#the ferris wheel really has nothing to do with anything but the fact that its cool and they Will ride it

[s-ccaam-era-crepe]

whats ur favorite attraction that you have planned for bap? /nf

BAP QUESTION !?!! i love you <3

okay hmmm im like really reallly excited for the mirror maze that shows alternate futures/pasts (or something along the lines of that) of the characters bc i have some super fun ideas for that stuff :))

but i also Really like the area i have planned that basically takes them through their childhood (as part of the ride lol) and its personally one of my favorites bc its how they find out about sunnis whole thing (carter etc) and also new lore TM on characters like sophia who aren't really trying to tell the whole group that they lead a cult whoops

oh but also general like. More Normal attraction for a park i really like the ferris wheel and the clock bear :)

[utenaposter]

had a great chat with @mitsybubbles yesterday about the concept of revolution in rgu and she had some amazing points that i literally didnt even think about and im gonna talk about them now hiii

the big concept of "revolution" in rgu as akio sees it isnt actually a revolution as in overthrowing anything or breaking out of bonds, its a revolution in the other definition. a turn, a cycle, a revolving thing.

this is something that i literally only really understood yesterday but it makes so much sense, everything in rgu is based on cycles so of course the revolution akio talks about isnt actually a revolution, its just a cycle. thats what "bring the world revolution" means to him, it means to cycle the world back into what it was once more. so many of the songs sing of cycles and eternity turning back on itself its almost too obvious and i don't understand how i never figured it out!

like ZUM itself is the most prominent song we hear and its so blatantly obvious its about cycling through the same things over and over again, and the fact that its played as utena walks up a spiral staircase? to an arena in which she either wins or loses and then has to go back down the staircase and back up again whenever the next duel is? like come on how much more obvious could it be!!!

"birth records, baptismal records, death records..." "...day and night reversing..." "absolute destiny apocalypse" the absolute destiny its talking about is the revolution, itll happen again and again just like birth and death and day and night, a cycle endlessly repeating itself

now to talk about just some of the most obvious "cycle" imagery in rgu but ill only be talking about the ones i have in my brain right now, like in episode 33 we see the carnival outside the window in the hotel room, whats the most prominent thing we see from those carnival lights? the ferris wheel, going round and round and round forever. also a nod to the fact that what akio is doing to utena has happened many many times before and one of the examples we see is kanae, although she gets discarded because utena is more suited to the role he wants her to play. and speaking of the carnival ride we see it in the last episode too just as utena gets stabbed, going in circles because thats what happened before and will happen again to the next duelist

another example we see is akio's car, wheels and all. bringing duelists out into the end of the world and back into ohtori again, a never ending cycle of going back to their old ways by making them duel again even after they dont want to anymore. another "revolution".

now this concept of revolution is akio's, the neverending cycles of hatred, he's used to them. he probably subconsciously doesn't even want to break out of them, he knows the prince doesn't exist in the coffin, he knows dios maybe never even existed and he's afraid of what he'll do if that turns out to be true. if he opens the coffin and doesn't find his idealised version of the self. so he doesn't even really try to open the rose gate, he's happy enough to just continue his own revolutions and his own cycles over and over again for eternity.

but utena's revolution? its real revolution. its the other definition. she genuinely revolutionizes everything thats been given to her, it takes her a while sure but she does. she breaks out of the cycles that akio has put her into, she breaks free from it all and actually revolutionizes ohtori and the people inside it. her revolution is what saves anthy because she's not scared of what she'll find inside the rose gate, she's not scared of the swords of hatred, she's not afraid of her past self, she is nothing like akio. the one thing she wants is for anthy to realize how much she wants her to be happy even after she gets stabbed and left to bleed out on the ground. her revolution is caring and ive already talked about this in another post but yeah!!! there are two kinds of revolutions in revolutionary girl utena, two definitions, but only one of them is an actual Revolution.

also i feel like this plays into the concept of "naive" utena because of course she doesn't understand that akio/end of the world means revolution in the cyclical sense, but neither do the other duelists, they all think theyre battling for an actual revolution, for an actual chance to break out of the world's shell, but what theyre fighting for is actually just a return to the egg, a repeat of all thats happened and will happen again.

end of post also unrelated but i wrote most of this in the bathtub, i feel like an old greek philosopher about to jump out and scream eureka because i found out what volume is anyways thanks for reading once again have fun

[fortuositywritings]

The Great Animal Rescue

Summary: You should have minded your own business, but try saying no to a little girl who was crying for her cat. Now you are stuck in a tree trying not to embarrass yourself in front of the attractive individual who comes to your rescue.

A/N: This is a Skye/Daisy x reader short that is meant to give some background for them in I Said No

___________________________________________________________________

2:17pm

Y/N where r u??

You are stuck in a tree with no way down is where you are. You should really learn to say no to people. It’s what got you into this mess in the first place. You were on your way to meet your friends at the movies after stopping at an ice cream shop for a cone. You thought, why not walk the way there? It is only a few blocks away and it’s nice outside. 

So you began walking, licking your ice cream happily. It’s nothing compared to the ice cream shop in the small town where your cousin lives, but this one is still pretty damn good. Not two minutes into your stroll, the sound of someone sniffling made you pause. You hesitated to investigate where the noise was coming from, seeing that your cousin’s husband has given you plenty of lectures about stranger danger. You ignored the voice in your head saying he might have a point. He spends a lot of his time in New York; there are a lot of weirdos there. This is LA in broad daylight. The worst thing that could happen where you were at the moment would have been getting run over by an electric scooter. 

Clearly you were wrong.

It turned out to be some kid crying because her cat wouldn’t come down from the tree. You asked her where her parents were. She said they were inside the house and wouldn’t come outside because if the cat could climb up, it would eventually come back down. You told her they were probably right and were about to leave her there on the sidewalk but that was before she gave you some of the most adorable puppy dog eyes and a “please”. 

You asked the girl to hold your cone while you spotted the cat. It didn’t seem to be too far up into the tree. You started climbing up, grabbing a branch and hoisting yourself up. One branch made a on your green sweater, making you mumble in displeasure the rest of the way up to the cat. You should have listened to her parents as well. As soon as you had reached the cat, the damn thing ran past you and ran down the tree like a squirrel. You nearly lost your balance.

The girl thanked you even though you didn’t really do anything and ran inside her house after her cat, taking your ice cream with her. After mumbling to yourself on never falling for some puppy eyes again, you realized how far up you actually were. Your face blanched and your grip tightened around the tree branch keeping you balanced. 

You felt your phone vibrate and it took you 5 minutes to actually take it out to read the message. That’s where you are at right now. Trying to message your friend Ola back, typing with one shaky thumb.

2:23pm

Stuck intr ee two block sway help

Before pressing send, you think it over. Should you message her back? You know if you tell her to come rescue you, she would come with the rest of the gang and they would never let you live it down. Is it worth it? Better that than dying up here, you think.

Going to press send, your sweaty hand loses its grip on your phone and it falls onto the grass below. “Fuck!”

“Fuck!” Someone echoes from below, startling you in return. “Shit!”

You’re practically hugging the tree at this point. The person below you speaks to you, “You scared the shit out of me. What are you doing up there?”

You hesitate to look down but brave the fear of looking down to see the woman talking to you. And what a spectacular view you have. Had you not already been weak in the knees from being so terrified, you would have some now from looking at this gorgeous person. She’s clearly waiting for your reply, so you clear your throat and say, “Rescuing a cat. What are you doing?”

“Walking to my van.” She points to the van across the street. “Where’s the cat?”

“What?” you ask. She raises an eyebrow at you. “You said you were rescuing a cat, but I don’t see any.”

“Very observant of you,” you point out, not answering her question. She narrows her eyes at you. “You’re not like some weirdo trying to peek into someone’s bedroom are you?”

You scoff. “What?! No! I’m one for one on rescuing cats, actually. It went back inside to its house.” You defend yourself. “Besides, you’re the one with the creepy ‘I’ve got candy inside my van’ van, so.”

Now this stranger looks embarrassed. “It’s for work.”

“Who do you work for? The CIA?” you joke, making the woman laugh. “They’d wish.”

It’s your turn to give her a questioning look at the odd response. She ignores it and loops back to you. “So if this great animal rescue went just like you said, why are you still up there?”

“To, uh-get better reception,” you lie. She looks at you unimpressed and you see why when she bends down to pick up the phone you dropped. “You mean for the phone that’s down here on the ground?”

You laugh nervously. She catches on when she notices how tight your hold on the tree is. “Are you sure you’re not just stuck up there?”

“What? Stuck? Me?” you laugh as if what she is saying is just offensive. “No, I just liked the peacefulness the tree provided. I dropped my phone on purpose. Yeah, I didn’t want it to distract me from really appreciating the beauty of the world around us.”

“Yeah, the McDonalds down the road really does look beautiful in the daylight,” she quips.

“It’s the wonder of the golden arches,” you retort, pulling a genuine laugh from the woman. 

“Well, then I’ll leave you to it,” she says. You dryly swallow, afraid that your chance at getting down from the tree will leave with her. She speaks up again. “But before I go, would you like me to send the message to Ola that somewhat reads ‘Stuck in a tree two blocks away help’?”

She smirks and you sigh at being caught. “Okay, truth is I’m deathly afraid of heights. I didn’t realize how high I actually was until I tried coming down.”

“Well, that’s okay. It is one of the most common fears,” she reasons.

“It’s embarrassing. I can’t even look at a plane without feeling nauseous.”

“Well, I think you’ve been doing well so far. Look how long you lasted up there while looking down towards me.” She points.

“That’s only because you’re a good distraction,” you confess. 

She begins to climb up towards you. “Aww, are you trying to call me beautiful?”

You blush and don’t say anything though the silence speaks for you. She finally gets to you. “I’ll take that as a yes. Now, let’s get you down this tree, Robin Hood.” 

“Robin Hood?” you question the nickname. “Is it because of the tree?”

“That. Also, the tights and green top pull it all together. We just need to get you a bow and some arrows and you’ll be set.” The irony at the fact that there are plenty of arrows and bows at your cousin’s house due to her husband’s profession isn’t lost on you. Unfortunately, any joke you could make about it would get you in trouble, so you just smile at the beauty trying to help you down. 

She offers you her hand and helps you get down the tree branch to branch with all the patience in the world. Not once does she complain about the death grip you have on her hand. When your feet feel the ground beneath them, you feel like crying. Instead you just let go of the stranger’s hand and try to get your heartbeat to settle down to it’s regular pace.

“Not too bad, see? Soon you’ll be bungee jumping,” she jokes.

“That’s a big leap from getting down from a tree.”

“Well, yeah. It’s bungee jumping. Leaping is the first half of the process,” she says sarcastically. You roll your eyes at her playfully. Then she smiles at you with a gleam in her eye as if she just had the best idea in the world. “How about we start with something smaller then? What are you doing on Friday?”

“Um, I don’t have any plans yet.”

“Now you do. Friday night, you will be taking the next step to conquering your fear of heights!”

“It’s not bungee jumping, is it?” you ask, petrified. As beautiful as this girl may be, risking your life for the chance to see this girl one more time doesn’t seem like a well thought out trade. 

“Calm down, Robin Hood. I was thinking more along the lines of getting you to ride the ferris wheel at the fair,” she reassures you, making you blush.

“Like on a date?” you shyly ask. God, you hope you didn’t just embarrass yourself.

“Like on a date.” She smiles at you and your heart feels like it’s skipping.

“Y/N.”  You throw out. She looks lost so you explain, “Every Robin Hood has a name for when they aren’t up in trees ready to rob rich people. Mine happens to be Y/N.”

“Skye.” She offers her name and you take it so willingly, letting it ruminate in your mind. “Here.” She pulls your phone out of the pocket she had put it in. She goes to your contacts and adds herself in before handing it back to you. You stare down at it in wonder. 

“Well, I think your friends might be waiting on you, so…” She begins walking backwards. “I’ll see you Friday, Y/N!”

She turns around looking both ways before jogging across the street towards her van. You see her pull into the street nodding at you before driving off. You wave back after the van, dumbstruck. “What the hell just happened?” You mumble to yourself.

****

“You know when you said I would be getting on the ferris wheel, I assumed you meant you would go on it with me,” you grumble, making your way over to Skye who was waiting for you by the exit gate of the ride. 

She reaches for your hand pulling you closer to her. “Some things, you have to learn to do alone. You just have to let the belief that something great will come out of pushing through your fear guide you through that fear.”

“I don’t think any funnel cake we get later was worth that experience,” you pout. 

“Okay, then how about this,” she says before pulling you in to kiss you. It doesn’t last long but you let it consume you for the seconds you have. You open your eyes when she continues, “and a second date?”

“Only if it ends just like that,” you counter. She kisses you again, the second kiss leaving you just as dazed as the first.

“Deal,” she agrees, pulling you towards the funnel cake truck. “Next date, Robin Hood takes on Six Flags!”

“Wait, what?!”

_____________________________________________________________________

So, just a side little thing for some Reader and Daisy/Skye context before she eventually shows up in I Said No. It feels like I’m giving this reader a whole Universe. The world does in fact revolve around Y/N. 

Obviously (or maybe not) I dropped some references to the other fic but really you could read either without needing to read the other (if it truly breaks your heart to see reader with anyone else).

@madamevirgo @marvels-writings @gayarchnemissis @myperfectlovestory @purplemeetsblue @magicallymaximoff @b0mbdotc0m @helloalycia @ironscarletwidowsoilder @cantcontroltheirfear @trikruismybitch @your-my-mission @imagine-reblog @fayhar @idek-5 @causeitswhatjesuswouldfreakingdo @bemyvitamin @musicinourlips @paumxmff @wandamaximoffsrings @yeetus-thyself @lostandsearching @when-wolves-howl @euphoriaszn2 @gingerbreadcookieforlife 

[moonbeambucky]

Hey Neighbor (Part 17)

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Reader Word Count: 4359 Warnings: fluff, light angst

Summary: You had a plan and then life came along with one of its own. With your future almost derailed you worked hard to get yourself back on track and finally everything seemed to be going right… that is, until your new neighbor moved in.

A/N: I know you’re excited for the wedding but we’re not quite there yet. Although I think you’ll be happy about this... mostly. Feedback is always appreciated!

HEY NEIGHBOR PART 16 | HEY NEIGHBOR MASTERLIST

Somehow it was decided that this was a good idea, that Coney Island wouldn’t be so bad on Memorial Day weekend. You were very wrong.

Everyone had the same idea, filling the subways until they were packed as you made the long trip to Brooklyn. What should have taken just over an hour became closer to two because of overcrowding. It was hard to guarantee that eight people would make it onto the same train with all the pushing and shoving of people ensuring that they made it inside before the doors shut.

By the time you arrived everyone was hungry and the mass of people covering the large Boardwalk only added to the frustration you were all feeling. Clint, Steve, Peggy and Bucky wanted Nathan’s hot dogs while you, Natasha and Wanda didn’t. You decided to split up, going down the Boardwalk to another place that was just as crowded but offered something for each of you.

“There’s no place to sit,” Natasha said, looking around as she held a lobster roll in one hand and a beer in the other.

“Ooh, over there,” you said, pointing to a bench across the Boardwalk that was quickly taken before you had the chance to take even one step towards it.

There were a few high top tables that you could stand up in front of so you quickly ran over to an open one before someone else could. Natasha lined up her food on the table, getting the restaurant’s name in the background as she took a picture.

“Clint just texted me. They’re finally about to order.”

“About time,” Wanda said, taking a bite of her sausage and pepper roll. She nudged over her container of fries towards you and Natasha, silently offering them.

“They’re asking if we should meet up with them by the Wonder Wheel.”

“Sounds good to me,” you said while chewing, covering your mouth so pieces of your cheeseburger didn’t spit out.

Despite the crowds this brief moment felt nice, feeling the breeze from the ocean and the warm sun heating your skin. Memorial Day weekend was the unofficial start of summer and that meant you could finally begin your countdown to graduation. You had three months more to go before you would finally reach your goal and it was… scary. Scary and exciting at the same time but you couldn’t wait for that day.

“So Saturday’s the big wedding huh?” Natasha smirked.

You raised your eyebrow, not giving in to the way she looked at you. “Yes it is but we’re getting there Friday and before you say anything our hotel has two beds, okay? Two of them.” you said, sticking two fingers in front of her face.

Natasha mumbled something under her breath that you didn’t bother to decipher. Nothing was going to happen. A little dancing, a little awkward conversation with people you don’t know and that’s it.

“Horses?” Wanda asked you, tilting her head up so you could get a glimpse. Natasha looked confused but held her tongue.

Music filled your ears as you passed a group of people gathered on the Boardwalk watching others dance. It was nice to see everyone let go and enjoy the sunshine.

Wanda kissed Sam as soon as the groups joined up again in contrast to Natasha. “I don’t like hot dog breath,” she said, looking into her bag for gum or a mint to give Clint.

Making a face she didn’t see, he mockingly signed back Natasha’s words making you laugh since you understood him. Bucky held his left palm up, sliding the middle finger of his right hand over it. To your shock you realized he just signed back “rude” to Clint.

Turning towards him you asked, “When did you learn ASL?”

“When someone told me our neighbor signs.” He smiled widely and you suddenly felt light enough for the breeze to carry you away. “C’mon,” Bucky said, nudging his head for you to start walking with the group.

He adjusted the brim of his baseball cap, which was the only difference between your outfits today as Sam pointed out. You and Bucky were basically matching and he thought it was cute that you coordinated even though it wasn’t planned.

You both wore crisp white t-shirts, jeans (though yours were shorts), and converse sneakers. Arguing that you were wearing red sneakers unlike Bucky’s black ones made no difference, everyone still thought it was a very “coupley” thing to do.

As you walked towards the Wonder Wheel you couldn’t help but stare at Bucky's arms. They had gotten much bigger ever since he started working out with Sam and Steve and those muscles definitely stood out now; tanned skin with a prominent vein running down his arm you couldn’t take your eyes off of.

“Swinging cars? Oh no. I’m good,” Sam said as you approached the line.

“Me too. I’ve got a belly full of hot dogs so I’d rather not,” Clint added.

