#seriously i could talk about wicked games forever

[evansbby]

ALSO BESTIES I AM NOT DONEEE WITH RESPONDING TO WICKED GAMES 4 FEEDBACK I HAVE A LOT TO GO AND WILL CONTINUE TO RESPOND PROPERLY WHEN I HAVE TIME!

[yandere-vale]

Yandere Mommy Long Legs.

Warning: Normal Yandere stuff and I don't condone anything that I write about. Some stuff I'm okay with but that's sort of a personal thing and up to the person themselves to decide.

"Where are you little one? Mommy likes these hide and seek games as much as you, but the time to play is over sweetie~ Mommy needs you in her arms now~"

Mommy hated Poppy. Sure toys have spats all the time, but she really hated Poppy for this. Mommy sat alone in a place that used to be an office but she's converted it into a cute little home for her. Plastered in everything pink and a few things that weren't. It didn't matter to her though, she had her home as well as food. Sure the food wasn't as she remembered it, the food screams and struggles alot more but it's still food regardless. But with all that she has, it had to be that stupid, dumb, worthless doll and her stupid words.

Mommy doesn't remember what had set her off that day. Maybe it was the sub-quality food and entertainment that the factory had to offer. It had been forever since a new playmate stumbled stupidly into this abandoned place. Maybe she was just angry at everything that she was, was now, and was subjected to. Whatever the case, Mommy found herself moving through the empty halls of the factory until she ended up in front of the doll's room.

"Poppy...what's so special about her anyways? She's a doll..something that is OWNED...foolish.."

Mommy made her way down the hallway that lead right to Poppy's room and case. Opening the door and pushing herself into the room. The doll's eyes weren't open which bothered Mommy, like what, was she not worth being looked at?

"Oooh~ Poppy dear~" Mommy called in a sing-song tone as the corners of her lips turned up more and more into a wicked grin. "What would you taste like if I pulled your insides out and chewed on them?" Mommy laughed darkly as she edged closer to case.

"Better tasting then your's would be." Poppy answered in a tone that sounded like she didn't take Mommy's threat seriously.

"Oh you brat! What do you know anyways? Your just a doll, a special one I guess...but a doll. I'm Mommy." The pink toy said with a sense of pride in her plastic chest. But that was before Poppy's next words.

"You're right, I'm just a doll and you are Mommy..but you aren't 'A Mommy'." Poppy's eyes opened to look up at the other toy.

Mommy was caught off guard at this, what was she talking about? "Of course I'm a Mommy! That's my name! It's who I am!" How could such a dumb set of words grind her thoughts to a halt so quickly.

"A Mommy is someone who both has someone to love, and has someone to love them. So where is that person, Mommy? So who loves you?" The small doll stared down the much bigger toy, but Mommy didn't feel that much bigger right now.

It had been a few days since then, since she angrily stormed out of Poppy's room in a rage. How dare that little brat insult her like that? Of course she had someone to love and that loved her. She was made to be a Mommy after all. Mommy tried to recall the other two toys, Daddy and Baby. How happy Mommy was when she heard that they would be born soon after her...but that never happened. At least it seemed that way with how the building was in a state like this.

Somewhere in her heart, she could see maybe Poppy being a stand-in for Baby. Sure she was a mouthy, bratty, annoying little thing. But if Poppy behaved she could be a good daughter. Even if that thought made her braids twist in on themselves. But pink and red went together so it would be alright. But that left someone to love her..a stand-in for Daddy.

Mommy thought at first that she didn't need someone to love her. She loved herself and that's all she thought she would need. But as time went on, times where she'd curl her stretchy limbs around herself to sleep. Like she was being hugged or held by someone other then herself. Where she felt the most at peace, but she was alone. Times where she closes her eyes and thinks about things she used to do. How the kids would always move around her and say such sweet darling things to her. Though, the kids never stayed long, just played through the games before being sent off to be killed. How she missed feeling someone hugging her with actual meaning behind it. Not just trying to struggle away from her while she eats them.

Mommy didn't like this, she didn't like this feeling. It clung to her body like a weighted blanket that no number of trying to forget chants she told herself would shake it from her thoughts. The words stretched and twisted in her head to where she no longer thought of her hate towards Poppy. No, her mind was more on why she wasn't loved. That was apart of being a toy right? Being loved, cared for, cherished like you are the world to that person. So why not her?

She started having dreams, or at least what a toy sees when it sleeps. Dreams of a time where she'd feel a warm hand on her cheek, or fingers through her hair. A sense of warm love skipping in her chest that she'd wish would stay longer then it does. Then she wakes up...and finds herself alone once more. No matter how lovely the dream makes her feel, this loneliness was boiling over into something bad...but then again, anything birthed from the factory was never truly good.

Mommy didn't know how long it had been when she decided to go back to Poppy. As much as her pride didn't wish her to do so, she had more questions...or to rip her head off. Mommy made her way through the halls effortlessly until she made it to Poppy's room. And found it empty.

Where did she go? How did she get out? The little doll couldn't open her own case. So...someone took her. "A new playmate!" Her springy body coiled and uncoiled in delight at the thought of a new person to play with...and eat! She forgot all about her past thoughts as she whirled out of the room to find you. Mommy knew that the other toys would want you as well so she had to get to you first! You'd be Mommy's little toy!

Mommy's speed was the stuff of legends as she walked up the walls of the factory. She could easily outrun any of the others in this factory so finding where you were didn't take her long. However, she slowed down her motions as she listened to your voice..and that dolls.

She heard a new voice, it was a lovely thing. It meant another new thing that could scream and cry for her! And from the sounds of it, you already were..but.. why wasn't Mommy enjoying these sounds?

She hadn't reached you both yet, but she could hear the distress coming from you. Her could hear how ragged your breathing was and how close you were to losing it. Mommy wondered what toys you've come across and escaped to get you all worked up like...like a child. You reminded her of many flashing memories of her time with the children. Some would cry when they got hurt or upset or just wanted attention and to feel safe. Their faces would be red, tears streaming down their cute faces as they cried in their panic. Wanting to be held and made to feel safe.

That is exactly what she was hearing right this second. Your distressed whimpering from the absolute insanity this place tugged at the stretchy heartstrings inside her chest. She peeked in to catch a glimpse of you and it only cemented in her mind that you weren't like the others. You were in the corner of one of the storerooms and had backed yourself into one of the corners while you cried. You had a few cuts and bruises on your face and arms from what she could see. It was your mental state that was more damaged then your skin. Your state gave her none of the same glee that seeing a new playmate would. Normally she'd be salivating at the thought of ripping into you. All she wanted to do now was to pull you into her arms and tell you that you'd be alright now..now that Mommy's here.

The scene even made her see Poppy in a better light. Instead of being an annoying little scheming thing, she was doing her best to comfort you. Mommy watched as Poppy rubbed your arm and hand to try and soothe you. Poppy was trying to comfort you in the way a little sister would for their older sibling or a parent. Sure when Mommy watched you pick Poppy up and hold her to your chest as you cries turned to soft sobs, and as much as she didn't like that..it still endeared her to you. Watching Poppy acting like a little sister or a daughter. But you still needed her you needed Mommy. Someone to hold you even if you wouldn't want it.

Mommy is sweet and kind as long as you return her love with your own. She doesn’t mind hearing your screams and cries. Part of her wants both your love and fear since both feelings make her happy. 

[soundwave1982-blog]

Real Amazing Spider-Man #3

Stark villa 

A green portal opens, and a five-year-old Valeria Richards exits the portal dragging two suitcases to find Peter Parker and Mary Jane Parker cuddled together, watching a Netflix original film while Annie continues playing her Nintendo Switch. 

“Special delivery for My Best Science-buddy friend forever and her excellent mom, your luggage direct from Germany,” said Valeria 

“Thanks, Val,” said Annie as she ran over to Valeria, hugged her, collected her suitcase, and headed to her temporary bedroom. 

“Thanks, Val. I hope it wasn’t too much trouble,” asked Mary Jane Parker, 

“Not at all, Mrs Parker; it’s a pleasure for all the time you babysat me and  my dumb brother Franklin and lets us double mint chocolate chip ice cream,” said Mary Jane collecting her suitcase 

“So where is my suitcase,” asked Peter 

“Sorry, I only have two arms, Mister Parker. But, I have to keep my BSFF happy so we can get another A+ on our science projects, and MJ always lets me have an extra helping of double mints ice cream and is wicked when it comes to Pictionary game night,” said Valeria.

“No, seriously, where is my bag,” asked Peter as MJ took her suitcase to their temporary bedroom 

“I’ll go and get it for you, but the teleport device needs six to eight hours to recharge before I can sneak into the unclaimed baggage area,” said Valeria.

“six to eight hours you just wanted to hang out with your friend in Hawaii,” asked Peter 

“I have left a message for Uncle Johnny to tell him where I am; Mum said I could stay over at a friend’s house if I wanted as long as I told a responsible adult, seeing they left Uncle Johnny in charge, which I did I left him a note,” said Valeria.

“I think your mum meant to stay in New York with us, not while we are house-sitting in Hawaii,” said Peter.

“Technically, I am sure you could call Mum and Dad to come and get me, mister Parker, but they are doing something in the Negative Zone, so where is your phone,” asked Valeria.

“You knew my cellphone was in my bag, didn’t you? So you left it on purpose so you could work on a science project with Annie,” asked Peter 

“That’s the problem, mister Parker you can’t prove its word against mine; if you let me stay, I will upgrade your web shooters free of charge,” said Valeria 

“You are an evil mastermind who taught blackmail,” said Peter laughing

Annie then comes out of her bedroom carrying her teddy bear, Wolverine. 

“I thought I was never going mister whiskers again; I owe you one, Val,” said Annie. 

“Happy to help, my BSFF. Are you ready to work on our science project? I’m sure some tech we can borrow from Tony’s workshop,” asked Valeria. 

“Of course, I was already planning to sneak into Tony Stark workshop,” said Annie 

“What? You already cracked his workshop password; not fair. I’m the code breaker in this team,” said Valeria,

“Please, there’s no real challenge in hacking into Stark system; a one-year-old could do it,” said Annie

“So it’s IamIronman39 isn’t it,” said Valeria.

“No, it’s IamIronman08 this time. I tried a few other passcodes to access the workshop. I need some to upgrade my switch battery life from three to six with some junk from the workshop,” said Annie.

“We really need to talk about hacking into other people’s systems,” said Peter.

“Says the guy who went into the lab before me to borrow parts to create some web-shooters,” said Annie

I thought you had organic web shooters, Mister Parker,” asked Valeria. 

“I do these web-shooters to help focus my shots and to use impact webbing and some kinky stuff you do not need to know till you are in high school,” said Peter 

“Oh, he’s talking about Sex; I already had read six biology books before I was four, Uncle Peter. I know about the birds and bees and all the LGBT stuff that they are only two genders, XX and XY, no matter how deluded the biology teacher is with her saying they are 32 different genders crap,” said Valeria.

“Yeah, I gathered that, Val. I think dad trying to avoid have tell me where babies come from; he’s trying to convince me the stork brought me,” said Annie 

“Don’t you have a science project to work on,” asked Peter.

Annie and Valeria walk off towards Tony’s workshop. After they entered the workshop, they started work on their science project.

“So what are we doing for our science this time? Because I don’t know how we top the teleportation device we created last year,” asked Annie.

“I know those ungrateful science fair judges gave us a damn C I still can’t believe we lost to a baking soda volcano,” said Valeria 

“We are competing with other four-year-olds, but that was completely ridiculous. Mind you, we created a working teleporter out of a couple of radio and retro games consoles at four-year-old without adult help,” said Annie.

“Let’s just build a Lemon power clock or go with the classic Baking soda volcano, but we both know those are below our intelligence and a waste of time and effort. I got a wicked idea; not sure you would be a willing test subject,” said Valeria 

“Tell me your idea, first science buddy,” asked Annie   

“What about creating a device that allows a wearer to mimic the superpower of anyone who wears a similar pairing device,” replied Valeria 

“You just want to try web swing for yourself, don’t you,” asked Annie.

“What’s so wrong about a swing through the city without a care in the world,” said Valeria 

“Trust Val, it’s not all fun trying to wash your secret costume without mum or dad, who both have similar powers to finding out your powers are already activated and that you are sneaking out to fight criminals with a super genius tech support girl in the chair,” said Annie.

“Yeah, I know the feeling, Annie. When Mom, Dad, Uncle Johnny and Uncle Ben go on great adventures together and leave Dufus and me behind with Aunt Alice to babysit us. I’m sure she’s not blind. Sometimes she always catches trying to sneak out,” said Valeria 

“She must be a mutant with heightened senses,” said Annie.

“It’s not that; she’s just super wise to all tricks; so shall do that create a power friendship synch bracelets,” asked Valeria

“Okay, let’s do that, partner,” said Annie.

"right behind you BSFF," said Valeria

[oilivia]

dating the Haikyuu boys as.. zodiac sign stereotypes

a/n: it seems this year i’m all for trying new things and making weird banners. i’m honestly not sure if anyone else did it before, i tried looking it up but i haven’t seen any posts.

this is pure fluff and a bit of crack, headcanons of some of the Haikyuu boys as their respective zodiac sign based solely on my experience with said signs and their personalities. 

don’t take this too seriously please! but if you want to come for my head, my asks are open.

Characters: Yuuji Terushima, Satori Tendou, Koushi Sugawara, Tooru Oikawa,  Wakatoshi Ushijima, Koutarou Bokuto, Atsumu Miya, Tetsurou Kuroo, Keiji Akaashi, Tobio Kageyama, Rintarou Suna, Kiyoomi Sakusa

CW: fluff, some crack, mentions of kissing and sex (but nothing explicit), PDA, sun sign stereotypes, my own interpretation

Wording: 1.3k

♡ Aries - Yuuji Terushima

spontaneous dates. 3 am “u up?” calls. play fighting. running naked on the beach at midnight. 

“Be ready in 10, we’re going on a picnic.” You take a look at the clock, Saturday, 2:14am. He’s there in 7 minutes, not 10, grinning as he watches you sneak out of the house. “I brought pancakes” he announces as he takes your hand and pulls you into a kiss. An hour and a short climb later, you’re lying in the grass at the top of a hill, watching the way the stars dance above your heads.

♡ Taurus - Satori Tendou

leaving you the last bite. netflix & chill. massages. sleeping in on the weekend. fine chocolate and good wine.

The delicious smell of your favorite food fills your nostrils. The room is dark aside from the candlelight, an open bottle of wine resting on the table. “I thought I’d do something special for you, I know you had a long week.” You giggle - any excuse for Tendou to treat you like a princess. Was that a chocolate cake on the counter? You hummed with appreciation when you felt his lips place a sweet kiss on your cheek.

♡ Gemini - Koushi Sugawara

driving around town. making out for hours. late night chats. singing at the top of your lungs. sexting 

“Can I open the window?” you ask with an innocent smile. He chuckles “Can I stop you?” You roll it down, your head poking out. The cold air of the night hits your face as you sing at the top of your lungs. Your eyes are fixed on Suga’s, ear to ear grin on your faces. You mess up the lyrics, throwing you both into a fit of laughter. “You’re so pretty” he says as he ruffles your hair when you get back in your seat. 

♡ Cancer - Tooru Oikawa

stargazing. breakfast in bed. saying “i love you” too soon. taking care of you when you’re sick. cupping your cheeks as he kisses your nose.

“What’s so amusing?” you question, raising an eyebrow. “You just look so cute when you’re angry.” You scoff, turning your head to hide your smile. It was just like him to say something stupid and then tease you when you got angry. He knew you couldn’t stay mad at him, not when he made that pouty face “Buy me another ice-cream if you want me to forgive you for dropping this one, Tooru.” “Anything for you, sweetness!” 

♡ Leo - Wakatoshi Ushijima

fancy restaurant dates. surprise gifts. compliments. weekend trips. taking pictures to remember your smile.

“What are you hiding?” you smirk, your hands reaching for the small box Ushijima holds behind his back. Your eyes widen when you open it “How did you know?” “I noticed you looking at it when we went out. Let me see how it looks on you.” He takes the necklace, fingers gently brushing against your soft skin as he clasps the necklace around your neck. “You look perfect,” he states as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

♡ Virgo - Koutarou Bokuto

laughing until you cry. good morning kisses. cooking together. picking you up and throwing you on his shoulder. 

You let out a startled cry when you felt a pair of strong arms wrap around your waist and lift you up “Gotcha!” he laughs in your ear as he holds you tight, even as you struggle to escape “Kou, put me down” you demand, your tone amused - you were used to his antics. “Only if you give me a kiss first, I haven’t seen you in forever” he pleads as he turns you around “If by forever you mean this morning.” He bends down, eyes to your level, as he waits for you to close the gap and kiss him.

♡ Libra - Atsumu Miya 

flirting and teasing. making out in the club. playful pranks. dancing in the living room.

Not even the nights when you wouldn’t go out were boring, not with Atsumu. You sit on the couch as he watches a volleyball game, your eyes glued to a book. He changes the channel and hears your favorite song play. He grabs your hand “Dance with me,” he’s smiling, a wicked glint in his eyes. Could you refuse? You get up, your feet carrying you across the living room floor as you dance. Soft kisses find your lips whenever you giggle.

♡ Scorpio - Tetsurou Kuroo

passionate kisses. falling in love with your eyes. finishing each other’s sentences. fight and makeup. watching the sunset.

“Move faster, old man, we only have 15 minutes left till the sun sets” you tease with a grin. He sighs audibly, feigning an exasperated look “Carry this old man to the top if you’re so enthusiastic!” “I’ll leave you here then, Tetsu-” you squint your eyes before you start trekking again. He’ll catch up eventually, he couldn’t be that tired. “Hmm, if that’s how you want to play” you hear him snicker “Last one to the top carries the backpacks!” he exclaims as he starts running, almost passing you before you join in.

♡ Sagittarius - Keiji Akaashi

playing devil’s advocate. forehead kisses. talking about the universe. dancing in the rain. exploring each other’s hobbies.

Your fingers brush as you reach for the same book. “Please, go ahead” Akaashi says, soft smile dancing on his lips. “Oh, I couldn’t possibly” you reply in an excessively polite tone. You gasp, feigning outrage when you see him take the book from the shelf. “It’s for you, miss” he hands you the volume as he plants a kiss on your forehead, only to pull it away from your grasp with a chuckle. “But I think you can wait a bit more, let me buy it for you, love” he takes your hand, heading for the front of the bookstore. Leave it to Akaashi to make you fall for him all over again.

♡ Capricorn - Tobio Kageyama

power couple. expensive gifts. dark humor. overseas trips. playing with your hair. inner wrist kisses

“You look breathtaking!” Kageyama compliments you when he sees you dressed for the party. “I will need to keep an eye on you, don’t want anyone to steal you away.” “As if anyone could,” you smile when you see him drink in your image, his eyes scanning you head to toe. “But we should get going, unless you want us to be late” “Let them wait, I want to admire my princess”. You feel your skin getting hotter at his words. Maybe you could be late this one time.

♡ Aquarius - Rintarou Suna

blasting music. buying snacks in the middle of the night. foreign movies. aesthetic pictures. witty comebacks. 

You stopped running, hand on your stomach as you laughed, struggling to catch your breath. “Rin, wait” you shout, prompting Suna to turn back and look at you. “What? Can you still run? The store will close in like 4 minutes. Want me to go ahead?” You start laughing harder at his confused expression, watching his brows furrow deeper. “I forgot the store’s open 24/7 now, they changed it last week.” “Are you trying to tell me we sprinted for no reason?” “Bonding experience?” He starts chuckling as well, pulling you into a kiss “Bonding experience.”

♡ Pisces - Kiyoomi Sakusa

roasting each other. falling in love at first sight. neck kisses. midnight strolls. showering together. doing your skincare together.

You feel your body shift and you open your eyes, only to realize Sakusa is carrying you. “You fell asleep on the couch, I’m taking you to bed,” he whispers as if afraid he’d shake the sleepiness from your eyes. “But I haven’t taken off my make-up, Omi” you mutter as you wrap your arms around his neck lovingly. “I’ll take it off for you after I tuck you in, I know how you do it,” he presses a kiss on your forehead as you nuzzle your head against his neck. “I love you so much, Omi” “I love you too”

© 2021 all content belongs to @cherrysdollhouse​, please do not modify or repost without permission

[lov3nerdstuff]

I am curious,how did tom propose in the wicked game??❤️❤️

Aah I love this question! 😊 Thank you so much for asking (and sorry for the late response...). But here we go now! For everyone who’s new to my blog, THIS is the original story and it can be found in its entirety on my Masterlist!

