house’s doors and you’re greeted by bokuto, of course.

“y/n!” he grins, catching your gaze first, “you’re here! actually here!”

“lucky you, right?” you grin and you miss the way yachi’s and kiyoko’s eyes widen in surprise.

ah, so you’re normal around him and in denial when he’s not around?

interesting.

“yeah, lucky me,” he repeats, eyes softening. a beat passes and he clears his throat. “hey yachi! kiyoko!”

“bokuto,” they greet with knowing smiles.

you walk in and before you could move to the spot you and yachi stood, yachi stops you.

“what?”

“you came here for him, didn’t you?” she murmurs quiet enough so the boy beside you couldn’t hear you. “have your moment alone with him.”

kiyoko only raises her eyebrows with a subtly knowing smile and juts her head in bokuto’s direction.

“we’ll be fine~” yachi coos, taking kiyoko’s arm and walking away before you can object.

“they okay?” bokuto furrows his eyebrows when he notices they left your side.

“yep!” you spin on your heal to face him. “they went to find someone and … said to … keep you company?”

you’re wincing by the end of your lie, feeling utterly embarrassed. he doesn’t need company!

“oh,” he ponders but then gives you a thumbs up, “awesome!”

“i’m just greeting people right now but in a few minutes i can get you something in the kitchen? like a drink or a snack?”

you nod, “sounds good to me.”

not @ yachi kiyoko and kuroo (he came out of nowhere tbh) huddled in the corner watching the two of you like a movie tho.

“so how’d you do on our exam?” you ask when you reach the kitchen, which was surprisingly clean. “wow, clean place. i was expecting a mess.”

“that’s because of kita. he’s a tidy guy. but to answer your question, i got a b-!”

he pulls out a bag of pretzels from a cupboard and places them on the counter beside the two of you for you to share.

“that’s great! you did it!” you jump in excitement and he engulfs you in a hug.

“no, you did it!” he exclaims. “if you didn’t help me all these days, i probably would’ve gotten another d.”

“fine,” you pull away and smile, “but you still put in the work! so i guess…we did it.”

he looks down bashfully and reaches for a cup. “yeah, we did… listen, y/n, can i ask you something?”

you nod slowly, eyes widening slightly in anticipation. “sure, what’s up?”

he fiddles with the empty cup in his hand as he tries to find the right words to say.

bokuto was never like this. he was usually so confident and boisterous around everyone.

but around you, he was so unsure of himself and what he said. he couldn’t read you too well and he assumed that was because his crush on you made him overthink everything.

he opens his mouth, ready to just let everything out - if it was comprehensible or not - but a call from outside cuts him off.

he whips his head around to spot atsumu looking irritated by the door.

“couple’s not coming out of the bathroom and hella people need to either piss or puke.”

“oof,” bokuto visibly cringes but nods in understanding. “i’ll be right there.”

you frown when you realize your moment is cut off. but these are his duties and you understand that.

“go find kiyoko and yachi and i’ll come find you.”

he sends you a final pout before leaving to go into the room he was called from, leaving you to eat your snacks alone.

you stand from leaning against the counter and grab a handful of pretzels, before shuffling your way out of the kitchen, off to find your friend.

“hey!”

“oh, you’re back!” yachi grins as you approach them on the couch. “where’d you go?”

“i went to go eat some pretzels with bokuto.”

“is eating pretzels a metaphor for something?” she asks, wiggling, her eyebrows.

kiyoko swats her in disappointment with a disapproved head shake.

“no,” you scrunch your nose up. “he left to handle a situation.”

you take the seat beside yachi and look over at her nearly empty cup.

“i’m not asking bokuto to carry you back to our dorm,” you deadpan.

“don’t worry, i got her,” kiyoko smiles warmly, taking the cup out of yachi’s hand to which she whines in protest. “i’ll give it back in time.”

she pouts in response and crosses her arms over her chest. her pout doesn’t lighten until she spots something in front of her.

“kuroo!” she beckons, waving her hand impatiently, “you’re back!”

“mhm,” he hums, waving at her to match her enthusiasm before his eyes trail over to you. “y/n, right?”

you nod, slightly tilting your head to the side, “you’re the guy from the library, right?”

“that’d be me,” he grins, stuffing his hands into his pockets. “bo mentioned you’re not one to party. what’s with the change of heart?”

before you can answer, yachi chimes, “to see bokuto, of course.”

kuroo looks over at yachi, “is that so?”

“no!” you quickly deny, hiding your face with your hands in embarrassment.

it was enough to be teased and made embarrassed by your friends but now from a stranger you met briefly once before?

the next song begins to play and yachi perks up, “c’mon kiyoko! i love this song,” then grabs kiyoko’s wrist and tugs her to the center of the dance floor.

“may i?” kuroo asks, motioning to the empty seat beside you.

“sure,” you shrug, looking down at your lap, feeing slightly awkward. even though you’ve met already, you only knew the basics of what yachi told you: chem student, incredibly smart, bokuto’s best friend.

“since the others are gone and they can’t tease you, you can come clean about your feelings for my boy now.”

“fee-feelings?” you try to cover up your embarrassment with a scoff. “what feelings?”

“i won’t tell him if that’s what you’re so afraid of.”

just like i won’t tell you he’s been crushing on you for months, he adds in his head.

i mean, we just met so i don’t really know what i feel?” you murmur, playing with your fingers.

“but i think he’s cute.”

“what was that?”

“i think he’s cute.” you mumble a little louder.

kuroo laughs, cupping his chest with his palm, “yeah, he has that effect.”

“is he really dangerous, though?” you ask, turning to kuroo for the first time since he’s sat down.

“dangerous?” kuroo looks down at you with furrowed brows, “this guy once cried for killing a spider when he was trying to set it free.”

“not like that,” you shake your head with a smile, just by imagining the thought of bokuto feeling bad for a bug. your face stiffens when you elaborate, “i mean, like, with girls…”

“oh, like hearthrob dangerous?” he asks and sighs when you nod. “well, it’s no surprise to any of us when we notice a girl crushing on bokuto. but the thing about him is when he’s focused on one thing, he doesn’t seem to notice anything else around him.”

“what’s that supposed to mean?” your eyebrows knit together in confusion.

“he doesn’t even realize the other girls like him because he’s already set on one.”

“he is?”

as a result, kuroo clamps his mouth with his hand, feeling utterly guilty for outing his friend like that.

“…yeah,” he mumbles sadly but you don’t notice the flash of guilt flash in his eyes because you’re too concentrated of what he said.

he already likes someone?

“do you know who it is?” you ask softly, lightly pushing for an answer.

you felt your heart sink in your chest at the thought of him liking someone. you’d just met him, it couldn’t be you.

kuroo looks in your eyes and he realizes that you’re doubtful that it’s even you, so he relaxes.

he looks away from you briefly and a smirk reaches his face when he notices the man of the conversation was staring at the two of you with a bug-eyed expression.

forgive me, bro, he thinks before draping an arm around the top of the couch, mere inches from your shoulders. he leans in with a knowing expression and you can’t help but blink at him in surprise.

