#they’re like that one couple in their honeymoon period that talks about how in love they are because they’ve been dating for a week

[im-still-watching-anime]

atsushi: we’re going to win because of how well we know each other tee hee have you heard about how many times we’ve had to kill each other??

ivan, literally surgically no thoughts head empty: what no i literally could not care less

[doomed2repeat]

Bridgerton Spoilers Below:

Guys…every couple on this show has something come between them until the 11th hour. We got more happy Polin than any other couple on the show if we’re being entirely honest. Y’all wanted Penelope to spend half the season making Colin grovel over one bad comment but are upset that Colin was in his feelings for 2 episodes about a huge lie that Penelope didn’t even tell him about so he had to find out on his own?

In comparison- Penelope overhears Colin say he would never court her. Penelope ghosts him for at least 4 months during the off season, and stays mad at him for about one full episode, since he apologizes at the very end of episode 1 and she forgives him. Colin finds out Penelope is Whistledown, that she’s been lying to him and keeping secrets, that the queen has nearly discovered her and is coming after his family, and that Penelope wants to keep writing despite it all, and he speed runs anger to acceptance to pride in about 2 episodes, all while still managing to express his love for her in the small ways he feels comfortable with, like his reassuring looks during the wedding ceremony, or dancing with her at the reception.

And I swear the audience of this show has a perception problem more than the show itself has a writing problem. People want this show to be something else, something that it never planned on being and then upset at the show that is IS and blow their complaints out of proportion. How can you honestly say Polin spent ALL of part 2 fighting when Colin doesn’t even find out about Whistledown until the very end of episode 6? They’re only really fighting for 1.5 episodes total, and their honeymoon period in episodes 5-6 is very strong. The engagement party with Colin’s sappy speech, Colin goofing off and then dancing in the church, Colin explaining his love for Pen to his brothers, and later saying he’s so in love that he can’t write, the engagement ring scene, Colin talking to Eloise about how Penelope and their future is the only thing that matters, Colin confronting Portia and that beautiful scene of Polin’s first time. Yes Penelope is going through it because of the weight of the LW secret, but that was full on honeymoon period mushy in-love Colin.

Happy Polin is good, but not at the expense of glossing over the real problems this couple had just to rush us to the part where Colin just becomes Penelope’s cheerleader with no interiority of his own. They gave us and Colin that high so that it could come crashing down with the reveal. We know that Colin feels things intensely and deeply, and while that means he’s excitable and giddy during happy moments, in means that his negative feelings are strong too. If you were into Colin when he careened headfirst off a cliff when he was falling for Penelope, that’s the same guy who careened headfirst off a cliff when he felt betrayed. He’s a sensitive guy, take it or leave it. Colin was not relegated to being a side character by the show, they allowed him to process and feel his emotions fully and make human and true to his character mistakes that actually give his character more agency than the audience who wanted him to get over LW quickly so we could use him for more sex scenes.

And I’m not saying the show is perfect in that regard- the very last sex scene when everything was open and Pen was on top should’ve been longer, the make out session on the street was the perfect opportunity to transition to a second carriage ride that would be more like the books- and I’m not even saying they’re perfect in how they used Luke Newton/ Colin - I would’ve preferred that he was able to stand by Penelope’s side more at the end, they really fumbled on the Polin vs the world aspect of the story we were all hoping for. BUT for a guy who connects sex with emotional closeness as much as Colin does in the show, it makes perfect sense that part of processing his feelings comes with not being intimate with Penelope and for a guy as sensitive as Colin he needed the grace to sort himself out.

[gladerwolfstarkimagines]

Imagine dating Team Avatar

Incluidng: What they do when they realise they like you, how you get together, how they act when you start dating, what they’re like as a partner, what others think of your relationship, how they defend you, the L word, how they react to compliments, family, how they celebrate your birthday, careers, fights, working out together, pets and more!

Dating Ozai’s Agels version here​

Katara

The lovely Katara, she's an overthinker and so when she realises she likes you she overthinks big time! Sure the two of you have great chemistry but what if you're just like that with everyone? You might've told Toph she was your ideal type but does that mean you're really interested in her? Yes she can't seem to get you out of her head but what if she ruins your friendship by telling you?

She's a mess and so enter her loudmouth brother (I say that with love) to the *rescue*

Sokka of course knows Katara likes you and teases her anytime you enter the room. This makes Katara very angry and she nearly always ends up exploding. You somehow never noticed though, you just assumed it was siblings being siblings and had no clue you were anything to do with it.

One day however Katara was in a bad mood and so when Sokka started teasing her about you she lost it. Sokka was also in a bad mood and he snapped back. You witnessed the siblings getting worse and worse and tried to stop it when Sokka yelled "well it's not my fault you're too much of a coward to tell y/n you like her!".

*Silence*

Katara was as still as a statue and that scared Sokka. "Katara...Katara" he said "yell at me or slap me with water. Just say something". In response Katara just ran from the room. Sokka went to follow but you asked to go instead. You found her crying nearby and went to comfort her. Katara assumed it was because you were a nice person until you told her you liked her too. Then Katara beamed up at you, her beautiful blue eyes still shining with tears which you wiped away gently. "Want me to help you get back at Sokka?" you asked. That’s how Katara knew you were perfect for her. 

So the two of you started dating and it was bliss. There’s something called a honeymoon period when a couple starts dating which is where the first few weeks/months are complete bliss and happiness. Well Katara gave you the most honeymoon of honeymoon periods. She is a caring and romantic person so you got special treatment. Every morning she'd compliment you or tell you something new she'd noticed about you like that speckle in your eye or the way you pronounce a word. She'd create adorable well-thought-out nicknames for you and would bring you random gifts like flowers just because. She'd leave small love notes and poems around for you to find to show how much she cares for you. For your one-month anniversary, she creates a small ice sculpture of your favourite animal.

Even after the honeymoon phase Katara remains a caring partner. She's always there if you need to cry or rant about how your day was. She never forgets a single thing you tell her and always smiles when you walk through the door.

Of course she's also always there with her extraordinary healing powers which she uses anytime you get injured or even just for massages sometimes when you’re stressed.

Katara's friends and family love you. Sokka claims he's the reason the two of you got together and calls you his family pretty much from the start. Toph says the two of you were too lovey-dovey but even she has to admit you're perfect for each other.

Aang...has nothing but nice things to say about you two! Of course dating the Avatar's ex-girlfriend is terrifying to say the least. If Aang wanted to he could just drop you down a volcano or air-bend you to Ba Sing Sei but this is Aang we're talking about. He'll always care about Katara and if you can make her happy in a way he couldn't...then he's thrilled. He’d probably even thank you one day for making her smile so much. Honestly he’s the best ex-partner you could ever have!

Katara might seem like the loving caring motherly figure but the quickest way to anger her is to hurt you in any way. Katara is one of the most powerful benders in the world so obviously protecting you physically is a piece of cake and she won’t hesitate to use her bending to lightly knock someone away from you or smack anyone being rude to you. She’s also not afraid to verbally defend you and hell hath no fury like a waterbender scorned. Once you had to physically drag her away from a man she was trying to fight because he made an unsolicited comment about your appearance. He totally deserved to go one-on-one with Katara but you didn’t want her getting into trouble with the authorities again so let him get away with it...this time.

Katara would say "i love you" pretty quickly. She'd probably already have strong emotions for you before you even started dating so when you actually got together it didn't take long for her to fall in love with you. Katara would be nervous to tell you but also wouldn't be able to wait for long. So she'd probably just take you to one side on a random evening and explain she has something to tell you. Her hands would shake while she said it and she'd be watching you to look for any hint of disapproval but when you gasped and smiled she melts.

Katara always blushes when you compliment her and no matter how long you’ve been together she still gets butterflies in her stomach when you do. So of course you do it even more seeing the affect it has on her. Katara isn’t one to big herself up. She just gets on with things and (like a lot of women) never expects any credit for it. So you make sure to always compliment her and try to tell her something you like about her every single day. 

Katara takes you to her tribe pretty quickly because her culture is of course very important. You are a nervous wreck and recruit Sokka for help. You want to learn all the customs and every bit of history so you can leave a good impression. Sokka loves his professor role and takes to it a little too well...he basically becomes mad with power. The night before your journey Katara can't find you and wanders the house you're staying at trying to find you. She hears Sokka's voice coming from the library which is weird because he went to bed hours ago. She steps inside to see Sokka yelling questions at you. "What is going on?" she asked and you both freeze. "Katara...hey" you said and Sokka glared "who dares disturb my lesson?". "Lesson? What lesson?" Katara asked and Sokka shrugged "the lesson to make y/n a master of water tribe history and customs, duh? Now get out! Y/n isn't allowed to leave until she can recite all our past tribe leaders". "Is this why you've been so tired lately?" Katara asked you "you've been sneaking here to study at night?". "And at dawn too" Sokka said "and sometimes in the day if I feel like giving y/n a quiz". "Woah that's a lot" Katara said "y/n you know you don't need to do this right?" Katara asked. Sokka went to argue that of course you had to do this when Katara kicked him out of the room using water bending. "I know I don't have to do this but I want to" you told Katara "I want to know everything I can about your culture so I can respect it and honour it properly. Plus I want your family and tribe to like me so there's that too...I just want to make this visit as perfect as possible". Katara shook her head "that is the sweetest thing I've ever heard but it still doesn't excuse overworking yourself like this". "It doesn't?" you asked and Katara shook her head "not at all! Plus y/n your dedication to being respectful and your willingness to learn new customs is already a huge indication you're going to do great. I think it's really sweet how much you've thought about it and I know my whole tribe will think so too, they’re going to love you!". "You really think so?" you asked and Katara nodded "of course! Plus I'll be beside you every step of the way to help".

Katara LOVES birthdays and always makes yours as special as she possibly can. She’d have things planned from start to finish. You’d wake up to breakfast in bed and do your favourite morning activity together like baking or reading. Then in the afternoon she’d take you out for a nice lunch and you’d open up your presents from her (which are always amazing because it’s Katara). Then you’d go home and do something fun like watch your favourite movie together or play a new game she got you. In the evening, she’d invite all your friends and family around to celebrate. She’d have all your favourite food and drinks and would make sure everything was exactly how you liked it. She’d also be constantly checking up on you to make sure you were having a good time and if anyone and I mean anyone caused a scene or made you unhappy they’d be out of there before Aang can say yip yip. You’d be exhausted by the end of the night but would feel so loved and appreciated.  

Katara might be a little inclined to go overboard supporting you with your career just because typically in her tribe one person worked and the other supported. So you’d have to keep an eye on that and ensure she wasn’t putting your career ahead of her own. You’d encourage her to use her skill as the greatest water bender in the world and she’d set up a school specifically for female benders. Katara would be shocked when you told her career-wise, you’d follow her lead because she hadn’t ever expected a partner like that. You’d work out a balance where you’re both supporting each other and it’s a beautiful partnership.

When the two of you have a fight it's very emotional and intense...but is over pretty quickly. We've seen Katara has a temper and so she'd snap and go from 1 to 100 pretty quickly. You'd both scream at each other for like 10 minutes but then one of you would get upset or say something you didn't mean and you'd both calm down and realise how silly the fight was. Katara always apologises after an argument and then it's like nothing ever happened.

You and Katara do not exercise together. You tried once and Katara got too competative. She’d notice how far you’d ran on the treadmill and want to beat you, so she’d increase her speed. You’d noticed what she was doing and also pick up speed, which made Katara increase her speed again until you were both running far too fast. Long story short you fell of the treadmill, Katara had to heal you and you were asked not to come back to that gym anymore. So exercising seperately works for you! 

I can't see Katara with pets just because she seems a lot more kid-focused than animal-focused. However if you're not kid-focused that doesn't mean you can't get a pet! Katara would be tending to the neighbours' kid while you're busy playing with their dog or something. "Y/n come look at the new baby" Katara called and you nodded "yeah one second...who's a good girl? Who's a good girl?" you asked stroking the neighbour's polar bear dog. You didn't end up getting around to holding the baby and that was just fine with you.                      

Katara is just an incredibly kind and considerate partner. She makes you feel loved and special every day and she really does have the biggest heart in the world. You’re a lucky person. 

Zuko

Zuko doesn't realise he likes you until someone points it out to him and it would probably be Sokka too. He'd see you and Zuko just enjoying each other's company and ask Zuko why he hasn't asked you out yet. "Y/n? Because we're just friends!". "Are you sure about that because you smile every time she comes around". Zuko snorted "I think i'd know if I liked y/n..." then he thought about it for a few seconds and his jaw dropped. "There he goes" Sokka smirked.

Once Zuko realises he likes you he panics. He becomes the most awkward person in the world around you and blushes pretty much anytime you speak to him. You notice something weird is going on and ask Zuko if something's wrong. "Everything's completely fine! Why would you think anything's wrong?" he replied his voice getting higher towards the end. "Just you seem really tense and nervous, you keep pacing around and staring at your feet". Zuko's breath began to speed up and he was in full panic mode. "I have no idea what you mean!". Zuko was getting ready to rush out of the room when you smiled "would you maybe like to go out with me sometime? Like on a date?". Zuko paused "pardon?". "A date?" you repeated "with me". "Sokka told you didn't he!" Zuko cried and you shook your head "not at all...I just heard you talking about it. I didn't overhear the whole conversation but from how you've been acting I think I can guess what you said so...how about it? Would you like to go on a date?". Zuko nodded I'd love to!" and that was that.

You thought once you started dating Zuko would be less awkward but no. He was just as unsure and bashful but he got more confident with time. His only other relationship had been with his childhood sweetheart so of course this was all new to him and you had to show him the ropes a little. He really enjoyed all the stereotypical dates and the first time you got him flowers he nearly cried.

Zuko isn't the most intuitive partner but he has the best intentions. He's not good at sensing what you need or being able to tell your mood from looking at you but he's a fire bender not a mind reader! So communication is really important and the second you tell him you need something, he won’t hesitate to give it you.

Zuko’s friends are happy the second Zuko tells them he’s found someone. Being the Firelord at such a young age can be really lonely, especially seeing as he has no family around…but lately they had noticed a change in him. He’d been smiling more and his shoulder were more relaxed. The pressures of the throne hadn’t been affecting him as much and they all wondered why…until he introduced you.

For Zuko to tell them about you they know he must really like you and when they see you together that becomes very clear. Zuko just brightens around you and for good reason, you’re kind and caring and clearly want the best for him. So they all pretty much accept you into the group right away.

Zuko’s ex Mai is an impressive member of the Fire Nation society, not to mention one of Zuko’s few childhood friends so she’s always going to be in Zuko’s life. Your first meeting Zuko is terrified and has guards at the ready in case Mai decides to play target practice but Zuko should know by now Mai isn’t dramatic. She brings Ty lee as a middle person and greets you formally but warmly. “Welcome to the Fire Nation! Don’t worry we’re not all obsessed with honour like Zuko or permanently peppy like Ty lee. Some of us are normal…or well normal-ish” Mai says “this is the Fire Nation”. You smile at her joke and ask her about her skill with knives and combat. You talk for a good few minutes (which for Mai is like an hour) and then both move on. Zuko lets out a breath as he sees you step away from each but he didn’t need to worry. It takes a lot to make Mai angry and her ex moving on and being happy sure isn’t going to do it.  

Zuko is one of the youngest Firelords in recent history and so he puts up with a lot of people questioning his decisions and he himself as ruler but one thing he does not tolerate is anyone trying to debate his relationship with you. Of course his advisors try the second he announces your relationship and he gives them a strict warning that the next time someone wants to speak ill of you or to pry into your life they will be off the council. He can become a big scary Firelord at times.

Zuko would have no clue how to tell you he loves you. He's so awkward and unsure he'd be a mess. You'd be able to tell something was going on because you'd catch Zuko just quietly watching you or sometimes he'd trail off midsentence. Whenever you asked him about it he'd go bright red and come up with some fake excuse like you had something on your face. Then finally it gets to be too much and he just kind of...yells it at you? It explodes out of him at some random moment and it takes a few seconds for you to work out what he's saying. "You love me?" you asked and Zuko nodded "yeah...unless you don't want me to". You laughed "of course I want you to Zuko and I love you too!". Then Zuko would do that really happy smile (see the photo above) and he'd go around the palace grinning for weeks.

Zuko. Cannot. Take. Compliments.

Even with a gun to his head, Zuko just cannot accept compliments. His brain freaks out when someone tries to pay him a compliment and he will deny all of them. You could literally say “your hair is nice and dark” and he’d disagree. This is a problem because Zuko is a guy worthy on many compliments and you cannot refrain from complimenting him. So your solution is the psychological technique for phobias called flooding. You basically just bombard Zuko with compliments until he begins to accept them. Slowly but surely it works! You’ve get him to stop verbally disagreeing with your compliments and instead he just shrugs slightly which is an amazing improvement. 

Zuko's family is complicated...half of his family adores him unrealistically the other half barely tolerates his presence. Things with Azula and Zuko are still tense but better now they're older and after hearing all his sister went through, you really want to become friends with her. Zuko is shocked because most people run from his sister but not you. At the next family gathering, you notice Azula by herself on the side and go right over to her. You introduce yourself and ask how she is. She seems shocked and gives short answers awkwardly. You do this at every event, just small regular conversations until Azula begins accustomed to your presence. When you and Zuko arrive late to Ty lee's birthday party she sweeps over to you practically sighing in relief. "Thank god you're here! You're the only person at these things I can stomach sober". You chuckled while Zuko frowns "erm Azula? I'm here too". "Yes hi Zuzu, good to see you. Now can I borrow your partner, she’s my emotional support at these things". Zuko seems surprised and looks at you to see if you're fine with it but you're smiling and nodding perfectly happy. "Okay..." he nods and watches as the two of you disappear together. You help Zuko and Azula grow closer and your kind gesture of including Azula in your lives is greatly appreciated by the princess. The two siblings become regular fixtures in each other's lives and it's all down to you.

Being a member of the royal family Zuko doesn’t understand birthdays. In his family each year of a successful reign was more important and only big birthdays really meant anything. So he doesn’t get what you do to celebrate a birthday and at first is opposed to it. “Doesn’t it get boring year after year?” he asked you the first year you celebrated his birthday and you shook your head “not at all!”. Then slowly Zuko started really liking a day only for him. He’d get so excited the days leading up to his birthday while you were secretly planning events and wrapping up his presents. He tried to pretend he doesn’t care but he struggles to sleep the night before because he can’t wait. You notice the subtle changes and when he gasps at having a whole cake just for him he knows the cat is out of the bag. “Okay so I might really like this birthday thing” he admits blushing and you smiled “I’m glad you like it Zuko”.  