The group split with Sam, Wanda, Clint and Natasha getting in line for the stationary cars as you, Bucky, Peggy and Steve waited for the swinging ones. When it was time to load into your car there were two benches facing forward. Steve and Peggy took the front one and you guys were in the back. Bucky let you enter first and you sat down quickly so the attendant could close the door, adjusting your bag between your legs on the floor.

Steve turned his head around, smiling at you in a way that made you furrow your brows at him but your unspoken communication was interrupted as the ferris wheel began moving backwards. He faced forward again, reaching his arm around Peggy in the cramped space.

The car stopped suddenly but above you was the shadow of another cart and the sounds of screams as it rocked along its own track. Everybody on the stationary cars were missing out, this was going to be fun.

Half a minute went by before the ferris wheel moved again, this time stopping at a point where your car was able to roll forward. You expected the jolt but it didn’t mean you were prepared for it and somehow you found yourself grabbing Bucky by the shoulder as you screamed with laughter as the cart swung back and forth. He didn’t seem to mind, in fact he wished you kept your hand on him the whole time.

He envied Steve holding Peggy close. When the car reached the top he watched them kiss, a small peck to show affection and Bucky was undeniably jealous. Steve had met the perfect girl in Peggy, and Bucky felt the same way about a certain person sitting next to him.

You only accepted his request to be his wedding date because he begged, he’s sure of that. It was so pathetic for him to plead but he really wanted you to go with him, and shamefully, since he knew you had sworn off dating, this was the closest thing he would ever get.

His profile was still up on the apps, and occasionally he would make plans to meet someone. The closer the wedding got, the less frequent it’s been. He’s not proud of the fact that he’s made dates and cancelled them. He tried his best to remember to cancel in advance but sometimes he would forget, becoming lost in the music he was creating, only to find a few messages with choice language he rightfully deserved from the people he didn’t mean to stand up.

Bucky wasn’t interested in any of them, only one person was always on his mind and yet he knew he would have to let that go. Going to the wedding together isn’t going to help his feelings but he hopes by some strange logic he can allow his heart to live out whatever fantasy is not coming true and then let you go.

“You wanna hit the beach now?” Sam asked, once you all got off the Wonder Wheel.

“Yeah, Nat says my ass is pasty,” Clint replied.

Natasha’s nostrils flared as her eyes widened in shock. “You are not tanning your pasty ass on this public beach Clint!”

Laughter rang out and Clint leaned in to peck a kiss to Natasha’s full lips which relaxed her tense expression. Despite all their teasing they loved each other deeply and it made your heart ache, longing to have a love like theirs.

The crowds on the beach hadn’t let up, not that anyone expected them to. Umbrellas of every color of the rainbow were spread out across the sand and it didn’t look like there was even a spot for all of you to fit among the crowd but that didn’t stop anyone.

Your sneakers crunched on the sand scattered along the wood planks by the entrance, grabbing the hot metal railing to pull them off before you walked down onto the beach. Bucky followed suit, holding his sneakers in hand while everyone else left on their flip flops or slip-on.

The sand was burning hot against your soles that also battled against sharp seashells as you trudged your way to a spot, following behind the group. Clint’s impeccable vision pointed out a spot big enough for all of you and rushed over there staking a claim.

Steve shrugged his shoulder down to let the heavy bag he was carrying for Peggy go. She had packed a large bag with towels, sunscreen and a few collapsible umbrellas. Sam helped Steve by setting up the umbrellas as everyone else worked to set their towels down.

Pulling out a large towel you placed your sneakers inside your tote bag, holding it open for Bucky in case he wanted to protect his from the sand as well.

“Hey where’s your stuff?” you wondered out loud as he placed his sneakers inside.

Bucky clenched his teeth together making an adorable face that told you your answer before he gave it. “When you said we were going to Coney Island I didn’t think you meant the actual beach. I figured food and drinks...” he trailed off, still awkwardly grimacing.

“It’s okay. You can share mine,” you offered. Turning away to unravel the towel, you missed the soft smile that settled on his face at the prospect of being close to you.

Bucky helped smooth out the towel, a pretty teal with gold pineapples printed across the fabric. He let a small huff out under his breath, disappointed by the fact that your towel was bigger than he expected and he didn’t have an excuse to be as close as he hoped. The feeling passed just as quickly as Bucky realized how stupid his thoughts were; you were only offering him the towel, it was not an invitation for anything else.

His mental chastising paused from the moment your hands hooked on the waist of your shorts, pulling them down to reveal a bikini. A sexy snakeskin pattern in a mix of steel blue, black with speckles of white that hugged you like a second skin.

Bucky’s mouth fell open as you pulled off your shirt, revealing the matching top and he had to force his gaze away. His cheeks felt hot and with the shade of the umbrella he’s not sure he could use the sun as an excuse for his bright red face.

Sam caught the interaction, raising an eyebrow to Wanda as his mouth pulled into a deep smirk.

“Hey Bucky!” The sound of Sam’s unexpected voice startled Bucky, making him jump slightly as he whipped his head towards him. “What are you wearing man? Jeans? I hope you don’t have a speedo under them.”

Everyone laughed though the sound of your giggling made Bucky ripen like a tomato. With a shaky voice he dismissed Sam’s claim, wishing he had thought this day through and worn board shorts like everyone else.

“You’re not beach ready!” Sam said, crossing his broad, sculpted arms over his chest.

Frustrated by the sound of another innocent giggle that fell from your lips, Bucky pulled off his shirt tossing it aside. “Happy? I’m beach ready!”

The breath was pulled from your lungs leaving you unable to speak, think or do anything other than stare at Bucky. Your eyes scanned his muscular body up and down, as if he had been sculpted by the gods himself.

Your hands longed to touch every ab that was carved into his stomach and when your gaze continued lower you thought you might go feral. The deep cuts on his hips had your mouth watering and without realizing it your tongue had swept across your lips. It wasn’t until Bucky moved to sit down that your focus was broken.

“You look great,” you stated, clearing the nerves away from your throat. Bucky shrugged it off with a modest half smile, unable to fully embrace the compliment coming from you. “No really, I’m actually jealous. How the fuck do you have that body with all the pizza we’ve been eating?”

Your question made him laugh, wrinkling his nose as the smile spread across his face. The tension had eased although you were very aware of Bucky as you laid on the towel, trying not to stare at him like he was a piece of meat and you hadn’t eaten in weeks.

As Sam spoke about an ER case you were happily distracted, even though you were tempted to ogle Bucky every time he shifted beside you, cringing at the gory details. The hours passed quickly as you laid out, relaxing or talking with Peggy as Natasha, Wanda and Sam went into the water. Bucky sat beside Steve and Clint, the three of them laughing at their conversation.

Peggy spoke in a low whisper, “After the way you looked at him today I don’t think you can fool yourself much longer.”

You didn’t respond because there wasn’t much to say. Peggy saw the look in your eyes, the admission of what you both knew was true and the fear that came along with having feelings for him, knowing it wouldn’t go anywhere.

“Anyone want food? I’m gonna get more hot dogs,” Clint said, wiping sand from the back of his shorts as he stood up.

Both your heads shook and he left just as Natasha was coming back. She pulled out another towel to wrap around herself, “He’s getting food?” she asked despite knowing the answer.

Wanda and Sam returned hand in hand, drying off in the still very warm sun and asking about what everyone wanted to do afterwards.

“I’ve never been on the Cyclone before,” Peggy said, looking at Steve as they both silently recalled the story he told her about throwing up after going on it as a kid.

By the time Clint returned he had already eaten the hot dogs he bought, feigning shock to see everyone packing up. Bucky put his shirt back on, slightly wrinkled from the way he tossed it into your bag, and he caught your gaze as you were slipping on your shorts.

He looked away, lifting the towel and shaking the sand off of it. You helped him fold it up to place back in your bag and Bucky kindly removed both pairs of sneakers to avoid an uncomfortable mess.

When you made it to the Boardwalk you leaned against the railing, wiping sand from the bottom of your feet before putting on your shoes. Bucky did the same though he could still feel grains of uncomfortable sand in his socks.

Natasha and Wanda needed to change so you followed them to the bathroom to use it as everyone else waited. By the time you reached the Cyclone you were paired off to sit with Bucky again, not that you minded.

“Hold up,” Sam began, lifting his hand towards Clint, “You’re okay to ride a rollercoaster after eating but not the swinging ferris wheel?”

Clint nodded as he shrugged in response, not knowing how to explain why. Sam rolled his eyes, sharing a confused look with Wanda. They made sure to sit in the back to be far enough behind Clint, just in case.

You and Bucky were cramped together in the padded leather seats of the historic coaster; packed in like sardines and secured even tighter as the lap bar came down.

“It’s squishing my thighs,” Bucky winced, laughing as the ride began; a sharp right turn before the rickety chain began pulling the car up the hill.

Your hands were both in the air as you went down the first drop but quickly you dropped them, holding on to the padded lap bar because despite having no room to move every forceful turn had you pushing against each other.

Screams were present throughout the ride as the coaster went down steep hills and hard turns and in the end you turned towards Bucky, laughing in the pit of your stomach as you saw his hair, loose and wildly covering his face.

He combed through it with his fingers, taming it as best as he could before trying to get himself out of the seat. Once he was free he held a hand out for you to take and that’s when you felt the ache in your thighs. You hissed as you rubbed them, feeling how sore they were from the rough ride.

“Maybe Bucky could rub them for you,” Natasha whispered in your ear as she passed by, laughing, hand in hand with Clint who, defying all laws, did not throw up.

You rolled your eyes and continued to walk, a little painfully as you were still feeling the dull throb from your legs. Passing a few carnival games Steve and Sam eyed each other, their friendly competitive nature carried over from their workouts to now see who could win the bigger prize for their girl.

“Sam, I’m serious, I don’t want a giant teddy bear,” Wanda insisted but Sam couldn’t hear her.

His focus was on the best spot to aim to knock over the six tin cans. He licked his lips, a confident smile spreading across his face. Winding his arm back he let go, leaving all but one can standing.

“Let me show you how it’s done Sammy,” Steve said with swagger, as he paid for his game.

Peggy and Wanda shared a look as she also expressed no interest in a four foot bear. “Honestly, my apartment is small. I can’t have a massive bear taking up space.”

Thankfully Steve’s aim was no better, leaving two cans standing.

“Oh look at that. All those muscles and you can’t knock down more cans than me. Looks like I should be the Captain now,” Sam snickered.

You and Bucky opted for a much more friendly competition playing alongside Clint and Natasha in the water gun game. The four of you sat down on the padded stools, paying for your game and waiting for the round to begin as more people joined. Beside you a small child sat on his knees on the stool, as his mother held onto him and told him what to aim for.

Grabbing the gun you tried to position it towards the target in advance, ignoring Bucky’s comments about how he has the aim of a sniper so he always wins. At the sound of the bell the water turned on and you were an inch off from the center of the target, quickly adjusting and hoping there was some chance you could still win. The prize didn’t matter, but bragging rights certainly did.

“Number eight’s a winner!” the employee resounded.

To your left you saw Bucky’s wide “I told you so” smile, written across his face that now glowed with the flashing blue light above his winning station. Another sound made you turn your head though, the kid next to you that burst out into tears after losing. Your gaze softened as you watched his mother try to comfort him as the employee asked Bucky what color dinosaur plush he would like as his prize.

“Hey buddy,” Bucky said, ignoring the employee for a moment as he knelt down beside the crying child. “Which color’s your favorite?”

With a few sniffles he lifted his head up, tiny curled hands wiping away his tears as he asked for the purple dinosaur. Bucky proudly handed over the plush toy to the now smiling kid, accepting his mother’s thanks as they walked away.

Your heart was swelling with warmth and when Bucky turned around he was met with a soft smile you couldn’t hide. He turned away smiling, trying to hide the dusting of pink he felt forming on his cheeks.

With everyone feeling a little hungry now you followed Steve who knew about a good place a few blocks away. Walking beside Bucky your fingers brushed against his every so lightly making goosebumps ripple up your arm. You wanted to take his hand, lace your fingers together as a small sign to let him know how you felt but you were too scared.

Steve brought you to a small Mexican place that had an enclosed patio, with good music blasting and brightly colored margaritas that everyone around you seemed to have. The guys pushed two circular tables together so you could all sit, looking over the menu of food which you were hungry for but more importantly drinks that you hoped would give you the courage to grab Bucky’s hand.

Your table was with the girls though Bucky was still beside you, squeezing into the other table next to Steve.

“Mmmm nachos, and ohh tacos… I feel like I haven’t eaten in forever. I want them all,” you joked, reading over the menu.

With food on the table and a strawberry margarita in hand you felt great. Today may have been hot and crowded but it was a perfect day spent with your friends.

Natasha stood up, trying to angle a selfie with everyone in it meaning you had to lean back towards Bucky and after your drink you were a little looser, tipping your head backwards to smile at him. Bucky laughed, smiling back at you before Natasha said she was ready.

Bucky moved in closer, resting his chin on your shoulder, his long hair tickled your neck which made you giggle just as Natasha took the picture. He lingered there for longer than he should have before he sat up straight, ignoring the way Sam looked at him.

Somehow everything felt right. Tonight was the night you were going to let Bucky know how you felt. Your hand slowly inched closer to Bucky’s, reaching out for his left hand resting on his thigh. All you had to do was touch it, a light caress by your fingers, just enough to let him know there’s something you want to say without saying it yet.

“Bucky!”

The high pitched voice of a woman calling out to him made your arm jerk back into the safety of your lap.

Bucky turned to see a woman he unfortunately recognized. Whitney, a bartender he had gone on a date with two months ago and ghosted afterwards. She was nice but there weren’t any sparks. He slept with her anyway, regretfully.

With her head cocked to the side and hands on her hips she smirked as she replied. “You were supposed to text me back!”

“Yeah, sorry about that…” Bucky lied.

“That’s not very nice.” She pouted, playfully swatting at his chest. “And after that night we had!”

Bucky forced a tight smile as he looked past her in the hope that she had friends waiting for her. Whitney continued to flirt, at least that’s what Bucky thought by the sound of her voice, the way she purred her words to him even though he wasn’t paying any attention.

Relief flashed in his eyes when another girl stumbled her way towards them, lacing her arm through Whitney’s to pull her away. Bucky had never been happier to see a drunken mess, because this one was saving him from dealing with her.

“Text me sometime, okay Bucky?” Whitney cooed.

“Uh yeah yeah, sure. It was nice seeing you.” Bucky responded quickly, barely hearing what she had even said.

Before he could turn to sit back down Whitney grabbed him by the collar and pressed her lips against his. You turned away, finding solace in your drink, avoiding eye contact with everyone.

Bucky contemplated if wiping his lips would be too childish even if it’s what he honestly felt like doing. He sat down again, embarrassed that everyone had to witness that.

“So…” Sam began, breaking the ice, “Another hook up huh?”

“What? No. I… No that’s nothing going to happen. Not with her.”

Sam scoffed. “Oh so some other girl then? Have you ever tried actually dating one person?”

Steve blinked a few times at Sam’s candid question even if he agreed with the sentiment. After all this time he still didn’t understand why Bucky was so averse to dating.

“It’s just that…” Bucky started before he let out a grunting sigh.

From the corner of his eye Bucky saw your head turn ever so slightly to listen in. His cheeks began to match your margarita and he knew he couldn’t answer Steve honestly, not when he wanted to have this conversation with you in private. He hates the reputation he’s built up for himself, desperately wanting to be the great boyfriend you once thought he could be.

Bucky shrugged off the question, taking a sip of his drink instead. When his glass hits the table he looks towards you and your eyes meet for a second. His smile seems fake and you know why. He’s holding back from answering the truth because you know he probably wants to have an explicit conversation about all the girls he’s fucked, bragging about every dirty detail to the guys but he can’t because you’re there.

The rest of the night was a blur as all you could think about was how to let go of your feelings because you could never be in a relationship with Bucky.

PART 18

[ladykissingfish]

A Date with an Angel // Part One // Kakuzu and Deidara

((Note: This is a new little mini-series I’m working on at the request of an Anon, about all of tbe guy’s going on a date with Konan. I was just going to put everyone’s together in one post but it’d be way too long, so each post will feature at least two of the guys.))

“So what’s this meeting about, Leader? And where is Konan?” It’s Kisame who asks the question, but everyone is curious about the answer. It was rare for Nagato to get them all out of bed so late at night for a meeting; they all assumed something catastrophic must have happened. As if reading their minds, Nagato clears his throat and says, reassuringly, “There is nothing wrong. I’ve called you here to discuss Konan. I’m sure you’ve all been observant enough to notice how Konan has been acting differently as of late?” All of the boys bow their heads in embarrassment; in truth, none of them have noticed anything “off” at all about the pretty blue-haired lady. When Nagato first informed his group of for-hire mercenaries and bodyguards that he was bringing his old friend into the house that they all shared, none of them had been very enthusiastic, to say the least. “A woman means we can’t walk around naked anymore!” “She’ll probably nag us to pick up and keep the house clean!” “That means no more dirty jokes, no nudie mags, no —“ But Nagato wasn’t hearing it. He moved Konan in, giving her his own bedroom (which was the nicest in the house AND the only one with its own connected bathroom) and told her to make herself at home. Which she did ... and making herself at home wasn’t ALL she did. She managed to turn the old house into a home, a home that she cleaned, a home that she cooked meals for everyone in, a place (and a face) that the others looked forward to seeing after coming home from a long (and often brutal) day. She was always there when somebody needed stitching up, or a hot meal, or just somebody to talk to. But now ... “She’s been feeling depressed as of late.” Then Nagato tells them something they didn’t know; the reason he asked her to live with them in the first place was because he didn’t want her to be alone, after the sudden death of her boyfriend (and Nagato’s best friend) Yahiko. It’s been almost a full year since his passing, but seeing as how the pain is still fresh in her mind, the upcoming “anniversary” of his demise has left her feeling very down. “So here’s what I want you all to do, every day this week, I want one of you to take Konan out of this house, to somewhere that she’ll enjoy herself.” “You mean like a date?” Nagato shakes his head, “She might not be receptive to that word. Instead frame it as an outing between two friends. The point being, take her away from here and make her happy. She deserves at least that much from us, for all that she does for us. Agreed?” Everyone agrees, and then Nagato provides a hat and writes everyone’s name on a slip of paper, to determine the order in which they’ll be asking Konan out. First up?

