#that was another thing kid me was winning at

[joeys-babe]

Joey B Imagines: Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door*

Summary: Joe’s boredom turns into an amazing night.

Warnings: Smut (Sending nudes, role-playing?, male masturbation, one-way phone sex, PIV sex, F and M receiving oral)

Pairing: Joe Burrow x reader

Imagine Universe: Misc.

August, 2024

It was a couple of days after the final Bengals preseason game. Joe was alone in his big house because I, his beloved girlfriend, was out getting dinner with some of my girls before the hustle and bustle of the upcoming NFL season would occupy the majority of my time.

Joe was frustrated. He had only played one drive in the first preseason game and didn't even play in the others.

This season had to go his way. It had to. And unfortunately, that's all he could think about now that he was alone with his thoughts.

I was his biggest comfort. His home away from home. And now that I was away from home… he was having some serious problems.

It was honestly adorable how he had desperation anxiety from me, but any time I said that he'd just pout and whine. Unfortunately for him, his annoyance with the fact I found his pain endearing only made him cuter.

Joe was sat on the couch, every light in the house off, the soft pink throw blanket that was my blanket cuddled up to his chest as he buried his nose in it. The familiar scent filled his nose, and his eyes fluttered shut as contentment filled his body.

In his Seinfeld sweatpants and pink Nike hoodie - the hoodie of his that he knew was my favorite to steal - he was physically comfortable. Mentally, though? He was scattered and in desperate need of a distraction.

Joe’s eyes glanced around the room, trying to find something to occupy his time with, but everywhere he looked just reminded him more of me and the fact that I was with my girls.

Then, his eyes fell to the remote. He grabbed it and barely lifted his arm in the direction of the TV. The screen lit up, and Joe rolled his eyes when the Love Island USA Reunion started playing.

Joe was never one for reality TV. He was more of a History Channel or documentary guy, but he sure as hell knew I loved Love Island. I waited for every episode, and he was right there on the couch with me, ready to lay on my chest and listen to my commentary.

Nothing playing on the TV seemed very interesting, so he just turned it back off, resting his face in the blanket and taking another big sniff.

“I miss you, baby,” Joe whispered to himself.

——

After a few minutes of loathing on the couch in silence, Joe pulled out his phone. He immediately opened his photos app and clicked on the only album he had. It was titled “Y/N❤️”.

A grin formed on his lips as he zoomed out, closing his eyes and scrolling back and forth before he clicked on a random picture. When he opened his eyes, Joe felt a flutter in his chest.

It was a newer picture. We were lying on the couch, similar to how Joe was right now, with me on my back and Joe cuddled on top of me. Joe had a wide smile on his face as my fingers were in his slightly grown-out bleached buzz cut. I was making a silly face; my tongue stuck out as I used my extended arm to take the picture.

Joe then repeated his process of picking a random picture, and this one made his stomach flutter. It was a picture post-Natti win.

We were in Joe’s hotel room bed, the sheets pulled up over our chests to cover the fact that we were both naked. Joe was the one taking the picture, and we both had deliriously big smiles on our faces.

Joe then scrolled, looking at the various pictures of us from that day. We were so happy that nothing could've wiped the grins from our faces.

If only they knew what was coming. Joe thought, and his smile faded.

He was on top of the world after he won the Championship, and it sealed the deal for him that he'd have a career in the NFL. Joe couldn't help but think about all of the things he'd gone through in his career so far.

I wish I could protect that kid…

Then Joe’s thoughts stopped. He stumbled upon a picture that took his breath away. It was a picture I’d taken the morning after his National Championship win. While he was out celebrating with his team, I had taken a little photoshoot for my champ. I had his used cigar between my lips, his “Big Dick Joe” hat on my head, and nothing on but his letterman jacket loosely laying on my shoulders.

Then, Joe got an idea.

Joe jumped off the couch, a sly grin on his face as he ran down to the basement. He flipped the light on, passing the home gym door towards the back of the huge space where things were stored. He then used his fingerprint to unlock the door. When Joe proposed a fingerprint lock, I originally thought it was stupid, but Joe said it would make him feel like a comic villain with a secret lair, and there's no way I'd deny him of that, so he happily ordered it.

Once it was open he looked around the room. There was a locked-up trophy case containing many awards, including his Heisman. On the other side of the small closet were a few totes. One labeled ‘High School’, another ‘College’, and the most recent ‘Bengals’.

Joe stepped forward, picking the lid off of the college tote with that un-wipable grin on his face. He dug through it for a few minutes before he saw the unmistakable yellow fabric making a block letter L.

He pulled it out of the tote, setting it aside before he continued digging. Near the bottom was a small box, and when Joe opened it, he was met with the cigar he had smoked that very day just a few years ago.

It was still in perfect condition, so he put it back in the box and sat it with his letterman jacket. Then, Joe continued to dig in the box for the last thing he needed.

It didn't take long for him to find his snapback, and soon, he was jogging back upstairs. This wasn't usually something Joe would even entertain, but he was bored, and he thought he would treat you with a little gift. You'd been through a lot with him this off-season, especially since he was longer than the rest of the team, and since the new season was starting, he was gonna repay you. This was just a start.

Once on the main level of the house, Joe continued and ran up the stairs to his bedroom. Though he was home alone, Joe shut and locked the door behind him.

Joe then got naked, somewhat awkwardly sitting down on the bed. He sat his phone down and got comfortable before slipping his letterman jacket onto his bare arms.

After the jacket was in place, Joe opened the cigar box, loosely putting it between his lips, and barely placing the hat on his head. He did that on purpose, having an idea set in his mind.

All that was left was well… a little bit more complicated. Joe looked down at his lap, seeing his soft cock, and realizing he kinda has to get hard for this.

Joe grabbed his phone, pulled up the most recent lingerie pic I’d sent him, and slowly ran his fingers over his dick. The teasing mixed with the picture had him stiffening up, and Joe fully wrapped his hand around his length once he was somewhat hard.

That's when his phone came into play. Joe took his phone out, running his thumb over the slit of his tip to coax some pre-cum to come out, and pumped himself harder to get his length a deeper red color.

Opening up the video, Joe had the camera facing his face, and he hit record.

Joe was grinning, that cigar in his mouth as pants left his lips. He was making sure the letterman jacket was in view, along with the words Big Dick Joe on his hat. His eyes fluttered shut, and his head fell back - his hand speeding up - and his hat fell off his head, revealing the frosted tips he knew I was obsessed with.

A tiny whimper left his lips, and Joe flipped the camera, showing off his big hand stroking his even bigger cock. The veins in his hands flexed with every pump, and his length was throbbing with anticipation. Joe recorded for a couple more seconds, letting a whimper of your name fall from his lips before he ended the video.

Joe let go of his cock, intently watching the video back to make sure he had executed what he had in mind, and he did.

Once Joe cropped the video to his liking, he opened his chat with you and pulled up the video. Was sending a video that intimate while you were out with your friends at Jeff Ruby’s risky? Yes. Did he hit send anyway? Yes.

—

Your POV

I was talking to one of my friends about how we were missing the Love Island Reunion when I felt my phone buzz in my lap. I excused myself from the conversation and picked up my phone. When I saw Joe’s name I was a little worried, but when I saw that it was a video… that worriedness changed to confusion.

Opening the attachment, I audibly gasped when I saw Joe fully decked out in his old LSU gear. It was like he was back at LSU just looked a little older. God, he looked so fucking hot.

When the camera flipped, my jaw fell open, and my eyebrows shot up. I immediately exited the app and put my phone in my lap.

A couple of my girls were looking at me funny, so I excused myself to the bathroom before calling Joe.