Dating the Firelord would make finding a job hard because you never know if they actually want you or the Firelord's partner. So Zuko would make sure to really separate himself from your work so you can tell your company when and if you want to. Alternatively Zuko is totally cool with using his power to get you stuff so if you want to take advantage of dating the sovereign he's all for it! You want a job in your favourite flower shop? He clears a space in the palace gardens for you to practice. You want to become a doctor? All the palace doctors are your tutors. You're interested in geology? Let him just send a message to his friend Toph Beifong to explain everything she knows about rocks to you. Zuko will give as much or as little as you want.

Now Zuko is extremely hot-headed (his element is fire) so fights with him would be pretty explosive and can get heated. This is especially the case when Zuko feels insecure or hurt. He tends to lash out, saying things he didn't mean to say and then instantly regrets it. Afterwards he is distraught and pretty much does everything to make it up to you. He's really mopey when you're angry at him and when you finally forgive him he'd probably cry. He's an emotional boy our Firelord but we love him.

Working out with Zuko would be funny because he has no idea how hot he is when he works out. He has no clue he looks amazing when firebending and so just wonders why you’re staring at him. “What do I have something on my face?” he asked. “No more like you’re not wearing a shirt” you reply and Zuko blushes. “Oh...i’ll put one on. I didn’t realise”. So while you do enjoy exercising with Zuko, you don’t get much exercising done so have to work out on your own. 

Zuko already has a pet...A DRAGON! So he's got the coolest animal companion you could ever want and you'd quickly become involved in Druk's life. Meeting Druk would honestly be a pretty big deal because dragons are so key to Zuko's heritage and his nation’s future so you'd be pretty scared. But the second you touched Druk's nose with your hand you'd feel the warmth radiating from him and you'd feel the bond he has with Zuko making you feel right at home. After that Druk is a huge softie for you and often goes to you when he's done something wrong so you'll protect him from Zuko. He knows Zuko can never say no to you so you're Druk's biggest protector. You also have lots and lots of dragon rides with Zuko which make the most amazing dates.

Zuko is a passionate and emotional partner. He might sometimes do things without thinking but his intentions for you are always good and the second he feels that connection with you that’s it. You’re his everything and he’d do anything to make you happy be that opposing his council or changing the mind of his people. He’s not afraid to make hard decisions for you because at the end of the day, you make it all worth it for him.

Suki

Suki is a boss so when she realised she has feelings for you, she would be pretty upfront and just ask you out. There would be no skirting     around it or awkwardness either.

She'd of course have it all planned though, she's not the leader of the greatest warriors of all time for nothing. She'd have meticulously     organised what she wanted to say and deliver it perfectly. A little too     perfectly...you were intimidated as she made eye contact the entire time     and didn't stutter once! However after she finished she shot you a big     smile which made you relax and of course tell her you liked her too.

That's how you get together! As simple as that.

When you start dating, Suki is amazing from day one. She knows     exactly how to play it and is very cool and relaxed while also making you  feel special. She's the type to leave small gifts with handwritten notes     just because. Also flowers! She will buy you flowers and leave them in a place she knows you’ll find but not bouquets, a single rose or lily because it's less showy and more intimate.

Suki is the best girlfriend ever! As a partner she is intuitive, thoughtful and makes you smile all the time. She's not one to go over the top with lovey-dovey stuff but she always makes you feel safe and wanted. She has a pretty demanding job but she always makes time for you and keeps her promises. You know you're important to her.

Suki always smiled and makes a joke about how right you are when you compliment here but you notice quickly she doesn’t really believe you. She typically brushes away your words hiding behind her smug smile and jokes. Being part of an elite team, she doesn’t know how to admit she, individually has done something right and you aim to change that. Any time you compliment Suki and she brushes it away you stop her.

“You’re so thoughtful” you said one day when Suki bought you some blueberries on her way home just because she knew you liked them. She shrugged “I’m just amazing i know”. You smiled but shook your head “you are Suki, you’re a wonderful thoughtful person who I fall for more and more each day”. That would leave Suki silent and emotional. Slowly but surely she was starting to belive your compliments. 

The warriors would love you! They're all very supportive of one another so would be pleased to see Suki happy and welcome you with open arms. This was a little intimidating considering they were all highly skilled warriors who could kill you in seconds and there were a rather lot of them. So you were more than a little overwhelmed which Suki noticed. She dialled back her excited friends and started introducing you to them in smaller groups instead week by week. She did this gradually and never     got annoyed with you but went completely at your pace. The way Suki     handled your social anxiety made you fall for her even quicker.

Suki's ex Sokka did not handle your new relationship as well. Sokka     can be pretty immature so even though he and Suki parted on good terms he was jealous when he heard you were dating. More so because it made him feel like Suki was completely over him and had left him behind. He basically thought she'd won and he'd lost.

Sokka handled this by being rude to you. He'd make sarcastic     comments about you and anytime Katara or Aang spoke to you he'd huff and pout. However this didn't last long because Katara exploded at him and told him he better not make you feel bad just because he was insecure.

Suki happened to overhear the conversation and she took Sokka to one side and they had a talk about how they'd always be important to one     another and no new relationship could erase all the good memories that they’d had together. After that Sokka was lovely to you and he actually     officiated your partnership ceremony years later.

However when anyone who isn’t her old friend insults you Suki goes all Kyoshi Warrior on them. Suki prefers shows of force so will fight anyone who disrespects you. You had to stop her coming into your work once because you were worried she might put your manager in a chokehold. She’s very  protective of you and won’t hesitate to bring down the full force of Kyoshi on anyone. 

Surprisingly Suki would struggle with the L word. Not because she feels uncomfortable with the emotion but just because she’s not sure how to tell you. She’s quite physical so being verbally vulnerable is scary to her. She’d probably ask her sisters or Ty lee for help and they’d tell her to just take you someplace nice and be honest. 

So she takes you to a place in the Fire Nation where you had your first date. It’d be a nice quiet evening and there were only a few other     people around. Suki is good at hiding her emotions so you’d have no idea how nervous she is. She would eventually build up the courage to tell you she loved you and then reassure you it’s okay if you’re not there yet with your feelings for her. She’d finished her perfectly crafted speech and waited nervously for your response. You of course tell her you love her back and she’d smile so brightly. Then you go on to tell her everything you love about her and she’s a blushing mess. It takes a lot to make your girlfriend blush but you can do it.

When you've been dating for a few months Suki takes you to her home     on Kyoshi Island. It's a pretty big deal considering this place has shaped    her whole life and everyone in the community idolises her but she’s     mindful of what happened with her sisters previously and makes sure you're not overwhelmed. She shows you the training halls and the beautiful beaches. Of course she also goes on for like an hour explaining everything Kyoshi ever touched and you just let her talk. "Sorry..." she     says realising she's been giving a lecture not a tour "am I boring you?". You couldn't resist how happy she looked talking about Kyoshi so you shook your head "not at all, tell me more about Kyoshi's girlfriend Rangi" and Suki beamed more than happy to.

Suki is one of those people who just designs the perfect birthday. She seems to be able to guess exactly what you want and act accordingly.     So one year she throws you a big party sensing you wanted to make it a big event. The next she senses you want this one to be a quieter one so the two of you stay in the house all day and don’t even open the blinds. She’s also amazing at buying presents and always gets you exactly what you want without fail. So much so, you’re sure she’s got someone to follow you or you must’ve said what you wanted in your sleep or something. Suki insists she’s just that good.

Despite Suki having a pretty self-defining career she never let that stop you from pursuing yours. You both agreed that nobody's career comes first and when you were offered a great training opportunity in the Water Tribe Suki encouraged you to take it. You'd be gone for  around a year and would only be able to visit every month or so but Suki told you to go for it. She was so supportive sending you weekly letters and gifts. As her boss was also her friend Zuko, he brought Suki with him every time he visited the Water Tribe and allowed her free time to be with you. Being in a long-distance relationship was hard but the two of you put in the work and get through it.

When the two of you fight it’s not very serious. It takes a lot to make Suki angry, especially because she knows you'd never mean to hurt her and intent matters a lot to her. However we're all human and of course there would be times when you upset her. She'd go quiet and thoughtful and when you ask her what's wrong she tells you. Suki believes in honest  communication and the two of you would always try and talk out whatever  was happening for as long as it takes. You try to never let arguments     fester and handle them as quickly as possible. Suki is nothing if not     efficient.

Working out with Suki would be...hilarious. We've all seen that scene in the Boiling Rock episode where she takes out all the guards, runs up a wall and is basically just amazing. That's her on her morning jog each day. Suki doesn't pull her punches so you realised very quickly working out together wasn't a couple’s activity for you. Instead you go to the park or gym with her and sit at a nearby cafe and wave to her as she does her laps. You read or draw or whatever you like to do and she exercises. Then when she's done you go home together.

Suki is very busy so she wouldn't have time for a high-maintenance pet. I can see her with a cat that the two of you adopted when you moved in together. Suki would be the responsible good parent while you're the     chaotic pushover. "Suki she's hungry, I think I should feed her"  you said as your cat stared up at you. "Y/n we fed her an hour ago, she's just being greedy" Suki replied. You sighed "fine..."  and sat back down. A few minutes later you left to go to the bathroom and made a bee-line for the kitchen...only to find Suki already there. "What? How did you get past me?" you cried and Suki smiled "through Avatar Kyoshi all things are possible...now go sit back down".

You wanted to name the cat Kyoshi but Suki vetos that and you name it Yun instead

Suki is an intuative cool partner. The type you can take to any event because she will get on with the people there and enjoy it. She’s a     delight to be around and at times it feels like she’s your everything. She’s the thing keeping you going each day and the two of you make a very happy partnership. 

Sokka

Sokka takes that typical macho approach to love. When he realises he     likes you, instead of small kind gestures or just telling you, he would     tease you constantly. He'd talk to you every chance he could get and would constantly be joking or messing around. Katara can read him like a book and would just sigh "when are you going to ask her out?". "Ask who out? Y/n! That's crazy! You're crazy Katara!" Sokka cried. Katara just smiled and shook her head. 

Eventually though Sokka would realise imitating your accent or     laughing at your hairstyle (shockingly) wasn't the great flirting     endeavour he thought it was. So he'd ask you to do an activity together     and you'd say yes.

Sokka would have some pretty incorrect stereotypes about dating     which you'd have to help him unlearn. He'd been taught very traditional     things about what the role of a male and female should be in a     relationship and so might not understand what a more liberal view of that   is, but through trial and error (with a LOT of mistakes) he'd learn.

As a partner Sokka is pretty damn adorable. He'd notice every little thing about you and would bore all his friends by telling them things he found fascinating. "Do you know y/n can read things upside down? How cool is that?" he cried making Zuko and Aang frown."See that is pretty cool but maybe not relevant right now..." Zuko said glancing around at the assembled council as this was a council meeting. Sokka nodded "oh yeah got it! I'll tell you about it later". His friends would all sigh about how soppy he became anytime someone mentioned you but it was sweet really and they totally used it to their advantage...

Katara and Aang walked into the room and approached. “Hey Sokka how  are you?” Aang asked. “Fine, what do you need i’m really busy” Sokka     replied. “Oh nothing we’re just stopping by” Aang said and Sokka grunted  in response. “Hey so y/n’s arriving tomorrow isn’t she?” Katara asked.     Sokka immeidately changed. His body language relaxed and he smiled     widely “yeah, I can’t wait!”. “What time is she getting here?” Aang asked and Sokka began to tell them all the details. “That’s good...we were thinking of taking a trip next week. Would you be okay handling stuff on your own?”. “Sure no problem, also did I tell you what y/n said in her letter yesterday? She said the funniest thing...” and that was pretty much how they got Sokka to do anything. 

You got him to reduce his meat intake just by telling him it’d be nice for the two of you to try something new together. Sokka the self-proclaimed     lover of meat gave that up because you asked him to. 

Sokka's friends all liked you pretty instantly. Katara thought you were a saint for putting up with Sokka's dumb ideas and sense of humour.     Aang thought you and Sokka were very compatible and found it funny both Appa and Momo liked you more than Sokka. Toph was of course a little jealous given her crush on Sokka but even she had to admit there was nobody better matched for him than you. So she slowly got over her     jealousy. Zuko liked you because you always treated him like a friend and not like a Firelord. They all thought you helped Sokka be a better person    and made each other happy. What more could you ask for? 

Suki ironically also really liked you. At first Sokka thought she'd be jealous and was wary of the two of you meeting. He even had a whole     elaborate scheme when it was Katara's birthday so you wouldn't meet. Then he saw the two of you chatting by the refreshments and nearly died. He gasped and ran to help you "I think you should go see Katara" he     said to you forcefully trying to pull you away. "Why?" you asked pushing his hand off you "Suki and I are getting acquainted". Suki nodded "yeah we're having lots of fun discussing all the silly stuff you say". "Wait you know who each other are?" Sokka asked and you both laughed. "Duh!" Suki smiled "I'm a trained warrior, I can pick up on things". You nodded "and she's literally wearing her captain's uniform...so that made it pretty     easy". Sokka blinked "and you're...okay with one another?". "Why wouldn't we be?" Suki asked and you nodded "just because Suki's your ex doesn't mean we have to hate each other". "Yeah we're above all that sexist crap" Suki said and Sokka nodded "okay then...carry on" and left you to it. The idea of even being near your ex made Sokka furious so he found this very odd but you and Suki became good friends which was nice. He realised he didn't have to banish Suki just because they'd broken up and that this was a really healthy relationship.

Sokka is protective so if anyone and I mean anyone dares to say a bad thing about you, he’s ready to fistfight. There are 2 problems with this however 

1. he doesn't take into account how badly he could lose a fight. For example when he said your name one day and Appa happened to be passing gas at the same time he took offence. He began yelling at the sky bison and then jumped on Appa, messing up his fur. Appa simply swatted Sokka away and put his paw on him, keeping him rooted to the floor. 

2. Sokka's second problem was he tended to imagine insults where     there were none. Once they were at Kyoshi Island and Aang wanted to go Elephant-Koi fish surfing but the fish weren't there. After waiting an hour Katara suggested calling it quits and Aang sighed "let's just go and meet y/n in Omashu". Sokka didn't like Aang's tone and immediately bristled. "Oh I'm sorry is it such a chore to see y/n? Do you not enjoy visiting her? Has she not always been an amazing friend to you?" he cried. "Of course not I love seeing y/n! She’s a great friend to me!". "So why did you say her name like that?" Sokka asked and Katara sighed "Sokka you know Aang didn't mean it like that, leave him alone!". "I will not stand by while someone insults my partner!" he cried and Katara rolled her eyes "Aang     wasn't doing that!". "I promise I wasn't!" Aang said and Sokka paused "you weren't?". "No I love y/n!" Aang said. Sokka narrowed his eyes inspecting him before he sighed "okay my bad" and moved on, leaving a very relieved Airbender and angry waterbender.

When Sokka realised he loves you he'd plan a whole evening to tell you and of course because fate does not favour Sokka everything would go     wrong and he'd get really upset. 

"Sokka...are you okay?" you asked he continued to angrily beat the curtains which had stopped being on fire quite a few seconds ago. "Yep I'm fine!" he said but you could tell by how high his voice was going that he wasn't. "No you're not Sokka stop!" and you pulled him away from the curtains "I know our date got messed up when it rained and we had to come inside...and when our food got burned accidentally...and when the curtains then caught fire destroying all the beautiful decorations you put out...but that's no reason to get upset". Sokka sighed "but I wanted tonight to be special!". "Why?" you asked chuckling and Sokka slumped into his seat hanging his head "because I wanted to tell you that I...that I love you". You paused "you did?". Sokka nodded "yeah and I wanted it to be a real special occasion we'd both remember for years but I messed everything up!". Sokka you didn't mess anything up!" you said taking a seat next to him "I will remember this night forever and not because of all the fancy things or decorations but because of you...you saying those words are more than enough to make this memorable". Sokka looked at you "really?". "Really" you smiled.

Sokka LOVES compliments and he’s not humble either. He will happily     accept them and agree with you which makes it rather funny. “Sokka     that was so cool!” you cried when he successfully disarmed Zuko in     combat. “I know” he smirked. “Don’t encourage him y/n” Katara     whispered but you just smiled. You knew Sokka just wanted to feel loved  and that’s why he enjoyed compliments so much. However you didn’t want him to get a big ego so you treated compliments with Sokka how a person might handle treats with a dog. Only on certain occasions when it was warranted and that worked pretty well. 

Sokka might be nervous to introduce you to his family at first because he cares a lot about what his tribe thinks of him and doesn't want them to be disappointed he's dating an "outsider". This would be a really big test for you and Sokka because he has to decide what's more important, tradition or you. At first he'd try and keep the two separate however that can't continue forever and eventually he brings you to the WaterTribe. He's hyperaware of everything as you walk to his home together. "Is it just me or are people watching us?" he asked and Katara frowned "nobodies watching us and even if they are they're probably just intrigued about y/n". Sokka nodded but that didn't reassure him. 

Then around his family he got nervous all over again. He was a ball of nerves as you chatted to his father and gran gran. "So y/n what do your parents do?" his gran gran asked. "My mother is a mechanic and my father is a stay-at-home dad". Sokka anxiously watched his elders and saw them pause "so your father stays at home and your mother works?" Hakoda asked. You nodded "yep! In my home couples choose who should stay home and my father wanted to. "That's so cool"  Katara said and you smiled. "It's certainly...different" gran gran said and Sokka nearly choked. "Yes in the best possible way" Hakoda smiled "we're trying to improve the gender equality in our tribe and your home sounds like a wonderful place for us to learn from, please tell us more". Sokka dropped his fork in shock. "Sokka table manners!" gran gran said before turning to you "now dear tell me, how many of your girls are educated". Sokka couldn't believe it. He'd assumed his tribe would hate your ideals but they were more progressive than he thought. After that, he brought you home with him any time he could and even flew his father and gran gran to your home so they could see it all. Your families got along wonderfully and Sokka never underestimated his tribe again.

Sokka also LOVES birthdays but not just his own he adores your own     too. Sokka is a big kid at heart and so he gets more excited for your     birthday than you do. He wakes up extra early and tries his best to make     you, your favourite breakfast in bed. Then he drags you to the living room so you can open your presents. He watches you excitedly while you unwrap them, so thrilled to see what you think of them. He prefers for you to spend your birthday just the two of you and gets jealous when your other friends and family want to see you too. He adores you and so having a whole day where he just gets to celebrate you is amazing in his eyes.

Sokka wants to make it super clear your career is just as important  as his. Growing up that wasn't the typical attitude between males and     females but he wanted it to be. When he was offered a high-ranking role in the Water Tribe he asked for time to discuss it with you and considered  your job. He never assumed to know what you were thinking and listened to you. He put off accepting the job for several years so you could finish     studying and then you made the joint decision to move there. He even     looked into all the careers you could have in the Water Tribe and only     agreed to move once you had one you were really passionate about. Just  liking the sound of it wasn't enough he wanted you to really want to move  and wouldn't accept anything less.