Kakuzu

Nagato drew Kakuzu’s name out first, which the nonagenarian wasn’t quite happy about. Kakuzu is the oldest member of Nagato’s group, and the smartest with money, which is why he’s been made the group treasurer. Any possible expenses for jobs taken have to be run through and approved by Kakuzu, and he’s known to be very frugal and careful with the group’s fund. While he likes Konan and appreciates all she does for the group, he has never been on a “date” in his life .. and certainly didn’t intend to start now. Nevertheless, when he approaches her and asks her to spend the day with him, she seems very surprised, but receptive. As expected, this man does not intend to do anything with Konan that will put him under any kind of financial strain. Free is the way to be, and you can bet that Kakuzu will already have a list of places or events in his head that don’t cost a penny to attend. For their date, he decides to take the lovely lady to a classical music concert in the park. The weather is beautiful and the park isn’t that far from the “base”, so they walk there. Konan chatters away happily the whole time, which Kakuzu more or less tunes out. He’d rather be back at home reading a book. But once they get to the park, and they spread out the blanket that Konan’s brought and sit, things change. The music is really beautiful, but not more so than Konan’s dreamy face, as she listens and sways along to the peaceful melodies. She’s also packed them a lunch, which Kakuzu nibbles at and appreciates (and not for the first time) how good of a cook she is. One song is so gorgeous that Konan can’t keep still, and she gets to her feet and holds out her hand, asking Kakuzu to dance with her. For the first time in years, he blushes. To be asked to dance by such a pretty young woman ... he stands, and the two move carefully around their little area. Seeing them dance awakens the desire in others, and pretty soon everyone is stepping around to the music. He will, maybe for the first time in his life, feel a bit insecure. He and Konan are only friends, but ... he sees the way everyone is looking at them. He can read their thoughts almost as if they’re being spoken aloud: What’s a pretty young girl doing with an old man like that? At some point in the afternoon, Kakuzu spots a souvenir stand and, seeing as the little trinkets aren’t too expensive, goes to pick one out for Konan. As he stands there, he can overhear a younger man walk up to Konan, shamelessly hitting on her, in fact telling her to “ditch grandpa over there and come back to my place for a good time, sweet-cheeks.” Kakuzu watches as the guy puts a hand on Konan’s arm, and he’s about to go and defend her when Konan takes the guys hand, pulls, and flips him clear over her shoulder and damn near across the park ((stunning the onlookers, and, especially, Kakuzu)). Kakuzu quickly turns back around and takes his souvenir (which is a keychain with a tiny glittery pink penguin on it) up to the table to buy. Konan comes up as he’s pulling out his wallet, and, leaning up, gently kisses his cheek, making him blush once again. Walking back home in the twilight, it’s much colder outside than when they first arrived, and Kakuzu takes off his jacket and drapes it over Konan’s shoulders, which provides her with wonderful warmth. She holds on to his arm all the way home, telling him what a nice time she had with him. They get back to base and Konan spends the entire night gushing to everyone else about their time, how fun it was, how great of a dancer Kakuzu is. Kakuzu tries to act gruff and nonchalant about this but inside, he’s beaming. In the days that follow, he’ll stop and smile every time he sees Konan’s keys hanging up, with the little glittery pink penguin dangling off the ring.

Deidara

Deidara is the second name drawn, and he’s happy about this. He’s the youngest of the group at 19, with long blonde hair, vibrant blue eyes, and a flair for all things “artistic”. He has no less than 10 piercings in each ear, and a self-designed tattoo on his chest. He’s often referred to by the others as being smart, but “really immature“, to which he disagrees. The problem with Deidara is that he has a mind that speeds ahead faster than the average person can deal with, and he often acts on impulse or feeling rather than logical thought. Still, he’s a valuable, strategic member of Nagato’s group ... even if he can be annoying at times. When not working, he’s the type who likes to have a fun time, no matter who he’s with; and Konan has been lots of fun to hang out with in the past. Although ... as far as he can recall, the two of them have never exoerienced a one-on-one outing with each other. Luck is on his side; he sees that there’s a carnival in town and he immediately asks Konan to go with him. She tells him that she has no money and he tells her not to worry about it, HE has money, just go with him because he hates doing fun things like that alone. She asks him if he means go with, on a date, and he gets flustered because Nagato had specifically mandated that they don’t let Konan know what all of this is. BUT, the other hand, he’s never been on a “date” in his life so, why not? “Yeah, hm. Me and you, pretty lady. What do you say?” She ends up saying yes, and the two set out for an afternoon of fun. Konan learns that Deidara is a competitive spirit, and he finds joy in playing the games. He manages to make a giant balloon explode in one game, and in turn wins Konan a huge stuffed giraffe that she needs both arms to carry. He buys her an abundance of fare sweets, such as cotton candy and funnel cakes, and then come the rides. Tilt a whirl, the go-carts, and the Fun House has them both shrieking near-hysterical laughter in the Hall Of Mirrors. Towards early evening, the fair grounds evoke a different atmosphere, as everything blooms into colorful lights. The Ferris wheel looks particularly enchanting, with its pink and blue globe-lights, and Deidara asks Konan if she wants to get on. But she’s a bit apprehensive about this, as heights aren’t really her thing. But Deidara’s eagerness and the beauty of the contraption appeal to her, and she finds herself (along with her giraffe) getting into one of the swinging cars with the excited blonde. They move higher and higher up into the sky, as the cars below them are filled with people, and although Konan is putting on. a brave face, a little jolt makes her jump. “Are you scared?” She gives him a shaky laugh. “N-no. Just startled.” “You’re sure? Because I can ask the guy to let us back off.” But again she shakes her head. once the last customers are loaded, the Ferris wheel starts up and Konan immediately moves closer to Deidara, grasping his arm. She’s shaking, but rather than point this out to her, Deidara begins talking to her, calmly, quietly. Going over all the fun things they did that day, and how much he appreciates her coming with him. Eventually Konan’s fears melt away and she’s able to fully open her eyes and take in the glorious night sky. Towards the end of the ride, their car is stopped at the very top as the people below them get off, and Konan takes the opportunity to move even closer and gently kiss Deidara’s cheek. He blushes fiercely, asking, “What was that for?” and she replies “I was feeling down earlier today. You asked me to come here with you and you made my whole day brighter. So thank you.” Her words give *him* a bright, warm feeling in his chest; one that stays with him as they get off the Ferris wheel, as they go home, and when he takes her to her room door. She’s holding her stuffed giraffe in her arms, and she’s chattering about where she’s going to put it, but Deidara is barely listening; all he can focus on is her soft-looking lips. This woman is his friend, and ONLY a friend, but — “Um, Konan?” “Yes” “Don’t laugh but, um, t-tonight was my

first date, with a girl. And I was wondering if — I mean you don’t have to if you don’t want to, but I was wondering if maybe — maybe I could —“ But Konan interrupts him with a feather-touch of a kiss to the lips. Deidara’s cheeks flush and he mumbles a “Thank you” before stumbling down the hall to his own room. The smile on his face follows him into his dreams.

[itwoodbeprefect]

stargate atlantis 1x03 hide and seek, thoughts:

carson injects rodney with an experimental drug to give him the ata gene that contains a “mouse retrovirus” and rodney is nervous about that so carson jokes about it giving rodney an irrestible urge to run on a small wheel, but as someone who knows nothing about medicine but has seen the episode in which john slowly turns into an iratus bug because of a wraith retrovirus... AU in which half the atlantis expedition starts to display mouse characteristics.

fjdkfd one thing about john gleefully shoving rodney off a balcony (to test rodney’s personal shield device) that i don’t see mentioned that often (which is fair btw, because “i shot him :D” eclipses a lot) is the perfect timing of it. elizabeth is walking down the halls with grodin updating her and he’s like, major sheppard is taking his sweet time okaying sections of the city for people who need living space, and elizabeth is IN THE MIDDLE of a sentence defending john going “well, the safety and security of this expedition-” and that’s when they see john do the thing. amazing. one week in atlantis and their replacement military commander has decided to just straight up murder some people.

rodney’s smug “that’s not the first thing we tried!” followed by that partners-in-crime look of excitement he shares with john always strikes me as... suggestive. so you got john to try some things with you, huh, rodney.

john getting really into recounting earth horror movie plots to extremely confused athosian kids while being seemingly totally oblivious to how much they’re not getting it is my FAVORITE THING.

john: “hope i didn’t scare ‘em too much.” halling: “i don’t think so.” THIS IS THE EARTH/PEGASUS DYNAMIC I WANT.

john, clutching his HUGE bowl of popcorn, swaying left and right because he’s so engaged in the football game happening on screen: “oh! that is beautiful, can you believe that?” teyla, not really sure what’s happening: “s- should i not?” PERFECTION.

god i just. want to live in these little minutes of this episode. teyla asks what a hail mary is and john goes “it’s a play that you just saw” and when he realizes that’s not enough he keeps going until he realizes he’s now talked himself into a corner where he’s on the verge of having to explain all of christianity to explain who mary is and goes “did i mention i like ferris wheels?” which is nice but also. oh my god john. going by how you’re doing at explaining stuff, teyla is probably still under the impression that a ferris is an earth method of transportation and john has an obsession with its wheels. (teyla, a social person trying to learn and make friends: “how many wheels does a ferris have?” john: “just one.” teyla: [now imagines earth as a planet full of people on unicycles])

fjdkfjk. okay so jinto is missing and his voice is leading a group to where he went, which is a transporter except nobody knows about those yet, so we get like. john and rodney standing in front of these doors that slide open and where there should be “boxes from earth” so rodney’s like “someone thought that would make a nice closet” and then john and rodney step inside together. god. okay

“definitely not a closet,” john decides, once he’s inside this closet, with rodney. but he’s RIGHT it’s NOT a closet it is in fact A TRANSPORTER that can take you anywhere you want. there’s some complicated metaphor here about finding the control panel of being gay and realizing it’s actually a magical thing that will take you places you never thought you’d go. it’s somewhat narnia.

wait. so jinto went into the room with the boxes at point A and transported both himself and the boxes to point B, and then he left the transporter but the boxes were still there, and when john and rodney go from A to B, the boxes leave B and show back up at A, seen by elizabeth and teyla and halling who are still there. which means that if you transport to a transporter, whatever is in that one will get taken to your location, as in, it’s a literal swap of the contents, which has many potentially hilarious implications. you step into a transporter, you lift your arm to hit the spot you want to go to on the map, but before you can you’re suddenly in a different transporter on the other side of the city, because someone coming from there wanted to go to yours. if you’re really unlucky and you’ve hit peak transporter hours you might get zapped around the city a few times and you will need to be very quick in getting out if you reach wherever you wanted to go, because otherwise you might unwillingly start another round trip. at a certain point just walking might be faster.

out of everyone working on the problem of the energy-sucking alien darkness teyla is the only one who actually stops to think about what this strange being might want and that is just!! very good!! and says very much both about how she thinks and how the people from earth are thinking!! AND is also very much why the expedition’s “the athosians can help but only in ways we think are good” is so bad, because those athosians (very obviously, come on guys, COME ON) have perspectives and knowledge that the earthlings do not but that are extremely valuable to the survival of everyone involved.

rodney’s fearfully heroic moment is also very good, obviously. so much good character stuff happening here!

“that was a hail mary,” john tells teyla, still greatly failing at explaining anything whatsoever. a worthy ending of an episode full of john talking to pegasus people who are endeared but confused by him.

[gohyuck]

ahhh, okay, then can I have 24 w ex-lover!jeno?

prompt: “Not negative, just different... you wanna have lunch, and I wanna have a picnic. You wanna go up, I wanna just fly all night.”

extra: exes

present.

you see him first.

jeno’s across the room, red solo cup in one hand while he’s using the other to prop himself up against the wall that’s 1) in front of him and 2) against the back of the girl he’s currently chatting up. his hair is back to black, and he’s in jeans and a red tank that have your mouth drying out. he’s unreal under the dimmed lights of the frat house - it shouldn’t be possible for anyone to be so beautiful. you hate the way your heart twinges upon seeing him, willing it to practically stop beating. you’d rather that than even thinking about wishing for him back, after all.

it hadn’t always been like this.

i.

“you know, you might just be the love of my life.”

you whirl around in time to see the most handsome man you’ve ever met rake the fingers of one hand through his bleached blond hair, a teasing but gentle grin adorning his features. his other hand is outstretched, his unlocked phone safe in his large palm.

“that’s definitely the most tame - but also weirdest - pickup line i have ever heard.” you’re quick to respond, eyeing the glowing screen. the name of the man escapes you, though something in the back of your mind reminds you that he’s an architectural engineering major. you’ve seen him around campus, and you know he’s a member of the frat whose house you’re currently tipsy in. he watches, grin morphing into a smirk, as you take his phone and text yourself from it.

“seems to have worked though,” he responds, voice a pleasing timbre amongst the din of the partygoers. “i’m jeno.”

he leans in close to tell you his name, murmuring it against the shell of your ear in a faux attempt to have you hear him over the noise. you both know damn well he could’ve just talked a little louder and you would’ve been fine. still, you know that he isn’t just playing with you: he wouldn’t have asked for your number otherwise. jeno’s hot, though, and regardless of whether he has romantic intentions or purely sexual ones, you’re itching to get some action in tonight...

it takes you less than a second to go ‘fuck it’, leaning so your lips are by his ears, too.

“you have a room here, jeno?” you ask, and the way he wraps an arm around your waist tells you everything you need to know.

ii.

“we’ve really been together for a whole year,” your boyfriend marvels out loud, hand warmly enveloping your own. you say nothing, only squeezing his hand as you look out through the window of the ferris wheel carriage. jeno lifts your entertwined hands up, pressing a soft kiss against the back of yours.

when you get to the top of the ferris wheel, you turn to him, soft smile playing on your lips. he mirrors your expression before raising his hand - the one that isn’t holding your own - to cup your face with the utmost care, as if you’re the most precious thing he’s ever come into contact with.

“you know,” you whisper, leaning so his forehead is resting against yours. “you might just be the love of my life.”

jeno chuckles before closing the gap, tilting your chin up so your mouth can meet his plush lips. once you separate, he winds an arm around you, pulling you into his side.”

“you might just be mine, too.”

iii.

“so this is how we end,” you whisper, voice hoarse and laden with tears. it takes everything in jeno to keep him from reaching out and pulling you into his chest, from wiping your tears away and apologizing until all your heartache makes its rightful home in his chest. “over... over what, jeno? why are you doing this? i still don’t get it, i- i thought we were fine. is it me?”

his breathing feels like it stops as he realizes you’re blaming you, and he hastens to mutter our a rapid string of ‘no’s and ‘of course not’s. if he thought you’d listen, he’d be begging you to look him in the eyes right now. instead, you’re forlorn on his bed, staring at the bedsheets while picking at a loose thread. your quiet sniffles will haunt jeno for the rest of his nights.

he still loves you, he thinks he always will: it’s just that he puts you ahead of himself and vice versa, and that’s the kind of relationship that destroys itself in the end. you are so many things he isn’t, and he is so many things you aren’t. opposites cannot attract for forever. your fights are more and more frequent, and they pain him more every time. jeno trains his gaze on the carpet underneath him.

“it isn’t you - it isn’t either of us. our relationship is not negative, but we’re just so different... you wanna have lunch, and i wanna have a picnic. you wanna go up, and i wanna just fly all night. we’re on two ends of the same poem, and i- i don’t think we’ll ever be able to meet.”

he looks up from the ground once he’s done with his short spiel only to find that you’re packing up your things already. jeno shatters in that moment, knowing that the moment you step outside, his world will cave in. for now, for your sake, he keeps it in.

“you know...” you start, pausing just before you pull open the door. a cursory glance over jeno’s face, looking directly and deeply into his eyes for a moment, tells you that he does, in fact, know. you heave a heavy, heavy sigh, the kind that can barely be made to leave your body, and turn back around. you don’t finish your thought, and you don’t look back. once the lock clicks shut behind you, jeno all but collapses onto his bed, his heart pounding in his chest.

“you really are the love of my life.” jeno rasps out, doing his best to control his breathing. something fundamental in him cracks then, and he finds himself doubling over, trying to get ahold of himself. as the tears come and come and come, he finds himself repeating it like a mantra.

“you really are the love of my life.”

present.

jeno makes eye contact with you very suddenly, accidentally looking too far to the left while laughing at something the girl has said. the recognition is instant, and the instant regret and sadness that fill his eyes are inescapable. he suddenly seems ashamed at having been seen with someone else, as if he shouldn’t be with anyone but you.

before he can do anything as drastic as actually come over and approach you, you shoot him a quick, tight-lipped smile, your grip tightening around your own beer bottle as you do. jeno has no time to even process this gesture before you’re spinning on your heels, rushing to get out, to get away from him. he makes no move to follow you - why would he?

he’d been right, you realize, right as you become aware of the tears streaming down your face. jeno had been right, you really were too different. he seems to be getting along fine without you in ways that you aren’t, and it hurts more than you’d care to admit. he’d been right on another count, though, judging by how guilty he seemed when he saw you, and it’s one that dawns on you as you stare, wracked with sobs, up at the night sky, bottle dangling from your fingertips.

you truly are the love of his life.

he is yours, too.

[lustheavens]

Tough guy - Marty Santorelli x reader

Summary: Your boyfriend Marty surprises you with a cute date at a fair that you’ve wanted to visit for so long. When he spots a lucky wheel he makes it his mission to win you one of the big stuffed animals to show you his gratitude towards you. It ends up being a mission well executed.

Warnings: Fluff.

A/N: Hello everyone! With this one I just have to say oml Marty would be such a sweetheart. I tried to bring his energetic and curious personality into the fic so I hope I managed to do so! To the anon who requested this, thank you first of all! And if you read this please let me know what you think of it! Enjoy!

“Marty, can I look yet?” You ask in a whiny tone of voice as he has your hands covering your eyes along with his own hands covering yours. Just this morning he came to you and told you that he had a surprise for you later but that he refused to reveal anything until you arrive at the destination to which his surprise is waiting for you. By now you are outside, the warm summer wind brushing against your skin and sand slipping between your toes as Marty is guiding you towards the surprise. You hear the ambient sound of people talking, cheering and laughing around you which makes you even more curious. “Patience, sweetheart.” He says while snickering softly into your ear. Suddenly you feel everything come to a stop and he turns you in the left direction before leaning in close to your ear again. “Okay, are you ready to see your surprise?” Marty asks with great excitement in his voice. You nod your head impatiently, butterflies building up in the pit of your stomach. He removes his hands along with yours from your eyes and you instantly gasp at the sight while covering your mouth instead.