Wicked Game: The Proposal

Tom would most definitely not make a big show of it, knowing how uncomfortable it would make you for your personal life to be put on public display like that, so it would happen in a rather private setting.

You two had discussed your opinions on marriage long before, and how either of you wanted to spend the rest of their lives. Unsurprisingly, you had been absolutely on the same page, but then left the topic at that with a smile on both your faces for a while.

People, especially a certain colleague of yours and a very noisy ex-student with odd hair colours (yes, I'm talking about you, Ben and Sky), had been insinuating to both you and Tom that it might finally be time to take the next step. And (not) subtle as they were, Tom and you obviously caught right on to their schemings. But as ever, you let them proceed with their shenanigans. A few magazine cut-outs of pretty wedding gowns here, an arranged romantic dinner there...

So one day, when your two crazy friends were supposed to come over for a dinner of some self-made lasagna once again as they did ever so often, you had a suggestion for Tom. Why not tell the two meddlesome fools that you were, in fact, married already? Just as a joke... Just to see their shocked faces. Tom was quick to agree with a mischievous grin on his face. This was daily business, after all... And you two still hadn't gotten back at Ben for his last practical joke anyway. This was the perfect opportunity.

So as was to be expected, Sky and Ben started making terribly obviously remarks and insinuations soon enough. You'd barely had enough time to flee into the kitchen with the dishes before you couldn't contain the smirks and giggles anymore. When you returned to the living room with new composure, an easy teasing smirk on your lips, and went to stand with the others in front of the large window to finally speak the words of trickery you had been preparing all evening, the room was silent for a while. Both Ben and Sky, entirely shocked.

"You are already married? Without telling us? Seriously?! AGAIN?!?!" Sky gaped an instant later, while Ben seemed too shocked to voice any witty retorts at all. You snorted, and looked at Tom out of the corner of your eyes. He was smiling almost serenely, obviously amused about your friends' hilarious faces too, and yet there was an expression on his own that spoke volumes. Like he knew more than everyone else in the room. You frowned to yourself for a second, but didn't get to dwell on it.

"So you're married? Really?" Ben finally found his voice again, gaze drifting from Tom to you and back. He was doubtful. Rightfully so, after all. Darn it, the man had learned from the years of prank wars between the four of you. Oh well, at least he was capable of learning. You snickered to yourself.

"No." Tom finally had the mercy to say, while his smile broadened to that radiant emblem of joy that still had the power to melt your heart in seconds. "We're not." And before you could melt entirely under his soft touch on the small of you back, he took half a step backwards to face you with that same smile, that same radiance. His eyes, as ever and always, capturing your soul with ease. "But I would like to change that, if you will have me, Y/N."

Again, silence that melted the world away, and you could only stare with parted lips at the man standing before you now. And standing straight he did, and stayed, even as he spoke on. "I am well aware that tradition dictates differently, but I will not kneel before you tonight. Because you don't need a servant, my dear, but you deserve an equal. An equal, a loving friend, and a devoted soul. I would like to spend the rest of my days trying to be that for you, and yet more if I can. If you allow me, I would like to make you mine forever."

Frozen in awe, your frantic heartbeat echoed through your entire being as you watched him delicately draw the smallest object from his pockets, a ring, made entirely of neatly folded paper. You couldn't help the sound between a sob and a chuckle that escaped your lips, as your gaze darted between Tom's eyes, the ring in his palm and the smile on his lips.

"Will you do me this greatest honour, darling, and marry me?" He asked quietly, softly like a brush of sunlight, when your eyes lingered on his own. There was so much hope in them, such love and dedication. You didn't have to think even for a split second.

"Yes! Of course! Always!" The world spilled from your lips like desperate prayers, the relief of their sound more prominent than the air to breathe. Smiling, Tom placed the origami ring in your palm, for it was everything but made to wear. You couldn't have loved it more, couldn't have loved him more. Overwhelmed by a flashflood of emotions, you carefully enclosed the delicate object in your hand, a mere second before practically jumping at Tom for a hug and a kiss that was sure to leave him breathless either way. If there was a highest joy, a deepest love for life itself, you could feel it now. Both of you.

"A ring made of paper? Really, mate?" Ben chuckled, long after he and Sky had given you both their happiest congratulations. You'd been surprised at first, when Sky had suddenly started squealing like a little girl on Christmas morning, that the two of them had still been there in the first place, but by now you were eternally grateful that your two best friends had been there to share this moment with Tom and you. They, too, were your family, after all. And after a long while of hugging and grinning, the overwhelm was slowly making room for unadulterated happiness.

"Yep." Tom replied with a cheeky grin, upon which Ben shook his head with a snort. "I've had the idea for a while now, actually. It, uh..." He let out a nervous chuckle, then gave you an almost apologetic smile. "It's the same piece of paper you placed on my desk when we first met. The one with the quote, the one I didn't know came from you until months later."

"You actually kept that?" Your eyes widened in surprise, heart skipping a beat while your smile however stayed brilliant as it was. "All this time?"

"What can I say?" Tom chuckled, shrugging with the shoulder you weren't leaning into. "I am very attached to everything you have ever given to me. I thought I would have some more time to practice my skill at origami, but well, your little trick on Ben and Sky tonight was too good an opportunity to resist. I do hope though that it didn't turn out too crooked. And needles to say, I will still give you a proper ring in due time."

"It's absolutely perfect, Tom, really. Everything. Exactly as it is." You smiled up at him, then placed a soft kiss on his jawline and finally rested your head back against his shoulder while he simply smiled to himself. Yes, it really was beyond perfect indeed.

_______________

(Bonus:)

"Gods, will you two ever stop being disgustingly adorable?!" Sky groaned exaggeratedly a moment later, as only she could. "You make me want to hurl or yeet myself out the window!"

"Geez, they just got engaged, you heartless creature, let them be sappy for once!" Ben scoffed, as ever, with a smirk playing on his lips. "You're just jealous."

"Jealous? Me?! Who are you kidding, Cumberbatch?" Sky retorted right away, quirking an eyebrow at the man next to her in utmost sass. "That's called projection, my friend."

"Good gracious, when will they just kiss already!" You groaned under your breath, careful so your friends wouldn't hear, then rolled your eyes with a chuckle as you looked up at Tom. "It's been months since Sky graduated, and they're still hopelessly pining for each other. It's not gotten one ounce better over the years, but rather even worse! Wouldn't you say it's about time we start helping them along?"

The grin had spread on Tom's lips even before you had finished your sentence, but when you did, his eyes were sparking with joy and mischief as were yours. "That, my dear, is just what I have been thinking as well."

______________________________

Tagging, because it basically turned into a oneshot (oops... 😇😂)

General Tags:

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[hinatastinygiant]

Chapter Sixteen

Pairing: Mitsuya x Fem!Reader

Wicked Games Masterlist

"Before you go do you think we could talk about something for a sec? I didn't want to say thinking in front of Takashi or Hakkai 'cause they're a bit overprotective, but I'm kinda concerned about their relationship with Chikao."

Outside of the Shibas' house where you sit ready to take off on your motorcycle, you instead lean back and keep up the chat with Yuzuha in the hopes that she might spill a bit more about Chikao or Otsuda.

"Don't worry, Yuzuha," you assure her with a smile. "Mitsuya and Hakkai are both happy for you!"

"That's not what I mean..." she shakes her head as she takes a few steps towards you. "Chikao hates all the guys from Toman. After the announcement at the meeting, he couldn't stop complaining about them for the rest of the day."

"Sounds like a douche," you scoff, though you keep your comment quiet enough that she couldn't quite hear what you said. "I mean, what do you think about Chikao? Is he a good person?"

"Of course he is!" she explains almost defensively. "He's a wonderful person and I'd do anything for him."

Anything!? you repeat in your brain, taken back and alarmed at her choice of words. She'd do anything for him? That alone scares you.

"You know, maybe he just doesn't get along with them because he's from another gang. I saw that white jacket laying on your bed when we went inside," you admit to her.

Yuzuha sighs exasperatedly. Not at the fact that you admitted to snooping around her room, but because now she's got to hope you aren't going to be too mad about the whole situation. "He was in a gang, but he's not anymore. He got into drugs and was kicked out so he could go to rehab... When he got out I met him."

That's a bit strange. Thinking back to a couple of months ago, you remember having to sign papers for Chikao and Kisaki's friend who was apparently deep in drugs and sent to rehab. Is this a true story or a fabricated excuse they use when they want something?

"I'm sorry, Yuzuha. I didn't mean to pry, it wasn't my place," you apologize, thinking that you might have overstepped if the story is in fact true.

"Don't worry about it," she replies with the tiniest of smiles. "You're my friend. I don't want to hide anything from you anyway."

"Well I'm just happy that you're happy," you say with a similar gesture to hers.

"Thanks," she then giggles. "By the way, you've been pretty close with Takashi lately. What's up with that?"

"Eh? Mitsuya?" you repeat, caught off guard by her question so your lie sounds a bit, well, terrible. "I've just been keeping him company while Luna and Mana are gone, that's all."

"Oh yeah?" she smirks. "Is that all? Just keeping him company?"

"Hey, what happened to constantly trying to set me up with Hakkai?" you scoff.

"The kid gets hit on all the time at his job but never does a single thing about it," she rolls her eyes. "I'm assuming he must want to be alone forever."

"Come on, you shouldn't say that," you chuckle while shaking your head in disagreement. "He really looks up to you!"

"I know. He'll find the one someday. Just like you," she sings.

"Please," you roll your eyes as you place your key in the ignition. "That's probably the last thing I'm thinking about anymore."

Yuzuha lets out a small chuckle at your sentence, obviously not buying it because of your horrible lie earlier. She steps back and waves, watching as you do the same before you start up your bike and ride away.

The next evening you ride over to Mitsuya's just as your little group had planned. You knock and wait until Hakkai lets you in with a bright smile on his face.

"Oh, hey, Hakkai! Am I late?" you ask as he steps aside and allows you in.

"Nope, you haven't missed anything," he replies. "Taka-chan's been sitting by his sketchbook this whole time..."

You sigh and walk across the room to where Mitsuya's sitting hunched over a small desk. "Aren't you taking this whole making the wedding dress thing too seriously since, ya know, we're trying to prevent it from happening?"

"You're not going to be able to prevent it from happening. Besides, since it is going to happen I might as well help her look good," he snaps back.

Hakkai sighs as he takes a seat on the nearby rug. "I can't believe she's planning to get married next month. It seems like that's way too fast."

"It is!" you agree as you turn on your heels to face him, only to be distracted by a nearby bookcase of manga and design books.

You walk over to the bookcase, quickly scanning a few of the titles as your finger breezes by. You think it's pretty cool how serious Mitsuya is about becoming a designer. The only thing you're good at- well, used to be good at- was cheating people out of money. Mitsuya's a good person, and you can't help but feel bad about how he got pulled away from a normal life all because of that asshole Kisaki. You know he wants to do something about it, but how are you going to convince him?

"Okay... So what are we going to do about this whole Otsuda and Kisaki thing?" Hakkai suddenly asks.

Mitsuya puts down his pencil and sighs. "You two aren't going to let this go, are you?"

"'Course not," you tell him. "We're not letting Kisaki get away with doing whatever the hell he wants and we certainly cannot let Yuzuha marry that piece of shit Chikao!"

"Fine," he shakes his head as he spins around in his chair to face you and Hakkai. "If we're going to do this, we're going to do it right."

You smile to yourself as you realize Mitsuya's actually put a bit of thought behind this idea you had come up with. You thought he had completely shut it down. It's nice to know he's on board.

"Unfortunately, like Hakkai said yesterday, you're going to have to do most of this alone, Y/N. Hanma and Kisaki are already suspicious of us but they still have a bit of trust left in you."

"That's fine," you nod. "I can do it by myself."

"Good," Mitsuya says as he stands up from his chair and begins to walk across his room towards you. "Here's what we'll do..."

From a clothing rack on your right side, Mitsuya pulls out a lavender-colored dress. "You're going to have to be a good actress. Think you can do that for me?"

"Mhm. Anything," you reply with a smile.

Hakkai's eyebrow twitches as he watches the interaction between the two of you. He looks almost confused as Mitsuya tosses you a dress that's almost too perfectly your size.

"Go change. We'll wait."

Wicked Games Masterlist

Taglist: @darkmess0 @wakasa-wifey @plaggi @daiserenade @lunastellanova @sseorin @jinchuriki-hunter

[captainmarvels]

wicked games [25]

Summary: Time is frozen in place as shit hits the fan. Can this be undone? Or is it too late?

Pairing: CEO!Tom Holland x fem!Reader

Word Count: 1837

Warnings: Swearing and infidelity; blackmail

Author’s Note: A NEW UPDATE!!!!! Sorry for the long wait but I hope this chapter is worth it! This chapter is also mainly from Harrison’s POV so I hope you enjoy! also: @rocketman-s​ is the alpha in this bitch

wicked games masterlist

The setting sun showered the living room in orange and pink hues. An empty wine glass sat alone on the coffee table, condensation dripping down the sides.

“What is taking them so long?” 

You were pacing back and forth in front of the TV, your footfalls thudding quietly against the hardwood floors. Mary was sitting on the couch, face in her hands.

“It does not take this long to get back from-”

“Patience, love. We’ll hear the elevator any second now, I’m sure-”

As if she had manifested the sound herself, the elevator bell announcing an arrival rang out through the silent apartment. 

You ran to the foyer, where you greeted with an all-too familiar smile.

“Darling,” Tom whispered as you ran into his arms, tears already streaming down your cheeks.

“I… It wasn’t me, I swear.” You managed to get out between the sobs racking your body. Your knees gave out as your emotions rolled over you, and Tom held onto you tightly as you both fell to the ground. 

“Shh, I know, love, I know…” His hands ran up and down your back, his touch drawing you back as you tried to control your breathing.

“Tom…” Harrison’s trembling voice echoed around you. 

Tom helped you to your feet, his hands never leaving you as he turned to look at his best friend.

The look they shared sent a shiver down your spine.

“You said you had some explaining to do. Well?” Tom’s grip was tight on your waist, the grimace on his face showing no remorse.

“Why don’t we make ourselves more comfortable before Haz’s confession, hm?” Mary was leaning against the wall, her gaze never straying from Tom as the three of you made your way to the living room. Tom let go as he paused in front of Mary. You could barely make what he said to her.

“Thank you. For being here when I couldn’t.” Mary simply shook her head, giving him a pat on the arm before she passed the threshold.

“Ready to confess to your sins, Osterfield?”

You followed her as she sat down on the couch, but Tom maintained his distance, opting to stand behind you as he glared at Harrison.

“Haz,” You said. “What’s going on?” 

Harrison wringed his hands, his gaze falling from Tom to the floor as he steadied his breathing. 

“I want… to preface this by saying, I didn’t think anything would come of it, I really didn’t.”

“Spit it out, already.” Tom said, venom lacing his words.

“Dom knows about you two. I… it slipped out a few weeks ago, but I never meant for anything to happen because of it, you have to believe me. I was convinced he had already figured it somehow and if he already knew, what was the harm in confirming it, right?” Sweat was beading up across Harrison’s forehead, his lips quivering as he met your gaze. 

You didn’t know what to think.

But you knew how he’d react. 

“Tom,” You whipped your head back, your hands grabbing his before he could move. The fury clouding his eyes was not a good sign. 

“Tom…” You whispered, your eyes threatening to well up. “Look at me.”

“Fucking…” He took a deep breath, his eyes falling to meet yours as his jaw clenched. “How could… how could you do this? You…” 

“Please,” Harrison whined. “You know me, mate. You know I wouldn’t do this if it weren’t…”

“That doesn’t make this hurt any less, Harrison. We promised him. Promised.”

Mary’s voice did not waver as she stared at her friend. But doubt clouded her gaze as she spoke.

“Nothing trumps that. And you know that better than anyone.”

“I know, Mary. But I can…” Harrison dropped his gaze to the floor once more, his hands fidgeting with the cuffs of his jacket.

Tom’s hands were still in yours, and you refused to let him go, even when you heard Harrison walk away without another word.

“Don’t. Tom, please…” You cupped his face, his gaze protesting yours as you both heard the elevator doors open.

“I can’t... “ Tom whispered, a tear gracing his eyelashes. 

I can’t do this.

-------

Harrison’s fingers thrummed against the steering wheel, his breathing shallow as he drove past the painstakingly familiar iron-wrought gates. His phone screen was lit up, texts from you and Mary filling up his notifications as he made his way down the winding driveway. Once he pulled up to the main door, he turned the engine off and ran an anxious hand through his hair.

I can fix this.

That’s what Harrison had wanted to say to Tom. But he couldn’t get the damn words off his tongue. 

I can fix this.

He would regret betraying Tom like this forever, but he knew he had to do this. It was long overdue.

The front door swung open as Harrison made his way up the stone steps, his hands growing clamier with every second. 

“Such an odd time for a visit. Didn’t think to call ahead, Osterfield?” Dom’s voice made Harrison wince as the door shut behind him. 

“Figured you would try and avoid me if I did. Best to be prepared,” He retorted, his voice wavering under pressure.

“And to what do I owe… the pleasure of your company?” Dom sneered, chuckling under his breath as Harrison began to fidget with his hands.

“You can’t keep doing this.” 

Dom’s gaze flitted up, amusement dancing in his eyes. 

“Keep doing what, exactly? Use your words, Harrison.” 

“You can’t keep fucking with Tom. You’ve done more than enough damage, as it is.”

“And who do you think you are to tell me what to do, hm? You think you can come into MY home and tell me-”

Pulling out his phone, Harrison stopped Dom right in his tracks as he flashed the screen at him.

“You seem to forget who receives all the company emails, and can see every staff member’s activity. These look familiar to you, sir?”

Harrison swiped through his email screenshots, a look of horror crossing over Dom’s features as he realized what he was looking at.

“How did-”

“It seems this… woman forgot to send these emails to your personal account, sir. There are quite a few… inappropriate messages and, well… certainly some not safe for work photographs attached as well, it appears.” Harrison pulled the phone out of Dom’s grasp as he met the man’s aggressive stare. “I wonder what Nikki would have to say about this…”

Dom was seething, and Harrison had never felt as powerful as he did in that moment.

“Very clever, Osterfield. Looks like you have picked up a thing or two from your time working with me.”

Listen to me, Dom. You and I both know what this will do to your marriage if Nikki finds out. But I can make it all disappear… if you do as I say.”

Dom moved to speak, but Harrison glared at him.

“I am still speaking. Tom is more than worthy of this company, and that shouldn’t even be something up for debate because he has proved himself over and over again, only for you to be a complete arse who took advantage of his emotionally unstable son with addiction issues. You could’ve helped him, but instead you used him, as if he were nothing more than a pawn in your game.” Harrison could feel the pent up anger starting to spill over as he continued.

“The boy needed to learn a lesson, Harrison. You’re not a father - you don’t know it’s like to see your child amount to nothing when you have given them everything! I needed to know he would take the situation seriously -”

“You are no father to him, Dom. You have been abusing and using Tom for years, and you want to claim that as parenting? All that you have put him through made him the way he is, but he is better now. Better than I’ve ever fucking seen him.”

“Don’t talk to me about my children-”

“Shut up, for Christ’s sake. I don’t need to hear your pathetic excuses. You already know what I have on you. Make sure the case is dropped and your ‘testimony’ is wiped from the record. And while we’re at it, I’m going to need you to rewrite the terms of Tom’s trust.”

Dom paled at Harrison’s words; sweat slowly rolling down his forehead as he stammered on his words.

“What about Tom’s trust?”

“Write yourself out of the terms. Terminate all conditions of the trust, and remove the company from the living trust’s properties. Tom wants the trust commandeered under his name. He is not a child, Dominic. And I will not allow you to continue ruining his life. You are done controlling him.”

“Those conditions are a fail-safe, and you know it just as well as I that Tom is not fit for CEO.”

“We’ll cross that bridge if we get there. But, I believe in him. Besides - Tom has the full support of the board behind him,”

“The board knows?” Dom’s eyes widened at the news. “I haven’t spoken to them-”

Harrison smiled. “They were briefed on the situation this afternoon, behind closed doors. It’s in the by-laws, Dom. Should an interim CEO be declared without board approval, the board can deliberate and either support the interim, or have the replaced individual return, under their own conditions. You have no say on that. The twins were removed from company premises just after I arrived here, I believe” Harrison checked his watch, noting the hour before meeting Dom’s gaze of disbelief.

