#saw this ask come in and i was like thea can i answer it so i can gush.

[campbyler]

I heard you’re reading the pjo books, thoughts on solangelo? (Nico and Will)

also I love u🫶🫶🫶

hi hi hi!! thea only just finished the last olympian yesterday which means she got briefly introduced to will solace and has yet to actually see will and nico interact (but i have been conditioning her to love them in advance don’t worry) HOWEVER i am a seasoned solangelo veteran and have been in the trenches about them since the blood of olympus came out so i am here to say that they will always have a very very very very special place in my heart. percy jackson was my first fandom ever so as a whole it is always going to be extremely special to me !! my best friend at the time of the blood of olympus drop actually made fun of me for shipping a non-canon ship (ha) but dw i got my full revenge when she fell into the destiel rabbit hole a month later and solangelo actually became canon down the line. all this to say that we love them here on this blog !!! thea hasn’t quite gotten there yet but she has loved the first series and is going to start the heroes of olympus very soon 🫡🫡

[uwukillmenowowo]

Hello sorry if this is a bad time but I have a request, I saw that you write for Cookie run Kingdom and I was wondering if you could write a new where the reader is Elder Faerie Cookie's child, you can choose if their biological or not, but the reader is also the reincarnation of someone the beast cookies cared about, I just thought that dynamic would be interesting, but if you're not comfortable with writing this that's completely alright and I wish you a good morning/afternoon or goodnight😊.

YO- I'M NOT EVEN KIDDING I HAD AN IDEA SIMILAR TO THIS-

You have a good day/night too!

( >︠ ω ︡<)/

Curiosity

[PLATONIC]

(Parent! Elder Fairie Cookie X Reader X Parental! Beast Cookies)

(Slight White Lily X Reader)

Notes:

Reader will be Non-binary

The story will start with how you met the beast cookies

Then it will show how they created their parental bond with Elder Fairie

For the Beasts, I made up new names for their past selves before they became corrupted.

Reader was one of the most optimistic [Flavor] cookies one would meet.

The kind to give out flowers to make cookies' day better, presenting a beautiful frosty white smile to every cookie they walked by.

Practically every cookie that passed by them was filled with joy.

Oh shit I think this is my longest post-

..... I think I forgot something here but I can't remember what it is...

It started.... one too many eons ago. During times when they weren't who they used to be.

Warning! Mentions of Death!

{Third POV}

~~~~~

[Reader] wowed at the structure before them. The library that was said to be built was finally finished. They walked into the library and awed at all the books there. However, the building was empty.

"Good afternoon young one." The young cookie flinched and turned around, to see a cookie with blue eyes and golden brown dough. But what caught the attention of the young cookie was the beautiful gem that was displayed on his collar. "H-Hello" [Reader] answered nervously. "Did you come for a specific book?" The older cookie asked. To that, [Reader] nodded.

"Excellent! What kind?" He asked. [Reader] chuckled and rubbed their arm. "Uhhh... The-Thea-tri-cal." [Reader] answered with hesitation, due to them being young and unknowledgeable. "Do you mean Theatrical? Ones about shows and plays?" The blue eyed cookie asked with a smile. [Reader] nodded excitedly, explaining that they've heard some other cookies talking about it and was curious.

"That would be this way." The librarian started to lead the way towards the children's section, searching for the "puppet shows" books. "So, what's your name little cookie? Shouldn't you be with your parents?" [Reader] laughed as they found a book they liked. "My name is [Reader] Cookie. You can call me [Reader]. Dad crumbled and mom followed after. How about you, mister?" The little cookie answered as if it was a normal thing to say aloud.

The librarian gasped and held their hand to their mouth before taking in a deep breath and sat beside [Reader]. "Oh My Witches... My name is Blueberry Milk Cookie. Feel free to call me Blueberry Milk." [Reader] smiled and nodded before they started to read. blueberry Milk Cookie gave a sad look towards [Reader]. 'They're... all alone' He thought as he turned his gaze to the book that [Reader] was holding. "How old are you? You seem to understand this book really well." He asked.

"Hmm? Oh, I'm six." It was like a punch to the gut to Blueberry Milk Cookie. "[Reader], if you need anything, you can come to me okay?" The librarian offered, wanting to help the child before him. "Okay." [Reader] responded. [Reader] and Blueberry Milk spent hours together, until [Reader] decided to leave.

After leaving the Library, [Reader] started running, only to bump into multiple cookies. "Oh- Sorry about-" "Watch it, Kid!" The young cookie went wide eyed as the older cookies glared at them. "I-I didn't mean to- I was just- AHH!" The younger cookie screamed as the older cookies grabbed them by their shirt collar.

"What's going on here?" The older cookies let go of [Reader], causing them to fall on their butt as they watched the exchange. "Strawberry Sugar Cookie!" They exclaimed happily. [Reader] scooted back in worry. After all, all they saw was pink. The owner of that pink wore a crown as well, as if they were the current King or Queen of the kingdom.

"Oh my! Who is this?" [Reader] yelped as they were suddenly picked up by the cookie they were just worried about. Pink robes, wings and a halo, but like with Blueberry Milk Cookie, what drawn [Reader] to this cookie, was the heart shaped gem that was in the crown the the cookie who picked them up. "Oh goodness! You're hurt, worry not, I have a friend who will fix your dough!" They smiled before suddenly taking flight.

"WAAHHH!" [Reader] screamed and tightly held onto the pink robed cookie. "Is everything alright?" Strawberry Sugar asked. [Reader] just shrugged and looked down, only to regret it and unconsciously nuzzle into the crook of her neck in fear. "Oh dear, not a fan of heights? What's your name?" [Reader] told her their name and Strawberry Sugar responded happily. "Well it's nice to meet you [Reader]! My name is Strawberry Sugar Cookie." [Reader] almost felt that Strawberry Sugar's happiness was infectious and smiled.

After a joyful conversation to take [Reader]'s mind off the height they were flying at, they reached a temple. A temple so grand that [Reader] has never seen anything like it. But something else, was that there was an enormous line. "So many people!" [Reader] stood close to Strawberry Sugar.

1: To not get lost

2: Everyone was too loud and [Reader] didn't like it

3: WHERE EVEN WERE THEY???

[Reader] followed Strawberry Sugar as they practically cut through the line. Of course, other people objected and tried to cut as well but the guards blocked them. Some guards tried to "protect" Strawberry Sugar by grabbing [Reader] away from them. But after Strawberry Sugar explained that you two went to visit "Her" together, they let you go.

You walked up stairs and stairs, passing halls, and beautiful depictions along stained glass. "So... Who is Her?" The small cookie asked with a tilt of their head. "Oh? I haven't told you? We're gonna fix that little wounds of yours little one. The one going to do that~" With a dramatic pause, Strawberry Sugar pulled a curtain, revealing a figure dressed in white. "Is Wheat Flour Cookie!"

"Strawberry Sugar... What have I told you about our volume in my temple?" Strawberry Sugar flinched and pouted, taking a few steps back. You awed at the white dressed cookie that was sitting before you. "G-Good afternoon Ma'am." [Reader] responded politely with a bow.

Strawberry Sugar and Wheat Flour talked about why her and [Reader] were here. Soon after, Strawberry Sugar left [Reader] alone with the healer.

"So... Enlighten me, what happened young cookie?"

{Second POV}

~~~~~

You kneeled and sat on your knees just like Wheat Flour Cookie. "Umm..." You hesitated, not knowing where to start. "How about we start from the beginning. What did you do today?" You hummed as you started recalling your day. The cookies talking about that play, meeting Blueberry Milk Cookie, reading, running into two older male cookies and getting threatened, meeting Strawberry Sugar Cookie, flying to the temple, and then right now.

Wheat Flour nodded and took your small dough hands into her own before giving some advice. Telling you to simply ignore those who wish harm upon you and that you should continue to find joy and hope in your life. Suddenly, with a white and golden glow, all the wounds you previously had were healed.

You were in awe and Wheat Flour told you to sit beside her as she tended to other cookies. You just nodded and sat beside her. Those next few hours were spent helping Wheat Flour with the other cookies.

You had fun and when you left you saw Strawberry Sugar Cookie just laying down, sleeping. You were in shock. 'Did she wait for me?' You thought and smiled before gently shaking her awake. "Oh... all done?" She asked as she rubbed her eyes. You nodded and she smiled. "Good. A little birdie told me that you met Blueberry Milk Cookie before this. Is that right?" You nodded and her eyes sparkled. "Wonderful! You know, Him, me and Wheat Flour are really good friends."

You wowed. They were friends? You had no clue. "Would you like to meet the other two?" She asked with a tilt of her head. You nodded eagerly. The cookies you've met so far were some of the nicest people you've met. You were.... happy.

Strawberry Sugar pulled you close to her before jumping and flying off one of the many cliffs. You screamed again, but instead of fear, it was in excitement. Strawberry Sugar would do cool flips and tricks with you tightly holding on. It was so much fun, just flying above Crispia.

"And here!" Strawberry Sugar said as you two landed. "It's so hot!" You sweatdropped and fanned yourself with your hand. "Ahah~! Yeah- Crushed Spice Cookie and Sea Salt Cookie like warm areas." You hummed at the explanation and you kicked your feet in the sand, not used to being so close to the water. "Heheh~ Do you like the sand?" Strawberry Sugar asked as she followed behind you.

You nodded, digging your feet into the sand before the waves suddenly washed onto the shore, splashing onto your clothes and your dough. You flinched and accidentally fell into the water and Strawberry Sugar laughed before helping you up. "Oh dear! how clumsy!" She picked you up and dusted the sand off your clothes. You chuckled as she pat you head and started leading you towards somewhere.

"So... Salt and Spice? What are they like?" You asked. Strawberry Sugar hummed in thought. "Crushed Spice is... really competitive. And Sea Salt is pretty... reserved?" Strawberry Sugar shrugged. "I haven't seen them in a while so I can't remember at the top of my head."

After a few more minutes of walking you found yourself in front of a nice house. Strawberry Sugar, noticing the look you were giving, said, "It's bigger on the inside. They both don't like cramped spaces." You asked if they lived together and she nodded, saying how those two acted like brothers.

Strawberry Sugar barged in and you followed. You felt bad for entering uninvited but it is what it is. You continued to follow Strawberry Sugar since you didn't want to get lost. Once she stopped walking, you looked in front to see two cookies with... really funny bedheads. You can't really blame them though, you left Wheat Flour's temple at dusk and Strawberry Sugar and you decided to fly the whole night. So when you got there it was only dawn.

The red one looked angry while the lavender one just looked extremely tired. The more angry one, you guess was Crushed Spice. He just walked up to Strawberry Sugar before grabbing her by her collar and dragging her. Strawberry Sugar tried protesting but then just crossed her arms and pouted.

You didn't know how to feel since you were just left alone with Sea Salt Cookie. It was silent as you two just stood there. until Sea Salt asked if you wanted a snack. You nodded and walked with the lavender cookie into the kitchen. He asked what kind of snack you wanted and you said you were fine with anything since you were a guest.

He just nodded before pouring you a bowl of cereal. You took it, thanked him and sat at the table to eat. It was comfortable silence for you two... Until you heard screaming and shouting from Strawberry Sugar and Crushed Spice. You gave a worried looked to Sea Salt but he just chuckled and told you that it's fine and that they do that all the time. You just nodded slowly, eating you food but stopping halfway once you saw Strawberry Sugar seemingly running for her dough from a flaring Crushed Spice.

As much as you were worried, you found it extremely fun.

Ever since those two days, you've been... seeing them more often.

Blueberry Milk Cookie would sit beside you when you visited the library and read to you

Strawberry Sugar Cookie would practically fly you anywhere you wanted

Wheat Flour Cookie would send you letters with different incenses... Sometimes even first aid kits...

Crushed Spice Cookie is technically your babysitter whenever Strawberry Sugar can't. At first you thought he doesn't like you but he's really soft with you... Even though he makes you do exercises with him...

Finally, Sea Salt Cookie. He's pretty chill. You two would just take naps most of the time. His room is just the right temperature to sleep forever.

The five of them acted like the parents you never had. It made you happy.

Everything went well...

Until it didn't...

That fated day their souls turned black.

You went to visit Wheat Flour Cookie because it was the anniversary you met everyone. You already gave your gifts to the others, Wheat Flour waas last because you knew how busy she was.

Now normally you'd wait in line with everyone else but today since you were just going to go in and out, you decided to use your "VIP Card" that she gave you. But others got pissed. They were jealous and confused. Why would you, a small cookie that looked like the happiest cookie they could be, want to go see Wheat Flour Cookie?

No cookie acted until a middle aged cookie did. They ran out of line and grabbed you by the shoulder. "Hey! What do you think you're doing?!" You just blinked twice and gave them a smile, holding up the gift you were going to give. "I'm going to give this to Wheat Flour Cookie." The smile you gave just pissed them off as they asked why you weren't going o line up. You told them the reason, that you wouldn't take a long time and that you had a VIP card.

The cookie just stared down at the card before smirking. "Say.. Can I.. Borrow that for a bit?" You were about to lend it but you remembered what Wheat Flour said. "Sorry. I would but Wheat Flour said that this was only mine. It has my name." You flipped the card, showing your name. "[Reader] Cookie..." The cookie before you glared at the card before looking back at the line. "Can I... come with you then?"

You didn't see a problem with that so you nodded. Other cookies who saw the exchange, started to run out of the line to talk with you. Until a massive group started to run over to you so that they could talk to Wheat Flour cookie before everyone else. You held the gift close to your chest and sucked in your breath as the other cookies started yelling excuses, causing the guard cookies to have trouble keeping people in line.

"My family is sick!"

"My family is poor!"

"My daughter-"

"My Son-"

"My Father-"

"My Mother-"

"My Brother-"

"My Sister-"

"Aunt!"

"Uncle!"

The excuses kept coming as you tried to get away. No cookie admitted that they wanted everything for themselves. You didn't know how to answer any of it. You didn't have the power to choose one over the other. Until finally, a cookie, desperate enough, grabbed the sword off one of the guard cookies and stabbed you from behind.

You screamed in pain, dropping the gift you brought and coughed. Chaos erupted after that. Cookies started attacking each other left and right. One of the guard cookies, picked you up before running to where Wheat Flour was.

"MY LADY!" They yelled, barging through the door. Wheat Flour, who was just waiting for the next cookie to come in, was in complete shock as she saw you looking pale and panting heavily. "W-What happened?!" She asked as the guard placed you before her. "A fight broke out in front of the temple." They explained, saluting. Wheat Flour, using her magic to look at what was happening was in shock. This has never happened before.

"Call the others. I cannot handle this myself, considering the amount of Cookies there are." The guard nodded and left, leaving you in the arms of Wheat Flour. She tried her best to heal you but it was barely effective. The wound was too deep and you lost too much. Wheat Flour started panicking. She gently patted your cheeks, trying to get you to stay awake but it wasn't working.

"No- no no no no no-! Come now- Don't- Don't do this to me-" Wheat Flour panted as tears reached her eyes. In that very moment, the others came in. "Wheat Flour! What's going ooAAAAAHHHh!" Strawberry Sugar Cookie screamed as she saw the state you were in. She raced over to where you were, already bursting into tears. "What happened?!? Who did this!!?" Strawberry Sugar took you into her arms, holding you tight, trying to see if you were still breathing.

Desperate banging and screaming could be heard on the other side of the temple doors. "We'll keep the cookies at bay! Take care of [Reader]!" Crushed Spice Cookie snarled as Blueberry Milk and Sea Salt followed.

Wheat Flour and Strawberry Sugar tried to use their magic to heal you but it barely worked. Strawberry Sugar started to hyperventilate as Wheat Flour's hand started shaking. They both saw your breathing get slower and slower until it became nonexistent... and finally... they snapped.

Outside, Blueberry Milk, Crushed Spice, and Sea Salt tried their best to not hurt any of the other cookies. But it all went out the window when they heard Strawberry Sugar's scream. They've never heard her scream like that before. But what shocked them was that she flew up, just above the temple, and used her magic to blast the cookies away, killing them.

Cookies who saw that started running off. But they weren't able to get far because Wheat Flour was there to stop them. Both girls made cookies crumble and the others didn't know what to do... When they caught sight of the temple, they caught a clear sight of your crumbled body, clearly unmoving. Blueberry Milk covered his mouth while Sea Salt gasped as his legs shook. Crushed Spice gritted his teether before all he saw was blood red. He grabbed the sword he once used against enemies and used it against his fellow cookies.

That one, anger-filled strike, caused one of Wheat Flour's mountains to split in two. With that, Blueberry Milk and Sea Salt followed, using their own powers to use against the other cookies.

After all the cookies have crumbled, the gang became enraged. They were blinded by their hatred and grief that they went all around Crispia, crumbling any cookie they saw. This went on for years...

Until the Witches caught notice. they sealed the enraged Cookies in the remote continent of Beast Yeast. Before they saw your crumbled body. They felt it all. The pain and regret you held in your heart. You were too young to experience all that.

The Witches decided to place your soul in a newly baked body before they placed you before the Fairie Kingdom. Elder Fairie cookie found and he received a prophecy from the Witches.

The Witches explained how they entrusted some of the Beast's powers to the child so that the beasts cannot reclaim their full power because they know that the Beasts wouldn't harm the child. Elder Fairie understood and took in the child as his own. Not only so that the child could help quell the beasts from destroying the Fairie Kingdom but so that he could help the child control their powers when they're older.

Years passed and [Reader] was now a teenager [Even though they're like- Hundreds of years old by now]. They were doing their daily chores. When suddenly, he saw Silverbell cookie with someone they've never seen before. She had white hair and a floral green dress. "Ah! Your Highness! What timing." You nodded. "Silverbell Cookie. Who is this?" You asked as you fixed your clothes. "Oh, this is White Lily Cookie. She saved me while I was wounded."

You gave a sympathetic gaze to Silverbell and you bowed your head to White Lily. "Oh goodness! Thank you for helping him. Silverbell Cookie can be very... frail." You chuckled as Silverbell gave you a pout.

"Oh! You must be Elder Fairie Cookie that I've been hearing about then? You're much younger than I expected." White Lily gave you a smile and you laughed bashfully. "Ahahah! Actually no! That's my father. My name is [Reader] Cookie." White Lily gasped and rubbed the back of her neck, apologizing. You told her that everything was fine and you offered to introduce her to your father. She accepted happily and you dismissed Silverbell before leading her through the kingdom.

Seeing White Lily's awestruck gaze, you found yourself staring at her a little too long that you tripped over your feet. "Oh goodness! Here, let me help you." You felt your dough heat up as you took her hand and stood up. "Thank you..." You replied bashfully before continuing to lead her through the Kingdom. For some reason... Her smile reminded you of someone. You... can't remember where though.

When you introduced her to Elder Fairie, he was shocked. A cookie from a different continent... here? Interacting with his child- UUHHH- WHAT'S WITH THAT SMILE YOU'RE GIVING HER???

Elder Fairie looked between you two but kept his calm. You told him everything that Silverbell told you and Elder Fairie nodded. He just asked you to tour her around and you walked away with her happily.

'My child- With a girl???' Elder Fairie looked looked around desperately trying to find an excuse as to pry you away from White Lily. 'They're too young still! I never even let them out of the kingdom! Suddenly there's a girl they look fond of???' Elder Fairie went to his chambers to think.

Meanwhile, you were showing White Lily every crevice of the kingdom, loving how fascinated she was with everything you showed her. But then you shivered 'Why do I feel like I'm going to get punished for some reason..?' you thought in confusion before shaking it off, turning your attention back to White Lily.

"AAAGH! The seal is cracking!!"

"Your Majesty! Are you hurt?!"

"No, I'm unharmed! [Reader], are you alright?"

"I'm okay..."

The seal... you've heard about it from your father. You were told that ancient beings laid dormant in the silver tree. Beings that turned to beasts and wrecked havoc in the olden days. Your father told you how each beast had a soul jam. however, once the beasts were trapped, their soul jam was lost and given to other cookies. One of them being White Lily Cookie. You were worried for her safety but if she holds ancient powers then your fears are quelled.