A fair by the beach with a long boardwalk reaching from one side of the beach to the other. The same fair you’ve told Marty many times before that you really want to go to sometime. You see Ferris wheels, smaller roller coasters, flipper games, cotton candy stands among many other things that you love so much about fairs. There’s music playing from the lucky wheel stands and it’s filled with people everywhere. “Ta-da!” He exclaims while throwing his hands up in the air. You giggle before throwing your arms around his neck, hugging him tightly. His arms wrap around your waist just as tightly and you can feel him smile against your ear. “I know how badly you’ve wanted to go so I thought I’d plan a date for us here.” He mumbles with a heartwarming voice making you smile from top to toe. “Well, what are we waiting for? Let’s go!” You exclaim before grabbing his hand and rushing into the crowd of people.

A couple of hours later you’ve managed to go on all of the rides except the biggest Ferris wheel because Marty chickened out when he saw the carts dangling freely at the top, had bacon flavored crisps, cotton candy, tried every ice cream parlor and even survived the funhouse. As you walk hand-in-hand through the fair while admiring your surroundings to the fullest, Marty suddenly points towards a stand with a lucky wheel. “You can win a stuffed animal!” He says before turning to you and grinning widely. “We should try out luck. Let’s go.” He says, grabbing your hand tighter as he starts walking the two of you over towards the lucky wheel stand. You raise your eyebrow slightly as you look over towards the stand before looking back at your boyfriend. “Are you sure, Marty? I heard they were a scam.” He chuckles and shrugs his shoulders like he doesn’t mind. “We’ll never know unless we try. Come on!” He urges you on again. You can’t help but giggle at his excitement so you let him lead you over there without resisting.

“Number 14, 9 and 17 please!” Marty says to the man in charge of the lucky wheel as he puts some money down on the desk. The man nods with a smile, taking the money before spinning the wheel. Both you and Marty stare at it with hopeful expressions plastered on your faces. You grab Marty’s hand with both of yours, squeezing it tightly as you closely watch the numbers on the lucky wheel spin round and round. As the wheel comes to a stop the hopeful smile on your face is replaced by a frown and a pout, just like Marty’s. “Sorry kid, no luck this round.” The man says, an apologetic smile covering his mouth. You look up at Marty who’s pout has only deepened. You furrow your eyebrows and smile, hugging his arm tightly as you place a kiss to his cheek. “Don’t worry, honey. Let’s go try out that last ice cream parlor that we missed earlier!” Suddenly Marty digs into his pocket again and pulls out another coin and hands it over to the man behind the stand. “Same numbers again, please.” He says and the man nods once again before spinning the wheel. You look at him in shock for a moment before turning your attention back to the lucky wheel. Marty has his fists clenched together as he does some kind of hopeful little dance bouncing up and down slightly as he watches the wheel closely. As the wheel once more comes to a stop you squeeze your eyes shut for a bit until you hear Marty shout in happiness. You quickly open your eyes again only to see him jumping up and down. “Yes! We won something!” He shouts before picking up and spinning you around causing you giggle with excitement. The man hands Marty a big stuffed animal which looks like a brown bear with a deep blue ribbon around its neck. Marty lifts it over and hands it to you, grinning from ear to ear. “This one’s for you, my love.” He says and you pout at his sweet gesture before accepting it into your arms.

As the both of you are walking over towards the taxi that you came here in, you turn to him as you’re hugging the bear close to your body. “Thank you for such a wonderful day, Marty. And for this wonderful gift.” He smiles and wraps one arm around your shoulders. “It’s nothing. I just wanted to show my appreciation for you for putting up with all my shit.” You giggle and lean your head against his shoulder as you make your way over to the taxi. Marty opens the back door for you and you climb in, placing the bear in the middle seat. He shuts your door and gets in on the other side before letting the driver know where you’re going. Suddenly you feel Marty’s hand reaching over to grab yours and you instantly lace your fingers together. The both of you are resting your heads against the headrest, just looking into each others eyes without saying a word. A comfortable silence.

“I love you.” Marty says, his expression softening like butter. A wave of butterflies hits you causing a happy giggle to escape your lips and your cheeks to turn all red and warm. His smile turns into a mix of confusion. “What?” You let out another giggle while placing your free hand over your stomach, the butterflies going crazy. “I love you too.” You reply. He lets out a breath of relief before leaning over and pressing a kiss to your lips. “I wasn’t worried or anything.” He says, trying to cover the fact that he seemed to have been scared you didn’t love him back just a minute ago. You grin and raise one eyebrow at him. “Sure you weren’t, tough guy.” You scoot closer to him and lean into his body, nuzzling your face into the crook of his neck. His arm instinctively wrap around you tightly, pulling  you in even closer to him as he leans his head on top of yours. “I mean it, though. Thank you for putting up with me.” He mumbles into your hair as his hand slides up to stroke the back of your ear. You press a kiss to his neck while smiling in pure contentment.

“I’m happy to.”

[acanvasofabillionsuns]

Romantic analogical going to the fair or something maybe? -Skull anon(I have a feeling I know what this is for and I am very Happy :3)

this is exactly what you think it’s for! (presuming you think it’s for your birthday, in which case, yes!! happy birthday i hope you like it!!!)

• they go with their friends Roman and Patton and almost immediately lose them

“Should we go look for them?” Virgil asks worriedly. Logan hesitates.

“They have their phones with them,” Logan decides. “If they need us or vice versa, we can text or call each other.”

“Good point,” Virgil agrees, and pulls Logan over to the nearest roller coaster.

• Despite what some may assume due to his anxiety, Virgil loves roller coasters. Logan is,,, less fond of them.

“C’mon, please?” Virgil wheedles. “I don’t wanna ride alone.”

“My glasses,” Logan says. “I don’t want them to fly off or break or anything.”

“Not a problem,” Virgil tells him, rifling through his hoodie pockets and pulling out a glasses strap. “If a coaster’s intense enough that you need to take off your glasses with these on them, then we can just not ride it.”

“Oh,” Logan says, touched. “Thank you, Virgil.” He adjusts his glasses. “That’s very considerate.”

“No problem.” Virgil smiles at him. “Want help putting this on and adjusting it?” He waves the strap.

“If you would.”

• They ride coasters for a few hours before getting food, and then Logan insists they wait a bit before going on any more rides, so they wander around and look in the gift shops and stuff.

Logan squints. “Is that...”

“What?” Virgil looks over to where Logan’s staring. “Oh. Yeah, that’s them.”

Roman is sitting on a bench, clutching his stomach, as Patton flits between hovering over him and saying something to a park worker cleaning up something nearby.

“Yo, idiot!” Virgil shouts, striding over to them. “Tell me you didn’t eat a bunch of fair food and then ride a roller coaster.”

“Are we ignoring the fact that you would’ve done just that if I hadn’t stopped you?” Logan mutters, walking after him.

“Shh, let me heckle Roman.” Virgil grins.

“Oh! Hi, guys!” Patton says, smiling at them. “Roman’s, uh.”

“Suffering,” Roman moans dramatically. “I may never step foot on a roller coaster again.”

“You mean you wouldn’t go ride the next roller coaster we come across if I paid for your ticket?” Virgil asks.

“Let’s not be hasty now,” Roman says, sitting up straighter. “Free rides are nothing to smirk at, Virgil, wipe that grin off your face I know what you’re doing.”

• Roman does end up riding the coaster they come across, since Virgil pays for it (Logan and Patton opt to sit out and catch up on what the other had been doing), but after that then they take a break from rides and play some carnival games.

“Roman,” Patton deadpans, grabbing his arm and halting the group. “Look over there.” He points. There’s a booth - some kind of throwing or shooting game, it looks like - with a bunch of giant stuffed animals hanging as prizes. “There’s a cat one,” Patton whispers fervently.

Roman puffs himself up and strides over to the booth, Patton hopping after excitedly.

“Roman knows many of these games are rigged and he will likely fail to win anything, much less one of the giant stuffed animals, right?” Logan asks, even as he eyes the unicorn one (it looks very soft, okay?).

“Yeah, but Patton wants one,” Virgil points out.

Logan sighs. “Ah, yes.”

• They give Roman five tries before Logan steps up and wins spectacularly, twice, and gets the cat for Patton and the unicorn for himself.

“I had it,” Roman pouts. “I just needed one more try, two at the most, and I would’ve won.”

“Yes, I’m sure,” Logan placates him absently, squeezing the unicorn and appreciating the feel of it against him. It is very soft, as he predicted, and not overly heavy, and very good for holding.

“Psst, Lo,” Virgil whispers. “Can I borrow your unicorn for a sec?”

“May I ask why you want it? Also why you’re whispering?”

“You’ll see,” Virgil says cryptically. “And because I want to.”

“Fair enough.” Logan shrugs and hands him the unicorn. Virgil shuffles it around in his arms until it’s facing away from him, the head falling on its chest. Virgil clumsily sets the horn on Logan’s right shoulder, then the left, then on top of his head.

“I knight you,” Virgil proclaims, grinning goofily, “the best, smartest boyfriend ever.”

Logan melts, beaming softly back at his boyfriend. “I’m honored. If I may?” He gestures towards the unicorn. Virgil hands it over, and Logan passes it to Patton and kisses Virgil soundly.

• They eat dinner a little while later, because they’ve been there long enough for that, and wander around some more until they reach the ferris wheel.

“We’ve got to ride it!” Roman tells them. “It’s like the rule. You go to the fair, you ride the ferris wheel.” 

None of them don’t want to ride it, so they all agree. They’ve accumulated enough stuff - Logan’s unicorn and Patton’s cat, Roman had gotten a few knickknacks as pity prizes from the game, they’d all gotten a handful of candy from here and there, Virgil had found a nice pair of earrings in a gift shop - that someone needs to stay behind to watch it, and since no one wants to ride alone Logan and Virgil stay back together as Roman and Patton take their turn on the wheel.

“Five bucks says they kiss at the top,” Virgil bets Logan.

“Are you kidding?” Logan asks. “Besides the fact that we’d have no way to verify if they kiss or not unless they were to tell us, they’re both hopeless romantics. Of course they’re going to kiss at the top.”

• Roman and Patton come down grinning widely and take over stuff-watching duty, and it’s Logan and Virgil’s turn to ride the ferris wheel.

Virgil wonders idly if he should kiss Logan at the top. Like he’d said, it’s a hopeless romantic move, and while Virgil might not be one, he is completely in love with Logan, and that feels close enough.

Then they’re at the top, and Logan is staring out at the amusement park below them and the sky around them - sun mostly set and a hint of stars starting to creep out and a really brilliant view - with such a look of wonder that Virgil has to just sit back and try to memorize his expression.

Then Logan turns that expression on him and Virgil is very, very gay.

“Are you looking at this?” Logan asks, eyes glittering brightly. “Isn’t it stunning?”

“Absolutely,” Virgil agrees.

Logan squints at him. “Are you talking about me or the view?”

“You.” Virgil grins at Logan’s squawk and blush. “The view is pretty too, though.”

• After the ferris wheel, they’re all pretty tired, so they wander back towards the entrance and pile into Logan’s car to drive back home. Roman fall asleep almost immediately after the car starts rolling, and Patton carries him inside once they reach home. Logan and Virgil grab the candy and the cotton candy that Patton insisted on wrapping up and saving for later, and decide the rest of the stuff they got can sit a night in the car.

They put up the food and get ready for bed and then curl up in bed next to each other and fall asleep, the lingering happiness from the full day turning into content.

[adultswim2021]

Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law #15: “Blackwatch Plaid” | January 1, 2003 - 12:08 AM | S02E01

Mere minutes into 2003 Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law debuted it’s first episode in a little while: “Blackwatch Plaid”. The new year is traditionally a time when we reflect on our previous year and re-evaluate old habits. At the time of this airing, I was fastidiously recording Adult Swim every week and saving anything new that aired to my own carefully labeled home video archives. Historically I’d been recording to VHS, but I had received a DVD recorder for Christmas and immediately began transferring certain Adult Swim shows from VHS to DVD. The DVD format was still rather young, and the idea of Adult Swim shows actually making it to retail DVD didn’t seem like such a sure thing (even though at this time, two such volumes had been produced; more about those during EPHEMERA WEEK)

This was the tenth episode aired, and 10 episodes was what could fit on a DVD-R recorded in SP mode. So, I completed my first and only custom DVD of Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law. When faced with the prospect of beginning a second volume of Harvey Birdman on DVD I was at a bit of a crossroads. Keep watching this show I hate in the name of completionism? Or, do what any sane person would do and stop watching? I gave it away a few sentences back, but at the time I picked the later. This was a pretty big deal for me! Sure, I thought less of shows like Brak and Sealab from their strong starts, but I still stuck with them. My rejection of Birdman was a radical act. I was now no longer enjoying Adult Swim as a whole. I was now picking and choosing what I wanted from it.

“Blackwatch Plaid” isn’t so bad, truthfully. It’s a parody of the then-current Homeland Security Terror Alert Level Color Chart, which had debuted earlier in 2002. the eponymous blackwatch plaid is one of the colors on Phil Ken Sebben’s chart, which is created in this episode in response to an imagined office theft. The fact that this imaginary office theft is treated with the same high-level importance as a terrorist attack on our country is the whole joke of the episode. It’s a worthy target for satire, for sure.

Okay, so it’s 2021, and I’m watching these with a more open mind. I can admit the anger I felt at Birdman was “a little much”, this episode is more cohesive than most and the jokes aren’t bad. I didn’t laugh at them then, and I didn’t laugh at them now, so really not much has changed. But I recall one sticking point I had: the live-action montage. There’s multiple bits of live-action in this episode, and they are fun. But jealousy that these guys had a comedy show and I didn’t really worked wonders on me, because I remember really detesting the main montage in the episode. It was as if I thought “how dare you guys have fun, this show sucks.”

In the montage, Sebben presents Birdman with footage from the newly-installed security cameras that proves Birdman doesn’t get much work done in the course of his work day. A now live-action Birdman is seen milling around the office doing nothing much, then suddenly we are treated to a bright and colorful montage of Birdman playing hooky. He’s riding a ferris wheel, getting his nails done, showering at home with Boo Boo who playfully slaps his ass, cavorting around a fountain, popping out of a ball pit, and then running/tip-toeing around a field in different directions, for no reason. It’s wacky. It looks like it was a lot of fun to shoot. And I was pissed.

Okay, I’m primarily using this blog entry to try and get to the bottom of why I hated the montage so much. If a show I loved did something similar, I’d probably applaud it. It’s a fun idea, fairly low-effort (not that doing a live-action shoot doesn’t require real effort, it does!), and it just reads as “comedy is happening” for the entirety of the sequence. From a production stand point there’s little reason to not include a sequence like this.

I feel like this was a form of humor you’d see a lot of amateur comedy makers doing: the bright and cheery montage. It’s ironic, because I’m acting cheesy! I couldn't name names if I tried, but I just had about three or four different amateur sketch group videos pop into my head with the same comedy stylings. I can’t imagine what the point of view is here, or if anyone participating in this particular joke actually thinks they’re being original. At this point I’d say that the number of ironic/spoof montages in this vein outnumber the ones that are actually doing them in earnest. So, the idea can’t be “I’m doing a very original joke here.” The humor in those videos seem to be rooted in the more narcissistic ethos of “this is funny because *I’M* doing it!”

Have you ever seen Stella Shorts? I feel like a lot of aspiring comedy creators saw Stella Shorts and tried to produce similar sketches. That is: hammy, broad, intentionally sorta cheesy but ironic capitol-c comedy. And most of them would fall flat. It’s because the Stella guys were geniuses and the amateur comedians trying to do dime-store imitations of Stella Shorts were mostly not. So, it was the climate that really shaded my disdain for the montage. I wish I had my own TV show, still. I’ve occasionally written comedy pieces with the intent of putting together a low-budget sketch comedy show, and I’m certain that if I were to actually produce said comedy it wouldn’t be so easy, and I’d be very much guilty of putting unoriginal ideas on screen. But, the jealousy remains. So, sorry, Birdman. You’re still forbidden from entering my heart. Fuck you.

MAIL BAG

This is the part of the blog where we all get our eyes ready for some good messages and some good times. Here we go:

Just tried the Popeyes Nuggets, I've enjoy popeyes bone in chicken in the past so I thought I would give their boneless option a shot.

Please stop sending me nugget stuff. This is an anti-corporate, anti-capitalist blog. No one should eat any nugget unless they make it at home themselves. That’s just the facts

I can't believe I felt a little melancholy about the abrupt end of Brak. The first full fledge Adult Swim program to bite the dust. It was mostly terrible and you were better off airing an Aqua Teen episode in it's place but...wow, we'll never have that again. Goodbye Andy! See you in the shitty webtoon.

Andy is in hell now and “that’s gotta suck”. RIP.

Took the kids to Great Falls the other day, last treat before they head off to school and on our way back we stopped at Popeyes. The kids got the nuggets I went with the classic chicken. Cost me about 18 bucks with drinks and all that but it was pretty good chicken. The kids loved the nuggets. My son was like, "it's crunchy". Pretty cool place. Thanks for hipping me and my family to it. If you have any other kid-friendly places let me know because fall soccer season is coming up.

!!! SHUSH! stop that!

You arent gonna write about it since its not an original but Family Guy just left Adult Swim. Why don't you speak your mind about the show in general and what it meant for the programming block. Yeah, that sounds like a good waste of your time.

Little do you realize!