“why don’t you ask him yourself?” he purrs, lightly gesturing with his head in the direction bokuto was standing.

–

bokuto was sent on errand after errand following the bathroom incident. by the third one, he was pouting like a child, whining to whoever was nearest, “i wanna see y/n~”

akaashi, tired of hearing him complain, dismisses him and goes to find someone else to help out.

thus, sending bokuto on his quest to find you.

he finally spots you one of the couches, engaging in conversation with kuroo and oh, how wild his mind went.

kuroo?

what’s he doing?

doesn’t he tease me about how much i like her?

and here he is flirting?

why is his arm so close to being around her shoulders?

ridiculous.

“bokubro!” kuroo calls out, leaning away from you, when he notices bokuto beginning to approach the two of you.

“say nothing about our conversation,” you whisper to which he chuckles with a nod.

“hey,” bokuto greets the two of you, timidly. “i see you guys are getting to know each other.”

“not really,” kuroo grins. “we’ve only been talking about,” a jab to his side by you is enough to make him wince, “the weather.”

“oh,” bokuto says blankly, “it has been raining a lot, hasn’t it?”

a smile reaches your face at his empty expression. it’s cute that no matter what the conversation topic is, he wants to be included.

“it has,” kuroo muses looking over at your expression, lifting himself off from the couch. “i think i hear my name being called so i’ll see you guys later.”

“kuroo,” you warn to which he wiggles his fingers in a goodbye-manner, excusing himself from the two of you.

bokuto shuffles foot-to-foot awkwardly in front of you and you look up at him.

“wanna sit?” you pat the seat beside you.

he nods silently and plops down with a shaky sigh.

“you’re not going to date kuroo, right?” he blurts after a few seconds of silence.

“huh? where’d you get that idea?” you ask, furrowing your brows together.

“i just- i saw you guys talking here…all cozy…sorry if i interrupted-”

“i’m not going to date kuroo,” you laugh at the thought. “i barely know the guy.”

“why-”

“my favorite color is blue and i tend to fall asleep during movies a lot, not because i’m bored! i just tend to fall asleep in dark, quiet areas really easily. let’s see, my worst subject is math, as you can probably tell, and i’m more of a p.e. kind of dude. my favorite season is summer ‘cuz i’m able to wear muscle tanks and my favorite body parts are my arms so showing them off -”

“woah, calm down,” you reach for his forearm when you notice he’s not breathing while he talks by the way his face begins to flush to a deeper pink color. “what’s with the autobiography?” you tease.

bokuto looks down at his lap.

“i’m getting you to know me better.”

“why?”

“you said you won’t date anyone you don’t know that well…”

“oh,” you say blankly, blinking twice. wait.

“that’s actually what i wanted to ask you about. i was trying to ask if you wanted to go out with me but now that i know that, i figured giving you some random facts first would up my chances…” he mumbles. looking up, he gives you a sad smile, “i’m wrong, aren’t i?”

leaning forward, you place a chaste kiss on his cheek before pulling away with a slight blush. “not at all.”

“no?” he asks, perking up with ears tinted pink.

adorable.

“mn-hm,” you shake your head, “i know i told you i wasn’t coming but to be honest, i came because i wanted to see you.”

“oh,” his brows raise as his eyes widen and he leans back in shock. “really?”

“yeah, you’ve really taught me how to lighten up, even with all the school work i had and it’s really nice.”

“you don’t know this but i’ve had a crush on you since the beginning of the semester by seeing you in our stats class and i was always too chicken to approach you.”

he’s liked you for months?

(๑•́o•̀๑)

so when kuroo said when he had an eye on someone and he tended to not notice anyone else, he was talking about you?!

“and then yachi brought you here a couple weeks back and i was just so shocked,” he reminisces, “i tried so hard to play it cool and kuroo persuaded me to go and talk to you and then we danced and well, yeah.”

god, why was this guy so perfect?

you believe you certainly don’t deserve anyone as perfect as him.

(psa: kuroo, yachi and kiyoko are seeing your interaction and paying the dj to play ‘electric love’ atm)

“but it’s cool if you wanna get to know me more before -”

you squeeze his forearm to shut him up. he looks back up into your eyes and you know he understands the message you’re giving him.

yes, i’ll go out with you.

he grins, placing his hand on top of yours before leaning in slightly.

the two of you stare at each other for a moment and you’re brought back to the first party with the familiar song playing in the background.

baby, you’re like lightning in a bottle

i can’t let you go now that i got it

all i need is to be struck by your…

“can i kiss you?” he asks, lightly nibbling on his lower lip. “unless it’s too soon. i totally get that-”

you playfully roll your eyes at his incessant backing out and take the leap and lean forward to press your lips against his.

electric loveeeeeee

(no, im not signing the song in my head, psh whattt?)

you had to thank yachi.

had she not practically dragged you out of your shared dorm room, not once, but twice, you wouldn’t be beside the man, now wrapping his arms around your waist to pull you closer, who was more than willing to show how much he cared for you.

out of the three songs you danced with him to, you had to say, ‘electric love’ was the most memorable.

not because it was the song you already knew all the words of from the millions of tiktoks you’d seen online.

but because during that song, with his eyes boring into yours, he’d slithered his way into your heart and decided to take a chunk of it with him.

you’d been struck by bokuto kotaro and frankly, you couldn’t be happier.

[theveryworstthing]

So over on patreon Trevor asked for my take on the Addams Family and I grew up LOVING the Addams family movies so here we are. Instead of doing a straight up style interpretation, I decided to do a full on design challenge, using the characters as bases to make a black southern gothic Addams au. I actually drew the kids first, using the character bases of Wednesday and Pugsley to create some delightful kiddos I'm calling Sunday and Blanche. I of course then redesigned Gomez and Morticia into Carlisle and Mortesha.

The Addams have a very specific high aristocratic goth aesthetic (they've got a butler and nobody really works among other things) so in this re-imagining I wanted to go with vibes that run a little more middle class/upper middle class.  I thought it would be interesting to think about what would be considered weird and off-putting in an entirely different culture, and how being a big ol' goth is way less controversial than it used to be.

I tried to keep this short (HAHAHAHAHAHA) so I didn't spin off into an essay about villain coded families, black people in the horror genre, and normalcy as it pertains to social survival, but just...bits of that are in these designs and lore. Keep that in mind.

Also I made the kids twins because they've flip flopped in age so much in different media and also twins run in my family (i'm the daughter of one). And let's face it, I'm pulling a lot of their southern gothic traits from living as a southern goth so *shrug*.

10 thousand pounds of lore incoming loooooooooool.

The Parents

From the moment he saw her he knew that there was a 50/50 chance of him either never making it out of that swamp alive or marrying the figure that was creeping out from under the distant willow tree in a black cocktail dress. The third time she found him trussed up in one of her traps, he complimented her rope work and asked if she'd like to go out sometime after his head wound stopped bleeding.

Or while it was still bleeding.

If she was into that.