“You son of a-”

“Save the pleasantries for later. The board wants to meet with you first thing tomorrow morning; they are concerned about the actions taken behind their backs. I would be more careful, if I were you.”

Harrison began to head for the door.

“And if I don’t follow through?”

Harrison paused, a shadow crossing over his features as he turned.

“If the trust’s attorneys do not hear from you in 24 hours, they are prepared to have you served and due in court before the end of the week. I wouldn’t want to delay any of your ventures for… personal reasons. Besides,” Harrison continued as he grasped the front door’s handle. 

“I have some mail for Nikki that’s scheduled to arrive in the morning if I don’t receive confirmation from the attorneys and police.”

“She knew this was coming.”

Harrison paused. “Who?” He asked, his voice barely a whisper.

“The girl. I tried to convince her into signing the document herself… for his sake. She refused, but I knew she wouldn’t breathe a word of what happened to either of you. Don’t forget; Tom isn’t the only one involved in this, boy. You can’t protect them both.” Harrison’s grip on the door handle tightened, his knuckles turning stark white as he shook his head. A small, dark chuckle escaped him.

“I look forward to hearing from you. Have a nice night, Dominic.”

-----

tags: 

@cherrynat​​ @anytimebitches​​  @jobean12-blog​​ @emotchalla​​ @illletitgrow​​ @cloverrover​​ @justaveryobsessedfangirl​​ @ssweet-empowerment​​ @killmongerdreams​​ @spideytrxsh​​ @eyestheyseeyou​​ @aussie-mantle​​ @spidergirlwanab​​ @i-think-i-am-adorable​​ @amanda51015-blog​​​ @princessskylarsblog​​​ @whoneedsalifeanyhowxx​​​ @chinalois​​​ @darkerthanspace​​​ @slighttinsomniac​​​ @curlytomholland​​​ @wanderlustomaha​​​ @hollandazing​​​ @mendes-marvel​​​ @wowspideyholland​​​ @shelivesin-daydreams​ @tellurfriends​

[buglife]

Terra Lumina

A hollow knight au guide that I keep writing in. You can read all my writings and art stuff in the #terra-lumina tag. Mostly so I can just point to this post when explaining things awee. :3 Post subject to edits and changes.

Terra Lumina is an au where both Ghost (the little knight) and Quirrel are together and are the new rulers of Hallownest. So it's a royalty au! Pretty much it's slice of life where they do their best to be a better ruler than the Pale King ever was, ruling with kindness and intelligence. Seriously, like, the Pale King could have just talked to the Radiance instead of letting things snowball like they did. They both live in the new palace which is pretty much like the White House in that it's mostly dedicated to government with an apartment for the rulers to live in. It's where the old palace used to be, but now it's much greener and 100% less buzzsaws. It is post embrace the void ending and an everyone lives/nobody dies au where the only characters that are dead are those that were found so at the start of the game. Takes place about 5-7 years after the end of the game.

The two romantic rulers.

Ghost:Now taller than Quirrel and is the Shade Lord, god of void and dreams. Sovereign of Hallownest and rightful ruler due to king's brand. Can use telepathy but only does so with family/friends, as they are nervous about scaring people so uses sign language with them. Is very happy to have family/friends and overall liked by most folks. Is still scary to some and is sad about that. Married Quirrel. Considers Mato their adoptive father and calls them such. Still enjoys fighting (but for fun now). Since dreams are now their aspect, they gather up nightmares to help the population (and gives to their adopted grimmchild, Allegro, and Grimm themselves.)

Quirrel: Now called the Scholar King, rules alongside Ghost. He still has trouble believing that this is his life. Chaotic Good. Mostly deals with the logistics in running the kingdom. Adoptive mother is Monomon who found him when he was teeny tiny. Did not attempt to drown themselves, instead isolated himself when he thought Monomon was dead so Ghost had to find him. Still fights and can practically teleport. Spends free time in the palace library where a copy of all the surviving books were moved to and is free to the public to check out and read.

Family/Friends

Hornet: Still the Princess of Deepnest and was happy to have her mother Herrah rule again. Is officially Deepnest's ambassador and works closely with her sibling to be sure things that need to get done, get done. She won't admit it but she loves spending time with her siblings. Also randomly jumps Ghost to keep them on their toes and make sure they don't lose their skill. This can happen at anytime, anyplace. Is a close ally with the Hive and is helping the new Queen get used to her role. Also demands spars with Quirrel all the time because she does like her brother and law and the fact she doesn't kill him is proof enough in her eyes.

Mato: Dadmaster. Pretty much raised Ghost in between the end of the game to present day (and did a damn good job). Still lives in the Howling Cliffs and teaches students still, especially knight candidates. Is always on hand to cause trouble if needed. Is so proud you guys can't even. Keeps his home open in case Ghost and Quirrel need to hide for a bit. Officiated Ghost and Quirrel's wedding because of course.

Hollow: Part of the new great knights of Hallownest and is known as Hollow the Kind. Still likes to help people, and after having lots of care and therapy, is now more expressive and open. Is pretty much free to do what they please, and they choose to mostly patrol the kingdom and help when needed. Is constantly sneaking frogs into the palace because Hollow loves them. Can only use telepathy with other void beings and uses sign language to communicate otherwise. Is still missing an arm but had a magical prosthetic built. Loves to be in cuddle piles.

Tiso:Big brother figure and part of the new great knights of Hallownest. He is known as Tiso the Daring. Is actually a badass Captain America type fighter, just couldn't dodge a house sized mawlek and nearly died back then. Taught Ghost all the swears and often invokes 'Big Brother Rights'. Is also Captain of the Guard and has matured a lot since the end of the game. In a relationship with Myla and Cloth.

Cloth:Part of the new great knights of Hallownest and is known as Cloth the Strong. Makes sure people behave. Has healed from her near suicidal want to join her late lover, and now has a more positive outlook on life. Tends to organize tournaments that aren't fucked up and fatal like the Coliseum. In a relationship with Tiso and Myla.

Myla:Was saved from the infection, but it left her prone to sickness and a little weaker than most bugs. Compensates for still being cherry and wonderful to be around. Actually wicked smart and has helped Ghost restart the mining industry. Enjoys going to musicals/plays in her free time. Still loves being a geologist and provided most of the geological samples in the Capital's museum. Is in a relationship with Cloth and Tiso.

Ogrim: The only surviving great knight of old Hallownest. Is part of the new knights as Ogrim the Defender. Is the leader of the new knights and is a brilliant tactician. Has moved up from the Waterways to a new home and no longer lives in exile. Likes to plan parties and is generally doing better. He deserves it.

God Tamer: Real name is Xena (I seen it used around and I like it.) Part of the new great knights of Hallownest and is known as Xena the Tamer. Still works alongside her beast, ‘Pickles’. Has an uncanny ability to befriend dangerous beasts and pacifies them. Now has a small zoo’s worth of ‘friends’ that come and go for pats and treats. Dunks on Tiso a lot. Is surprisingly a conservationist. Will beat the shit out of people without hesitation if needed. Often fights new recruits to judge areas needing improvement. Has no tolerance for idiots. Was saved from the infection, but was not infected long enough to cause long term damage.

Allegro: The Grimmchild. Has chosen female pronouns. She is now past the grub stage and has left the kingdom to travel with her father, Grimm, to learn how to take over the Troupe. Still keeps in contact with Ghost through dreams and loves Ghost very much as their ‘Ren’. Was and still is, a little shit. Ghost misses them a lot but is comforted by her visits. Ghost saves nightmares to give to her so she can get big and strong!

Grimm: Considered a friend at this point, and taught Ghost about the dream realm. Visits through dreams. Ghost saves nightmares to give to him. Often has advice when needed.

Sheo/Nailsmith: Uncles. They both run an art school with Sheo teaching fine arts and Nail(Smith) teaching forging. They also run an art gallery. Are up to cause trouble whenever needed.

Oro: Uncle. The real sour one. Teaches new recruits and tends to weed out those that can make it from ones that can’t. Pretty much a drill Sargent. Ghost pays him not only in geo, but candy. Special, custom made candy just for Oro. It’s the only way they could get him to do this job. Oro won’t admit it’s also because he loves his former pupil no sir.

Monomon: Quirrel’s adoptive mother and currently is the royal researcher. Teaches classes as well. Ghost pretty much told her to do whatever as long as it will improve the lives of bugkind and she loves them for it. Is always down to cause trouble. Chaotic Neutral. Has some type of explosive with them at any given time. Tends to ‘vanish’ people who have wrong her or her son. Embodies chaos. Craves gossip. Former Dreamer and woke up when Ghost took the pantheon approach to defeating the Radiance.

Herrah: Queen of Hallownest and considers Ghost one of her children. Is happy to be Queen of her own people and is making up for lost time with her daughter. Likes to meet with the Hallownest rulers for a good shit-talking session. Is made of sass. Former Dreamer and woke up when Ghost took the pantheon approach to defeating the Radiance.

Lurien: Watcher of the Capital. Disaster. Will stay up for days on end working on things to accidentally invent new things in the process in sleep deprived delirium. Often gets drunk or high and contemplates the universe. Has the best edibles around I tell you. Is actually good at his job, which is finding suspicious things and investigating them. Former Dreamer and woke up when Ghost took the pantheon approach to defeating the Radiance.

Lemm: Runs the Hallownest museum and works in the back where he catalogs and studies findings and doesn’t have to talk to anyone and is the happiest he could ever be.

Seer: Holy shit she is old. Still lives in the resting grounds. Ghost visits often and brings tea and snacks. Grandma energy. Is currently working with Quirrel to recount as much as she can about moth legends and society so it can be preserved forever. It’s slow going because she is old, but it’s going.

The siblings: Are now at rest.

Everything else

White Lady: Is still alive and has left the gardens. She resides in a little hidden cottage outside the palace where she grows flowers. Is often called in to overlook agriculture efforts. Has long since revoked her crown and is content with a quiet life. Is not considered a mother by Ghost, and Ghost will not forgive her for her role in things. She is okay with this and hopes to atone someday for what she did.

The Pale King: Still fucking dead. Rest in Pieces you shit.

Eternal Emilitia: Is a member of the new noble class and takes her job seriously. She mostly keeps the other nobles in line when she can and helps delegate orders to places where they need to go. It’s like herding cats but she’s getting better with it the longer she’s around. Is respected by Ghost since she knows what it’s like to hit rock bottom and is quite sensitive to the needs to the people.

Radiance: Dead. Was going mad and in pain by the time Ghost got to her. Is now at rest.

Greenpath/Queen’s Gardens:Given back to the moss-kin and Unn. Unn has started to awaken more now that the infection is over and her children are freed from it’s influence. Is considered it’s own ‘kingdom’. Is in good relations with Hallownest.

Fungal Wastes: Still thriving. A hivemind made up of everything from microscopic spores to the entire fungal waste itself. The mushroom tribe trades with Hallownest and is in good relations with them. Still considered weird to most but they are good and peaceful people.

Mantis Tribe: Is in a good relationship with Ghost, Hornet and Quirrel, and not much else. Has complete independence but was asked nicely if they could help train the most dedicated of new guards/knights. Did not pass up the opportunity to be allowed to beat the shit out of willing Hallownest citizens who wanted to train.

Deepnest: Ruled by Queen Herrah and Princess Hornet. Good relationship with Hallownest and enjoys full independence. The beasts that reside are no longer hassled by Hallownest encroachment and thus does not push back into it. Exports silk products and is now a very prosperous nation.

Dirtmouth/Crystal Peaks: Still the same, but with now more people. All our favorite Dirtmouth folks are doing well. Elderbug is delighted to have a full town to be a mayor over.

City of Tears: Now called the 'Capital'. Plants are now on the ceiling to redirect water and stop the constant rain. It's much more pleasant now.

Colosseum of Fools: Left alone mostly. Ghost cannot stop people for wanting to go there if they are of sound mind to make the decision.

The Hive: Is now ruled by the new Queen Apis. Is fully independent and enjoys a cushy trade agreement with Hallownest and the rest of the various nations. She wonders if she will ever live up to her mother, Queen Vespa, but has many friends to help her grow into the role. Hive Knight is her loyal friend.

[headcans-oneshots-and-stuff]

A thing of honour

Warning: This one got super angsty super fast and I had no idea how it happened but here we are Word count: ~3k (sis snapped) Summary: Keeping your alter ego a secret from Damian was all fun and games, especially since he seemed to hate your superhero persona while loving your "normal" you, but what happenes when he finds out about the whole thing in the worst way possible...

This was a request by a wonderous Anon:  Hiii, i’d like to request a damian x reader, where the reader also fights alongside damian and jon as their alter ego. Damian and the reader don’t get along as superheroes, but as their normal selves they do. The only one who doesn’t know of the other person’s identity is Damian, which makes it all even more amusing for jon and the reader. But when the reader is brought back to the batcave after being injured, he finds out. Ty 💕

You hadn't meant for it to go this far. Really, you didn't. You had wanted to tell him as soon as possible, but then Jon had told you about how he talked about you-well, about your alter-ego- behind your back. But to be fair, it didn't keep on being behind your back for long, even though Damian didn't know that. "Tt, she'd do us all a favour if she'd stay at home," Damian grumbled when the muted Tv in the corner of the small coffee shop that he, Jon and you visited frequently, showed a picture of Ace, or rather you in your vigilante outfit (kindly donated by your god-aunt Diana who supported you with everything you did and was the reason you were now best friends with Jon and Damian's girlfriend). You couldn't help but roll your eyes. "What's your problem with her anyways? Shouldn't you be thankful that she helped you?" you sighed while picking at your piece of pie with the fork. You could feel Jon's knowing look on you, but you paid it no mind. "I could have very well handled it without her, she was just a bother anyways," he huffed and you couldn't help but chuckle a bit. He'd eat his words sooner or later. "I was on a case with her earlier that month and I really thought she was great. She has fighting skills on the same level as Diana, don't you think so too Y/N?" Jon sent you a bright, great smile and you could've sworn he winked at you. "I'm not sure I'd go that far," you answered with a small smirk and shrugged your shoulders, "It's not like I've seen her in action yet anyways, only know her on Tv and from what you guys tell me." Damian looked between the two of you slightly confused and highly annoyed, but you were sure that he wouldn't be able to put two and two together. For him, you were his sweet, but otherwise defenceless girlfriend that couldn't knock a two-year-old out and, to be fair, for the first years of your relationship that was exactly what you were. A normal girl in love with the great detective's son and best friend with Superman's. But then Diana (after years upon years of begging) took you with her to Themyscira and there something changed. Obviously you wouldn't be able to learn to fight in the two weeks you'd stay there, but somehow, after watching Diana train with the other Amazons, you felt like your muscles were burning with energy and every fibre of your being was urging to fight. Diana almost lost her mind when you stormed onto the training field, afraid that you'd get hurt on her watch, but she froze in her tracks when she saw you defeating one of the amazons as if you've been fighting for all your life. That's how you found out that somehow you had the power to copy the fighting style of anyone you watched. When you came back from your trip you spend a good three months watching every piece of realistic fighting that you could get your hand on and soon you were, in terms of fighting without powers, even besting Diana. Even though you knew you would never seriously be able to defeat her it was still a good feeling to know you were pretty good. So you became Ace. At first, it was great and you liked being a hero more than you ever thought you did, but soon you started feeling bad for keeping such a big secret from your best friends, especially knowing that they had told you about their secret as soon as they completely trusted you. So you had been planning to tell them when Jon called you to whine about Damian annoying him about some new vigilante who he had seen fighting in "his area" earlier that week. The look on your face when you realized that it had to be you. That was when a wicked thought planted itself in your head. Not soon after you had told Jon- and Jon being Jon, soon his family new about you and your plan too and that somehow ended in Damian's family knowing about both too. That's how you ended up being in the situation you were right now. Jon sitting there, having to hold back laughter and Damian being as clueless as ever. Did you feel bad about basically lying to him? Yes, somewhat you did. Was it really funny? Yes, yes it really really was. "But anyways," you restarted the conversation, finally taking a bite out of your abused cake, "I read somewhere recently that she was working with Batman against the Riddler two weeks ago." You smiled at the memory of how petrified you had been when your boyfriend father caught you running through Gotham, hunting after the Riddler, and how amazing it was to fight alongside him after he told you that he trusted Diana's judgement and would welcome you to become an ally to his team(/family), especially considering your relationship to Damian, but he also respected your "prank" and that you'd keep your distance until you'd finally tell him. "Tt, he wouldn't have needed her anyways. Especially not if I'd been there, but just because I lightly stab Jason once, I have to stay at home for patrol," he pouted and, even though you couldn't help smiling at his cluelessness, you also couldn't help yourself from giving him a small peck on the corner of his still pouting lip, making a small blush crawl onto his face at your PDA. "Uhm," Jon, who was still always extremely awkward at seeing the two of you kiss or- god forbid- actually make out, even though he himself called himself your biggest shipper, stammered, "H-hey Damian if your father works with her, why don't you ask him who she is?" His eyes widened as soon as the words left his mouth and he had to actively look away from you because he thought that he'd maybe start to cry if he'd saw the fury filled glare you sent his way. "Don't you think I did?" Damian huffed but didn't notice your angry eyes. "A-and what'd he say?" "He said it wasn't 'his secret to share,'" he scoffed, underlining how ridiculous he thought it was by making air-quotes. "But anyway, what did you guys plan on doing this weekend? I've heard there a really cool new movie in theatres right now. Damian's treat?"

It was two weeks after the conversation in the coffee shop when your guilt about keeping such a big secret from your boyfriend slowly started eating you up from inside. The fact that the movie's side story was about the main character and his love interest almost losing each other forever because of a secret that stood between that didn't really help much, did it now? So you've been planning how to do it for hours when your phone vibrated and twitter notification showed you that Robin was seen on his way through Gotham, most likely on patrol. It was really a short circuit reaction to get into your suit and jump out your window into the direction of where you thought the picture might have been taken. You were almost put off by how quickly you found him. Maybe it was because of how well you knew him, but it still surprised you to no end. "I heard you had something you have a bone to pick with me," you said, having no real plan on how to handle this. Damian span around at an unbelievable pace and you would have certainly been cut by the Batarang that was thrown your way, had it not been Diana's extra training in the area of "people will definitely throw sharp objects your way when you least expect it". For a second your eyes stayed on the Batarang that you held in your hand until they wandered back up at your unknowing boyfriend who looked at you like you were evil as a person. "Listen, I don't want to fight you, we're on the same team, remember?" you tried to somewhat clear the water. "Tt, you're nowhere near my team. You're just a little girl who thinks she can play superhero." "Okay, isn't that a little sexist?" you couldn't help the snarky comment, "And nevertheless, I've defeated real criminals, I've helped the city. What's your damn problem with me anyway. What have I ever done to upset you?" Your voice was raising and you were slightly afraid that he could recognize your voice, now not being too sure if you actually wanted him to know who you were anymore. "You're just an imposter. Don't you think I've noticed that your fighting style, as multifaceted as it may be, is just an exact copy of other peoples, mainly Wonder Women? Does she know that she has a seemingly shameless copycat running around?" You took a small step back out of surprise. He had never talked with your persona before and he still figured you out like an open book. You were fascinated and at the same time extremely annoyed and angry at his lack of empathy and him not even trying to find out who you were. "So what? Do I have to have my own style just to fight crime? Is it wrong of me to try and help people?" "It's a thing of hono-" "Oh shut the hell up and get that giant stick out of your ass," you huffed and made a sweeping gesture, "This city needs all the help it can get. Hell, this world needs all the help it can get! So excuse me for trying to be part of this help." You saw that he wanted to say something, but you didn't let him. "And if you are so invested in my honour, I have you know that Wonder Women is well aware of my fighting style! She was the one who thought it too me after all." With that, you turned around and jumped off of the building onto the balcony below it, keeping on climbing down the building until you were on the ground. All the frustration inside you made you feel your bone ache with the tears that you held in, while you stormed through the allies of Gotham, only stopping when you stood in front of an abandoned warehouse that was a hotspot for crime, that you'd usually keep away from, but right now you needed a ventile to get the anger out of you. When you entered, it was completely empty. "Well, so much for that," you muttered to yourself. You turned around, ready to leave and look somewhere else when you felt something pierce simultaneously through your back and your stomach. Your breath hitched in pain and shock when you looked down to see the tip of a short sword or a long knife standing out of your abdomen. "What a shame, I had planned for that to enter someone else's body. Too bad," a male voice echoed through the large empty hall, followed by the sound of a closing door. For a moment you thought about trying to follow him, but when you slightly turned around and the pain shot through you, you decided against it. You had to get medical attention. And that as soon as possible.