Popeyes chicken

Suck my dick

[costellos]

tell me who you’d take on a date and where you would go! — CLOSED

@thisbloghasnoaesthetic​ asked: Id love to take Jotaro on a date. Just something chill. Like getting some good food. Or just sitting together doing nothing. I'd love to just read a book with my head on his shoulder. Just enjoying eachothers quiet comfort :)

omg that sounds like a great date for Jotaro! he definitely seems like the type to want a chill date. he’d probably opt for something that offers takeout if you’re referencing Part 3!Joot, somewhere a little nicer but just as casual if you’re referencing Part 4!Joot. and while you’re reading, you might just catch a teeny, tiny smile on his lips. but don’t say anything or you’ll ruin the moment 🤭💕

anonymous asked: i would wanna take kakyoin out to an indoor roller rink so we could rollerskate together 🥺 it’s one of the things i like to do most and i’d wanna skate around w him while holding hands! also cause he’s tall, i feel like it’d be hard for him to keep balance and prevent himself from falling lolll. but we could go out to an ice cream place nearby afterwards and watch the sun set (if the time is right) 💗

how cute!! sharing something you love with the one you love most... I dig it. Kakyoin would be soooo embarrassed, though! he just wants to impress you but his center of gravity is absolutely awful. rip. at the end of the day, however, he’d be so appreciative that you shared something so personal with him. ❤️ let him pay for the ice cream, it’s the least he can do!! and maybe hold your hand while you watch the sunset 🌅

@lavaicerinkk​ asked: I would ask mista, probably to like a concert or something like that. We'd probably go as homies, then when we get home id be like "what if we kissed haha" and hed be like 😳😳 ok, and then we live happily ever after

LMAAAAOOOOO. I feel like this is v in character for Mista.... he’d be caught so off guard by it! esp since he probably would’ve accepted that you were just friends. not that he’d say no, tho 👀 he’d just be like, “wait, for real?” and waste no time kissing you after you gave him permission. what a happy ending. 💕

@murcx04​ asked: Take someone on a date huh hmmmmm- Josuke is my bet HAHA Hed be so refreshing to be with óuò. And we'd go shopping kfbfjfn And that where- he'll just show his pleading eyes and want you to buy the shoes he wants oh boy-

I agree, he would be a very refreshing plus one! I think a shopping date would be v traditional with him. I’m imagining you both at the mall, where he cackles at all the weird sex stuff at Spencer’s and shares his food court soft pretzel with you. 🥨 he probably wouldn’t explicitly say that he wants new shoes, but he’d nudge you and be like, “hey. if you wanna know what to get me for my birthday...” and point to the Air Force 1′s on display. so subtle. 🙄

anonymous asked: tbh i think i'd like to take kira out to dinner and go on a walk. i know its a simple date but i think he's really neat and i don't really like big or flashy events and i don't think he would either kjfnksnjks. its just sumn that would suit both of us nice

ooo interesting choice, nonnie! I 100% agree with you on this one. Kira would probably take you to one of those restaurants that have private rooms. I think some ritzier places are like that? anyway, he’d want to focus this date all on you. no mindless chatter from other patrons, no screaming children — the more noise he can minimize, the better. and during your walk, I can see him allowing you to take the reins on the conversation. he just finds everything you say so fascinating! 🌷💗

@catnymous​ asked: I'd take Fugo first to just a simple lil cafe then to the park :3

Cat!! I missed you!! you should come into the askbox more often, I always enjoy your replies. in the meantime, Fugo probably overthinks a lot so this date would be casual enough for him to relax. he would probably opt for some coffee and a slice of cake that he can share with you 🍰❤️ and a stroll through the park would be the perfect way to walk off the calories! (plus when you get to a fountain he’ll probably make some corny wish about getting to spend more days with you like this a;sdfkjl)

anonymous asked: Idk if you’re familiar with part 7... but I would bring Johnny to the planetarium; it’s a place that I love, and bringing him to a place special to me would mean a lot, I think. I’d tell him all of my favorite things about space. And, it’s a little mushy, but I’d remind him that just because you can’t always see the stars doesn’t mean they’re not there; every one is special and the same is for people. And of course, it would be a fun day out to appreciate the beautiful things in the world

unfortunately, I’m not familiar with Part 7... :( but thank you so much for sharing nonetheless! this is such a heart-warming confession 💕 I wish there was more I could say; I love that you’d share all your favorite things about space, and how everything and everyone is special. 💫 such a beautiful confession. 

@serenityblaze44​ asked: I would take Bruno and/or Abbacchio to a conservatory or garden, maybe bring a picnic. Nothing too exciting, just time to relax and spend time together. Then go home for cuddles.

por que no los dos? ahaha nah I’m joking... unless 👀 no but for real, this sounds ideal for both of them! ❤️ they would both appreciate the time to unwind. I could see Abbacchio prepping all the food, while Bucciarati handles everything else (packing the blanket, utensils, alcohol, etc.). they’d probably opt for somewhere outside of Naples since it’s far too crowded in the city. afterwards, be prepared for a gr8 nap between two warm, loving boys!!

anonymous asked: I'd take Kakyoin on a date! I think it would be really fun to go somewhere like an amusement park or arcade so we could just kinda be stupid together and forget our problems. Id go on the Ferris wheel and try to kiss him at the top but he'd probably shake the cart the whole time to freak me out 😂😂 After everything he's gone through, he deserves to have a lot of fun and id love to see him smile 🥰😍

aw friend, this is such a sweet scenario! hopefully the Ferris wheel doesn’t give him too many bad memories of Death Thirteen though ope,, anyway, what a lovely way to forget about all the stuff he’s endured! he’d playfully challenge you to some arcade games (and I’m using “playfully” lightly here) and then destroy you. 🙄 but it’s okay, any tickets he gets will immediately go to a cute stuffed animal just for you 🧸

@hadesaedes​ asked: OOOH I’d have to go with either Yukako or Koichi (even tho i have like TWO hands either is fine). Yukako is a very passionate and strong lover which I LOVE cause im shy with affection so being bold with it is MWUAH. While Koichi is also passionate I like to think he enjoys more simple and low key dates which is my type of thing. Having to just bask in each other’s company without having to fill the silence is GREAT. THEY ARE BOTH GREAT!!! In this essay I will-

AHHH A+ CHOICES, FRIEND. Yukako and Koichi would spoil you so much!! they’d handle any date expenses (movie tickets, food, etc.) and would adore having any opportunity to hold your hand 😊 Yukako would probably be more physically affectionate; she’ll either have her hand on top of yours or her feet wrapped between yours when sitting. Koichi would opt for compliments, praising you on how cool and smart you are! wow, what a supportive pair 🤝

anonymous asked: It's very hard to choose, but I'd go on a date with Bruno. Idk I'm just very gay for him. He knows a lot of nice and fancy places in Naples, but since that's not really my world, I'd take him to a small coffee shop or something. Nothing fancy or expensive but still very enjoyable. Maybe some ice cream. Walking through the city and going to a restaurant in the evening. Maybe something fancy this time, or just a simple pizza

how lovely!! Bucciarati would honestly be open to try anything, but I think a small coffee shop would be v enjoyable for him. there’s so much you can learn about someone over a cup of joe. ☕ since he’s been living in / around Naples his whole life, he’d probably share some neat facts about the city while on your stroll! “the Amalfi Coast is best known for its limoncello liqueur. I know a great place to try it if you’re interested.” 🍋

@moloko-tyan​ asked: Hello, little bird💫sending you rays of love and positive energy! This new event is so much fun. Several hours I wondered with who I wanted to go out, ahah. And I think it would be Erina. She deserves to have fun especially after all those awful events in her life. We would go to atelier. We could go through fabrics to choose which fits the best. We would look at lovely laces, buttons, jewels and we would argue about models of dresses and evening gowns. I want her to feel safe🌻 thank u so much!

friend! I always get so excited when you pop into my askbox!! ty for participating 💕 Erina is such a great choice imo. and this is such a creative date! she’d have so much fun running her fingers over all the interesting fabrics. Erina would take the most beautiful dresses and hold them up against you, saying how lovely the color suits you. 👗 although she’d be too shy to try those dresses on herself, she would have so much fun spending the day with you!!

anonymous asked: I hope it's okay to send this (I honestly don't want you to get overwhelmed)! But if it's okay: I would love to take Fugo on a date! I love this boy with all my heart and I would love to travel with him to my country to a town next to the sea and give him a tour of its history (and visit the local art and history museums there)! And later grab some ice cream and walk along the seafront in the evening where there are less people and just enjoy the walk together as the sun sets. -Turtle Anon🐢

oooohh, Turtle Anon!! thank you for your concern. you’re all good, don’t worry! anywho, that’s a wonderful date for Fugo. he would have an absolute blast reading about all the art and history your country has to offer 🏛️ you might have to push him along though, he’s the type to absorb everything n really slow down when reading... but at the end of the day, as you’re walking along the beach, he’d thank you for sharing a part of yourself with him. he’d be so honored! ☀️

anonymous asked: tbh i'd love to take narancia on a super spontaneous date... only the date and time are set, the entire day is just going around town and doing whatever stupid fun random things,, eating street food and going into shops to try on random fits and running around laughing, mayhaps go to an arcade, or do some karaoke. and then wind down at like a mcdonalds late at night, tired but happy and satisfied.. hhh nara is v fun i just wanna hang out w him honestly 🤕😔🤕😔

yeeeess this is the perfect date for Narancia!! he loves spontaneous stuff like this. he’d have so much fun gorging himself on street food and playing around with weird fits. he’d probably put on the stupidest things he can find, like this. and if you go to karaoke, be ready to screech some absolute bangers. he will not take anything less than confident (yet bad), loud (yet joyous) singing. 🎤 n while he might be falling nodding off at the McDonald’s, he’d sleepily tell you how amazing the day was and how he wants to do this again 💕

@tomomi012​ asked: I'm going to share another ideal date idea, but with Kakyoin. I'd like us to go to one of those cat cafes in Japan. I mean, cats, coffee and a cute Japanese boy, is this heaven? and I would tell him: "Nori, today I am in heaven"

ofc, share all you want! omg... I love this idea..... Kakyoin would be so soft anytime a cat approaches him. he’d do a little “pspsps” and hold out his finger for them to smell. and once a cat actually nudges him, he’d just melt! he wouldn’t show it outwardly, but you can see it in how bright his eyes get. I think Kakyoin would be the type to either attract a ton of cats or cats hate him, there’s no in between. 😭❤️ both make for some gr8 scenarios, though! 

@pommmejuice​​ asked: for your post about taking a character on a date :,) i think i’d like to take abba to art museums/cultural centers ,, i’d love to talk to him about my culture and what life is like (if he’d be interested;; lol) n maybe afterwards while we get italian food he can talk to me about what italian culture is like, the parts that aren’t shown in the media 🥺 so uh a date where we’re both learning new things about each other hehe

n maybeeeee take fugo to a café where we can study together n talk about our favorite things in our lives/culture.... n maybe hold hands on the table and maybe stare into his eyes tenderly ... you know because he’s my BFF (Best Friend Forever) .. you know how best friends do.. 😳

ooo Ireeene I figured you’d say Abbacchio :3c but that’s such a cute date for him! ofc he’d be interested in learning more about you!! you wouldn’t see it, but every time you share something you that you love about your culture, Abbacchio’s gaze on you would be so loving... 💖 he adores that you’re sharing so personal with him (of all people!!). and he’d get a kick out of telling you misconceptions about Italy. don’t get him started on how much he hates the Mario Bros.

as for Fugo, he would react similarly. I could see him ask more questions about your culture, while Abbacchio lets you go on and on. he’s so interested in everything about you!! and the moment you hold his hand... wow... get ready to see some intense blushing... he wouldn’t pull away, but his attention would turn to something else and his stutter would be apparent. pull yourself together, Fugo! 😤

anonymous asked: I'd take Rohan on a date, I'm a lil gay for that trash man. Tbh, it would either be an amazing date or a total disaster. I think we'd plan something fun and relaxing, like going to an art gallery or seeing a movie, but we'd end up in an adventure because that's what keeps happening to Rohan for some reason. At the end of the day we'd go to a restaurant to put a normal ending to that strange day

HAHAHA omggg friend this is a pretty accurate description of Rohan’s life. I think he’d be really annoyed that the day ended up this way, but he’s glad that he got to spend it with someone he tolerates. 💕 Rohan would try to push past those feelings once you go to the restaurant. this date is still salvageable!! he might complain a lil, but ultimately, he’d try to focus on you and what you enjoyed 🥰

@xxbluejayxx​ asked: For the Jojo date thing, I'd take Abbacchio. Well not really picky about the kind of date, I feel a nice quiet one at home would be best. It could be a homemade dinner, a movie night, or both. When it comes down to it, for me anytime spent with someone I love is time well spent, and that is something I will willingly admit

this is such a peaceful date for Abbacchio! I agree, a quiet date at home would be best. 😊❤️ as I mentioned in other scenarios, he’d likely take over kitchen duties. no need to worry about anything, just tell him what you want and he’d whip it up for you! and when it comes time to watch the movie, he’d tell you to sit a lil closer to him... he’s not very good with verbalizing affection, but he loves when he can feel your skin against his.

anonymous asked: I reeally wanna take Polnareff on a date. He deserves it sooo much. He's such a handsome sweetie. Id turn on the charm for him for once, like he always does. I have a beautiful image in my head of an outdoor patio restaurant with hundreds of strings of lights. We both dress up and have a lovely meal under the stars and magical lights, and then our favorite song plays and we have a dance beneath the lights. I think it would be goofy and romantic, stepping on toes as we attempt to dance around 😍

ahhh Polnareff would be so flattered to have you flirt with him! he’d probably get a lil flustered since this is nicer than what he’s used to, but seeing you dressed to the nines would make make him go 🥵 likewise, he’d push himself through the situation by just focusing on you. and when you start dancing... wow!! he’d lose himself laughing and being absolutely miserable at showing his moves. but it doesn’t matter, because he’s here with you and everything is okay ⭐

@rat-makes-stuff asked: Ok so I would take Giorno back to my home state of Michigan. Mafia boss has got to be tired as hell, so what's better than walking through the woods and collecting rocks at Lake Huron (I'm biased that's my favorite lake no CAP). We would watch the sun set and then look at the stars when they come out. Wildflower picking, trying to see how many deer we can find, and picnics by the lake? Yes pleaseee

before I start, Tumblr wasn’t letting me tag you in this!! so I hope you still see my response :( anyway, this is such a relaxing date! Don Giorno would love to unwind in nature. he’d probably take some stones he found near Lake Huron and turn them into a bouquet of flowers for you! 💐and since he’s probably never seen the sky without light pollution, he’d be astonished at how beautiful the sky is. he wouldn’t be able to say anything, just pull you close to him and thank you for taking him out here 🌠

[smolbeandrabbles]

Beat This Summer - Nolan Sorrento x Reader (Ready Player One)

GIF CREDIT: X

@mandy23b​ @wltz-bby​ @happyskywhale​ #mendotagsquad

Nolan Sorrento + 47: “Dogs don’t wear clothes!” Requested by @mysticaltimemachinewench

Author’s Note: Okay, this one took a little time. And I was already thinking of a vacation premise with Nolan, then kinda worked the dogs into it - and then *bam* this one hit me-! Also while doing all my research it all kinda just fell into place and I couldn’t believe how perfectly. Please enjoy! 😁 @mendelskrull​ - Shoutout for your help around vacationing in Sorrento, I hope I did it justice! 

Beat This Summer - Brad Paisley

Disclaimer: RPO characters not mine / gif not mine / lyrics not mine / a teeny-tiny reference to Tron Legacy for those that haven’t seen it

Premise: While on a much needed vacation in Italy, Nolan Sorrento decides he’s the dog fashion police.

Words: 2746

Warnings: N/A - a slight sexual reference and he’s drinking.

_____ Like the Ferris wheel goes around and around Well the trouble with up is there's always a down First I'm holding your hand and we're on the boardwalk There's heaven right here on these streets and these docks But the sun keeps setting and the days go fast And the sand on the beach is like an hourglass And I can just feel it, I'm slipping away And babe, I can already say As long as I live, whatever I do As great as it is you know what's a bummer I ain't never gonna beat this summer with you Baby, it's true The taste in your kiss is so bittersweet I ain't gonna beat, no way I'm gonna beat this summer with you Maybe I know that it ain't over yet So let's make the most of what we have left But it's hard living for this moment we're in Knowing it's all gonna end Looking at you, girl, standing there, Got your wayfarer's on and the sun in your hair And just like the song in a seashell, you'll be stuck in mind Bouncing around in my head And baby, I can tell As long as I live, whatever I do Baby, it's true I ain't gonna beat, no way I'm gonna beat this summer with you

---

It won’t always be like this... you found yourself thinking as you sat there outside that little cafe. Even if you wished it could be. Even if part of you felt like you never wanted to leave. He would have to - you didn’t see them letting him run the company from here... and Nolan didn’t have anything with him to help him run the company. Besides a tablet - which he was allowed to check once a day for anything urgent and then you hid it away again.

 The holiday had been your suggestion. Nolan looked like he needed a break, in your opinion he also more than deserved it. He’d worked so hard for so long and neither of you had had a proper holiday for at least a year. In fact, a rather lasting memory for you was that he blew off the last vacation for something that IOI “urgently” needed him for and you had to go alone. Even though you were away and relaxing, it was one of your worst weeks. This time, no wasn’t an option. Nolan Sorrento was coming on holiday with you and unwinding, even if he complained the whole time; and what better place to go than Italy. Sorrento, Italy, of course! You could only assume that given the namesake his ancestral lineage would trace back here. Nolan didn’t complain even once - he didn’t even roll his eyes when you suggested it as a place to go. He’d been once before, but not with you, and he’d been younger then. Before everything in the world had turned fairly dystopian. Sorrento was still fairly untouched by that though; still a popular tourist destination (for those that could afford such things). There were the occasional VR headsets, but you hadn’t seen one IOI advert. Life was better here - another reason why you thought Nolan might be acting more settled. You made the note in the back of your head that maybe moving to Europe would be a good plan, in future, even if you had to wait until he retired and IOI were using him as a chairman (bonus if he looked a little like Alan in Tron Legacy. You could visualise that; wondering for a second what Nolan would look like with glasses).

 You’d had a really fantastic holiday so far, and you still had a few days left... but you were already worried about it ending. Sad that he’d soon enough be slipping back into a suit at some ungodly hour in the morning and kissing you goodbye until just as ridiculously late in the evening. That made you more determined to sit and enjoy it while you could. And whilst you sat here staring at him this morning sipping coffee and red wine (Yes. Really. - but of course your wine connoisseur was going to do such a thing ‘My dear! This is Italy!’ and you teasing back, with what you had learned about the city you were visiting ‘But then surely you should be sipping limoncello?!’, ending with Nolan giving you a sharp look), you couldn’t help but reminisce your holiday.