"And evil will that has focused all its rage on breaking free from confinement. It must have angered the Beasts greatly now that each Soul Jam has found its rightful owner. Yes... they sensed that unless they escape now... they might never be granted another chance in the future. All their might now serves one single purpose- destroying the hated seal."

"Everyone, we must stand our ground. Our place now is by the Guardian of the Seal!" White Lily claimed as she stood beside you. "We shall protect His Majesty or crumble! For if the Guardian falls, there is no way to stop the Beasts from escaping." You helped White Lily motivate the other guards as you all raced to the silver tree. To see a major split.

"The seal has already split so wide..." White Lily gasped. You took her hand into yours. Telling her that it was all going to be okay, then gave her a reassuring nod. She smiled and then raised her staff. "Everyone, fight with me!"

Shadowy beings crawled out of the seal as cookies started fighting. White Lily started charging a powerful attack as someone started to protect the spellcaster. Which just so happened to be you.

"𝚃𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚙𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚎𝚗𝚌𝚎… 𝚃𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚟𝚘𝚒𝚌𝚎…"

You gasped as a voice suddenly played through you head. "Hello..?" You whispered as you continued to protect White Lily.

"𝙳𝚘𝚗'𝚝 𝚝𝚎𝚕𝚕 𝚖𝚎…… [𝚁𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚎𝚛]..?"

You tensed up. as the voice said your name. "How do you know me..?" You bit the inside of your cheek but before the voice answered, White Lily's attack hit. Blocking the beasts and preventing the voice from talking with you.

You furrowed your brows, your curiosity is now peaked and you wanted to know how the voice knew you.

However, we all know the saying,

"Curiosity Killed the Cat"

Okay- I'm tired now-

Like for a part 2

( ─ . ─ )✌

Goodnight

[idontplaytrack]

✧ Make me hate Boston

Regina George x Janis ‘Imi’ike(+ little sister reader)

Warnings: coarse language, angst, mentions to sex, fluff

“How'd you make me hate Boston? It's not its fault that you don't love me.��� Part 3 of 3.

“What?”

“I asked if you talked to y/n recently?”

Janis puts down her paintbrush, “Oh. Sorry I nearly dropped the brushes so I couldn’t hear you over the clatter.”

Regina sat down at the kitchen table, “I haven’t been able to get her to call me back or even text me back for like, 2 days.”

“To answer your question, yeah.”

“When?” Regina’s eyes widened a little, hands holding onto a coffee-filled mug.

“Today’s Friday, so…uh, Tuesday?”

“Tuesday?”

“I’ll try to text her again, though.” Janis reached for her phone in her pocket, immediately texting you.

“At first I thought she was just busy with schoolwork, but no.” Regina continued.

“Why do you say that?” Janis asked, the worry growing.

“Her reposts. They’re few and far, but she’s obviously going through something.” Regina picked at her nails nervously, “shit.”

“We just talked to her two weeks ago about Th— oh, fuck.” Janis had a thought creep into her head. “I’m getting Damian to go over there to check on her.”

“What’s going on?”

“My gut is telling me it’s got something to do with Thea.” Janis revealed.

“Thea?” Regina’s voice went a little louder, “What the hell do you know that I don’t, Janis?”

Janis sets her phone down after shooting Damian a text. “After she went out with Thea on that Friday after school, they went out again the next day for brunch.”

“And?”

“Please don’t tell her I told you this.”

“Just spit it out, Jan. Come on.”

“It suddenly came up in their conversation that Thea’s parents were not home and that they should hook up. Based on what I know, they talked it out first then what happened was they did make out. When Thea tried to go further, y/n wasn’t ready and stopped her. She listened, but y/n went home right after that. I only knew because that night, she couldn’t sleep and she called me, you were already asleep because you took your pain meds.”

“So she seemed okay then? When you two talked?”

“She did, but then I haven’t heard from her since. She’s been posting on Instagram so nothing seemed too off, Reg.”

“Let’s hope Damian replies soon.”

“Yeah—” Janis bites back a sigh. Her phone buzzed, “Okay, Damian’s on his way.”

“Mom’s out of town too, how convenient.” Regina sighs, pinching her temple. “Girl’s trip with her friends. She won’t be back until next week.”

Janis reached over to hold onto Regina’s hand, “One step at a time. Damian will update us once he’s there.”

“It’s been going on since before mom went on the trip. Why didn’t mom say anything? Why didn’t she tell me?”

“Maybe she didn’t pay as much attention as we thought she’d be.” Janis frowned.

Meanwhile, you heard a string of very urgent knocks at your door, causing you to roll out of bed and answer it since you were the only one home. You saw through your window that it was Damian.

“Oh, thank God.” Damian heaved a sigh, hand clutching at his chest, “Can I come in?”

“Yeah, sure.” You nodded, squinting at him confused.

He walked inside, you shut the front door and locked it. “Are you doing okay? Honestly I’ve been very worried. I was gonna come down here to talk to you even if your sister and Janis didn’t ask.”

“That depends.” You scoffed, sitting down on the couch, “I’m alive. But it feels like I’ve been going crazy over someone that I thought I could trust, that I thought actually liked me, that was a good person.”

“Okay, talk to me.”

“I went on a date…thing with this girl at school like two Fridays ago. That was great, it felt right. Then the next day she asked me out to brunch— I agreed because the first ‘date’ went well so it couldn’t have been that bad. Anyway, it went south when she outright asked if we could…hook up because no one was home.” You explained to him while fiddling with your fingers nervously, “We did talk about that, and I did wind up going over. I wanted to. But we only went as far as making out, because when she tried to initiate more, I decided to tell her to stop because I wasn’t as ready as I thought I was. She was okay with that, I went to the bathroom and proceeded to freak out for a good minute before deciding to go home because there was no way I could continue being around her without the anxiety that day. Late that night, I called Janis to talk to her about this because it was weighing down on my mind. All was fine, the girl, well, Thea— she texted me to check on me. But then when I got back to school on Monday…”

Damian saw how tense you were, “Hey, it’s chill. Don’t rush it, I’ve got time.”

You nodded, taking in a deep breath as your eyes closed for a beat, “Monday, people were laughing at me. I heard my name come out of their mouths— clearly. Then I heard what they were saying. Apparently they found out that I ‘chickened out and ran away from Thea’s house that afternoon’.”

“Bitch.” He gasped, startling you. “Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you.”

“Anyway I saw Thea, she was talking to me like usual. I was going to ask her about…y’know, the gossiping but I didn’t. She then asked me to this party that night. Again, started out okay, but then I lost her. And found her— screwing someone in the bathroom.”

“I’m— what?” Damian’s mouth hung open, utterly shocked.

“She saw me, and wasn’t even shocked, or sorry. In fact, they continued.” You licked your lips, swallowing thickly, “I went home, screamed into a pillow and just fell asleep. When I woke up, she was at my front door saying that she didn’t mean to uh, do that with that person. Saying that she was tipsy and she only did it because I wasn’t ready but she really needed relief? I mean, I just—”

Damian wrapped his arm around you, “Oh, honey. I’m so sorry.”

“I yelled at her for that. We fought, then it came out that she started that rumour. She’d told the guy she was fooling around with, then he told people.” You continued as a tear slipped down your face, “That’s not all, she’d already been dating that guy that I saw her with. I never mattered to her, I was just someone she wanted to— fuck for the sake of trying it with a girl.”

“Girl, I’m gonna throw hands, where does that bitch live?”

“Forget it, I just need to ride it through.” You stopped him, “I never should’ve agreed to that. I should’ve just focused on my own life instead of trying to get to know someone and want them to be a part of my life. I knew it was too good to be true but I let my crush on her decide for me.”

“Having feelings is complicated.” He nodded, “Just ‘cause this didn’t work out, doesn’t mean there ain’t someone out there for you, you know? You’ve got a long life ahead of you, there are still so many people that you don’t even know you’d meet yet.”

You stayed silent for a minute but nodded, “Thanks.”

“Always.” He hugs you.

“I can’t even apply to the schools I want to because all those she’s applying to, are the ones I’m planning to apply to.”

“Honey, apply anyway. You deserve the chance as much as anyone else who’s qualified. Don’t let her hold you back. Who knows? You might get in and she wouldn’t.”

“You’re right, she doesn’t control me. The future’s in my hands.”

“Out of curiosity, where are you applying to?””

“UMass Boston, NYU, Carnegie Mellon. The rest are safety schools. I really want to go to UMass Boston— I think Boston could be good for me, and it’s near Regina.” You answered, “Hey, you want something to drink?”

“Honey.” Damian held onto your wrist as you tried to stand up from the couch, “Look at me, are you okay?”

“I’m not in a very good mood if that’s what you’re asking.” You shrug, “Look, if you don’t want a drink, I’m thirsty. I need one. Would you let me go, Damian? I’m just gonna be right there.”

“Alright.” He responded quietly, “Sorry.”

He hung around for a few hours, watching TV with you and just making you laugh so hard you forgot what you were even troubled about. You also replied to Janis and your sister, letting them know how you were doing and telling them the whole situation through text messages to avoid more crying. They were shocked but Regina especially, was so mad at Thea. This was typical of your sister— for her to be this protective of you. And as much as you knew shit like this? The heartbreak? Was a part of life and being human, it was a crazy thing to actually be going through. You were trusting that with time, you would get back on your feet again and move forward.

————

“Imma make you dinner.”

“Shit, I’m so sorry, I didn’t realise it was so late already.” You gasped when you saw that it was almost 6:30 in the evening.

“You gotta stop apologising. We’re have a good time, I was just home alone anyway. It was boring, but now I’ve got company.” Damian nudged you playfully. “You wanna cook together or do you just wanna chill here?”

“Let’s cook.” You shrug, smiling a little.

He went to your kitchen to check what you had, “Okay, we’re just gonna pop by the grocery store real quick to get some things then we’ll be right back.”

He managed to get you out of the house— willingly. Damian didn’t even have to persuade you. You actually just followed him out right away.

“You want some ice cream?” He asks, stopping in front of the freezer, “Yeah, you deserve some.”

He tossed two tubs of Dreyer’s cookies & cream ice cream into the cart along with the rest of the ingredients and snacks he wanted and needed.

“Stop.” You pulled the cart back.

“What’s up?”

“That’s her sister. Thea’s sister, Phoebe.”

“Working the checkout?” He followed your gaze.

You nodded, sighing inevitably.

“We’ll go to the other one.” You pulled you away from that lane.

After that little hiccup at the store, you guys were back at your place again and he immediately got down to business in the kitchen. You helped out wherever you could, but he worked pretty fast because before you knew it, Damian had popped the dish into the oven.

“Now we have some snacks and continue that movie while we wait.” Damian hands you a bag of Skittles that you bought and opened up the box of Goobers he got.

You turned the TV back on and pressed play on the movie to let it resume.

“Mac and cheese. Always makes me feel better.” He quips.

“It smells amazing, Damian.” You remarked.

“It better.” He laughs, “That’s my family’s recipe.”

“It does, I’m sure it’ll taste just as amazing too.” You chuckled over your words, popping a handful of the candy into your mouth.

A bit later, while you were helping Damian set the table, your phone rang. “One sec.” You said, grabbing your phone from the couch.

“Hi, Reg.” You answered.

“Wanted to check in on you, baby.” She says, “How you feelin’?”

“Well, I was in a shitty mood but Damian’s been hanging out with me. Made me laugh until my stomach hurt. I’m doing better now. It’s gonna take some time, but right now, it’s as good as it can be.” You admit.

“That’s good to hear. We’ll always be here no matter what time of day it is. Hm? Please eat, and stay hydrated. Okay?”

“Okay, I promise. I'll take care of myself. You too, Reg.” You smiled, it was nice to finally hear her voice after some time.

“I promise too. You have my word— you two silly gooses have fun. Good night, baby.”

“Night, G.” You bit back a laugh at the nickname.

“Alrighty, let’s eat.” Damian gestured for you to return to the table.

“Yep.” You nodded, “Let’s. Oh holy shit, that looks incredible.”

“Why, thanks.” He grinned, “Okay. Eat. I don’t want your sister to kill me for not taking care of you.”

“Mind you, I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself.”

He gasped dramatically, “You know what I mean.”

You sat down opposite him, “I do. And thank you, for coming all the way here to make sure I was okay. And everything you’ve done with me today. I really appreciate it. And you. I’m really glad we got to hang out together today.”

“Hey, we’re friends, aren’t we? That’s what friends are for, y/n. You’re so welcome.” Damian smiled, “Also, with summer coming up, let’s go to New York, how’s that? You get to surprise your sister, I get to see my best friend.”

“It’s on.” You agreed,

Eventually, he had to go home. But you were okay. He knew it, so he wasn’t worried like he was before. “Now you, go get some good sleep.” He hugs you, “I’ll see you again soon, hun.”

“Good night, Damian.” You hugged him back.

“Text me, or call me— whatever you prefer. Wanna talk about something or if you’re just bored, I’m here.”

“I know, thank you.” You smiled, swallowing your tears.

“Don’t cry.” He looked at you, “Okay, you know what? Cry if you need to, it helps you release those feelings. Feel what you gotta feel, dry those tears, drink some camomile and go to sleep. Tomorrow’s a new day.”

“See you, Damian.” You hugged him again, not wanting to say anything else for fear of crying in front of him again.

You watch him leave before shutting and locking the front door. With that, you got upstairs, took a shower (while having a good cry), then changed into your favourite pyjamas— all ready for a good night’s sleep. But first, you had a cup of camomile tea and did some reading before turning in.

If your current situation was teaching you anything, it’d be that, if they wanted to, they would. Damian did not have to come all the way over here to spend any time with you— you two weren’t even that close of friends before what happened today. But you knew it in your heart that he was one of the best people you knew. One of the best people you had in your life that would always be there for you no matter what. You were going through a tough time now but you were still taking care of yourself—just that it has been a little difficult too because you were heartbroken and feelings a lot of other emotions all at once. So you went easy on yourself and just did what you could.

Despite what other people had to say about your mom, one thing she did do right was to teach you and Regina— never keep those who don’t care about you in your lives. So you knew, you would be okay. You knew eventually, Thea would just be a part of your history, your distant memories. But right now, you were taking it one day at a time and trusting that time would heal, why? Because you had your people. The best little family you could ever have.

🏷️Tag list:

@ashecampos @auliisflower @cheesysoup-arlo @frogs00 @ludoesartandstuff @ludoesartandstuff @pda128

[kyriat-stories]

Noor felt gloomy and troubled the following days. It was like a cloud was over her head, or even inside her head. She didn't find joy in any of her everyday tasks. She tried to appear happy when she was around people, but Myrto saw through her.

- What is wrong, mother?

- Nothing! Noor answered a bit too quickly.

- You don't fool me mother. I can see that something is bothering you, and the fact that you don't share is worrying me. Are you sick or something?

- No, no. I'm fine! There is no need to worry Myrto.

- I don't believe you mother. I've never seen you like this before. I wish you would talk to me. I'm not a baby anymore, I can take it if something is wrong.

- I know sweetie, but there is nothing wrong. I assure you.

Myrto did not settle with that, and the next day she decided to talk with her aunt about it.

- It's fine that she don't want to talk with me, Myrto said, I'm just thirteen and there are things I don't understand, I realize that.

- I'm sure it's nothing, the last time I saw her she was fine?

- I don't know, thea Eira, but I can hear her crying in the bathroom, and I haven't heard my mother cry like that before. Ever! Can't you just talk to her?

- Crying in the bathroom? That doesn't sound like Noor. Now that I think about it, I haven't seen her for a couple of weeks, I've been so wrapped up in my own... eh... things.

- I don't like to tell about mother's private stuff, but I didn't know what to do!

- You were right to come to me Myrtaki mou, I'm family, and you can always tell me what's in your heart. Just tell your mother you ran in to me and that I want to go to the Agora with her tomorrow.

- Sister! Eira chirped, I'm so happy to see you! It's been too long!

- I was assuming you were busy with Kyrios Yousif and everything, and honestly I've been kind of busy too.

- Have you? Can't wait to hear about it! But let's find some shadow, it's much too hot today!

- Phuh, this was better, Eira said as they found a nice, cool place in the temple. Now, tell me, what's up?

- Up? Noor squirmed. Nothing special. Why do you ask?

- You said you had been busy?

- Yes, it's just a lot of garden work, and Mpatíni is not helping much, I think she is with child again. I don't know how that happened, because they still don't seem to talk to each other.

- And?

- "And" what? Oh I see. Have Myrto been talking with you?

- Well ..., now it was Eira turn to squirm. She might have mentioned that you were a bit weary.

- I'm fine! I don't understand what you guys are fussing about!

- We are not fussing Noor, we are just concerned. But if you don't want to talk about it, that's fine. I'm not going to force you to tell me. Just don't tell me nothing is wrong, because I know you too well to be fooled.

- I don't... Noor hesitated, Honestly? I don't know. I just realized that I'm not fulfilled. You know what I mean. Maybe your happiness, maybe watching how unhappy Teo and Mpatíni are, maybe because I'm growing older. I know something is missing, but I don't really know what I want. I have everything, don't I?

- Well I don't kno..

- My kids are fine, Noor cut her off, I'm fine, we have food on the table and there is peace in Manthos, what else could I possibly wish for??

- I think you need another baby. Maybe two!

- WHAT?! Are you mad? That's the last thing... Noor realized Eira was joking. Haha, you crazy woman! You almost had me there.

- Well, now we ruled out one thing you don't need to fulfill your life. What else? A prince on a white horse?

A shadow came over Noor's face.

- I don't have very good experiences with princes...

- Sorry Noor, I didn't think! Forgive me!

- Don't worry, it's fine. Or should I say "Check! Another thing I don't need in my life."

- Irrefutably!

- However. I might not turn down a strikingly handsome, romantic gentleman with good taste, that could rub my feet at night.

- Of course not! Hehe!

- But most of all I just need to express myself, I think. And I need to have you in my life. You mean so much to me, dear sister.

- I love you too dear. And jokes aside, it might just be menopause you know? They say you you can become a little crazy when your bleeding stops. And sad and tired. And hot! My goddess, maybe that's why I'm always hot! I thought it was the summer heat...

- Me too! Yes, you might be right. Anyway, I feel a bit better now, just from talking with you. But enough about about my problems! Let's indulge in some juicy gossip from the palace: Did you hear that they are forcing the young prince Linos to marry the Princess of Koiláda Chalkou? She must be our age, at least. She could be his mother!

- What? That's terrible! I can't believe those people!

- They have no moral! But we already knew that, didn't we?

.

Previous | Index | Character overview | Next

[runnning-outof-time]

Evie not taking after her uncle Arthur and being math wiz lol

if you have the time can you talk a little bit about the girls personalities for some girl!dad lore?

Thank you so much for sending this ask in, anon!! ☺️ like I said in my previous answer - seeing this in my inbox made my day!! I appreciate your interest in my stories!

I had to read the parts that I’ve shared of this lovely family so that I could get a reminder of the girls and what I’ve written for them already.

I’ve added some insight into their personalities below the cut!

Theadora Rose Shelby “Thea”

Thea’s a ray of sunshine

She also embraces the ‘oldest child’/‘big sister’ role and embodies it beautifully — she loves her little sisters

She loves nature (hence where Juniper received her name) and enjoys spending time outside

She also has a tendency to dive completely into whatever it is that she finds she’s passionate about — also where Juniper got her name.

I think she’s also the most caring out of the three. Like if someone in her family’s upset, she’s going to stay with them and make sure that they’re going to be ok.

Kind of going off of the last one, Thea’s really pure — in the sense that she’s always seeing the good in everything. And that pureness lasts for a while; throughout all of her childhood years and up into her teens (which Tommy’s genuinely grateful for because he’s always worried about his line of work and exposing the girls to it).

I imagine her going on to do something good in the world … to inspire and advocate for change in some realm. … maybe she’d become a teacher so that she could make an impact on the next generation while also fighting for change that she wants to see in her community.

Evelina Marie Shelby “Evie”

Evie’s definitely the one who brings the sass and drama the most

But she’s also very much goofy and a trickster … she really takes after her uncle John

She’s also not afraid to let her true emotions be known — she wasn’t a fan of no longer being the baby of the family at first, and she made sure to let her mom and dad know that … but then she came around and is happy to have Juni.