You had no idea how, but somehow, as unlikely as it seemed, you had managed to end up at the manor, your suit drenched with your own blood and every step painfully. The world was spinning around you and there were more black points in your sight than the actual world. With the last energy you could manage to gather, you pushed the doorbell and managed to stand straight while waiting for it to open. "Miss Y/L/N, what a surprise to see you here, especially in this attire. It is not wise to come in this way when you're wearing this," he welcomed you with a scolding look, not noticing the silver blade that was still stuck in your stomach, in his eyes, your mask seemingly covering how pale, tired and lifeless you already looked. Even if you were still awake enough to think straight, you wouldn't exactly have been surprised by him knowing who you were. He was still looking at you expectedly when you suddenly dropped forward against Alfred, managing with the last of your lifeforce to keep your stomach back a bit as to not to stab him with the tip of the long knife. The Butler tried to steady you by draping his arm around you when he suddenly took in a sharp breath as he felt the warm liquid that was your blood cover his hand and forearm, and his hand touching the handle of the weapon that might cause your ultimate demise. As quick as possible he picked you up, careful to keep your stomach as straight as possible so that the knife wouldn't cause more damage than necessary, and brought you down into the Batcave, not paying any mind to Damian who was sitting in the seat in front of the Batcomputer, sharpening his Katanas. Alfred carefully laid you down onto one of the medical beds on your side, quickly pulled up your medical file and sorted through one of their emergency 'blood-banks' to give you a transfusion. By the time he had you connected to all the medical machines- he was extremely quick after years of training, Damian came rushing to his side. He had a worried look on his face until he caught sight of your suit. "What is she-" "We have no time for that. Call Dr. Thompkins! Now!" Damian didn't dare to oppose Alfred's command and quickly did as he told before he came back to Alfred who did his best to keep you alive, your heartbeat way too slow. "She's on her way, I told her it was urgent," Damian grumbled. He was, of course, somewhat worried about you- well, about Ace- but seeing his object of daily annoyment laying there in front of him, basically dead, he couldn't help but feel validated in his hate towards her. That was until Alfred took your mask off to check your reaction towards light to see if you were still responsive. Damian could hear his heart break and stop when he saw who he felt was maybe the love of his life lay there, hair dull and dishevelled around your head, skin almost wide and your face so lifeless. His brain couldn't comprehend what was going on and it was like time froze. He only started to realize anything was happening again when he felt his father's arm pull him away from where Dr. Thompkins, who he hadn't even notice coming in, and Alfred closed the makeshift medical curtain to start operating you. Damian looked up at Bruce, his tearstained cheeks still wet, no sign of his eyes stopping to cry anytime soon, and saw the look in his eyes. That look of sorriness. That look of hopelessness. That look like he was sure, that you wouldn't make it out of the cave alive.

The tension in the cave was so explosive that no one dared to say a word. Besides the members of the Batfamily that were gathered there, Diana was pacing through the room and Jon and Clark were silent beside their best friends- Clark with a hand on Bruce's shoulder and Jon holding Damian's hand, another thing no one dared to speak about, not budging at the strength of his grin that would break a normal humans hand. It was nothing against what he had to endure when he had first entered the cave. A completely livid and messy, tired-looking Damian came at him, pushing his chest while screaming at him, asking him if he knew. When Jon didn't answer, just a look of extreme guilt in his eyes, Damian snapped. It took Clark and Bruce together too rip him off of his best friend who just stood there and silently took every blow. When Damian had finally calmed down, his eyes slowly watering again, Jon dared too move closer to him, his worry over his best friend greater than the shame he felt for being- in his eyes- partly responsible for your state. Damian, who deep inside knew that it wasn't Jon's fault- that it wasn't anyone's fault but the persons who had thrown that knife- clutched onto his best friend and cried onto his shoulder, which was all it took for Jon to break and the tears to roll down his cheeks too. When it felt like they were both dry of tears they sat down, hand in hand. With Diana, it wasn't too different, just less violent. She came rushing in and demanded to see you. When Bruce made it clear that you were still operated on, she wanted to storm out of the cave and comb through the city for the person who was responsible for that. Bruce somehow managed to talk her out of it, but he knew that she wouldn't be the only one who'd started wreaking havoc when Dr. Thompkins came out of the medical area with the bad news he already expected. He just hoped he would manage to be a good father for Damian when it'd count most. Almost nine hours of nearly complete silence had passed before Alfred came to them, still in his scrubs. Everyone stopped what they were doing and you could've heard a pin drop. "She's through and will make it. No permanent damage, but she won't be able to do any physical straining activities for the next few months. It was a very close shot." A collective breath of relief went through the room and a lot of tense shoulders relaxed. "Can I- Can we see her?" Damian's voice, that was so much timider than anyone was used to, asked and Alfred could see the desperation on his face. "Yes, but she probably won't wake up very soon. Her body is thoroughly and utterly exhausted." Damian didn't care. He sat beside your bed for the next two days. The others would come in for a while, either to make sure Damian isn't completely alone or to be with you but left after a few hours, not being able to abandon their lives forever. It was around midnight, Jon and Clark had just left to get back to Smallville for a change of clothes and a goodnight sleep in their own beds a few hours ago when Damian shot up from being half-asleep at the sound of a groan echoing through the empty room. His eyes looked around frantically, searching for any sort of danger when a small cough turned his attention to you. Your eyes were still closed but your face was pinched together in pain. "Hey," Damian whispered and took hold of your hand, his demeanour easing a bit when you pressed it. "Dami?" you whispered back with a coarse voice and slowly your eyes fluttered open. When you saw into his face, worry and sorrow marked onto it, you couldn't help the tears from welling up, everything that had happened and the realization of almost losing everything came crashing down onto you. "Shhhh, it's okay, everything okay," Damian mumbled soothingly and quickly sat onto the side of your bed to take you into his arms. For the last 48 hours, he had imagined every sort of conversation about why you didn't tell him about your alter ego, about how you could've been so careless, about why you even became a vigilante when you knew how dangerous it was, but at that moment he realized that all that was unimportant. Of course, he'd have to talk about it with you sooner or later, but after almost losing you, the fact that you were still there in his arms was the most he could want.

[rons-hermiones]

Come Find Me

Come Find Me

by rons-hermiones

Summary: Unplanned, Hermione is forced to spend Christmas at the Burrow due to her grandmother falling very ill. After being ignored by Hermione for weeks, Ron is determined to show her how much she means to him. Just before he gets the chance to tell her, Bellatrix Lestrange shows up with other plans for Hermione. Can Ron get to her before it's too late? (Ron/Hermione Half-Blood Prince AU)

Rating: M for language & dark themes in later chapters.

Chapter Six

“Oh Bill, wonderful to have you, you as well dear!” Molly exclaimed embracing Fleur. 

Nearby, Ginny scowled to herself. 

“Bill we’re surprised you came so early.” Fred commented. 

“What?” The eldest Weasley asked, confused. 

“Well, we thought you only came out when the moon did!” George laughed. 

“Boys!” Missus Weasley scolded, making a move to lunge at her two sons. However, a loud crack sounded, indicating they had left for work. 

“Those two, I swear.” Molly rolled her eyes. 

“It’s okay, you got a better welcome from them then I did!” Charlie’s voice sounded from the steps. 

Bill’s face brightened instantly as he unashamedly went to embrace his younger brother. They’d written each other any chance they got. They remained close, but it wasn’t the same as being with one another. 

“Charlie, I’ve missed you!” 

“Not as much as I missed you big brother.” He breathed pulling away, “I haven’t seen you in what a year? And you up and get yourself engaged. It’s like you're a new man.” He teases. Charlie knew about the engagement from their correspondences, but had yet to see the ring on Fleur’s finger in person. 

“And you are one brave woman, agreeing to marry a Weasley.” He said turning to the blonde. 

“Oui!” She teased back, making the room erupt with laughs, even eliciting a chuckle from Ginny. 

“Gin, why don’t you show Fleur around while I talk to Harry?” He asked hopefully. It was his goal to get his fiancé closer with his little sister before the wedding. 

With a small grunt, Ginny obliged as she ushered Fleur outside. 

“Not that I’m not happy to see you Bill, but what is it you wanted to speak with me about? Things okay with the order?” Harry asked in a whisper once the girls had vanished. 

Quickly, he nodded, “everything’s as good as it can be these days, I just was wondering how Ron’s been. He’s written me quite a bit.” 

“Oh,” Harry said relieved, “well, he was in a funk for a while there, I reckon he still is, but now he’s realized he’s in a funk, which sort of makes things better, you know?” He tries, never been the best with feelings. 

Bill chuckled, “alright I think I know what you mean. He wrote me yesterday, something about he had sort of broken up with Lavender, but made things worse with her.” He didn’t wanna say Hermione’s name in fear she was around somewhere. 

“Okay let me fill you in some. It all started two days ago in our dorms...” 

After twenty minutes Harry had thoroughly filled in the details Ron left out in his letter. He had also recalled some of the conversation Ron had told Harry he and Ginny had, something the youngest Weasley brother failed to mention to Charlie. 

When the chosen one finished, Bill let out a low whistle. He had known Ron’s situation was messed up from the letters, but damn, his little brother, the heartbreaker. Who would’ve thought? 

“Speaking of, where is Hermione? I haven’t seen her since we arrived.” Bill asked next. 

The dark haired boy nodded solemnly, “I’m afraid she won’t leave Ginny’s room unless your Mum makes her. She’s pretty bummed out about her Gran, but she also agreed to ‘stay out of Ron’s way,’ whatever that means.” Harry finished with air quotes.

At this, Charlie clicked his tongue, “Ron is hopeless. This isn’t exactly potions with Snape! It’s an easy fix.” He tutted. 

“Where is Ron? Surely he’d want to greet his favorite brother.” Bill says next. 

“Hey!” Charlie retorts, making Harry laugh. 

The oldest rolls his eyes, “all in good fun, but seriously.” 

“He’s been working on something all night. I could hear him.” Harry commented. 

Charlie nodded, “he had some sort of epiphany last night. He’s doing something for Hermione, all I know is that it involves Hogwarts, A History. He’s mental.”

“Ron wouldn’t pick up that book for anything!” Harry soon points out. 

“Well maybe not for anything, but for someone...” Charlie trails off. 

Suddenly, Ginny bursts through the door, alone. 

“Where’s Fleur?” Bill questioned. 

“She’s discussing something about the wedding with Mum, I had to get away,” she shakes her head, “anyone fancy a game of quidditch?” 

At this both Charlie and Harry jump at the chance. 

“Coming Bill?” Ginny asks as the other two boys disappear to gather their brooms. 

He shakes his head, “no, I think I’ll go say hi to Ronnie. Maybe when you're done you should check up on Hermione, yeah?” 

At this, his younger sister nods as he treks up to the attic. 

Once reaching the door decorated with Chudley Cannon posters and gold and red emblems, he knocks. 

“I’m awake Mum!” Ron promises through the door. 

“Not Mum.” Bill says opening the door. 

“Bill!” He exclaims excitedly, dropping the book to the ground and clambering off the bed, “how are you? How do you feel, wow, the scars have healed some. You look wicked! Like some bloke from those stories Mum reads.” 

At this, he laughs, “I feel great actually. Sometimes the full moon drives me a bit mad, but it’s not like I turn or anything like that. Plus, Fleur has done wonders taking care of me, making sure I take my potions and all that.” He assures, circling to sit on the edge of Ron’s bed. 

“Yeah I wouldn’t mind if she took care of me either.” He joked. 

At this Bill jabbed him in the ribs with his elbow. 

“Hey, kidding!” Ron laughed, “plus, I’m rather done with blondes. Forever.” He shivers remembering Lavender Brown. 

“Ah,” his brother breathes, “your love life has become quite the topic from what I hear.” 

At this Ron groans, “well I’m not to sure how many times ‘Ron is fucking moron,’ can be told but, glad your up to date.” 

Knowing Ron’s probably had his fair share of feeling bad, Bill holds off on making him re live anything, for now, “well, rumor is you’re working on something to fix your troubles.”

The youngest Weasley boy blushes madly, “it’s a bit stupid really.” 

“Come on just tell me.” Bill encourages. 

Ron breathes in defeat, wanting to tell someone, “alright well, Charlie said a gift might do then suddenly, I was reminded of this conversation from back in fifth year...” 

Ron sauntered into the common room with a moody Harry by his side. This behavior from the chosen one had become typical since the start of term, he was always so worked up over You-Know-Who and the ministry these days. 

And Ron could feel for him, he really did, he just wished Harry would drop the act around him and Hermione, who believed him completely. 

“Hermione.” Harry greeted too gruffly for Ron’s liking. 

In response, the bushy haired witch just hummed in acknowledgement. Hermione had been engrossed in her favorite book, so Ron knew better then to bother her and simply sat to her right. 

It was odd, but he rather liked to see her like this. It was almost adorable to see how invested she could get into something like a book. He admired her for it. 

Harry had fallen to her left and rolled his eyes, “are you good for anything but reading Hermione?” He asked viciously. 

At this, Hermione’s eyes finally left the pages of Hogwarts, A History and stared at her best friend in shock. Ron had passed shocked and moved entirely to anger. Harry looked as if he regretted what he said right after it left his mouth. 

“You say you’re sorry right now!” Ron roared, jumping to his feet. 

“Ron, it’s alright,” she began meekly from the velvet sofa. 

“Like hell it isn’t Hermione. Just cause stupid blokes like Seamus call you a liar doesn’t mean you get to start on her!” He pointed out. 

The dark haired boy sighed sadly, “I know, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it, really Hermione”,

“It’s alright Harry.” She amended stiffly, “I think I’ll go for a walk.” The brunette quickly scrambled, grabbing her book before scampering out of the portrait hole. 

As soon as she was out of sight, Harry turned apologetically to Ron, “I shouldn’t have said that.” 

“You shouldn’t have.” The ginger replied softly, “and I know everything that happened with Cedric was really hard, but it’s hard for Hermione too. She thinks she could’ve done more,” 

“She couldn’t have.” Harry tells him sadly. 

He nods, “I know, but she doesn’t, so when you sound off telling her stuff like that, it just makes her feel bad.” 

The Boy-Who-Lived sighed, “I really didn’t mean it. You were right, I was just so done with people like Umbridge and Seamus calling me liars, sometimes I forget not everyone feels that way.” He admitted. 

At this, Ron stood as he clapped him on the shoulder, “it’s already done mate, just try to remember that from now on, alright?” He didn’t sound angry anymore, much to Harry’s relief.

Harry nodded as he watched Ron venture out of the common room, no doubt to find Hermione. 

“Hey Ron, wait.” He called out, standing and walking to him. 

“Yeah?” He asked. 

“I know I was upset about you two spending summer at Grimmauld Place together,” Ron opened his mouth to argue, but Harry stopped him, “and I know why you had to do it, I just wanted you to know, I’m happy you had each other. Well, I just, I reckon you two need each other as much as I need the pair of you, does that make sense?” He rambled. 

“I think so Harry, you sound a little mental though.” He joked. 

“It’s just, I know how you feel about her.” He blurted out. 

“Come again?” Ron had gone pale. 

Harry’s voice dropped to a whisper, “well I’ve always had some suspicions Ron. We do share a room you know, you mumble her name like every other night.” At this Weasley turned a deep shade of red that rivaled his hair. 

 Soon after, the green eyed boy pointed to his face, “see that! You blushed like mad whenever she came around first year, just like you are now. I know you were taking my invisibility cloak to go down to the infirmary second year. I heard you tell Neville back in third about how much you enjoyed Hogsmede and you were painfully obvious when she agreed to go to the ball with Viktor Krum, I reckon that’s when I really knew.” 

For a few moments Ron opened and closed his mouth like a fish, but in the end, he shockingly, didn’t deny it, “why didn’t you say anything?” 

Harry shrugged and thought about it, “well, I suppose I was waiting for you to figure it out as well. It seems to me you have.” He smiles slightly. 

Ron nods, “yeah, for a while there I just thought blokes felt like that around their mates who were girls. Probably around third year I realized it was a little different with her then it was with you. Definitely sorted it all out during that ruddy Ball.” He paused, “you’re not, well, you’re not angry?” One of the reasons Ron decided not to confide in Harry was because he didn’t want him to think there was any sort of divide. 

“Of course not. If anything I’m relieved I can stop pretending not to notice.” He laughed. 

At this, Ron let out an embarrassed chuckle, “well just don’t tell her alright?” 

Harry nodded, “will you ever? Tell her I mean.” He asks. 

At this the redhead shrugs, “I dunno, I just, it’s hard. I’d rather live my whole life watching her with other blokes then lose her as a friend.”

Potter lets out a whistle, “I can see The Prophet headlines now, ‘Weasley has Feelings!’” He laughs. 

They lapse into a brief silence, “you go after her.” 

Ron doesn’t need to be told twice and simply nods to his friend. 

“If it means anything, I think she feels the same Ron.” Harry says rather vaguely before going to a dark corner of the common room. 

For a moment, he considers staying and asking more about this theory, but instead decides to check on Hermione. Harry could wait. 

After wandering the dark corridors for a few minutes, he soon feels the urge to slap himself for not thinking sooner. He hadn’t checked the library. 

Set out on a new mission, he stalks his way to his new destination. However, halfway to the library he suddenly remembers that it’s probably closing soon, if not already. Inwardly groaning on not setting after her soon, he quickened his pace. 

And just as he’s about to reach the proper corridor something catches his eye. In between one of the many narrow hallways leading to nothing but a window, is someone sitting against it, book in hand. 

And not just anyone, Hermione. 

Breathing a sigh of relief, he slowly makes his way to her, “Mione.” He begins as to not startle her, she hasn’t seemed to notice his presence. 

Her brown eyes look up from her book, in the moonlight he can see them slightly glossed over as red rings appear around them. 

“Oh hi.” Her voice is croaked and throaty, it makes his heart break. 

“I’ve been looking all over for you.” He says softly, sliding down next to her. 

“Oh I’m sorry Ron.” She apologizes sincerely, “it’s silly though isn’t it, I’ve run off to read again. Maybe Harry was right.” Her voice cracks. 

“It’s not true, you know it isn’t.” Ron fiercely assured. 

“If he didn’t mean it why did he say it?” The brunette asked. 

He sighs sadly, “Hermione you know what he’s been like lately. As soon as you left he told me how sorry he was.” 

“But it’s true isn’t it?” She asks after a beat, leaving no room for him to even protest, “all I do is sit here and read while Harry and you are off actually doing something.” 

“Hermione what?” He asks genuinely confused. 

“Think Ron, who got rid of that troll first year?” 

“Well you were only in the bathroom because of me and you were the one who got me through the spell-” 

“Alright and who won the chess game the same year? Who got the philosopher's stone?” 

“Hermione we would’ve never even found the-”

She cuts him off again, “and who was lying useless petrified while you were in the chamber of secrets?” 

He groans, “again if you hadn’t had the note then Harry and I-”

She leaves no room for him to speak, “and third year you were the one who even spotted Sirius.” 

“I was also the one with a broken leg when the two of you-”

“Fourth year as well, you knew about the dragons.” 

“Only because Charlie told me, are you done?” He asks. 

“Or even this summer. You were the one who knew about the Order, even knew to handle Harry.” She’s now close to tears. 

Ron let’s a moment pass before speaking, “are you finally finished?” He whispered hoarsely. 

Next to him, she nodded, but didn’t dare meet her eyes with his. 

“You’re mental Hermione. Mental. Don’t you know we’d be dead without you? You’re the one who figured out the Nicholas Flamel business. You realized how the Basilisk had been getting around. And who had the time turner that saved Sirius, Lupin, and Buckbeak third year?” He reminded, “not to mention that without you, Harry would’ve never gotten through any of those tasks. Not to mention, him and I wouldn’t even be friends if you hadn’t convinced me to talk to him. And this summer? You’re the one who kept me sane when I was ready to hex everyone there.” 

He took a second to catch his breath after the long rant, “sure you read a lot of books, but that’s not why you’re brilliant. You’re brilliant because you know exactly what to say to help your friends. You know exactly how to save the rest of us.” At this, she completely broke down. 

Hermione’s head soon found a place atop Ron’s shoulder as she burrowed into it and cried silently. If this had happened a few years back, Ron would probably stiffly pat her head, but now, he knew better. 