It hadn’t all been picturesque squares and coastline – although the Amalfi coast was known for that – in Sorrento itself you’d had the opportunity to visit small museums (art and archaeological), pretty churches and colonnades, go down to the bay and marina to sit and watch the boats sail in and out across the sea, probably about every ice cream parlour that Nolan would allow you to drag him into, and quaint shopping streets, including market day – a tradition not broken by the state of the world and maybe one of your favourite days so far. Of course you hadn’t missed the opportunity to watch Limoncello being produced and the reason Nolan had probably given you such a look was because you continued to make the same joke every time he ordered wine instead – despite his insistence that wine from Campania was still fantastic. Outside of the city you’d been able to get a little more cultural; Naples, Pompeii, Vesuvius where you could both wax lyrical about ancient history together – a mutual interest - and Sorrento was also near a quiet marine reserve with stunning views of its own. And as if all that wasn’t enough on its own, he’d also whisked you across the water to the ever popular island of Capri. You felt a million miles from what you were used to in Columbus; it couldn’t have been any wonder why you wanted to stay here.

 You were only slightly snapped back to reality by the waiter coming to check on things; you use the word slightly because, although it had taken you out of your daydreams, Nolan was now speaking Italian. And you were fast discovering there was no better sound in the universe - you didn’t think you’d ever been so besotted with something so completely in your life. You were talking full on heart eyes. You didn’t understand much of it, but it just sounded so good with that voice of his. You shuddered slightly in delight and you could tell he’d caught it from the corner of his eye because Nolan smirked - even if his full attention was on the back and forth banter. More than once you’d thought about being brave enough to ask him to use it in far more intimate situations. Maybe tonight. Tonight you were going to the best drinks terrace in the city to watch the sunset - Nolan’s words, still after everywhere he’d taken you so far, you’d believe him - yet you’re craving of it would have to wait, even though he’d would continue using Italian all day. The café you were sitting in was on Plaza Tasso, lined with little places like this you weren’t sure how Nolan managed to determine that this was also the best one. Perhaps because he’d been before; but he probably wasn’t far wrong. In the late morning sun, you were sure that this was about to drift its way into early lunch as Nolan hadn’t had an inkling of giving you a rundown of his planned day. He had no inclination to move right now either and leant back in his chair for a minute with a smile. He'd looked good all holiday, but there was something about him in the sun right now; in a nice button up shirt, sleeves rolled to his elbows, and shorts – Nolan’s shades were back in his hair and the constant bright weather has turned it a beautiful silver grey. You would also attribute the sun today to how dazzling the blue in his eyes looked and, as a further blessing that was only making you sit and swoon harder, his freckles were out… ‘Oh god… oh my god… he’s so beautiful!’ You were sitting to the table leaning on your hands and hanging onto every word he said, even when you didn’t understand the language. Until Nolan turned those eyes on you, biting his lip as he smiled and traced his gaze over you – telling you how great you looked today. Your face was heating up and that, in particular, had nothing to do with the hot sunshine, you were beaming so much your face was aching, and he knew it. So Nolan spent his time trying to make you smile more, and laugh more, to the point where you were forced to cover your face and yet that only made him turn up the sweet talk. “Please… Nolan! A girl can only take so much.” “Uh huh…” He grinned with a little wink, “And yet,” Nolan indicated around him, “In a city as beautiful as this, it’s clear to me that the most stunning sight is right in front of me.” “NOLAN!!” You could only imagine the shade of red you were turning. “Aw, come now, Y/N, don’t deny it.” You would; you were never one for taking compliments without hiding behind your hands. Nolan at best would deflect them with a bashful smile, but usually gave you a look that told you to please carry on. Today Nolan was content on giving them, he was receiving enough just from the looks you were giving him. He would revel in that attention; and couldn’t help but be a little smug about it. You were content to sit in silence and stare at him; but Nolan did eventually get to telling you about what he was thinking your day would entail – with the promise of that terrace this evening though, it was certainly going to be a more relaxing day. You were ready for that and would have been content to stay with him in bed all day – you weren’t going to complain though when he was a vision in sunlight. Sweet talk and small talk persisted as you continued to sip your drinks, and soon enough the table was filled with empty glasses and cups, and Nolan was asking for the lunch menu. No, moving on was happening no time soon – and you were still enamoured with each other. Just about the time you started thinking that though, Nolan’s eyeline moved from you to just behind, and he raised an eyebrow. You probably wouldn’t have noticed, if his coffee cup hadn’t been half way to his lips – now frozen. “What?” You looked in the direction he was staring but saw nothing out of the ordinary. Nolan had other ideas. “Hold on. What!?” You watched his eyes follow a woman and a dog and wondered why he looked so incensed. To you she looked like a typical Italian woman, dressed well – maybe a little too well to be walking through town with a dog, but each to their own – with a dog walking obediently on a lead. Nolan’s voice very nearly pitched; "No! That’s not right-! What is going on-!!?” You raised an eyebrow at him and then looked back; the dog itself was also dressed: dress shirt, waistcoat, bow tie. And you leant on your hand again with a smile; “Aww!! It’s so cute!” Nolan immediately snorted, “NO it’s not-! Dogs don’t wear clothes-!” Oh, that was his problem-!? It was making you think back to when you were younger and the dog you used to have, he had many outfits that you loved to dress him up in: from the cute, to sophisticated, to absolutely hysterical. They were fond memories, and you found yourself smiling as you reminisced; “When I was growing up I had a dog: we used to dress him up and it was so sweet!” You saw Nolan cringe out of the corner of your eye and you wondered if he was cringing at the scenario in front of him, or the fact that he’d said such a thing and with your anecdote he’d probably felt as if he’d screwed up big time. You wouldn’t hold it against him, but maybe you wouldn’t tell him that for a while – and you’d let him stew with the embarrassment. He cleared his throat, sliding his shades down over his eyes so you didn’t catch them emoting; “If you say so…” “I do-! It’s just a fine-looking lady with a handsome dog-! What’s wrong with that-!? Who made you the killjoy police?! Or are you the fashion police?” “I think I lost fashion police status a little while ago.” “Or you’re a rookie.” You thought on it, “The suits are sharp. Your intern days… ehhhhh… But I’ll forgive you, everyone has a glow up no matter how late.” He tried to keep a straight face but gave in and chuckled, “Thanks-!” Your eyes were drawn to the sound of barking from the other side of the plaza, and you realised that this dressed dog was not alone. In fact there were many well-dressed Italians walking well-dressed dogs; in suits and pretty dresses – a fashion show? For dogs? Surely not! Suddenly you gasped, realising that they were all heading out of the church. A wedding procession! Your hand went to your mouth, because there was no way you were letting Nolan realise how much you were smiling at that. “Oh my god…” He murmured, realising. All the guests and their dogs were dressed beautifully that much was true, but the bride and groom looked flawless. And, as you might expect, their dogs were in a matching dress and suit. You wouldn’t be surprised if they were essentially the best man and flower girl. But the matching really got you – and the whole idea was wonderful. The guests had been allowed to bring their dogs; and had dressed them appropriately. And with the sun shining down on them today, the wedding party looked glorious – they were all so happy and smiling. And the bride and groom looked so in love. You immediately looked over to your partner, pleased to see this hadn’t gone unnoticed, and despite his protest to the dressed dogs, there was a little smile on his face. Small it might have been, but significant. Nolan recognised the way they were looking at each other to be similar to the way you had both been flirting over these drinks. You wondered if he thought about the possibility of marriage as often as you did. If Nolan was even that traditional… and his smile only broadened as you continued to stare across at him. “You’re missing the pictures you know!” He grinned, still watching the square. “Yes…” You mused, “But, part of me wishes I could take pictures of this.” He laughed, shaking his head, and you saw that small bashful smile he tried to hide;  “Uh huh…” You looked back to the dogs again, how cute and happy they looked, feeding off every owners energy – as if they also knew the significance of the day. “But Nolan don’t they look so CUTE!! They’re all dressed so well-!” Nolan picked up his wine glass and took a sip, making you wonder if he really needed a drink for this. He didn’t agree with you, instead he looked across to you – and even behind those shades you knew exactly the look in his eyes. “Don’t get ANY ideas-!!!” You immediately straightened in your chair, attentive to his sentence and its implications; “Are you gonna propose?!” He scoffed, folding his arms to immediately shut your excitement down before it became uncontrollable; “Hell nah! If I was gonna do that I would have done it on the way to Capri!” Ah-! Yes; not only was Capri really beautiful, but Nolan insisted that instead of taking you over on a private boat (you were surprised), you had to go over on a tourist boat. As you had continued to sail towards the island however you realised why, as Nolan took your hand and you found yourselves sailing under a rock formation shaped like a heart. If you didn’t think that was pretty and romantic enough; your guide was not opposed to cranking up the love songs – and then apparently as tradition, all the couples onboard kissed. Which of course Nolan knew, so when the romantic music started and you got a little confused you only had to look to that smirk on his face to know he’d planned this one out too. For the record it was a good kiss, and he held your hand tight, unopposed to stealing more than one. Now he mentioned it, the heart grotto would have been a pretty ideal place to propose to someone. Nolan pressed his fingers to his lips; “Oh god, would that be too cliché?!” Your eyes were wide just thinking on the prospect and the way he now seemed to be in too much denial; “Boy! Say sike! You’re gonna propose!” He totally was, he had to be. Nolan pushed his shades back and turned his gorgeous blue eyes on you. This time he was firm; “No! I’m not! I’m not! Stop it! If that’s what you want, you’ll be disappointed.” You sighed gently, accepting that that wasn’t to be your fate on this holiday, but maybe soon. It was after all a not now, rather than a dead set against it. As you settled down once more to watch the dogs in the wedding party with that pretty, absentminded smile Nolan was only watching you. With a gentle smile of his own; One day I will... darling... I promise you, that will be us, one day...

---

10/16! More than half way! Home Stretch time!! Thank you for reading!!! 💜💙

[sexysilverstrider]

Endless Love

 I love her.  Crimson eyes were fixed at the light that lit up his once darkened heart. Fingers perfectly intertwined together like perfect puzzle pieces. Sometimes his thumb would brush the smooth surface of her skin. Sometimes her hand would give his own a gentle, reassuring squeeze.  He loved her smile.  “Skitty, look!” Hazel eyes beamed at the beautiful lights of Wyndon’s famous Ferris wheel. A smile so wide that it could rival the sun, Kotone started tugging her husband towards the amusement ride. It was a Saturday night, and people and Pokémon were buzzing in various lively manners. Luckily for the couple, they were able to reach the Ferris wheel without any delay or trouble.  He loved her enthusiasm.  Bouncing up and down with arms now wrapped around his right arm, Kotone looked at him. “Oooh, this is gonna be so fun! It’s been a while since we’ve been so high up!”  A snort couldn’t be stopped even if he tried. “You do know you have your Charizard to fly you up and that Mewtwo of yours to float you whenever you want, right?”  He loved the colour of her eyes when they rolled in his gaze.

 “That’s different.” Left hand casually slipped down until it was back to curling around his own. “Besides, I don’t think the authorities would appreciate seeing a wild unauthorized legendary casually hovering two humans out in public.” Arceus, she still remembered the immense pain she had to go through just to make sure her Mewtwo was able to go through customs.  Never again did she want to see another document for the next 10 years.  Thankfully, her darling legendary was tucked inside his Pokéball. As much as it irritated the Genetic Pokémon that he couldn’t walk freely around the city like any other Pokémon, both Mewtwo and Kotone were just glad that he could join her in their vacation.  Smiles appeared so easily when it came to her.  “It’d be funny to see Mewtwo fight some cops, though.” Laughter peeped through his smile to feel her playful slap on the shoulder. A silent apology was given in a form of another hand-squeeze. The two talked and joked while they waited in line for the Ferris wheel. The cold winds of Galar wasn’t unbearable, but that never stopped Silver from wrapping one arm around his petite wife.  He absolutely needed no reason whatsoever to plant a kisses on the top her head too.  He loved how happy she made him. ---  The lights of Wyndon truly didn’t disappoint. Once safely entered inside the cargo, Kotone and Silver wasted no time to cuddle as they sat side by side. She would go on and talk about any random thing that catches her eye. He would respond and reply back with anything that either made her laugh or smile.  It’s the best feeling ever.  “It’s really nice, isn’t it…?” Her voice was a gentle lull inside the comfortable cargo. Left hand never letting go of his right, Kotone pressed her free hand against the thick glass. Lights of pink, blue, red, and purple livened the majestic city. There were some big balloons seen tied and hovered under the starry sky. From afar, she could see Wyndon stadium. It was then that her mind clicked about the famous Champion Cup that happens every year.  It was a shame that the sport’s event was only applicable to Galarian trainers and that it only happened from February to May. And she wasn’t Galarian. And it was already June when she finally arrived in Galar.  “You do know that even if you entered, you’ll just end up sweeping the whole challenge, right?”  Surprise brought her back to realize at his statement. Lower lip jutted slightly—just the slightest—as she looked at him. A cheeky smirk curled those luscious lips. Blush peppered each cheek knowing that he read her mind so well without her uttering a single word.  “Well…” A little pout formed her pretty pink lips. “You don’t know that. I heard their Champion is insanely unstoppable. I mean, I’ve battled some super strong trainers before.” Her mind brought her the images of the silent trainer she encountered at Mt Silver as well as the Hero of Truth that resides in Unova. “It would be fun to see what sort of Champion Galar has to offer, no?”  Kotone had a point. As much as they came her for a little getaway, even Silver couldn’t deny the curiosity he had about the Galarian Champion.  The Glorious Champion. The Hero of Galar. The Royal Hero Who Vanquished the Second Darkest Day.  At least…that’s what Silver had heard about her.  Arceus knows what kind of bullshit the Galarian Champion had went through to obtain such titles. Silver eyes gazed at the brilliant gleam of darling hazels.  If it’s anything like what both Kotone and Silver had went through when they were teenagers…  An unnerving shiver crept up his spine.  “Silver, you okay?”  A smile trembled the corners of his lips. “Yeah…just…” He released a small sigh. “Thinking about the things we went through.”  She understood him.  A small smile mirrored his own. “We’re here now.” She gave his hand a squeeze. “We’re alive. We’re together.” Scooting closer to him—as if they weren’t close enough already—Kotone brought his hand up and kissed the back of it. “I love you.”  Arceus, he loved her so much.  “I love you too…” He kissed her forehead, then slowly traced down to the cute tip of her nose. “So much…” Gaze filled with warmth that could melt her heart into puddle, Silver gently tipped her chin. “So very…” Chu… “Very much…” Kisses feathered her plump lips at every unrestrained emotion.  Her smile became honest. Became shaky. “Geez…” Face now reflected the dazzling colour of his hair. Kotone cupped her face with both hands.  How easily he laughed now because of her.  “Are you really embarrassed right now to look at your handsome husband?” Smile back to that cocky grin of his, Silver lowered his head to meet her gaze.  She didn’t lower her hands. But he did hear a cute, “Humph…”  Fuck, he was so in love with her.  Very thankful that they were so high up right now, Silver gave no hesitance in wrapping his arms around her waist and lifting her up.  That definitely made her hands go down.  “Waah—Silver!” Plop! Her butt rested comfortably on his lap. Shock and embarrassment giving a nice splash of colour on her cheeks and ears, Kotone tried her best to look angry as she looked at him.  Tried.  Chup!  Shock once again took reign as she felt the lips she adored so much pressing so perfectly against hers.  His arms were locked neatly around her waist. “I love you…” That sincere smile back in its place, Silver continued his kissing adventure by moving to her left cheek, her neck, her shoulder, then back to her pouting lips.  Ah, he was insufferable.  Forever giving in to his bold advances, Kotone returned his kisses with a long, sweet, sighing kiss to his smiling mouth.  “I love you too, you naughty Skitty.” Hands cupping his warm cheeks, Kotone kissed the tip of his nose.  She always loved his laugh. ---  It shouldn’t be a wonder to see so many couples tonight.  And yet, Gloria didn’t know why a certain couple caught her attention at the moment.  They were a couple of adults. Around their late 20s or early 30s, Gloria assumed. The woman looked absolutely adorable in her low pigtails and white beret. The man beside her was a sight for sore eyes indeed. Never had she seen hair so devilishly red, and she once dyed her hair red herself. It was seen tied to a low ponytail, and his clear-cut face was an absolute picture if he were able to pull off such a simple look.  Clearly the two weren’t from Galar. It wasn’t unusual for Galar to accept tourists at this time of year. But it was definitely something for Gloria to see such a couple that sparked such…an intimidatingly lovely radiance.  That, and the fact that the woman’s arm was all too happily hugging the man’s left arm.  That’s sweet… So sweet, she added. Oh to be in love no matter how old you are—  “What are you staring at?”  Thoughts crashed against a wall to hear his voice. Quickly she looked to her side, only to have her head tilted upwards slightly to see the tall man.  Confusion and irritation masked such a beautiful face.  “You’re spacing out.” One finger gently poked her forehead. “If I didn’t call out for you, I bet I could see your soul casually slip out and wander off.”  Arceus, she was so cute when she puffed her cheeks.  “I wasn’t spacing out.” Never one to say much, Gloria pushed a few strands of her hand behind her ear. Crimson eyes stared at the area around them, silently trying to spot the mysterious couple.  But alas, they were gone in a sea of lively crowds.  Unbeknownst to her, Bede never liked to be ignored. “Seriously, what caught your attention?” He leaned to where she was staring. Curiosity now sated his mind, the Gym Leader looked around but found nothing.  She opened her mouth, the pure intention of wanting to explain what she saw remained in her mind.  But all that was thrown out the window when he turned his head to face her as well—which in the end resulted with their noses brushing each other.  “Ah—” was all she peeped.  “I—!” was all he sputtered.  Quickly both straightened and took a single step back. Pink puffed their cheeks at the simple physical contact. Luckily Gloria had her glasses to use as an excuse to hide her shame. Bede was just as lucky to have brought his red scarf tonight and already had it wrapped around his neck.  Shit, it smelled like her since she just wore it 10 minutes ago.  Ah, he was sure his face was growing pinker.  “A-Anyways…” he flustered, then took a deep breath to keep himself together. “We should—we should go. We should be quick if we want to go to that dessert café you love so much.”  Curse her face for getting warmer.  “Okay…” Cheeks cupped by cold hands, Gloria managed a nod.  Signalling the single action as approval, Bede spun his heel and began walking—  “Wait.”  The crunch of snow hit the sole of his boot at the meek sound of her voice.  Without a word, Bede turned around, a single eyebrow raised in confusion at the woman still standing in one place. “Gloria?” Concern now dripped out of pink lips, he turned to face her again. “What’s wrong? Aren’t you hung…ry…?”  The last question slurred to a gape when his gaze dropped to her outstretched hand.  “Hand…”  Violet eyes widened at her waiting palm, then at her.  She was as red as her irises.  “I want…” A deep breath was pushed out of suddenly heavy lungs. “I want…” The shine of her glasses hid such a sheepish expression. “Can we—h-hands…” Ah fuck her for failing a simple sentence right now—  Shoulders actually flinched to feel her right hand being held.  Immediately she looked up, glasses almost thrown off her face to see the tall Gym Leader.  Oh how glad she was to know he was just as embarrassed as her.  Violet eyes never met the pair of dazzling crimsons. “Come on…” Voice actually quieter than hers, Bede gently pulled her close. Fingers curled lovingly around hers. The grip felt shaky, then firm. Without another word, Bede patiently signalled her to walk.  Side by side. With their hands intertwined together.  Baffled was an emotion the Champion rarely felt in battles, but an emotion she definitely felt around him.  She then remembered the happy couple.  Gloria didn’t know why, but a smile shakily curled upwards, so bright and so ecstatic at the thought that maybe, just maybe, one day she and Bede would be just as happy as them.  It was Bede’s turn to flinch when he felt his left arm being hugged.  Luckily they kept moving, but he never tore his gaze away from her for a while. She still held his hand, but was now wrapping his arm with her other hand. Though her height prevented him from seeing her face clearly, Bede could see the hints of red on the tips of her ears.  She was excruciatingly adorable.  Blowing out a sigh—a sigh so shaky he feared it couldn’t hide the indescribable happiness he felt right now—Bede gave her hand a playful squeeze.  I love her. END

[tellmealovestory]

Such Great Heights

Summary: You and Bucky spend a day at the carnival. 