—

Joe’s POV

After I sent the video, I just sat and stared at my phone. I honestly forgot the fact that I was going to have to finish what I started until my phone buzzed from an incoming call from you. The mere sight of your name popping up made my dick twitch, reminding me of my dilemma.

“Hey, baby,” Joe’s gruff voice hit your ear like a freight train.

“Joesph Lee Burrow! What in the fuck did you just send me?!” You weren't mad, not one bit, but the prospect of Joe sending such a revealing video while you were out with your friends had you a bit shaken up.

I froze. Was she… mad?

“I wanted to send you a little surprise. Did you not like it?” Joe’s voice gave away his nervousness. All he wanted was to give you a surprise - repay you for all of the pre-game lingerie pics you've sent, and the chance that he'd fucked it up had his heart sinking.

“Oh, I loved it… but sending it while I was out was risky,” You reassured him.

I was silent for a few seconds, relief flushing over my body along with a strong wave of desire. The sound of her voice made my cock twitch with anticipation, reminding me of the fact I was still very hard.

“Baby, did you hear me?” You asked Joe, noticing his silence after you had said you were leaving dinner early to come home to him. “Sorry… what’d you say, babe?” Joe said back, slowly inching his free hand over his thigh.

“I said I’m gonna come home early,” You repeated. As the words left her lips, I wrapped my hand around the base of my cock. My eyes fluttered shut, my head falling back slightly as I slowly started moving my hand.

As you got in your car and rattled on about various things that happened at your dinner, my hand started moving faster. I clung to every word that left your lips, the combination of your soft voice and the movement of my hand easily getting me off.

“K-keep talkin’, Mama,” Joe groaned. I wasn't trying to make it obvious about what I was doing, but I couldn't help it. God, I needed more.

“After that, Lex said that she found out he was sending nudes to other girls!” You continued to rattle on, but I couldn't comprehend anything you were saying. I heard the words, but I had no idea what you were actually saying.

As you continued to talk, I found myself getting closer… and closer. My lips were sucked into my mouth, hanging on for dear life as I tried to stay quiet.

One hand was holding my phone to my ear, and the other was tightly wrapped around my cock, pumping over and over.

I felt myself getting closer pretty soon, the richness of your beautiful voice bringing a familiar heat to my stomach, only making me want to move my hand faster.

“Joey? You listening, baby?” Immediately, I fell over the edge. I dropped my phone, my hand going to my mouth and the other tightly gripping the sheets as I came up on my stomach.

My chest was heaving, and I was panting for air. I stayed there for a moment, just trying to calm down with my head leaned back and my eyes closed with a sense of contentment.

After a moment, I realized I was still on the phone with you, so I discreetly ended the call without saying a word. I took a few minutes to clean myself up before I called you back.

“Hey, baby. My phone died, sorry.” Though I lied, I couldn't help but laugh when you immediately started right back up with your story. “Don't laugh! This is juicy shit, babe!” I laughed again.

“Oh, I hear ya. How much longer till you get home?” A soft giggle left your lips, my cheeks getting rosy at the sound. “Turning on our street right now. Are you that eager for it?”

I chuckled, “Did that video not give that away already?”

—

Your POV

When I arrived home, I quickly parked in the garage and practically jumped out of the car. The video Joe had sent me kept replaying in clips in my mind, and to say I was worked up would be an understatement.

My pace was quick, walking up our front steps with a sense of urgency. The door was unlocked, thankfully, and I hurriedly entered.

After tossing my keys into the bowl we use for such, I kicked my shoes off and entered the home. Immediately, the familiarity and warm atmosphere calmed me down, but there was still a deep throb of need inside me.

The sight of Joe in all of his old LSU geer with his updated and older looks was… whew. A sight behold. The addition that he was jerking off while dressed as so only made the whole situation a hundred times hotter.

“Babyyyyy??” I called out into the quiet home. There weren't any lights on downstairs. Joe never answered, so I went upstairs, figuring he was in bed.

Upon entering the bedroom, I couldn't help but chuckle when my eyes landed on Joe. He was lying on the bed on his right side, his left arm bent behind his head and his left leg bent and propped up. All while only wearing boxers. I could tell he was trying to be sexy, but he just ended up looking incredibly silly.

“Why are you laughing at me??” Joe whined. The pout forming on his lips made me laugh harder. In response to my laugh, Joe dramatically flopped onto his stomach, hiding his face in the pillow. “I was trying to be sexy,” his muffled voice said.

I shrugged my dress off, watching him with a grin on my face before I shot my panties - slingshot style - at the back of his head. He didn't move for a minute, so I slid into bed next to him. Joe then animatedly grabbed the balled-up fabric, his head peeking up once he felt the lace.

A smirk pulled at his lips, and he quickly got under the covers with me. I grinned as Joe leaned up, leering over me with a soft smile on his face. “I know you're trying to be sexy, but you look adorable,” Joe’s smile dropped, and he rolled his eyes, “Don't roll your eyes at me!” I laughed.

Joe grinned yet again, leaning down to attach his lips to mine. We both sighed into the kiss, my arms going around his neck as he leaned down more. The sound of our kisses filled the air, and Joe shifted closer. I could feel the hardness in his boxers poking at my thigh, making me grin against his mouth.

I pulled away a second later, “Lay back, Joe.” Joe abided, pulling away and laying on his back. For a while now, Joe’s hyper-fixation has been getting his face ridden, but I had shot him down every time. The position he had in mind had my self-conscious mind weary, but because of the treat he sent me, I thought to repay him.

Joe, who was still patiently lying on his back, figured I was about to give him head, so when I abruptly straddled his face, his eyes went wide. Joe swore his heart stopped for a second.

“Oh, fuck yes.” Without warning, Joe grabbed my thighs and yanked me down. A loud moan left my lips as Joe started using his tongue through my folds, the tip of his perfect ski-slope nose rubbing on my clit.

“Joe… Joe- fuck!” I moaned, my hand reaching down and gripping his hair. Joe’s eyes rolled into his head as I ground on his face, his tongue still going at a merciless pace.

A minute later, Joe tapped my thigh frantically, and I figured it was because he needed me to stop for a second for him to catch his breath. I leaned up onto my knees, and Joe slipped a finger into my tight heat. “Baby, we’re gonna have to make this a sixty-nine moment, or I'm bustin’ in my boxers.” Joe was panting hard, his hair wild, and his eyes having a matching crazed look.

Joe added a second finger, pumping for a few moments before I nodded in agreement. He slipped his fingers out, and I flipped around, now facing the rest of his body.

I licked my lips at the sight of the major tent in his boxers, and I hooked my fingers in the elastic, slowly pulling the fabric down. My stomach fluttered with anticipation when his cock sprang up, fully erect and flushed red.

Without warning - just like Joe had done to me earlier - I flattened my tongue against the base, following a thick vein up his length before swirling my tongue around his tip and wrapping my lips around him.

Joe whimpered into my folds, the vibration making me moan around his cock, which started the chain reaction. Joe was eating me out like a man-starved, making me moan around him, which would then make Joe moan or whimper against me… and the process continued.

Not even two minutes in, Joe fell over the edge hard. My moans and whimpers around his cock, paired with the taste of my sweet heat, were too much and too overwhelming for him to last long.

I lapped up every bit of his release, and I fell over the edge not long after him. Out of exhaustion, I rolled off of Joe, faceplanting on the bed.

“Goddamn, baby.” Joe panted after a few minutes. In my peripherals, I could see the fact that his cock was still hard, and I immediately knew this wasn't over. He was nowhere near done.

My eyes were closed for just a few seconds when I heard sheets rustling, and when I opened my eyes, Joe was leaning on top of me. There was a mischievous grin on his face, and when he leaned down to my ear and whispered, he sent a shiver down my spine, “You up for more?”