Instead, he gently laid an arm across her shoulder and pushed her into him with a squeeze. His other hand made its way through her soft hair, letting his finger gently massage her scalp. 

“Thank you Ron,” she managed soon after, “I’ve just been feeling so useless, hearing Harry,” 

“Sh, Hermione,” he assured soundly, “I know how it feels too, but being here, even making you feel the tiniest bit better, well, it makes me feel not so useless.” He admitted, thankful she couldn’t see his now red cheeks. 

At this, Ron felt the witch nod into him, “you do make me feel better Ron. And you’re not useless, if I hadn’t made it clear, I think you’re rather brilliant.” 

A small smile grazed his lips as he continued to stroke the expanse of her hair. Her cries had now slowed, but he still felt she was tense. 

“You know Mione,” he began, making her hum softly, an indication to continue, “I understand you wanna read all the time, but this old book, again? You’ve been picking it up since first year.” He teased. 

Thankfully, a small chuckle bubbles past her lips, making him feel warm. 

“It’s rather pleasurable Ron, I’d love it if you read it. You have such an interesting point of view having grown up with this stuff, and well just being you, I’m sure your notes on it would be fascinating.” 

“Sorry to disappoint you Mione, as much as I love y,” he pauses, “as much as I love reading,” he amends sarcastically, “I’d need a bloody good reason to pick this thing up. And I mean important, life or death maybe.” He tells her. 

Again, a small laugh escapes from where she's nuzzled into his side. 

“One day Ron. One day.” 

They stayed like that until she fell asleep. 

“I thought maybe if I read this damn thing and made notes on what I thought and gave it to her, then it would show her how much she means to me.” He explained after briefly prefacing the significance behind it. 

To this, Bill smiled brightly, “I think it’s a wonderful idea Ron. Very thoughtful and personal to the pair of you, plus she’ll go nuts when she’s learned you picked up a book!” He teased, “what section are you on?” 

“I’ve gotten past the four founders. Right now I’m in the middle of all the troll business. I mean, sure it sort of feels like a textbook, but part of it reminds me of her, then it’s not so bad, is that mental?” He asks a little flustered. 

His older brother shakes his head, “no Ronnie, not mental. It’s almost romantic.” He jokes lightly. 

At this Ron rolls his eyes, but blushes nonetheless, “thanks.” 

A deep laugh escapes Bill as he stands from the bed, “I’ll be on my way now. You have a lot of reading to do in just three days little brother.” 

“Oi! And don’t I know it.” Ron yells as he leaves the room.

[soundwave1982-blog]

Real Amazing Spider-Man #3

Stark villa 

A green portal opens, and a five-year-old Valeria Richards exits the portal dragging two suitcases to find Peter Parker and Mary Jane Parker cuddled together, watching a Netflix original film while Annie continues playing her Nintendo Switch. 

“Special delivery for My Best Science-buddy friend forever and her excellent mom, your luggage direct from Germany,” said Valeria 

“Thanks, Val,” said Annie as she ran over to Valeria, hugged her, collected her suitcase, and headed to her temporary bedroom. 

“Thanks, Val. I hope it wasn’t too much trouble,” asked Mary Jane Parker, 

“Not at all, Mrs Parker; it’s a pleasure for all the time you babysat me and  my dumb brother Franklin and lets us double mint chocolate chip ice cream,” said Mary Jane collecting her suitcase 

“So where is my suitcase,” asked Peter 

“Sorry, I only have two arms, Mister Parker. But, I have to keep my BSFF happy so we can get another A+ on our science projects, and MJ always lets me have an extra helping of double mints ice cream and is wicked when it comes to Pictionary game night,” said Valeria.

“No, seriously, where is my bag,” asked Peter as MJ took her suitcase to their temporary bedroom 

“I’ll go and get it for you, but the teleport device needs six to eight hours to recharge before I can sneak into the unclaimed baggage area,” said Valeria.

“six to eight hours you just wanted to hang out with your friend in Hawaii,” asked Peter 

“I have left a message for Uncle Johnny to tell him where I am; Mum said I could stay over at a friend’s house if I wanted as long as I told a responsible adult, seeing they left Uncle Johnny in charge, which I did I left him a note,” said Valeria.

“I think your mum meant to stay in New York with us, not while we are house-sitting in Hawaii,” said Peter.

“Technically, I am sure you could call Mum and Dad to come and get me, mister Parker, but they are doing something in the Negative Zone, so where is your phone,” asked Valeria.

“You knew my cellphone was in my bag, didn’t you? So you left it on purpose so you could work on a science project with Annie,” asked Peter 

“That’s the problem, mister Parker you can’t prove its word against mine; if you let me stay, I will upgrade your web shooters free of charge,” said Valeria 

“You are an evil mastermind who taught blackmail,” said Peter laughing

Annie then comes out of her bedroom carrying her teddy bear, Wolverine. 

“I thought I was never going mister whiskers again; I owe you one, Val,” said Annie. 

“Happy to help, my BSFF. Are you ready to work on our science project? I’m sure some tech we can borrow from Tony’s workshop,” asked Valeria. 

“Of course, I was already planning to sneak into Tony Stark workshop,” said Annie 

“What? You already cracked his workshop password; not fair. I’m the code breaker in this team,” said Valeria,

“Please, there’s no real challenge in hacking into Stark system; a one-year-old could do it,” said Annie

“So it’s IamIronman39 isn’t it,” said Valeria.

“No, it’s IamIronman08 this time. I tried a few other passcodes to access the workshop. I need some to upgrade my switch battery life from three to six with some junk from the workshop,” said Annie.

“We really need to talk about hacking into other people’s systems,” said Peter.

“Says the guy who went into the lab before me to borrow parts to create some web-shooters,” said Annie

I thought you had organic web shooters, Mister Parker,” asked Valeria. 

“I do these web-shooters to help focus my shots and to use impact webbing and some kinky stuff you do not need to know till you are in high school,” said Peter 

“Oh, he’s talking about Sex; I already had read six biology books before I was four, Uncle Peter. I know about the birds and bees and all the LGBT stuff that they are only two genders, XX and XY, no matter how deluded the biology teacher is with her saying they are 32 different genders crap,” said Valeria.

“Yeah, I gathered that, Val. I think dad trying to avoid have tell me where babies come from; he’s trying to convince me the stork brought me,” said Annie 

“Don’t you have a science project to work on,” asked Peter.

Annie and Valeria walk off towards Tony’s workshop. After they entered the workshop, they started work on their science project.

“So what are we doing for our science this time? Because I don’t know how we top the teleportation device we created last year,” asked Annie.

“I know those ungrateful science fair judges gave us a damn C I still can’t believe we lost to a baking soda volcano,” said Valeria 

“We are competing with other four-year-olds, but that was completely ridiculous. Mind you, we created a working teleporter out of a couple of radio and retro games consoles at four-year-old without adult help,” said Annie.

“Let’s just build a Lemon power clock or go with the classic Baking soda volcano, but we both know those are below our intelligence and a waste of time and effort. I got a wicked idea; not sure you would be a willing test subject,” said Valeria 

“Tell me your idea, first science buddy,” asked Annie   

“What about creating a device that allows a wearer to mimic the superpower of anyone who wears a similar pairing device,” replied Valeria 

“You just want to try web swing for yourself, don’t you,” asked Annie.

“What’s so wrong about a swing through the city without a care in the world,” said Valeria 

“Trust Val, it’s not all fun trying to wash your secret costume without mum or dad, who both have similar powers to finding out your powers are already activated and that you are sneaking out to fight criminals with a super genius tech support girl in the chair,” said Annie.

“Yeah, I know the feeling, Annie. When Mom, Dad, Uncle Johnny and Uncle Ben go on great adventures together and leave Dufus and me behind with Aunt Alice to babysit us. I’m sure she’s not blind. Sometimes she always catches trying to sneak out,” said Valeria 

“She must be a mutant with heightened senses,” said Annie.

“It’s not that; she’s just super wise to all tricks; so shall do that create a power friendship synch bracelets,” asked Valeria

“Okay, let’s do that, partner,” said Annie.

[welllpthisishappening]

Welllp This is...Books. Lots and Lots of Books

That gif is something of a lie. Some of these books were not great. But! Some of them were very good! And some of them were marketed weird — seriously, what does qualify as YA — and some of them I read in, like, six hours and some of them I raged about for six hours after I finished them.

Or: 2020!Laura reverted to 2004!Laura and read just a lot of books and then her husband got her a Kindle and she read even more books and has thoughts on most of those books that she is now going to share with the internet while also making absurd category names. Note that these are only books I read for the first time this year. So, the list is missing some of the stuff I used as coping devices. ALSO SOME SPOILERS AHEAD, YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.

FAVORITE BOOKS THAT MADE A SHITTY YEAR SLIGHTLY BETTER AND ALSO LIKELY MADE ME SWOON A BIT

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a terrifying creature arrives to demand retribution. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she knows about only from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not truly a beast, but one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled her world.

At least, he's not a beast all the time.

As she adapts to her new home, her feelings for the faerie, Tamlin, transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But something is not right in the faerie lands. An ancient, wicked shadow is growing, and Feyre must find a way to stop it, or doom Tamlin-and his world-forever.

— I kid you not, I had to do a lap around the apartment after reading the second book in this series. Why didn’t I read this before? Why isn’t there more fic? Why I am constantly falling for dark-haired sad dudes in love with their wives??? I cannot rec this series enough. It’s got world building and found families, and that dark-haired sad dude, and magic and lore and banter, and it’s so good and I don’t understand why it was marketed as YA. The literary world is weird, guys.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians (and the Heroes of Olympus) by Rick Riordan

Accompany the son of the sea god Poseidon and his other demigod friends as they go on a series of quests that will have them facing monsters, gods, and conniving figures from Greek mythology. Do they have what it takes to save the Olympians from an ancient enemy?

— Straight up, how did you guys cope with Percy and Annabeth when you were kids reading this? I would have been OBSESSED. Quarantine felt like the perfect time to finally read all of these books, and I know it’s sacrilegious to like Heroes of Olympus, but I might have liked parts of that series more? Just because it felt like they were older and I was super into Percabeth being properly in love. Also, now I get why everyone was so upset about the movies. Fair.

The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth's fate hinges on one girl. . . .Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She's a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister's illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai's, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world's future.

— Yet another YA series that I will admit to loving this year. Started off a little slow, but once the world building really got underway —and it gets underway — I was hooked. If I had read this at an age-appropriate time I would have been super in love Captain Carswell Thorne. I was still kind of in love with Captan Carswell Thorne. So it should come as no surprise that Cress was my favorite of the series, but I enjoyed the whole thing, really.

Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin

Two years ago, Louise le Blanc fled her coven and took shelter in the city of Cesarine, forsaking all magic and living off whatever she could steal. There, witches like Lou are hunted. They are feared. And they are burned.As a huntsman of the Church, Reid Diggory has lived his life by one principle: Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live. But when Lou pulls a wicked stunt, the two are forced into an impossible situation—marriage.Lou, unable to ignore her growing feelings, yet powerless to change what she is, must make a choice. And love makes fools of us all.

— YO. Y O. THIS WAS SO GOOD. World building! Magic! Marriage of convenience! Well-written enemies to lovers! As soon as I finished this, I bought the sequel. And then got upset the third book in the series isn’t out yet! That’s a frustrating theme for me this year.

The Roommate by Rosie Danan

The Wheatons are infamous among the east coast elite for their lack of impulse control, except for their daughter Clara. She's the consummate socialite: over-achieving, well-mannered, predictable. But every Wheaton has their weakness. When Clara's childhood crush invites her to move cross-country, the offer is too much to resist. Unfortunately, it's also too good to be true.

After a bait-and-switch, Clara finds herself sharing a lease with a charming stranger. Josh might be a bit too perceptive—not to mention handsome—for comfort, but there's a good chance he and Clara could have survived sharing a summer sublet if she hadn't looked him up on the Internet...

Once she learns how Josh has made a name for himself, Clara realizes living with him might make her the Wheaton's most scandalous story yet. His professional prowess inspires her to take tackling the stigma against female desire into her own hands. They may not agree on much, but Josh and Clara both believe women deserve better sex. What they decide to do about it will change both of their lives, and if they're lucky, they'll help everyone else get lucky too.

— I LOVED IT. L O V E D. As I told Justin “there was more porn than I was expecting,” in that porn and the adult film industry was a legitimate plot point and not just a part of Josh’s character, but it was incredibly well written and interesting and I cared about the plot. Sometimes I also wanted to shake Clara, but that was kind of the point.

The Marriage Game by Sara Desai

After her life falls apart, recruitment consultant Layla Patel returns home to her family in San Francisco. But in the eyes of her father, who runs a Michelin starred restaurant, she can do no wrong. He would do anything to see her smile again. With the best intentions in mind, he offers her the office upstairs to start her new business and creates a profile on an online dating site to find her a man. She doesn't know he's arranged a series of blind dates until the first one comes knocking on her door...

As CEO of a corporate downsizing company Sam Mehta is more used to conflict than calm. In search of a quiet new office, he finds the perfect space above a cozy Indian restaurant that smells like home. But when communication goes awry, he's forced to share his space with the owner's beautiful yet infuriating daughter Layla, her crazy family, and a parade of hopeful suitors, all of whom threaten to disrupt his carefully ordered life.

As they face off in close quarters, the sarcasm and sparks fly. But when the battle for the office becomes a battle of the heart, Sam and Layla have to decide if this is love or just a game.

— More well-written enemies to lovers! It’s possible! Seriously, the banter was so good. The kissing was even better. Ridiculous and interfering family is one of my favorite things, and this had it in SPADES. It also made me want to eat samosas, which is kind of my base setting, but I really wanted Indian food whenever I was reading this. Also, the end scene was so goddamn cute I cannot believe it actually happened.

Recipe for Persuasion by Sonali Dev

— The one that got away is one of my favorite tropes, and this modern version of Persuasion did it so well. Everyone was annoying, but in an almost understandable way that made me ache and I just wanted them TO KISS. And then they did kiss! And it was so good! Plus, at the risk of being a little self-indulgent, it was kind of Out of the Frying Pan esque and I liked that a lot. If there is a downside: it’s how quickly the relationship starts up again, like zero to 60 in two seconds flat, and that there were a lot of POVs. Which wouldn’t have been an issue if they’d been labeled, or weren’t bouncing around the timeline randomly. Sometimes I’d have to be like—wait, who’s talking about what?

Chef Ashna Raje desperately needs a new strategy. How else can she save her beloved restaurant and prove to her estranged, overachieving mother that she isn't a complete screw up? When she's asked to join the cast of Cooking with the Stars, the latest hit reality show teaming chefs with celebrities, it seems like just the leap of faith she needs to put her restaurant back on the map. She's a chef, what's the worst that could happen?Rico Silva, that's what.Being paired with a celebrity who was her first love, the man who ghosted her at the worst possible time in her life, only proves what Ashna has always believed: leaps of faith are a recipe for disaster.FIFA winning soccer star Rico Silva isn't too happy to be paired up with Ashna either. Losing Ashna years ago almost destroyed him. The only silver lining to this bizarre situation is that he can finally prove to Ashna that he's definitely over her.But when their catastrophic first meeting goes viral, social media becomes obsessed with their chemistry. The competition on the show is fierce...and so is the simmering desire between Ashna and Rico. Every minute they spend together rekindles feelings that pull them toward their disastrous past. Will letting go again be another recipe for heartbreak—or a recipe for persuasion...?

The Good Luck Charm by Helena Hunting

Lilah isn't sure what hurt worse: the day Ethan left her to focus on his hockey career or the day he came back eight years later. He might think they can pick up just where they left off, but she's no longer that same girl and never wants to be again.

Just when Lilah might finally be ready to let Ethan in, though, she finds out their reunion might have nothing to do with love and everything to do with improving his game. But Ethan's already lost her once, and even if it costs him his career, he'll do anything to keep from losing her again.

— HOCKEY ROM COM. HOCKEY. ROM. COM. Apparently this lady is regarded as the queen of “hockey romance,” which I kind of take offense to, but will give a pass on because this was a very cute book and everyone was cute in it and I was only marginally frustrated by those same people being idiots. As is required by rom coms. Hockey, or otherwise.

A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer

Fall in love, break the curse. It once seemed so easy to Prince Rhen, the heir to Emberfall. Cursed by a powerful enchantress to repeat the autumn of his eighteenth year over and over, he knew he could be saved if a girl fell for him. But that was before he learned that at the end of each autumn, he would turn into a vicious beast hell-bent on destruction. That was before he destroyed his castle, his family, and every last shred of hope.

Nothing has ever been easy for Harper. With her father long gone, her mother dying, and her brother barely holding their family together while constantly underestimating her because of her cerebral palsy, she learned to be tough enough to survive. But when she tries to save someone else on the streets of Washington, DC, she's instead somehow sucked into Rhen's cursed world.

Break the curse, save the kingdom. A prince? A monster? A curse? Harper doesn't know where she is or what to believe. But as she spends time with Rhen in this enchanted land, she begins to understand what's at stake. And as Rhen realizes Harper is not just another girl to charm, his hope comes flooding back. But powerful forces are standing against Emberfall . . . and it will take more than a broken curse to save Harper, Rhen, and his people from utter ruin.

— Beauty and the Beast AU!!! Fantasy! Magic! Romance! I loved this, even when Rhen was being a whiny idiot. But he was also cursed, so like—fair. This dives into the politics of a cursed kingdom, puts a fun spin on the original fairy tale and also has a sequel. Which I read, and possibly enjoyed more. Only to realize the third book isn’t published yet, and then got annoyed by that.

QUESTIONABLY-GOOD FREE FANTASY BOOKS ON AMAZON

The Silver and Orchids Collection by Shari L Tapscott

What happens when a feisty adventuress, a lord looking to make his own way in the world, and a handsome sea captain set out to find Kalae’s rarest and most valuable flower?

Trouble—and lots of it.

— Snarky flirting! Adventure! Sword fights! Listen, this is not prize-winning fiction, but Lucia is a fun heroine, the rest of her adventure-seeking friends are an absolute delight and you don’t have to think too much while reading it. All four books wrap up their individual storylines, but help set up the next one and while the ending felt a little forced (and way too quick) I didn’t hate it enough to throw the Kindle across the room.

Forest of Firelight by Shari L. Tapscsott

After the sudden death of her brother, Princess Amalia is charged with what feels like an impossible task—she must choose the next king. Youthful thoughts of love are pushed aside as she accepts her fate, setting upon a quest throughout the kingdom to find a man worthy of her father’s throne.

Little does Amalia know, someone has already set his sights on her.

Rhys is a man of secrets, and his mission is simple: befriend the princess of Renove. Coax her to trust him, convince her to follow him.

Betray her when it’s time.

All goes according to plan until Rhys meets the princess. Amalia is a disaster. Never has he met someone so drawn to trouble. Never has he met someone so irritatingly likable.

He’s not allowed to fall for her.

She could never entrust him with a crown.

But, unbeknownst to them, their unlikely partnership might be the key to saving their entire world from a darkness that’s slowly creeping from the wounded earth that separates one kingdom from the next.

— FORBIDDEN LOVE! It’s good! Real good! I read this whole series (or the three books in it, so far) in a questionably short amount of time. Again, not the deepest story, and Amalia is occasionally frustratingly dumb. While Rhys is also sort of all-knowing in that fantasy hero sort of way? Y’know what I mean? Still, they banter very well, and eventually kiss even better.

LESS GOOD FANTASY BOOKS THAT PROBABLY SHOULD HAVE JUST BEEN AVAILABLE FOR FREE ON AMAZON

Ash Princess by Laura Sebastian

Theodosia was six when her country was invaded and her mother, the Fire Queen, was murdered before her eyes. On that day, the Kaiser took Theodosia's family, her land, and her name. Theo was crowned Ash Princess—a title of shame to bear in her new life as a prisoner.

For ten years Theo has been a captive in her own palace. She's endured the relentless abuse and ridicule of the Kaiser and his court. She is powerless, surviving in her new world only by burying the girl she was deep inside.

Then, one night, the Kaiser forces her to do the unthinkable. With blood on her hands and all hope of reclaiming her throne lost, she realizes that surviving is no longer enough. But she does have a weapon: her mind is sharper than any sword. And power isn't always won on the battlefield.

For ten years, the Ash Princess has seen her land pillaged and her people enslaved. That all ends here.

— I wanted to love this series. So much so that I read the whole thing. All three books. And I’m still not sure why. The world building, maybe. Which was very good, and the politics actually kept me interested, but every single character was the absolute worst and I kind of wanted them all to die. That’s not even an exaggeration. Spoiler, they didn’t all die. I was only marginally disappointed.

Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller

When the ruthless Pirate King learns of a legendary treasure map hidden on an enemy ship, his daughter, Alosa, knows that there's only one pirate for the job—herself. Leaving behind her beloved ship and crew, Alosa deliberately facilitates her own kidnapping to ensure her passage on the enemy ship. After all, who's going to suspect a seventeen-year-old girl locked in a cell?Then she meets the (surprisingly perceptive and unfairly attractive) first mate, Riden, who is charged with finding out all her secrets. Now it's down to a battle of wits and will... Can Alosa find the map and escape before Riden figures out her plan?

— Alosa was kind of the worst? Like, STRONG FEMALE CHARACTER who had to keep reminding you how strong she was because she would kill anyone, and had an all female pirate crew. And the whole time I was just like, ok...cool. Still, I read the sequel too and that was slightly better.

The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levenseller

Alessandra is tired of being overlooked, but she has a plan to gain power:

1) Woo the Shadow King.

2) Marry him.

3) Kill him and take his kingdom for herself.

No one knows the extent of the freshly crowned Shadow King's power. Some say he can command the shadows that swirl around him to do his bidding. Others say they speak to him, whispering the thoughts of his enemies. Regardless, Alessandra knows what she deserves, and she's going to do everything within her power to get it.

But Alessandra's not the only one trying to kill the king. As attempts on his life are made, she finds herself trying to keep him alive long enough for him to make her his queen—all while struggling not to lose her heart. After all, who better for a Shadow King than a cunning, villainous queen?

— I cannot explain this book any way except to tell you it is so weird. Like, sometimes I remember I read this and all I can think is: why did this book happen? It felt like it started in the middle of the story, which is not a knock on the story itself, but mostly on the world building. Which was lacking to say the least. Also the resolution was super rushed and even more weird and I was like—why does he like her??? I still don’t know, honestly.

The Stars We Steal by Alexa Donne

Engagement season is in the air. Eighteen-year-old Princess Leonie "Leo" Kolburg, heir to a faded European spaceship, has only one thing on her mind: which lucky bachelor can save her family from financial ruin?

But when Leo's childhood friend and first love, Elliot, returns as the captain of a successful whiskey ship, everything changes. Elliot was the one who got away, the boy Leo's family deemed to be unsuitable for marriage. Now he's the biggest catch of the season and he seems determined to make Leo's life miserable. But old habits die hard, and as Leo navigates the glittering balls of the Valg Season, she finds herself falling for her first love in a game of love, lies, and past regrets.

— Another book whose lack of world building hurt it. Stuff just happened, and we were expected to understand it and be into it and I was neither. I had no reason to care about anyone in this book, especially Elliot who seemed like an asshole.

To Kill a Kingdom by Alexandra Christo

Princess Lira is siren royalty and the most lethal of them all. With the hearts of seventeen princes in her collection, she is revered across the sea. Until a twist of fate forces her to kill one of her own. To punish her daughter, the Sea Queen transforms Lira into the one thing they loathe most—a human. Robbed of her song, Lira has until the winter solstice to deliver Prince Elian's heart to the Sea Queen and or remain a human forever.The ocean is the only place Prince Elian calls home, even though he is heir to the most powerful kingdom in the world. Hunting sirens is more than an unsavory hobby—it's his calling. When he rescues a drowning woman in the ocean, she's more than what she appears. She promises to help him find the key to destroying all of sirenkind for good—But can he trust her? And just how many deals will Elian have to barter to eliminate mankind's greatest enemy?

— This book did not go the way I thought it was going to. Not a bad thing, but also not the best and the ending was...bleh. The middle, though? That was legit, and the action was good. I am always a fan of sword fights. Still, there was something that left me waiting for the final push towards great and it just never really came.

ROM-COMS WITH ONLY PASSABLY FRUSTRATING PLOTS AND GOOD KISSING

Party of Two by Jasmine Guillory

Dating is the last thing on Olivia Monroe's mind when she moves to LA to start her own law firm. But when she meets a gorgeous man at a hotel bar and they spend the entire night flirting, she discovers too late that he is none other than hotshot junior senator Max Powell. Olivia has zero interest in dating a politician, but when a cake arrives at her office with the cutest message, she can't resist—it is chocolate cake, after all.

Olivia is surprised to find that Max is sweet, funny, and noble—not just some privileged white politician, as she assumed him to be. Because of Max's high-profile job, they start seeing each other secretly, which leads to clandestine dates and silly disguises. But when they finally go public, the intense media scrutiny means people are now digging up her rocky past and criticizing her job, even her suitability as a trophy girlfriend. Olivia knows what she has with Max is something special, but is it strong enough to survive the heat of the spotlight?

— It was cute. Max was occasionally an idiot. The kissing was legit. Most of their problems could have very easily been solved, but that’s kind of this genre’s schtick.

The Worst Best Man by Mia Sosa

A wedding planner left at the altar? Yeah, the irony isn't lost on Carolina Santos, either. But despite that embarrassing blip from her past, Lina's offered an opportunity that could change her life. There's just one hitch... she has to collaborate with the best (make that worst) man from her own failed nuptials. Marketing expert Max Hartley is determined to make his mark with a coveted hotel client looking to expand its brand. Then he learns he'll be working with his brother's whip-smart, stunning—absolutely off-limits—ex-fiancée. And she loathes him.If they can nail their presentation without killing each other, they'll both come out ahead. Except Max has been public enemy number one ever since he encouraged his brother to jilt the bride, and Lina's ready to dish out a little payback of her own.Soon Lina and Max discover animosity may not be the only emotion creating sparks between them. Still, this star-crossed couple can never be more than temporary playmates because Lina isn't interested in falling in love and Max refuses to play runner-up to his brother ever again...

— Once you got past the hooking up with your ex’s brother thing, it was cute. Max was endearing in an earnest sort of way, even when Lina was STRONG FEMALE CHARACTER in a cliche sort of way. More solid kissing. Side note, why are so many rom com dudes named Max? Does it sound hip? Passably cool, but also approachable? Discuss. 

Not that Kind of Guy by Andie J. Christopher

State attorney Bridget Nolan is successful in all aspects of her life—except romance. After breaking up with her longtime boyfriend, she's been slow to reenter the dating scene. To be honest, she has more important things to do like putting bad guys behind bars. But with her brother's wedding right around the corner, she suddenly needs a date and fast. Lucky for Bridget, the legal intern is almost done with his program.

Matt Kido is dumbstruck by Bridget—total love at first sight—but there's one problem. She's totally off-limits while she's his boss. But the moment he no longer reports to her, Matt asks her on a date. An impulsive decision takes them to Las Vegas where, as the saying goes, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.

Unless you put a ring on it.

— Having written the “wake up in Vegas married” trope before, I know it’s difficult to do right. Consent’s a thing, y’know? And stuff gets dicy with forgotten memories, and all that, but mostly what kept me from truly loving this book was the intern thing. Don’t date your interns guys, it’s weird and off-putting. Literally if he’d just been a junior partner, or a visiting partner or something else I would have been all in.

Meet Cute by Helena Hunting

Kailyn Flowers was always calm, rational, and controlled—until she ended up sprawled all over Daxton Hughes, the former actor she totally crushed on as a teenager. Then she did the unthinkable: She became a mortifying fangirl in five seconds flat, which may or may not have included professing her undying love. And oddly, he didn't run away. In fact, their meet cute led to a friendship she never saw coming. Of course, she never saw his betrayal coming, either...Now Dax needs her help. As guardian to his thirteen-year-old sister, he's in way over his head. And though Kailyn hasn't forgiven Dax, she isn't heartless enough to make him fend for himself, either. Soon their friendly meetings turn into flirty dinner dates, and Kailyn can feel their chemistry is as explosive as ever. But how can she possibly let down her guard again to a guy who has heartbreak written all over him?

— Once again here for the one that got away trope, even if this comes with dead parents and some sad storylines. It still managed to be cute. Everyone was cute in it. Occasionally Daxton was a dick. As rom com male leads are apt to be.

If I Never Met You by Mhairi McFarlane

If faking love is this easy... how do you know when it's real?When her partner of over a decade suddenly ends things, Laurie is left reeling—not only because they work at the same law firm and she has to see him every day. Her once perfect life is in shambles and the thought of dating again in the age of Tinder is nothing short of horrifying. When news of her ex's pregnant girlfriend hits the office grapevine, taking the humiliation lying down is not an option. Then a chance encounter in a broken-down elevator with the office playboy opens up a new possibility.Jamie Carter doesn't believe in love, but he needs a respectable, steady girlfriend to impress their bosses. Laurie wants a hot new man to give the rumor mill something else to talk about. It's the perfect proposition: a fauxmance played out on social media, with strategically staged photographs and a specific end date in mind. With the plan hatched, Laurie and Jamie begin to flaunt their new couple status, to the astonishment—and jealousy—of their friends and colleagues. But there's a fine line between pretending to be in love and actually falling for your charming, handsome fake boyfriend...

— FAKE DATING THAT LEADS TO REAL FEELINGS. The ex-boyfriend was an assssss, the fake boyfriend was charming, everything was good AND THEN WE GOT TO THE END. Which felt more than a little rushed, unexpected and not really in line with the rest of the book?? Give ‘em a slightly better, in-character ending, and I would have been sold.

BOOKS THAT I WAS LIKE...EH, OK

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not. Within the black-and-white striped canvas tents is an utterly unique experience full of breathtaking amazements. It is called Le Cirque des Rêves, and it is only open at night.

But behind the scenes, a fierce competition is underway: a duel between two young magicians, Celia and Marco, who have been trained since childhood expressly for this purpose by their mercurial instructors. Unbeknownst to them both, this is a game in which only one can be left standing. Despite the high stakes, Celia and Marco soon tumble headfirst into love, setting off a domino effect of dangerous consequences, and leaving the lives of everyone, from the performers to the patrons, hanging in the balance.

— I think this book was too smart for me. The prose was gorgeous, and the whole thing was very pretty and I definitely swooned when Marco said he wished for Celia. And yet. By the end I was like...eh, ok. Maybe it was the timeline? Jumping around, or how little dialogue there was. I wanted to like it all so badly, and I’m just not sure I did.

Acting on Impulse by Mia Sosa

After a very public breakup with a media-hungry politician, fitness trainer Tori Alvarez escapes to Aruba for rest, relaxation, and copious amounts of sex on the beach—the cocktail, that is. She vows to keep her vacation a man-free zone but when a cute guy is seated next to her on the plane, Tori can't resist a little harmless flirting.Hollywood heartthrob Carter Stone underwent a dramatic physical transformation for his latest role and it's clear his stunning seat mate doesn't recognize the man beneath the shaggy beard and extra lean frame. Now Carter needs help rebuilding his buff physique and Tori is perfect for the job. It doesn't hurt that she makes his pulse pound in more ways than one.Sparks are flying, until a pesky paparazzo reveals Carter's identity. Tori is hurt and pissed. She wants nothing to do with another man in the limelight, but she's still got to whip him into shape. Can Carter convince Tori he's worth the threat to her privacy that comes with dating a famous actor, or will Tori chisel him down to nothing before he even gets the chance?

— Dudes have gotta stop lying about who they are. It’s not a great trope. Other than that, the kissing was good. The romance was like...eh. I honestly don’t remember much else.

Twice in a Blue Moon by Christina Lauren

During a whirlwind two-week vacation abroad, Sam and Tate fell for each other in only the way that first loves do: sharing all of their hopes, dreams, and deepest secrets along the way. Sam was the first, and only, person that Tate—the long-lost daughter of one of the world's biggest film stars—ever revealed her identity to. So when it became clear her trust was misplaced, her world shattered for good.

Fourteen years later, Tate, now an up-and-coming actress, only thinks about her first love every once in a blue moon. When she steps onto the set of her first big break, he's the last person she expects to see. Yet here Sam is, the same charming, confident man she knew, but even more alluring than she remembered. Forced to confront the man who betrayed her, Tate must ask herself if it's possible to do the wrong thing for the right reason... and whether "once in a lifetime" can come around twice.

— This book was...weird. The early romance was wonderful and delightful, but then shit hit the fan and Sam and Tate are adults and...weird. Like, I cannot come up with another word for it. Also, they didn’t really talk much? As adults? Working on the same movie set? W e i r d.

I Owe You One by Sophie Kinsella

Fixie Farr has always lived by her father’s motto: “Family first.” And since her dad passed away, leaving his charming housewares store in the hands of his wife and children, Fixie spends all her time picking up the slack from her siblings instead of striking out on her own. The way Fixie sees it, if she doesn’t take care of her father’s legacy, who will?

It’s simply not in Fixie’s nature to say no to people. So when a handsome stranger in a coffee shop asks her to watch his laptop for a moment, she not only agrees—she ends up saving it from certain disaster. To thank Fixie for her quick thinking, the computer’s owner, Sebastian, an investment manager, scribbles an IOU on a coffee sleeve and attaches his business card. Fixie laughs it off—she’d never actually claim an IOU from a stranger. Would she?

But then Fixie’s childhood crush, Ryan, comes back into her life, and his lack of a profession pushes all of Fixie’s buttons. As always, she wants nothing for herself—but she’d love Seb to give Ryan a job. No sooner has Seb agreed than the tables are turned once more and a new series of IOUs between Seb and Fixie—from small favors to life-changing moments—ensues. Soon Fixie, Ms. Fixit for everyone else, is torn between her family and the life she really wants. Does she have the courage to take a stand? Will she finally grab the life, and love, she really wants?

— Let’s be upfront, I’ve read a lot of Sophie Kinsella in my life, and more often than not I enjoy what she writes. I mostly did here. It was a book. With obvious rom com problems, that could have very easily been solved, but it wasn’t horrible. So, that was good, I guess.

The Wedding Party by Jasmine Guillory

Maddie and Theo have two things in common:

1. Alexa is their best friend

2. They hate each other

After an "oops, we made a mistake" night together, neither one can stop thinking about the other. With Alexa's wedding rapidly approaching, Maddie and Theo both share bridal party responsibilities that require more interaction with each other than they're comfortable with. Underneath the sharp barbs they toss at each other is a simmering attraction that won't fade. It builds until they find themselves sneaking off together to release some tension when Alexa isn't looking, agreeing they would end it once the wedding is over. When it's suddenly pushed up and they only have a few months left of secret rendezvouses, they find themselves regretting that the end is near. Two people this different can't possibly have a connection other than the purely physical, right?

But as with any engagement with a nemesis, there are unspoken rules that must be abided by. First and foremost, don't fall in love.

— Eh, this book happened. I still have no idea why they couldn’t be together from the get. Obstacles for the sake of plot, I guess. Also political side stories? I don’t know, guys.

WEIRD POST-ENDING FEELINGS WERE INDUCED

Beach Read by Emily Henry

Augustus Everett is an acclaimed author of literary fiction. January Andrews writes bestselling romance. When she pens a happily ever after, he kills off his entire cast.

They're polar opposites.

In fact, the only thing they have in common is that for the next three months, they're living in neighboring beach houses, broke, and bogged down with writer's block.

Until, one hazy evening, one thing leads to another and they strike a deal designed to force them out of their creative ruts: Augustus will spend the summer writing something happy, and January will pen the next Great American Novel. She'll take him on field trips worthy of any rom-com montage, and he'll take her to interview surviving members of a backwoods death cult (obviously). Everyone will finish a book and no one will fall in love. Really.

— Listen, I enjoyed this a lot. For the most part. It was funny, and introspective in a way that didn’t make me want to gag too much, and I wanted to defend January’s love of love with everything in me. But, then it—ended. And it was like...all tied up with this nice little ribbon and happily ever after, and I was like...oh, ok. Part of me that it was glad it ended like that, mostly because of who I am as a person, but the rest of me was also confused that after everything January and Augustus had been through and how messy their lives were it could just get all wrapped up in this HEA.

HITTING JUST A BIT TOO CLOSE TO HOME

Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade

Marcus Caster-Rupp has a secret. The world may know him as Aeneas, star of the biggest show on television, but fanfiction readers call him something else: Book!AeneasWouldNever. Marcus gets out his frustrations with the show through anonymous stories about the internet's favorite couple, Aeneas and Lavinia. But if anyone discovered his online persona, he'd be finished in Hollywood.April Whittier has secrets of her own. A hardcore Lavinia fan, she's long hidden her fanfic and cosplay hobbies from her "real life"—but not anymore. When she dares to post her latest costume creation on Twitter, her plus-size take goes viral. And when Marcus asks her out to spite her internet critics, truth officially becomes stranger than fanfiction. On their date, Marcus quickly realizes he wants more from April than a one-time publicity stunt. But when he discovers she's Unapologetic Lavinia Stan, his closest fandom friend, he has one more huge secret to keep from her.With love and Marcus's career on the line, can the two of them stop hiding once and for all, or will a match made in fandom end up prematurely cancelled?

— Here for plus-size heroines who get the guy and don’t have their (entire) storyline defined by their looks. Less here for the weird fandom culture, the ensuing second-hand embarrassment that came from that and the thankfulness that both Colin O’Donoghue and Bob Morley appear to be happily married so it seems very unlikely they’re writing fic about their characters under pseudonyms. Stop using Ao3 in actual published stories 2k4ever.

RAGE-INDUCING BOOKS OF ABSOLUTE FURY

The Friend Zone by Abby Jimenez

Kristen Peterson doesn't do drama, will fight to the death for her friends, and has no room in her life for guys who just don't get her. She's also keeping a big secret: facing a medically necessary procedure that will make it impossible for her to have children.Planning her best friend's wedding is bittersweet for Kristen — especially when she meets the best man, Josh Copeland. He's funny, sexy, never offended by her mile-wide streak of sarcasm, and always one chicken enchilada ahead of her hangry. Even her dog, Stuntman Mike, adores him. The only catch: Josh wants a big family someday. Kristen knows he'd be better off with someone else, but as their attraction grows, it's harder and harder to keep him at arm's length.The Friend Zone will have you laughing one moment and grabbing for tissues the next as it tackles the realities of infertility and loss with wit, heart, and a lot of sass.

— LISTEN THERE ARE SPOILERS HERE, BUT I FEEL LIKE YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THEM BECAUSE THIS BOOK IS A SECRET GUT PUNCH AND PEOPLE SHOULD BE AWARE. Not only is infertility, like, the defining theme of this book, but the BEST FRIEND DIES. Just—dies. It’s horrible. Absolutely God awful depressing. And for a second he looks like he won’t, and it’ll be fine, but then it is not and he’s just D E A D. I know, I know that sets up the sequel, but this was so goddamn heavy in an unsuspecting way that I have absolutely no intention of reading the next one.

Well Met by Jen DeLuca

Emily knew there would be strings attached when she relocated to the small town of Willow Creek, Maryland, for the summer to help her sister recover from an accident, but who could anticipate getting roped into volunteering for the local Renaissance Faire alongside her teenaged niece? Or that the irritating and inscrutable schoolteacher in charge of the volunteers would be so annoying that she finds it impossible to stop thinking about him?

The faire is Simon's family legacy and from the start he makes clear he doesn't have time for Emily's lighthearted approach to life, her oddball Shakespeare conspiracy theories, or her endless suggestions for new acts to shake things up. Yet on the faire grounds he becomes a different person, flirting freely with Emily when she's in her revealing wench's costume. But is this attraction real, or just part of the characters they're portraying?

This summer was only ever supposed to be a pit stop on the way to somewhere else for Emily, but soon she can't seem to shake the fantasy of establishing something more with Simon or a permanent home of her own in Willow Creek.

— FUCK THIS BOOK. And fuck Simon, specifically. Oh, you have a sad story? Cool, you’re still a dick. He was a dick. Listen, I know enemies to lovers is a hard trope to write, but it’s even harder to accept when those enemies just announce I LIKED YOU THE WHOLE TIME and then everyone starts ripping off their clothes. No, it’s dumb. I hate it. Apparently there’s a sequel to this book. Maybe that’s better.

Kiss My Cupcake by Helena Hunting

Blaire Calloway has planned every Instagram-worthy moment of her cupcake and cocktails shop launch down to the tiniest detail. What she didn't plan on? Ronan Knight and his old-school sports bar next door opening on the very same day. He may be super swoony, but Blaire hasn't spent years obsessing over buttercream and bourbon to have him ruin her chance at success.From axe throwing (his place) to frosting contests (hers), Blaire and Ronan are constantly trying to one-up each other in a battle to win new customers. But with every clash, there's also an undeniable chemistry. When an even bigger threat to their business comes to town, they're forced to call a temporary time-out on their own war and work together. And the more time Blaire spends getting to know the real Ronan, the more she wonders if it's possible to have her cupcake and eat it too.