Fights with Sokka are hilarious. He might be one of the brightest minds in the four nations but he also had an immature side and that comes out when you argue. His logic went right out the window and you'd verbally destroy him. This would make Sokka very mardy and pouty which you     found adorable. He’d sulk for a little while but after half an hour or so he wouldn’t care anymore and would be back to normal. 

You quite enjoyed working out with Sokka because he was a big fan of     rewarding yourselves for good behaviour. So you would hardly do any work and then take a nice break. It was basically just an opportunity for you and Sokka to spend some time together while possibly doing a little bit of exercise. Sokka is also totally that partner that likes to set up on the machine next to you. You don’t go around attached at the hip but if he sees you on one treadmill he will come and take the one next to you because he likes being close to you. Sokka would also be a huge hype     man and so you love getting him to spot you when you do weights. He cheers you on constantly and makes exercising easier in every way. 

Sokka would claim to hate animals because of all the mess, smell and noise etc but he would adore the pet you got together. He'd of course     complain the whole time you were buying the pet but he'd slowly start to     melt. You'd catch him covering up the little animal with a blanket at     night or waking up early so he can feed and play with it. He'd even take     it with him on his rounds as councillor and soon they're inseparable.     "Do you remember when I said I wanted a pet and we got one for me?". Sokka looked down where your pet was curled up against him asleep "yeah well they chose me, don't be a sore loser y/n".

Sokka is a fun, unique and witty partner. There’s never a quiet moment when he’s around and nobody can make you laugh or smile like he can. He’s not only hilarious but can be serious and sweet in ways that  send shivers down your spine. You have no doubt he’d go to the end of the     earth for you and no matter your differences, you’re perfect together.

__________

Requested by: @angrypolicetimetravel

So obviously I didn’t include Toph and Aang because they’re both 12 but I really loved writing this for Katara, Zuko, Suki and Sokka! They’re all so fun but have such different personalities. 

[bittermuire]

Be the first who ever did - 2

more unhappily married nessian for the people!!!!!!

read the first part here :)

-

The only word to describe how she feels now is naked.

Cassian holds her hand as they walk through the onslaught of cameras. He doesn’t speak and she doesn’t speak but she feels his mind roiling, a perverse, innate movement inside her chest. He wants to talk to her, she knows that much—he wants to talk it out, let’s talk it out, Nesta, but after last night and I just wish that you could really love me, she’s said enough. He won’t be getting a word out of her.

The second they get into the restaurant she pulls away, makes for Elain’s figure in the corner. Cassian lets go of her. Cresseida snatches her attention halfway there with a fierce hug. “Hi,” Nesta says, voice still a bit hoarse, genuinely glad to see her. Thin, elegant pins sparkle in her snow-white hair. “Congratulations. You look gorgeous. Where’s Alastair?”

Cresseida grins and squeezes her hand. “I lost him fifteen minutes ago, I think Tarquin grabbed him. Oh well. I’ll have him all to myself for two weeks.”

“Ahh, the honeymoon I’ve been hearing so much about.”

“The honeymoon you’ve been hearing so much about!” she laughs, and takes a deep breath. “Truth be told, I’m so ready for this whole thing to be over. The wedding, the parties…” she shakes her head, eyes still elegant and present with appropriate mirth. “Velaris is exhausting sometimes.”

“Believe me, I know.”

Elain joins them, pressing a kiss to Nesta’s cheek and then to the bride-to-be’s. “Hi beautiful, how are you?”

Cresseida smiles. “Ready to be tipsy.”

“Allow me,” she says, and with a wink dives into the crowd, cutting a line straight through to the bar. She emerges in record time with three flutes of champagne.

Nesta gives a startled laugh and takes one. “You’re magic.”

“Cauldron-blessed.”

“I’m being summoned,” Cresseida says wryly, and gestures to her tall, handsome brother, standing on the other side of the room. Alastair and a short, dark-haired woman are with him.

Then, Mother help them, Feyre materializes out of nowhere in a silver sparkly dress that leaves scandalously little to the imagination and looks, admittedly, stunning on her. “Oh my god, I have to tell you guys something. Fucking Azriel, of all people, has a girlfriend—” She stops and frowns, staring at Tarquin, a bit flushed. “Who’s that girl? With Tarquin.”

“Oh, that’s Nuan,” Cresseida tells her. “She works in Thesan’s court.”

“They’re dating?”

Cresseida nods and takes another sip of champagne. “For the last couple months, yeah. I really like her. I think he does too.”

There was a period of time before Rhysand, after Tamlin, when Feyre’s attention was caught utterly and incandescently on Tarquin. He was younger, much more her speed. He seemed to intrigue her and kept her guessing. With an energetic mind as quick and eager as a butterfly, Feyre inexhaustibly grew bored and he was good for her. Nesta doesn’t know the extent of that relationship. She only ever met him briefly.

Then this, too, was severed almost violently by the bond with Rhysand clicking into place. Tamlin had been nobody; Tarquin become nobody too. Rhysand was everything the moment they met. Rhysand is her entire world, the love of her life, her beloved mate.

And yet, Feyre watches the girl—Nuan—with cold, exacting eyes. That ferocity she bundled deep inside herself, that intensity she conquered within herself to belong—Nesta watches it emerge, watches her little sister, ruddy and tough, almost, nearly—

“I’ll see you guys later,” says Cressieda, waving at the brink of the crowd. “Get drunk without me!”

Nesta smiles and turns away as well, entirely without the patience necessary to entertain Feyre’s company tonight. Elain follows her and links their arms together. She doesn’t feel like speaking. This is something her sister seems to understand as they go to a smaller table in the corner of the vast, loud restaurant. They position their chairs close together to face the rest of the room; to guard their backs, to observe the crowd, both, neither; Nesta’s head is pounding with a worry that isn’t her own, a sick cold spreading through her veins. Her eyes fall inevitably on Cassian. He’s standing with his beloved brothers, hands in his pockets, laughing. He’s so beautiful it pains her. He smiles like it isn’t painful.

He looks at her, then. Sees her already looking. Across the room his smile drops, his eyes soften, his brows pull together. He makes as if to come to her.

She looks down, looks away.

.

By midnight the guests have dwindled to a generous twenty. Nesta twirls her wine glass. On the abandoned dance floor, Alastair holds Cresseida with blinding love as they sway. Elain is talking animatedly with the bartender. Feyre is nowhere to be found—come to think of it, neither is Rhys. She can see half of Azriel through the back door propped open, talking on the phone, crouching on the concrete with a cigarette. It glows red.

And Cassian, silent, a palpable presence in her body, stands as he has been on the other side of the restaurant, talking with Tarquin and the girl, Nuan. He leans against the wood of the bar and gesticulates gracefully as he speaks. His mouth moves in that beautiful way; she can almost hear his voice, low, even, steady.

Maybe she’s tired. Maybe the dam broke last night and now the world is ending. But her heart burns and her eyes burn, too, tears threatening to well up and fall. She drops her head, panicked and sad, tired of being sad. She went three years without shedding so much as a tear—she can last this night.

Her chest twinges; she looks up to see Cassian walking towards her. Alarm jolts within her, joins arms with squeezing pain, derelict, real.

She went to the doctor, once, when the bond had only recently snapped. She was experiencing chest pains, heart palpitations, headaches. Her blood was hot. Her body was cold. There was something inside of her that she had to get out, somehow. She’d sit on the bathroom floor, hunched over the toilet, fingers down her throat, trying to eject the pain.

He holds his hand out to her. “Will you dance with me?”

Wordless, she goes with him.

He holds her in the classic style. This is what she learned in her mother’s sitting room. Now, gratefully, that most of the party has gone, the music can be heard. It lingers softly in the air—cello, violin, solemn like a dream already being forgotten. She’s tall, but he’s taller. With a sigh she rests her head on his shoulder. He tenses.

He softens, and pulls her closer.

“Nesta,” he murmurs. His fingers twitch on the small of her back. “Can we talk about last night?”

She huffs a laugh. “No.”

“We’ve got to talk at some point.”

“Talk with yourself. I’m done.”

His hand moves hesitantly to her upper back, where her skin is bare, fingers skimming soft and cautious. “There are things I need to tell you.”

“You’ve had three years, Cassian,” she says lowly. Like always, he startles at the sound of his name. “It’s too late for either of us to make an effort.”

His chest swells and she knows he’s about to make some clipping remark, a towel over her mouth. She braces herself for it. It doesn’t come. His hand slides down again to the small of her back, although the heat of his skin still manages to seep through the fabric.

“Tell me what you want,” is all he says.

What does she want?

Does she want anything?

She used to want love, more than love she wanted happiness, more than happiness she wanted stability. She’s been given a husband, a house, a city in which she can live at the sparkling epicenter; she’s been given money, status, sway; she’s been told, we’ve found a man to love you, we’ve filled your bank account, we’ve picked out clothes for your closet, she’s been told, in words and glances and silences and taut, fierce, ordering voices, there’s no reason for you to be sad now. Is there anything worse than what she is? The oldest sister, unfailingly terrible? A disappointment, too stubborn to give in. She used to wonder—perhaps she’d be happier if she let Feyre reign. Soften to be made again. So, out of tiredness, she took Cassian, accepted him into her body.

So she sheltered his heart. Her lungs stretched to fit his breath as well as her own. Souls, entwined, struggling for room. So he sheltered her.

Hand-in-hand they go together, to parties, to galas, to luncheons, to surprise interventions followed swiftly by tea and pastries. They have sex on regular intervals and it’s fine. He isn’t gentle but he isn’t hard. She can extricate, easily, pleasure from him. She doesn’t know if she’ll ever like it, if pleasure is something her body knows. All she feels is the heat of him on her skin and beneath it as well, his languorous passion, bitter and gratifying, in her mind, in her hands, in her soul, if such a thing exists.

And so he holds her in a dim restaurant and says, Tell me what you want. Says it as though she could be expected to answer.

She lifts her head and looks at him. His eyes flit vigilantly over her face.

“I want,” she says, “a bottle of the wine served tonight.”

To his credit he doesn’t look angry or surprised. He nods stiffly. “I’ll arrange it,” he says.

She pulls against his grasp and he lets her go.

.

Late that night they’re lying in bed. She can tell he’s awake. She’s lying on her side, facing away from him.

“Cassian,” she whispers. Her voice sounds soft even to her in the darkness.

A small pause.

“Yeah?”

“You have to understand, it’s…”

Another pause, heavy with expectation.

“You can tell me.”

She blinks. There’s nothing for it. All that anger, it’s as though it’s now been replaced by a screaming urge to be understood. She pulls the sheets closer around her.

“I used to like you. I had a crush. You were a storybook character to me, a prince from a fairytale.” She takes in a shuddering breath. “And you were—gentle, with me. You were kind and I hated everyone and I wanted you to like me back. I knew you wanted to sleep with me, but I ignored that, I think.”

“Nesta, I—”

“Then the bond happened,” she tells him. “It’s different for men. You have… urges. You walk around getting horny and overprotective. For me I thought I was dying. The only guy I ever really liked was now practically inside me. And you went on living your life.” She shakes her head, swallows. “I lost you. You might have liked me. I knew you’d never love me. I thought, I’ll grin and bear it. At least I’ll live comfortably. I won’t have to work. Well, anyway.” She closes her eyes. Her voice pitches up, the tell that she's about to cry. “There’s nothing I want anymore. I don’t know what I want.”

The sheets rustle, the mattress dips. She feels him closer to her.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”

“You were in my head,” she hisses, feeling stupid.

“You kept me out,” he says lowly. “And besides. No matter what Rhys tells you, minds are indecipherable. I could submerge myself in your head and not understand a thing. I’ve only ever felt shadows of impressions of feelings from you.”

She frowns and takes a breath. “You’re telling the truth?”

“Yes.”

“Then why does Feyre go through my head?”

There’s a brief, menacing silence.

“What did you say?”

“Periodically, Feyre goes through my head. To check if I’m hurting myself or plotting treason, is what I’ve always guessed.”

“And you agreed to this?”

She laughs dryly. “I haven’t agreed to a lot of things.”

“Do you let her in? How does she do it?”

“She’s my little sister. She’s clumsy at loving people. A family trait. I crack open a door in the corner and she very stealthily sneaks through.” Nesta smiles, despising herself. “Like a gyn appointment but worse. At least you make an appointment for those.”

Then, blessed Mother, she starts crying again, as predictable and irrepressible as an infant screaming for food, for love, for warmth. It’s quiet this time. No shaking, horrible sobs, only salt and water leaking from her eyes, making the darkness blurry.

“Nesta,” he says softly, which, of course, only makes it worse.

She rolls onto her back, pressing her palms into her eyes. “Oh, god,” she laughs. “Oh, god help me. I’m so tired. Maybe I’m still sick.”

“Then let’s sleep,” he says, hesitantly. “I’m sorry, this is a conversation for tomorrow. Want me to go to the guest room?”

She can’t find the words and covers her face with her arms. When she was little her mother didn’t like her to get her hair cut short. Shining hair swirling thick and smooth down her child’s body. She used to grab it in her hands and cover her face with it, like within her flower-smelling hair she could disappear; she would slip between the hanging laundry sheets of the world and no one would find her, not a soul.

With placid fingers he eases her arms away. She opens her eyes to see him above her, blurry and reliably beautiful. She wants to lose her memory. To start over in this bed.

Brow furrowed, he brushes her hair back from her face, painstaking and gentle. She looks at him all the while, examines his face. Such calmness. Dark eyes, darker lashes. His mouth is turned down. How many times has she kissed that mouth, felt its heat?

He bends and presses a kiss to her forehead. “I’m sorry,” he murmurs, breath fanning warm over her skin.

She takes a shaky breath. “I have a cellphone,” she whispers. “I have a college degree in literature.”

“I know.”

“A mate bond is a myth, Cassian.”

His mouth tenses. “I know.”

“I’ll always hate you.”

“I know,” he murmurs. “I love you. I mean it.”

She swallows. “Sleep here tonight.”

“Alright.”

She rolls back onto her side. She wonders drowsily where she went, where her anger and horror and bitterness went. Sometimes she thinks she feels it in her throat or her stomach; the reaction is split and swift; kill it, kill it, kill it; clutch it tight, Nesta, never let it go.

Sleep gathers her like a child gathers a stray bird’s feather into her basket.

-

they're so bad at communicating it makes me laugh and also cry

[choicesmc]

Channing and Sawtooth have such stark different approaches to romance and it’s genuinely baffling to me how they operate. Channing has very romantic ideals about it all. He wants to protect his boy, be the sawtooth’s rock, make sure sawtooth never has to lift a finger again. Did he have a rocky start? Yes, but that only doubles his tries to make up for his shitty beginning.

And then there’s Sawtooth!! Sawtooth honestly never considered themself in a relationship. They never really thought they’d end up in one + was perfectly content like that. While Channing is trying to restructure his life around Sawtooth (<- a tad of an exaggeration but still holds), Sawtooth follows a more “accessorial” understanding of romance: not need but nice to have.

This wildly crashes and I think the beginning of their relationship unduly suffers for it. Channing wants someone who lean on him + Sawtooth expects someone who’ll walk with him and neither are getting that. In return, the first couple weeks of them really being together post book 1 is just them being pissed at each other with intermittent periods of love.

Why not talk it out? Because fighting was how they flirted! They liked going back and forth with each other!! Channing gives orders and Sawtooth rails against them and Channing doubles down and Sawtooth rails again until they’re both satisfied. Neither of them really realized that there was an honest to goodness problem until one of their fights turned physical! Channing’s inexperience with serious relationships + Sawtooth’s general inexperience with any relationship made them both brush off the near-constant anger as their version of a honeymoon phase.

And like, both of them are determined to make this work. Two people with radically different warnings from a relationship but still invested in making it go somewhere. It won’t be peaceful and I don’t think they’ll ever quite reach that perfect balance. They’ll always be trying to tug the other to just their side of romance… and that’s why I think they work?

Neither of them could genuinely handle being in the sort of relationship they envision without it gently becoming something else. For Channing, having a partner that does swoon over his every move and does depend on him for safety/protection would eventually feel like taking care of another pack mate. If Sawtooth was with someone who treated their relationship with as he did? They’d even eventually solidify as friends. Maybe queerplatonic ones, but platonic nonetheless.

To be clear, neither of these are bad things. They are pretty good outcomes! My point is, if Channing and Sawtooth’s romantic relationship followed the path either of them wanted it to take, then it’d eventually cease being a romance.

And that’s what baffles me, how do they play this tug-o-war for so long? how do they not quit at some point? how do they do this thing that keeps the dynamic ever shifting in similar ways just different enough that it’s always new?

[orangerosebush]

I recently remembered the following scene in AF (book one) with Artemis, Butler, and Juliet:

“Well, the thing is, Artemis,” she said hesitantly, twisting a strand of blond hair in a way that several of the local louts considered extremely attractive. “The bit about leprechauns.”

Artemis frowned. It was a bad sign. “Your point, Juliet?”

“Well, leprechauns. You know they’re not real, don’t you?”

Butler winced. It was his fault really. He’d never got around to filling in his sister on the mission parameters.

Artemis scowled reprovingly at him.

“Butler hasn’t already talked to you about this?”

“No. Was he supposed to?”

“Yes, he certainly was.��Perhaps he thought you’d laugh at him.”

Butler squirmed. That was exactly what he’d thought. Juliet was the only person alive who laughed at him with embarrassing regularity. Most other people did it once. Just once.

Artemis cleared his throat. “Let us proceed under the assumption that the fairy folk do exist, and that I am not a gibbering moron.”

Butler nodded weakly. Juliet was unconvinced."

Each time Juliet laughs at Butler in a way other people cannot, the teasing highlights that they have a relationship with one another that is different and closer than their relationship with other people in their lives, people whom the siblings would not allow that kind of liberty.

In contrast, look at how cautious Butler is with Artemis in that same scene from AF! Butler staying quiet and shifting his weight uncomfortably would neverrrr happen post-TEC, IMO.

Like, look at this scene from TLC:

“Butler glanced at a passing couple, who were bewitched by Spain and young love. The man had a camcorder slung round his neck. Butler fingered his third button guiltily.

‘We may have ruined a few honeymoon videos,’ he noted.

Artemis shrugged. ‘A small price to pay for my privacy.’

‘Was there a third point?’ asked Butler innocently.

‘Yes,’ said Artemis, a touch testily. Still no sign of the individual he was expecting. ‘I was about to say that if there is a gunman on one of these buildings, it’s that one directly to the rear. So you should stay behind me.’

Butler was the best bodyguard in the business, and even he couldn’t be a hundred per cent sure which rooftop a potential gunman would be on. ‘Go on. Tell me how you know. I know you’re dying to.’

‘Very well, since you ask. No sniper would position himself on the rooftop of Casa Milá, directly across the street, because it is open to the public and so his access and escape would probably be recorded.’

‘His or her,’ corrected Butler. ‘Most metal men are women these days.’

‘His or her,’ amended Artemis.

It's so fun to see how late- and post-series Artemis kind of occupies a similar(ish)** role as Juliet for Butler. Let me explain!