“Y-” The words were caught in my throat as Joe started pressing sloppy, open-mouthed kisses from my ear down my neck. While doing so, Joe teasingly dragged his tip through my aching folds. When his dripping, throbbing tip met my bundle of nerves, I couldn't help but whimper, “Please, Joe.”

Joe let out a dark chuckle, sucking on a sensitive spot in my neck before darting his tongue out to lick over the spot, “What, baby? Say that again for me.”

“Pl-” Just as the start of the word left my lips, Joe slammed his entire length inside. All of the air left my lungs, and I moaned out, one hand gripping his back as the other found its way into his hair.

“God, Mama. You feel so good,” Joe groaned.

Joe set a fast pace, his face tensing up in pleasure as my walls clenched him hard, still not over the first orgasm he gave me.

“Faster… please,” I moaned, and Joe happily obliged. “I got ya, baby.” Joe made sure his mouth was right next to my ear, and every pant that followed every thrust drove me wild.

A few minutes in, Joe was close, and I could tell, but he was holding off like he always does, determined to make me finish first. “Joey… please… I'm close!” Immediately, Joe started moving faster and harder, his thumb moving down to rub my clit. He had to bite back a whimper when he felt how slick it had become down between us, and he dropped his head to watch my walls swallow his cock.

When the tip of Joe’s length hit that spot, it sent me over the edge immediately, moaning loudly as I scraped my nails over Joe’s back. Joe started slowing his thrusts, trying not to overstimulate me too much, but I grinned to myself as a plan formed in my head.

Mustering up all my strength and energy, I practically shoved Joe and rolled over on top of him. Now, he was under me. Joe’s eyes were wide, and without giving him a second to think, I braced myself by putting my hands on his chest and started riding his length.

“Holy… holy fuck,” Joe whimpered. His hands frantically gripped into the sheets before he shakily moved his hands to my hips, guiding me with all his strength.

Joe had already been close moments ago, so now that I was fully going to town on him, it took no time for him to be on the edge.

After abruptly sitting up, Joe buried his head into my neck, moaning and whimpering like his life depended on it. “I’m right there… I’m right there…” Joe whimpered, and he continued to pant into my ear, his chest heaving as he felt that familiar feeling form in his stomach, “I… I- fuck, I’m cumming, Mommy.”

My eyes went wide at the nickname. Joe had only ever called me that in a joking manner over texts, so to hear it come out of his mouth in this situation drove me wild. After the endearment left his lips, my walls clenched down on him hard, sending him over the edge.

Joe came hard, his body shaking as he emptied his load deep inside me, and we both collapsed somewhere onto the bed.

After a few minutes of us both catching our breaths, I threw a hand over onto Joe’s chest to check on him, and he squeezed my hand in return. “Mommy, huh?” I teased him, and Joe only rolled his eyes, making me giggle.

“It’s your fault it slipped out. You had me damn near knockin’ on heaven's door.” Joe mumbled, his voice slightly raspy from the moaning he had just done.

I laughed at his silliness and his attempt at blaming it on me. “Knockin’ on heaven's door, huh?” I paused, and Joe nodded, “Did you know that's a song?”

“Hm?” Joe’s face showed a confused expression, and I had to shake my head with a grin painting my face. There was no way he knew what I was talking about, but it was worth a shot.

Authors note: Happy birthday to one of my favs ever, @starsinthesky5 . I hope this gives your bday a good ending.

PS: A thank you to both ^^^ and @joeyb1989 for getting me the motivation to not only write this BUT also post it. I love you both.

Requests;

Came from my own messed up head :)

[generalluxun]

Reblogging my own post again because I have more fun hooks to add.

So going with this Ballet Chloé actually gives a better way to address classism and privilege than we got, too. It even has the twisty-aha moments the show is fond of. Let me break down the layers, which could be episodes or slot into a b-plot of some episodes.l, in roughly sequential order.

1)André buys/intimidates Chloé's victories in competitions. Chloé actually *doesn't* know this. She's still an arrogant and bullying butt about things though. Marinette&co. Work to expose the cheating! Chloé is humiliated! She is forced to confront the trith

Get your haha moment.

2)Thing is she's *pissed* at her daddy over this. She insists she's good and could win/excell anyway! Of course no one will believe that. Teist- no she is good, and she does win her next competition, no cheating. Marinette is forced to face the fact that this horrible person can still actually be skilled at something. Learning moment!

3)Chloé is being mean to another dancer, grab Aurore for this? It would be a fun reuse for her character to have her come from dance too.(Common track for entertainers) Marinette and Co. come to Aurore's defense. They point out Chloé's demands and expectations are insane! Chloé has so many advantages! Not everyone has the money for the best equipment, private lessons, parents(or servants) who can chauffer them around to lessons, a nutritionist, and more. Sure Chloé works but she has so many advantages from the beginning that shouldn't be ignored. It's not about dragging her down, the good kids point out, it's about recognizing how your privileges have helped you and that others might not have them.

4)Via Audrey's introduction Marinette gets a bit of a glimpse into Chloé's life and- oh- sees how the ridiculous demands and Chloé's over the top behavior are just her *way of life*.

Kids rolled their eyes when Chloé brought out the gram scale to measure her portions. They smirked when she had an absolute meltdown over a new outfit not being ready for an exhibition. Her anger and demands arel legendary. But to her that 's just *life*. One parent who wants a shiny gold trophy daughter to reflect his own prestige as the 'Symbol of Paris' and the other who demands perfection just to get a moment's attention.

Marinette gets to see her nemesis break down over being .1KG overweight because it absolutely means her mother won't even meet with her on this visit. Marinette gets to appreciate her own privilege, parents who support and lover her unconditionally. A loving family environment that allowed her to grow at her own pace and in her own ways. She was watered regularly in fertile ground while Chloé was pruned and cut into a pleasing shape.

We see privilege comes in all forms.

5)???

None of this solves the issues between them. Understanding can help and there's plenty of directions to go with, but it isn't an instant fix. What we have done though is provide our child audience with several progressively more complex situations to teach and expand upon the themes. We've hopefully taught them to look deeper.

Isn't that what kids shows are for?

You know, Chloé honestly shouldn't be the way she is in the show, even with André and Audrey. Why?

Ballet.

Specifically the kind of extremely expensive top tier ballet she would be thrust into. As of Frightingale she had 8yrs of ballet. That's starting at 5-6, latest.

No high class ballet teacher will take anything from a 5-6yr old. No mayor will intimidate them. They will boot anyone they feel is slacking. Making it this long Chloé could be a bully, she could be vicious, she could be mean, but she *should* be driven, and disciplined. She should value physical precision and poise. Picking on Marinette for being clumsy flows perfectly from that, but only if we see her comparing herself favorably.

In the absence of a strong parental figure, that teacher should be an integral part of her life.

We got none of that though, because 'lol spoiled rich girl' and the story writing isn't as deliberate as they claim. The '8yrs of dance' was a throw away line made up for one episode without thought.

Going beyond her character, this helps explain a lot of the other ??? Moments and lose ends too.