Some kids and a mysteriously burnt down Piggly Wiggly later, their love is still as strong and inescapable as a bear trap in a sink hole.

Carlisle Guillermo (now Addams through marriage but I wanted to give him two first names for a name since Gomez has two last names) makes a vaguely described living practicing ‘law’ around town. A loophole king, people come to him from miles around with contracts signed in blood, fights over chunks of hair buried in their rivals’ yard, dehydrated primate hands, memories that seemed like dreams until the evidence of their happenings became too real, and other regular Legal Items asking for counsel which he is all too happy to give. For a price. Sometimes that price is a homemade pie and sometimes it’s a million dollars, depends on who you are. Whatever you’re asked to pay it’s worth that price, and if you try to scam him out of work or he just plain doesn’t like you? Well. He knows how to twist a contract better than anything at the crossroads.

And he always gets his due.

He doesn’t just serve the local (living)humans though, there are many things that need proper legal representation in this day and age. You wouldn’t believe how many city councils try to build on sacred burial grounds even after he lets them know that his ghostly clients are totally gonna haunt the FUCK out of the ensuing shitty condos and curse their families for all eternity. At least 50% of his energy goes towards dealing with real estate bullshit.

Carl is an excitable and good natured(?) man who loves his family, cigars, dancing, and his many knife-based hobbies. People find him very charming once they get past the feeling that they’re talking to a sultry gator badly disguising itself as a human. I didn’t put a ton of deep thought into designing him, mostly I wanted to make a middle aged dude who looked like he would have been voted ‘most likely to smooch the literal devil’ in high school. Tbh he probably has, but no demonic ex’s can compare to his lovely wife~

Mortesha Addams(her name was already perfect so I just tweaked it)is a woman of many talents. A self proclaimed homemaker, she prides herself on a greenhouse full of Concerning Foliage, a beautiful wasp apiary, and a coop full of what are probably chickens that she keeps for what are probably eggs. She’s also an avid creator of the outsider art that can be seen around the estate. She has taken on the family business of selling her homemade goods in a little stall by the road just outside the swamp with her mom, and makes pretty good money doing so. A surprising amount of poison gets bought in quaint southern towns.

Speaking of poison, people who come out to the edge of the swamp to buy it are usually carrying a lot of secrets around, and Mortesha knows most of them. It’s not like she pries the truth out of people, it just so happens that many nervous hellos eventually turn into the tragic backstory power hour if she’s alone with a client for long enough. She supposes that’s just how people are. Despite the fact that the Addams are very active in the community (whether the community likes it or not) she especially, as a direct descendant of the first Addams matriarch, is seen as…Well not an outsider because the community feels A Certain Way about outsiders and despite it all the Addams are their people, but maybe something like an exception. They feel like whatever weirdness they’re hiding can’t be weirder than any given Addams, so they get a little loose with their words.

This is amusing to her, since Addams’ don’t naturally keep the kind dramatic secrets that their surface level prim and proper neighbors do. It’s much more fun to openly talk about those things.

Do they have a sadly decrepit yet terrifying grandma up in the attic? Yeah, like three. They got a tv, all the creepy porcelain dolls they could want, and they’re close to family. Where do you keep your gram-grams?

Any bodies buried on the property? Yeah some, but most are thrown to the gators.

Any creeping through the balmy summer night with ill intentions? Yeah dude, everyone loves a nice family stroll.

What about dangerous forbidden love? If an adult Addams isn’t incorporeal then they’re either queer or in a torrid romance with some person/thing mysteriously drawn to that awful swamp. Sometimes both at the same time. Most times actually.

Mortesha would know.

The current head of the Addams family is just as outgoing as her husband but a lot quieter and harder to read. She never really seems to get mad about much and always has a genteel smile for everyone whether they deserve it or not. A seven foot tall human shaped “Oh, bless your heart”. A perfectly composed Lady even when she’s, oh I dunno, burning down a Piggly Wiggly. You know. A regular southern mom. Chat her up at the hair salon for 50% off a jar of wasp honey with your next purchase of a mysterious but foreboding packet of herbs.

Designing her was pretty easy because I just drew a lankier Grace Jones and called it a day. I had some problems with her outfit simply because if we were going HARD southern gothic then she’d probably be wearing a white/cream dress with a fuller skirt but I thought keeping the silhouette and the black was more important. She’s supposed to be an anti southern gothic southern gothic character anyway. A woman who looks like she has a million secrets who is actually the most open person you could meet. For better or worse. The red hair came from a coloring error that I really ended up liking (my mom had red hair her whole childhood that only darkened up in high school so I can buy that an Addams can be naturally fire engine red) and the veil was to get more of that classic Morticia silhouette in there.

The Children

Sunday and Blanche are the twin children of Carlisle and Mortesha Addams. Some say the Addams clan got their cursed homestead when a wealthy local businessman made a deal with the devil and lost, leaving his grand mansion to his least favorite maid and cutting his losses once he realized that the swamp would do everything it could to drag the house into the water and take what was owed with its horrible curse. Others say that the family has just always squatted there and no one really cares because man, fuck that particular swamp. Have you been in there? Absolute horror show.

Anyway.

Blanche is the more outgoing sibling and quite the engineer/mad scientist in the making. He started going grey at 2 weeks old but considering he was also rocking some extra fingers, toes, and a tiny tail (he takes after his dad), his parents just put it on the 'not life threatening' pile and decided not to worry about it. He's the kind of smart that teachers find utterly infuriating, less a dog eagerly learning and obeying commands and more a hyena who keeps teaching itself how to pick locks. He has a few friends in his school's robotics club (which they honestly allowed him to make so the school could contain his... creations) but mostly hangs out with his sister exploring the swamp. They find all sorts of neat things in there! wedding rings, suspiciously lumpy garbage bags, cloaked cultists who can't read private property signs, it's an adventure every day!

Blanche is all about experimentation with his creations, his look, and his tether to this mortal coil. Is lipstick a cool thing to try? Let's find out. Can he get out of a strait jacket fast enough after being pushed into the depths of the swamp by his sister? let's find out. He's not dead yet and confused local doctors can attest to the fact that he's rarely attained more than a bad bruise so he's pretty set on continuing to kiss rattlesnakes on their cute little heads and have his sister practice her knife throwing at him until that fact changes.

Blanche is very much a country goth. Cowboy boots (customized by his mom), knife, and lighter are daily accessories. He likes to wear the crusty swamp jewelry they find (the rust adds a splash of color!) and despite appearances he does try to keep himself neat. He's just got  natural Grunge Colors and a tendency to wear clothes he likes until they fall apart. Pugsley always seemed the most modernly styled to me (which might just be because little boys clothes have been the same for a long time) so I wanted Blanche to be the most purposely fashionable Addams. Everyone else is goth by nature, but he's the only one truly familiar with goth as an alternative fashion.

I got really into designing Blanche because honestly, I find Pugsley to be the most boring member of the family. And he was hard to design! I had to mess with his vibe a lot to get him looking how I wanted. I know he's supposed to evoke an " 'evil' little boy next door who's parents never reign him in", but that's just goth Dennis The Menace.  I's 2020. We can at least go queer goth Calvin.