Now she likes the ‘middle child’ role …. But she doesn’t conform to it completely (in the sense that she doesn’t just blend into the family dynamic) — which is where the sass comes in.

I imagine that she’s definitely the trickiest to handle growing up … from getting into stuff she’s not supposed to be getting into, to finding herself in situations that Tommy swears cuts years off of his life - he and (Y/N) have had the most talks about her out of all the daughters (and she was the first to have an actual boyfriend…regardless of what her father said).

But with that being said, she’s also smart…in every sense of the word. We saw an inkling of it in the very latest blurb (which the comment about Arthur made me giggle…she’s way better than her uncle at maths) — I definitely think that she’d be the daughter to score the highest in school.

Evie’s definitely going to hold some sort of position of power when she grows up — I’m not sure if timelines work out, but hell, she’d make them work because I could see her being some sort of lawyer, or in a position where she’s able to use her knowledge and wit to best an opposing side.

Juniper Anne Shelby “Juni”

Juni’s truly a ball of sunshine — like she’s Thea times 10.

She admires her big sisters too. They’re the world to her.

I’d imagine that she’s the daughter that falls in love with horses. Sure, Thea and Evie both ride, and have been riding their entire lives, but Juni is the first girl to really love the animal.

And she and Tommy really bond over that.

So I definitely see her as being the ‘daddy’s girl’ of the daughters. … so just when Tommy thinks that he’s finally got this girl dad thing down in the scheme of his daughters getting older and wanting to start families of their own (because yes, he allows that), his world gets rocked when Juni tells him that she’s found someone special — because that’s his little girl, and she’s not so little anymore.

With her love for animals - horses in particular - I see Juni being the daughter who grows up and works with animals as her livelihood. Maybe she has her own piece of property with like a rehab or training facility on it? And of course she keeps a few horses of her own, which Tommy is thrilled about. I’d imagine that there’s family rides that happen on her property almost weekly.

———

I’m sure I’ll think of more little tidbits about these ladies as I write more stories about them, but hopefully this is a good starting off point for a little more insight into who they are — and hopefully I didn’t leave out anything that I said in the stories already…if I did, don’t be afraid to tell me and I’ll add it here!

If you’re new to the Girl Dad series, but you still read this post (firstly, thank you!) you can read their ongoing story HERE!

Thanks so much again for sending this lovely ask in! It was so fun thinking about these girls and diving deeper into who they are!! 🥰❤️

[blue-aconite]

Can we please have a little background info on let me drown? 💕

Vee, first I'd like to apologise for not answering this sooner. Second, I'm so excited you want to know more about Let Me Drown. I've been wracking my brain for this ask and I've decided to put it underneath a cut. There won't be any significant spoilers, but better safe than sorry!

You can find some background here. Find out more below the cut!

Like I've said before, I actually can't exactly remember how I came up with the idea for LMD. As I mentioned in the post linked above, there was another fic planned called "Mid-Air Collision", which had similar elements that I've adapted into LMD.

In the film, it's very obvious Rooster and Hangman share some kind of history. They don't like each other and there's some kind of slumbering conflict between the two of them. I found that fascinating and while I do love me a good Hangster fic, I knew I wanted to create something else this time around.

I think there was a dream involved where I saw parts of the fic. Call me crazy, I don't know and when I woke up, there was only a vague memory of what had happened. But I couldn't let it go.

I made this, which became my first visual for the fic and after creating this, I made two separate Pinterest boards. One for Bradley and one for Jake.

In MAC, Bob's little sister was named Sasha, which I used in my first draft. But the name never felt right, she didn't feel like a Sasha. So while I recycled parts of the character into LMD, I knew I needed to let her become her own person. There might have been a poll involved in choosing a name, or maybe I asked for opinions in the Discord server, but either way, Thea got stuck on my mind (I was most likely looking at baby name websites).

I wrote this in the Discord, saying to get ready for pain and angst:

Bradley slammed Jake against the wall, knuckles white as he tugged on the shorter man’s shirt. “Shut the fuck up!” He sneered, trying desperately to ignore the way Jake seemed to thrive on his anger. Hangman smirked as if their position didn’t bother him in the slightest. The rest of the squad tried to pry them apart, tried to get Bradley to let go but he held fast. Jake didn’t once try to break free, he just kept a hold on Bradley’s wrists. “Calm down Chicken.” The nickname, that Bradley hated, was the last straw as he pulled back only to raise his fist instead. If he couldn’t get Hangman to stop smirking, he’d punch his face instead. What he didn’t count on was Bob of all people stepping between them and blocking Bradley’s fist.

And another few blurbs, but it all started with the confrontation between Rooster and Hangman at the Hard Deck and Bob picking Jake's side over Bradley's (this event has not occurred in the timeline for the fic yet and what I've shared above has changed a lot).

Bradley's issues came into play quite early and I knew before I even started writing that he and Thea were doomed from the beginning. There was no way for either of them to make it out of the relationship unscathed and I always knew Bradley was going to break her heart.

There was a point where she never found about his infidelity directly from Rooster but rather Athena, but I owed it to both of them that Brad was the one coming clean about his actions. There was even a time where Thea was going to forgive him at first but as Bradley's toxic behaviour unraveled itself and became such an important part of his downfall, I knew Thea would never do that.

Same as I knew Bradley and Thea would never make it, I knew Jake and Thea were destined to be together. That was a no-brainer.

The balance between writing Bradley and Jake as love interests is what intrigued me the most, how different and at the same time, alike, they are. It's a swamp of navigation but I knew I needed to write it.

I could go on and on but I'll stop here. Thank you so much for this ask, it's been great fun answering it. You know my DM's are always open!

[kayssweetdreams]

A "Perfect" Vacation Ch 15

Meanwhile, On another part of the Island...

On the beach, Lucy wanted to capture their new environment in the best way she knew: With a painting. She currently was having Cal stand on the beach with a surfboard, in a very...eccentric outfit that combined surfer wear with his love of chess...and there were a lot of checkerprint.

Cal had been standing in his same position for quite a while now, and...he was getting rather hungry, as well as wanted to use the bathroom, but he was willing to wait until Lucy was finished. "Almost done Darling! Just a few more strokes to capture the sunlight...and..." she said as she could feel the inspiration flowing through her. Cal could feel a wave of relief at Lucy's announcement, but that's when he noticed some nearby bushes rustling in the distance.

Lucy, didn't seem to catch on when she let out a gentle but firm "Hold still now Darling. I'm almost finished." However, Cal didn't think he wanted to know what was coming, so in a flash, he grabbed Lucy's arm and pulled them into a nearby bush. The painter gave a cry of surprise before Cal gave a silent shushing motion as two different figures came out...and one of them was a rather grouchy Ka Lā. And next to her was a person that they had never seen before...but something about them spelled bad news.

"What is taking so long?! You said that you found her!" Ka Lā grumbled, her eyes narrowed at the figure "Yes. I did. But then again, you still have yet to convince Thea to sing those songs. Remember that our little experiment only reacts to the right kinds of frequencies. One that is only achieved by a Bruno's voice. And in this case, that voice is Thea Bruno's. You at least managed to get some of our 'guests' to take their bitter pill?" The other figure asked. Ka Lā rolled her eyes "Yes. I luckily managed to get two if them to take that pill...along with the pink haired Brat." She grumbled.

"Well good then. So when it's time for the rehearsal, just have them sit as CLOSELY to Thea as possible when she sings. That way we can see how well the it'll work in other forms as well...as long as we can isolate the subjects. Just remember, We have a deal, and unless you want to return to your...White walled room, you'll get Thea to sing those songs." The figure threatened. Lucy and Cal from their hiding spot could see fear in Ka Lā's eyes...and she seemed to shiver when the figure mentioned a "White Walled Room."

Ka Lā began to throw a tantrum on the beach, and she was very close to where Lucy was painting "Ugh...What a hideous portrait. Who would dare paint this?" She asked, picking it up. "It would belong to the Wong Painter. And I suggest unless you want to face her wrath, like you did from your last encounter with her, you won't lay a finger on it." The figure said. Ka Lā rolled her eyes as she sat it back on the easel and stomped away "Now come along...You have a rehearsal to get to." The figure said.

Cal and Lucy then heard the sounds of leaves and plants rustling and they slowly peeked out to see footprints from the beach going back into the forest. The two of them were visibly shaken by the close encounter, but they couldn't help but be confused by the conversation. They have never met Ka Lā in their entire lives...so why on earth would that figure from before mention a "Past Encounter?" And what kind of pill were they talking about? "Do you think this might be connected with what happened to Eis and Sana?" Lucy asked. Cal couldn't answer.

"I don't know. But I do know we need to tell the others." He said. Lucy nodded, before they could get back out into the sprawling Flora of the jungle, a sharp jab at his neck made him dizzy...but the last thing he saw was another shadowy figure jabbing something into Lucy's neck, as well as something slipping a small pill shaped item into his mouth "Say Aaaah..." The figure said before it all went dark once more...

[jbuffyangel]

3/9/24 Sorry guys. I accidentally deleted this review while trying to clean up broken links. Luckily, 2015 Jen wasn't an idiot and I still have the review. I just need to re-gif it, which I'll do later when I have more time. So for now, it'll just be the text.

THANK YOU JESUS!!!!

Prayer circle worked.

Oh Colton. How you will be missed. I was so nervous for this episode I was sick to my stomach. A swarm of butterflies. There was no way Colton wasn't leaving the show. The tweets, the Instagram, the spoilers...it wouldn't have made any sense otherwise. In the world of Arrow an actor departure typically means death. Needless to say I am beyond THRILLED with the way they handled Colton's exit.

Let's dig in...

Roy Harper

What does it mean to save a man's soul? When there's red in your ledger can you ever wipe it clean? Is that even possible? And if it is... what penance must be paid? Those are the questions that haunt Oliver Queen. Those are the questions that stop Oliver from living his life. He doesn't deserve a life; there's too much red. Too much blood. Too many lives lost. It's a question that haunted Roy Harper this year too, but tonight Roy found the answers he was searching for.

Roy Harper started out as an angry, impulsive, stubborn kid. A high school dropout, with a record and a history of violence. The entire world abandoned him. He was left to fend for himself and to fight for those who couldn't. Then, one day, he stole a purse. And everything changed. His entire universe...changed.

That's how life works. It's not always the big moments that change your life forever, but the little ones. The times where you simply go left when you could have easily gone right. The winds of change come along like a whisper and you find yourself in a place you never conceived of.

Thea Queen changed Roy Harper's life. She was the first person to reach out to Roy. To see more than what the rest of the world saw. To see more than what Roy saw. Thea was the connective thread from Roy to The Arrow.

"You really don't care if you live or die?"

"No one is going to miss me. I'm just a waste."

Thea cared. She cared so much than when her friend was kidnapped, to be punished on live television for his crimes, she ran to the only person she could think of for help. Her big brother Ollie. Thea didn't know she was running directly into The Arrow's arms. Oliver would have tried to save Roy regardless, but somehow because it was Thea made it...more. Oliver would give his life to protect Thea from even an ounce of pain.

"If you kill this kid, he'll never get an opportunity to change. You can give him a second chance."

Joseph Falk refused to give Roy that chance. The Arrow killed Falk to save Roy. Oliver put more blood in his ledger...for Roy. So, he could have a second chance. A life for a life.

It put Roy on a collision course with Oliver. Up until tonight, my favorite Roy & Oliver scene was from 2x01. Oliver saw himself in Harper. It's why Oliver asked Roy to join Team Arrow.

The world doesn't work anymore. It broke a long time ago, but it was like you were the only one who noticed. That makes you angry. And you're afraid that anger is going to burn you up inside if you have to live in the world one second longer knowing that you could do something to fix it.

What fuels Oliver, what kept him alive all those years, is a deep rage. An anger. A ferocity. A will. Roy Harper has the same fuel. The same anger. The same will. Oliver Queen, The Arrow, just taught Roy where to aim. He gave Roy a target...Arsenal.

I loved Roy's fight scene in the prison because it was the culmination of all Oliver's training. Remember the beginning? Slapping the water, crushing the table, his awful aim. Roy was so much like Oliver and Oliver so much like Yao Fei. That's the point you know of surviving, of living. You survive so you can pass on what you learned to the next generation and they become better for it.  Later in the episode, Oliver tells Ray Palmer not to depend on the tech.  Oliver doesn't depend on the bow. He is the weapon.

Oliver wanted to break Roy out of prison, or at the very least, fight by his side, but what Oliver failed to recognize was he was already there. It was Oliver's voice in Roy's head. The anger, the will, Oliver saw in Roy two years ago was there, but now it was controlled. His head was on a swivel. Roy Harper was the weapon. 

"Just remember; that was without arrows."

Roy did a lot bad stuff back in his days in The Glades, but he never killed anyone. He never had blood on his hands, not like this. There's a reason why the Roy centric episode this season was entitled "Guilt", because that is the singular emotion Roy Harper has been struggling with. The season theme is identity and tonight Roy came to terms with his. Roy Harper was a murderer and Arsenal was the penance. Arsenal was suppose to wipe the ledger clean, but somehow it wasn't enough. No matter how many lives Roy saved, it never alleviated his guilt. Saving lives wasn't the penance Roy needed to pay. Giving his life was.  More than anything, Roy wants to trade places with that cop; to give his life for the officer. It's the same desire Oliver carries with him. If Oliver could trade places with his father, mother, Shado, Yao Fei, Tommy...he would do it in a heartbeat.

"It should have been me."

But that's impossible...or is it?

Before Roy could serve his penance he needed to make a confession. Confession is always the first step to absolution. He needed Lance to know it wasn't his life that needed saving. He was a murderer and he absolutely belonged in prison. He wasn't worthy of the mask he wore. He wasn't a hero. The minute someone says they aren't a hero is the minute you know they are.  Maybe Lance tried to save Roy from the collision course The Arrow set him upon, but it's The Arrow that would lead to Roy's absolution...his salvation, not Lance. In fact, the episode Oliver saves Roy was entitled Salvation. From the moment Roy Harper met The Arrow salvation was the destination. It's why Roy made the choice to join Team Arrow, to become Arsenal and to do what comes next.

Tonight, Roy put blood in his ledger. Just as The Arrow did for him two years ago.

A life for a life.

Roy sacrificed his life, so Oliver could have a second chance at his.

Roy did for Oliver what he couldn't do for the police officer. He traded places with him. And for the first time in a long time...he was okay. Roy may not know where he's going or who he's going to become, but  he can look himself in mirror again. His identity as Roy Harper and Arsenal are gone, but somehow that doesn't matter. He is absolved. He is free.

Team Arrow

Malcolm Merlyn and Tatsu once said to Oliver, "Only the student has hopes of defeating the master." Nothing Roy Harper or Team Arrow did tonight was anything Oliver Queen hasn't done a thousand times before. Time and time again Oliver sacrifices himself to protect those he loves. In fact, protecting those he loves is the only way Oliver Queen knows how to love. However, Oliver's "protection" often comes at the cost of a person's free will. Oliver makes the decision without discussion. Yes, Oliver protects but he also controls.

He's done it to Diggle.

He's done it to Roy.

He's done it to Thea.

He's done it to Laurel.

He's done it to Felicity.

And tonight...the students  defeated the master. After all, they learned from the best.

For the first time, Oliver couldn't control everything. He couldn't be The Arrow, he couldn't break Roy out of prison, he couldn't turn himself in, he couldn't stop Lance, he couldn't stop the meta human and he couldn't save Felicity. He was completely powerless. This was a different kind of powerless from what Olivet felt after surviving the duel with Ra's. He wasn't stuck on a mountain top healing from a stab wound, drinking magic penncilin tea. He was healthy and strong; forced to sit on the sidelines and watch.

To be honest, it was a little strange that Diggle & Felicity wiped The Foundry leaving only Roy's fingerprints. Even stranger? They weren't rallying the troops. Roy is Team Arrow, through and through. No different than any of them. If Felicity & Diggle were willing to go to the mat to save Oliver, they would do the same for Roy. Yet, at every turn Oliver is met with resistance. Diggle & Felicity had logic on their side, and without their help, it made breaking Roy out of prison infinitely more difficult. The reality was, in order for their plan to work, Team Arrow needed Oliver to sit on the sidelines. They needed Oliver to throttle back. Roy definitely drew the short straw on the plan, but Diggle & Felicity weren't too far behind. Get Oliver to throttle back?

After Roy is attacked, Thea comes running into Ollie's arms, just as she did two years ago, asking him once again to save Roy. Apparently, Lance failed to mention Roy fought off the attack like a bad ass, but I digress. Oliver breaks. He absolutely cannot stand to sit on the sidelines anymore. Not when Roy is in danger. Not when Thea is in pain.

Diggle tries to logic with Oliver. This isn't anything new. Diggle is Oliver's voice of reason, his counsel. But Diggle put his body in Oliver's way, to physically block him. That was new. Oliver was like a caged animal and Diggle held out a wary hand to keep him at bay. Immediately the tension rose. The two of them haven't had a confrontation like this since Season 1. The last time Diggle put his hands on Oliver, it was to prove a point. This time it was to stop him. The minute Diggle's hand touchef Oliver's shoulder to restrain him, Oliver reacts violently. THIS is why The Arrow is so vital to Oliver Queen's psyche. Without an outlet, that anger, that powerlessness, burns Oliver Queen up inside. But Diggle doesn't back down. Instead, with tears shining in his eyes, Diggle begs Oliver to. Diggle knew it would come to this and so help him God, Oliver was staying put. Ultimately, it's thanks to Felicity that Oliver does back down (more on that later). When Oliver returns to the loft, Lance informs him Roy died. The grief is overwhelming and absolute.

This is why Oliver Queen loves through control. If he can just protect the people he loves, no matter the personal cost, then he won't lose them. But time and time again, Oliver fails. No matter how much he sacrifices, no matter how hard he tries to protect them, the people Oliver Queen loves are always the ones to pay the price.

An arrow is symbolic for defense & protection from harm. An arrow's very nature is forward motion, direction & certainty. It is straight, sturdy and steady. Apollo, the god of light, healing and truth, was known as The Archer. The god that brought sunlight to the world, used a bow & arrow to defeat his enemies & protect those who worshipped him. Underneath the darkness of the Island is a light, an innate goodness, in Oliver Queen that he is destined to shine on the world. Stephen Amell even looks like a modern day Apollo. However, an arrow's purpose is only fulfilled when it takes flight and finds its target. An arrow's purpose is only fulfilled when it protects and defends. Left stagnate, or worse broken, an arrow is without purpose.

Oliver kneels in the trashed Foundry, in the dark, holding a single broken arrow. Everything he's built and everything he's sacrificed, was all for nothing. He is without purpose, without direction. The very weapon he uses to defend his city, The Arrow, is no more. The man he trained in his image is dead. Oliver tried to do everything his father asked him - right his wrongs and be the hero Robert Queen lacked the courage to be. But what does he have to show for it? So many dead, so much loss. And Oliver, the sun, sits in total darkness, as broken as the arrow he holds in his hand.

Oliver hears Diggle & Felicity enter the Foundry, but he doesn't turn around. Instead, with a shaking hand, he covers his eyes, the grief welling up again, intermixed with a hefty dose of anger.

"I shouldn't have listed to either of you. I might not have been able to break Roy out of prison, but I'd feel a lot better right now if I tried."

"We know that Oliver. We also know that you may never forgive us."

"I make my own choices John. I made this one."

Oliver has been desperate for control the entire episode. He seizes control over the only thing left - who to blame. At every turn, Diggle & Felicity stood in Oliver's way and yet his anger is targeted at himself. This is the wonder that is Oliver Queen. He's not angry at Diggle & Felicity's advice, he's angry he listened to it. Oliver absolves Diggle & Felicity of any wrong doing while simultaneously blaming himself. It goes to the essence of who Oliver Queen is - forgiving and selfless but also self-condemning.

"He doesn't mean forgiveness for that. He means forgiveness for this."

My reaction? YES!!! Praise Jesus.