[blackenedsnow]

I was the one who made reader have a you her sibling they take care of, just saying, it was so amazing. I love it:D. I have another request. This one was a bit weird and rushed cause like I'm a sleepover with two of my cousins so

Billy Loomis, Bubba Sawyer, Art the Clown, Stu Matcher, Thomas Hewitt, Jason, Michael, Billy Lenz, Pinhead, Tiffany (if you write for her) Charles/Chucky, Bo, Vincent, Lester, Brahms. If you want to add more or get rid of some it's okay. But you can either have it platonic of them being a younger sibling or child (adopted or not) going to a sleepover. Maybe sneaking out to it. They go to find out where they are and find them in a house and they are being loud, laughing, and just being kids

If you don't do platonic (cause I can't remember if you do or don't) then do it romantically and just like the same thing. You can change things if you that helps and sorry about this. But, the request I first made and you did, it was a great and made me smile cause I didn't expect it so thanks for that

slashers reactions to their younger sibling reader sneaking out to a sleepover ; headcanons

WARNING: None

PAIRING: Billy Loomis & Sibling! Reader, Bubba Sawyer & Sibling! Reader, Art the Clown & Sibling! Reader, Stu Macher & Sibling! Reader, Thomas Hewitt & Sibling! Reader, Jason Voorhees & Sibling! Reader, Michael Myers & Sibling! Reader, Billy Lenz & Sibling! Reader, Pinhead & Sibling! Reader, Tiffany Valentine & Sibling! Reader, Charles Lee Ray/Chucky & Sibling! Reader, Bo Sinclair & Sibling! Reader, Vincent Sinclair & Sibling! Reader, Lester Sinclair & Sibling! Reader, Brahms Heelshire & Sibling! Reader

NOTE: Hope you enjoyed this! I could imagine so many of them struggling to hold back but ultimately wanting to let you just be a kid and have fun. Thank you so much for this request; it was a blast to write!

BILLY LOOMIS

You’ve managed to sneak out quietly, thinking Billy won’t notice because he’s engrossed in a movie marathon.

But within half an hour, he realizes you’re gone and his “big sibling” instincts kick in.

He shows up at the house with that intense, unblinking stare that could stop anyone mid-laugh.

Who do you think you are, sneaking out like this?

He’s relieved (and slightly embarrassed) to see you just goofing off with friends.

Pretends to be unimpressed when you’re caught off guard.

He’ll let you stay—for now—

With the most deadpan expression, muttering,

“You could’ve just told me.”

But he’s not about to let you get away with it.

Once you’re back home, he’s the silent-but-deadly type. Just know you’re grounded.

BUBBA SAWYER

Bubba panics the minute he realizes you’re gone, running through the house and making distressed sounds as he searches for you.

He's going to family members and pointing to where your things should be.

The whole family tries to calm him down, but he’s inconsolable until he finds a clue leading him to the sleepover house.

When he tracks you down, he’s so relieved he doesn’t know what to do.

Seeing you safe and having fun brings tears to his eyes.

He’ll probably sit outside the house, just quietly waiting for you to finish.

If you notice him, he might wave shyly or even try to make himself “invisible.”

ART THE CLOWN

Oh, Art knows you’ve snuck out, and he’s amused.

He’s both delighted to have a reason to check in and irritated that you thought you could get away with this.

Appears at the sleepover out of nowhere, scaring the life out of anyone who notices him lurking outside.

Watches silently, only making himself known to you with that twisted grin of his, waving as if to say, “Caught you!”

Doesn't stop you from having fun but does make it clear that he knows—and will remember.

Expect creepy antics as payback when you get home.

STU MACHER

Stu probably wasn’t paying enough attention to notice you sneaking out right away, but once he does..

He's MAD.

Once he finds the house, he’s too tempted not to sneak around and scare the shit out of all of you.

Might throw a pebble at the window to get your attention and then give you a dramatic pout, mouthing,

“How could you leave me out?”

When you get home, he’ll give you a long (and playful) guilt trip about how you left him to "suffer".

THOMAS HEWITT

Notices you’re missing right away.

Thomas doesn’t like you out of his sight, so he feels uneasy, imagining the worst.

He follows you quietly, not wanting to interrupt.

When he spots you through the window, safe and laughing, he stops, taking a deep breath of relief.

Watches you with a slight smile, just relieved to see you having fun.

He’s happy that you’re being a normal kid and knows better than to interrupt that.

Will probably leave you alone and probably won't bring it up, ever.

He would definitely prefer if you let him know though.

JASON VOORHEES

Jason’s heart drops when he notices you’re not in your usual spot, and he’s anxious as he starts tracking you down.

He’s relieved to see you laughing and safe with friends.

Stays outside or hidden, keeping a protective eye.

He doesn’t want to interrupt but also doesn’t want anything sneaking up on you.

Plus, who knows if these kids don't mean any harm?

Might leave little signs outside (like stacked stones) to let you know he was there, just to make sure you’re safe.

MICHAEL MYERS

He’s annoyed.

Why would you leave his protection?

Michael doesn’t even try to blend in; he’s the shadow at the window.

Once you see his white mask peeking in, you know the jig is up.

He won’t cause a scene, but he just stares until you get the message.

When you sneak out to meet him, he’ll give you a tiny “you-know-better” look, but he’s not mad—he just wants you safe.

Doesn’t reveal himself to anyone else, but he’ll stay there the entire time.

When you get home, expect a long, silent stare, reminding you that you’re not as sneaky as you think.

BILLY LENZ

He notices right away.

Billy has a keen eye for your whereabouts, and he’s instantly on the move, tracking you down.

Peers through the window, watching you play with a pout.

He feels oddly betrayed but finds your happiness too endearing to be angry.

He won’t disrupt the fun, but you might catch a glimpse of him outside, holding his hands up in an “I’m watching you” gesture.

When you get home, he’ll tease you nonstop about “abandoning him.”

PINHEAD

This is completely out of the ordinary, and he is both confused and a bit annoyed that you snuck out without informing him.

Appears in his signature, intimidating way, silently observing from outside.

He finds the concept of a “sleepover” curious.

He’s more contemplative about it, watching as if studying some strange new human ritual.

He waits until you’re ready to return and then accompanies you back without a word.

You can expect a very stern lecture when you get home about the importance of communication…

TIFFANY VALENTINE

She realizes quickly that you’re gone and storms out to find you, though her anger’s more worried than anything.

When she spots you through the window, laughing and having fun, her irritation fades into a soft smile.

She won’t interrupt, just stands outside and watches for a bit.

She loves seeing you like this, happy and unbothered.

When you get back, she’ll playfully scold you but then pull you into a hug, reminding you to tell her next time.

CHUCKY (CHARLES LEE RAY)

Chucky’s annoyed at first, muttering to himself,

“What does this kid think they’re doing?”

He’s irritated you’d sneak off, especially without his “permission,” and tracks you down, grumbling the entire way.

When he finds you, he feels an odd mix of pride and annoyance.

He likes your independence but also doesn’t like feeling “left out.”

Gives you a wicked grin through the window, mouthing, “We’re talking later.”

He’ll grumble that “next time, you should let him know,” but he’s proud you managed to sneak out without him noticing.

BO SINCLAIR

Bo is mad and lets you know it.

He’s worried you’re in danger, and when he finds you, he’s that overprotective brother with his arms crossed.

He pulls you aside, lecturing you on safety and probably embarrassing you in front of your friends.

But once he knows you’re okay, he lets up a bit and waits outside for you, a little softer.

At home, he pretends he’s still mad but lets you off the hook pretty easily.

VINCENT SINCLAIR

Vincent’s used to you being close by, so when you’re not there, he’s unnerved and worried.

Tracks you down and watches quietly, almost touched to see you carefree with your friends.

Leaves a little note or sketch somewhere you’ll find it later, a reminder of his presence even when you’re far away.

He’s quiet when you get home, but there’s a warmth to his gaze.

You should him next time..

LESTER SINCLAIR

Lester’s both amused and concerned when he finds you missing.

He tracks you down quickly, not one for letting you go unguarded.

When he finds you through the window, he watches with a fond smile, chuckling at your carefree attitude.

Might knock on the door and make up an excuse to check on you if you notice him, but he’ll mostly just let you have your fun.