Sunday was much easier to design. Wednesday was my favorite as a child (of course) and I really wanted to keep the spirit of her look while adding things like billowy sleeves (it gets HOT down here), big poofy twists instead of braids, and a nice tie. She's a professional after all, been running the local pet cemetery since she was 6 and the previous groundskeeper met with an unfortunate accident after telling her that tarantulas don't have souls. Her specialty is creating beautiful naturalistic animal funerals similar to those that Maquenda (https://linktr.ee/artofmaquenda) makes, and she takes pride in creating miniature dioramas of her subjects after each burial which she uses as a kind of 3D catalog for future clients.

She really wants to try out her skills on humans one day. Well. Publicly try out her skills. Lotta random bodies float into the swamp. None of them have turned down her requests for diorama models so far. Most seem downright flattered. Plus, she usually figures out which graveyard/crime scene they floated over from and gets her parents to give them a lift back. She'll even help enact terrifying revenge from beyond the grave on whoever put them there if she's not, y'know, busy.

Besides arts, crafts, and pet based funerary arrangements, Sunday is an avid lover of archery (any ranged weapon really), books where little fantasy adventure animals die dramatic deaths, and history. She is That Kid who eagerly raises her hand when asked who Christopher Columbus was and ends up being sent out of class after 15 minutes for making 'a scene'. Her favorite party trick is just picking an item in the room and talking about how it relates to either some obscure historical figure with a buck wild life or a horrible disaster. At least one charity pancake breakfast ended with children in tears after her vivid description of the Great Molasses Flood of 1919.

Social-wise, while Wednesday is the girl that people ask to smile because they think she'd, "look so pretty", Sunday is rarely asked anything at all. People just kind of assume from her quiet nature (in between horrible history facts) that she's angry all the time and that she hates everyone. This is untrue. She hates some people but she's ambivalent to most everyone else and even downright friendly if you bother to talk to her like a person instead of a terrifying cryptid. Like, she IS a terrifying cryptid but she's also a little girl.  

That’s about it for now. One day I might do the other family members but for now I’m happy with the four I’ve redesigned. Making an au! Lurch in a family that doesn’t do butlers could be interesting. Over on patreon I put forth that he could just be Motesha’s mute little brother (similar bone structure) but Amy Crook had the nice idea of quote: �� a mysterious "cousin" that "helps around the house" whose origins are both long in the past and faintly unsettling. He's good for lifting heavy things, like that tank of propane you're about to throw into the burning Piggly Wiggly... “ which i now consider canon. Who's kid is he? How old is he? Not important. Anyone willing to commit arson with you is family.

Annnnyway.  This challenge was a lot of fun! I love indulging in AU’s.

[maybemanyskeletonhats]

Hey, could you write about the elves running away with their partner from their every day responsibilities and just enjoying the day off? Like enjoying a picnic, or a trip through the mountains together (the type of activity is up to you to decide based on their personalities) if you do, thank you! I want to indulge myself with some soft sweet peaceful stuff rn ;w;

Sotha Sil surprisingly actually does go along with them rather quickly. They take him someplace quiet and look up as the sky turns from shades of orange and crimson to a deep blue as the stars come out from the inky abyss...yes, he's counting...hmm? Oh. It's Nothing important. Just...reminiscing.

Vivec gladly slinks off with them. They take him to a beach where he can sink his toes into the sand. He hasn't had much leisure time in awhile so he's grateful. Is reminded when he, Ayem, Seht and Nerevar went to a beach together...yes he body slammed Sil into the water.

Almalexia may never be convinced sadly. She's so very busy tending to her people it would take ages to get her to agree. If she does, they take her to a garden where she can think freely and relax for once. She breathes in the fragrance of flowers softly...she tells them later that she wouldn't mind doing this again.

Voryn Dagoth doesn't need as much convincing surprisingly. Just take him outside. Anywhere he can get fresh air and he'll be perfectly content. He's genuinely flattered that someone cares so much to begin with. With all the stressful parts melted away. He's very affectionate.

Mannimarco scoffs. They want to take him to a flower field? What does he look like, someone who can waste ti - where are they going? He'll come along with. He grumbles the whole time but still sits down with them. If they brought food with them he grumpily eat the little sandwiches they brought along. He's so mean, and he complains a lot but if it's time wasted for them it's worthy enough.

Neloth has to be physically pulled out of the tower. He's pulled into the humid heat of Vvardenfell and immediately complains. Take him somewhere they have good things to eat. Preferably indoors. What? He's hot. They drug him out might as well try to have a good time.

Divayth Fyr loves a good expedition and is getting antsy cooped up in his tower. Probably helped pick out the activity in the first place. Danger they said? Bah he will handle it. They'll hear him whistling as he walks down a derelict dwemeri hallway. Ignore the crashing and cursing he's okay. He's pretty fun when he gets out.

Teldryn Sero follows them already so he doesn't need much convincing. Tells them he wouldn't mind trying different drinks across skyrim...so that's what they do. Plus the dragonborn has time to let loose...so they do. Though it's them staying mostly sober so they can drag the hooting and hollering Sero out the nearest tavern. When he wants too...he goes wild.

[robininthelabyrinth]

Hi! This is for the prompts: LWJ and WWX get together at Cloud Recesses but it’s a secret. When it does come out tho, probably due to WWX mischief some how. JC comes to the conclusion that LWJ has managed to ‘defile WWXs honor’ and now JC has no choice but to fight on behalf of his big brother, who clearly has been wronged.

Honor, Defended - ao3

Untamed

1

“What are they doing,” Jiang Cheng said, voice strangled, eyes staring.

Nie Huaisang stood up on his toes and squinted over his new friend’s shoulder. “Fighting?”

It looked like fighting.

“No.”

Not fighting? In that case, at least by Nie sect standards, that meant –

“Flirting?”

Jiang Cheng growled, which meant Nie Huaisang’s guess was right. “I’m going to kill the rotten bastard in white! I bet he waited until Wei Wuxian was alone just for this. How dare he take advantage of my – of Wei Wuxian!”

“I mean, I don’t know about that? They seem about tied,” Nie Huaisang said, making a mental note – not that many people could match up against Lan Wangji, especially when he was in a you-are-breaking-the-rules sort of snit. “Each one’s giving as good as the other gets, if you know what I mean…I’m talking about fighting!” He added hastily, seeing Jiang Cheng’s expression. “Just the fighting! And hey, maybe the Lan sect doesn’t flirt through fighting?”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Jiang Cheng said. “All cultivation sects flirt through fighting.”

Damnit, Nie Huaisang thought to himself with a sigh. That means I’m going to have to train with saber after all if I’m going to get somewhere here, doesn’t it? Well, at least da-ge will be pleased…

“Are you going to interrupt?” he asked, hiding his face behind his fan. “If fighting is flirting…”

As expected, Jiang Cheng choked. “Not all fighting is flirting!” he hissed. “But that most certainly is!”