Butler is 18 years older than Juliet, and then 22/3 years older than Artemis. Not to mention, you have Artemis and Juliet having had either one or both of their respective parents absent for significant periods of time during their young lives. Although Butler was a guardian of Artemis at one point in time, there's a reason*** why the French translation of AF has Artemis use "vieux frère" for Butler. Artemis and Juliet exist for Butler in this nebulous category of younger sibling-slash-ward, and I think that complexity makes their importance to Butler all the more interesting.

** The whole "Artemis is technically Butler's boss and thus often is telling Butler what to do -- rather than the other way around" thing is a complicating factor when assessing exactly what is the character of familial dynamic they end up developing.

***Admittedly "ami" wouldn't have the same connotation as "old friend", but I do want to highlight the sense of brotherhood invoked in "vieux frère" -- even though I also recognize that "vieux frère" has kind of a continental, "old pal"-y feel to it, which is also why it's something Artemis would say, LOL!

[alyjojo]

Love Reading 🎧 - May 2024 - Leo

Singles:

Who is Coming In: 5 Pentacles rev, The Lovers, The Devil

Regarding: Page of Swords rev

Long-Term Potential: The Hermit

Ick. I just got an ick reading with Gemini and yours is no different, you could have that in your own chart - for some, it’s the strongest energy here as well. If not the sign, then it’s just showing the dual nature of two faces, this person is two-faced af. With the messages, they show up as marriage material, and the surprise is…not a good one. Their real character, over time. Page of Swords rev with The Devil, this is a hardcore stalker, someone obsessive and kinda crazy 🤪 It’s showing up as they’re older than you, but they don’t act it. In fact, they act incredibly immature, childish, they aren’t afraid to strike below the belt and you never know what’s coming with them. It’s great until the rug is pulled out from under your feet and you’re left shocked, like whaaaat are you ON? Page of Swords rev can also show an imposter. They know they have a nice public face, and then the other one. They could be a drinker 🍷 or you are, or that could be part of the problem.

It’s possible they’re a cheater, maybe they’ve been cheated on, they’re definitely a liar so it’s hard telling what’s real and what’s not. They have serious abandonment and codependency issues that don’t just sit on the surface yanno, along with other possible addictions and bs you just don’t need. Long term potential is The Hermit, you don’t talk to them, it’s possible they do or say something immature & childish towards you and you just don’t respond at all. That’s probably the best possible decision, good for you 👏

Messages:

- Marriage Material 💍

- I will surprise you 😯

- Older man/woman rev

BACK STABBING 🔪

- Heartbreak & Pain

- Separation & Loss

- Deception & Lies

- Shocking Attack

Signs you may be dealing with:

Gemini, Taurus, Virgo & Capricorn

Couples:

Them: 3 Swords, King of Wands, 5 Cups

Regarding: Page of Wands

I don’t know what this person did, or probably said, but they are kicking themselves over it, because it hurt you - and in turn you’re over here living your best life while they’re so freakin’ sorry, and missing you, that they are getting the “keep calm and fucking breathe” card 😆 Or, if this is switched, there could’ve been some 3rd party flirting going on and they’re absolutely devastated. You have crushed their soul, this person has soooo many feelings it might make them seem kinda crazy, we’ve all been there on some level. Honeymoon Phase shows up as like…this is how they’re thinking of you, and whatever you two had, it’s paradise. If they fkd up - they know it 💯 If you did, they’re very upset, heartbroken, ruminating, and could be telling you all about it with this Page of Wands. You’re not with them, your choice or theirs, and they’re, like…panicking. Crushed that you’re starting over, or have already.

Messages:

- Lighter skin tone

- I’m a FOOL 🃏 for you

PARADISE 🏝️

- Happiness & Joy

- Playfulness

- Enjoying Each Other

- Honeymoon Phase

Keep calm and fucking breathe.

You: 2 Cups, 6 Swords, 3 Cups

Regarding: The Magician

You are *the* definition of unbothered. Just period. Your messages show you’re low-key still obsessed with this person too, there are definitely feelings between you. You love them, they are the one you’re in love with. Buuuut you’re not opposed to dating around and seeing what’s out there, which is what this person is crushed by, 3 Cups. Queen of Pentacles describes who you’re dating, Queen of Cups with The Hermit shows this person, heavy Cancer here. It could just be a friend too, there might be a message with Page of Wands…something this other person had said, they acted flirty or something, they’re using their Queen of Cups intuition-feelers to sus out this person because they know they’re full of shit. Could be that. Or switch the Queens. If you are together, someone is sus in the friend group and your person is not having it. You seem fine with that, again you’re unbothered, they’re the ones feeling a way. INTENSELY 💯 This person would see this as protecting their peace - if you’re moving away from some flirty coworker or something that dubbed themselves “your work spouse” on a Friday, and your partner went “I think the fuck not” 😆. And you’re no longer friends on Monday.

That’s the visual I was given.

Messages:

- I fantasize about you daily.

- I see you EVERYWHERE!

ASCENDING 🎈

- Learning & Expansion

- Transcending

- Preparing for Union

- New Phase

I’m in an offline state of mind.

Mutual: Page of Cups, Ace of Cups, The Moon

Regarding: 9 Swords

There is genuine love between you, and while you’re not gonna let some flirty whoever come in-between that, ohhh this person will. I don’t see you bothered by that either, there’s no conflict, no deviousness, no secrets - flirty person becomes a problem and flirty person disappears from the group chat, easy & done. You choose this person every time. If you’ve been dating someone else, it’s not quite as simple. You’re both worried about this new thing and how it might affect the old thing - if you were to try to reconnect. I’m seeing it be casual, not serious, but your person may be FLIPPING OUT like it is…because they’re serious, you should be serious (their opinion), and if you’re not, it’s news to them.

You don’t know if they can chill out and start over with you; they don’t know if you can or will fully commit to them; and neither of you know if it’s even possible to cooperate with the other one because of all of the stress on the table. Is new love possible here? Is Ace of Cups possible? I mean…you both already have the 2, so it’s not the love that’s in question, it’s more like, will you both take accountability, do some shadow work, and fully commit to doing this right? Ace of Pentacles & The Hierophant is serious 💯 and it’s like it’s that or there’s no point trying. But *can* it work, absolutely.

SELF-INDULGENCE 🕯️

- Self-Worth & Value

- Time to Heal

- Shadow Work

- Self-Appreciation

Signs you may be dealing with:

Cancer, Aquarius, Gemini, Pisces & Capricorn

[jordanianprincesses]

Hey long time ,

So it looks like the official honeymoon period is over and the JRF is at work, looks like you’ll be getting more content lol. I saw the pics of them in DC.

Anyways I saw a confession on RC and someone is commenting on Rajwa’s features and …. I just thought that particular thought didn’t need to be shared and so publicly. We can’t respond there but I thought I could bring it to you? There is a particular “royal” I don’t like and I’m sure we all have “someone”, (some celebrity or whoever that we don’t like)but I don’t see the reason in going on about her body especially when she provides so many questionable actions.

In Rajwas case I would bet that the person who submitted that is western like myself and is just not used to looking at Arab features or something of the sort. It goes back to when people were talking about the photoshop and contour that makes her look a little “off”.I just brush it off and think “she’s new” the more people see her face and she set her “look” the more “normal”. Everyone has angles that works for them, and we get to hide behind screen names and avatars. And if she changes anything, then she’ll be cursed for it.

I’m surprised that this “bothered” me. 🤷🏾‍♀️ Usually I can ignore it. This could’ve been an honest observation by Anon but it almost never is in these cases. I think jealousy plays a part for sure. In my case all these royals and aristos have something in common that I envy; MONEY. They have so much they don’t have to think about bills. 😅 Forget their relationship because as American pop culture saw this year EVERYONE is getting divorced. I coincidentally ran into a post the other day that showed King Hussaine was married to his first wife(?) who was an architect for a grand total of 2 years. (Just saying).

H&R are the only two heirs or prominent royals in their age group right? Early 30’s? So they’re gonna hold this spotlight for a while I guess it just depends on how the JRF (namely Rania who’s already clapping back on people) handles it.

Thanks for holding a space for my little Ted Talk Rant ✌🏾

Helllllllooooo

Haha finally and hopefully I'll get more content 🙏

I hate it when people comment on royals physical appearances in general. Honestly Rajwa's features aren't weird but she looks prettier from specific angles. That anon tried to tell his opinion politely tbh,

still it was kinda weird to say Rajwa's features are "weird" haha. Unfortunately often time, ppl are subjective and biased when they criticize public figures.

One thing's for sure she won't get the whole world to like her. And as u said if she changes anything about her, she'll be cursed for it ! Some people said she had fillers for Iman's wedding and they started to criticize her. For sure jealousy played a part of the hate Rajwa's facing by some ppl.

Oh money! Lol wish that I had a life quite similar to Rajwa's tbh. Hhhh

Yes I noticed the same about celebrities getting divorced this year ( Natalie Portman, Joe Jonas,... ) I lost faith in love 😔

Yes princess Dina was King Hussein's wife for two years , it wasn't a love marriage though.

Yes they're the only royal couple in their early 30's however I can already see Hashem stealing the spotlight. He's already got thousands of fan girls !

You're always welcome here 🤍

[dominimoonbeam]

No Luck Left

I got this ask from @haradasaya to explore some situations where Alexis and Quinn team up. So, obviously this gets dark. Sam’s been invoked and no one realizes it for a while. Darlin talking to David about their relationship.

Darlin/Sam. Darlin & David.

tags: I mean, I did say Quinn AND Alexis... Sam invoked. Sam/Darlin relationship getting dark.

Posted here and over on ao3.

NO LUCK LEFT

He’d been off for weeks, but Darlin couldn’t put their finger on what it was. They’d asked, of course, but Sam just laughed them off. He said they were looking for problems and they backed down every time, because what the fuck did they know about functioning relationships? If Sam said they were fine, then they were fine.

But something didn’t feel fine.

He wasn’t himself.

They tried to explain it to David but couldn’t really.

“Different how?”

“I don’t know.”

David frowned.

Darlin laughed and scrubbed a hand over their face. “I don’t know. I’m just being paranoid or—”

“No,” David interrupted, surprising them. He was staring at them, still waiting. They hadn’t really meant to earn his full attention. They’d just sort of brought it up when it was just the two of them in the den. “Something is different. It’s bothering you. So, what is it?”

Darlin was surprised. He wasn’t mocking them or downplaying it. He was really asking. They felt heat in their face and looked away. “We don’t seem to spend as much time together. And he doesn’t look at me the same or as much. It’s… He’s always looking away. And…I mean, he used to always be…” They dragged a breath and shifted, uncomfortable, but damn it, they had to talk to someone. They couldn’t look at David, not straight at him. “He used to be…careful with me? Soft? I don’t know. I thought he would have stopped being gentle after the first times but he didn’t not until recently.”

“You mean…in bed,” David said rather than asked. He was doing that thing where he was making sure they were crystal clear. It meant he was taking things ultra-serious. “You’re telling me that your vamp boyfriend has gotten rough with you in bed?”

Darlin winced. That was the first time David had called Sam anything but his name. David had liked Sam. Darlin closed their eyes and pressed fingers to the bridge of their nose, feeling so stupid and exposed now. “It’s not like that… It’s not a problem. It’s just that it’s not how he is. It’s…out of character.” And kind of scary, but fuck if they were ever going to admit that. It had only happened a couple of times and even if he was rough and sudden, it wasn’t like he would actually hurt them. He was Sam. Sam loved them. They resisted the urge to squirm. Sam had dragged teeth over their shoulder last night. It wasn’t a bite. He never bit without asking and he always made sure that didn’t hurt. This had been… an accident? The two thin slices had scabbed over. They weren’t really upset about them. It wasn’t that they hurt. Jesus, Darlin had gotten worse sparring. But… He hadn’t healed them.

Darlin never asked Sam to heal anything. But they’d be blind not to have noticed that he did it all the time. He healed everything bigger than a small bruise. He had said once, after one of the rare times he fed on them, that he’d be damned before he put a scar on them. But he hadn’t healed those cuts. Hadn’t even mentioned them after he was done.

“Okay,” David said, sounding serious.

Darlin chanced glancing at him. This was the part where he tells them they’re overreacting and they don’t know shit about relationships, right? Like Sam had been telling them for weeks now, just in softer words. And if David said it now, told them they were overreacting or just totally green at relationships, that would be it. They would let this shit go. Maybe it was a mood? Maybe they’d just gotten past the honeymoon period of their relationship?

“I’m sending you on the trip with Asher to drive that client home. That’ll get you out of Dahlia for a couple of nights.”

“What?” Darlin blinked, honestly confused. Where had this come from? “Why?”

“I’ll have a talk with Vincent while you’re gone.”

“What?” Darlin asked again, all those nerves they’d been trying to push down bubbling up to the top. This wasn’t normal. Something was wrong. Something was wrong with Sam. “No. I can’t go. If you think—”

“Sam is a good man,” David said suddenly, voice hard and eyes fixed on Darlin.

They stared back. Of course he was. Why—

“Has he left any marks on you? Beyond whatever was usual for you two…” he added, obviously a little uncomfortable with the details but not shying away either. David would not shy away from something important. That was one of the many reasons why Darlin trusted him. He stared and they couldn’t answer because the answer was yes. Their shoulder throbbed under their jacket like it wanted to call out. David growled low. “I won’t make you show me, but you can’t go back to his place or home. I want you out of Dahlia before sundown.”

“Wait a fucking second! I—”

“If he’s been invoked, if his maker is back in town, I will find out and I will handle it.”

“If Alexis was back they would have known.”

“If Sam has been invoked, he would want you to be safely out of his reach. And if he hasn’t been invoked, he and I are going to have a long fucking conversation that you’d rather not be there for.”

Darlin stared, throat tight. No. They wouldn’t want to be there if there was conflict between Sam and David. Sam would never put them in that position. But he also wouldn’t have cut teeth through their skin or used his strength against them.

“You’re going with Asher. It’s only a couple days. I’ll call you after I talk with Vincent tonight. Go grab your shit, Asher’s supposed to be leaving in an hour.” He had his phone out, sending a text that Darlin assumed was to his beta.

“David…” Darlin hadn’t budged, mind still reeling.

David looked up from his phone, holding their gaze. He was so steady. “Trust me.”

Darlin exhaled hard and took a step back, nodding. Their skin ached but what other choice did they have? Something was off. Something was wrong. And if Sam really wasn’t in control of himself… God, that would eat him up. “As soon as you know something?”

He nodded. “You’ll be my first call.”

Darlin sighed but nodded too and headed out. They pulled out their phone as they walked, sending Sam a text about a job and being out of town for a couple nights. And then they headed to their apartment to grab some things. They got a text from Asher. He’d pick them up in a half hour at their door.

They took the stairs two at a time but stopped short of their apartment door, just inside the long hallway. Sam was standing there. It had been cloudy today but still, he shouldn’t have been running around during the day. He should be asleep. He had his phone in his hand and Darlin realized instantly that sending him a text had been a mistake. He lifted his head and looked back at them and they knew, suddenly and completely, that he really wasn’t himself.

“Is it Alexis?” Darlin asked, not taking a step closer. They’d never been afraid of him before, not really, but it had been a slow rising fear these past few weeks. Unease that become unsafe.

Sam frowned. “You don’t understand.” He pocketed his phone, freeing up that hand.

“Oh, I think I do.”

“I love her,” he explained bluntly.

Darlin’s lip curled, growling low in their chest.

“You knew that you and I weren’t going to work out. Not really,” he went on. There was no emotion in his voice. “You’re a mess. Did you really expect me to spend your whole life, as short as it might be, cleaning you up?”

Darlin wasn’t sure what to do. If they stepped forward, this would turn into a fight. They didn’t know how to fight Sam, not even when someone was fucking with his head. These weren’t his words. These weren’t his feelings. Darlin needed to get out of this hall, find Alexis, and rip her head off. That was all. The only problem was, Darlin didn’t know how to walk away from Sam. “So we’re over?” Darlin asked. It didn’t even hurt to say because it wasn’t true. “I understand. I hope you and Alexis are very happy together.” Maybe if they played along, he’d lead them right back to her.

And then Darlin felt it. The emptiness in the hallway behind them, toward the stairwell. It was empty in only the way spaces with dead things could be. Fuck. Darlin turned just in time to see them. Not just Alexis, as if Alexis and Sam wouldn’t be an impossible feat already. Alexis grinned big and Quinn leaned against the wall behind her, looking smug as shit. His gaze flicked to Darlin and suddenly they understood how their whole world had come crumbling down. He was clever and sly. He’d found Alexis and helped them get close to Sam without the clan noticing. And for what? For this moment? For their defeat? Yes.

He pushed off the wall, turning toward Darlin. It wasn’t a one on one fight. It was an execution.

Darlin shifted and ran. Vampires moved fast but they hadn’t expected Darlin to bolt away from them rather than toward them. Darlin went down the hall toward Sam—toward the window behind him. They ducked him just barely, his fingertips sliding off their side. They would throw themself out the window. If they were lucky the clouds would have moved enough to give the vamps pause before following. If they were lucky Asher would already be out there. If they were lucky—

Sam’s body collided with theirs, tackling them to the floor just shy of the window. The other two catching up in a flash.

Darlin realized they’d spent all their luck finding Sam the first time. They’d spent what little they ever had rights to when they got to know him, to love him, to be loved by him. Fair enough, they thought, still fighting despite the odds, still fighting when teeth cut through skin.

They howled. Not to call for help, but to warn any wolf within earshot.

There was no luck left up here.

[deluluass]

Red, like blood. Blue, like love.

Content warnings: rape/noncon; nsfw; bullying; soulmates au

Prompt: 88 & 183

There’s someone for everyone, you’d learned growing up.

 "Remember, blue means happy," your mother would say. "The happiest you'll ever be.”

She liked reminding you about this fact— for it is an indisputable truth, every so often when she could still carry you. You’d be hugged from the back, as she recounted stories of first meetings, serendipitous and life changing in their nature; belonging to those who’ve lived long before you, sometimes even those who’ve only lived in tales.

Mostly, your mother loved telling those involving the people she knew. And if you’ve behaved properly, she would tell you about hers. 

Tracing your palm, starting from the forked lines to the dashed ones on your fingers, she’d say, “These would start to glow like stars.”

“That’s weird!” you’d burst out, shrieking a laughter as she tickled you. 

“Listen carefully,” she chastised. “Blue is for your soulmate, okay?”

And you’d repeat: Blue is for my soulmate.

“Then, mama,” you tugged at her sleeves, “What if it’s really, really bright red! Like! Bloody glow sticks! Say, mama, you see, everyone at the park was talking about the man who died because he touched someone and his hand became bright re— ”

You never brought that up again. What your mother said about it had been enough to never make you forget.

“Tell me if you get red,” she said firmly, clutching your arms as if she feared someone would snatch you away from her. “Red is bad, my heart. Red means run.”