— Listen, I wanted to like this one. There were plenty other Helena Hunting books on this list, so like—I don’t hate her. I just hate poorly executed enemies to lovers plot lines. Give me at least one moment where they are interested in each other aside from just being attracted to each other. Also: Stop Having Dudes Be Dicks Because Of Their Sad Backstory 2k4ever.

Don’t You Forget About Me by Mhairi McFarlane

You always remember your first love... don't you?If there's anything worse than being fired from the worst restaurant in town, it's coming home early to find your boyfriend in bed with someone else. Reeling from the humiliation of a double dumping in one day, Georgina takes the next job that comes her way—bartender in a newly opened pub. There's only one problem: it's run by the guy she fell in love with years ago. And—make that two problems—he doesn't remember her. At all. But she has fabulous friends and her signature hot pink fur coat... what more could a girl really need?Lucas McCarthy has not only grown into a broodingly handsome man, but he's also turned into an actual grown-up, with a thriving business and a dog along the way. Crossing paths with him again throws Georgina's rocky present into sharp relief—and brings a secret from her past bubbling to the surface. Only she knows what happened twelve years ago, and why she's allowed the memories to chase her ever since. But maybe it's not too late for the truth... or a second chance with the one that got away?

— HE WAS JUST PRETENDING NOT TO REMEMBER HER THE WHOLE TIME???? WHAT?? WHY??? D U M B. Dumb boys are dumb.

Not the Girl You Marry by Andie J. Christopher

Jack Nolan is a gentleman, a journalist, and unlucky in love. His viral success has pigeon-holed him as the how-to guy for a buzzy, internet media company instead of covering hard-hitting politics. Fed up with his fluffy articles and the app-based dating scene as well, he strikes a deal with his boss to write a final piece de resistance: How to Lose a Girl. Easier said than done when the girl he meets is Hannah Mayfield, and he's not sure he wants her to dump him.

Hannah is an extremely successful event planner who's focused on climbing the career ladder. Her firm is one of the most prestigious in the city, and she's determined to secure her next promotion. But Hannah has a bit of an image problem. She needs to show her boss that she has range, including planning dreaded, romantic weddings. Enter Jack. He's the perfect man to date for a couple weeks to prove to her boss that she's not scared of feelings.

Before Jack and Hannah know it, their fake relationship starts to feel all too real—and neither of them can stand to lose each other.

— This is actually the prequel to Not That Kind of Guy and I honestly can’t believe I read that after hating this book so much. They were awful to each other! Their whole relationship was based on lies! Mean lies! Horrible lies! Don’t lie to your significant other!

[mosh-4]

new friends, new music | A.I.

Ashton Irwin Imagine:

Ashton Irwin – you’re their opening act, and you write a song with Ash.

singer!y/n x Ashton

(the first song is Tennis Court, and the second is Ribs, both by Lorde. let’s pretend here, friends)

 Being the opening act for 5 Seconds of Summer is great. You were loving it. The energy and support from the crowd was life changing.

However, part of you felt like there was something missing. You felt out of place. Every night, you would perform the same set of songs you had written for yourself while at your university, and your manager had encouraged you to record them and put them out. You were a baby musician and followed their guidance, but now that you have grown, you can’t help but feel like your music isn’t ‘you’ anymore.

To you, it felt sloppy and anti-climactic. If you weren’t confident or happy with your music, how could the crowd be?

You wouldn’t blame them if they put you on blast on twitter. You felt the same way.

The solution to your problem was to just not write bad songs. Easy right? So, you spent the majority of your bus time either sleeping, eating, or writing music. It wasn’t horrible.

You were on bus two with the second opening act. They were a three-member band, and you got along with them pretty well. You wouldn’t personally choose to hang with them, but you lived together on a tour bus so you couldn’t really escape them.

The bus assignments were pretty loose. You slept on bus two, but you weren’t confined to it. The members of the other opening act occasionally spent their time on bus one with headliners. You cherished that time because it was quiet enough for you to work on your new music, and you could be as loud as you wanted.

The tour was currently traveling from Charlotte, NC to Nashville, TN, and you were alone in your bus. Or, so you thought.

***

You were sitting in the back lounge of the tour bus with an acoustic guitar resting on your lap and a pair of rose gold headphones resting on your head.

You began to strum opening notes of the melody you were working on while humming and mouthing some lyrics to go with it. You would stop every once in a while to jot some notes down into your little notebook. You had been in your head for quite sometime until you decided you needed a break.

You played through the work in progress once before you got up to lock it in your brain. You strummed and sang along with the lyrics you had just written as loud as you pleased. Once you finished and felt content with your work, you got up to grab a snack and drink from the kitchen area.

With your headphones still securely placed on your head, you began to blast some Panic! At the Disco and scrolled through Instagram as you trekked to the kitchen. Following your usual route without paying attention, you climbed onto the booth table seat to reach the top cabinet that you placed your snacks in. You placed a hand firmly on the wall to keep your balance.

Unfortunate for you, the bus hit a bump in the road causing you to teeter off the booth seat with your graham crackers in one hand and you phone in the other. You braced yourself for your inevitable fall before you felt a hand grab you by the waist.

“oh my god.”

You jumped from the sudden contact and pulled yourself away from the person after regaining your balance.

Your mighty savior laughed at your outburst.

“are you alright?” the Australian asked after he quickly finished laughing.

You looked up and slid your headphones to rest on your neck. The one and only Ashton Irwin sat at the very booth seat you had just climbed on. You had nearly stepped on him.

“I’m fine. You just scared me,” you said taking a breath. “I’m sorry. I was in my head, and I totally didn’t see you there.”

“don’t sweat it. It’s fine,” he said glancing to your box of graham crackers. “you might have to share some of those with me, though.”

Now that you had finally calmed down, you set the box down on the table before moving the grab a water from the fridge.

“do you want anything to drink?” you asked in an attempt to be hospitable to guy you had nearly climbed up just to get a few graham crackers.

“I’m good. I helped myself earlier,” he said while scrolling through his phone.

You grabbed a drink for yourself before taking a seat across the table from him.

To be honest, he was kind of intimidating, and you had never really had a conversation with him. Of course, you had listened to his music, and you were a fan. He and the rest of his band just felt unapproachable to you.

He typed a few things into his laptop before going back to his phone.

“i-uh-can go if you’re super busy,” you said preparing to leave him a sleeve of graham crackers and head back to the lounge.

He immediately snapped his eyes to you.

“no,” he said quickly. “I’m not doing anything important. I’m just putting some dates and events into the calendar on my phone that my manager emailed the band. You don’t need to leave.”

“okay, are you sure? I don’t mind.”

“no, seriously. You should stay.”

“okay,” you softly said as you opened a sleeve of graham crackers.

You slide the half open sleeve to him, and he grabbed two before sliding it back to you.

“so how come you never hang out with everyone in my bus?” Ashton asked with an eyebrow raised to you.

You grabbed a cracker for yourself. “I like to work on some stuff when its quiet. Nothing personal against hanging with everyone, I just need a moment to myself.”

“cheers to that,” he said tapping his graham cracker against yours.

“so why are you visiting bus two?” you leaned back in your seat.

“it got a bit chaotic in bus one, and I needed a break for myself,” he paused to take a bit. “I could feel a migraine coming on.

“oh, do you need something for it? I’ve got ibuprofen-”

“nah,” he shook his head. “I had a small nap, and it went away.”

“oh okay. I’m sorry if I was being loud back in the lounge.”

“no, you were fine. It was calming,” he admitted while examining your face. “whatever you were working on sounded really good. Are you going to add it to your set?”

You took a swig of your water. “I’m not sure if I want to. The song feels too personal to share right now. I don’t think I’ll be playing it until I start putting out music that’s more me, you know?”

“that’s more you?” he squinted his eyes at you. “not a fan of your current stuff?”

“hardly,” you admit. “it just feels too out of place. Half of those songs I wrote at 2 am for a music theory class in college, and the other half are manufactured pop rock songs. My manager wanted me to put out an album so badly that he didn’t really care what went into it, and now I can’t perform them without cringing. I’ve just- uh- I don’t know- like- I feel like I’ve just kinda-I don’t know-”

“you’ve grown,” he shrugged.

“yeah. I have,” you pause looking him dead in the eye.  “and I need my music to progress with me.”

“I get that. You’ve found the music you want to make, and you want to perform music you’re passionate about rather than the stuff you’re given. Nothing wrong with that,” he shrugged before leaning forward. “so how many do you have written?”

“songs?”

“yeah, how many songs do you have written?”

“like twenty, but I only like four of them.”

“counting the one you were working on earlier?”

“no, that’s not finished yet.” You took another chomp out of your cracker.

“okay,” he nodded. “can I write some stuff with you?”

“really?” you almost choke. “you want to work with me?”

“yeah, why not?” he smiled. “we’ve got nothing to do for the next three hours.”

***

You and Ashton sat on the floor of the lounge working out a song. You both had guitars on your lap while you worked out melodies. Ashton was tapping out a beat on the body of the acoustic he was borrowing. You hummed along to the melody you were working on before snapped up straight and slung the guitar off your lap.

You leaped up to grab your notebook from the couch and began to flip through it until you found your page. You set the book down in front of you as you place the guitar back on your lap.

“what if, it went like this,” you started before strumming the melody. You began to sing:

“baby, be the class clown,

I’ll be the beauty queen in tears

It’s a new art form,

showin’ people how little we care”

“I like it, yeah, yeah, let’s keep running with it.”

“okay, keep the beat that you were doing,” you said before you went back to your singing.

“baby, be the class clown,

I’ll be the beauty queen in tears

It’s a new art form,

showin’ people how little we care

We’re so happy, even when we’re smilin’ out of fear

Let’s go down to the tennis courts and talk it up like yeah (yeah)”

Ashton let out one of his bleated laughs. “where did you get ‘tennis courts’?”

You let out a little laugh as he distracted you from you train of thought. “I went to a private high school. We had tennis courts that the popular kids hung out at.”

“that’s ridiculous,” he laughed.

“I know.”

***

“But my head's filling up with the wicked games, up in flames

How can I f*** with the fun again, when I'm known

And my boys trip me up with their heads again, loving them

Everything's cool when we're all in line, for the throne

But I know it's not forever (Yeah)

Baby be the class clown

I'll be the beauty queen in tears

It's a new art form showing people how little we care (yeah)

We're so happy, even when we're smilin' out of fear

Let's go down to the tennis court, and talk it up like yeah (yeah)”

You sat singing the song you and Ashton had just finished into your voice memos while he tapped out the beat for you.

“that was so cool.”

You smiled sheepishly at the drummer after you had finished voice-memo-ing your song.

“thanks.”

“that’s gonna be a banger,” he laughed adjusting his hair. “what else do you got in your little book?”

You laughed before tossing it into his lap. “beware, some of it’s angsty, but I trust you not to judge too harshly.”

You stood up to grab you both some more snacks and waters while Ashton flipped through your countless pages of lyrics.

“hey, I like this one,” he shouted from the other room.

“which one,” you shouted back.

“it feels so scary getting old.”

Your feet padded into the room with your arms full of the box of graham crackers and waters.

“that’s a dark one.”

“I don’t judge.” He said looking up from the one of the pages. “it’s that all you eat?”

Ashton laughed at you as you shoved a cracker into your mouth. So much for not judging…

“is there something wrong with that?”

“extremely,” he laughed grabbing a cracker for himself. “you do eat other foods, right? With nutrients and stuff?”

“yeshf,” you replied with a full mouth. “it’s a snack. I’ll eat actually food when we stop for dinner.”

“can I buy you dinner?”

“uhhhhh-”

“so that we can talk about more song ideas, you know?”

“oh, yeah, sure,” you nodded. “I would like that.”

“cool, so let’s work on this one,” he said directing your attention to the page with the lyrics written on it.

“damn that’s angsty,” you said after you scanned the page. “let’s do it.”

***

“This dream isn't feeling sweet

We're reeling through the midnight streets

And I've never felt more alone

It feels so scary, getting old

I want 'em back (I want 'em back)

The minds we had (the minds we had)

How all the thoughts (how all the thoughts)

Moved 'round our heads (moved 'round our heads)

I want 'em back (I want 'em back)

The minds we had (the minds we had)

It's not enough to feel the lack

I want 'em back, I want 'em back, I want 'em

You're the only friend I need

Sharing beds like little kids

Laughing 'til our ribs get tough

But that will never be enough”

You bopped back and forth to the beat as you sang along to the beat Ashton was giving as you sang the song you had just thrown together.

When you finished, Ashton let out a whistle.

“another one, baby, another one. THIS IS ROCK N ROLL BABY,” he screamed excitedly as you laughed before collapsing onto the couch next to you.

Both of your heads’ rested against the same cushion just inches apart.

“I’d say today was quite productive,” you whisper tiredly between the two of you.

“we did good,” he raised his hand to bump his knuckles against yours.

“we did. Pretty good team, huh?”

You were both stuck in a post-songwriting-genius session haze, and both of your eyes linger just a little too long on each other.

Thankfully, the bus lurched forward as it stopped at the rest stop to fill up and for everyone to grab dinner, which pulled you both from your little world.

Ashton was the first to break the gaze as he pulled himself off the couch to help you up.

“c’mon, let’s go get some real food.”

You groan as he yanks you up from the couch before you head to tear apart your bunk to find your pair of converse.

 …and that’s how you became best friends with Ashton Irwin…

.

.

.

hi friends! i know it’s been a while, but i’m back. let me know if you want to see more singer!y/n x Ashton xx - mosh

[eureka-its-zico]

WIP Ask Game

rules ~ post the names of all the files in your wip folder, regardless of how ridiculous or non descriptive they are. send an ask with the title that most intrigues you and i’ll post a little snippet of it or tell you something about it.

I was tagged by the talented and wonderful @parkdatjimin! Thank you for the tag this gave me so much anxiety

I seriously need more friends lol crying in the club all alone Since I unfortunately don't have enough friends I'm going to tag authors that I enjoy reading. @tabi-ears @btssmutgalore @dearneverlander @ladyartemesia @hansolmates @writemywaytoyourheart @parkdatjimin (I know you already did this but I love reading your stuffs, ok?! OK)

Without further ado....my shit list

WIPS...

Obsession Pt. 3 - The temp agency sent you to a new job that was supposed to be something simple that came along with easy money: lots of easy money. But simple is far from what you get when you realize, being the secretary for Jeon Jungkook, comes with his own form of demands.

Forever...(is a long time) - Your best friend in the world just so happened to be your partner in the bureau. In a last minute request, she asks that you help her husband with their kids. Your life never mapped out anything domesticated and you didn't know the first thing about kids. But when life throws you off course you only have two options: do you turn your back on your best friend's wish or do you become the person she always knew you could be?

Commitment Series - Mafia!Jungkook with Detective Reader.

Fighter Pt 2 - A chance encounter with a handsome stranger at a bar turns your life around in more ways than you could’ve imagined. A man with a dark past was always a dangerous thing. Jungkook!Fighter AU

Half Bitten Pt 6 - A Vampire!BTS AU that was originally for Jimin but is slowly turning into a poly mess

Wicked Games PT 4 - A drunken holiday night takes you into something you swore you would never do. Everyone knows that Friends With Benefits never work.  Someone is going to catch feelings, and ultimately your friendship ruined but that didn’t stop you both from stealing a kiss.

Irrevocably Yours Pt 3 - A enemies to lovers, first love, slow burn request for Jungkook I received a long time ago where he lost the use of his leg in an accident and is dealing with his new position in life and the reader and him find comfort and hope in each other.

Best Friend Request - A Request I got ages ago about Jungkook and reader being best friends and ending up hooking up at a party. Shenanigans ensue. Doesn't have a proper name or beginning yet.

Dominant - A smutty idea I had for Tae that's just a one-shot of just a pure smutty good time.

Pretty as A Picture - A dream my friend had about Zico that I started writing into a one-shot because I thought it was cute af. It has to do with a library encounter that leads to many more after that.

Suddenly I See You: The Final Chapter - You and Minho have been friends since the sandbox. He’s your best friend and you love him like a brother; never noticing once that he was madly in love with you. You arrive for your first day at Seoul National University to start your life on the path your parents planned out for you. You’d calculated all the variables, but never calculated on the one you never saw coming: Woo Jiho.

The Night at The...Series: These both started as talks of a friends dream she had about Tae and then us just talking about Namjoon being the perfect boyfriend and well...I decided to write seven different nights for the members and calling it The Night at The for each. So far, we only have two or three figured out.

Night at the Opera Feat. Tae

Night at the Museum Feat. Namjoon

Wedding Partners - You and Jungkook agree to be each other's dates to all of your friends wedding for the year.

Love Like Winter - An AU Where reader is inside an mental hospital and meets Jay B and Yoongi. They are all there for their own personal healing, but end up finding that sometimes healing can come from the most unexpected places.

Artificial Love Pt. 3 - An AI Jungkook AU I started ages ago.

It's spooky season so I have a few that I always want to write, because its spooky season. I probably won't mention them here because if I write them I want one of them to be a surprise...because I'm angst lover and yea....(I'm thinking something like my stydia fic "Broken")

Tae or Jungkook Fallen Angel AU

Baker!Jungkook and rival reader AU

Namjoon College AU

[polkahotness]

SHORTAKI WEEK DAY 1

FFN // AO3 

               Long Gone

Sometimes when I look at Helga, it's difficult to remember what it was like before we admitted our feelings for each other. Granted, Helga had admitted her feelings to me countless times and on numerous different occasions, but I had never been all that great at that sort of thing in response.

I supposed that my 'love language' just wasn't the same as hers and it made navigating through our relationship a tumultuous and difficult process at times.

Helga had always been so good with words—her feelings, though oftentimes hidden deep inside, were always so well-articulated. When she wanted to give up the truth behind them, her sentences were thoughtful; poetic, and they came out of her mouth with ease, despite inwardly struggling with that piece of vulnerability.

But me?

It seemed that I still hadn't quite figured out how to best voice my feelings.

It wasn't that I had a problem voicing them—I had no issue whatsoever telling Helga, Gerald, my next-door neighbor, or the entire world how I felt about her. That wasn't the problem. The problem was that I couldn't do it well. My attempts were often clumsy, and I had the tendency to ramble and stumble over each word like I was once again learning how to speak for the first time in my life.

Thankfully, Helga never held it against me. In fact, her response to my feeble attempts usually sounded something like, "Still struggling with that word thing, are we, footballhead?" Then she'd let out this soft little laugh while I blushed and would open my mouth to try and dispute her, though she never let me get that far. "I get it, babe. You love me. And I love you—" then she'd pause and smack my butt while following it up with, "—and that cute little ass of yours."

A lifetime of confusing feelings had changed a lot in the dynamic between Helga and myself—the last six of those years cementing our relationship in a way that 10-year-old-me could have never imagined.

We were the couple people oogled over. Our stories of the bully and the victim turning into lovers was one for the ages, and we never grew tired of talking about it or reminiscing over the foolish children we once were. While anyone with eyes could see the love that we held for one another, it was always Helga who seemed to vocalize it best. As the self-appointed designated speaker, she was usually the one who told our complicated love story as I draped my arm over her shoulders to hold her into me wherever it was that we sat.

Helga had figured out in our time together that I was the shower, and not the teller. My love for her looked like me making dinner when I knew she had a hard day at work and would be too tired to even heat up a tv dinner. It looked like me rubbing her feet while she lay unsuspecting on the couch with her legs on my lap as we binge-watched another series. My love was shown through buying her that book she'd been talking about for three weeks because it was the long-awaited follow-up to her favorite author's poetry book—and I'd even gotten the limited edition copy with the ornately designed cover and gold-lined pages because, while she'd never say it, I knew she preferred the special copy over the boring (and cheaper) paperback version.

It was all of those little things and more that told Helga how much I loved her. But all of those little things could never express what I needed to tell her next. The emotions and feelings I had to say this time around would require me to put my strengths of showing and my weaknesses of telling together so I could be bolder than I'd ever been before.

Because there was nothing in the world that I wouldn't do for her.

It may have taken us a while to realize just how deeply our love for one another went. Even after we'd admitted our feelings, we struggled to get to a place where we mutually realized we were each other's end game. I'm sure Helga already knew this fact because she seemed to have always known, even when we were children, but me? It had taken me much longer.