Nie Huaisang didn’t understand fighting, so he just shrugged.

“Why don’t you confront him later?” he suggested, but Jiang Cheng shook his head, his features already settling into a mulish expression that had no right to look as attractive as it was. “All right, I see I can’t convince you. Good luck defending your brother’s honor, then?”

-

2

“If Lan Wangji doesn’t stop flirting with Wei Wuxian in class, I’m going to do something violent,” Jiang Cheng said.

“Okay, now I know you’re delusional,” Nie Huaisang said. “But still very pretty. Oh, I’m torn…actually no, I think I’m fine. I mean, what cultivator do I know that isn’t a bit delusional?”

“Can you stop talking nonsense and focus on how we’re going to split them up?” Jiang Cheng demanded irritably. Really, it was no wonder that Nie Huaisang’s best attempts at flirting were going nowhere. Jiang Cheng was thick.

In many appealing ways. Mm.

Damn his bad taste.

“Well, I think first you have to start by reversing your statement until it resembles the truth a bit more,” Nie Huaisang said, trying to be practical. “It’s Wei-xiong that’s flirting with Lan-er-gongzi, not the other way around.”

“He’s just like that!”

“A giant flirt, you mean?”

“Sociable,” Jiang Cheng insisted with the sort of blindly loyal stubbornness that was sadly very, very appealing to those surnamed Nie. Mouthwatering, even.

“Right,” Nie Huaisang said, dabbing at his mouth with his sleeve to make sure he wasn’t drooling. “I see. All right, I’ll help you. I’ll even promise to find a way to break them up for good, guaranteed – but first you have to meet one condition.”

Jiang Cheng arched his eyebrows, looking unwillingly intrigued. “Name it.”

“You have to come up with one way in which Lan-er-gongzi has been flirting with Wei Wuxian that isn’t ‘he existed being pretty in his general direction’.”

Jiang Cheng opened his mouth.

Nie Huaisang waited.

“…maybe he should consider being less pretty,” Jiang Cheng grumbled.

Nie Huaisang patted him on the shoulder, then left his hand on his shoulder because why not.

“We’ve all thought that about him over the years,” he said. “Better luck next time.”

3

“You’re supposed to be helping me preserve my brother’s honor!” Jiang Cheng hissed at Nie Huaisang, who had made absolutely no promises of that sort without giant loopholes that he could walk right out of. “Not – encouragingthis!”

“I didn’t! I just helped Wei-gongzi play a tiny little prank –”

“With pornography!”

“Tasteful erotic art,” Nie Huaisang corrected.

“With cutsleeve pornography!”

“Cutsleeve tasteful erotic art.”

“Nie Huaisang! You’re missing the point!”

“Am I?” Nie Huaisang asked thoughtfully, tapping his fan against his lips. “I don’t know, I’m not sure I am. Can you explain what the point is again?”

Jiang Cheng threw his hands up into the air. “Listen, it was bad enough when Wei Wuxian got thrown out of Teacher Lan’s classes and had to go copy rules in the Library Pavilion for a month; that’s disgraceful and loses face for our sect, but at least his personal honor was preserved –”

Bad scholarship was, in fact, not an impediment to having personal honor. Nie Huaisang knew this fact forwards, backwards, and intimately.

“But then Teacher Lan fell for Lan Wangji’s tricks and decided to assign him to supervise copying –”

“Lan-er-gongzi has tricks? That’s news to me.”

“…well, either way, they got cooped up there in that room, together, alone, for – for weeks!”

“Hasn’t Lan-er-gongzi been using the muting spell on Wei-xiong most of that time?”

“No, eventually Wei Wuxian learned his lesson and now he shuts himself up whenever he sees him starting up the spell, he complains to me and shijie about it constantly every night,” Jiang Cheng said, grumbling. “Stop interrupting me!”

“Sorry. Go ahead.”

“Anyway, if that wasn’t enough, you’re now encouragingthis debacle by setting up a prank that involves Wei Wuxian, Lan Wangji, and cutsleeve pornography.”

“I did,” Nie Huaisang agreed. “And it’s tasteful erotic art, Jiang-xiong.”

“Why do you keep insisting on that?” Jiang Cheng snapped. “Isn’t it the same thing?”

“No,” Nie Huaisang said patiently. “Because I also have pornography, and it’s a lot less tasteful.”

Jiang Cheng stopped, utterly distracted from his previous rant. “...you do?”

“Mm. Want to see?”

-

4

“Lan Zhan! Lan Zhan, wait for me, I want to talk to you – I need you! See, for whatever reason, I can’t find Jiang Cheng anywhere. Can you help me look –”

Nie Huaisang shut his window before Jiang Cheng could overhear and get distracted.

They were busy.

-

5

“All right,” Nie Huaisang said. “I admit it, you’re right.”

Jiang Cheng looked at him. “…you do?”

“I do.”

“Right about…what?”

“About the flirting, and Lan Wangji having tricks,” Nie Huaisang said, nodding wisely. “See, the Lan sect take their rules about their forehead ribbons very seriously. It’s parents, children, and lovers only. So if you ran into Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji entangled on the path near the back mountain, both of them soaking wet, with Lan Wangji’s forehead ribbon wrapped around their wrists…why, that’s practically an elopement!”

Jiang Cheng, predictably, turned purple. “He eloped with my – I’m going to kill him!”

“Have fun with that,” Nie Huaisang said happily, and watched as Jiang Cheng drew his sword and charged, shouting something.

Wei Wuxian attempted to defend their conduct, except apparently their conduct involved finding the ghost of a Lan sect ancestor –

“Did you bow?” Nie Huaisang asked, very unhelpfully. “Both of you? So you’d say you’ve made your bows to the older generation? Have you bowed to heaven and earth yet, too?”

Lan Wangji gave him a death glare, but maybe he should have thought of that before writing to Nie Huaisang’s brother disclosing details about Nie Huaisang’s love life.

“I’m going to kill you!” Jiang Cheng roared.

Nie Huaisang smiled over his fan at Lan Wangji and gave a jaunty little wave.

-

+1

A few days earlier

“Wait, so, you’re actually together?” Nie Huaisang asked, and Lan Wangji nodded. They were having tea together the way they always did at the middle of the week, a tradition started long ago when their brothers were visiting and being utterly intolerable. Even their long-standing fight with each other would be put aside for mid-week tea. “Well done!”

Lan Wangji’s ears turned a little red. “Mm.” After a few moments, he added, “Mm.”

“No, no, I don’t think you need to worry,” Nie Huaisang said. “He may seem flighty, but he’s very loyal…the Jiang sect might object, though. They can be a bit tetchy about these things.”

Arched eyebrows.

“What do you mean, how would I know? Have you somehow missedthat I’ve been trying to snag Jiang Cheng all summer? There are more things in this world than Wei Wuxian’s waistline, shapely as it may be.”

Eyes narrowing.

“…don’t you dare tell my brother!”

A smirk, not that anyone else – excluding Lan Xichen – would know.

“I don’t care about your ‘appropriate conduct’! If you tell my brother that I’m dating instead of studying, I’ll find a way to make your life miserable, too! Just you wait!”