When the camera first opened on the scene, it panned past an overturned dummy, like a fallen solider.  But the fallen solider returns. The moment Roy steps into the Foundry, Oliver rises from his knees, stands and faces the group. Immediately the total darkness is replaced with stray beams of light from knocked over equipment, illuminating behind Oliver. And just like that...all is not lost.

Flashback storytelling can be a bit lazy, but in "Broken Arrow" it really works. Turns out Diggle & Felicity didn't do a bunch a drugs. They are still Diggle & Felicity - refusing to let Roy take the blame. But Roy's plan was genius and so Diggle & Felicity agree to put it into action and more importantly, not tell Oliver.

"You could have gotten yourself killed for real."

See, that attitude is the exact reason why they can't tell you stuff Laur- I mean Oliver. Roy knew the risks, but he also believed in himself. Roy knew he had the talent & skill to fight off any attack.

Your goddamn right.

Thatta boy. I am like a proud mama. Roy has gone from the boy who believes he's a waste to a man with total faith in himself. He was able to buy enough time for Lyla to get her ARGUS contact in place. Yahoo!!!! Mrs. Diggle was even in on the action. Please tell me that Laurel knew too and her little stunt in the precinct was all part of the plan. That means the ONLY person who didn't know was Oliver and that's just too freaking delicious for words. Apparently knowing how to knife someone in exactly the right place to give the illusion of death is a marketable skill. He probably lists it under Special Skills on his resume. I digress.

"Everyone thinks the Arrow is dead, which means Oliver Queen is innocent."

BOOM BITCHES. That's how it's done. In one foul swoop, Team Arrow gives Oliver back his life. Maybe they couldn't save The Arrow, but they were damn well going to save Oliver Queen.

"You did all of this without asking?"

Please tell me Oliver didn't say that. Please. Oh Lord boy. Anyone have a frying pan? I need to smack Oliver upside the head. THAT'S ALL HE DOES. I have to admit, I love Stephen's delivery of the line. Oliver spits out the words like it physically pains him that not only did his team orchestrate a genius plan to save his ass; they did it without any help from him.

And Roy tells Oliver where to stick it. Boy, the writers are giving Roy quite the send off. Genius plan? Check. Heroic sacrifice? Check. Kick ass fight scene? Check. Telling Oliver to shove it? Check. Oliver Queen usurps control from those he loves ALL THE TIME. So right back at ya fella. How's that other shoe feeling? Not so comfy? Maybe think about that the next time Felicity wants some autonomy. Get a cup of coffee with her Oliver. Go see a movie. Make some babies. Jeez.

Roy Harper leaves Team Arrow the same way he joined it. With a handshake and a thank you.  He may be gone, but he will not be forgotten. Roy Harper will always be part of Team Arrow.  His final lesson was one Roy was meant to teach, not learn. Through his selfless & heroic act, Roy taught Oliver Queen how to accept help from those that love him. That a single arrow can be broken, but a bundle of arrows is nearly indestructible.

Olicity (Raylicity)

You know what's going to be super fun? When I can write Olicity without writing Raylicity in parenthesis next to it. Patience friends...patience. Our time will come. Apparently the writers felt they weren't hitting the Ray/Sara parallel on the nose enough, so they are holding off on a Raylicity breakup until 3x20, just like Oliver & Sara broke up in 2x20. So, for the three people left in the audience who were unclear on the comparison...ya good now? Cause the rest of us want to move on.

One thing I particularly liked about this Raylicity scene, other than the embarrassing train wreck Palmer was about to ride, was how Ray addressed why Felicity is always at Palmer Technologies at times of Team Arrow crisis. It's something I theorized awhile ago. It's not because Felicity doesn't care. Quite the contrary. Work, staying busy, is a coping mechanism for Felicity. Like Oliver, it gives Felicity a sense of control. Okay, enough of that. On to the train wreck. Choo! Choo!

Oh Ray. You poor fruit fly bastard. I'm sorry - I feel bad for the guy. Anytime you say "I love you", whether it's a capital or lower case L, and it's not reciprocated, it hurts. It's also the proverbial nail in most relationship coffins. Watching Ray try to walk it back, so he can continue to live in the land of denial, was about forty different kinds of awkward. What's worse is Felicity didn't do much to help the guy out, other than sit quietly. Look man, when the girl walks out after you say it - that's pretty bad. When she doesn't throw you a life raft when you try to walk it back...that's worse. So over.

"You're okay with this?"

Of course not.  Your metal mitts all over his soul mate, the future Mrs. Queen and mother to the Olicity Triplets. Oliver would much rather kick you in the balls again Palmer, but he has limited options.

And the high five. Ray Palmer is Mister Magoo in Superman's body. It's documented fact.

Ray Palmer babbling.

THIS is what has been missing from the Ray Palmer character. An entire season of Oliver interacting with Palmer? Ratings gold. Palmer interacting with just Felicity for 90% of the season? Yeah, not so much. For a character like Palmer to work, you need a straight man like Oliver Queen for him to bounce off of. Otherwise, the jokes fall flat and Ray is just...weird. Get Sara & Palmer in a room together STAT writers if you want that spin off to get picked up.

"Oh I could kiss you right now..oh! Boundaries. Working on it."

Look, I can tolerate Felicity bringing Palmer as her plus one. Knowingly kissing Palmer in front of Oliver? No no boo boo kitty. Based on Oliver's reaction, we reached his patience threshold as well. Before people become irate with Felicity this scene served two VERY important purposes. First, I think Felicity is over compensating. She shot down Ray's "I love you" not once but TWICE. Ray also had his ass handed to him by Oliver last week. Is there a little ego fluffing happening in this scene? Yes. Is it fatal? No. In fact, this scene serves as a triggers for the Olicity scene of the night.

"Stop calling it a team up Ray." Oliver just cannot with this guy. Is it possible to love this man more? I didn't think it was, but I do.

"nervous in the field."

Jealous Oliver is the best kind of Oliver. Honestly, this was pretty fascinating to watch. Oliver is always out in the field. He never sees it from Felicity's end. He doesn't know if her anxiousness is specific to Ray or if she reacts that way with him. Oliver Queen is a competitive guy. If Felicity is worrying she better worry about him the most. It's a rare moment of insecurity and Felicity's answer is diplomatically perfect. But nothing beats that raised eyebrow from Diggle that said, "You hesisted!" You keep on captaining that ship Diggle.

"There's a decent chance you and Palmer are related."

I spit out my drink. Sassy Oliver throwing shade? Who knew such a glorious combination even existed. Why didn't we get 15 episodes of THIS? Trying not to let my bitterness at missed opportunities ruin the moment.

Diggle. Barry. Oliver. All the boys are 100% done with Palmer. I know guys, we all thought it was 3x19 too. Hang in there men. It's almost over.

Oliver's inheritance from Moira's life insurance might be running low. Why doesn't he start a superhero training program? He'd make a killing. He can give Barry a discount and fleece Palmer.

"I've already lost everything"

There's a difference between feeling like you've lost everything and actually losing everything. It's a distinction Ra's Al Ghul knows well. Right now, Oliver feels like he lost everything. Ra's Al Ghul is going to teach him the difference.

It's not necessarily that Oliver has lost everything, it's more that he cannot lose one more thing. His parents, his company, a life as Oliver Queen, life as The Arrow...Felicity. Roy was just another person to add to an ever growing list of things Oliver loves and lost.

When Felicity absentmindedly says she could kiss Ray in front of Oliver, it served to confirm Oliver's belief that he's lost her. He sees the way she is with Palmer. She's happy. If that was true, Felicity would have stayed by Palmer's side and let Diggle go after Oliver. But she didn't. There was only one man Felicity was chasing after.

And here we are. The Olicity scene of the night.

"Oliver!"

"You know I can't believe that you and Diggle are okay just sitting on your hands while Roy fights off all of Iron Heights."

Oliver is furious with her. He doesn't understand what's going on. He doesn't understand why Diggle & Felicity are refusing to back him up and help Roy. This isn't the woman he knows and loves.

"It is not that simple!"

"No Felicity is anything was ever simple it's this!"

"This what? You going to jail too?"

Felicity isn't backing down though. She has logic on her side, and a ingenious plan in the works, but she needs Oliver to calm down and listen. I know that it's been a long and difficult season for Oliver and Felicity. They've spent the majority of the season apart and for a good portion of that time apart they've been fighting. It wasn't for nothing though. Over the course of the year, Oliver & Felicity have learned how to fight, which is crucial to a lasting relationship. This fight is proof of that. They've learned how to yell without going too far. How to express their anger without hurting the other person. Most importantly, they've learned how to listen to one another. Oliver hears Felicity's logic and that she's simply trying to protect him, to help him. He softens.

"I can't just do nothing."

And Felicity hears Oliver's pain & sense of powerlessness. She softens.

"I think John's right. I think you're struggling with doing nothing; with Roy, with Ray. But right now? You need people to help you. You need to let them. Maybe there is something more going on with you than just what's happening with Roy and this meta human. You have sacrificed everything to be The Arrow, even you and me, but whether or not you break Roy out of Iron Heights there is no more Arrow. Ra's took that from you."

No matter how hurt Felicity is that Oliver chose The Arrow over her, she understands why he did it. Felicity understands that sacrificing their relationship was just that...a sacrifice for Oliver. It caused him an immeasurable amount of pain. Pain that only Felicity truly understands because she feels it too. Oliver could live with that pain if it was serving some greater purpose. The Arrow was that greater purpose and Ra's took that from him. Oliver cannot be The Arrow. It was all for nothing. He lost her...for nothing.

Oliver cannot be with Felicity. He cannot be Oliver Queen. He cannot be The Arrow. Oliver doesn't know who he is anymore. He no longer knows his way ahead and that's why he feels like he's lost everything.

But he hasn't lost everything. It's why Felicity chased after him. It's why Felicity walked out of the hospital room. It's why Felicity didn't offer Ray anything but silence. Oliver hasn't lost Felicity. To be honest, I don't think he ever really can.

Oliver Queen or The Arrow? The never ending internal battle. Who is he? Roy Harper struggled with the same crisis. Was he Roy Harper? Was he Arsenal? Was he The Arrow? Or none of the above? Ultimately, Roy learned what Oliver is struggling to learn. The name doesn't matter. It's the man that counts.

It's a lesson Oliver cannot learn without Felicity. Suit or hood. Rich or poor. In sickness or in health. None of that matters, not to Felicity. From the moment she met him, underneath all the ridiculous lies and phony charm, she saw a good man. A trust worthy man. A honorable man. Felicity sees Oliver for who he truly is, even when he cannot. It why she's the person who can harness Oliver's light. She sees his light...she always has.

Felicity stopped the "I love you" from tumbling out of her mouth and you can literally pinpoint the second Oliver's heart stops. Loving Oliver Queen is as natural as breathing to Felicity. She doesn't think about it. She doesn't run from it. It just is. She's in. All in.

In a beautiful call back to the clock tower scene in 2x22, Felicity stops the "I love you" and offers up a "I believe in you" instead. There are millions ways to say "I love you." For Felicity Smoak "I believe in you" is just one in a million. Felicity told Oliver she believed in him in that clock tower because it was the only way she could say "I love you" that Oliver was ready to hear. It's why that moment is Oliver falling in love with Felicity all at once. Oliver could feel Felicity's love in her belief.  And Oliver knew he loved her. It was a moment of certainty, a blinding clarity, in the darkness. 

It's almost a year later and Felicity still can't say "I love you. Because of Ray, because she & Oliver are not together, because Oliver has yet to make a different choice. So she offers him an "I love you" the only way she can. And once again, Oliver feels Felicity's love in her belief. Once again, Felicity gives Oliver certainty in a moment of confusion. A blinding clarity in the darkness. Oliver still has Felicity's love, which means he has everything.

Of course Felicity goes to the power grid where the meta human is because that's her life. But you aren't going to fool me writers! My little cupcake has a Season 4 contract and Trollenheim gossiped like a 13 year old girl about her big season four storyline. I'm good. Cool as a cucumber.

DO NOT TOUCH MY BABY.

If Oliver was ready to throw down with Diggle over Roy, just wait until Felicity's in trouble. If Diggle stood in Oliver's way a second longer he would have ended up in the hospital. Best friend or not...this is Felicity. His Felicity. The only reason Oliver let Palmer go was because he could get there faster.

Essentially this scene was a mash up between Reel Steel and Rocky. Air punching. Stephen made air punching look cool. Is there anything he can't make look cool? Food for thought. Felicity used her God given brains to escape from the meta human. Unfortunately, she didn't make it very far. Luckily Oliver (in Roy's body...it sounds sexual but don't go there people) showed up just in time, but it lasted all of two seconds before Ray's tech was damaged. You could hear Oliver internally screaming "I told you so!"

Oliver doesn't like Ray Palmer. He's sleeping with his dream girl and he's annoying. But Ray put his body between danger and Felicity. He took an arrow for Felicity. An arrow meant to take what was most precious from Oliver, to force his hand. The only reason it's not Felicity's body going into the Lazarus Pit is because Ray Palmer protected her. For as long as Oliver lives, he won't forget that.  Nor will he allow Ray to. Oliver reminds Ray that it wasn't the suit that protected Felicity...it was him. He doesn't need the suit to be a hero. He just needs the will to fight back. It's the same will Oliver, Roy and Diggle have. Oliver's will formed on the Island, Diggle's in the war, Roy's on the streets. Ray's willed formed the night Anna died. Oliver simply reminded him of that fact. 

For as much as Oliver detested Ray's "team up" reference, it truly was. Felicity, Ray and Oliver each played an equal role in saving Felicity and stopping the meta. Put down the pom poms people. No need to get overly excited. Palmer still sleeping with Oliver's lobster.

But not for long!!!!!

Sorry not sorry.

"So on a scale of 1 -10".

Obviously, Felicity was concerned Oliver would be angry with them for letting him believe Roy was dead. However, I think her concern was more than that. Diggle, Felicity & Roy knew the plan would work because they know Oliver. They know him better than anyone. Death and loss are all Oliver knows. They knew he'd believe it.  They played upon some of his deepest fears & psychological scars.

I don't know Oliver...3.8?

Luckily, Oliver sees the forest through the trees.  Thy name is character growth! Don't you love the back half of the season?

In a subtle "my OTP needs alone time" move, Diggle heads to the car. Felicity and Oliver stand side by side, their arms only micro inches apart, grazing just a little bit against each other. So achingly close and yet...a distance still remains.

Suddenly Felicity turns and she threads her arms through Oliver's, pressing her body against his, in her signature "arm cuddle" that up until this point has been reserved for Mr. Palmer and Mr. Palmer alone. Damn boy...you don't even get to keep arm cuddle. This day sucks Ray. FYI.

The moment Felicity's arm touches Oliver's, the moment he feels the weight of her body shift into his, her chin against his shoulder, and her voice reminding him once again there are people who love him...that she loves him, Oliver struggles to fight back tears. He's missed her so much. He's so tired of missing her.

There's always one moment in Arrow when a character realizes Oliver & Felicity belong together. Tonight was Ray Palmer's moment.

Thea & Roy

The only piece of Roy Harper that truly mattered to Roy was...Thea Queen. Like Felicity is to Oliver, Thea is all that is good and pure and wonderful in the world to Roy. Thea set Roy on his path to salvation and there is no person he loves more. Roy can't tell Thea the truth, but he swore he would never lie to her again.

He tells her he's going to be fine. Thea asks if that's the lie and Roy doesn't answer. How can he? If he's not with Thea, he'll never really be fine. A piece will always be missing. But that's why they call it a sacrifice. No one said salvation was easy.

Thea Queen

He buried her heart still

He buried her on her own

By the cool ferns

In the rained on river bed

He took her in his arms

He carried her ghost

Through grey stone fields

He could feel her float

She said, “I would die for you

“I would die for you”

And it all came true

It all came true

He lay her down In the gentle earth And kissed her eyes closed Like it didn’t hurt

And whispered

I would die for you

I would die for you

I would die for you

And it all came true

It all came true

There's a reason this section came last. I dreaded writing it. From the moment we saw the cast images filming in Nanda Parbat and Willa was there; from the moment Marc said a character was dying; from the moment Ra's showed up at Thea's loft in the promo; from the moment Thea got into that limo with Merlyn...we knew this was where the story was headed. We knew the only way Oliver Queen would ever join the League of Assassins, the only reason he would sacrifice himself, would be to save someone he loves. Malcolm Merlyn's plan, for Thea to kill Sara so Oliver would be forced to fight Ra's, was always leading here. To the moment the Demon Head took Thea's life.

Thea knew she was dead, but she fought back. I was so proud of her.

"How many people can Oliver Queen lose before he's no longer Oliver Queen?"

Ra's Al Ghul will make sure Oliver knows the difference between feeling like he lost everything and actually losing everything. For five minutes, Team Arrow won Oliver his life back. Only for Ra's to take it.

At least he made it quick.

Ra's took Oliver's city, The Arrow and his sister.  Now, to save his sister, Oliver will lose Felicity...seemingly forever. Oliver may not know who he is, but he does know two things. He will do anything to save Thea and he is in love with Felicity Smoak. Thea & Felicity are Oliver's only two certainties. Thea is the first piece to the Oliver Queen puzzle and Felicity is the last. Without either of these women...Oliver Queen ceases to exist. And that's how he becomes Al Saheem. That's how the darkness overtakes him. Thus answering Slade's haunting question.

Stray Thoughts...

Captain Lance continues his impressive Ahab routine. His axe to grind with Oliver is so apparent, his boss gives him a word of warning. Maybe a bump down to beat cop will knock some sense into Quentin. Worked the last time.

Hong Kong continues to get suckier. Now it's the US army after them and some wack job general that wants to unleash bio weapons on China. Upside? Aikko lived to see another day!!!

Raylicity break up is coming. Sorry folks. I was wrong about 3x19. Look, it doesn't matter when it happens. It's going to take all of 2 minutes. But I want Felicity to break up with Ray. I want Felicity to make a conscious choice. I do not want Felicity to pull and Elena Gilbert or Rory Gilbert.

ONE. MORE. WEEK.

Predictions

I thought Ray was going to die and Thea would be severely injured. So I'm giving myself a B overall but A for effort. Once Roy survived, I knew Thea was a goner. Aces on Thea going into the Lazarus Pit but that's a small comfort because she's going into the freaking Lazarus Pit. Ugh..

SARA LIVES.  No buckles and that walk was pure Caity Lotz.  That was the original Canary in that promo. Now, before everyone gets too excited...it is NOT Sara who's coming back. As Malcolm said in the promo, the Lazarus Pit changes people in their soul. I'm hoping length of time dead equates to level of crazy. Why? I think Sara is coming back bat shit bonkers, but I'm hoping Thea doesn't. Thea can be just angry & crazy enough to put on a mask...you know like Laurel. But I think two loony female superheroes will be a bit much and Sara has that spot sewn up. Hello White Canary.

Al Saheem. Not to be a Debbie Downer, but I want everyone to get prepared. Things are going to get worse. MUCH WORSE. This Al Saheem persona is NOT GOOD. Oliver is going dark...really dark. In fact, my guess is the things he's required to do as Ra's Al Ghul will reverberate into Season 4. That being said, I think the LOA storyline will resolve itself by the end of the year. Oliver will battle his way back from the darkness, reclaim his identity as Oliver Queen and potentially make some pretty stunning decisions about what that means. (wink) It's also entirely possible Original Team Arrow comes up with a plan to fool Ra's and Al Saheem is part of the ruse. However, regardless if it's an act or real...the consequences of Oliver's actions will be real.

Alright...enough of that. Let's talk wedding. For those of you who don't know, Marc Guggenheim has spoiled that a second wedding will be taking place on Arrow.

Given Colton Hayne's departure, he and Thea are out of the running. So that leaves the #1 spot for rationale possibility open. Who's taking the spot? Oliver Queen marries The League of Assassins. Merlyn mentioned Oliver wearing the Demon Head's ring on tonight's episode. As a Catholic, the idea of a man marrying an institution or belief system is not a foreign concept. Priests marry The Church. So theoretically, Oliver could simply be "marrying" the LOA and Al Saheem is the marriage.