 It hadn’t nearly been as gruesome as your mother made it out to be. 

Case in point, when you turned twelve the couple three houses down your street found out, shortly after their honeymoon, that their palms gleamed a fierce red once they clasped each other’s hands in front of the neighborhood aunties.  

Their marriage ended with a swift and ordinary divorce, a year or so later.

Red: Not just an ominous warning for homicide, then. That was a relief, you’d thought.

Contrary to how your mother framed it, you were thankful, actually. It helped some of your friends escape from potentially hellish relationships. How lucky is it that you lived in a reality where the universe seemed exceedingly benevolent. Though, you sometimes have to question if that generosity extended to everyone.

Fat lot of good it did for you. 

Because, from where you’re standing, it doesn’t have to take some arbitrary and unsolvable scientific mystery to heed that Oikawa Tooru must be avoided like the plague.

Any person in your shoes would be conditioned to do exactly that. 

You’d first met in Elementary. You thought he was the prettiest kid you’d ever seen, with chestnut curls and doe eyes and lashes that swept past his cheeks, and when you’d asked for a hand shake he’d called you “the ugliest girl I’ve ever seen” and “fart face.” 

Recess and lunch were when he’s most fearsome. Spiky burdocks slapped on the collar of your dress; dead lizards in your food; the boy was determined. The worst part was that it always happened when no one was looking. And if someone were, it was his best friend. So when you finally told on him to your mom, both your teacher and the principal simply judged Oikawa as the victim of an attention deprived child.

“Please discipline your daughter,” they told her. “We are all aware of your situation at home, but do ensure that she’s not getting out of control.”

You couldn’t even muster up the strength to defend yourself. In that moment all you could do was swear that you’d never allow anyone to talk to your mother in that way again. 

You moved out of that school. 

You didn’t wait for your palms to flash a warning signal because, somehow, you knew that boys who discover early that they could get away with anything cannot get any better. 

There’d been no way to be sure of that until Aoba Johsai— after a peaceful interim of no Oikawa; no red palm lines (and no blue ones, either).

The proof hit you in the face. Literally. 

“Oi, Shittykawa!”

Heat permeated from your nostrils as you patted your cheek, detached and staring back at the large gymnasium. 

“You hit someone!”

How unlucky did a person have to be to bleed right on the first day of classes? 

You tried to lean forward. “It’s okay,” you slurred nasally, pinching your nose and averting your embarrassed gaze from the boy kneeling next to you.

“Trashykawa! You better hurry and apologize!”

“Don’t be mad, Iwa-chan,” that disgustingly saccharine voice came from behind you, making you flinch, as if the years you’d spent apart had done nothing to purge it out of your system.

In all honesty, you hadn’t really cared for whoever was responsible for the ball that careened all the way to where you were standing, so sure that it had to be an accident. No one in their right mind would want to injure someone they barely knew, especially if said someone is a couple of feet away from you. 

Morally and athletically, it should’ve been improbable. But then you saw who did it and everything made perfect sense.

Iwa-chan. The boy beside you. Iwaizumi Hajime.

If he’s here, then— 

“You,” he whispered. 

“Eh?! Gosh, I’m so sorry!” Oikawa Tooru gasped. “You’re bleeding.”

Time is cruel. It wears down on you, tears you and molds you into something you can’t even recognize, if it decides to. (Fate, more so). You didn’t know if you wanted to cry or laugh, looking at him. If the universe were so benevolent, then perhaps Oikawa Tooru had received all of its favor.

He was beautiful. You’d known this before, but with all the baby fat replaced with sharp yet slender angles, figure lean and imposing even when he’d lowered himself to meet your eyes, Oikawa didn’t seem real.

“I did hit someone, didn’t I?” he pouted, wiping the dried blood atop your lip. “And such a pretty girl, too.”

That volleyball existed should’ve made life better for you. It didn’t. If anything, it seemed that out of the court, when he’s not taking names and being praised like a god, you were his little pastime. Something fun to take his mind off whatever it is he thinks about it. 

The mocking comments, you could handle; every time you’d recite and he’ll interject with something playful and then the entire class would laugh (because he’s Oikawa) and your professor would reprimand him but you could always tell that they, too, are holding in a giggle. 

Those were easy to bear, because although his insults hit way too close to home, it’s just— it’s just so petty.

Really, it’s the aftermath that does the damage.

“They’re like Christmas lights under your skin!” 

This topic pops up every month or so. Most people your age can be lucky enough to meet their soulmate this early. 

“And it’s the most awesome feeling in the world,” your classmate sighed. “When we touched hands? Man. We just- we glowed.”

Then, the others would poke fun, faking a gagged expression, but they’d always ask afterwards, “What happened next?” And everytime, you’d watch from the sidelines. Like an uninvited audience. 

You tried being a part of it once, wanting to share about the time your close friend met her soulmate. But all you’d gotten were side eyes and titters, as if they were laughing about a joke only you didn’t know about. 

“They’re so mean to you.” 

You groaned.

Oikawa was seated behind you, resting his head against his elbow. Everyone was too busy talking about blue lights and destined souls to notice what’s happening at the back of the room. 

He continued, “Not including you in conversations, treating you like an outsider.”

You didn’t bite, focusing on the opened book in front of you.

“Must be lonely, having no one.”

“Oikawa,” you muttered under your breath. “I don’t have the energy for this.”

The silence that came after that was unexpected. You were sure it would be short lived; he’s just gearing up for more. He usually went at it until you’d have no choice but to physically remove yourself from his presence. You’d thought once that that may be why he does this so much. Maybe he still thought you were the “ugliest girl” he’s ever met and he wants you out of his sight. Because Oikawa’s infantile like that.

But the silence stayed, accompanied by the background noise of eager conversations; lingering some more as white, fluffy clouds passed by the glass windows. 

When he broke it, all Oikawa said was, “Soulmates, huh.”

You felt a finger touch your back, drawing the barest of lines over your uniform. He removed them just before you could stand up and leave. 

You disliked those moments with him. 

You disliked him especially when he played. 

Oikawa’s a monster, be it in volleyball or with you. There are times, though, that you’d notice some things that you think you’re not meant to see. Like after a serve— its impact booming throughout the court, he’d have this puzzling expression on his face. 

It looked like....anger. 

He scored a point, right? Everyone’s cheering for him, aren’t they? Wait, didn’t they win?

You thought maybe it’s the adrenaline making him nastier than usual, but sometimes you’d pass by the gym when he happens to be alone. And that anger is still there, punctuated by the sound of the ball exploding against the floor. Jump. Hit. Spike. Jump. Hit. Spike. He’d do it, again and again and again. 

As if he’s trying to grasp something even he cannot reach. 

Those instances should’ve taught you that the best thing to do is look away. 

That’s what you should’ve done. Look away.

They lost the Interhigh tournament.

You knew this not because you’d watched, but because for one day, Oikawa Tooru wasn’t your bully. 

The derision was replaced by sulking. He didn’t speak for the entire period. The funniest thing about it was that everyone kept staring at you. Like somehow you’d been the cause of this, when all of them were lamenting the loss just as much as the team itself. 

 What was supposed to be a reason for celebration suddenly became a crime that you had to explain for.

 “Great,” you grumbled to yourself. “One time I don’t have a target on my back, now I’m the bad guy.”

Trash bag in hand, the scraps inside rattled against each other as you stomped to the recycling bin, both sleeves of your P.E jacket folded up to the elbows. You affected a tone, choosing to mock the grating way some of classmates talked:

“Oh, hey, if it’s not too much,” you began. “Can you please be his punching bag again? If you will, can you relieve our superstar’s burdens? By, I don’t know, alluring him into walking all over you? Like the good old days! Please, oh please? We rely on you, oh Great Punching Bag! We Beseech thee, oh Esteemed Doormat! We compel— dude, what the fuck?!”

Crumpled papers and steel and tin cans rolled to the ground. You didn’t pick them up, like you should’ve; you left it there, trash bag lying open, and grabbed the ball that whisked mere inches from your face. 

This time you’re not making the same mistake. The asshole is more than capable of suspending what little morals he has, just to hurt someone he barely knew. As well as athletically adept (an understatement, that) at hitting a walking target; or not hitting it, in this case.  

You stormed the almost empty gym. Oikawa is a ray of sunshine, greeting you with that smile. It makes you want to punch him.

“What is wrong with you?” you spat. 

He chuckled. “Whoops. Sorry!” 

“I’m not having this-” you shoved the ball to his stomach. He didn’t even blink. “This isn’t gonna slide anymore, Oikawa.”

Wide grin still in place, he took it from your hands with his much larger ones and said, “Wow, you’re actually mad this time. ”  

Then, he added, “I didn’t mean it! Honest!” 

Must be nice, you thought with a scowl, to be him. Anyone can be sincere if they look anything like Oikawa. 

“Sure. Fine. No, actually,” you glowered. “You know what?” 

“Hm?” He tilted his head. Oikawa tilted his pretty little head.

You seethed. “I get it. You lost. That doesn’t mean you get to take it out on me. I mean, what did I ever do to you, Oikawa? I have-” you exhaled, surprised by the break in your voice. 

“I haven’t done anything to you. We stopped being kids a long time ago. That shit you pull should’ve ended by now. We’ve grown.” You jabbed his chest. “But I see that maybe not all of us have.”

His pleased expression hadn’t dropped. “Ouch,” Oikawa grimaced, glancing amusedly at the place you’d touched. “How mean.”

This isn’t going anywhere. 

You don’t know why it took you this long to realize this, as you shifted your gaze away from him, noticing the gashes on the floor that tear the surface like scars that never healed. That must’ve been because of him, with the amount of practice he does. 

“It won’t be enough, won’t it, Oikawa?” you whispered. “Not for you.”

The smile that’s been there since you arrived tensed, straining at the corners of his lips. 

“Yeah, I’ve been told,” he beamed. 

He was bathing in his own sweat, seeping through his shirt and matting his hair to his face, and he looks— Oikawa looked tired. His eyes were sunken in, too. Did he even sleep?

You’re so used to seeing him not a hair out of place, with a sweet scent that you amusedly thought lures his gaggle of admirers into following him everywhere. It takes you aback, honestly. Particularly the wobble in his step as he bent and squeezed his knee with shaky fingers.

You don’t think he’s aware he’s doing it in front of you.

Then, just like that, everything seemed to have added up.  

“You’ll never be happy,” you said.

You should’ve stopped there. You should’ve left. Instead, you looked him in those brown eyes, the warm hue becoming a lot colder as he moved closer. 

Oikawa sneered. “And what do you know, huh?” 

(Go. Leave.)

“Nothing,” you told him. “I don’t- I don’t know. Because, I don’t get it.”

(Shut up. Shut up.)

“Why you try any harder, I don’t know. Win or lose, it’s all the same. You’re still the same. You’re still awful and annoying and- and still you.” You laughed, unsure why you’re running your mouth like this. 

“Win or lose. Oikawa is still Oikawa,” you breathed in. “Nothing more, nothing less.”

His teammates must’ve gone somewhere. For lunch, maybe, you thought as you eyed the abandoned bottles and used towels scattered around the court. “Besides,” you huffed, not without a twinge of envy. “They’ll all still love you, either way.” 

Everything went still for a while, and you’d just realized what you’d just said.

“What about you?” 

You looked back at him.

“What?”

He tipped his chin. You stepped backwards. 

He brushed your wrist.

“Don’t touch me,” you hissed, but he only smiled and wrapped his entire hand around it. 

Oikawa had been your first bully. Before you could even comprehend what that meant, Oikawa had been the source of your mother’s worries whenever she parted with you at the school gates. It is funny, thinking about it, for letting this boy affect you despite making an effort to stay away the first time. 

But it is only now— now that he has a firm hold on you, gentle yet smothering— that you truly feared Oikawa Tooru. 

It rattled your breath, squeezing your heart and refusing air to pass through your lungs, as you felt a shock zap through you. And apparently through him as well.

You broke away from each out with a cry.

Your hand was burning. That’s the only explanation for it. Your hand was burning and any moment now smoke will diffuse from the pores. 

You waited. Any moment now. But the more you stared at it the more tiny spots of flames sparked under your skin, bursting along the palm lines— first, the forked ones; then, the dashed lines— glaring back at you, glowing brighter, blotting and spreading until they mapped your palms then your entire hands like constellations. 

“Red is bad, my heart,” your mother said. “Red means run.”

“I knew it,” you scoffed, shaking your head. 

Well, it’s not as if this is news to you. 

“What about that, Oikawa?” You put both your radiating hands in the air. “The universe is telling us, you and I? We just don’t—”

Why are you crying?

Why is Oikawa crying? 

“I knew it,” he croaked.

Your mother made the red light sound so horrifying for a reason. 

There has to be a reason, too, why the universe is warning you so late into your life. You’d actually ran before. And when you thought it a waste of money, you chose to stay and not fight back; thinking that his punches have become less severe, degraded into verbal taunts that induce social exclusion at most; that, certainly, red doesn’t forbode something as bad as murder, right?

Well, what now? You were wrong, after all. This time you have a feeling that you actually need to hide. 

Because Oikawa’s looking at you like you’re the last two people left in this Earth. 

Just you and him. Without any need for anybody else. 

You didn’t breathe, attempting to bolt despite the overwhelming need to throw up right where you're standing. He stepped closer, faster than you’d liked, and touched your face, caressing your cheek up to your aching temple.

“You should really stop trying to run away,” he said, voice low as if he’s sharing a secret. “I’ll always find you, you know?”

You didn’t have to look to know. Even if you closed your eyes, as well, you know it’s still going to be there; glowing in the darkness behind your eyelids.

“Me and you—” Oikawa sighed. 

Listen carefully, your mother said.

“ —we have a connection that no one else will ever understand,” he said.

The light emitting from his hand was so harsh it hurt you, pricking your sight until it drew fat tears, reflecting against your damp face and tinting the fallen streaks with bright—

Blue means happy, she told you. The happiest you’ll ever be.

And you’d repeat: Blue. Blue is for—

“My soulmate," Oikawa said, before locking you in a deep, searing kiss. 

The lights didn't die even as he dragged you into the storage room.  

"Hey, where'd senpai go?" 

The rest of the volleyball team came in droves, occupying the hollow court with their squeaking shoes and questions about Oikawa's whereabouts.

"Must've gone somewhere," you heard a deep voice say. 

You could answer that question. All you  had to do was scream. They weren't so far from the room that they wouldn't pick it up over the noise of their volleyball practice. Really, if you needed to, you could even outshout their guttural yells of "Nice kill!"

Though, you'd have to remove the underwear lodged in your mouth first. 

Yours, in fact; soaked now by your own saliva, drool dripping to your chin as your wrists chafed against the rope that's keeping them tied at your back.

"Feels good, doesn't it?" You felt every sickening movement of Oikawa's lips against your throat. "Feels good when you- ah, fuck- when you give in."

With the cloth muting your shrill bawling, you tried your best to recall how you ended up here: seated on his lap as he sluggishly humped himself against you, his still glowing hands cupping your ass.  

The only thing left on your body was your bra, and even that he's already lowered to let your tits spill over the top. Your pants and t-shirt and jacket are lying around somewhere. You couldn't determine where in particular; the only sources of light were behind you.  

He was leaving imprints of blue all over your skin; around your waist as he slithered his hands to reach your breasts, scantily brushing over the hardened nipples and making you keel over.

"So sensitive," he tutted, smooching your neck so gently that even the underwear couldn't muffle your loud yelp when he suddenly bit into the flesh. Hard. 

You wanted to claw his eyes out and call for help and you wanted badly to scream don't do that Oikawa someone please save me he's gonna kill me he's gonna kill me-

But the gag remained intact and the boys outside continued their game, ignorant that their precious captain is taking everything away from you. 

Sharp canines bruised your skin, provoking a fresh batch of tears as he sucked and licked every after cruel bite. 

Then, when you thought the worst had passed, he removed his mouth from your neck to spit onto your bare cunt, allowing it to slide from the hair on your mound to the nub sticking out in the middle.

(It is not enough that he is killing you. Oikawa must defile you, too.)

His fingers gripped the insides of your thighs open when you tried to shut them together. "Don't be a brat," he clicked his tongue.

"Be a nice little kitten for me," Oikawa drawled, smearing the slick that's soaking your folds against the spittle coating your clit.

You didn't notice when he'd taken his cock out, you only realize that he's about to enter you when he teased your entrance with it, pushing the tip to nudge the drenched hole, only to pull it back again.

And you didn't dare look. The feel of it almost stretching you out with just the head is already driving you to insipid begging.

"What'd you say, kitten?" he pouted.

Oikawa you've already taken too much is it never going to be enough Oikawa let me go.

"I can't understand you," he chuckled. "Here—"

He pulled the underwear out of your mouth as he thrust all the way inside, your back arching, driving him deeper, as his cock throbbed against your pussy walls.

"Now, what were you saying?"

You swallowed your cries and heaved and swore you were gonna tear his heart out after this. 

"Say," he whispered, sniffing your wet panties without breaking his gaze. "If everyone saw us right now, how'd you think they'd react?"

It was so reverent, the way he did it, blue light revealing that he closed his eyes as he took a whiff, as if he hung onto your scent like a lifeline.

But you thought that'd been a calculated move, because as you dumbly stared at him, he immediately gyrated his hips under you, rocking back and forth ever so slowly, and you remembered that you had to keep quiet.

His cock was so big inside you, making you bite your lip as it filled you up, the curved tip hitting a spot that has you squirming in his embrace.

"At this point they'll know how much of a whore you are," he said, tangling his muscled arms around yours and anchoring you to his body. "Made just for me."

"Oika-Oikawa…"

You don't know this person. 

"Help..me.."

You don't know who's speaking out and whimpering for Oikawa, on her knees and bouncing up and down on his lap with weak, quivering thighs. 

It couldn't be you.

"Help you?" You felt him nuzzle your neck. "I thought you wanted me to stay away, though?"

Someone mewled out a pathetic, "N-no."

"No? Then what d'you want, kitten?"

(Oh. Oh, he feels so fucking good.)

Your belly has never felt this hot before and it's driving you crazy that you're chasing for something you cannot see and it feels so near but there's something, something that's keeping you from it that all you can do is grind your sopping cunt closer to him.

"Wanna- I wanna cum."

Oikawa kissed you on the forehead, and then he said, "Go ahead, then."

He released your arms. 

Then, he's scooping cum off your pussy, making sure to drag his fingers under the lips, before circling your large, swelling clit. Then, he's sucking your tits and swirling his tongue around a nipple and you're so so close.

"That's it," Oikawa sighed. "Ride my cock, baby."

His rough palm slapped both your ass cheeks and the cry that erupted from you only made him laugh. 

"Make yourself cum on my cock," he grunted, licking his smiling lips as he leaned back against the wall, hand idly rubbing your dripping clit. "You're making a mess, darling. Leaking like that."