[taggedmemes]

SENTENCE MEME ⟶ REVOLTING PEOPLE / 3.04 always feel free to tweak the sentence to fit your muse.

‘do you fancy a little conversation?’

‘why would the conversation turn stupid?’

‘i had this amazing dream last night...’

‘oh no, wait. that happened.’

‘they are interesting things, though, dreams.’

‘a dream is your soul leaving your body.’

‘there is nothing funnier than a terrified man who thinks he just lost his soul.’

‘it’s a personal journal, and therefore it’s private.’

‘it’s not very comfortable for the sheep, of course...’

‘find something to do! arrest some americans!’

‘that’s a lot of information for one sentence.’

‘not all history pans out the way you’re expecting.’

‘if you were fated to get your nose shot off, that was the battle to do it in.’

‘yeah i get it, why do you keep saying it over and over?’

‘i want to speak to you about my pig; i’m very distressed.’

‘why did you give a boy pig a girl pig name?’

‘why do you keep repeating everything i say and turning it into a question?’

‘it depends on your definition of ‘streets’, ‘horses’, ‘private’, and ‘property’.’

‘armies tend not to be big on apologies.’

‘one has no guts, the other has no parts!’

‘what’s confiscated?’

‘he was taken! and you have to get him back.’

‘yeah, but i’m simple. i can’t grasp basic rudimentary concepts.’

‘sadly, i don’t have the mental capacity.’

‘you have thirty seconds.’

‘oh, that pig. the subversive pig.’

‘you have no jurisdiction over me!’

‘you keep your hands off me!’

‘impressive! she’s carrying a pig that outweighs her while at the same time waving a pistol in my face.’

‘i’ll hunt you down a string you up!’

‘this promises to be the storm of the century.’

‘what are you doing, standing here at the edge of the forest shouting into the wind? that’s ludicrous even for you!’

‘i’m a fugitive, you have no excuse.’

‘until this hurricane drove everyone indoors i was doing quite well.’

‘you know what they say: there’s no place like home. there’s certainly no place like my home.’

‘it’s a loveless baby-filled hell-hole.’

‘look out for that tree!’

‘it’s just you and me, alone in a cave.’

‘i don’t approve of murdering and assaulting women. that’s just me, call me old fashioned, but...’

‘i found you clinging to a branch in the river.’

‘what i did, i did for love.’

‘if i was dreaming, you’d be a muscular but naïve viking.’

‘alright, but that’ll involve me putting my clothes on.’

‘it doesn’t matter if i see you naked, because this is just a dream.’

‘see his feet sticking out from under that chicken coop?’

‘he’s as dead as a door.’

‘in future i’ll try not to expect too much of gherkins.’

‘they don’t have necks so they can’t be hanged.’

‘i can’t take the boots off a dead guy!’

‘a gherkin never forgets.’

‘i thought they had a bit of an attitude.’

‘i have some important nonsense for you.’

‘i’m so cold! maybe you should put your arm around me. i said put your arm around me.’

‘it’s cruel the way you keep toying with the poor sap.’

‘yeah. i’m really scary. ‘boo’. doesn’t that give you the willies?’

‘what’s that got to do with a squirt of oil?’

‘oil? why would anybody fight for oil?’

‘if you keep pointing out these loopholes we’re gonna be here all night.’

‘have i been talking in my sleep again?’

‘you cringe just like my father, you know that?’

‘what are the hotels like? do they take elephants?’

‘you’ve turned very polite.’

‘oh come on, can’t a person have a joke at another person’s expense any more?’

‘you didn’t say anything about closing my eyes.’

‘you took a real bash to the head.’

‘you’ve been vomiting all night. it was disgusting.’

‘i’ve decided to try to get along with you.’

‘please accept this jar of pickles as a peace offering.’

[captain039]

Secrets of mutation

Logan(wolverine) x reader

Warnings: Age gap, student/teacher, AOB, trauma, swearing, sexual, intimate, a little forceful, anxiety

Xmen/new mutants

AOB will be referred to second gender xD

The alarms were blaring in your ear when you woke. Startled and uncoordinated you got out of bed and looked out the door seeing no one but flashing lights, what the hell was going on?

You remember waking up in this strange place, handcuffed to a bed in some strange room filled with other empty hospital beds. You don’t remember much from before, your past blurry. A woman had come in, a tablet in hand as she scanned you with something.

“Where am I?” You asked.

“Who are you?!” You added tugging at the cuffs.

“Calm down Miss Y/n, my name is Dr Reyes, you’re at a facility” you frowned at her words.

“What facility?” You questioned.

“A facility for mutants like yourself” she said typing down something.

“You do know what mutants are yes?” You nodded to her question.

“I’m- not a mutant” you trailed off a little unsure.

“You are Y/n, a little late in showing but none the less, a mutant” she walked to your cuffs and you flinched as she unlocked them.

“What’s my mutation?” You asked rubbing your wrists.

“We have yet to figure that out” she smiled.

“I’ll show you around”

It was more of a cage for mutants than a program, you learnt after some time, the others you were with didn’t appreciate new blood apparently except Sam, Danny and Rahne. You were finding it difficult to present your power to anyone and yourself. Rahne said she could sense you differently from the others, you were unsure why though. As it became more clear you weren’t getting out you began to freak out. Your mind forcefully trying to figure out what happened before, your parents, your life? You couldn’t remember any of it, just flashes of faceless people and laughs. You got nightmares every night, something different each time, a jumble of memories perhaps. When those alarms rang though you sought nothing but freedom.

You had found the others as they looked around confused also. You all had headed outside a jet of some sort landing nearby.

“Who the hell is that?” Roberto asked.

“How are we supposed to know?!” Rahne yelled as a voice filled your head.

“It’s alright” it said as the jet opened and an old man came out on a wheelchair.

“No!” You heard Dr Reyes stumbling out as a orange bubble surrounded you. You were suffocating in it as you fell to your knees gasping for breath, desperately bashing on the force.

You had awoken to soft beeping, before it slowly picked up much like your heart beat. You looked around this feeling to familiar when someone walked in.

“You’re awake” she said as you stared at her, machine beating rapidly.

“What’s going on?!” You tugged against the tubes on you and panicked.

“Calm down” she said rushing to you quickly.

“My names Storm” she said and you frowned.

“You’re at professors Xaviers school” you frowned at her words.

“School?” You questioned looking around the high tech medical lab.

“Well above us is the school” she chuckled.

“You might know us better by the xmen” she said and you still stared.

“Took us a while to find your facility, I’m afraid you’re not the only one who was in that situation, they’re happening everywhere” she sighed sadly.

“That shield around it blocked the Professor out for a while till he got in” you laid back down, head spinning.

“Are the others ok?” You asked.

“They’re fine, getting use to the school, Magik causing some trouble but she’ll adapt” she stood by your bed.

“I-I don’t know my mutation” you mumbled.

“That’s why the professors here” she said softly as someone walked in. You sat up again seeing the old man in the chair.