Couple of issues

First, if this is the case, that's some serious fucking trolling on Guggenheim's part and I'm going to be pissed. It's an odd way to describe Oliver's relationship with the League. Now, Marc teases and he trolls but he doesn't out and out lie. Marc said the wedding would result in a marriage. To me that says long term and the relationship will continue into S4. Given that I believe Oliver's LOA storyline wraps by the end of the year (to bring in the S4 big bad Hive and Felicity's father), I can't believe Oliver's marriage to the League is long for this world. So why describe it as a marriage? That's more of a divorce in my mind. Why not simply describe it as a wedding? Why would Marc make the distinction? Food for thought. Furthermore, Stephen said Oliver would have a reason to smile at the end of the year and I cannot imagine that a "marriage" to the League would give Oliver any reason to smile. Getting divorced sure. But then it goes back to my original issue of why did Marc make the marriage distinction? Moving on.

Nyssa & Sara: Okay folks. Stop sending me Nyssa and Sara theories. I thought of them way before I ever posted my Olicity wedding theory. Trust me, there isn't a permutation Calli & I haven't discussed. I discounted them for two reasons. First, I don't believe it's Sara who's coming back. I think it's Coo Coo For Cocoa Puffs Sara. This isn't Nyssa's Sara. Second, Sara is a series regular on the spin off. Nyssa is on Arrow. It's the same Roy/Thea issue. They aren't going to marry two characters and have them on two separate shows. That's a scheduling nightmare. It just isn't feasible.

If you want to read the rest of my "rationale" suspects, you can review them here. My same issues still apply with the rest of the candidates.

I'm trying very hard to stay impartial, but Thea & Roy were my best "rational" guess. Colton's departure and Thea's death/resurrection, and Emily's dolled up appearance while filming the finale, only serve to bolster my Olicity wedding theory. Yes, Oliver & the League is a very viable option, but there's more evidence in the show pointing towards Olicity.

***FYI: Calli & I saw the video of Emily. Yes, we know she's in pants, but that's not a t-shirt. That's a very sparkly white top. It's entirely possible that Emily changed into pants when she's not filming. It's Canada. It's fucking cold. Yes, we know Marc said they already filmed the wedding scene but they film out of order. Second, the video of EBR signing the shirt was filmed several days ago, possibly before Marc's ask about filming the wedding. She signed the shirt before Brandon Routh and Brandon Routh left Vancouver the other day. At the very least, it was before Barrowman signed it and he finished filming a couple days ago. Anyways...long story short...it is possible that video was taken BEFORE Marc answered the ask on filming the wedding scene. Whew.

#1 Rational Theory: Oliver marries the League of Assassins (and Trollenheim gets a strongly worded letter from me)

#1 Crazy Theory: Oliver marries Felicity. (The term crazy is relative right now, because this theory is looking more and more sane by the minute)

So the updated odds are...

60/40 in favor of the Olicity wedding

Second Chance Fulfilled: Broken Arrow Arrow 3x19 Review

THANK YOU JESUS!!!!

Prayer circle worked.

Oh Colton. How you will be missed. I was so nervous for this episode I was sick to my stomach. A swarm of butterflies. There was no way Colton wasn’t leaving the show. The tweets, Instagram, the spoilers…it wouldn’t have made any sense otherwise. In the world of Arrow an actor departure typically means death. Needless to say I am beyond THRILLED with the way they handled Colton’s exit.

Let’s dig in…

Keep reading

[t-am-i-the-asshole]

AITA for making my sister pay me back for throwing out my daughter's bra?

Right now, we're hosting my sister and her family because their home was damaged by Hurricane Helene.

There are some rules in place: be respectful of our living space, her sons are not allowed in my daughter Thea's room,and as soon as the repairs are done, they are out of here.

Her sons broke one of the rules when they went in Thea's room and went through her things. They found one of Thea's special compression bras. Thea has been doing theater ever since she was little. The compression bra looks like a tank top and she uses it if she is playing a boy or a young girl and has to flatten her chest to better look the part.

Their mom found it and threw it away.

We didn't realize this until Thea was packing her theater bag for play practice and realized it was missing. This is not great because she's starring as Viola in her school's production of "Twelfth Night."

Thea buys most of her theater stuff like makeup and costumes and the bra was pretty expensive, $50.

I told my sister she needed to pay us back so we can replace it. My sister refuses because she says she isn't doing well financially and how dare I demand a homeless woman pay for her boys being boys. Not to mention, she doesn't think it's appropriate for her to have something like that.

Our mom, who has always been soft on Judy, thinks we're being too harsh since she's a single mom who doesn't have a home right now. I just want my daughter's stuff replaced, is that too much to ask? AITA?

Edit: To answer some frequently asked questions:

-Why won't my mom take them in? She lives in a retirement community that doesn't allow anyone under the age of 65. I'm not sure if temporary stays are ok, but if she let them live with her then she runs the risk of getting evicted.

-I don't know how much damage was done to the bra itself. Thea's room was pretty trashed. We're talking clothes left on the floor, spilled perfume, and messing with a display shelf full of some of her old Disney dolls.

-All I know is that Judy saw the boys messing with the bra, thought it was another kind of breast binder, and threw it away.

-We got locks installed for Thea's room, along with our son and my husband's "man cave" after we found out the boys messed with his stuff.

-Why did I let them in? I've hosted other family and friends during previous hurricanes and never ran into this problem, maybe someone's kids got into Thea's costumes but no harm no foul. I've always been raised to help others, especially family, in their time of need, but this has me wanting to set up boundaries now.

-Judy and her kids are going to have to find a new place to stay. I'm just waiting for my hubby to come home from work. We may need one of his friends for backup just in case.

-I can't believe I forgot this. The boys are 8 and 6.

[longlostzoldyck]

pushing buttons

❥ clanleader!megumi x f!reader

❥ wc: 1.6 words, sexual themes (18+), minors dni

❥ warnings/ tags: smut, dirty talk, use of sex toys, excessive use of pet names, edging, fingering, public sex

❥ summary: you buy a pair of vibrating panties and wear them out to dinner with megumi.

❥ notes: starting my valentines playlist with a bang. for day 1 i chose a little classic: trying out a vibrating underwear. idk why megumi was the immediate answer to me, but i still feel like its correct lol. the next month is going to be a bit intense, but idc imma just have fun xx thea

valentine's playlist | m.list | part 2

experimenting with gumi was like pulling teeth. you had been together for years so he had settled into a comfortable routine, one he refused to deviate from. you loved sex with megumi, but also needed a change in routine every once in a while. you were happiest when you had variety, even if you had to bully your boyfriend a little.

it was the same game every time. you would suggest something new. he would freeze and turn you down. you would buy it anyway to surprise him. you'd try it and then he'd love it. he was just so stubborn when it came to trying new things. this time you went for vibrating underwear. you smiled giddily like a child on christmas morning when the package arrived at your doorstep.

it couldn't have been more perfect as you and gumi even had a date planned out for that night. you were getting ready for the evening in no time, choosing one of gumi's favorite dresses on you. he arrived home by the time you were finishing up your makeup.

"well, look at you," he called out as you offered him a sly smile, your eyes meeting through the mirror.

he pressed a kiss to your temple as he headed into the bathroom to freshen up. you cleaned the bottom of your lips cleaning the edges of your lipstick happy with how your face had turned out. you proceeded to spritz yourself with some of your perfume adding an extra one or two for good measure.

"i just need to tie my shoes up and i'm ready to go," you called out turning in your seat and looking around for your heels.

you were finally going to wear these stunning heels gumi had gotten you for christmas. there was no actual reason for you to own strappy lavender heels, but the second you saw them you knew you needed them. and you were practically in tears when your boyfriend gifted them to you. gumi emerged from your shared bathroom stopping across from you.

"got yourself all dolled up," you found yourself blushing at his words. you hate how megumi had that effect on you, making you feel like a teenager all over again. you reached down pulling your heels until they were next to you.

"i'm wearing your present," you showed them to him briefly before slipping one on. you tried to lean forward to tie the strappy shoes up your ankle, but struggled to reach and see properly. you were wearing a really tight dress so leaning down to tie your shoes became a challenge.

"lemme help," gumi offered pulling an ottoman to sit across from you. you sat back in your seat placing your foot on his lap. his long fingers grasped the strings then wrapping them up your ankle. he did the same with your other shoe then helping you to your feet. "you look so good baby," he complimented kissing your lips softly. you keened into his hands adoring all his praising. he always showered you with praise when you were in private, preferring to not show affection in public. boy, were you going to challenge that tonight.

"i have a surprise for you," you finally let him into your game and he instantly groaned already dreading what your wicked mind had come up with this time. "oh, come on, i promise you'll like it."

"fine," he said with a sigh. "what did you get this time?"

you responded by placing a small remote in his hands. he grabbed the small piece of plastic between his fingers evaluating it quickly.

"what is this for," he asked.

"i'm wearing these panties that you can control with that little remote," you explained and his eyes almost shot out of his skull upon hearing your words.

"you're wearing them now?," he asked to confirm. you nodded leading his fingers to grasp the remote and press down on one of the buttons.

"it has multiple settings," you clicked through a handful of the settings also enjoying the brief pleasure coursing up your body. "oh, and strengths," you clicked through some of them gasping briefly in his ear from the strong vibrations attacking your pussy. "it'll be our little secret for dinner."

you finally headed out for dinner with your cute outfit and new toy. gumi used it tentatively in the car wanting to see how you reacted to the stimulation. he stopped the moment you got out of the car leading you through the elegant restaurant. being clan leader did come with its perks sometimes.

when you first gave megumi the tiny remote he thought it was a cute idea. he'd definitely use the toy on you in private, but wouldn't dare to do so in public, especially at such a fancy restaurant. however, the more he had the little remote in his pocket and the more he drank in your appearance, the more he wanted to see you fight against letting out your sweet moans.

he surprised himself when he stuck his hand in his pocket, turning on the vibrations on a low setting. your eyes widen in slight surprise when gumi caved as quickly as he did and used the toy on you.

"i'm glad you're enjoying my surprise," you said with a sly smile.

"oh shut up."

"turn the strength up or i'll flash my tits," you threatened.

"i'm clan leader, you wouldn't," you smiled at his reasoning pushing your arms together squeezing your boobs which were ever about to spill out of your dress. right as you were going to push your tits further together, you felt the vibration strength increase actually soothing some of the pent up frustration gumi had been building with such a low setting. "i can't believe you would flash the entire restaurant."

"it's one of the reasons you love me," you countered groaning in displeasure when he turned off the vibrations as a whole. "meanie."

"princess, i can't make you cum in the middle of a restaurant," he insisted and you smiled standing from your seat before making your way towards him.

"who said anything about fucking me in the middle of the restaurant?," you whispered in his ear before turning around and heading to the bathroom.

you swung your hips a bit more on purpose hoping to tempt him enough to follow you and finish what you had started the moment you handed him the remote. you stared at yourself in the mirror for a moment waiting for megumi and thanking the universe that it was empty. you smiled noting the signs of your arousal on your flushed skin. the bathroom door opened and you didn't even turn already knowing who it was when you heard him lock the door.

he finally turned on the vibrations again choosing a low setting which had you in swaying in slight bliss. he wrapped his arms around your waist pulling you flush against his chest as he increases the power significantly having you instantly falling over in pleasure.

"what is it, angel? cumming already?," he taunted then biting your neck. he pushed your cheeks together lifting up your face to look at yourself in the mirror. "look at yourself, baby."

you clenched your pussy around nothing at the pornographic sight reflected in front of you. gumi pressed against your back, rutting his hips into your ass and you slowly coming apart in his arms from the pleasure emerging from your underwear.

"gumi," you moaned so close to your orgasm you could taste it. yet before you could get there that orgasm was ripped from you when gumi turned off the vibrations. you groaned in frustration again on the border of tears. "gumi, please, i need to cum."

"i know, angel," he turned you around pressing you against the sink and rolling your dress up your body. he ripped your underwear down your legs then spreading your folds with his fingers making you shiver. you were abut to complain needing more of his touch, but gumi stuffed two of his fingers into your pussy stretching you out deliciously. "so tight, baby. you're just sucking me in."

he set an initial steady pace pulling his fingers in and out of you. you leaned your elbows back on the counter letting your body lean back as a small coil started to form in the pit of your stomach. so much teasing and edging had made it so your orgasm was already building again and with a strength you couldn't quite understand. you let your head fall back in pleasure as you felt gumi finally nudge your sweet spot hitting the same rough patch with every stoke until you were cumming on his fingers.

you came so hard you had to cover your mouth with one of your hands or you would have screamed. gumi just stared at your pulsating pussy which sucked him in more and more as your body convulsed in pleasure around his fingers. he continued pumping his fingers inside of you to extend your orgasm the most he could, riding you through the earth-shattering orgasm he'd just given you.

he finally pulled his fingers out bringing his fingers up to his mouth to clean them of your juices. you sat up as he hummed around his fingers enjoying your taste. he leaned down pressing a soft kiss to your lips massaging your lips with his lovingly.

"gumi," you sighed his name against his lips feeling his hard cock pressing against your thigh. "lemme help you."

"no, im gonna go pay and we're heading home," he stated. "i need to fuck you and i want to be able to hear your screams without worrying about other people."

you became slightly flustered at his crude words as you leaned down grabbing your underwear from where it was around your ankles. you pulled the poor excuse for fabric up your legs then fixing your dress to your best ability to try to hide the fact that gumi had just given you one of the most mind-blowing orgasms in your life in a restaurant restroom.

[buckystevelove]

What happened when Bucket go out of his meeting??? Don't let me hanging 🥺

Daddy?

Baby girls au

Pairing: CEO!Bucky x young!Reader

Warning: blood, age gap

Please send ideas for this au

Bucky left and had you waiting. You decided to sit on a couch in his office. You were hopeful that he really trusted you. Even though you had already made your mind and were decided to manage and work hard to take care of your future child a little economic help would be really good. You still had 2 years left of college. You wanted your kid to have the best life, so you really wished Bucky will help.

You waited for another hour and a half. When Bucky returned he was in his phone and looked really angry. He looked at you and continued talking to whoever he was. “Ok, so we can just us her blood.”

What the hell was he talking about!

“Perfect, we will be there at 2pm. Thank you, bye.” He ended the call and looked at you.

“You’re still here, good.” He was looking at you with an angry face. “So, I will need you to stay here until 2pm, then I am going to take you to a doctor’s appointment. I want to run a paternity test.” You were taken back, he still didn’t believe you. Did he thought you were making all this up just for his money? Wow

“And this won’t hurt the baby?” You needed to be 100% sure it was safe for your baby, you were willing to take it, just needed to be sure.

“Yes. They told me in the lab that they just need your blood. They told me that the fetal DNT is also in the mother’s blood, the baby’s genetic material is in your blood. They will do the analysis with only that. They will be safe.”

He looked really convinced.

“Ok, but I can guarantee you, the baby is yours.” You told him before exiting his door, you needed to go to the bathroom.

“We’ll see.”

At 2pm you were sitting in a doctor’s office. She was drawing blood out of you, it Max you fell a bit dizzy you weren’t a fan of needles.

When she finished she did the same with Bucky. She gave you lollipop and told you that thea results will be ready in 24 hours.

You were outside her office, Bucky gave you a business card and asked you for your phone number. “I will call you tomorrow.” With that said, he left.

You took a cab back to your dorm. You just needed to wait now, you knew the baby was Bucky’s, now he just needed to be sure.

Bucky’s POV

I look at her leave. I can’t deny it, she is incredibly beautiful. But I need to make sure that the baby is mine. I need to be sure that she isn’t just telling me this for my money. I pay Dr.Megan’s secretary and call Steve.

“Hey jerk, what’s up?” Steve answered after the first ring.

“I need to tell you something, like right now.” I needed to tell him what happened, I needed to talk to my best friend.

“Ok ok, let’s meet at the bar close the office.”

“Yeah, see you there.”

I entered my black BMW and drove to the bar.

After arriving I saw Steve in our booth, I walked to him and sat down.

“Hey Buck. How are you?” I looked at him and

“If I am being honest, not good. You will never guess what happened. Yesterday a girl I hooked up with a month ago called the office and said she had something important she needed to tell me. So she comes today and tells me she is pregnant with my child.” I let out an exasperated sight and pass my hand through my hair.

“No way!” He said with a chuckle.

“Yes way, she comes to my office with a positive pregnancy test claiming the child is mine. I am just coming from the clinic, I obviously ran a paternity test. I get the results tomorrow. And I am freckling out. What the hell will I do if it is actually mine?? I can’t be a father Stevie.” Now I was pulling my hair. I am really scared, I absolutely don’t have what it takes to raise a child.

Fuck

“Ok ok, calm down buddy. First of all you are not really sure it’s your, maybe there is a chance it isn’t, so calm down. Second, if it come that the child is indeed your baby. You will work it out. I am sure of it. I know it.” He gave me a reassuring smile.

We drank a few drinks and I went home.

I was restless that night, I could stop thinking about the possibility of being a dad. If it was the case I really wanted to be a good father, be present in the life of my child. I started to think that maybe it was a good thing that that had happened to me. In the last few years I had been so submerged in my job I had lost my personal life. Yeah, sometimes I went to have drinks with Steve and Sam. But besides them and an occasional one-night stand, I was always working. I started to realize how alone I actually am.

But then again, a baby! It was a new world of responsibility I didn’t know I was willing to take.

The next day I woke up super tired. I went to the office and manage to get through my meetings with lots of coffee.

I dreaded the call I knew I was going to get at 2pm.

After lunch, I was in my office going through some paperwork when my phone rang. I looked at it, I knew what was coming with that call. And the truth is I didn’t knew what answer I wanted to get, but there was a great change it was going to change my live forever.

I took a deep las breath and took the call.

“Hello”

“Hello, Mr.Barnes. This is Dr.Megan, I have the results for your paternity test.”

I had sweat running down my forehead.

“Yes, go on.”

“Ok, Mr.Barnes, you are the father of Ms.YLN baby.”

I am FUCKED!

Tags: @bbgem329 @lil-soup @jackiehollanderr @silentkiller2374 @ki-panda @majo240820

[swfteverlqrk]

He looks good with kids.

Bucky x female!reader

Warnings: Kids. Jk, none, pure fluff.

Summary: Yn heart can't love more Bucky, but it can when she sees him with kids.

A/N: I gave a warning that i wanted to just write about domestic/Dad bucky. Is just the first of a thousand of bucky's fic's :)

You arrived with your hand holding Bucky's.

"Aunt yn!" a little girl ran to you. 

“Hey mor!” you let go of Bucky´s hand and hold the little girl. “how is my princess doing?” 

“I dont want to be a princess anymore!” she said with a frown, you put her down. 

“Why?” you tried to not laugh. 

“Because if i want to be a queen, im gonna have to get married... with a...” she made a long pause, trying to say the next words. “boy! ew!” she said with a repulsive expression. 

that was something you loved about the kids, their honesty, saying everything uncensored, you saw Bucky trying not to laugh next to you. “Morgan, say hi to Bucky, dont be rude.”

“Hi, Mr Barnes.” she was shy, and added a little wave, without leaving your side. 

“Call me Bucky.” he winked at her, which made the girl blush, who could blame her?. 

she nodded and then her mother appeared “Morg, go play.” the little girl obey and got inside the house. “Im so glad you could make it” she greeted huging you and gave your boyfriend a warm and friendly handshake. “But please come in”.

you took Bucky´s hand again, and got inside the house, it was such a warm and really normal and familiar house, you wouldnt guess it was Tony Stark place, it wasnt a big mansion as he used to, it didnt have any  technology gadget, and they had a yard, more like a yard it was a private forest, where all the avengers were. 

“Im going to say hi to Natasha” you said, seeing her in the distance. 

“Ok, i´ll go with Steve and Sam.” you nodded, Bucky kissed your cheek and headed to Natasha. 

“Hey you!” your friend hugged you with one arm, cause she was holding a two month baby on her free arm, her daughter “Hey Thea, im your aunt, yn.” 

the baby girl smiled at hearing your voice. “Can i hold her?” 