You're quivering all over; your cunt is spasming and your legs are complaining beneath you, but you don't stop. You lift your hips and then sink your pussy down, down until you feel his balls touching your sore ass, the sloshing sound growing louder as you move faster. 

You don't think about what this'll all mean later, what you're doing giving in to him, when you scream out his name. But as soon as you did, Oikawa's growl had been your only warning.

He grabbed the back of your head and kissed you, plunging his tongue into your throat, his strong arms pressing you so close to him you can no longer tell his skin from yours, his battering heartbeat from yours. 

You didn't move—weren't allowed to, when he hammered his cock into you, pounding your cunt and fucking you raw until you're breathless and nothing but a shuddering wreck, splitting at the seams in his hands as you feel thick spurts of hot cum slide out of you. 

"My pretty girl," came his hoarse whisper. "My pretty, pretty girl."

The lights have dimmed, when he cradled your shaking form and moved out of you, faint traces left on just the palm lines and fingertips. 

They were flooded by the sudden brightness that enveloped the storage room.

"Holy shit."

You pressed your eyes close, your entire body prickling at Oikawa’s touch.

It shouldn't be surprising, at this point, that Oikawa, as quick as he'd stripped you off of everything, has already covered you back in your jacket. The smell of it striking you ruthlessly, that old cologne that you always use to school reminding you of who you were, before all this.

Had it only been a few hours? It felt like a lifetime ago.

"Ah," Oikawa murmured. "They caught us."

"Oikawa,” someone roared. Oikawa held you, hiding your face against his chest. “Why you son of a-"

"C-coach..! Stop- Oi, someone help me hold him- no, coach! "

You heard him chuckle. “Sorry about this, everyone.” He held up his hand and you had to keep yourself from sobbing. “But, look.”

There were several gasps. 

(Everybody knows now.)

“You..and her?” 

The boy who said that sounded so astonished, clearly overjoyed for some reason, that it revolted you.

“Mhm,” he nodded, a smile in his voice. “Now, can you guys please give us some privacy?” 

Feet shuffled out of the room, along with stuttered apologies. They all left. 

Except for one.

“Iwa-chan,” Oikawa pouted.

“What did you do, Oikawa?”

A beat. Then, he repeated, “Iwa-chan.”

Please. 

Iwaizumi didn’t say anything. 

Please help me.

“Sure,” he grunted.

He was gone, too, after that.

You were back in the darkness, with nothing but the faltering red and blue on your hands and his, while he untied your wrists and kneaded the abrasion away, cooing sweet nothings to your ear. 

“I hate you,” you rasped. 

“Don’t say that.”

“I fucking hate you-”

“Please stop yelling-”

“I won’t ever forgive you, Oikawa!”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” he cried, shaking his head as he brushed your tear-stained cheeks with both thumbs. You clutched them, wanting him off you, but he only latched himself firmly into you. “We’re meant to be.”

“You’re the only one for me.” 

Oikawa brought your numb hand to his face, pressing a kiss to your palm, the red light basking him in its soft glow.

“And I’m the only one for you,” he said, intertwining your fingers together. 

The lights flickered in and out, at first, as you stared vacantly into it, the red and blue swallowing each other. Until they finally disappeared, leaving just you and him, curled against each other in the shadows. 

[serenity-ren-bliss]

Saiouma fluff alphabet

I am aware this concept is usually used for one person. I wanted to try this.

(Non-despair highschool AU)

A round - How often are they around each other?

Let’s all be honest, Kokichi is very clingy. He will follow Shuichi around a lot. Shuichi honestly doesn’t mind all too much. Maki and Kaito, though, are very annoyed by it.  

B eauty - What do they admire about each other? What do they think is beautiful about the other?

When they first met, Kokichi liked how cute Shuichi was. Nowadays, while Kokichi still sees his Queen as one of if not the cutest things in the universe, he also now loves how loyal, hardworking, and sweet he is. 

Shuichi, at first, was drawn to Kokichi because he was interesting. Like a puzzle. Since then, he’s gotten quite fond of how cuddly, affectionate, silly, and outgoing he is.

C uddles - Favorite cuddling position

They honestly have a couple:

Spooning-

This type of cuddling is especially good when one of them has a bad day. It provides a sense of protection for the receiver and the giver feels important and gets the chance to hold what is one of the most important things to them in their arms

Sweat heart’s cradle-

They usually prefer this over spooning because they get to see each other. Usually, Kokichi is the one on Shuichi’s chest. However, this doesn’t mean he’s opposed to the over way around. They’re close, comfortable, and warm. 

Honeymoon hug-

I can’t tell if they prefer this or the Sweat heart’s cradle on a day-to-day basis. They love just wrapping their arms around each other. Ideal kissing angle. 

D reams - How do they picture their future with each other?

Kokichi-

Is not the type to enter a relationship planning to only last a short period of time. No, he fully plans to live the rest of his life with Shuichi. He would love it if Shuichi joined DICE. (All of the members call him “Queen” already, so he already has a codename (if he wants another alias, he can get one but Kokichi isn’t the happiest about it))

Shuichi- 

Just like Kokichi, Shuichi doesn’t like short-term things. He also plans to go far with Kokichi. 

E dible- Do they cook for each other? Is it good?

Kokichi isn’t good with recipes that are super precise. He needs room to mess up. However, with creative recipes like soup, fried rice, or smoothies, he is pretty good. He picked up almost all his skills from DICE. Particularly 10 who was the Jr Ultimate Cook. 

Shuichi honestly does most of the cooking. He can’t do complex stuff but he’s more precise than his partner. He also got a couple tips (particularly about what Kokichi likes) from 10. 

They bake sweets together sometimes.

F ight - Would they be easy for them to forgive each other? How are they fighting?

Usually, they talk things out before they get into “Fighting” territory. However, like any couple, they’ve had their fights. Usually, fights happen when one of them is tired. Mostly about things like Kokichi taking a prank too far or Suichi’s habit of overworking. Screaming matches tend to be quite short and afterwords they talk and cuddle it out or they give each other space. The longest they’ve stayed genuinely mad is 3 days and the longest they’ve been apart for is a week. One time, they were having a hard time talking even after neither of them were mad. Eventually, their friends got tired of it and locked them in a room together till they talked. (classic)  

G iving - What are the things they would give each other?

Kokichi: Random trinkets he or DICE made like bracelets, paintings, etc. food he makes. Books. 

Shuichi: Anything he thinks he’d like. Panta, stuffies, sweets, etc.

H onesty - Do they have secrets they hide from each other? Or do they share everything?

At first, they kept a lot of secrets. Especially the gremlin. As the relationship progressed, they began to open up. There are still things they don’t always tell each other but they are not super big things. Usually. Every now and then they will be in a situation where one of them has something on their mind but doesn’t know how to talk about it, they usually talk it out.

I nspiration - Did they change each other? Like trying out new things or helping them overcome personal problems?

Definitely. Kokichi helped Shuichi become more confident and helped him let loose. Taught him how to take risks. Shuichi helped Kokichi open up. He gave him a sense of security that eventually allowed him to come out from behind the mask of lies. 

J ealousy - Do they get jealous easily? How do they deal with it?

Shuichi- 3/10 Doesn’t get jealous easily. You’d think with how anxious he is, he would get worried about Kokichi finding someone else. And while he can sometimes, Kokichi is way too attached to him to let it fester. There have been times when him getting jealous is a problem, but again, arguments between them are usually dealt with quickly.

Kokichi - Solid 5/10 with jealousy. He tries to not smother his boyfriend too much and understands he needs to spend time with other people. Not only that but he and Shuichi are really close a lot of the time so he doesn’t worry too often but also. However, he has abandonment issues, so, especially after a particularly bad day, he can be a little insecure.

K iss - Are they a good kisser? What was the first kiss like?

With Kokichi, kisses usually tend to be quick, small pecks all over mostly peppered on Shuichi’s face. He also loves kissing Shuichi’s hand. Especially while looking him directly in the eye. Shuichi is usually slightly less casual when it comes to kisses. His kisses are sweet, passionate, and a little shy/inexperienced at first. He’s following his instincts, trying his best to express his love without COMBUSTING.

L ove language- What is their love language?

Kokichi: Quality time and physical affection. He is in general a very affectionate person, but he finds it best when he gets alot of time to just hang out and shower Shuichi in affection. Most of that affection comes in the form of hugs and kisses. Will smuggle Shuichi like a koala. No, there is no way out of it. 

Shuichi: Acts of service. He enjoys doing things for people. What else do I say?   

M arriage - Do they want to get married? How do they propose? What would the marriage be like?

I mentioned before that neither of them would get into a relationship thinking it wouldn’t last. They would ABSOLUTELY want to get married. 

N icknames - What do they call each other?

Kokich for Shuichi: Shumai, Saihara-chan, Beloved, Love, Sweetheart, Shu(-chan), my prince, my queen

Shuichi for Kokichi: Kichi, Kimchi, Kichi-ko, my prince, my liege

O n Cloud Nine - What are they like when they are in love? Is it obvious for others? How do they express their feelings?

Kokichi is sweet, affectionate, clingy, and silly. Shuichi is silly (or at least more silly than with others,), affectionate, and sweet

P DA - Are they upfront about their relationship? Do they brag about eachother in front of others? Or are they rather shy to kiss etc. when others are watching?

Kokichi: Very upfront about it. He loves flaunting the fact he has the best boyfriend in the universe. (With his consent of course)

Shuichi: Alot more quiet about it. He doesn’t initiate PDA alot, he is also really nervous about it in general, but he doesn’t hate how affectionate Kokichi is.

Q uirk - Some random ability they have that’s beneficial in a relationship.

Kokichi: Very good at sensing the emotions around him. (but also bad at acting on it sometimes.)

Shuichi: Tries to learn anything he can about Kokichi. (within reason so as to not make him creeped out.) Learns to know him almost like the back of his hand.

R omance - How romantic are they? What would they do to make eachother happy? Cliché or rather creative?

Usually, Kokichi tries to avoid being too cliche. Most of the time the romance from him is cuddling and pulling him away from work, dodging responsibilities to just chill.

Romantic moments from Shuichi tend to be quite domestic in nature. Baking, movie nights, cuddles, things like that. He just wants Kokichi to have fun.

S ongs - What songs do they listen to together?

They have a few playlists… some common songs are “I do adore” (Kokichi’s request) and “Keep your head up, Princess” (Shuichi’s request)

T radition - What traditions do they have that they do without fail

Visiting family every other week, having Movie night at least 2x a month, and baking together

U nderstanding - How well do they know their partner? Are they empathetic?

They are both pretty good at telling something is wrong. However, they can both have their… awkward moments

V alue - How important is the relationship to them? What is it worth in comparison to other things in their life?

Kokichi: Very. He would do ANYTHING for Shuichi, logic be damned. 100% has abandonment issues. 

Shuichi: Although less extreme than Kokichi, he values their relationship over alot of if not everything. 

W ild Card - A random Fluff Headcanon.

Kokichi definitely steals Shuichi's hat.

X OXO - Are they very affectionate? Do they love to kiss and cuddle?

Kokichi: YES. This boy is so affectionate, especially when he’s tired or upset. Very clingy (runs in the family, his sister is the same and he finally understands why now.) If he wants cuddles, he is GETTING cuddles. 

Shuichi: Will gladly receive it 97% of the time, but a bit more reserved with giving it. Usually, Kokichi can tell when he needs it so he doesn’t have to initiate anything, which is something that has never been a problem for either of them. 

Y earning - How will they cope when they’re missing their partner?

Kokichi: Attempting to distract himself by bothering someone or hanging with DICE (which technically counts as bothering someone, but they are less bothered. And 9 and 10 will take any chance to play with him, so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯), Wearing Shuichi’s clothes, Hugging pillows, Making something for Shuichi, looking at photos

Shuichi: Looking at photos/videos, daydreaming, watching his favorite movie, hanging w/ DICE 

Z eal - Are they willing to go to great lengths for the relationship? If so, what kind of?

Kokichi: Will do everything under the sun and more with the one exception of hurting DICE. 

Shuichi: Whatever makes them happy as long as it is reciprocated. (Not one-sided) 

[darter-blue]

tfw you wake up accidentally married to a superhero

stucky - shrunkyclunks - total fluff...

Read it here on ao3

Or part one, two, three, four and five on tumblr

Part 6:

Steve...

Steve can’t quite believe that this is real. There’s something magical about the way Bucky is looking up at him. There’s something overwhelmingly honest in his affection. Steve wants to kiss him again. But the music has stopped and the confetti is no longer falling and Scott is clearing his throat and, well, this is probably not the time or place for Steve to lose the last shred of his control.

‘Boys, boys, boys!’ Mavis is cooing, clapping her hands, ‘You did it!’

‘We did it,’ Bucky says softly, smiling quietly, eyes shining up at Steve.

‘We did,’ Steve says. Totally unnecessarily. But words have never been his forte. Steve’s life is always about action. He got so used to people not listening to him. Before the serum, after the serum… nobody listens to Steve’s words.

But they pay attention to his actions.

Bucky has done nothing but listen to him tonight. Everything Steve said Bucky has heard. Bucky has answered Steve’s words with actions, had pulled him forwards into activity after activity. Has interpreted all of Steve’s clumsy musings with a perception that almost defies logic.

Steve so rarely gets to let anyone else take the helm. Very rarely would ever trust anyone to do so.

But he trusts Bucky.

His stormy blue eyes and the warmth of his touch and the way his voice wraps around Steve like a blanket to keep him safe. Familiar. Beautiful.

And now...

Now he’s family.

‘Scott, kiddo, we need you to sign this for us,’ Mavis says, pulling Scott away from where he’s awkwardly standing behind Bucky and Steve at the altar. ‘You boys too, we need signatures and then you can run away to your room for the real celebration!’

Mavis’s glee is exuberant and seemingly infinite. But she makes an interesting point.

No they have the rest of the night to themselves. As a newly married couple. Which he guesses makes this the honeymoon…

He’s certainly no expert on marriage or relationships of any kind… but that's typically a pretty exciting period of time…

Steve may or may not be panicking about the ramifications of what that means for both of them.

He doesn’t have that much experience doing this since he’s had the serum… Fumbling around in a tent with a sergeant after a long day tracking through enemy territory… maybe getting hands on each other, mouths at most…

He hasn’t done that for a while. And he’s never had time, or even the inclination, to worship someone, to take his time, to discover enough about someone to give them everything they want.

He’s not even sure he knows how to do that.

‘You’re thinking too hard,’ Bucky says, placing a gentle finger between Steve’s eyebrows, ‘Come sign the papers Stevie, and then we can talk about what’s worrying you.’

Steve is hit again by how much he can’t believe this is real, that Bucky can see his hesitation, knows him already.

Too much of that disbelief must be evident in his expression though, because Bucky takes his finger away and stands up straight, taking his weight off Steve’s arms, ‘Unless you're freaking out? Are you freaking out?’ Bucky’s hand slides down Steve’s arm and slows as it reaches his forearm, grips it with comfort. ‘We haven’t signed anything yet Steve, it’s not too late to change your mind.’

‘I haven’t,’ Steve says, sharp, shaking his head hard and fast, ‘I would never.’

‘Are you sure?’

‘I’ve never been more sure about anything in my life.’

Bucky reaches up to kiss him again, fiercely, pushing up into Steve’s chest and gripping his arms. Steve kisses back like a desperate man, forgetting again that they have people waiting on them, that they need to be getting out of the way.

Forgetting about anything and everything but the taste of Bucky, the sweetness, the hint of sugar on his tongue, the saltiness of the sweat on his lips. He’s lost in the sensation.

‘You two lovebirds better get up here and sign this so it's official!’ Mavis is laughing at them, Steve can hear it.

Bucky pulls back and almost falls, Steve has to grab him to stop him from falling backwards. ‘Oops,’ Bucky says with a grin, ‘We better get up there.’

‘Gotta make it official,’ Steve says. He can feel the answering grin on his own face.

‘Good, good,’ Mavis says as Steve and Bucky make their way up to sign the paperwork, ‘let me get this all officiated for you and you can come and pick them up with your album in the morning,’ Mavis takes the signed papers from them and shuffles them into a folder, ‘Take your rings, take this,’ she gives them each a glass of champagne Steve didn’t even see her pour, ‘go thank your witness and get out of my chapel, I’ll see you tomorrow.’

‘Thank you so much, Mavis,’ Bucky says, pulling away from Steve to wrap Mavis in a hug, very nearly spilling his champagne down her back. ‘You’re wonderful.’

‘Oh, well,’ Mavis says as Bucky lets her go, a pretty pink blush creeping into her peach cheeks, ‘you two have been an absolute delight.’

‘Thanks Mavis,’ Steve says, reaching out to shake her hand, ‘we’ll see you in the morning.’

‘You better!’ Mavis turns away, waving over her head at them and heading out to the office at the back with their paperwork.

Bucky tips his head back and drinks the entire glass of alcohol in one pull, gesturing for Steve to do the same, ‘We’ll leave the glasses here,’ he says, setting his down on a console near the doors, ‘down the hatch, Stevie.’

Steve looks down at his glass and shrugs, tips it back and drinks it down in three mouthfuls. He looks back at Bucky, rosy cheeked and laughing and has the overwhelming desire to kiss him again, slower, and longer and without the audience.

‘I ah,’ Scott says, clearing his throat again as he sidles up to them, ‘I should get your number, you know, so I can send you the video.’

‘Oh, good idea!’ Bucky says, and they set their heads together while Steve stands back and watches.

Once they have their numbers exchanged and Bucky has laughed at the pictures, he pulls Steve in closer, sets Scott in the middle of them, their arms around him.

‘Quick selfie,’ Bucky says, holding his phone out and snapping a photo, the three of them in their matching t-shirts and matching grins.

‘Thank you, Scott.’ Steve says, clapping him on the back.

‘Anytime, Cap, anytime. Literally. Call me and I’ll be there. Whatever you need.’

‘Yep, yes,’ Steve says, shaking Scott’s outstretched hand and then stepping back, ‘I’ll ah, I’ll be in touch.’

‘You were wonderful too, Scott,’ Bucky says, pulling a happy Scott into a hug, ‘thank you so much.’

‘You’re welcome, Bucky. It was my pleasure.’

‘We should get going though,’ Steve says, wrapping a hand around Bucky’s, ‘It was lovely to meet you Scott.’

‘Right, yes, big night for you!’ Scott puts his arms out as he takes a step back, ‘You know, wedding night, ah…’ he trips on a fold in the carpet and does a little backwards hop, ‘epic romance and ah… you know,’ he goes to make a gesture with his hands but stops mid way, ‘yeah I better,’ he sticks his thumb over his shoulder, ‘leave you to it.’

‘Thank you, Scott,’ Steve says again, his voice probably coming off a little more authoritative than he intended.

Bucky is laughing into Steve’s shoulder, and the feel of his warm breath on the thin material of his T-shirt is very distracting. He hardly notices that Scott is gone, or that they’ve reached the open doors and are now back into the hustle and bustle of the Casino.