Gives you a playful nudge and a “don’t think you’re getting away that easy next time” when you get back.

BRAHMS HEELSHIRE

Brahms does not take this well, feeling abandoned and maybe a bit betrayed.

When he tracks you down, he watches from the shadows, arms crossed, grumpy but protective.

Might stare until you feel his gaze and look over at him, just so you know he found you.

When you return, expect a big fuss, with Brahms grumbling about how much he “suffered” in your absence.

[lieslab]

So different from the crowd

꘎♡━━━━━♡꘎ ꘎♡━━━━━♡꘎

Pairing: Minho X gn reader

Summary: An evening in the park goes quiet after you reveal your inner struggles.

Genre: Comfort/hurt

Word Count: 2.1K

Trigger warning: Self-hatred and identity issues.

A/N: I hope this comes across to the people who need it most right now. I'm feeling emotional, so consider this a love letter from me to you. You're going to do great things, I know you will <3

_ _ _

No matter how much time passed, it always still seemed to sting. There’s always different kinds of rejection in life. Sometimes simple words can easily be brushed off, but other times, they dig into sensitive flesh. Words worm their way into your brain and they follow the blood flow until they reach your heart. 

People try to learn how to take constructive criticism, but with a heart full of stitches and oozing holes, sometimes it feels impossible. Would it ever feel right? When would words start slipping off you like a water resistant coating instead of silencing you? Your hopes. Your dreams. Your identity. Why did it have to be so hard? 

For some, their identity is as simple as slipping on a t-shirt. It fits perfectly and it doesn’t feel wrong. The wool doesn’t irritate the skin. The cotton isn’t too tight. There’s never any questioning because the skin on their body fits properly. 

For some people, it will never feel right. The color of their skin, the way their bodies are formed, whoever they choose to love, it will always feel off; a tag scratching against the back of their neck, even if they try to cut it off. 

Will self-love ever win? Will it ever fill the aching void deep inside and settle the unrest? Will it finally feel as easy as breathing? When would it be your turn to experience the joyous feeling of loving yourself? 

“Wee! Look at me! Look at me!” 

You glanced over at the sound of a voice. Across the way, Minho was kicking himself higher and higher into a golden sunset sky. The diminishing sunlight caused his eyes to sparkle. He grinned when your eyes met his. 

His smile was infectious, so you felt your own start to grow on your face. “What are you doing?” You called out to him. 

“What does it look like I’m doing? I’m swinging! Look how high I am?” A giggle spilled from his mouth. “I’m gonna go straight to the moon!” 

It was silly to be a grown adult and act so childish. Luckily for you, you liked silly. Minho and you had been close friends forever. He finished recording earlier in the evening and asked if you’d like to hang out. How were you supposed to reject the offer? 

The clouds smeared the skies with dark yellows. A gray-blue was swallowing the clouds whole across the way. Fleeting birds passed and swooped down along the ground. They were attempting to find the last bits of food before the fading sunlight disappeared. 

Minho’s legs pumped back and forth and back and forth and back and forth. Again and again and again. He constantly propelled himself higher and higher. You watched with a smile. 

Between the swings and creaks of the rusted swing set, Minho turned into a boy again. Youth filled his face and his laughter rang out louder. How many times must he have done the same thing as a kid? Back when swing sets felt like rocket ships and slides were space launchers. Quick adrenaline bursts at recess left him breathless and giddy for another chance to go higher or faster. 

Childhood was so fragile for some and strengthening for others. After all, it was the paved way into your teenage years. Your teen years dipped into adulthood and that’s why you were the way you were. 

“Come join me!” 

You shook your head. 

“Come on!” 

“I’m not interested. I don’t remember the last time I was on a swing set. Besides, the connecting chains are so rusted and what if I-” 

And then he was flying. The swing pulled back and swooshed forth, but he didn’t second guess the high speed. He shifted his hands and propelled himself off the rubber bottom. 

You gasped and jerked upright from the wooden picnic table you were at. The moment his feet dragged along the sienna mulch, you were up in an instant. You rushed over with wide eyes. “Hey, are you okay? You shouldn’t have done that! What if you would have gotten injured?” 

He said it with a mischievous smile. “You worry too much. Come on!” There wasn’t time to respond as he looped his hand through yours. 

He jerked you through the mulch until the two of you reached a blue-based mary-go-round. He gave you a gentle shove and stepped up to the side of it. When you hesitated, he patted the cool metal base. 

You climbed forward and sat down. Lowering your body onto it, you grabbed one of the white railings and let out a soft sigh. “Just don’t make it go too fast, okay? You know I get nauseous easily.” 

“I know, I know. I haven’t forgotten about it, so just try to relax.” He curled a foot around the nearest white mound and placed his other foot in the bed of mulch. He kicked off and the two of you began to slowly spin in a circle. 

“So what’s on your mind?” 

“Nothing.” 

“It’s written all over your face.” 

A creaking sound filled the air. The old spinning mechanisms beneath the machine hadn’t been used in quite a while. This specific playground was hidden away at the end of a dead end street. 

It wasn’t filled with lively children. It was so small and there weren't many kids in the area. A bigger and well maintained park lied in the heart of the town. Instead of maintaining this park, it just slowly seemed to rot away. 

Old paint peeled and was never repainted. The slide had a long worn spot along the metal where people used to slide down over and over again. The once playful laughter of kids had been replaced by a haunted stillness. 

The rocking animals were covered in a layer of heavy grime and rust. Over the years, the weather poured and snowed. Temperatures skyrocketed and then they froze again. Without maintenance and proper upkeep, the smiling bunny rabbit, and what looked to be a dinosaur, had been left to fend for themselves. 

“So what’s it really?” Minho tried again. 

It’s the one thing that you had bittersweet feelings about. No matter what you felt, he always picked up on it if it was a negative feeling. As if he was personally skimming through the thoughts in your brain and reading them word-for-word. 

“Do you ever feel like you’re not in the right body?” 

All that was left was the squeakiness of the merry-go round. His foot had picked up as you spun in a slow circle. He glanced off to the side and slowly blinked. The words were echoing in his head as he attempted to put a response together. 

“I suppose that I do feel like that sometimes, yeah. I’ll question different parts of myself, but at the end of the day, I’m me and I think that’s pretty cool.” 

You scoffed and shook your head. “Pretty cool? Yeah, well, it’s not pretty fucking cool when you don’t have half the population simping over your good looks.” 

“I hit a nerve, huh?” 

You shook your head and shoved your leg out to stop the spin. Instead, Minho kicked wildly at the ground. You yelped and clutched the pole you clung to while your body jerked back by the force of gravity. 

“Don’t go. I was half-kidding, but I was also serious. The great thing about life is that a person can change. We can fix our features and we can change our clothes. If we don’t like our hair color, we ca-” 

“And what about the color of our skin? What about the people we’re sexually attracted to? What if I feel like I’m in the wrong body with the wrong parts? If I’m just a puzzle and all the pieces are scrambled? What then?” 

“I’d say fuck the people who ever made you feel that way because you shouldn’t have to worry about things like that. Those are things that you shouldn’t have to change to please people.” 

“I just want to be accepted,” you finally whispered softly. 

The creaking began to fade away as the two of you came to a slow stop. The sun was disappearing quicker and quicker. Darkness was creeping from above, but it couldn’t hide the pools of sadness in your eyes. 

It didn’t stop the way your body curled in around itself. The flicker of the past and present colliding. Your young self pushing through the reflection of you and searching for that same praise and validation that you always had. You craved validation like a kid craved a proud parent. 

You’d go to the ends of the earth for someone, as long as it meant being recognized. At the end of the day, it was all you ever wanted. You wanted to be seen. You wanted to be heard. You wanted someone to reach out and clutch onto you and say it back. 