“Of course!” she handed you the baby, when you took her in your arms, Nat sat down, glad that her arms could rest for a while. “Where´s Bucky?” 

“Over there with your husband and Sam” 

“It´s dangerous when they get together” you chuckled, giving her the reason, the baby start to cry. “Oh, let me” 

“No,Nat, i can, dont cry Thea.” you rocked her and started singing to her. “ Hey Dorothea

Do you ever stop and think about me?

When we were younger

Down in the park”

“Doesnt she looks gorgeous with kids?” Bucky asked his two friends, they rolled their eyes. 

“Uncle Bucky!” a boy approached. 

“Hey kids!” they high five, smiling, it were AJ and Cass wilson, Sam nephews. 

“Did you brought us what we asked for?” the soldier nodded, they went to his car, where he let out some water guns. 

“Cool, thank you!” the younger one hugged his uncle and ran after his brother. 

“JAMES BUCHANAN BARNES!” Sarah shouted at him, oops. “WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?, YOU GAVE MY BOYS WATER GUNS!" 

Nat noticed bucky´s scared face while Sarah continued shouting at him. “Yn, your boyfriend is in trouble.”

“What?” you turned to see Bucky in the entrance. “I´ll be back.” you gave her Thea, and walked. “What´s going on?” 

“James gave my kids water guns!” 

your eyes opened surprised. “Why?, Bucky what...?”

“They asked me to, they texted me!” he said innocent. 

“If something happens, they are your kids” Sarah said at Bucky and left, she was a good mom, she wanted what was best for her kids. 

you went to sit with Bucky, saying hi to Thor and Jane, until three little girls, Morgan Stark, Cassie Lang and the younger who was Alice Quill walked there. “Auntie yn, can you come play with us?” Morgan said with a small pout. 

“I´ll love it, but im going to help Sam, Sarah and Vision, to get the food ready. 

“I can play with you.” Bucky said letting go of your hand. “If you want to.”

the three girls looked at you, where you just nodded. “Go, he is funny!” your boyfriend got up and walked. Morgan took the initiative and took Bucky´s hand. 

“So, prince, which is your first decrete?” Cassie Lang said laughing, it been thirty minutes and the girls were comfortable now with the ex soldier, hugging him, holding his hands. 

“That i get a bigger crown.” he took his princess crown off, which was hurting him, making the three girls laugh. 

“Hands up! We are taking him”  The older Wilson said, pointing with his water gun.

“He is our prince, you cant take him.” The little Quill said, trying hard to hold to Bucky. 

“We can!” Billy Maximoff said, he took A.J gun and got Bucky back wet. 

‘i see why Sarah hated me for the water guns’ bucky thought to himself. 

The boys were shooting water to the girls, and them throwing grass and toys, your boyfriend got up and tried to run. 

“He is leaving!” Billy said, and all ran after him, you wouldnt guess that the weight of 7 kids could make a super soldier fall to the ground. 

“Is little yn in love?” a girl voice said, Carol Danvers. 

“Hey, Danvers” you turned and hugged her. “How are you?” 

you started catching up, she telling you stories about the space, once in a while you turned to see Bucky in the ‘jail’, that was a playpen, where all the kids put him.

“You know his wife, will come to rescue him, right?” Morgan said to A.J while having a tea party.

“What wife?” 

“Yn, duh.” she said as it was the only option. 

“They arent married” the boy said. 

“yes they are.” A.J just shooked his head. 

“Kids, the food is ready!” Sam shouted and the kids ran, Bucky got up from the playpen  that they took from Thea, he approached you. 

“I was expecting you to come to my rescue"he said resting his chin on your neck.

"Oh no, did you saw them? They had guns" you teased him, turning around to see him.

"Yn! You can stop time!" He said like a little kid, maybe an hour with 7 seven kids was more than enough.

"Here, you hamburger" You just said handing him the plate, with the bun and meat.

"Thank you, where we'll sit?"

You looked around searching for an empty table. "There" you pointed. "I was thinking of telling Sarah and Sam to sit with us".

Your boyfriend nodded, and taking your hand, you walked to the table, you were going to start eating when three girls approached the table.

"Aunt...yn... Can we, sit here?" Morgan Stark said shy, with Cassie and Alice by her side.

"Uh..." You looked at your boyfriend who with his look, he told you it was fine. "Sure, come."

"Guys, they said yes!" Morgan shouted and four more kids appeared.

"i thought it was only you three" Bucky said, trying not to laugh.

They sat, Morgan between you and Bucky, the food was delicious, and the kids were a good company. Bucky went for Soda, and coming back to his place he kissed your cheek, making you blush.

"I told you they are married!" Morgan said to A.J, biting her food.

"W-what?" You almost choke with the soda.

"Morgan thinks you two are married, but I've been telling her, you are just boyfriend and girlfriend" A.J said tired of the same argument.

"We are not married, sweetie" you cleared to the little Stark, who frown her eyebrows, confused.

"Then, why you kiss?, My mom and dad told me only married people do that." She looked at you, waiting for an answer, she was really confused, Bucky just smiled a bit.

"Because...umm..." You made a pause thinking what to answer, all the kids look where on you in that moment.

"We are going to get married, we're engaged." Bucky finally said, the most serious he could, not making notice it was a lie.

"When?" Cassie asked excited.

"Soon, in a few years, right yn?" You nodded, you let out a relief sigh, until two boys voices started arguing.

"Hey, Billy, Tommy, what is going on?"

"He took my chips without asking!" Tommy answered, looking at his brother wanting to kill him.

"But Tommy doesn't wants to share!" They started arguing again.

"Don't fight. Billy, we asked for things, and Tommy we have to share" they rolled their eyes, knowing their were being scolded. "Now Tommy, apologize"

"B-but."

"Tommy!" You looked at him, really serious. He took air and apologize, same with Billy. "Now both of you, go for more chips." They got up and murmuring they said something like 'she acted just like mom'

The food time was over, you and Bucky played hide and seek with the kids, when it was the soldiers turn to found you, Alice was the only one who hided with you, but when you had to find them, you knew wherever was Bucky you'll find at least a fifty percent of the kids. The time passed quickly hiding, and laughing.

"Who wants dessert?" Pepper said to the kids, whose eyes opened wide.

"Come on, Uncle Bucky!" Morgan took one hand of his and Cassie another, and walked together, but Alice started to cry.

"Um, Buck, you left something here." You said while Alice was on your arms.

"Sorry, baby, come on" he pointed his back with his head, and you put the little girl there. "Hold on tight" She did, putting her little arms around Bucky neck, while walking to the food area.

Once they got their dessert, including Bucky, all went to sit and start playing charades, you only heard kids real laughs, making you smile.

"Kids, why don't you go for yn?, she loves to play this, but it's to shy" Billy and Cassie nodded and went to grab you while you were with Tony and Steve.

"Come play with us, aunt yn!" Both making a pout. "Uncle Bucky said you like to play!"

"He did?" You gave a killing look to the blue eyed man, who just lift his shoulders innocent. "Fine, let's go"

You left Tony and Steve, and went play, you sat next to Bucky, his arm around your shoulders, that pose didn't last, because when you got up to play, Morgan took your place next to Bucky. 'Oh, so Bucky is the new favorite' you thought seeing him surrounded by all of them.

The day was over, after saying bye to Gamora, Quill and Alice, you helped Pepper to clean a bit.

"You know something, yn?" She said serious.

"Mhm?" You were picking up the plates and cups.

"All this afternoon, i saw a girl with Bucky, you should be more careful."

A girl? Which girl? All of the avengers girls were taken, you thought for a few seconds, but no one came to your mind, until Pepper told you to turn, where it was your boyfriend and the girl who wanted to steal him, Morgan, watching the Sunset, she was in his arms, one arm on his neck, while he was talking to her, not being to able hear, but seeing him with kids, to see his sweet and soft side made your heart melt.

"So, you see, the sun loves the moon so much, he goes to let her shine for hours." The girl's eye opened wide at the story.

"Morgan, they have to go." Her mother said walking to her.

"Stay to sleep, please?" Morgan said with a pout, without letting go of Bucky.

"We are going to stay at the Roger's, baby girl." You told her, which made her sad. "But, if you behave, we can make a sleepover next week at my place!"

Her eyes shined, and a smile appeared. "Really?"

"Of course, beautiful, but you have to be nice, ok?" Your boyfriend told the little girl putting her down.

"Mom, he calls me beautiful! He doesn't calls yn that" she tried to whisper but failed, Pepper just nodded, taking her hand, getting inside of the house"Bye guys." Morgan shouted before entering the house.

"what?" Your boyfriend noticed you looking at him.

"nothing..." You chuckled softly, and got into the Rogers car.

A few days later.

You were making breakfast, when your phone rang, the contact name was Tony Stark, it was a FaceTime. What if something had happened to him? Was he okay? You answered nervous, but when the camera opened, you saw Morgan, making you feel relieved.

"Hey Morgan!" You greeted her.

"Hi, aunt yn!" You could tell her she was trying to see the house, looking for something. "Are you alone?"

"Yes?"you said confused" But one friend is coming over."

"Oh, is not uncle Bucky there?" You chuckled, of course she wanted to see her 'uncle'.

"No sweetie" you shook your head, making Morgan eyes sad. "He went to help uncle Sam with something, he'll be back at night."

"Oh okay, I'll call him then! Bye." You were going to talk but she hang up.

The night came and your boyfriend went to your place to say hi and having dinner.

While eating dinner, you said to him about the morning call.

"I received a weird call today"

"What?, From who?" He asked looking up from his dumplings.

"A girl you know." You said serious, like you were mad.

"come on yn, it was Wanda? Or Carol, or Natasha?" You shook your head.

"Morgan Stark" He laughed.

"Wait, why?"

"She wanted to talk to you, you should call her" your look went back to your noodles.

"Are you jealous that she prefers me?" He teased you, making you laugh.

"No..."

"Yes, you are." He pointed his fork at you, making you let out a good laugh.

"Just call Morgan!" You said playing you were angry, after dinner he did, you heard how Morgan told him all about school, and her toys, and dolls, all that she could ever think about, and he was paying attention, gasping every minute about something she said or showed.

Your heart melted again. 'He looks so good with kids'.

[nephilim-problems]

He hates me

I'm having a lot of fun writing this! Due to a friend's suggestion this is a Carl grimes x reader

Part 1

It's been a few weeks since we came to Alexandria. Dig became one of their supply runners and I was always left to stay here. Rick refused to send me because of my age but I knew it was because he didn't trust me. Carl eventually told Rick I'm the one that shot him in the shoulder and no matter how many times I explained I thought he was going to shoot me first Rick didn't relent. I spent most days sitting on the top of the wall or just hanging out at home. 

"I'm going with Rick and Glenn on a run today. It'll only take a few hours," Dig said as I loaded some breakfast onto his plate. 

"Oh and what am I supposed to do while you're gone?" I smiled at him while loading my own plate. 

"Spending some time with the other kids is a good idea," Dig said, which made me laugh. 

"Right because we have so much in common," I replied, shoving a spoon full of powdered eggs in my mouth. 

"I'm just saying, you might find someone you like," he smiled and took a sip of water. 

I rolled my eyes at him, "Right. I'd get along so well with girls who had their hair and nails done and haven't killed a single thing." 

"You never know," Diggle said, smiling at me. "(Y/N), you can't stay in here all day wallowing because Oliver and Thea haven't found us." 

I stayed quiet and licked my gums I hated when he was right. I mean true I don't have anything in common with almost any teenager here but that's never stopped me from making friends before. 

" I'll think about it, Dig," I responded. "I can promise nothing more." 

"That's all I ask," he said, putting his plate in the sink. "Rick's throwing a party for us tonight, you need to be there." 

"Do I have to?" I asked grumbling. 

" Yes, you do," he smiled, grabbing his jacket and gun. "I'll be back." 

He came over and kissed my head before walking out the door. I finished my food and placed my plate in the sink before sitting on the couch. I was trying to figure out what I was going to spend the day doing when I heard the door open. 

I didn't even think and threw a knife at the door. I heard a loud scream and saw the knife sticking out the door frame and the side of Carl's face bleeding. 

"You can't sneak up on me like that! I could've killed you," I snapped, grabbing a towel and going to dab his face. 

"You knew I was coming," he snapped, ripping the cloth from my hand and pushing past me. "John said you were looking for me." 

I started laughing and Carl glared at me. 

"What's so funny?" Carl spat at me. 

"Just a conversation I had with Dig this morning," I said, waving him off. 

"So why did you need me?" He asked. 

"I didn't," I said. "He insists I need to hang out with you and the other teens." 

"So are you going to?" He snapped. 

"Nope," I said and he scoffed. 

" Too good for us?" 

"Nope." 

That wasn't the response he was expecting. He almost looked confused by my answer. 

"I'm going to the wall," I replied, crossing my arms. "I'm going to watch for Dig and make sure he gets back safe." 

"That's stupid," He replied and I laughed again. 

"Yeah well I lost 2 siblings," I snapped and grabbed my bow and Oliver's hood. I paused and held the fabric between my fingers for a moment before looking up to Carl. "I'm not losing another one." 

Carl's stoic face fell for a moment. 

"Lock up when you're done," I said, throwing Oliver's hood on and walking out the door. 

I made my way to the wall and climbed it. I was met with Daryl. He gave me a side eye and turned his eyes to the road in front of us. I did the same. It was peaceful for a moment until I looked over and saw Carl climbing up the wall. I scoffed and loaded an arrow in my bow. 

"I don't need a babysitter," I scolded as he made his stance next to me. 

"Could have fooled me," Carl said sarcastically. 

"You know some days I wish I would've put that arrow through your fucking skull," I said, not taking my eyes from the road ahead of me. 

I heard Daryl laugh and try to disguise it as a cough. 

"I'm still thinking about putting a bullet through yours," Carl responded. 

"Try it. You won't get far," I said loudly. "I'll even load the gun for you." 

Carl scoffed at me and Daryl laughed again.

"Sounds like you met your match," he said and it made me smile for some reason. 

"I didn't know you could smile," Carl said and I refused to let him win.

"I didn't know you could stop being an asshole," I said and paused. "Wait, you don't." 

Carl went to reply when we heard a scream. We all looked towards the road. I know it wasn't Dig, it sounded too feminine. We waited silently, with weapons drawn. It felt like hours we were in that position even though it was maybe 5 minutes when I saw what looked like my sister carrying Felicity smoak. Zombies were running behind them, maybe 5 or 6 of them behind them. 

"Help," I heard her scream and I knew it was Thea. "She got hurt, please help." 

"Thea," I shouted and started picking off zombies. "open the gate." 

No one could say a word before I was climbing down the wall.

"Are you dumb?" Carl shouted and I ignored him. 

I quickly started taking out the zombies behind her. 

"What the hell did you do? Set off a bomb?" I snapped at Thea noticing it was definitely more than 6 coming. 

"(Y/N)," She said excitedly as I put down another walker. 

"We'll catch up when we're behind the walls," I said back as I heard a gunshot next to me.

"Go," Carl snapped and all I could remember was Oliver yelling at me. "It'll be easier if you help her." 

"I'm not leaving you behind," I called and I didn't know if I was talking to Carl or Oliver. 

"I'm right behind you," He replied as I stabbed an arrow through another walker. 

I looked between the two and ran to Thea. I put Felicity's arm around my shoulder and we moved a lot faster. We basically ran through the doors and Carl was right, he stayed right behind us. That was until we got to the doors. I heard him scream and I dropped Felicity. A bolted over to him. I put an arrow through the walker's skull and grabbed Carl's hand to pull him away. my adrenaline was going too fast and instead of pulling him slightly he came flying and falling right on top of me. 

"So are you going to forgive me now for shooting you?" I asked as both our cheeks were red. 

He didn't reply and just got up, lifting me up with him. 

I ran over and helped Thea carry Felicity to the Doctor. 

"Is she bit?" I asked as we got her into the house. 

" N-no," Thea said. 

"What happened?" The same brown haired girl from a few weeks earlier asked. 

"Someone beat her with a pipe," Thea replied and the girl nodded before taking Felicity back.

"Thea," I whispered and captured her in a hug. 

"I never thought I'd see you again," she whispered while holding me. 

" We're together now," I said as we parted. "We're not gonna split again." 

"Is Dig--" she started asking. 

" He's fine," I responded. "He's on a supply run. Is Ollie okay?" 

" I don't know, we got separated 8 months ago," Thea shook her head. 

I lowered my voice so it was barely a whisper, " the blood lust, is it still there?" 

Thea nodded in response. 

I was about to ask her about something when I saw Carl approach us so I shut it. 

"Coming to check on me Grimes?" I laughed. "I'm flattered." 

"John's back," he responded and I pushed past him. 

 Thea followed me as we searched for Dig. He saw us and looked stunned. He ran over and hugged Thea. 

"Is Oliver with you?" He asked. 

"No," Thea shook her head. "Just Felicity. We got split from Oliver and Laurel 8 months ago." 

"Laurel's alive too?" Dig said. 

"And Sara," Thea answered 

"You didn't tell me you were with Laurel," I said. 

"You didn't ask," Thea shrugged.

"Any news on Barry?" I asked and everyone shook their heads. 

"If there was any moment I wanted a boy with superhuman speed, it's now," I said crossing my arms. 

"Is anyone else alive? Iris, Cisco, Caitlin?" Thea asked and Dig nodded. 

"We saw Catlin when we got here but no word about Cisco or Iris," Dig replied. 

"So what do we do? Go find them?" Thea asked. " Saving the world is kind of our job." 

" Yeah from drug Lords and rapists not flesh eating zombies," I replied. "Besides, we can't go far until Felicity is better." 

"Where is she?" Dig asked. 

"Their makeshift hospital," I responded. " Thea brought her in about an hour ago." 

"Is she okay?" Diggle's eyes went wide. 

"She's fine," Thea responded. "The girl working on her said she'd come grab us when she wakes up." 

"When's our party?" I rolled my eyes and Dig flicked my forehead. "Ow." 

"Tonight," he responded. "Rick's really trying with you but you're not making it easy." 

"They hate me! All of them!" I snapped. "Especially Rick and Carl." 

"You shot Carl in the shoulder," Dig responded. 

"Okay and Ollie shot me twice!" I snapped "TWICE!" 

"He's 15!" Diggle said. 

"I was 14 your point?" I replied and Diggle rolled his eyes at me. 

"I don't think Carl hates you," Thea piped in and I laughed. 

"That kid has done nothing but hate me since I got here," I said laughing. "'i don't think he hates you' you're hilarious." 

" I'm serious!" Thea snapped, smacking me. "I think he has a crush." 

I burst out laughing again and Thea smacked me again. It was funny though there's no way Carl Grimes would have any sort of romantic attraction to me.

[matryosika]

shoot me, chapter VI

pairing — changbin x reader

rating — 18+

genre of the overall series — smut, angst, fluff if you squint

prologue chapter I chapter II chapter III chapter IV chapter V chapter VI

word count for this chapter — 4.1 k

warnings — mentions of alcohol and emotional abuse

note — this chapter has no smut in it. still, the love-story gets completely developed here. next chapters will be filled with smut and angst so stay tuned! i haven't read this chapter because i wanted to upload it as soon as possible, so it may contain grammar mistakes. i will check it later since i have to go out with my family to have dinner! <3 hope you enjoy

taglist:@cozyblues @ahgasearmyfan @binnie-m00n @minaamhh @pinkishwen @spilledtee

*

[changbin's pov]

"so?" you asked him, modeling one of the dresses that you had previously selected from the expensive clothing shop "what do you think?"

she looks like a goddess.

"good" changbin limited to reply. "is that the last one?"

"c'mon you are not helping at all" you grunted, turning around slightly on the mirror to see the full silhouette of the dress "this might be the one, don't you think?"

i think so. i think you look perfect in all the things you have tried on, actually.