Notes: Also posted on my ao3. This was written for @ussgallifreyfics​ 700 followers writing challenge. Congrats on all of your followers and thanks so much for letting me join!

Warnings: A couple swear words and a slightly anxious reader.

“Do one thing every day that scares you.” - Eleanor Roosevelt

Cotton colored candy skies. Tongues and lips and teeth painted blue and red from icy cold snow cones. The smell of fried everything. People laughing and talking at decibels that wouldn’t be acceptable any other place. Long lines that wound through the park. Blistered and tired feet. Faces that were tinged red and pink from the hot sun blaring down on them all day. Tired smiles. Tired eyes. Children asleep in strollers. Balloons wrapped around wrists of the children who were awake. People clutching giant teddy bears and goldfish in bags that surely wouldn’t survive the week once they got back to real life. Glitter dotting the apples of girls cheeks. Smiles stretched wide from face to face. 

Cheers erupted around you. For a moment you’re confused until you see the cause. The carnival lights are turning on bathing the grounds in soft blues, bright reds, lively greens, golden yellows. The food stands are a blur of neons. Pinks and greens and purples. It’s beautiful, but it hurts your tired eyes to look at them for too long. 

A small step forward. Followed by another. And then another. You’re next in line. Your heart rate spikes, your hand growing sweatier in Bucky’s and you wait for him to say something. To ask if you’re okay. But he doesn’t. And when you look at him you see how happy he is standing in line for the ferris wheel knowing you’ll be the next in line. You wish you could muster up some of his happiness, but you can’t. You can only offer him a gentle squeeze of your hand, a forced smile on your painted lips which he doesn’t take notice of. 

You’d do anything for him. Anything at all. 

He could ask you to run away with him tomorrow and you’d do it. He could ask you to marry him on top of the highest building in New York and you’d do it. Never mind the fact that you’d miss your friends and family. Never mind the fact that you’re utterly terrified of heights. 

In the back of your mind you know that you should tell him. Tell him now and you know that he’d take your hand and whisk you away. He’d find another ride for you guys to go on never mind that you’ve been on everything except the ferris wheel. He’d never make you do something that you didn’t want to do. 

But you want to do this. At least that’s what you try to tell yourself as you take a shaky step forward. Your body moves on its own. You can hear the excited chatter of people surrounding you. Can vaguely make out the voice of the ride operator as you slide into the seat next to Bucky. Can faintly feel the way the seatbelt fits snugly across your lap as the safety bar lowers.

And with one final shaky look down at the ground where you would give anything to be the seat of the ferris wheel is lifting up, up, up. 

It doesn’t matter that you can still see the ground you’re terrified. Your hand grips the bar, a quiet fuck spilling from your lips as the seat sways and when you shoot Bucky a panicked look he only presses a sweet kiss to your forehead and you know there’s no way you can tell him now.

A flurry of thoughts flit through your mind. None of them good. All of them disaster related from too many horror movies and your own anxiety making things seem worse than they really are. What if you get stuck at the top? What if the ride crashes to the ground? What if, what if, what if?

The seat lifts higher. This time shakier than the last and you want to curse out the operator. Yell at him to be gentle. For fuck sakes the signs on the back of all the chairs clearly says do not rock. And yet there he is down below safely on the ground jerking the ride lever as if he has no cares in the world, as if he doesn’t care that there are people on the ride afraid of heights, as if he doesn’t care if the chairs rock. 

The handle is slippery with your sweat and even though Bucky had promised you that the views up top would be worth it you can’t see anything with your eyes closed so tightly all you can see is black. Your teeth hurt from clenching your jaw and when he wraps an arm around your shoulder puling you closer to him you let out a quiet squeak when the chair rocks gently back and forth. 

“Bucky,” you try, your voice cracking and you swear if you start crying you’re never going to forgive yourself. 

He had only asked you one thing today and that was that he wanted to go on the ferris wheel with his best girl. He wanted to see the views from up top. Wanted to share this with you. Steve had told you that when they were younger they used to ride it at Coney Island. Said it was always one of Bucky’s favorite things. And though this isn’t Coney Island he had still asked you to go on with him. 

Throughout the day you had made excuses. The line was too long. The sun was too hot. Someone had thrown up on one of the chairs. You had just eaten now wasn’t the time. You had just had something to drink now definitely wasn’t the time. He didn’t say anything. Didn’t pressure you. Didn’t ask you more than once. You thought if you waited until the sun had gone down that it would be easier to handle. You wouldn’t be able to see as much therefore you wouldn’t be so scared. You had been wrong. So very, very wrong. With the carnival lights shining bright and dusk settling over the park coming on at night was way, way worse. 

“Honey, open your eyes, you’re missing the view.” His voice is soft, calming, sweet against the shell of your ear and though you want nothing more than to do as he asked you can’t. 

Shaking your head you bite your lower lip refusing to open your eyes. You can’t tell how high up you are which might have been a good thing except for the fact that your mind had you convinced you were so high you could touch the sky. The chair stopped. Sucking in a deep breath you still didn’t open your eyes. Either the ride was stuck or you were finally situated at the top. Either way you weren’t ready to open your eyes to find out.

“I can’t,” you whimpered, the sound pathetic to your own ears and you hate that you’re ruining this for him. 

“Why?”

A beat passes. The chair still doesn’t move and you swear to god that it’s stuck. You’re going to be up here for the rest of the night. You’re going to die up here. Oh god, oh god, oh god. The things that you do for love.

“Honey?” That sweet, calming voice again, the patience and you know that now is not the time to tell him, but that doesn’t stop you from blurting it out.

“I’m afraid of heights!”

There. The words are out there in the open and there’s nothing you can do, but hope that he’s not mad at you. It’s a ridiculous thought. You know that. He would never be mad at you for telling him that, but it doesn’t stop your brain from thinking it. From focusing on that thought alone until the chair starts to move again, swinging wildly and you swear that when, no, if you make it off this hell of a ride you’re going to tell the operator to get a new job or better yet take the advice on the back of each chair and do not rock the chairs!.

“What?”

“Please don’t be mad at me. I was going to tell you, but then you were so excited about going on this and I didn’t want to disappoint you and I thought if I was with you it’d be okay,” you rambled. Cracking open an eye you watch him carefully. He doesn’t look mad which is a relief. Softening his eyes you lean into his touch when he pulls you closer, but that only results in the chair swinging and you find yourself hissing, your knuckles turning white against the handle. 

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I did tell you.”

“Y/N, no you didn’t.”

“Yes, I did.”

“When did you tell me you were afraid of heights? Doll, if I knew that I wouldn’t have taken you on this.”

“I told you, shit, shit, shit, why does he keep doing that?” You whined, as the chair reached the top.

Afraid to close your eyes and afraid to look down you don’t understand how you’re just reaching the top now. One flesh hand and one gloved hand reach up to cup your cheeks forcing you to keep your eyes steady on him and if your heart wasn’t racing so fast, if you weren’t so close to having a melt down on top of the scariest ride at the carnival you would kiss him for helping to center you.

“I did tell you,” you tried again, swallowing the lump in your throat when the chair doesn’t move to make a descent down. “I told you like... two minutes ago, Bucky, try to keep up.” Joking is the only way you know how to make it through this situation without bursting into tears and when you see him fighting the smile that’s threatening to curl his lips up you let out a shaky breath.

“That’s not what I meant and you know that.” 

“I know, but I just you were so excited and when Steve told me this you used to be one of your favorite rides I wanted to do something nice for you and I really thought I could handle this and I... god damnit.”

“Hey, look at me, okay? You’re okay, honey, you’re okay. Keep your eyes on me,” he cooed. 

Nodding your head you do as he asked keeping your eyes on his which is harder than you thought it would be when the chair finally makes a descent backwards. You begin to breathe a little easier the closer to the ground it gets, but you’ve seen this ride before, you know that you’ll have to make at least two or three more times around which means more time at the top again. 

“What about the view? You wanted to look at the view.”

“I am looking at the view.” 

“Okay, that is not what I meant and you know that,” you retorted with a roll of your eyes and a soft laugh. It’s the first one to slip past your lips since the ride started and slowly you begin to feel more like yourself. Not quite as anxious. Your heart rate isn’t spiking as fast. Your palms aren’t as sweaty, but your knuckles are still white. 

When you pass the ride operator you shoot him a death glare, too busy helping people on and off he doesn’t notice, but it still makes you feel a little bit better until you feel the chair starting to climb back up to the top. 

“Ya know the first time I saw you I was afraid to talk to you.”

The comment is so random that you can’t help gaping at him. “What? Why?”

Shrugging his shoulders he licks his lower lip. True to his word he never takes his eyes off of you. The pad of his thumb brushes across your cheek and you find yourself leaning into his touch.

“Cause you were so confident and cute and even though the coffee was awful I kept coming back to see you.”

“God, Bucky I was anything but cute and confident in those uniforms.”

“Ya gonna let me tell the story my way?”

“I guess...,” you teased.

“It took me months before I got the nerve up to talk to you and that was only because Stevie and Natasha made me. You probably don’t remember it, but when I went to ask for your number I couldn’t stop shaking. Same with our first date and our first kiss.” 

Smiling softly you remembered that. Not the same way he did of course. The two of you had met at a coffee shop where you had been working at the time and even though he thought the coffee had been bad you lived on that stuff to get you through your college classes. You remembered him coming in nearly every time you were working. Always sitting at a table near the back. Baseball cap pulled low over his eyes. It had taken you a few visits before you finally noticed him, but once you did it was nearly impossible to take your eyes off him. 

The night he had finally asked for your number it was just you working. He had been your last customer and as you had been wiping down the tables he had come up to you startling you out of your daze you had jumped before shooting him a sheepish smile when you saw him flinch. Both of you had apologized at the same time, but the damage had been done. He had been awkward, clumsy, shy. Nothing like the sauve ladies man from the forties you had grown up hearing stories about. You wouldn’t see peaks of that until much later when you guys had been dating for close to a year.

“And every time I gotta leave you for a mission I still get scared,” he murmured. “The point is it’s good to do stuff that scares you every once in awhile. Look where it led us. If I hadn’t gotten the nerve to finally get your number we wouldn’t be here.”

Letting go of a shaky breath you loosen your hold on the bar seeing that the ride is finally almost over. Three chairs are ahead of you and you’re finally brave enough to tear your gaze away from Bucky’s and look down. It’s still scary and you almost wish you hadn’t, you’re still too high up for your comfort level, but you take his words to heart.

“Look at me, doll.”

For once you’re grateful that he can read you so well and you do as he asks.

“I’m okay.” You’re not sure if you’re saying it for his benefit or yours. The ride operators movements are still jerky, the chair continues to sway causing your stomach to swirl with nerves despite being closer to the ground. You know that you’re not going to be able to fully relax until your two tired and blistered feet are back on solid ground.

Two chairs are ahead of you and with his hands still cupping your cheeks, with his beautiful eyes never wavering from his you ignore everything. The bright carnival lights, the sounds of people laughing and screaming, the way the chair swings with every movement, the off key music from a cheap band playing one hit wonders from the eighties under a tent filled with drunk people. You focus on Bucky and only Bucky.

Leaning forward you crash your lips against his trying to show him with one kiss how much you love him, how much you appreciate him, how much you love that he opened up to you and told how he was afraid to talk you, how he still got scared to go on missions even after all this time, how much he showed you sometimes it was okay to be vulnerable, okay to tell someone that you were scared. Releasing your sweaty hands from the safety bar for the first time since sliding into the seat your fingers curl around his shirt pulling him closer to you.

One chair is ahead of you, but you pay no attention to it or just how close you are to getting off. All you focus on is the way his lips feel chapped against yours from the sun hitting them all day, the way he tastes of sugary sweet cotton candy and powdered sugar from your shared funnel cake. You focus on the way his tongue swipes against your bottom lip, the way you part your lips allowing his tongue in. The way he’s able to pull moans from you, the way his hand slides from your cheek to the back of your head bringing your lips closer to his.

And when you’re next in line to get off you don’t notice that either. You don’t notice the cough from the ride operator, don’t notice the uncomfortable stares from people waiting to get on, don’t notice their impatient tapping feet against the steel walkway. All you notice is the way Bucky pulls away slowly as if he’s afraid he’ll never feel your lips against his again.

Everything happens too fast and too slow at the same time. Bucky’s eyes are glazed over and you’re sure yours are too. His hand drops from your cheek and the back of your head, your fingers uncurl from his shirt as the safety bar is lifted. Unbuckling the seat belt you watch breathlessly as he stands up before turning to you and holding his hand out. Taking hold you giggle as he pulls you up. Your legs are shaky from nerves at being up so high, but he doesn’t let you fall, would never let you fall as his hands reach out to grasp your waist in an attempt to steady you. Still a little shaky when you follow him down the three steel steps you take a deep breath when your feet land on concrete. Finally on solid ground again.

Turning to watch the Ferris wheel continue its slow descent you’re mesmerized by the lights, by the people growing smaller and smaller as the ride goes higher and higher. Standing on the ground looking up it doesn’t look so scary anymore.

“Bucky? I think we should go back on it,” you said, turning your attention back to him.

“What about your fear of heights?”

Pursing your lips to the side you know that you can handle it if he’s by your side and you don’t look down.

“I know, but you never got to see the view from up top and if you tell me I was the view I’ll smack you,” you teased.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea, darlin’.” He replied and you don’t miss the hesitancy in voice.

The fact is you know he’s probably right. You’re not sure you can stomach another round of the ride operator carelessly swinging the chair. Not sure if you can stomach being so high up, but you also know that his earlier words were true. It is important to do things that scare you at least once a day and how bad could the second time be? You already know what to expect.

“Maybe not, but I want to. Wasn’t it you who gave me that speech about conquering fears? I’ll be fine. I promise.”

You don’t quite believe the words and by the way his eyes are appraising you you can tell he doesn’t either.

“That was different,” he sighed.

“Please? I want to do this for you.”

Without giving him a chance to object you grab his hand pulling him to the back of the line. Your hand never leaves his, your heart never stops pounding, your breath never quite coming out in the slow steady way it should. But none of that stops your feet from moving forward every couple of minutes when the line shifts.

Ignoring the pointed stare of the ride operator you slide into the seat with Bucky right at your side. And when the safety bar comes down and you see Bucky giving you one more look that says you don’t have to do this you only kiss his cheek before laying your head on his shoulder.

Much like last time the chair swings every couple of minutes with jerky movements anytime someone gets on or off and when you stop at the top you can hear Bucky suck in a deep breath. You may have been willing to go on again, but you know there’s no way you’re looking down. Burying your head in his neck you close your eyes focusing instead on the way he smells like sun and sweat and woods. To anybody looking at you all they would see was a couple in love.

Unsure if it’s the fact you’re curled up next to Bucky or that this is your second time, but the ride seems to move faster and before you know it you’re back at the bottom and stepping off the ride.

“How was the view?” You asked once your feet make contact with the solid ground again.

“Better the first time.”

Knitting your eyebrows together it takes you a second, but when you get it you slap his shoulder playfully.

“Shut up,” you teased.

Leaning down he kisses you softly. “Come on, I wanna win my best girl the biggest stuffed bear they have.”

[kingofdirtandnothing]

@polyfacetious big ass Christmas Drabble Extravagaza: Day Twenty

“Did you know that there’s not any real appreciable difference between salt water taffy and regular taffy?” The guy in the nice suit browsing the bins of taffy looks up at Barry, cocking a brow at him. He’s been in the store for a couple of minutes now, and after a brief ‘hi, how are you’ exchange, Barry had said nothing else. Until now.

“So salt water taffy was invented in 1883 in Atlantic City, on the boardwalk. It was invented by this guy named David Bradley, I think that’s what his name is. And anyway, so he had a taffy shop out on the boardwalk. Because, tourists.”

Barry gestures around himself, to the small shop and its pristine white walls and white tile floors, to the barrels holding the candy all made of rich, dark wood. The only real pops of color in the place were the pieces of candy themselves, almost pastel behind their white wrapping paper. 