With Helga, I was always just a few steps behind.

But it was okay.

Helga always managed to wait patiently…always somehow knowing that I was making my way to her.

Throughout our years of syncopated dating habits, a funny thing happened that I could never push away. Helga never left my mind. No matter where I was or what I was doing with who, Helga always remained. It may have taken until we both hit 21 for the stars to officially align, but that night six years ago when we reconnected on our favorite bar's balcony that overlooked the bright lights of Hillwood… that night forever changed my life.

I could only hope it would provide that same luck tonight as we stood together, once again, on the bar's balcony while looking out at our hometown on a quiet autumn evening.

"You know, Arnoldo," Helga said after taking a swig from the bottle she was holding, "I was kind of surprised you wanted to come to this joint on our anniversary of all days."

Smirking at her statement, I shrugged my shoulders. "The balcony here is nice. I like looking out at the city, don't you?"

"Well, sure," she replied while focusing her attention out on the dotted lights of the faraway buildings that made up the skyline. "But we could have easily done it from somewhere less…" Twisting her body, she glanced behind herself towards the hubbub of noise from within the bar. Turning back around, she returned her gaze outward while finishing her sentiment. "I don't know, somewhere less… cheesy."

"Cheesy?" I intoned while eyeing her carefully. "What do you mean by that?"

"You know," she simply said while fixating her eyes ahead without so much as a flinch in my direction. "Taking me to the same place where we first 'officially' rekindled our relationship. I guess I would have thought you'd pick some fancy-pants restaurant to propose to me at."

My jaw instinctively dropped as I stared at Helga with my mouth agape.

Slowly she turned her head to look at me with a wicked grin. "I like the sentimentality part though," she offered as some kind of consolation prize. "But if you were to take us back somewhere and be all romantic by talking about the past, I would have chosen P.S 118 or something. Now that's a good throwback."

I was still in shock as she spoke; my mind not comprehending that Helga had so easily figured out my plans and then called me out on them without so much as a care in the world.

It seemed that, yet again, Helga was still one step ahead of me.

"But you… how did you… but," I shook my head while struggling to force out a somewhat-coherent response. "Didn't you, how could you have—"

"Arnold," she deadpanned, though a hint of a smile twitched at the corner of her lips, "You were at Gerald's for four hours the other day. You really think I didn't hear about your little 'plans' from Phoebe?"

"Phoebe told you?" I repeated in shock. "Phoebe. She's smarter than that, Helga. Why on earth would she think it was okay to tell you something this important?!" I exclaimed and Helga remained unphased; merely tilting her head in thought before looking away from me again.

Casually, she explained, "I never said she thought it was okay. I mean, criminy, I practically had to force it out of her."

"And you did that because…?"

Helga let out a chuckle before fully turning her entire body to face me directly. "I've been waiting for you to propose to me for years now, Arnold. Years." I could feel heat beginning to rise and fill in my cheeks. "Honestly, I was about ready to propose to you, and then Phoebe kept telling me that I couldn't do that because our anniversary was coming up so then I told her that it was the perfect time to propose, then one thing led to another and—"

"She didn't actually tell you, then, did she." I finished for her in a statement rather than a question, and Helga let out a heavy sigh.

"She didn't have to tell me," Helga said with a twinge of humor beneath her tone. "By the way she acted, I knew immediately what you were up to."

Silence settled between us and I fought the urge to explode in anger, frustration, and sheer disappointment. How was it that I was still so incapable of surprising Helga? How was it that even after all of this time, I was still that dense little boy unable to catch up to Helga and be the first to admit something for once.

How was it that I was somehow perpetually in the fourth grade, avoiding acting on my feelings?

Impulsively, I grabbed Helga's hand and began pulling her towards the inside of the bar, "C'mon," I told her as she followed along with an inquisitive set of eyes. "We're going somewhere."

"Where?" She scoffed out. "I thought you were going to ask me to marry you…"

"Oh, I am," I answered immediately and in a firm tone. "But I'm not doing it here."

"Ahh, a field trip, I see," Helga replied as we dodged and weaved our way through the drunken crowd of dancers cluttering the small bar. "And just where is it you have decided to take me for this romantic gesture?"

"Somewhere you won't be expecting this time," I told her with about 86% certainty. "At least… I hope."

As she set her half-empty bottle on a table that we passed by in pursuit of the door out, we finally exited the bar and began making our way down the sidewalk. I led us forward with determination while Helga trailed along in my wake; her longer legs allowing her to keep at my pace with ease.

"Seriously, what are you up to, Hair Boy?" Her tone was becoming almost nervous, and it only heightened my confidence that this new destination was where I should have brought her in the first place. It was a deep-seeded memory that we hadn't discussed since we were teenagers. This had to be the perfect place for a proposal.

This had to be it.

Continuing to drag her along, Helga's eyes shifted to take in her surroundings. Her brows furrowed as she tried to piece together the strange environment that I was leading her through—an old part of Hillwood that had been long forgotten. Most everything on each block had either been abandoned or demolished; the promises of new complexes and mini-malls now only graffitied rubble lost to the recent economic recession.

"Do you even know where we are?" Helga continued to try and coax my true purpose out of me. "You do realize that if we're lost, I am not paying for the taxi back."

It was a backhanded joke that signaled Helga was out of her element. I knew her tactics by now and she was currently baffled as to what was in store. The fact that I was going to propose tonight was already out in the open and there was no pretending it wasn't still going to happen. The way it was going to happen, however… now that was going to be vastly different.

I just hoped I was going to be able to pull it off. I didn't exactly have the greatest track record with speaking my feelings on the fly, but maybe that was for the best. In fact, by doing this completely unrehearsed, Helga would know that my words—as jumbled and clunky as they may come out—would be directly from the heart, my heart. Unrehearsed. Unpolished. Unfiltered.

Pulling Helga to a stop as we reached the corner of an unassuming block hidden in the outskirts of Hillwood, the two of us stood in place in front of a small building. Inside the window was a faded, 'For Lease' sign, and the cement that made up the foundation was filled with cracks that had allowed wild weeds to spurt from the ground and wiggle their way up towards the sky. At first glance, the building was old and decrepit—absolutely nothing special and certainly not somewhere worthy of a marriage proposal.

Glancing around at where I'd brought her, Helga eyed the building carefully before slowly turning to face me. "An abandoned building? What's so special about this place? There's nothing here."

"Exactly," I answered as Helga's brow raised in curiosity. "There isn't anything here. Not now, anyway." Looking over my shoulder, I gestured towards the dilapidated structure before continuing my thought. "It's been a lot of different things in the past, though."

"Oh really?" Helga humored me while letting go of my hand to cross her arms loosely over her chest. "Like what?"

"A clothing boutique. A tailoring company. I'm pretty sure there was a craft store in here too at one point—"

"What in the hell does any of that have to do with—" Helga interrupted, though I didn't allow her to keep talking.

Instead, I finished my sentence by asserting dominance and talking over her as she unsuccessfully tried to speak over me. "—but before all of that, this was a daycare."

Helga's eyes widened minimally, though she remained silent as if to give me the chance to continue.

And that's exactly what I did.

"Not so much a daycare as it was a pre-school, though."

More silence settled between us as Helga's eyes drifted from mine to look at the run-down building she hadn't recognized. "Urban Tots," she muttered out as though it were an afterthought rather than a declaration of acknowledgement.

At her fixation towards our old pre-school, I took the opportunity to shakily get down on one knee; my hand fumbling to reach the small box I'd been hiding inside the pocket of the jeans I was wearing. Pulling it out, Helga's eyes returned to me; water gathering at the base of her vision as she looked down at me with laser-focus.

"Helga," I began precariously, though I tried to keep myself calm as I turned the blue-velvet box over and over in my hands anxiously. "As you've proven tonight, you are and always have been one step ahead of me. Since the moment we met, something in you had the wherewithal to know that we weren't just classmates in some random neighborhood in a random city in this random universe we find ourselves living in. Something inside of you knew that we were more than that. It knew… you knew that we were so much more, that we were… that we are, soulmates."

"Arnold," Helga breathed out, but I held up a finger to stop her from saying anything else and throwing me off of my groove.

"Do you remember when we were fifteen?" I started and Helga smirked while staring at me incredulously. "You told me that you had loved me from the moment you first saw me which, to be fair, wasn't the first time you'd told me that, but I asked you when that was, when you had first seen me."

A small laugh escaped Helga as she recalled the moment I was referencing. "You'd never asked me that before. It was a stupid question."

"Not really," I countered while adjusting from where I knelt on the pavement; my knee suddenly telling me that I'd chosen the wrong time to begin kneeling. Unfortunately, it was definitely too late now to get back up, so I instead took a deep breath to calm my angry kneecap and proceeded with my story. "It's funny because the memories that I have of you and things you've done or random conversations and moments we've shared… they're different than your memories."

"How do you figure?" Helga pressed and I knitted my brows together while trying to find the most effective way to explain my thoughts.

"You have a whole other set of memories that I don't remember because, at the time, they didn't mean anything to me yet. Just like some of my memories don't align with yours because they weren't as significant to you as they were to me in that moment." I took in a sharp breath before finalizing, "A lot of your memories are different because you've known about us a lot longer than I ever did."

"Long before there even was an us, you dingus," Helga chuckled out, and I rolled my eyes at her comment.

"Anyway," I emphasized before pressing onward. "You told me all about that day, that day back at Urban Tots when we apparently first met—a memory I had never actively remembered but suddenly did as you told your side of the story. It was one of the first times you broke down that wall, completely destroyed it to bare your soul to me without insults or nicknames or jokes to cover up the raw truth. You told me about what happened before you got to the pre-school, about Olga and your parents and the rain and your lunch and-and…"

I had to stop myself because the rambling had begun to rear its ugly head. Taking a moment to collect myself, I inhaled deeply before re-routing my conversational direction so I could get back on track with the task at hand.

"I never forgot that story," I admitted while looking down at the ring box I was still playing with in my grip. "You went back to the casual bullying and nicknames, both of us knowing how we felt about each other, but I never forgot that story. Each night I'd lay in my bed staring up through the skylight at the stars and imagine that memory I'd forgotten over and over again. Your pink overalls covered in mud. That sad look in your eye. It was like you'd never been loved… like you didn't know what it meant to be loved or to love another person."

Helga chewed on her lip for a moment as though trying to find the right thing to say—something she didn't typically struggle with. After a moment, she settled on, "What's your point. Aren't proposals supposed to be romantic or something? Not some… excuse to go drudging up my messed-up past and all of the memories that I've worked really hard to forget—"

"I know, I know," I tried to subdue her before she could indulge any further in the anger that was rapidly bubbling up inside of her. "What I am saying, is that the little girl who stood right here all of those years ago… that unloved toddler is gone now, Helga. She's long gone, okay?"

Her deep azure gaze bore into me as I kept talking; my knee now completely numbed from any pain or feeling as my body began to follow suit from nervousness alone. "The woman who stands before me isstill the same feisty, stubborn, thoughtful, smart, talented… and amazing person she has always been, but unloved?" I shook my head a couple of times. "That girl from long ago and the woman of now and forevermore is not unloved. She never will be or feel unloved, ever again. And that's something that I can and do promise you."

With that, I at last presented the box and carefully opened it to reveal a golden engagement ring with an opal at its center. Surrounding the stone was a halo of small diamonds; the ring itself appearing as the most dazzling of flowers attached to a plain gold band. The ring sparkled effortlessly under the glow of the moonlight, though the sky threatened its romantic lighting with oncoming and fast-moving storm clouds.

As Helga's eyes went back and forth between the ring and myself, I kept talking; the next set of words something I had always planned to say no matter where I ended up proposing. "Helga G. Pataki, you have been my bully for as long as I can remember. You teased me relentlessly and never stopped giving me attention, no matter how much I thought I didn't want it. You confessed to me time after time that you loved me and yet, even after all of this time, I've never confessed how I feel to you—at least, not entirely. So, I guess… well… here goes."

Nodding her head for me to keep going, she pressed her lips together in a tight line as though trying to hold back the tears I could see pooling in her eyes.

"I love you. I'm head over heels, wildly, desperately, endlessly in love with you, Helga," my words were earnest; genuine. Each sentence I said with the utmost care and sincerity. "I don't just want to have you in my life, I need you in my life. I need your nicknames, your teasing, your each and every thought, your embrace… your everything because you are my everything. And this ring—" I took it out of its box and held out the specifically-chosen engagement ring for her approval, "—I chose it for a reason."

"The opal," I said while using my other hand to point to the main stone, "it's iridescent. It looks like one color, but it never really ever stays that way. It changes and evolves and looks different under whatever light is shining on it—and yet it always somehow stays the same. And that's us. That's our love. We've always loved each other. It may have looked different as we grew, but it's always been there. And if you marry me… I promise that it will always continue to be there."

Swallowing hard, Helga let out a tidbit of her own, "I thought opals had to do with love and passion," she paused for a moment before adding, "and desire. Seduction. Are you trying to get in my pants, Shortman?"

"Always," I admitted which made Helga giggle; a few stray tears jiggling loose from her laughter. "But yes, those are the other reasons why I picked it. Every time you look down at this stone, you will know that I love you. That I desire you and to be with you. That I want you passionately in every meaning and interpretation of the word. That I will be faithful, and loyal until my very last breath. With this ring… I promise that you will never, ever, ever spend another second of your life being a muddy little girl who doesn't know what love is. I will spend every moment of my life proving to you and showing you and making up for all of those times when you needed love and didn't have it."

The two of us stared at each other as I held the ring out towards her, my arm growing more tired with each second that passed. Our eyes remained locked on one another as eons, and decades, and lifetimes seemed to happen while I agonized over her answer. Why wasn't she saying yes? I'd shown her the ring… she knew what I was doing… so why hadn't she accepted yet? Was she not going to accept? Worry fluttered through my mind as a sudden thought filled my senses, What if she doesn't want to get married?

As I lost myself in my thoughts, the clearing of Helga's throat brought me back to reality; her eyes no longer wet with tears and instead looking down at me skeptically. "Hey Arnold?" She asked me and I blinked my eyes a couple of times to refocus my attention on the current moment. "I'd love to say 'yes' here and put on this super sexy and seductive ring you've so thoughtfully picked out for me—"

"Well, my mom helped…"

"Of course Stella did," Helga affirmed with a smirk before sucking in a deep breath of air. "But the whole point of a marriage proposal, as nice as your words were and all… well, you kind of left out one very, very important part."

"…huh?" was all I could manage as I stared up at her in horror.

A sly smile spread across Helga's face. "You haven't actually asked me anything yet."

"Oh god," I mumbled while shutting my eyes in utter embarrassment. "Oh, god, I just… I got so caught up in all of this and then I kneeled way too early—"

"I know!" Helga exclaimed in amusement. "Your knee must be killing you right now."

"Eh," I quickly dismissed, "I stopped having feeling in my kneecap about a minute in so you might need to help me up—"

"Because you're an old man, now. Yeah, I know," Helga teased before sighing and tilting her head slightly. "You're only getting older the longer you wait, Footballhead."

"Yeah. Yes, of course. Right. Okay," pushing through the numbness of my knee and the nervousness I still felt for no reason at all, I held the ring out once again and looked deep into Helga's ocean blue eyes. "Helga G. Pataki. Will you marry me?"

Her smile widened to reveal a toothy grin. "Criminy, Arnold. I thought you'd never ask."

As I slipped the ring onto its new home of Helga's finger, she helped to yank me up from where I'd potentially done permanent damage to my left knee.

I didn't even care.

From where the two of us kissed under the moonlight at what remained of Urban Tots Pre-School, I knew that the Helga and Arnold who had once occupied this exact spot years ago were long gone. And as the sky at last opened up, allowing buckets of rain to downpour on us, we laughed while getting soaked to the bone because this time, the rain itself didn't matter.

The only umbrella Helga needed was one made entirely of love. And, just like when we were mere toddlers, I was happy to provide it for her. Not only in the rain, but through every storm we may weather and every warm day that is enjoyed safely under the shade.

For Helga, I was prepared to hold that umbrella over her for the rest of our lives.

And I couldn't wait.

[chil2de]

Hey don’t apologise for clearing your inbox. You did it for your own mental wellbeing and you can’t be apologising for taking care of yourself. I’m happy for you for finally doing it, it must’ve been daunting to try to get through so many asks. This must feel so refreshing and I love that for you. Take care of yourself (that’s a threat, if you don’t I will force you to) - 🥰

aaaaaa anonnnnie please you’re so sweet TwT iknowiknow but that’s just being an infj for you, you know? i’ll bump into a chair and apologise to an object that isn’t sentient in any way shape or form, i’m sure it doesn’t care that i just bumped into it

thank you for the supportttt thankyouthank you it seriously means a lot <3 more than you’ll ever know tbh hdhbfhshdhf it feels really refreshing now, really strange in all honestly but i like it (: feels like i just cleaned my room after a while lmao

o i’ll also reply to your previous ask below!!!

im so!!! excited for when u do read it! i can’t wait to see your reactions towards certain scenes KDNGJFBFHS

hunny if i saw toji and/or naoya in the street i’m not sure what i would do???? i might faint LMFAO naoya would probably spit on me i won’t lie i don’t know how i feel about that😳 maybe if i manifest internally by screaming at them to approach me they will cause lord knows i’m not going up to them, mfs look so damn intimidating... toji with his 6 foot something self and naoya with the cocky smirk, yeah no thanks

ariana always has really nice vocals, but i have to admit that i probably don’t enjoy all of her new songs preferred to the older ones. it’s just preference but i can’t vibe with them as much

as for wicked games aaaaaa i’m glad you liked it! the weeknd is one of my favourite artists ahah and i always thought it would suit toji. but yeah... his backstory isn’t pretty. at all. i think compared to the grand scale of things and all of the character’s backstories you’ve heard so far in the anime, his is probably one of the most depressing by a landslide. oh god, and yuuta? absolutely tragic... they might even be on par, though perhaps that’s me acting on a bias towards two of my favourites

i have an inkling that when the movie gets released yuuta will be extremely popular :/ i mean, like, i don’t care? don’t mean to go on a tangent but i dislike when ig lesser known characters only gain popularity by conventional means, not because people actually enjoy them or their character. they’ll see him animated and be all “wow! this guy is really cool!” then all the ogs are just sat there like “yes, honey, we told you so” (obviously this excludes anime only fans he was briefly mentioned in the first few episodes— how megumi states that he’s the only other second year he can openly respect, and how he won the kyoto school event by far etc etc, later that one scene of him in the second opening)

trust me u will love baby boy yuuta <3 i don’t share, if ever!! but hell i’ll make an exception for you :)

but in all honesty sometimes i wish i just stuck writing for one fandom because no matter how hard i try there will always be a time where i favour one fandom over the other, e.g i was writing gintama for the longest time, and that’s how my blog started growing, but then i got into haikyuu again and i started writing for them. therefore now because i’m into jjk it’s mainly what i write for and i always feel so terrible for the other fandoms fhsbfhghs

but i don’t hold any regret towards it, i’m glad that i switched to multifandom. i wouldn’t be happy writing for gintama forever, i’d feel so trapped and suffocated in terms of the free reign and variety so it’s all good (: besides i think it’s good to take breaks and to write for characters with vastly different personalities, i always find that my writing becomes a little bit more sharper and accurate when i’m trying to clean up and polish someone else’s dialogue or antics. needless to say, no shade to people who do write for only one fandom, because that takes major dedication so that’s a kudos!

anyways, didn’t mean to ramble on babe LMAO i do have a horde of google docs😭😭 i debated screen recording but there’s so many that after a while of scrolling it has to wait for the next batch to load, so you’ll just have to take my word for it (genuinely wish i could see somewhere that tells me how many overall docs i have, i’m pretty interested to see considering i have around ~500 posts, then again, not all of them are fics)

hfbshghd i hate how this was all about me please— ur giving a sister out here heart problems, i beg u pls tell me something interesting

OH OH OK i got a question, how about, who was your first fictional crush? can be anime or from a book series, etc

and is there any favourite anime characters you have from other fandoms?

(ily thank you once again I WAS LAUGHING SO HARD WHEN U SAID USING UP UNLIMITED MINUTES— the rest of the ask got cut off imsosorry we’ll just improvise from here on out, bUT hey dude let’s go to shibuya together!!! i’m so sure that they put a life size statue of gojo there everyone keeps talking about it LMFAO i’ll be whizzing around w my phone taking some very cool pictures :) then we can go grab some food or a few drinks, also ill stock u up on merch ok ily take care)