“I exist. I’m alive. I’m here and I’m breathing. Despite the hate, despite the disappointment, despite it all, I’m still here. I’m fighting, I’m trying, and I’m surviving.” 

The world wasn’t always kind to those with differences. How could it be? To be different was to be bizarre. An outcast. A freak. A weirdo. It terrified people to be different. 

“What if I’ll never be good enough?” You finally uttered weakly. “What if I’m just what people say I am?” 

“But what if you're not? What if you’re someone with an amazing heart? What if you’re someone who heals people in ways you don’t understand? What if you radiate sunshine and you don’t even realize it because the rain clouds are blocking your vision?” 

You hated how much hope you found in a single person because it felt like the world was screaming at you. You were being swallowed and thrown into a vortex with nowhere to scream. 

Rumors ran wild on social media. Society always seemed to throw you into a molded stereotype, even if you didn’t quite fit. You were stretched to be someone you weren’t. Squashed down just to be another statistic in a textbook. 

“You know…” he leaned back against the metal pole. The coolness sat among his spine and straightened his posture. “Sometimes there’s not enough people out there that speak up. Sometimes they’re anxious and other times, they’re just scared in general.” 

“But sometimes,” he continued, “some people admire others from afar. Things aren’t always so black and white. You don’t have to pretend to be someone you're not. You might feel like you have to, but you don’t.” 

His foot swung out again. Slowly, he shifted and he pushed himself backwards with the force. “This life can be a blessing or a curse, it’s up to you to handle however things are thrown at you.” 

Your eyes found the ground. He noticed it instantly, but he didn’t let up. “I hope one day you find the peace you need to find within yourself. I know I’m not a hundred people, but I know we’re friends and you value my opinion. No matter what you struggle with, I’m happy that you’re you.” 

He pushed a bit faster and a loud creak sounded. At that moment, it was just the two of you. Nothing else mattered as he spoke. You drank his words like a special elixir because you needed them more than ever. 

Life could be hard and people could be cruel. Self-doubt could slither in like a snake and have you choking for air before you knew it. It meant so much coming from someone like him. 

“I like you more than other people.” 

“Why can’t you just say ‘I love you’ like a normal person?” You tried to keep it together, but your voice cracked. It gave away just how vulnerable and lost you were feeling. 

“Love?” His face scrunched up. “Bleh. I don’t have time for that. I don’t think love is anywhere in my vocabulary.” 

“I love you too.” 

“Yeah, I have no idea what you’re talking about.” 

He shoved his foot hard across the ground. A handful of mulch fluttered in different directions and you screeched. He grinned and launched himself up onto his feet. He kicked again and again and again. You spun faster and faster, it felt like flying. 

That childish happiness was back. Around and around you went and where you ended up, nobody knew. How you landed was up to you. Your laughter tangled together beneath the yellowed streetlights. 

The abandoned playground finally felt the familiar warmth of innocence and laughter once more. 

| ♡.﹀﹀﹀﹀.♡ | ♡.﹀﹀﹀﹀.♡ | ♡.﹀﹀﹀﹀.♡ |

Taglist: @lina-linny @straykidsstanforeverandever @seungnishi @stellasays45

Masterlist

Taglist and inbox rules

[starmieknight]

Stars Align

Headhunters Pt. 1

17 Again AU: After a disastrous first day with the twins, Stan swears to do better as an uncle. But fate loves playing tricks on him and the magic 8-ball in the attic is more than it seems.

Now on top of having a pair of twelve year olds around the house while he tries to finish the portal and bring his brother home, Stan has to deal with being back in his seventeen year old body! Summer has never been weirder in Gravity Falls.

AO3 link

Concept Art

Legend of the Gobblewonker (Art)

Prologue, The Legend of the Gobblewonker (previous)

It was only with mild surprise that Stan woke up young again. 

Gravity Falls weirdness wass unreliable on any given day.  The state he was in didn't seem to be going away anytime soon. 

So Stan grits his teeth and heads downstairs to make breakfast anyway. This is still fine. He was still fine. 

He can't afford to keep the Shack closed another day, so he improvises his usual look a bit. The jacket stays even if it's a bit big on him and the shoulders aren't as filled out as they normally are. But he doesn't have to shove himself into the girdle and counts that as a win. Beneath the jacket he dons a plain white T-shirt and a pair of old jeans from the back of the closet. 

They might have been Ford's at one time, though they seem kinda small...

Mabel calls his outfit 'hipster-business casual' when she sees him and he has no idea what that means.

Wendy is off work that day, leaving him without a teen-speak translator.

Absent-mindedly, Stan wonders if she'd caught sight of him yesterday at the lake. 

Hopefully, she hadn't and the weirdness will be gone in the morning. 

In all, the day turns out pretty uneventful ― aside from a few tourists giving him extra tips after tours. 

They thought it was adorable that he was so interested in the 'family business' and laughed when he claimed he was well into his fifties. 

Not with that baby face, they'd say.

Fine ― if they wanted to throw more money at him, he wouldn't complain. 

Before long, the day is done and Stan eagerly shucks the blazer and his jeans in favor of boxers and a T-shirt.  

He avoids the mirror, memories of Glass Shard Beach plaguing his every step. 

He swears he can hear his mother on the other side of the wall, schmoozing some schmuck over the phone. Sees his father glaring at him from the corner of his eye. 

Feels the phantom hands of his brothers on the stairs, Shermie's large and powerful on his shoulder while Ford tugs at his sleeve more hesitantly.

Stan shudders and leans against the hallway wall, squeezing his eyes shut against the memories. 

He breathes deep and carries on, planning on joining the twins downstairs when the scent of dust and wax catches his attention.  

A long-forgotten door beckons to him from down the hall, filled with waxy faces of celebrities and fictional characters.

Huh, he'd forgotten all about these guys.

Outside, he can hear Soos and the kids coming and can't resist the set-up for a good prank.

Having to hide in a dark, dusty room for a chance at a jump scare is worth it.

Stan cackles at the twins' screams before bundling them up in a bear hug.

"It's just me!" he crows joyfully. "Your Grunkle Stan!"

They scream once more out of reflex before settling down.

"Grunkle Stan, what is this place?" Mabel asked, flopping over his arm to stare upside down at the displays. 

Dipper wriggles in his grasp, in danger of being dropped, before Stan sets them back on their feet.

"Behold ― the Gravity Falls Wax Museum!" Stan declares, proudly spreading his arms and spinning on his heel. A born showman even as a young man. "It was one of my most popular attractions... before I forgot all about it." 

More like got creeped out by the things and hid them away so he didn't have to look at them anymore. 

Like Ford's old room.  

The loss of wax Abraham Lincoln makes him pout and whine, but Mabel is quick to offer a solution.

It's amazing to watch the kid work through the night, but when she refuses to stop and sleep, Stan puts his foot down.

He manages to get some food in her and gets her to take a nap, but the girl is too much like Ford to stay down for long. She'll be up soon and Stan will have his hands full.

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

The next morning was... interesting.

This time, when Stan woke up as a teenager, he didn't question it and went about his business. Mabel was still passed out on the couch in the living room, fingers sticky with wax and glitter as she took a small break from her work. Stan puts her pancakes in the microwave and eats a quiet breakfast with Dipper, both of them too out of it to form proper conversation.

Stan didn't know if it was a side-effect of being a teenager again, but it was incredibly difficult to wake up before noon. His mind felt like it was running on empty until the sun reached its peak in the sky. On the other hand, it was easier to stay up at night. It'd work out in his favor when he got his hands on Dipper's journal. Whenever he could swing that.

The kid had it hidden well and never left it laying around in the Shack.