“I’m not that old” he chuckled and you flushed.

“I didn’t-“ you frowned at him.

“My mutation my dear, I can hear people’s thoughts” he smiled stopping by your bed.

“Oh” you said.

“Don’t worry I won’t scope around in their unless you require me too” he chuckled you crossed your arms awkwardly.

“Bad joke I’m afraid” he said as Storm chuckled.

“How are you feeling?” He asked.

“Um?” You said.

“Yes I’d imagine this situation is rather stressful but we are here to help” he offered a warm smile.

“I don’t know what to do- I don’t remember my past apart from waking up in that facility, nor do I know my mutation” you said.

“Yes, the facility’s, the Essex’s program give you a serum that takes away your memories of your past life, to better focus the mind” he sighed.

“As for your mutation I can help you find it” he smiled.

“Essex’s program?” You asked.

“Yes there are secret facility’s around the world, covered by the orange shield, they hold powerful mutants in there for testing, turn them into weapons with no memories” he spoke grimly, his eyes downcast.

“It’s hard for me to get through the shield without causing a big war” he sighed.

“These programs are made by the government, to test on mutants the deem powerful and dangerous and turn them into killers in the future” he looked to the woman who had a saddened face also.

“It’s hard to find you all” she said sadly.

“Terrible thing” she added.

“Come, I’ll show you around the school, lighten your mood a bit” the Professor smiled. You stood slowly thankful your clothes were still on and not some stupid hospital gown. You followed the Professor through a bright hall and into an elevator.

As the door opened again you were stunned by the house and smells. Old but clean with students walking around.

“They’re all mutants” the Professor said as you looked to each one as you walked.

“We have classes upstairs and down stairs, down the end here is the cafeteria” he pointed down the hall and you nodded.

“Back this way is the smaller kitchen and toilets along with rooms on the left side” he added pointing out each room.

“The floor below us is where you train, like for PE and fighting” he said.

“There’s a courtyard and plenty of room outside as well as in” he smiled going up the stairs.

“Professor!” You jumped as someone called.

“Ah Logan” you turned with the professor seeing the man coming towards you. You were hit with something though, an overwhelming scent and you held a hand over your nose.

“What?” The man said.

“I don’t stink that bad” he sniffed himself and you shook your head.

“No Logan I don’t think she understands our second gender” the Professor said and you frowned.

“Jesus kid” the man muttered.

“Did you need something Logan?” The Professor asked.

“Yeah that girl you found her with Magik? She’s causing a bloody mess again” he huffed hands on his hips and you perked up.

“Shall we go see your friends?” The Professor asked and you nodded. As you walked away from the man you glanced back meeting his gaze. You gulped looking away and speeding up a bit.

“Y/n!” Rahne was the first to run to you. You sighed hugging them tightly. Danny joined and you felt tears in your eyes. Sam came over too and you chuckled giving him a hug also.

“You guys ok?” You asked pulling back.

“We’re fine” Rahne said.

“How are you?” Sam asked.

“I’m ok, I think” you gulped a little glancing to the professor.

“You’ve been out a couple of days” Danny said and you frowned.

“Really?” You asked and she nodded.

“Was worried you weren’t gonna get up” you turned seeing Roberto and went to hug him.

“I get a hug?” He said in awe and you chuckled shaking your head.

“Where is your friend Magik?” The Professor asked.

“Outside in her little world” Roberto sighed.

“She hasn’t taken a liking to this place” Rahne said.

“She never liked being cooped up anyway” you shrugged.

“Y/n are you happy to stay here while I go talk to her?” The Professor asked.

“Yeah, thank you” you whispered and he smiled leaving.

You sat on the couch sighing, head hung back.

“We’re really at Professor Xaviers school” Danny said in little awe.

“The xmen” you mumbled.

“Yep” Rahne said.

“Seems strange we weren’t sent here- but then again we were in a secret program” Sam said.

“Secret program of psychos” Roberto grumbled.

“I don’t understand why I was there though” you said saddened.

“I don’t know my powers, I don’t know anything apparently” you sighed leaning your head in your hands.

“What’s the second gender?” You asked.

“You don’t know?” Roberto asked surprised.

“No” you mumbled.

“The second gender is-“ Sam stuttered on his words.

“Alpha, Beta, Omega” Rahne said and you frowned.

“I don’t understand?” You said.

“It’s a ranking system almost” Roberto spoke up.

“When you hit puberty is when you know your rank, Alphas are the-“ before Roberto could speak Danny interrupted.

“Alphas are hot headed idiots” she rolled her eyes as Roberto huffed like a child.

“Betas are in the middle class, omegas in the bottom and alphas at the top” Rahne said.

“What are you guys?” You said.

“Robertos an alpha so is Sam and Illyana, I’m a beta and so is Danny” you frowned at Rahne words.

“What am I?” You said.

“You’re an omega” Sam muttered.

“So I’m beneath you?” You questioned.

“No it- it doesn’t work like that” he sighed.

“Then how does it work?” You asked desperate.

“I can’t explain it’s always been there” Sam shrugged.

“What the hell” you mumbled sinking into to the couch more.

“I’m sure the professor can help you” Rahne held your hand as you tried to smile and nod. You didn’t know your past, your powers, your second gender? Who even were you?

Next Chapter ->

[footballerimaginess]

Tired Mase

Credit to @masnmount​ for gif  Hayley Does Halloween  Cute reading one with Mason maybe. Just him being tired and flopping on the reader, after he's had a bad day, when she starts reading a new book and he just gets her to read to him to destress Mason Mount  Word Count: 405 The best nights were chilling on the sofa, music playing in the background while you were laying on the sofa with Cooper laying beside you as you read your new book.  The smell of your toffee apple wax melt burning around as you just snuggled up on the sofa. The autumnal vibes were well and truly going on in the house and you were loving it at the moment.  Cooper jumped off of the sofa as he heard the car door bang as he ran as fast as he could to go and greet Mase. “Coops, hello buddy” he greets the dog with many cuddles. “Hello darlin’“ Mason grins.  “Ahh, this room smells amazing. What is it?” he asked as he knelt down and kissed you on the lips. “It is my new wax melt, basically when it is Autumn I kind of went a little crazy and bought loads. But it is a toffee apple one” you smiled at him. “Oh nice, smells good” He laughs as he chucks his shoes off.  “Someone is eager to see you” you pointed at Cooper as he jumped up and down at Mason’s legs. “Yes he is, hello buddy again. Someone missed me didn’t they” Mason teased his puppy with his ball as he threw it in the other direction.  “You alright?” you asked him as he flopped down on the sofa as he put his head on the blanket. You gently stroked his fluffy hair. “Just had a shit day to be honest it has been a little bit hard. Training was stressful” He sighed.  “Oh is it? Tell me about it?” you asked him as you gave him a little head massage. “It was tough, I got a sore ankle. It should be okay, it really hurts though sadly” you pouted at him. “Oh darling, I am sorry about that. Shall I get you an ice pack or something?” you suggested. “No it is cool, I will just rest it for a bit” you nodded.  “I am so tired though” Mason yawned. “Aww, well I am reading my book. It is a good one” you smiled as you showed him the cover as he laid on your stomach.  “Yes it is a good one, shall I read you a bit and you just fall asleep to it?” you asked him as he nodded. “Thank you baby” he whispered as you started to read the book.  Taglist: @footballffbarbiex​​​​​ @evie-pr​​​​​ @sanchos-dream​​​​​ @meteora-fc​​​​​ @mrsmctominay​​​​​ @penguintransporter​​​​​ @football-and-fanfics​​​​​ @footballdaydream​​​​​ @hotyeehawman​​​​​ @trentski26​​​​​ @footballxixstars​​​​​ @hazardybala​​​​​ @yagetintoit​​​​​​ @chilly-me-softly​​​​​​ @pickfordsmount​​​​​​ @kingneyney​​​​​​ @bellinghamsbitch​​​​​ @mrspulisic10​​​​​ @bluemoonstonesy​ (these tags carry on from the baby series, please let me know if you want to still be on the list)