‘So um,’ Bucky pulls away from him enough to look up into Steve’s face, ‘I may or may not be sharing a room with my best friend, who may or may not have someone up there with her right now…’

‘Oh, I have a room all to myself,’ Steve says quickly grabbing Bucky by the hand, ‘would you… I mean, if that’s okay?’

‘Sounds great,’

‘Okay it’s this way,’ Steve pulls Bucky towards the elevators, ‘Do you need anything?’

‘I have everything I need,’ Bucky says with a smile, looking Steve up and down and biting his lip. ‘Maybe more than I know what to do with, to be honest.’

Steve has to huff a laugh at that. And the idea that Bucky might also be feeling a little overwhelmed by the physical connotations of the decision they’ve just made eases a tightness in Steve’s chest.

‘We can take it as slow as you like, Buck.’

And Bucky is nodding his head. ‘Slow is good, I can do slow.’

There seem to be even more people out on the casino floor than earlier, and Steve is careful to pull Bucky through them gently, not bumping or knocking or accidentally treading on anyone, ever conscious of how much heavier his step is than it used to be, how much damage he could cause with a moment of carelessness.

It’s enough to pull all of his focus, and they’re at the elevators before he has a chance to think to panic about anything else.

Bucky leans forward and pushes the button to go up.

When the doors open, at least five other people shuffle into the elevator with them. Too drunk or too wrapped up in their own conversations to pay much attention to Bucky and Steve as they move all the way to the back and lean against the railing. Hands held gently between them.

‘What floor?’ someone asks over their shoulder as the doors close, and then balks as he catches Steve’s eye. ‘Ah… Sir.’

Steve looks down at Bucky as he answers, ‘Ten.’ and squeezes his hand.

Bucky squeezes back.

‘Ten. Ten. Sure.’ The guy presses ten and then looks back over his shoulder at Steve and nods his head, eyes wide. ‘You’re ah… you seem bigger in real life, you know.’

‘I have heard that,’ Steve says, smiling tightly at the guy and then looking back at Bucky to gauge his reaction.

Bucky is looking between him and the passenger with a raised eyebrow, his brow furrowed, but he doesn't say anything. Just squeezes Steve’s hand again, and Steve lets out his held breath, squeezing Bucky back.

The last of the other passengers shuffle out at the fifth floor, glancing curious looks back at Steve, and the doors close behind them, leaving Bucky and Steve alone. Bucky stretches forward, pulling Steve’s hand with him, and pulls the emergency stop on the elevator.

‘Okay,’ he says, turning back to Steve, ‘what was that?’

Steve shrinks into his shoulders as Bucky stalks towards him, leans back into the railing of the elevator until he hears it crack.

‘Shit.’

‘Steve!’ Bucky says, looking behind him at the cracked railing and then up at Steve’s no doubt very sheepish expression, ‘what’s going on?’

‘Okay, so, I can explain this,’ Steve starts, carefully moving away from the railing and towards Bucky, keeping their hands joined, not wanting to stop touching him, ‘I ah… when I said my name is Steve Rogers…’

‘It’s not?’

‘Oh, no, it definitely is. That’s the problem.’

‘What’s the problem?’ Bucky asks, frown deeply etching into his forehead.

‘That’s me, I’m Steve Rogers.’

‘Yes, you said that…’

‘Steve Rogers, like Captain America.’

‘Captain America's name is Steve Rogers too?’

Steve can’t help but laugh, Bucky looks so quizzical, so adorably confused.

‘Yes Buck, his name, my name… I’m Steve Rogers and Captain America.’

‘Oh,’ Bucky says, narrowing his eyes, ‘ohhh.’ His eyes widen and he looks Steve up and down again. ‘Huh.’ he says, nodding, ‘I mean yeah… that makes total sense. I can see that.’

‘Are you… okay? Are you mad?’ Steve asks, he can feel his shoulders up around his ears.

‘Mad? Why would I be mad?’ Bucky steps closer, peering up into Steve’s face, ‘Steve, why would I be mad?’

‘I lied to you?’

‘You didn’t,’ Bucky says, shaking his head, stepping even closer, lifting a hand up under Steve’s chin and lifting it from where it’s burrowing in between Steve’s collar bones, ‘You told me your name was Steve-Steve Rogers, was that a lie?’

Steve huffs a surprised laugh. ‘No.’

‘Then when did you lie?’

‘I didn’t tell you, I knew you didn’t recognise me, and I didn’t say anything.’

‘Listen, Stevie, if I went around telling everyone that didn’t recognise me, that I was a guest mechanic on that show one time where they custom build motorcycles for people who have too much money, I’d look nuts.’

‘Yeah but-’

‘No buts. It’s your job right?’

‘I mean, in a very simplified sense, yes.’

‘Uh huh, well, let's be real simple, you’re a superhero, I’m a mechanic,’ Bucky moves so close to Steve that his chest is pressed up against Steve’s. Steve can feel his heart beat through the point where their bodies meet, ‘we’re married, and we get to spend the rest of our lives figuring out if it's crazier to be married to a guy who gets emotional over a cracked magneto rotor or a guy who fights crime for a living.’

‘It’s not really crime-’

Bucky puts a palm over Steve’s mouth to muffle him. He’s looking at him with the sort of fondness that Steve has never known. Has only read about. And then his mouth quirks, and his eyebrow lifts and his gaze switches from warm to hot as he crowds into Steve’s space. ‘Steve, shut up and kiss me, okay?’

Steve doesn’t waste any time. He grabs Bucky by the thighs, flips them around and lifts him against the wall.

Bucky’s legs wrap around Steve like its instinct and his arms fly up to grip Steve by the back of the neck. ‘Oh wow,’ he reaches up to meet Steve’s mouth as Steve reaches down to kiss him. ‘You can’t be real.’

‘I’ve been thinking the same thing about you all night,’ Steve whispers, breathing the words into Bucky’s mouth between kisses.

Steve can feel that he’s hard, and that his dick is trapped between them as he presses Bucky further and further into the wall. ‘Oh wow,’ Bucky says with a sharp intake of breath.

‘Sorry,’ Steve says, not pulling back far enough from the kisses to give the word any real feeling.

‘I think you mispronounced, “you’re welcome”,’ Bucky laughs, rocking his hips up against Steve’s erection and ringing a gasp out of both of them.

‘I need to get you up to the room,’ Steve says, trying to grasp at his self control, ‘need to get this elevator going again before they send a search party up here.’

‘I guess we can’t have you turning up on TMZ wrecking your new husband in an elevator, huh?’

Steve has to close his eyes to that image, to the idea of just ripping Bucky open against the wall like this, of tearing into him, biting and licking and fucking and taking and Bucky giving himself over. It’s so much, it's too much, and Steve has to pull back, has to count down from five to get some of his control back.

‘Hey, hey, hey, you’re okay, we’re okay,’ Bucky is saying, not pressing into Steve’s space but keeping him grounded. Finding his feet and reaching out with one hand to Steve’s forearm, the other keeping him steady against the wall, ‘let's start it up again, get to the room.’

Steve keeps Bucky in his periphery as he leans over and depresses the emergency stop, starting the elevator up again with a lurch and a grind of gears.

He slides Bucky's palm down his forearm to lock their fingers together. ‘I’m good, sorry.’

He looks down at Bucky and Bucky is looking back at him. Not judging, not frowning. His face is soft and open, his smile small but real. The acceptance radiating off of him is tangible; Steve could run his fingers through the air and touch it.

He lets himself unclench, lets his body be at ease, leans into Bucky and rests his cheek on the top of Bucky’s head.

‘You know,’ Bucky says quietly, speaking the words into Steve’s shoulder again, ‘I’ve probably had too many cocktails for too much nonsense tonight anyway.’

And Steve hugs him tighter, wraps his arms around him to pull him impossibly closer.

‘Maybe we should do some investigating, once we get to your room, find out who gets which side of the bed, and which one of us is the blanket hog.’

‘It’s going to be you,’ Steve says, just as quietly, his words landing in Bucky’s hair.

‘Probably.’

‘I run pretty hot though, I should warn you.’

Bucky pushes up to tilt his head back, to reach up and press a soft kiss to Steve’s lips, ‘I bet you do.’ when the elevator slows to a stop and dings, the doors opening to the tenth floor.

It’s quiet, and the lights are low, and Steve feels calmer, his panic receding. He leads Bucky to the suite that Tony organised for him, too much for just Steve, but probably just right for the two of them. Just fancy enough for a wedding night.

‘Holy shit,’ Bucky says spinning around as he follows Steve inside, ‘this is some room!’

‘It’s a bit much’

‘It’s amazing!’ Bucky is busy walking around and looking into the corners, poking his head into the bathroom, ‘Fuck a duck,’ he looks back out at Steve, ‘your shower is bigger than my apartment!’

‘Can I get you anything?’ Steve asks, in lieu of finding a non awkward way to discuss the size of his ridiculously ostentatious hotel room. There are a million tiny bottles of alcohol in the minibar, though Bucky’s probably had enough (the implications of that are for Steve to worry about tomorrow). All sorts of food and snacks that he’s been too scared to open, lest they cost Tony a small fortune, but he’d be happy to open them for Bucky.

Bucky comes back over from his tour of the room to stand by the kitchenette with Steve. ‘Um water?’

‘Sure.’ He pulls a bottle from the mini fridge and opens it, hands it to Bucky who drinks it down and sits the empty bottle on the counter. ‘Hungry?’

Bucky peers up at him and shakes his head. He looks over at the giant bed, back to Steve, and then to the remote on the nightstand.

‘Okay. Idea.’ He grabs Steve by the hand and pulls him over to the bed. ‘We pick the cheesiest movie we can find, get under the covers, and order ice cream.’

Steve could cry, it's everything he needs (not what he wants, but he doesn’t trust himself, his body, his control right now). Honestly. ‘Okay.’ He crawls onto the bed next to Bucky and shows him which button elevates the TV up out of the bench at the foot of the bed.

‘Whoa.’

Steve has to admit that it’s pretty cool.

And it's much nicer when he has someone to share it with.

Bucky fluffs a bunch of pillows and places them against the bed head, sits himself up against them and burrows down into them. ‘You coming?’

Steve nods his head. He pulls off his shirt and folds it up, places it on the armchair next to the bed, holds his hand out to take Bucky’s as well. ‘Pants too,’ Steve says with a smile. Only half wanting to get to snuggle up to all that soft smooth olive skin, and half wanting to make sure Bucky is comfortable.

Bucky rolls his eyes with a smile and shuffles around until he has his clothes off, passes them over to Steve who folds them and puts them with his own. Matching t-shirts folded together.

He looks down at his ring and feels that now familiar skip of his heart.

It's real.

He could have this every day.

Someone to snuggle up to. Someone to fall asleep with. Wake-up to.

He takes his own pants off and places them on top of the pile, sliding in under the covers next to Bucky and reaching an arm around to pull him close.

‘What are we watching?’

‘Alright, don’t be mad, but there’s a Murder She Wrote marathon…’

‘And you like this show?’

Bucky nods.

‘Then it’s perfect,‘ Steve says. Leaning back into the pillows. ‘Tell me everything I need to know.’

He doesn’t mean to, but the sound of Bucky’s voice, the lull of the soft light and the background noise, the warmth of Bucky’s body pressed against him… it's like the ultimate comfort. For the first time in as long as Steve can remember, he feels his eyes closing, he feels his mind quietening, he feels his body settle into rest.

If Bucky regrets this, if he wakes up and realises this was a drunken mistake, if he changes his mind for whatever reason, Steve will have still had this night. He will have had this peace.

He’s going to steal it now. Not borrow trouble. He’s going to lie back and let this be his. Even if it’s just for one night.

And Bucky’s voice, his warmth. They have him believing that it might be forever. Something about Bucky just makes Steve believe.

In love at first sight. In soulmates.

In Happiness.

He tightens his hand around his husband. His husband.

And he sleeps.

No dreams. No nightmares.

He sleeps.

[sariahsue]

I just saw your take one Lilo&Stitch's approach to child protection and I was wondering if you could give some advice on how to write realistic stuff in this matter? I've been meaning to write a foster care/adoption fic and I do know the system in France must be at least a little different - and I will get down the research hole once I have a bit more time - but do you have any advice on how to write the kids reactions, the way parents deal with everything, the bonding part... things like this, so I can avoid clichés.

You don't have to answer though, feel free to ignore all this akdjwja I just figured there's no harm in asking XD

Yeah, sure! (To anyone else reading this who has a fic, feel free to send me a message if you have questions!) I’m definitely not the most knowledgeable person, but I know quite a bit. And I’m sure things are a bit different in France (hopefully their court system is better - yikes!) but I think the human element would be pretty similar, so here we go. 

First off, know that everyone is foster care is having a rough time constantly. Foster kids, workers, parents, foster parents, foster siblings. And no one knows what’s going on long term. There’s always a lot of uncertainty. Will the kids go home soon? Are parental rights going to be terminated at the next court date? Who knows???

The birth parents, at best, are going through a really tough time in their life, made worse because their kids were taken away from them. Some care about their kids, but they’re extremely self-centered and have zero parents skills. Some are manipulative and see foster care as free babysitting, and as long as they get to see their kid for an hour or so a week, this arrangement is fantastic for them! At worst, they’re just horrible human beings who abuse children. In general, most parents are clueless and selfish and pretty manipulative. They say they’re good parents and have no clue why their kids were taken away, even though their kid has cigarette burn marks on their back, or had to eat out of the garbage to survive because the were left alone for hours at a time when they were four, or worse. They have no clue at all what their behavior does to their kids, and they refuse to listen to anyone who tries to explain it to them.

No matter what type of parents they were, their kids ALWAYS love them and want to go home. Every single one of them. No matter the age. No matter what their home life put them through. Some of them aren’t old enough to understand why they can’t go home. Some have been in foster care for years and hardly remember living at home but still want to go home.  

It makes for complicated foster relationships sometimes because the kid will be attached to both birth and foster parents and feel guilty or conflicted or disloyal, or they’ll try really hard not to be attached to the foster parents in the first place. (I can think of only one exception to this. Two sisters who had been put into another home and liked the foster family and decided that they were going to be adopted by this family and were very excited about it... except the foster family had no plans to adopt them. I never learned what happened there.) 

And this is before accounting for the mental health struggles that often accompany the trauma most of them have been through. Some kids come in with anxiety that makes it difficult to trust new people. Some kids’ behavior is so extreme that it’s difficult for foster parents to take care of them, and so the kid moves around constantly. (If their behavior is too bad, they can sometimes be put into either a group home or residential, either temporarily or permanently.)

Parents are also entitled to visits, usually either weekly or every other week, at least while the goal is reunification (which is always starts out as). Before the pandemic, these usually took place in the DCF (Department of Children and Families is what it’s called in my state) office or in a visitation center. Sometimes the court orders that the visits be supervised so they don’t start promising their kids that they’re coming to get them next week. Often the workers think that sitting down the hallway not listening counts as supervision. 🙄 

With the pandemic, kids have been meeting over Zoom. That’s being phased out pretty soon here. Kids are almost always triggered by these visits. I mean, they look forward to them usually. Some kids are mad at their parents and don’t want to talk to them, but almost always, they want to see their parents. And almost always whatever behavior problems they had before is extremely worse for the next 2-5 days. (Which is terrible if you get a visit every week.) Some parents bail on these visits regularly. Some consistently bail on only birthdays and Christmas. We’ve learned not to tell the kid that they have a visit coming up until we know it’s definitely happening, or sometimes only right before we’re planning on leaving to go, because the anticipation of a visit is triggering or because getting stood up by your own mother is traumatizing. Sometimes you can get the kid’s therapist to write a note asking for the visits to be less frequent for the kid’s sake, but often that just means every other week instead of every week.

For foster families welcoming kids into their home, it’s a little different. They’re often more stable, and their whole life isn’t shifting around them. They’re just getting one or two kids into the family. The home dynamic is going to be a little different. Nothing huge, compared to what the foster kids are going through. It often depends on the kid how fast you get attached. Sometimes you know kids are only going to be there for a month because their normal foster family had to deal with an emergency, but the plan is to take them back soon. Sometimes they’re adorable babies and you get super attached really, really fast. Sometimes they’re so unhappy and scared that they make your home life completely miserable. Sometimes you’ve seen so many kids come and go over the years, and they’ve all left eventually, and your heart becomes guarded to protect you from that pain. But you get attached eventually anyway. 

And sometimes your parents are given a newborn whose goal is reunification and it’s love at first sight even though you don’t know if you can keep him, and then he’s put up for adoption when he’s two and you adopt him SO HARD. And then you make future foster kids upset because you can’t adopt them too. :( And even though they get adopted by friends of yours, they still feel conflicted over it four years later. 

You would think that a kid raised completely in their adoptive home from birth would have no problems, and sometimes that’s the case. Sometimes they still get upset about the adoption when they’re older because the foundational belief they have about themselves is that their mother didn’t want them, even though it’s not true. 

(This is the real-life story of my brother. We are the only family he’s ever known, and he’s 13 now, but he still has issues over being adopted. The other boy is 16 and is doing much better with his new family now, though he still has some issues. We had him for a very long time, and we were all happy that we know his adoptive family well because we stayed it contact with him, which almost never happens when a foster kid leaves.)

Oh, I forgot one thing. Usually when kids first get to your house, they are perfect little angels for a while. Depending on the kid, it’s either a couple days or maybe even three months. It’s called the “honeymoon period.” Once their subconscious realizes that this is a safe place to work on their issues and they aren’t in physical danger, they start to process what they’ve been through. It comes out in a variety of ways. Behavioral issues, bedwetting, explosive anger, nightmares, etc.

A note about social workers: All the workers (at least in my state) constantly have too many cases. Like, double what they’re legally supposed to have. Most of them try hard to keep up. Some DO NOT CARE. Some are fantastic and put extra time in to go to the kid’s end-of-the-school-year recitals and build a relationship with them. They’re in charge of organizing visits and making sure the kids have everything set up and are generally important in the kid’s life. They’re required to visit once a month and make sure foster parents have all the right paperwork and arrange dentist visits and bring them to all their therapy appointments. (FYI, You get a piece of paper that says you’re the legal guardian. You have to show it to schools and doctors when you make arrangements for the kids. My mom also keeps a copy in her purse, just in case a kid starts screaming “HELP! SHE’S NOT MY MOM” in the middle of the store or something. It’s never happened, but you know, just in case.)

Also, you would think that they’re the constant in the kid’s life, but if the birth parents move, the case gets transferred to another office in the state, and so the social workers switch. I sincerely hope that’s not how things are done in France because it’s garbage for a lot of reasons.

Okay, I’ve written you an essay, but I hope it was a useful essay! Let me know if you have any more questions!

[notquitetwilight]

Would you mind sharing some headcanons for Irish/American Emmett?? 🥺 What do you think is the story of his parents or like what connection does he have with his identity? Both in Cullanos or in canon?