Stan could feel that the answers to getting his brother back were closer than ever and the set-back of keeping it secret at the same time was almost too frustrating to bear.

He huffed to himself and slumped down onto the couch outside, half dressed in his usual attire. The summer morning was turning out to be a hot one and he was already sweaty enough. The jacket stayed off, draped over the arm of the couch and in-reach in case a tour bus suddenly appeared. 

A rustling around the side of the porch had him tensing instinctively, too many years on the streets and in nasty situations to let him relax for long. Even using his twin's identity didn't keep him safe from everyone after him. And with this face, it’d be even harder to keep convincing people he was the real Stanford Pines.

Stan slipped his hand into his jeans pocket, fingers sliding into his brass knuckles. Even in this body, they fit like a glove, the only consistent part of his life from the past 40 years. The knuckles had come with him from New Jersey, the one thing he'd ever chanced lifting out of his old man's shop.

The thought of Filbrick finding out that Stan stole from him was still a chilling one.

Stan positioned himself to watch the side of the porch as casually as he could, muscles lax in preparation to move whatever direction he needed to.

It probably wasn't the kids ― they were naturally noisy. So was Soos. The only other person who'd be hanging around the Shack was...

"Who are you?"

Wendy.

The girl really was cool as ice, merely raising a curious brow as Stan explained his plight.

"That's some freaky shit, man." She said finally, dropping onto the couch beside him instead of heading inside. The slacker. "But you've still got your memories, right? You're not just, like, mini-Stan Pines from 1940 or whatever?"

Stan pinned her with an irritated look. "How old do you think I am? You kids have no idea how age works."

"So?"

"And stop swearing! The kids are around here somewhere."

"They'll hear worse in high school."

"Yeah, but I ain't gonna have them go home talkin' like that and have their parents come up here to murder me."

"Would they even recognize you like that?"

Stan grew quiet, his brow furrowing as he stared into the treeline.

No, they wouldn't.

The last time he'd seen his nephew as himself and not using Ford's name had been back in 1972. Back when he really was seventeen.

Alex had been a baby back then, wailing in his grandmother's arms as Filbrick threw Stan into the street. He'd never known an uncle aside from Ford.

Or, at least, the man he thought was Ford. Alex had visited once when the Shack was still the Murder Hut. They'd spent the month fishing and riding the backroads through town, Stan teaching the kid how to drive and use bad pickup lines on girls.

It'd been the highlight of his thirties. He'd hoped it would be the same when the twins came down to visit.

It was turning out to just be weird.

"I'm sorry, man." Wendy said suddenly, drawing Stan out of his memories about a freckle faced kid with too many freckles to count.

"It's fine, kid." He sighed, rising to his feet and sliding on his jacket. "Go on and get to work. We've got customers to rip off."

Wendy hummed in agreement, her eyes sharp beneath their lazy lids. She held her tongue, though, and he was grateful for that much.

Mabel was missing from the couch when they came in, a nest of blankets the only indication that she'd ever been there.

"Kids?" He called, moving into the parlor. "Where'd you― GAH!!"

By some miracle, Stanford was standing in front of him. The twins and Soos crowded him, only that familiar face visible over the kids’ heads and grinning at him.

Which was weird.

Even when Ford smiled, he never looked like that. And he certainly wouldn't smile at Stanley.

"Grunkle Stan!" Mabel cheered, dripping glitter onto the hardwood. "What do you think of my masterpiece? I thought about recreating this new, young you ― but that would have been pretty confusing for the customers. Like a waxy twin!"

A waxy twin.

That's all it was.

Ford was still trapped on the other side of the portal, likely hurt and resenting Stan.

"Grunkle Stan? Are you... alright?"

Dipper crouched down next to him, brow furrowed in concern. 

Stan sucked in a deep breath, vaguely acknowledging that he'd stopped breathing at the sight of what he'd thought was his brother. It wasn't Ford. Just a wax figure.

And the twins were looking at him strangely now. Time to redirect.

"Can a teenager have a heart attack?" He asked seriously before pasting on a cheesy grin. "Because that hunk is making my heart do flips!"

The twins laughed, the tension breaking as Soos helped Stan back up. It was strange how easily the handyman could lift him now, like he weighed nothing more than a sack of potatoes. And he handled him so gently. Like a child!

Stan remembered when Soos was the child, all chubby cheeks and wide eyes as he followed him around the Shack. Like a little baby duck.

He'd been a pretty cute kid, honestly. 

Ugh. Being young again was turning him into a sap. 

He needed to change the subject and Wax Stan had just given him the perfect idea.

"Kids," he grinned eagerly as he drew them near. Mabel had a light shining in her eye, apparently on the same wavelength as him. Dipper looked more skeptical. "The Wax Museum is back in business!”

[damthosefandoms]

“how does it feel, ponyboy?” “it feels like… like I know for sure now I’m going to college! heck, now I can afford the flight home!”

but also ponyboy calling home that night and the first thing out of his mouth is “soda, we’re buying back mickey mouse, and tell darry he’s taking a month off work.”

olympics au ponyboy but set into canon where he just. makes it that far in track. and the world latches on to this young upstart racing in the 100m on international primetime with the stupid name and tragic backstory. “what’re you gonna do now?” he’s asked after he wins gold and becomes the fastest man (teenager) alive. “i’m gonna go home and see my brothers!” because they couldn’t afford to fly out with him and the ‘68 olympics were in mexico. half the east side is crowded around the curtises’ tv cheering him on. johnny said stay gold he said yes sir🫡

[shortstack-21]

Whelp looks like I'm writing another 100k+ fic 🤣

Should I start posting? I'm A Little Bit Hurt But A Lot More Free is almost complete! Writing the last four chapters!

Sneak peek? 👀

He wanted to be free. Free to love the way Eddie loved Christopher. The way his sister loves Chimney. The love that Bobby and Athena have for each other. He wants to be free to feel that love. But each time he thought he was ready the crippling fear and grief of seeing the person he loved most dead in bed next to him. He would only drag someone down with him. How could someone love Evan Buckley when he didn’t even love himself?

“Buck! Save me from dad!” Christopher said through fits of giggles.

Buck snapped out of his thoughts, a small smile tugging at his lips as he watched Eddie and Christopher. The sight was so pure, so full of warmth, that it nearly made him forget everything that had been weighing on him. Christopher's giggles were infectious, and the sound alone brought a brightness to the room that Buck hadn’t realized he needed.

“I’m coming!” Buck called out, grinning as he crossed the room. He gently scooped Christopher up from Eddie’s playful grasp and swung him around, causing a new wave of laughter from the boy.

Eddie smiled from where he sat on the floor, shaking his head in mock defeat. “Alright, alright, you win, Chris. Looks like Buck’s got your back.”

As Buck set Christopher down, the boy looked up at him, his eyes sparkling with happiness. “You’re the best, Buck. I love you.”

The words hit Buck like a punch to the gut. He wasn’t prepared for them, not at all. Christopher said it so easily, so freely, like it was the most natural thing in the world. Buck’s throat tightened, and he had to force himself not to cry. He didn’t deserve that kind of love. Not after everything he’d done, after all the mistakes he’d made. How could this kid, so full of joy and light, love someone like him?

"Hey, uh… I love you too, buddy,” Buck managed to choke out, his voice softer than he intended.

Christopher beamed at him, seemingly oblivious to the inner turmoil Buck was fighting to keep at bay. He wrapped his arms around Buck’s waist, hugging him tightly before pulling away and running back toward Eddie.

Buck swallowed hard, blinking rapidly to keep the tears at bay. He glanced at Eddie, who was watching him carefully, his expression soft but understanding. Eddie didn’t say anything, didn’t press him. He just gave Buck a small, supportive nod, as if telling him it was okay to feel overwhelmed.