[glattandblade]

BLADE MY BELOVED!!! 💕 i would love some cc!dream angst 😏 literally anything you write i will be happy with but if you want me to be more specific i can!! thank youuuu ily /p <33

NAT MY BELOVED!!! Thank you so much for your request <3

By Author Blade <3

Title: Misunderstandings (cc!Dream x Fem!Reader)

Summary: You overhear a conversation of your boyfriend and his friends.

Warnings: Relationship angst, female pronouns for reader

Word Count: 1216

Saturday’s were usually relaxing days for you, but this particular Saturday sadly wasn’t so. You were busy all day, leaving little time for you to just sit down and chill. All morning you were cleaning around the house and all afternoon you were out running errands. The whole day, you thought about how much you just wanted to be home and cuddle with your boyfriend.

Clay found himself just as busy as you. Luckily for him, though, his work didn’t require him to leave the house. He was cooped up in his room all day, recording and editing and whatnot. He had eaten dinner without you, thinking about how he couldn’t wait for you to be home so the two of you could hang out. But first, he had to finish his workload.

When you finally got home, you kicked off your shoes and went to the kitchen first, ready to get yourself something to eat before you retreated upstairs for the rest of the night. You were pleased to find that Clay had already made dinner, leaving you enough to fix yourself a plate. You popped it in the microwave to heat it up, thinking about how you couldn’t wait to go upstairs and see him. You’d have to thank him for cooking, too.

Once you were finished and everything in the kitchen was cleaned up, you excitedly went upstairs. As you got closer to Clay’s room, you could hear the muffled voices from inside.

“How is she, anyway?” It was Sapnap. He must be on a call with him, since he’s been out of town.

Not wanting to be rude, you reached up to knock. As you did so, you heard your boyfriend let out a laugh. The sound of it made you smile, but his response immediately made that smile drop into a confused frown, “Annoying, honestly. Whenever I’m trying to work, she just wants all my attention.”

You stopped, mid knock, and put your arm back down. A look of hurt crossed your features. Was he talking about you?

“But you still love her, yeah?” It was George this time. You frowned at the question, now listening a bit more intently.

“Well, yeah, duh. Sometimes she’s a little much…” The three of them keep talking, but you start to drown out their voices with your racing thoughts.

How could he say those things about you? To his friends? The only thing that kept you from barging in there demanding answers was the fact that you didn’t want to cause a scene in front of everyone. Well, that and the fact that you felt utterly embarrassed and devastated. You turned around, tears starting to form in your eyes that you frantically tried to wipe away.

That night you fell asleep on the couch. Clay didn’t ask you about it, which was good because you didn’t think you were ready to talk to him about it.

The next day, you were a little disconnected. Every time you thought you were ready to go talk to him and clear things up, you thought about what he had said. It honestly hurt and the idea of facing him started to feel impossible.

Is this really going to be the end? After all the time you’ve spent together?

You tried not to think about it all day, deciding that you’d give him some space. You have been a little more clingy recently… But then again, maybe it wasn’t as bad as you were making it sound. Maybe you were overthinking what he said. Maybe-

You heard footsteps coming down the stairs, but you kept your focus on the blank TV screen from your spot on the couch.

“Oh, there you are. You’ve been down here all day, what’s up?”

At the sound of Clay’s voice, you swallowed and your train of thought got lost. You didn’t really account for him approaching you about it. You honestly didn’t think your absence would bother him. It didn’t last night, at least.

You took a moment to breath and calm yourself, knowing that if you started talking your voice would be way too shaky. He took the silence as a chance to speak again.

“You’ve been acting strange all day. And you never came to bed… You know you can talk to me if something is wrong, right?” He looked at you with eyes full of concern.

You turned to face the window, avoiding his worried gaze. After hearing what he said about you, it hurt too much to look at. It felt fake, but you wanted so bad for it to be real.

Was he really that oblivious, though? Did he not remember what he said? Did he not think that maybe if you heard it, it would be hurtful?

“Yesterday…” You swallowed again, trying to keep yourself calm, “I overheard you talking to your friends…” You choked and wiped at your eyes before continuing, “You said some hurtful things, Clay.”

Clay went quiet. The silence started to eat at you and you could feel yourself starting to grow more upset by the second.

You were trying to stay calm, not raise your voice, but if he kept looking at you like he didn’t remember what he said about you… You were going to snap. He stared at you in utter confusion for a long moment, before realization dawned on his features.

“You mean last night? I was talking about Patches!”

Your eyes went wide and your face took on a deep, embarrassed blush. You put the pieces together rather quickly, the whole conversation making much more sense now. You reached up and gave him a light smack on the shoulder, trying to bounce back from your embarrassment, “Well, you don’t have to be mean to Patches, either!”

He chuckled as he sat on the couch next to you and put his arms around your waist, tugging you to come sit on his lap. You didn’t protest, though at the moment you really just wanted to hide away forever.

He pressed a kiss to your forehead with a soft, understanding smile and then said, “I’m sorry, babe.”

You grumbled, leaning forward and hiding your face from his view by laying on his shoulder, “No, you’re good. I’m sorry for making a big deal out of nothing. I’m an idiot…”

Clay shook his head, reaching up to take your chin and lift your head so you were looking at him. He smiled at you, so loving and sweet, and pressed a chaste (but still just as loving) kiss to your lips.

“You’re not an idiot, it was an honest mistake. I would have done the same thing, honestly.”

You laughed, “Oh, please. You would have burst through the door banging pots and pans and been like ‘I’ll show you annoying!’”

He chuckled and pulled you into another kiss, “Okay, yeah, maybe you’re right.”

“You know I’m right.” Another laugh, another kiss. You smiled, feeling a lot better already.

Clay stayed with you the rest of that night, putting on a movie to pass the time, but not really paying much attention to it. He was too busy leaving kisses all over your face and neck, telling you how much he loved you and missed you last night after each one.

Tag List: @loverantaro @jschllatt @smolbox-png @speedymaximoff @pachowpachowbucket (join here!)

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