Irish-American culture seems quite different to Irish culture in a lot of ways (when I was in the US I first heard the term “an Irish goodbye”, which apparently means leaving a place without saying goodbye, and that was so bizarre to me because actual Irish people say goodbye about four times and are still there talking an hour after saying their first 💀) so I’m not entirely sure but I’m gonna project as someone who lived in the US for a period of time and wondered how I’d keep my kids close to my culture if I was to settle there!!!!!! Lol

I know that while a lot of plastic Paddys claim heritage without knowing anything about where their ancestors came from, the country itself, or the culture and instead perpetuate cringe stereotypes about The Old Country™️, there are plenty of Irish-Americans who are closer to their roots, especially when their parents or grandparents were Irish and so an actual Irish person from Ireland had a hand in how they were raised. Given the time and place Canon Emmett is from (Tennessee, 1915), he’s probably more likely to be a descendant of immigrants or indentured servants to the Appalachian region in the 18th Century.

But I like to pretend he was born in NYC or Boston to fresh-off-the-boat parents from Cork (where the McCarthy with a T surname hails from). Cities on the coastal East make a lot of sense, given how many Irish construction workers sailed across the Atlantic there for a better life at that time bc of how poverty-stricken Ireland was while under British rule. And his English forename would still make sense bc English would’ve been widely spoken in Ireland by that point, plus many Irish immigrants would’ve given their American-born kids English names for assimilation purposes.

I like to think of first-gen Emmett’s bedtime stories coming from Irish legends and folklore; his mother telling him about Oisín and Niamh in Tír na nÓg, the Children of Lir, the Salmon of Knowledge and so much more. My personal lil headcanon is that Emmett truly respects the wolf pack and is actually happy when the Cullens finally get to work with them, because they remind him of the stories he grew up listening to about shapeshifters who took the form of wolves (this is a really common thing in Irish mythology).

His surname suggests he’s also Irish Catholic so I find the idea of his mother dragging him to mass or confession hilarious. I can literally picture him in the confession box mumbling “bless me Father for I have sinned” and the priest recognising his voice and smelling the stale alcohol and being like “Christ above, Emmett, what have you done this time?”

We know he was into his drinking, gambling and womanising as a human so I’d say he was consistently threatened with this Irish Mammy favourite:

👆🏻This also fits perfectly with the fandom canon that Emmett calls Esme “Ma”, it’s what many Irish people call their mothers (as fans of Derry Girls will know). Irish mothers also worship their first-born son so I’d say he was such a mama’s boy who adored her and that’s why he adores Esme — he loves that maternal dynamic.

The eldest kids in large Irish families also would’ve had quite a few responsibilities when it came to looking after the younger kids (taking them to school, minding them etc) because both parents had to work to make ends meet and/or bc there were so many kids to be looked after! So I imagine Emmett as a loving older brother who was surprisingly responsible in his care-taking duties. With both this and what I hc about his mother, I find it very hard to get on board with the idea that he just took to his new vampire life with no questions or hesitations. I hc him and Rose having a much more slow-burning romance than they were given, and that they bonded while she grieved her humanity and he grieved his family.

I think it’s really sweet to imagine them spending one of their honeymoons in Ireland, given how his parents likely wouldn’t have been able to ever afford going back once they immigrated. So he’d never have seen the country he heard so much about growing up while human, and I think he’d make it his business to do so as a vampire. Plus it’s such a small island that it’d probably take them 5 mins to run from one side of the coast to the other, meaning they’d fit lots of different parts of the country in on their visit!!!! There’s this Celtic wedding tradition called handfasting which symbolises the binding of two lives by tying the couples’ hands together with knots of cloth (it’s actually where the phrase “tie the knot” comes from!), so I also hc them having an extra lil ceremony to do that while they’re there, maybe in Cork as a nod to his parents. 🥺🥰

[phoebehalliwell]

Your Hc on Chris/Bianca & PDA ? I go first

They never kiss, hold hand and stuff like that in public but they have zero personal space, they are always standing kinda next to eachother and move in synchronization. Also, they are always flirting and lowkey have some sexual tention going on at all times. To the point where people are like When Will The Honeymoon Phase End because this is TooMuch ?? (It doesn’t. They are just LIKE that until the end) U know, you look at them and you just know that they are together just cos of their vibes ? And how are they in private u ask ? I can’t decide between a Bianca that’s like « I don’t like cuddle Hahahah 🦔don’t touch me🦔 » but secretly love it so Chris is always the one who initiate OR a touch starved Bianca who is always kinda touching Chris. Like event without realizing it

Ok. I forgot to mention the forehead touch ! Can we say That it is canon that this is their equivalent of I Love You / kiss ?

okay like tbh i agree that like. pda is like. like they don't Kiss. like they're not that couple that dramatically make out during passing period that's not their speed. that being said. i think the way they act around each other. it's like. like. like okay i think chris and bianca were in love w each other long before they ever started officially dating before we ever even hit the first true passionate like true love's kiss shit. i think the forehead kiss was definitely like. a symbol of intimacy like before they even kissed bc they're both guarded and repressed and can't cope w how much they just like Want each other so they try to play it off as like a casual like i care about you forehead touch when it's really just like. such a i love you i love i love you iloveyouiloveyouiloveyou move. i don't think they're necessarily a hand holding couple as like. chris channels his powers predominantly through his hands and bianca is v profiencent w an athame, but i think they are like. almost always making physical contact w one another. and again that also kinda stems from their combat side it's like you Know where the other is like. again i think it's one of those things they play off as like no i don't like them this is just like. brothers in arms shit ( love you i love i love you iloveyouiloveyouiloveyou). in regards to the external view. i think u look at them and go okay so are they dating? or are they just like. in love with each other and not acknowledging it? and like. it depends on where you are in the timeline!! because yeah!!!!!

in regards to like. personal/private life i am a firm big spoon bianca advocate because like. like this relationship is really the first thing she gets that she gets to feel is truly hers and honest piece of herself reflected back in love it's not for the phoenix not for some mission anything like that it's hers because it makes her happy because she loves this relationship because she loves him. so i think she definitely has this almost territorial stance where she really does just like holding onto him. but then like. height difference. it's like. like he's got a foot on her. and she's Tiny. so i think it's like. if they're chilling on the couch its like bianca rests against the armrest sitting upright and chris is spread out like across the entire couch just leaning against her head at the collarbone type shit. <3. i also think their most annoying trait By Far is like. bianca is the type of person to sit on counters and other not sitting type pieces of furniture i think that's just the woman she is and i think like. if chris is even just walking by she just like grabs him he leans against the counter she attaches to him like a backpack her main form of transportation around their shared space is piggyback rides. but they will just like. chill there. like. bianca sitting on furniture arms wrapped around chris lips at his ear and they just talk in hushed voice and it's like. the fucking weirdest thing you've ever seen if you ever like. witness them operating in their own space. you're like damn just like make out that'd be less weird that the fucking like. weird surveillance hushed voices holding onto each other thing y'all got going. and then on the chris side. i think chris does pretend to be kinda above it all with all that like he definitely doesn't like being babied in his family and i think his family is like really big on hugs and all that. so in his head he's really not like a cuddler. but he is in fact Wrong about that. i think he really likes the feeling of security bianca brings bc i think his main issue is that his family frets over him too much they think he's a frail lil thing and bianca like. does not see him like that. and it reads in her touch. i also think as the big spoon bianca does not braid chris's hair per se but something of that ilk just like. kind of folding strands around just messing with his hair. which i think chris finds really calming i don't think he really likes people fucking with his hair because he just doesn't also he's so tall that it's never really and issue but with bianca he's like wow <3 i also think they like fall asleep in each others arms frequently i think that was a major marker in the earlier stages of their relationship was trusting the other to like. be tired around them. to fall asleep around them. i think chris is the type to like. like they're like yeah let's watch this movie/tv show and chris is like yeah i really wanna watch it and always just falls asleep on bianca's chest like twenty minutes into whatever they're watching. bianca will recap each episode over coffee the next morning.

[howtosingit]

SNEAK PEEK: Next to You (That’s Where I Want to Be) - Chapter Seven: February | Bewitched, Body and Soul

Hello, friends! I know that it has been 7 weeks but who’s counting a long time since I updated this fic, and I have no excuse other than the fact that my writing muse has been off hibernating while my brain went “let’s freak out about the show airing and care about literally nothing else.” So fun!

I’m slowly finding my way back into the groove of writing, but I don’t want to keep you all waiting any longer for some content from this AU, so here is the entire first scene of the next chapter! Thank you for your patience, your kudos, and your support, and I hope you enjoy this little taste of what’s to come 🤗

(If you have no idea what I’m talking about but find yourself intrigued, check out the fic masterpost to read the first six chapters!)

SNEAK PEEK (2.2K) UNDER THE CUT...

📚 📚 📚 📚 📚

“Why is it completely impossible to find a decent man around here?”

Carlos glances up from the book in front of him to find Michelle standing at his side, glaring down at her phone as she swipes through something on the screen.

“‘Around here’ as in… the library?” he teases, gesturing past the desk in front of him and out towards the third floor study area. Since it’s still pretty early in the semester, the couches and tables aren’t filled the way they will be next month for midterms. Carlos likes working the checkout desk when it’s not as busy; it gives him more time to keep up with his own reading for class.

“What?” Michelle asks, looking up from her phone to glance around the space. “No, not the library, Carlos.” She shakes her phone, letting out a frustrated groan before tossing it down on the desk in front of her. “I’m serious, there are no decent men left in the world.”

“Well, hey-”

“Straight men, Carlos.”

“Ah,” he says, pressing his lips together to keep from laughing. After a few years, he’s very familiar with Michelle’s tragically complex dating history, so he knows to just go with her on this one. “I can’t really speak to that, sorry,” he adds unhelpfully.

“Yeah, yeah, Mister ‘I’m so in love with my boyfriend I make everyone around me want to puke’,” she scoffs, rolling her eyes as she shuffles through a stack of returned books on the cart nearby. “We can’t all just accidentally move in with our soulmates like you did.”

Carlos feels heat on the back of his neck, but he also can’t stop the smile that pulls at his lips, or the way an image of his roommate flashes through his mind. He feels like he’s been wearing an unbreakable smile for the past three weeks, and he refuses to be embarrassed about it.

Because TK Strand is his boyfriend, and it’s honestly everything he’s ever wanted.

It’s a little crazy how easily they’ve fallen into their new relationship, but in hindsight, Carlos realizes it’s not that surprising. For the past six months, they’ve formed a bond unlike any he’s ever known. TK is the person that he wakes up to - even though their beds are on opposite sides of the room - and falls asleep talking to. He’s the person that Carlos seeks out when he’s stressed or excited or just wants someone nearby. They talk about anything and everything, they laugh until their stomachs hurt, they cry while watching movies together. There is nothing that stands between them now; no walls, no fears, no ex-boyfriends. To Carlos, they sometimes feel like two sides of the same coin, while also somehow still being their own individual coins. It doesn’t really make sense when he tries to understand it, but it overwhelms him in the best possible way.

He knows that Michelle is happy for him, even though she likes to joke about how disgusting and in-love he is right now. But, that still didn’t stop her from giving him a bone-crushing hug when he first told her, his face as red as a firetruck when she affectionately whispered “I told you so, Carlos” in his ear before planting a kiss on his cheek.

In his “honeymoon period” - as his friends have taken to calling his current state of being - he can’t even be mad that she was right.

He’s pulled from his thoughts when Michelle’s phone dings on the desk next to him, her answering growl at the message causing his brows to furrow and his lips to pull downward into a frown. “What’s this about, ‘Chelle’?” he asks, preparing himself for one of her classic tirades.

“I don’t understand why guys have to get so cagey and weird about Valentine’s Day plans,” she begins, her lips pursed in annoyance as she continues to glare down at her phone. “Like, I’m not trying to coerce you into a date on this one freaking day just so that you feel obligated to marry me and give me children one day, you know? I just want chocolate and wine and some good sex! Why does that have to be such a thing?” 

Carlos stares at her, trying to figure out how to respond. To be honest, he’s never really seen the point of Valentine’s Day. Sure, he absolutely loves romance - he used to dream about finding his fairytale prince, after all - but he’s never really seen the point in fixating on one day when real romance happens every day. He feels like a lot of people bottle up all of their grand gestures for a few major holidays, but forget to make simple gestures the rest of the year, and he’s never really understood that. It doesn’t help that he’s never had a person to share one of those holidays with, but as he sits and listens to Michelle, he realizes that that’s no longer true.

That thought causes something resembling fear to settle at the bottom of his stomach. For the first time in his admittedly short relationship with TK, he feels wildly unprepared. 

He shakes himself out of his thoughts, determined to leave his stressing out about it until later. Right now, it’s Michelle’s turn.

“I mean, did you tell them that?” Carlos asks, gesturing to the phone when Michelle just stares at him. “The person you’re talking to?” he clarifies.

“Yeah, but he’s just being an ass now,” she scoffs, tossing her phone down again. She starts pacing behind him. “Talking about how he doesn’t ‘know if he’s free’ or how he ‘might already have plans, so he has to check and let me know later.’ Like, he’s obviously pretty careful about making plans on Valentine’s Day, so he totally knows if he already has them or not!” She’s rubbing tiredly at her face when the phone behind her rings and Carlos watches as she throws her hands up in frustration before moving to answer it. “Whatever, I’ll just buy my own chocolate and wine and spend the night at home. Who needs a man to have great sex anyway?”

Carlos is saved from answering when Michelle picks up the phone, all traces of frustration disappearing from her voice as she speaks to the other person on the line. With a shake of his head, he turns back to the front of the desk, adjusting his glasses as he finds his place in his book once again.

He makes it through a few more chapters before he’s once again interrupted, this time by the soft rapping of knuckles on the counter in front of him. He jumps slightly, pulled from his pages as a wide smile takes over his face when he looks up to find his boyfriend leaning against the desk just off to his left, staring at him with a soft smile. “Hey, you,” TK says, his face resting on his palm as it rests on the counter.

“Hi,” Carlos whispers back, and he knows that if he could look in a mirror right now, his eyes would be squinty from the way his smile takes over his entire face. He can’t help it, he’s always just really, really happy when he gets to see TK. “How long have you been standing there?”

“Not too long,” TK answers, sliding along the counter until they’re directly in front of one another. “When I came up, your face was all scrunched as you were reading, and I didn’t want to disturb you.”

Carlos clearly hears what he’s not saying - I just wanted to look at you - and his heart starts somersaulting in his chest. He bites down on his bottom lip, hesitating for only a moment, before he stands from his chair to lean over the desk and press a gentle kiss to TK’s lips. 

“I like it when you disturb me,” he says when they part. 

“And I like it when you kiss me,” TK says, glancing down at Carlos’s lips before staring up at him, his green eyes wide and beautiful as a faint blush covers his cheeks. With a lovestruck sigh, Carlos leans forward again, unable to help himself. This time, he lets the tip of his tongue peek out between his lips, hoping just a little taste of TK will keep him satisfied until he’s done with his shift.

TK groans when he pulls away again, trying to chase Carlos’s mouth but finding himself blocked by the desk between them. “Why do you have to be working right now?” he complains, his bottom lip jutting out. 

“Stick around a little longer and I might not have to work at all,” Carlos teases, reaching out to run his thumb along TK’s pronounced lip. “You’re going to get me fired for inappropriate workplace behavior.”

“Now, wait a minute!” TK cries, stepping away from Carlos’s touch and crossing his arms over his chest. “I just came by to check out my favorite librarian, sir. You’re the one who can’t keep his hands to himself.”

Carlos rolls his eyes at his boyfriend, but he can’t stop the smile that appears on his face to mirror the one on TK’s, the man obviously pleased with his own joke. It makes Carlos want to take on the world for him, just to see him smile like that every minute of every day.

“I find it hard to focus when you’re around,” he admits, shaking his head as he looks around them. It’s still early in the afternoon, so there are very few people in the study area, and only a couple passing through. He glances behind him to see that Michelle has disappeared, probably to fulfill an archives request or something. “You think I’d be used to it by now,” he continues, picking at his fingers as he avoids eye contact with TK, “but I don’t know that I’ll ever be.”

“Hey,” TK says softly, reaching out for him. Carlos immediately takes his hand, linking their fingers together and laying them on top of the desk. TK’s thumb drags against his skin, and he feels little bursts of electricity on every one of his nerve endings. “You know I feel the same way, right?” his boyfriend asks, ducking his head to make eye contact. “Like, I think 98% of what goes on up here is just Carlos Carlos Carlos all the time, on a constant loop,” he says, gesturing to his head with a sardonic smile.

“Especially when you’re wearing those glasses and scrunching your face about something in one of your books,” TK adds on, lifting his free hand to trace along Carlos’s eyebrows. “I’ve had endless dreams about this crease between your eyes, it’s really beyond ridiculous.”

Carlos shivers when TK adjusts his glasses on his face, running his fingers along the edge of the frames as his eyes slide around to take in his features. It’s exhilarating, terrifying, and somehow affirming all at the same time, to be admired by the man before him.

They’re really doing this, the two of them. They’re falling in love, and it’s just as easy as breathing. 

“We really are disgusting, aren’t we?” he jokes, parroting the claims made by all of their friends in the past few weeks. 

“Oh, totally, without question,” TK nods, his eyebrows scrunching adorably as he lets out a laugh. “I would definitely want to punch us if we were other people.”

“I’m glad we’re not though. Other people. I’m glad we’re us.”

“Damn it, Carlos,” TK whines, dramatically folding himself in half as he pushes away from the desk like someone’s forcing him to do so, “I really am going to get you fired if you say things like that to my face.”

Carlos doesn’t respond, watching as TK glares at him for a moment before his smile breaks through. With a shake of his head, he dives back towards him, pressing a hard kiss to his lips. Before Carlos can even remember to kiss back, he pulls away again.

“Okay, I’m taking control of this situation,” TK says, shaking his head when Carlos raises his eyebrow in question. “Nope, stop it, put that eyebrow down and stop looking adorable, Reyes.” TK begins to slowly walk backwards away from the desk, a new look of determination on his face. “I’m going to go downstairs to get you a juice, and then I’m going to go sit in that chair furthest from this desk and study until you’re done.”

He looks proud of his new plan, clapping his hands together in triumph as a ridiculous grin takes over his face. 

“And then what?” Carlos can’t help but tease, his tone challenging. 

“And then,” TK fires back, his grin transforming into a smirk, “you and I are going back to our room and we are definitely not going to get any studying done whatsoever. How does that sound?”

Carlos lets himself have this moment, lets himself feel the way his body and soul comes alive as he looks at the man in front of him. The man of his dreams, now the man of his reality.

“Perfect,” he finally says, unable to hear it over the pounding of his heart.

Every moment with TK sounds more perfect than the last.

📚 📚 📚 📚 📚