This whole street was a tourist attraction. A collection of immigrants who set up shop here right next to each other, selling a little bit of everything. Barry had seen the article about it in some tourist magazine, solely because Diego had it framed and on the wall in the front of his shop. 

And Diego’s tacos were definitely worth waiting in line for. So Barry waited like everyone else, and it meant he had plenty of time to do things like read the article that was framed on the wall that talked about ‘found family’ and ‘eclectic tastes’. Barry was pretty sure that last little bit was because of Klaus, but he wasn’t sure.

“So. Atlantic City, right? Right off the water on the pier, big ferris wheel, super cool place, even back then. But it flooded.” Barry stops, cocking his head. “I don’t think the ferris wheel was there in the 1880s.” But he can’t look right now, because he’s pulling taffy. 

That was the allure of the place. All of the taffy was hand pulled. No machines here. Barry did all the pulling, cutting and wrapping. Super boring work, but it gave him time to think when it wasn’t busy, and his biceps looked pretty sweet. 

Even right now, he’s grateful that his work t-shirt is a little tight around the sleeves as he takes the long strand of shiny white taffy and folds it back over the hook on the wall. From there, he pulls it down towards him again, lengthening the strand before he folds it back over the hook again. 

“I look it up later. Anyway. Atlantic City.” This story was all over the place, but the guy in his probably expensive and very nicely cut suit, wow he looked good, he was just watching Barry with his arms crossed, expression amused. “It flooded. Soaked the guy’s entire stock of candy. Once everything dried out, he took a bite of it on a whim.”

Barry glances over his shoulder and grins at the guy. Looks like the taffy wasn’t the only one on the hook today. “Said it tasted pretty good. So from then on, he sold it as salt water taffy. Made it tourist-y.”

He takes the white taffy from the hook and slaps it down onto the marble slab he’d cut it on. But first, he needed to roll it into something like a log. Barry always liked the way the taffy looked at this stage, with its bright sheen and its pliable nature. Like solid snow, or something. 

“But the thing is when you’re making taffy, when you’re making any kind of candy really, you’re going to boil the water with the sugar to get your base. And when you boil the water, it takes the salt right out of it. Seriously, it’ll crust the bottom of the big brass pot we use. I have to scrape it out sometimes.”

Barry folds the taffy in on itself like a big, soft pretzel and gives it a squeeze. He was going to need to punch it out a little before it would be ready to be cut. 

“So salt water taffy doesn’t actually taste any different than regular taffy. It’s just-”

“Tourists.” The guy answers, his voice low and rough, like sandpaper at the bottom of the well. “Do you tell all your customers about the history of ripping off tourists, or am I just special?” The smile, which really couldn’t be called a smile, tugs at just one corner of the guy’s lips. 

“I’m bored.” Barry grins right back at him. “But if you need someone to tell you that you’re special, I’ll be your man.” 

That earns him a small huff of laughter, and Barry finds himself proud of the sound. Yeah, he did that. “Oliver.” The guy, Oliver, holds a hand out to shake over the top of the glass separating the open part of the shop from Barry’s work area. 

“Barry.” He peels the glove off of his hand and tosses it into the trash can he keeps beneath the counter before he shakes Oliver’s hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Oliver.” Oliver has nice, strong hands. Callused, too. Not what Barry would expect from a guy wearing a suit that looked like it cost more than what Barry made in a month. “You read the article, huh?”

There’s a split second that Oliver looks sheepish before he settles into the conversation. “You guys get that much foot traffic in here from the New Yorker article?” Wow. Diego just had the article up, not the rest of the magazine. Barry didn’t know it was such a high end magazine that spoke so highly of their little street. Maybe that’s why they were getting so many people browsing up and down the street.

“Yeah.” It’s Barry’s turn to huff out a laugh, pulling a fresh glove out of the box and slipping it on before he gets back to the roll of taffy in front of him, punching it down before he rolls it out again into a little shiny log. “They tend to hit all the ‘greatest hits’, that’s what Tony calls them. The places in the article. But it works out for the other spots, like the book store, because then the tourists think that they’ve found some great hole in the wall that a reporter didn’t even find.”

Oliver glances down at the briefcase sitting at his feet, emblazoned with his initials and gleaming in the afternoon sun. “Guilty as charged.”

The taffy is a nice, long log now. Ready to be cut. Barry grabs the rounded cutter and starts on the far edge, his cuts swift and precise, a long practiced movement. As close to muscle memory as a person could get with something sharp in their hands.

Or at least as close as Barry Allen could get with a knife in his hand. Because the tip of his left thumb would beg to differ. 

It was fine, they sewed it right back on. It wasn’t really that big of a deal anyway. Though Felicity didn’t think it was funny when Barry suggested that the next big thing would be blood taffy. No one ever tapped into the goth market with candy.

“That’s cool, though. You came because of the article but you still adventured outside of your routine and maybe your comfort zone. I’d be proud of that if I were you.” Also, if Barry were Oliver he’d probably never wear a shirt and spend the rest of his life looking at himself in front of a mirror, Narcissus style. 

“Has anyone ever told you that you’re too nice?” Oliver reaches up to adjust the knot of his tie and Barry’s thumb almost makes a repeat performance. Luckily, it’s just a really thin piece of taffy and not a piece of thumb that rolls across the cool marble. 

“Oh yeah.” Barry laughs, and gives up on cutting anything else while Oliver was still here. He could go ahead and get these pieces wrapped and ready to do, and then no one was at risk of a bloodbath. “All the time. Felicity, she’s the other owner of this place, we split it fifty-fifty, she always tells me that I’m too nice for my own good.”

Then again, Barry thought Fels was way too nice for her own good. But he was too nice to say something about it, so maybe she had a leg up on him. 

“Doesn’t it bother you? Knowing that people might take advantage of you? Or scam you? Or hurt you?”

Barry is pretty sure this isn’t the kind of conversation you have with the guy who runs the taffy shop on your vacation if you have anyone else to talk to. That makes it all the more important that Barry listens. “Well yeah. No one wants to be hurt. But I think about it like this. If I keep the windows closed all the time because I’m worried about rain, then I miss out on all the good breezes I could get, too.”

It’s a weird, mixed metaphor but it seems to sink in, because Oliver is watching him very closely, and with something like respect in his eyes. Nailed it. 

Barry shrugs and reaches across the space between them, holding his hand out to Oliver, palm up. In it, a single wrapped piece of white salt water taffy, rolled up neatly in wax paper, the ends twisted inwards and fanning out, like the candy you would see in a cartoon. “Here, have a free sample.”

He had a bad habit about free samples. Barry just couldn’t help it, he liked seeing kids light up and laugh when they had their first bite. And it’s no different watching Oliver carefully unwrap the piece and pop it into his mouth, his eyes widening briefly in surprise. 

“I know, right?” Barry shifts eagerly from foot to foot, and gives in, popping that thin, misshapen piece from the end of the roll into his mouth. Taffy wasn’t complicated, when it came to ingredients. It was just a few things, and most everyone had them at home. It was the process that made something special out of the ingredients. “You’d think I’d be sick of this stuff, being around it all day. But I’m really not. I love it.”

‘It’ meant more than just the candy. It meant the shop, the street, the crazy dream that he and Felicity jetted off to follow right out of college. Barry’s life was kind of crazy and he wouldn’t trade that for anything. 

“I can see that.” Oliver doesn’t speak until he finishes chewing and swallowing his piece of candy, unlike Barry who had no problem speaking behind his hand with his mouth full. Oliver takes the candy wrapper and smooths it out flat in his palm before he places it on the top of the glass case, sliding it back towards Barry with the tip of his index finger. “And I’d like to see you again.”

Wow. That was smooth as hell. Barry needs a second to parse the fact that the very attractive businessman was looking at him like that. Like Barry was another piece of candy that he wanted to unwrap. “Barry.” Oliver’s voice cuts through all those wild, tumbling thoughts. “I want you to write your number on here.” Oliver taps the piece of wrapper.

“Oh!” Yeah, Barry was not picking up on that. He laughs nervously, ducking behind the counter and nearly braining himself on the glass before he’s able to find a permanent marker on a low shelf. Barry scribbles his name across the square, and his phone number underneath it. 

Even if Oliver changed his mind and never called, even if Barry never saw him again, this whole afternoon would be worth it to see Felicity’s face when he told her the story about getting hit on by the suave businessman in the middle of the afternoon on a Monday. 

Definitely worth it.

[animatedminds]

Scoob! Review

Apologies: I watched the movie  two weeks ago, but forgot to write this because I was so busy doing the Dragonball FighterZ thing. But, with that out of the way...

An interesting ride. As a longtime Scooby Doo fan, it was pretty much a given that I would watch this installment by the Warner Animation Group as soon as possible, and I had a pretty good time - albeit with some issue. It’s a fun Scooby adventure, mostly focusing on Scooby and Shaggy, as they go on a new kind of adventure. It’s full of fun references, super charmingly animated action scenes, and lots of humor that actually nails the characters’ goofball antics without diminishing them as the butt of the joke - which is something the previous theatrical series was hit or miss about - which which is also hampered by the fact that it doesn’t really give itself enough time or space to really make any of those things shine.

Spoilers, but only a couple.

The first thing we ever heard about this movie years ago was that it was conceived as a dramatic retool of Scooby Doo into a out-and-out spy series, in order to set up a Hanna Barbera cinematic universe a la the MCU (which, given that they already had a shared universe they could adapt in Future Quest, hit a little hard), giving the impression that Scooby was going to be a pastiche of James Bond. It’s very obvious from the finished product that this concept was since heavily changed, but you still see it in the film. The gang is still the same-old gang - a bunch of kooky teen mystery solvers - but plotwise it’s very much “what if instead of solving a mystery, the gang just fought a supervillain?” Which, let’s be clear, is not unheard of for the franchise: see Scooby Doo and the Cyber Chase for another story that’s mostly just “fight a cool bad guy, with a tacked on mystery,” or the other Shaggy and Scooby-centric stuff like Ghoul School or Reluctant Werewolf for other movies that just plain eschew their usual setting entirely - this is a lot like those. It’s centered around the two characters’ relationship, like pretty much every theatrical Scooby release it seems, as this new challenge almost breaks their union, and the group as usual does very well in that kind of action. Faced with an army of dimwitted robots that can go from silly to terrifying multiple times in the same scene, Scoob and Shag’s typical mix of silly bumbling with surprisingly - and destructively - clever antics make for some great scenes, my favorite being a madcap chase through an amusement park that ends with them getting away on a ferris wheel that’s been knocked of its hinges.

This is very much a movie that wants to be a Hanna Barbera crossover, but is trying hard to restrain itself. As a kid Shaggy was a fan of the Impossibles (who, iirc, were once intended to get a movie as part of this universe) with models and posters that the camera never completely focuses on, you see Laff-a-Lympics on an arcade machine, references to classic Scooby writers and actors as location names (I laughed at Messick Mountain, and the Takamoto Bowl outright went over my head at first), even little things like Scooby bowling like Fred Flintstone or the blink and you’ll miss it appearance of Yankee Doodle Pigeon - and yes, Captain Caveman shows up, fully voiced by Tracy Morgan and kicking butt for a very short scene, with one of his show’s supporting characters (Dee Dee Skyes) as a prominent in this movie’s plot. There’s even musical references in addition to visible ones: at one point, the movie even orchestrates one of the classic bits of Scooby Doo background music. I was hoping for a reference to the classic Scooby Doo / Blue Falcon theme, but alas that was one nod we didn’t get.

However, this approach does work especially well with Blue Falcon - who was originally built up through Scooby Doo, sharing a timeslot, advertisement and technically a theme song, and in time has more or less become to Scooby Doo what Donkey Kong is to Mario: technically a supporting character, but able to do his own stuff every once in a while. There have been several Blue Falcon Scooby Doo crossovers in the last few years (though in terms of sheer number of references this movie’s got nothing on Mask of the Blue Falcon), and they’ve all been very fun as each show, movie or comic reinterpreted the character to fit their specific world - and this movie’s novice Blue Falcon who is kind of an egoistical loser, but turns out to have a lot to learn even from Scooby and Shaggy’s brand of cowardly bravery, grows on you even if he has kind of a rough initial landing.

Unfortunately, this is also a movie that very much wants that rigid hour and a half timeslot, and has absolutely no interest in a going a second longer - and that’s where it’s problems come in. I’ve said before that animated films have become more and more written with expediency in mind: plot points are rushed, denouements are minimized, side or even main characters might not get much utilization, and sometimes things come of as just kind of happening to the protagonists without much set-up. Even the best or the best animation companies fall into these traps at times, and this movie is a good example of what it looks like if you fall into that too much. Take the Scooby gang - Velma, Daphne, and Fred. They’re not really fleshed out that much in this movie, even if they were tweaked a bit with their new VAs - but that’s not necessarily a problem in itself, given the heavy focus on Scooby and Shaggy. What’s more noticeable is where this intersects the plot: for example - one of the better examples of what I’m talking about - the scene that kicks off the whole story. Fred, Velma and Daphne want to expand Mystery Inc, and call Simon Cowell to invest in them. Cowell decides Scooby and Shaggy are incompetent because reasons, and the two storm off. This is later framed as the gang abandoning the duo, that’s not really what happens. Once Cowell hits the scene, beyond one or two lines the rest of the gang essentially ceases to exist, and barely reacts to anything: there’s no moments with them where they seem to buy into what Cowell is saying, there’s nothing beforehand that implies that they’re dissatisfied with Scooby and Shaggy, there’s isn’t even really a status quo for what their dynamic is like. We cut straight from them meeting as kids to them having a supposed fight as adults - this is something that wouldn’t have taken a lot of time, but would have strengthened pretty much everything, from Scooby and Shaggy’s reaction to the trio’s guilt later, but is skipped over entirely. The others get very little beyond being summed up as “the muscle” (Fred), “the face” (Daphne) and “the brains” (Velma), and it feels less like expediency and more like we missed a scene somewhere.

Granted, this particular thing also runs a unique problem that the Scooby gang face. As characters who just turned fifty and who are well entrenched in pop culture, adaptations often assume you know who they already - and this movie definitely assumes you can do its work for it and establish a baseline for the Scooby gang on your own... and on that front, I suppose it does better than the previous film series, which based a lot of its humor on fandom in-jokes they poorly assumed everyone agreed with. But... there’s a degree to which every film needs to establish a baseline for that it itself to trying to do, and I think skipping this hurt the film more than it should have. And it’s hardly the only point where the need for speed cuts out the flow of the film. Scooby and Shaggy get abducted by Blue Falcon, whose assistant then promptly exposits on everything the audience doesn’t know yet about the plot so that they can just skip straight to more action - basically setting up a question and then answering it immediately without set-up. This essentially robs Dick Dastardy - definitely the best thing about the movie - of a strong introduction, in favor of, again, expediency, and it’s kind of baffling given that there’s later scenes where the rest follows the mystery and so repeats that exposition anyway. I mentioned that Blue Falcon himself got a rough initial landing, and that’s because his intro scene is just a lot of new element popping in with exposition, interspersed with pop culture references - and that exposition just stops the whole thing cold for a while. We hit again the “expects you to know” angle with Falcon himself, who is a legacy character of the original Falcon - who we never see, which raises the question of why they bothered to make him a legacy and not just a novice hero in the first place. I’ve always been a strong believer that you can introduce elements without needless explanation unless who introduce concepts that suggest explanation: Scoob and Shag being a fan of the original Blue Falcon, Dynomutt constantly reminiscing about him, and there being a full Falcon organization around which the movie pivots, along with lots of reference, suggest the need for at least a little more than we got - even if it’s just a thirty clip of the way Blue Falcon worked before Brian (the new Falcon) came along - but the movie just wants to rush past it. The entire quest on which the plot is centered it halfway through when we first encounter it, and doesn’t get any explanation at all until halfway through the movie. And then there’s little things like  Captain Caveman cameo, which just leave you wanting more.

This happens again and again, with plot points, characters, all sorts - things introduced halfway and then brushed past as though they’re not. People don’t expect much from animated movies, and stuff like this is one of the reasons why - this movie feels sometimes like it was written for tv, which is ironic given how it ended up being released. But the movies that were themselves DTV or released to TV, like Shaggy’s Showdown or Legend of the Phantasaur, the aforementioned Mask of the Blue Falcon or - my perosnal favorite - Moon Monster Madness, even tend to not have these problems themselves, because they’re more measured and precise about what they want to introduce and why. It’s great to be childish, as long you do childish well.

But now that the criticism portion of the review is done, I will say that this doesn’t hamper the movie’s desire to be fun and easy to follow, it just makes it not as much so as it clearly could have been. If you wanted more Falcon, or more Scooby and Shaggy, more Mystery Inc shenangians, more Dastardly, more adventure, more of a certain gag or humor, more of really any of the movie’s best points, you weren’t getting them that much because the movie was trying to do all of them all at once. But one the movie starts getting traction, about halfway through, that starts to fade as everything coalesces. All the characters meet, we finally know what the heck is going on, and it’s just a straight shot to the end with lots of what this movie does best: cool visuals, silly characters doing silly things, and brave characters doing brave things. Much as I wish there was more to the Captain Caveman segment, it’s one of the most visually hilarious parts of the movie, with the stark contrast of these hi-tech, modern character colliding with these explicitly more cartoony prehistoric designs and antics, and its just wonderful. Everything about Dick Dastardly’s story is great - though I was wishing for a Penelope Pitstop reference - and he even gets a heartwarming conclusion to the whole thing.

I don’t know where the series is going after this - whether they do indeed intend to make more Hanna Barbera movies in this vein. The credits teased Johnny Quest, Frankenstein Jr, Grape Ape (who according to concept art was supposed to be in this one), Atom Ant, and even a bit of Wacky Races, and it’s clear they have the love for classic Hanna Barbera to make it happen. I just hope that if they do, they go with a series who can expand this in a more concise way, with a little better character introduction. I’ve still got my fingers crossed for Future Quest.

The film is still very recommended by me. I loved it, I watched it twice, and it a heck of a lot of fun even with its hang-ups. If you haven’t seen it, there are worse ways for a parent, a kid, or just a big ol’ child at heart to spend an afternoon.