"it's alright" the dark-haired man reply "just take that one and let's get this over with"

"jesus, changbin" you whined "you are such a pain in the ass. if you were in a bad mood then you shouldn't have accepted to drive me here so i can buy a dress for the wedding"

you had been in korea for a month and 2 weeks now, your relationship with changbin growing unconciously intimate as you often engage in sexual encounters with him. you wouldn't say the both of you were close, but each day that passed by you could feel how you learned more about him just like he learned more about you too. you wouldn't consider him a good friend, since hostility made a presence every now and then between the both of you, but you had learned to spend time with him without feeling the need to put plugs into your ears and a blindfold to stop acknowledging his existence.

"if you needed help picking a dress" changbin interrupted, standing up from the seat he had been occupying for the last 45 minutes "you should've asked hyejin or ryujin to come and help you out, not me"

"hyejin is busy" you were quick to respond "ryujin had work today and you were the only other person i know that owns a car"

"cabs exist"

"yeah well" you made a pause, swallowing hard "i don't like cabs"

"you could've asked arthur to lend you his private driver" changbin tilted his head slightly.

"i get uncomfortable with strangers" you answered after a few seconds of being completely silent, changbin's gaze making you incredibly nervous.

"really?" he inquired, one of his hands traveling all the way to the pocket of his jacket as he pulled his wallet out. "why won't you just admit that you wanted to spend time with me?"

"fuck no" a grimace of disgust was quick to appear on your face "don't get confused. i would rather be dead than to spend more time with you than i already have to"

"yet you are still here" he teased "maybe i'm not as unbearable as your mind is trying to convince you i truly am"

with lazy steps he took the bunch of dresses that were piled up on the chair next to him, putting them all over his shoulder as he walked to the counter. "what are you doing?" you asked, still wearing the last dress you tried on.

"you are indecisive and i am starving" he said without even looking at you "i don't need to spend another 45 minutes here looking at how much you struggle to pick between 5 dresses, just have them all and pick one when you are alone"

you looked at him in desbelief "do you have any idea of how much just one of them cost? are you stupid?" you almost yelled in astonishment, looking at the figure of changbin slightly turning around to face you.

"i am not stupid" changbin reply "like i said, i am just hungry"

and currently thinking about how beautiful you are looking right now with that look of amazement on your pretty face. if i could, i would buy you the entire world just for you to destroy.

[y/n's pov]

"i will pay every single one of those dresses back before i leave" you mumbled, eating your food as if you had been starving for days "i had money, i didn't need you to come and rescue me as if i was some sort of damsel in distress"

"you were in distress though" he added, taking a sip of the drink he ordered "you took almost 30 minutes just to pick one dress to try on, you are really undecisive"

"yeah well, it's not like i had anywhere else to be" you replied.

"isn't arthur going to have a small gathering at his house today?" changbin inquired "like a pre-celebration of the wedding or something?"

you shrugged your shoulders "i don't know and i don't care. i am just here for the wedding and then i will be finally free"

you kept on eating your plate of food, confused as to why changbin's gaze stayed fix on you. "what, do i have something on my f-?"

"are you leaving right after the wedding?" he asked in a very hostile way, almost as if he had completely forgot that you were not going to stay forever.

"not right after but that's the main reason i came here, yeah" you replied, having a mixture of feelings inside your guts.

you couldn't deny the fact that you missed tsukuba, but living there meant to be trapped in the university dorms 24/7 just studying. but still, the lifestyle you have had for the past time was absolutely something you could get use to it: ryujin, hyejin, going out on the weekends, being free from school, changbin...

changbin?

"i still don't know the exact date though" you added "school doesn't start for me in another months so..."

"how is your life?" he asked, earning a weird look from you as you couldn't quite understand his question "in Japan, i mean"

you sighed. you had thought that living in japan was really good and you felt utterly comfortable living there until you arrived to korea and discovered a whole new life style that you had already learned to love. not only that, but leaving everything here was going to get you a bit nostalgic in the future. "it is great, better than people say it is honestly" you responded as he nodded "i live at the university dorms so life is pretty much everything but rushed. i spend my days at the library studying, i sometimes work as a shadow teacher for like 4 or 5 kids and on weekends i go and visit my mom and her partner"

"your mom got married after divorcing arthur?" changbin followed, just in time as he finished his dish of food.

"uh, it's complicated" you gave him a smile "she lives with someone and she is very happy"

"and are you?"

you were about to answer the question when you felt a pinch on your heart. a month ago you would have replied "yes" without a doubt. you thought you were happy living in japan, you thought you were happy when you visited thea, your mother, and reiko, her girlfriend. you thought you were happy when reiko made you her special coffee and you thought you were happy when they ocasionally visited you on winter nights at your dorm. you thought you were happy when you worked with children and spent time with them. you thought you were happy when you rode your bike from school to work and you thought you were happy when ryejin visited you and your mom on the holidays.

however, you had learned a new definition of happiness here.

"are you?" you fired back.

changbin slightly tilted his head as he laid completely back on his seat "i could be"

"what is exactly stopping you from being happy?" you asked him, intruiged.

"even if i explained it to you" he mumbled "i don't think you will be able to understand it"

"ah, there you are again" you scoffed, slightly rolling your eyes "your god complex has not show all day. i guess you missed it."

"c'mon" he grunted, raising his hand at one of the waiters at the restaurant "let's go somewhere else"

"where exactly?" you laughed "to your place? your car? a motel? jesus changbin, you can't really go a day without fucking, can you?"

"that's not actually what i had in mind" he replied, taking out his credit card as he saw the waiter approaching the table "but i mean if you want to fuck i won't say no"

"you had something in mind?" you asked, faking excitment "for me? you planned something for me?"

"if you want i can drop you at arthur's place right now so he can force you to have dinner with him and his bride. it's up to you"

you weren't really feeling like spending "quality time" with your father, and you also knew that hyejin was probably not going to attent the dinner, so there was no point of you being there. but at the same time, the thought of spending time with changbin doing non-sexual activities was something that it always made you nervous for an unknown reason, and you were feeling particularly nervous today.

"whatever"

*

the evening went on peacefully and that alone was unreal. he drove you to the center of seoul and suggested to take a walk around the most popular avenues because "the city looked better at night", something you have always believed too.

changbin was attractive and, even though your personalities crashed every damn time, you couldn't deny the fact that there were some sort of intimate bond going on between the both of you since that very first night at the bar. still, you wouldn't accept it. you wouldn't accept that the one person you disliked the most was starting to change your mind.

and you couldn't get yourself to trust him either. you couldn't trust any men, for that matter.

"have you thought about which dress you are going to wear tomorrow?" he asked so casually, his hands inside the pockets of his jacket as his gaze diverted from building to building.

"no" you replied, trying to get back at the trail of thoughts you had been threading since you left the restaurant with him. "have you?"

"have i thought about the dress i am going to wear tomorrow?" he laughed "i don't know, it will depend on which one you lend me"

"i got distracted" you admitted "but i will try on all the dresses tomorrow morning and i will give you the rest of them so you can return them to the store"

"i won't do that" he clicked his tongue "i bought them for you"

your heart skipped a beat after hearing those words and it was everything but pleasent.

"i don't want them"

"you can't reject a gift" he mumbled "that's the whole point of a gift"

"i will sell them on the internet" you threatened.

"do it, at the end of the day they are yours" he gave you a side look while smirking "but i wouldn't sell them if i were you. you look good in them"

"oh so you want to give opinions about the dresses now, huh?" you asked, mildly annoyed "you could've help me back at the store but you chose to be grumpy"

"at least i am helping you now"

"you are unbearable" you whispered.

a bright smile was quick to appear on his face. a genuine smile, as if he was enjoying the conversation. not only the conversation but the whole moment: you and him, walking around the city and talking about something so casual and trivial like which clothes you were going to wear tomorrow or which dress he liked best on you.

and for a moment it felt nice.

you felt safe.

"the red one was pretty" he added. you looked at him confused, once again lost in your trail of thoughts. "the red dress, the one that you tried on last"

"good" you responded "i'll make sure not to wear that one"

"you hate me that much?" he teased while a faint chuckle left his lips.

"oh changbin, you have no idea" deep down knowing it wasn't more than a vile lie.

*

you looked in the mirror one last time before you heard hyejin calling your name once again "y/n, how long will you take? i need to stop by the bakery to pick up the wedding cake"

"i'll be out in a minute" you replied, noticing how your hands got sweatier by the second.

you were quite nervous, but couldn't really understand why. maybe the sole thought of your father having his "happy ending" made you jealous because you knew that he did not deserve that at all; he didn't deserve the love he had.

the emotional abuse your mother and you suffered throughout your childhood and adolescence was not something that could be fixed in a month or two and you were certain about it. no matter how happy your father was, you couldn't help but to feel jealous about how he never had to suffer like you and your mother did.

and even though you got over your negative feelings towards him, the scars and aftermath of an abusive household still caught up on you: the mistrust, the negativity, the hostility and the lack of commitment were things you had to deal with on a daily basis.

of course he was the one to blame. but you were an adult now, and you were supposed to deal with all those issues by yourself. no one was going to fix them for you.

"jesus y/n, we are running late" hyejin busted the door open "are you ready now?"

"yes" you were quick to respond, grabbing the purse on your bed and trying to quickly divert from your sister's gaze.

"wait" she mumbled, gripping both of your shoulder as you intended to the leave the room "why are you tearing up?"

"i am not" you replied "i yawned"

she didn't look convinced, but still decided not to push any further "i'll meet you in the car, i just have to grab a few things"

you nodded and made your way through the hallway. because of how rushed she was, you didn't have a chance to tell hyejin how gorgeous she looked. she was wearing a golden shiny dress that embraced her body just fine and carrying a maching clutch with it. she was really pretty, maybe the prettiest woman you had ever seen, and not only that but she was also very smart. any guy would be head over heels for her, but she still decided not to engage in a "silly love story" as she called them because "it is a waste of her precious time, and time is money"

you wished you had the same mentality as she did, but you grew up getting educated on how love was portrayed in books, movies and television. it was ironic how you were the first person on earth to deny that love actually existed, but you were still a hopeless romantic after all.

*

[changbin's pov]

"changbin, are you too far from the church?" haeun, his mother, asked desperately as changbin picked up the phone.

"i'm right outside" he grunted "i told you i was not going to be late"

"we are sitting on the second bench at the left of the altar" the old woman added "hurry up"

changbin hung up the phone and cursed under his breath. the weather today was maybe too nice for his own liking and his clothes were a bit too uncomfortable to be wearing them under the sun.

as quickly as he could, he closed the door of his car and started walking towards the entrance, making sure that the ceremony hadn't started just yet so he wouldn't make a scene.

"did you bring the gift?" jang-yeop inquired as he sat down next to him and changbin nodded "did you also bring your mother the pair of shoes?"

"yes" he responded "how long is this going to take?"

"40-45 minutes?" his father replied "i have no idea, what time is it?"

"7:02 p.m." haeun was quick to answer "now, the both of you shut up"

right after she mumbled those words, music started to sound on the church. changbin, being in a rush to get to his seat before the ceremony started, didn't notice that arthur was already standing up next to the altar and waiting for his soon-to-be wife. changbin's gaze was fixed on arthur, then it diverted into the bride walking down the aisle and then returned to arthur once again. he never thought about marriage or building a family. hell, he never thought about having a romantic relationship that would last longer than a few months actually. but as he grew older, and as he experienced new stuff, he wasn't sure if he still had the same mentality he used to have last year.

to changbin, arthur seemed genuinely happy. his half-lidded eyes along with that bright smile he was wearing indicated that the man was living one of the happiest days of his life. and as changbin witnessed that romantic scene, the question that popped up in the conversation he had with you last night grabbed his attention once again.

what exactly is stopping me from being happy?

and before he could respond himself with words, his eyes had already found the answer: standing on the bench at the right of the altar and wearing that promising dark red dress that could drive any man insane, the woman he never dreamed of looking just as beautiful as the very first day he met her.

not being able to have her completely.

*

[y/n's pov]

after the ceremony, a big party was held at a very elegant event hall located in one of the tallest buildings of seoul. you were not particularly excited about having to see arthur's side of the family, but you still managed to keep yourself together the whole time.

"you are wearing the red dress" a sudden voice whispered into your ear as you were counting the tables that were still missing their dinner plates, an order given by hyejin. you slightly turned around to meet changbin's breath dancing on your neck and nape, goosebumps filling every single inch of your skin due to the proximity.

"congratulations" you sighed "your vision is crystal clear"

"i have been watching you since the ceremony" changbin added "i can't help but think about how pretty you are going to look when you are taking that dress off for me"

a spark of electricity traveled around your whole body and directly into your core. you immediatly looked around and notice a few people who worked for arthur's company sitting not that far away from the both of us "do you really want to do this here?" you asked "aren't you scared of being caught by any of arthur's friends?"

"are you concerned about that now?" he chuckled "that didn't seem to bother you at the company's elevator"

"c'mon" you whispered, your back slightly pressing against his chest "i have to help hyejin with some stuff"

changbin slightly gripped your hand and guided you to the dancefloor that was crowded with couples dancing around "i am sure that she can handle all of this by herself"

before you could protest, you took out your phone and sent her a message with the information she asked for. you had no idea what changbin was up to, but you still decided to follow him.

changbin positioned his hands on your waist as he gracefully dragged you across the dancefloor, looking for a spot in the middle of the crowd so it would be easier for the two of you to get lost.

"you are spending the night at my place" he mumbled over the slow songs that were now playing. it wasn't a question nor a petition, it was an order.

"yeah right" you chuckled "if you are too desperate to fuck we can do that, but i am not fond of sleepovers"

the thought of you spending the night with him was terrifying, but you would've been lying if you said that you hadn't think about what it would be like to wake up next to his him.

"i wasn't asking" he responded. "tell me when you are ready to leave".

with a swift movement, your whole body was pressed against his, his hands resting on your lowerback as you both swinged from side to side, following the rythm of the song. this was a whole new side of him that you didn't know it existed, and you couldn't deny that you were loving every second of it.

"who thaught you how to dance, huh?" you asked, your gaze fixed on his eyes that looked even brighter because of all the lights adorning the hall.

"there is so much about me that you don't know" he replied.

"oh i know everything there is to know about you, changbin" you scoffed "but let's see if you can keep surprising me"

*

it wasn't even midnight but people were already starting to get completely intoxicated with alcohol. arthur had spent the night dancing with ara and, after she was done being the unofficial wedding planner, hyejin ended up getting wasted with the small group of friends she invited to the wedding. you, on the other hand, spent the night dancing with changbin and eating your dinner with him.

it was not unusual to see the both of you together since you spent too much time at the company, but tonight it was sort of different. the looks he gave you, the way you two danced for hours on end, the way he was treating you... it felt different, a little bit more personal and intimate. his parents probably noticed this too, since they made a lof of comments about "how happy they were about us being really good friends". if only they knew.

"i think i am ready" you said to changbin after telling hyejin that you were going to spend the night somewhere else. she nodded her head and agreed to say, if asked, that "you were at ryujin's" even when she wasn't invited to the wedding in the first place. you just smiled at her and nodded, not leaving without telling one of her sober friends to look out for her.

"don't worry" the pretty pale girl mumbled "she will stay at my house tonight"

you glanced over to arthur and ara who were still having the greatest time of their lives on the dancefloor, and proceeded to walk away from the party with changbin. "you parents will stay here?"

"yeah, they will leave in an hour or so" changbin replied "i told them that you wanted to go home and that i was going to drive you"

"perks of living alone i guess" you joked.

the walk through the empty corridors of the building felt eerie as the loud sound of the music were still ringing in your ears. even though you were walking on your own, you could still feel changbin's ablazing touch on your body and that only provoked your heartbeat to go even faster.

as you waited for the elevator to open their doors, changbin's lips unexpectedly crashed against yours. it wasn't a passionate kiss, and it wasn't rushed either. it was just a kiss, an innocent kiss, a kiss you give to your significant other as a demostration of how much you love them. his soft lips dragged against yours as his teeth bite softly your bottom lip, earning a small whine from you. his hands, that were now located into your waist, guided you to the insides of the elevator once the doors were opened.

"you look so beautiful tonight" he whispered interrupting, his breathing getting faster each second that passed by "i can't get you out of my head"

his lips left yours to meet the sensitive spots on your neck, peppering soft kisses all over the surface. your gaze found the reflection of the scene in the mirror of the elevator, looking at how changbin was tasting every inch of your skin with his eyes closed, his rushed hands traveling all the way from your waist to your lower back trying to memorize every single trace of your body.

"i don't want to hurt you tonight" he continued "no roughness, no pain, no petnames. i want to make you completely mine, in the most pure way"

and for the night, you agreed to let your feelings out and let go.

no fear and no mistrust, you were ready to face the overwhelming feelings that had been building up inside you since the day you met him.

even if you could potentially regret it later...

[patton-ly-absurd]

Spear of light, Sword of darkness

First previous

part 3!

Thea met Damian when they were both 2 months old. Thea while still young knew why it was an honor to meet him. He was the daughter of Talia, grandson of Ra’s Al Ghul. Both were the most powerful and dangerous assassins in the entire league, which begs the question in her mind. ‘Why am I being given the honor of seeing him?’

Thea saw in his eyes the green glow of darkness, not that anyone here would know what that means, heck she didn’t know what that means! But she knew it was true. She saw the glow on the sword he was going to pick, she knew it was his long before he did. The day he picked his sword she was there. She saw the words that glowed on his sword as it changed to his preference. “The glow of the darkness matches the light, though the two are separated they are always together, beware the one who makes the darkness kill, for though it does destroy it does not kill what the light guards. Beware the wrath of the light for whoever infects and abuses the dark,” she knew what the words said, they were a prophecy of things to come, a future that was not yet understood but true. For anything written in the language of the guardians was true.

From the look in Damian’s eyes she knew ‘He can’t read it’ but he definitely understood it was important. Well, probably she could only guess that’s what that look meant.

A month after Damian found his weapon, they started to train together. They would not talk during these sessions only communicating via the slight change of their expressions . Every detail meant a different thing, a slight twitch in her eye 'You're troubled aren’t you?' a slight movement of his brows 'You know this how?' A small movement of her lip 'Your eyes are slightly squinted, I know what that means,' this exchange happens while they are fighting, but their focus on the training never falters. Every little reaction also shows what they’re planning to do next, and they learn to completely understand each other in battle.

As a consequence of this they learned how to read people very well, how to tell what they’re thinking and what they may be planning. They only ever trained together, for they were ahead of everyone else their age and beyond.

At age five they started training with weapons other than their chosen ones. Learning how to turn anything into a weapon, take any option you can to get the upper hand. Only have a shirt that you can use? Take advantage of your enemy’s embarrassment to choke them with it. Only have table salt? Throw it in their eyes blind them and put them in a hold. You can use anything to get an upper-hand, and mastering that skill was what they had to learn.

While Thea excelled at this, Damian struggled. So while they were learning they had conversations their usual way 'How do you manage these situations? Table salt is hardly a feasible weapon,' he asked before looking back at the salt shaker like it killed his dog that he didn’t even have 'Well, let’s think about this for a moment. No it is not a offensive weapon,' he raised an eyebrow 'ok what is it then,' 'It’s a strategic weapon,' she answered 'Elaborate,' he commanded sounding frustrated 'Well, most of the time a salt shaker won’t do good with brute force, but what you can do is use it as a distraction, or throw salt in someone’s eyes to disorient or blind them,' he nodded but she continued 'You take that moment of weakness to put them in a hold or something, or better yet grab your weapon if it’s stolen. Salt in the eye is no smoke balm but it can make an easily accessible one,' this session they had to fight more people, because the league recognized they knew each other's fighting style well enough so that it really only came down to the element of surprise. New people meant more of a challenge because everyone’s tells are different. Because this lesson was about creativity and taking every opportunity to win a fight, only one set had weapons, and that set happened to not be Thea or Damian.

Thea walked up to the person she had to fight and tapped his shoulder signaling the start of the fight. Once she knew he saw her signal, she threw salt at his face, taking his moment of distraction to put him in a hold and twist his arm until he let go of his weapon. Taking it Thea pinned him to the ground, and put the weapon at his neck. He tried to break out but she just put the dagger closer to his neck. He tapped twice signaling his forfeit and she hopped up off of the boy. While helping him up, Thea saw Damian do the same thing, but with more strength and more finesse in the form he used to pin his opponent.