Buck wasn’t used to this—this feeling of being accepted, of being loved without condition. It scared him more than he cared to admit. But at the same time, it was what he craved most.

[rei-ismyname]

UNCANNY X-MEN #5 From The Ashes

First of all, I should acknowledge that something I've been calling a missed opportunity has received an attempt on page - the X-Men killing in FotHox, specifically Kurt. It's a single line and doesn't make a lot of sense, trying to have cake and eat it too by nodding to it in issue 5 but not meaningfully engaging with the recent past.

Cool new form for Calico, though.

Kurt putting his sword/s away doesn't quite cut it. Errol Flynn swashbuckling has been an influence on him since he was a child and he's been big on sword usage almost since the beginning of his publication history. It's his thing, and he badly needs personality in FTA. Also, he didn't kill anyone with a sword in Fall, he teleported them into space. Swords parry and block, they disarm and intimidate. They have use outside of combat. They look cool, and it's something Kurt is very good at. So yeah, the barest attempt was made, but it didn't land for me. There could have been space to set it up and sell it too, perhaps by toning down the Charles Xavier/Sarah flashbacks that were ultimately just a fakeout.

Speaking of things that were given lip service in issue 5 and could have benefited from more attention, Jubilee told us who she is - kinda. A panel or two of origin story that was established in the 90s, but nothing about why she's here or what she wants out of life. How she feels about the loss of Krakoa, where the hell her baby, Shogo, is. It fits in with Uncanny's overarching sense of unfocusedness and her role could have been performed by anyone - not a good look for the end of the flagship book's first arc.

We get the resolution to and defeat of Sarah Gaunt. 'She's crazy, always has been' is so unsatisfying. I can't think of any other description. It's nice that we don't have another sin to lay at Xavier's door, but attempted baby trap is not a frequently used trope for a reason. She acknowledges she was lying, but then blames him for the loss of her son years later in a different country - then transfers that hatred to all mutants? Comicsxf have criticised her characterisation as 'Monstrous Mother' and I agree. What was the point of giving it so much space, to the extent that we spent more time in the past than with most of our putative main characters? She beat the shit out of Logan and Rogue the last two issues, nearly killing them - only for Rogue to draw strength from deus ex dead kid and completely wipe her out. It's lovely that Rogue is able to summon empathy for her, it shows us why she's a hero, but taken as an arc she's rewarded with victory despite making bad decisions. Long time readers know Rogue can lead, but I think Gail Simone is going to have to do the work to convince new readers that she's right for this. It's well and good to have moral authority but leading your team to death isn't.

Harvey X was unexpected but felt unearned. Surprise is fun but internal and narrative consistency is better. I thought it was Charles moving people around, because it was signposted. Harvey X being the puppet master felt almost silly as he revealed previously unseen very powerful abilities. Why would he wait for Rogue and Logan to be nearly dead to act? Maybe that's the only time he can act, because he's dead? Idk, at least he didn't scream how hot Rogue is again. He speaks about a sacrifice he's making but what sacrifice is that? Is his power finite and burns him out, Proteus-style? It's not quite clear, and I guess we'll never see him again.

Precognition. Healing. Telepathy.

Gambit and the Eye of Agamotto was a Chekhov's Gun that mostly worked (and made me feel sah smart for calling it.) Remy prays (?) to it and then blows the possessed cultists away. I'm pretty sure Jubilee could make a bigger boom than that (I know she can) but rule of cool wins the day.

These are/were captured and possessed mutants. I hope we see them again, especially after Fawn's introduction in #1. They're not doing this willingly.

Rogue flies to meet Warden Ellis to give her Sarah back, further muddling Ellis' characterisation. I have no idea what she's about now. Nuance is good in antagonists, but for someone who wants to crush mutants with her government mandate she's awfully cooperative with them. No threats, no riddles, no ultimatum, just meekly accepting two threats? I want to give a fuck about the closest thing we have to an antagonist (for a crossover event right around the corner) but there's nothing there! This was an opportunity for something, anything. Gah! I don't understand this writing.

Rogue's threat is interesting, though I have to wonder what she and Scott are going to disagree about. It's implied Jubilee will get captured, and we know Beast already has been. 2/3 X-Men teams have their motivation to wreck Graymalkin I just struggle to see them coming to blows over it.

Rogue and her elocution lessons feel very out of character and came out of nowhere. If it was setup earlier and tied to insecurity or identity that would work, but being introduced and haphazardly paid off in issue 5 baffles me, frankly. Rogue's southern upbringing is never something she's been ashamed of, her angst has almost always been related to her powers. She's a confident woman. A story where she struggles with that could have legs, but that's not the story that's been told. She certainly doesn't need Gambit or Logan to tell her - I'd expect it to be the other way around.

I'm not sure what to make of the images we get from Harvey X's visions of the future. I'll write about them separately if I find an interesting hook.

So ends the first arc of Uncanny X-Men volume whatever. My main issue is that it doesn't meaningfully engage with what came before it, and it doesn't quite manage to establish its own identity either. What is its mission statement and what kind of book can we expect? I don't know, and I hope Gail Simone does. It's not the end of the world, mind you. Following Krakoa was always going to be tough, and the world was going to feel smaller, less connected. I can't help but wonder what it might have felt like without a lot of Charles Xavier flashbacks amounting to nothing. Maybe we'd know more about Kurt or Jubilee, even the Outliers. Ideally that'll be corrected. I don't do number ratings so I'll just say it was okay, higher if you are a Rogue stan.

[millesbianforce]

I Have decided I no longer have needs! :)

[seasicksilver]

good old times

[shannonsketches]

[lovesodeepandwideandwell]

Blessings roll call!

[yuridovewing]

i understand the frustration with “i made this gay pairing cis x trans so they can still have biological babies” with no thought to other methods and how ppl assume thats the case when it comes to mothpool aus where mothwing is also the mother of the three, but also…. idk i kinda dont give a shit if someone wants to do that and i dont really think its inherently transphobic as long as its handled with care and respect.

what really concerns me about this debate is how some people are adamant that you cannot portray trans people having biological children in media or youre being disrespectful. and im gonna say as a nonbinary person who doesnt want children for themself- thats kinda fucking weird? like i understand that for some people, theyre trans themselves and theyre speaking from a place of dysphoria, and i absolutely get that, which is why i think the topic should be handled with nuance and diversity in trans characters, but like…. guys. pregnant trans men exist irl. trans women get people pregnant irl. trans ppl’s ability and right to parent and have biological children are being debated irl. we get denied the opportunity to adopt as well.

in a climate like this, are we SURE we want the stance on rewrites and headcanons in the silly cat books to be “if you portray trans characters having children, especially with a gay couple, youre a transphobic freak no matter what!” does it really matter? especially if its being done by a trans person handling the topic with nuance who has a lot of trans characters with varying perspectives?

obviously yes, remember that thats not the only way certain gay couples can have kids, remember that not every trans person is fully comfortable with it and keep that in mind, remember that surrogacy and adoption are also perfectly valid ways to give fan babies- but remember that there are OPTIONS. not that you need to condemn the idea of transgender parents in the first place unless they fit the very specific criteria of “proper transgender representation” and anything that dares deviate from that is proof the op is a transphobic monster (bonus points if theyre a trans creator bc i mostly see trans people getting shit for this and it kinda pisses me off. although idm if cis people do it either as long as theyre handling it with respect)

[goldkirk]

.

[rqg179]

emily saying in the adventuring party that fig really might drop out to go travelling with ayda .... i will cry!!!

[welcometoteyvat]

arlecchino's official title is "father" when house of hearth members refer to her ......... please just one chance please please