Almost every time they trained together. They improved more when they were together than when they were apart. Eventually they started talking about random things while they were training. But because they were still training, not a word was actually spoken, they kept talking with their faces, their intuitive knowledge of each other's thoughts and feelings still unknown to anyone outside the two of them. 'Damian, when do you think we’ll get to go out on our own missions?' Thea asked while they were training their acrobatics ' I am not aware of when we will be able to, that information is only going to be available to us when grandfather proclaims it so,' he answered while landing on the ground 'true, It’d still be fun to know though,' she responded while flipping in the air 'I do not believe they will be sending us on any missions soon, we are still very young, even though we are definitely more skilled than those four years our senior,' Thea has to keep herself from laughing, 'You’re rather blunt you know, I personally think it’s very funny,' she remarked while they lined up to start their obstacle course.

Their eyes met every once and while in the middle of the obstacle course. At one of those eye contact exchanges Damian said 'Nobody but you will get to see that bluntness, so laugh all you want. People will just think you're weird for laughing out of nowhere,' Thea was flustered for a moment before she responded jokingly in one of those exchanges of eye contact 'Is that a promise Damian?' one they reached the end of the course he said 'Yes, yes it is,'

Next

tag list!!?

@nightlychaotic @moonlightstar64

[codename-adler]

foxes + onesies (9/9)

based off of that one post i saw and don’t remember, where people once caught Allison wandering around Fox Tower in a giraffe onesie, and i absolutely melted for her. here is the Foxes’ journey to getting a onesie each!

Kevin

every Fox has bad days

some bad days begin with a specific feeling

when Andrew feels ghost hands as he wakes up, when he feels his body too tight for his bones, or hid bones too big for his body

when Neil feels every sound like a knife to his skin, when the scars on his face feel like phantom pains, when he feels a grown man moves too fast, too close to him

when Allison feels jeans cling too much to her thighs, when her shirt brushes too much on her abdomen, when she feels the food she ate resting in her stomach

some bad days begin with a specific date

when it’s the anniversary of Tilda’s death, and Aaron cannot be in the same room as Andrew, no matter how far they’ve come

when it’s the anniversary the Boyds’ divorce, and Matt can’t leave Dan’s side for one second, no matter how strong their relationship is

when it’s the anniversary of Mary’s death, of Evermore, of Nathaniel’s last birthday, of Baltimore, and Neil can’t take a single look at himself in the mirror, no matter how many times Andrew worships his face with his mouth and his fingers

or, when it’s the anniversary of Kayleigh Day’s death, and nobody remembers, not even Wymack, and Kevin is all alone with this grief that is other, unlike any other he carries everyday, unlike anything he can compare to, and he doesn’t know how to feel anymore

Kevin vividly remembers that day, and he sees it luring around the corner as August approaches

but this time, there is no more Riko to worry about, no more mafia to be scared of, no more Ravens to antagonize him, no more Master to punish him for even attempting to grieve every year

and no more alcohol to make him forget

Kevin quit drinking the day they won championship, they day Riko was killed died

it’s been a year and a half, now, and Kevin still wants to drink the minute things get hard mentally

(it’s also been a year and a half since the Foxes started getting onesies, but it doesn’t feel like it’s been that long, and only Allison remembers that summer where it all started)

so when Kevin enters his bad days, his bad weeks, the Foxes are used to his mood swinging back and forth between Queen of Assholery and Feral Fox

but Kevin isn’t

he isn’t used to feeling all of this, to always think, and think, and think, until everything inside his head is as loud as the outside, until it’s all too much

yet he’s still expected to go on

still supposed to function, to perform, to be a decent human being when he’s not even sure he even feels human anymore

and so when Kevin snaps, the Foxes are supposed to be used to it

they’re not

nobody is

it’s summer practice

the 9 Foxes came in early, before the two new recruits arrive

Kevin is in the middle of yelling at Neil, who is very much yelling back at him

there’s that moment very full of testosterone where each of them throw away their gloves and helmets and sticks

they’re an inch from each other’s face and then Kevin suddenly… stops

he completely stops

his face goes blank, his feet move him back, his arms go slack

he looks at Neil, and he looks, and looks, and looks…

as if he could find an answer to a question he doesn’t know he’s asking

Neil, who has never learned to watch his mouth after all the trouble it got him into, keeps tearing into Kevin

Kevin keeps backing up and Neil keeps pushing further

but apart from his backwards movement, Kevin doesn’t react

pure apathy doesn’t suit him nearly as well as it did Andrew

the other Foxes are so silent, that between two of Neil’s breaths, they can all hear him whisper

“Stop.”

but Neil doesn’t hear him, or doesn’t want to

it gets so out of control, even Wymack has to step in, on the court, when he sees Kevin so unresponsive

it gets so bad, eventually Neil, too, stops his yelling and just looks at Kevin

and he looks, and looks, and looks…

as if he could understand the question Kevin is asking an answer for with his pleading, green eyes

“Stop… Just- stop. I can’t- anymore… “

Kevin shakes his head and looks at the floor as hatred and hurt grip his guts

he takes another step back

suddenly he jerks his head back up and looks at Neil

“I hate you. God, I hate all of you.”

he looks at all his Foxes

then leaves

Kevin Day leaves the court

behind his back, he doesn’t see Matt holding back a furious yet teary-eyed Dan

he doesn’t see Renee leaving her goal to join Andrew’s side, her big racquet blocking his way

he doesn’t see Nicky putting his hand on Neil’s shoulder, squeezing in empathy

he doesn’t see Allison throwing away her racquet against the plexiglass wall with all that she’s got, fuming and hiding her tears

he doesn’t see Wymack matching over to Neil, a whole speech ready to give Neil his piece of mind

and he certainly doesn’t see Aaron collapsing to the ground, his hands holding his head and gripping his hair, his breaths shallow, his jaw clenched shut, his eyes dry yet red-rimmed

but from behind Kevin’s back, none of them see him either

they can’t see him losing his breath as he starts running away

they can’t see him clenching and unclenching his left hand

and they certainly can’t see him crying

the week that follows is undeniably tense between all the Foxes

that week also coincides with a lot of events

there’s the new Foxes’ arrival

there’s the start of classes

there’s the mandatory psych session with Betsy before Exy season starts

and there’s August 27th

Mom’s accident

Kevin remembers the day vividly, he truly does

he remembers because the week of the accident, he was supposed to start school for the first time, on September 1st

he had picked his outfit for the first day, he had new red Exy-themed shoes, he had even planned the lunch he wanted to have that day in his lunchbox (spaghetti squash casserole. yeah, weird kid.)

on August 27th, Mom didn’t come home

on August 27th, he went to the Moriyama property

on August 27th, he settled into a weirdly well-accommodated room that fit both him and Riko

on September 1st, he woke up with Riko and they prepared for their first day

on September 1st, Kevin wore his planned outfit, put on his red shoes

on September 1st, Kevin did not have spaghetti squash casserole

she left him nothing but an aversion for squash, red shoes, and Exy

which brings us as to why, on August 27th, as all the team is mandated to talk an hour with Betsy Dobson, Kevin Day volunteers to go first (with Aaron volunteering to go second and be the designated driver for the pair)

none of the Foxes have really talked to Kevin since the previous week’s outburst

Kevin has no other outlet for this painful day

it’s either talk to Betsy, or ruin 496 days of sobriety with one vodka bottle

the only words exchanged between Kevin and Aaron, on the drive to Reddin Medical Center, are, surprisingly, from Kevin

“Somebody should get you a new goddamn car.”

he doesn’t elaborate further than that, but Aaron looks at him strangely

his car really is garbage, though

once arrived at their destination, Kevin doesn’t wait for Aaron and bursts in Betsy’s office without warning

it takes at least half an hour of Betsy talking before Kevin gives up his silence

everything was already there, he just had to open his mouth and let his words fall

Kevin: I’ve been sober for 496 days. I’ve been thinking about my Mom’s anniversary for the past few weeks. That’s today, now. And last Friday, I told Neil, then the whole team, that I hated them. Care to unpack that for me?

Betsy: I can help you sort some things out, of course, Kevin. But this is your baggage. I’m afraid I can’t do this without your help. Why don’t you tell me more about this hatred you feel towards your teammates?

Kevin: I dont. Hate them. I don’t… I hate what they do to me. How they treat me. Their double standards. How they forget, how they dismiss. Mind you, I’m well aware of my asshole status. I know I am. But them… they’re… they’re mean. Vicious. They cut and stab and don’t care about what’s underneath. They don’t care that I helped them get the title of Champions. They don’t care that I was there every step of the way, that I was right there beside them when we played the Ravens, when we won. They don’t care that Riko died, that he once broke my hand, that I was legally kidnapped, that I went through hell and still lived to walk on my own two feet. They don’t care that I, too, once had a mom. They don’t care that my Mom died. They don’t care. To them, I’m still just a cunt. It’s unbearable. They don’t give a shit and I’m so, so tired, Betsy. I’m not asking for much. I just want… I want- I want them to let me breathe. I want them to realize that, I’m just like them. I’m a Fox. I’m a Fox as much as they are. I wake up everyday, and feel all this weight on my shoulders, in my stomach, on my heart, but I carry on anyways, and I don’t know why, but I do, just like them. Is that so hard to grasp? Is that so hard to accept? What am I doing wrong, Betsy?

Betsy: Oh, Kevin…

the rest of the session passes in a blur

Kevin talks about how every time he takes a photograph, he thinks of Kayleigh, of how brightly she smiles in all the photos Wymack has of her, of how he wishes he could take pictures of her with his own camera

Kevin talks about how every strong woman in the Irish folklore he reads about wears Kayleigh’s face

Kevin talks about how he thought Thea had been a bit like her, and how, in the end, she hadn’t been at all, she was her own woman, a woman he didn’t know and didn’t love, and how he thought he had lost a bit of Kayleigh again when they separated

Kevin talks

he talks

and Betsy listens

when his time is up, Kevin’s voice is hoarse with exhaustion and sadness

he lets Aaron in as he decides to take a run back to Fox Tower

his mind tries to guilt him into going back to the court, but between facing the Foxes after that and isolating himself in his dorm, Kevin knows what’s best for him

he is only disturbed in the late evening, when Wymack enters the dorm

even Neil, Andrew and Nicky hadn’t come back yet

Kevin knows something is wrong

Wymack isn’t supposed to be here

Wymack: Day… Listen, son.

Kevin sits up on his bed

Wymack: Argh, I’ll cut the bullshit. It’s Abby. There’s been an accident. Her car’s fucking scrap metal now. She was brought to the hospital 45 minutes ago, I just got the call. She’s going into surgery. We’ll all visit her in the morning.

Not again

Not Abby

What the fuck is this life?

Wymack: Number Seven wants to see you now. Don’t ask me why, I don’t wanna know. I’ll let her in, don’t make me regret this. Sleep good, son. I’ll see you tomorrow.

he opens the door, takes one last look at Kevin’s tense form, and leaves as Allison comes in

she’s wearing her giraffe onesie tied at the waist, with an oversized WALKER 09 t-shirt

she stands in front of Kevin until he looks up at her

Allison: Scoot over. We’re watching The Crown.

and Kevin, dumbfounded, lets her and moves

he finds himself quite intrigued by the storyline, enough to only worry about Abby with his fingers, fiddling with one of the giraffe’s horns

after the third or fourth episode, Allison starts to talk, eyeing Kevin’s fingers playing with her onesie

Allison: Wanna know the latest gossip? Even Andrew has a onesie, now. God, I can’t believe this is a sentence that exists. Andrew Minyard owns a fucking onesie. Do you know what that makes you?

Kevin stays silent, eyes fixed somewhere not quite on Ally’s laptop screen

Allison: That makes you the only Fox without one.

Kevin: Oh, so now I’m a Fox? Didn’t seem that way earlier. Or, like, ever.

the dealer chooses her next words very carefully

Allison: Just because we hadn’t seen it yet, just because we were too busy stuffing our heads up our asses, doesn’t mean you weren’t a Fox… I know, I know. Hard to feel like one when the others give you shit non-stop. Been there, done that. And now I’ve done it to you, too, and I’m… Sorry. We’re dysfunctional, there’s no changing that. But- We can do better. We’ll try, promise. I think you’ve made quite an impression on Betsy today, ‘cause we all received a good talk from her during our sessions. I mean, don’t expect Andrew running in to apologize, but, you know… Something about Betsy turning severe makes you re-evaluate your life choices. We’ll do better, Day.

Kevin looks at her, then

really looks at her

and nods

yet just as he turns his attention back to the screen, Allison leaves the Netflix page and googles “onesie adult”

Kevin: Oh, no. Absolutely not. Nope.

Allison: Oh, yes, yes, yessss!

but then, of course, there’s a knock at the door, and Allison gets up, opens the door, lets the person in, whispers something, and leaves

just like that

and oh

It’s Aaron

Aaron: So… Allison tells me you’re finally getting yourself one of those stupid pajamas too?

Kevin: I am not. What are you doing here anyway? The others will be back soon, I assume.

Aaron: Well, it’s my shift…

Kevin: Your what now?

Aaron: No, it’s not like that! We just… We thought you’d want some space because of… today… But then Abby… We didn’t want you to be alone.

Kevin: Really. Who’s “we”?

Aaron: The proud Palmetto State Foxes’ Exy team. All of them. You know, Dan, Matt, Renee, Allison, Andrew and Neil, Nicky… Me.

once again, Kevin can’t help but stare, deeply surprised

Aaron: Andrew and the others will be back for the whole night, but for now, it’s my turn. I wanted to take the first “watch”, but Allison said she had business to do with you. And I’m not getting in the way of that woman.

Kevin honest-to-God snorts

Kevin: If by “business” she meant bullying me into buying this onesie shit, then you should have gotten in her way. I’m not doing that. It’s fucking dumb.

Aaron: Hey!

Kevin: Aaron Minyard, don’t tell me you’ve participated in this madness…

Aaron: So what if I have? It wasn’t exactly on purpose, but I got one. And you don’t. So really, who’s dumb here?

Kevin: What is it??

Aaron: Not telling you.

Kevin: C’mon…

Aaron: Nope. You can’t bribe me. I’m not telling you shit. However, what I can telling you, is that it feels kinda wrong that we all have a pajama and you don’t…

Kevin: Oh my God, fine! What did the others get?

Aaron: Well, besides Ally’s giraffe, we got a tiger, a dinosaur, a teddy bear, you’ve seen Nicky’s unicorn nonsense, and I’m not quite sure about Andrew’s… Oh, and Neil’s is a fox, obviously. That predictable dumbass.

Kevin: Okay, well, I want a fox too.

Aaron: No, Kevin, you can’t.

Kevin: What? Why not!?

Aaron: Because. Neil’s already got a fox. Do you want to be a copycat AND a predictable dumbass?

and so until 1 AM, Kevin and Aaron bicker about each of Kevin’s suggestions (a Palmetto Foxes onesie, a USC Trojans onesie, an Irish-themed onesie, a white fox onesie, a gray fox onesie, and so on…)

when Andrew, Neil and Nicky come back into the dorm, Kevin’s almost laid all the way down on his bed, his head resting on Aaron’s elbow, as Aaron is sitting right next to him, laptop propped on a pillow and his fingers scrolling away

Aaron looks at Andrew, sighs, and looks at Kevin

they nod to each other, before Aaron gets up to go back to his dorm

Kevin sits up correctly when Aaaron is gone and Andrew approaches

Kevin pretends not to notice and googles one more idea, “brown fox onesie”

as he scrolls down and down and down, Andrew looks over his shoulder

and points at one picture

Andrew: That one. Now go to bed. We’re getting up at ass-o’clock tomorrow.

for the third time this evening, Kevin is shocked

he does look at Andrew’s pick attentively, though, and decides to go with it

that night, even if images of Abby covered in blood plague him for at least an hour, Kevin falls asleep to the memory of Aaron’s skin against his cheek, which somehow translates into dreams of Kayleigh resting both her hands on his cheeks as they sit in a field of wildflowers

a couple of weeks later, Kevin doesn’t tell the team his onesie has arrived

but he is forced to admit it when, for Halloween, they organize a huge party for themselves only, where they decided to wear their pajamas as costumes for the night

Kevin feels so stupid in his outfit

he even had to buy a LARGE because he’s so fucking tall

but it still feels… comfy… warm… not so bad…

maybe this can work for him…

it’s only when he steps into the girls’ living room that a problem arises

Aaron: What the fuck is this.

Kevin: Hum… A brown fox? Technically, Neil’s is orange, so you can’t shit on me!

Aaron: That- That’s not a fox, Kevin! What the fuck.

Kevin: Okay, well what are you then?? A mutant mouse?

Aaron: What are you- Oh my God, you don’t know what Pokemons are.

with that, Aaron turns around and yells for his twin

Aaron: ANDREW JOSEPH FUCKING MINYARD. YOU DID THIS ON PURPOSE, DIDN’T YOU? YOU BASTARD.

he storms off yelling

Kevin only reunites with Aaron at the end of the night, on the girls’ balcony, both sober

Kevin: You know, for someone who pushed me so much to do this stupid thing, you’re not being very nice about it. I know you wanted me to be “original” or whatever, but it’s not like I look like Neil! Why are you so upset?

Aaron: Kevin. It’s not a fox.

Kevin: Oh for God sake’s Aaron, you-

Aaron: It’s a Pokemon, Kevin. They’re like little monsters, kind of, and it’s a videogame, but there’s anime, manga, and collectible cards and… I used to- I used to collect those. Before. I lost them, now, but see this? This is one of them. It’s the main Pokemon, actually. His name’s Pikachu.

Kevin: Okay… Who am I, then?

Aaron: You… You’re Eevee.

Kevin: And what’s “Eevee”…?

Aaron: Pikachu’s girlfriend.

and oh.

Oh.

Kevin: Andrew didn’t tell me… The little fucker. I thought- Sorry. I didn’t mean to be another pawn in one of Andrew’s little games. Why did he do that to you?

Aaron: I think you know why.

Kevin looked at Aaron

Aaron looked at Kevin

Kevin: Fuck.

Aaron: Yeah, that.

Kevin: What?

Aaron: Nothing!

Kevin: Aaron.

Aaron: Kevin.

Kevin slowly invaded Aaron’s space until his back touched the railing, and placed one hand on each side of the backliner

Aaron looked up at Kevin

Kevin looked down at Aaron

Kevin: Okay?

Aaron: Okay.

and Kevin grabbed Aaaron by the hoodie of his pajama, and pulled him close, closer, closer, closer, until their lips met, at last

it was a long-awaited kiss, a careful kiss, a kiss of home and yes and oh and warmth and safe

Kevin reluctantly pulled away and rested his forehead on top of Aaron’s, knowing they have very little time before the other Foxes found them snogging on the balcony like a goddamn cliché

Kevin: Aaron.

Aaron: Kevin.

Kevin: I’m gonna ask you something stupid, and you can’t punch me for it, okay?

Aaron: Fine, okay.

Kevin: Do you want to be the Pikachu… to my Eevee?

Aaron: YOU FUCKING MORON!

and with that, Kevin burst out laughing, as if the Foxes’ attention wasn’t already on them the second Aaron started yelling

Allison and Matt knowingly started whooping with their beers raised for a toast

Dan was facepalming hard, shaking her head, but smiling nonetheless

Renee smiled her genuine, angelic smile while clapping Nicky on the back as he choked on his drink

Neil, arms crossed, watched the scene unfold with contentment

and Andrew. Andrew had no reaction at all. at all.

he was looking at his nails, no knife in sight, no fucks given

which, in Andrew’s language, meant everything

and so that October 31st was one for the books, the books about the good days, the good feelings, the good memories

because the Foxes had those, too

Kevin Day had good days

Aaron Minyard had good days

Allison Reynolds and Renee Walker had good days

Dan Wilds and Matt Boyd had good days

Nicky Hemmick had good days

Neil Josten had good days

even Andrew Minyard had good days

God knows they deserve them

these onesies, as silly, as stupid, as corny, as childish as they may be, were a proof of that

a proof that the Palmetto State Foxes could be better, could do better, and could get better